The Fate Of Daniel Bryan: Triumph Or Tragedy?
Kurt Angle's WWE redebut last October was less of a physical regeneration than it was complete redemption. His return to screens as an authority figure after entering 2017's Hall Of Fame had sense of closure for longterm fans that had hoped against hope that he'd end his storied career on the biggest possible stage instead of TNA's increasingly unsteady one. Since shocking the wrestling world with his jump to 'the competition' in 2006, Angle became something of a loose cannon behind the scenes.
Broadly speaking, the quality of his work held up. Angle was every bit the 'Wrestling Machine' that left WWE under an uncomfortable cloud, but the mechanics in other aspects of his life were all beginning to fail. A public divorce from wife Karen wasn't made easier by her marriage to company stalwart Jeff Jarrett years later, nor were repeated driving, drinking and drug-related offences that were brushed past all too liberally by gaffer Dixie Carter. Angle's appearance on a pay-per-view once hinged on him managing to get bail after an (eventually dropped) ugly charge relating to his troubled real life relationship with TNA Knockout Trenesha 'Rhaka Khan' Biggers.
Like Michaels' before him, Angle's story already looked written before his surprise kick-out. Weathered and worn from engaging in a lifetime of brutal athleticism at the highest level, Kurt's body stopped looking right, let along functioning so. A 'retirement' tour that bridged the gap between TNA and WWE between 2016 and 2017 came with pro wrestling's dishonest glint, but the Olympic Gold Medallist escaping the game in one piece became a new target for most discerning audience members. His WWE return reflected his remarkable journey to sobriety, but company officials stuffing him into a General Manager suit were cautiously saving him from himself just as they had done with Daniel Bryan two years earlier.
Kurt's fleeting returns have been largely enjoyable (with his stand-in Shield performance at October's TLC pay-per-view particularly thrilling), but his position as a big name novelty performer hasn't undermined the rich spectrum of action he left behind. Bryan presumably wouldn't feel quite so open to that role despite his recent past. No secret has been made of his desire to wrestle at the level he was at before the injury - the very highest. Kurt will understand the mindset for sure, but may be able to coax the 'Yes Man' away from returning in such a high gear.
Daniel and wife Brie only recently started a family and other than most parents probably understanding why they'd want to return to work for a 'break', wrestling is no ordinary job. It categorically does have an impact on family, and family time, as divorced father-of-five (plus Jason Jordan) can attest to. In one particularly disastrous case, that impact was fatal. (CONT'D)