This whole thing has been difficult for me to follow.
Obviously, Bryan has a history of concussions and he needs to be cleared by a particular expert, because previous ones have both said yes and no. Okay. That much I get. I feel like that's been the situation for six months at least.
Has Bryan had way more concussions than other guys? More severe concussions? Other health problems that are factoring into these experts' decisions? I've heard wildly different answers for these questions.
I don't understand what the tests are or how they work, so I'm not sure why it's taken so long for him to get approved or rejected. I assume he will not be improving, that his condition after these concussions is permanent and it's a judgement call from the experts to decide if there's too much damage or he's still good. The fact that it's taken this long and this hard of a decision tells me that even if he gets approved, Bryan is walking a tightrope. I can't imagine he has a long run after this. But even if that is the case, that seems like ground for an outright rejection.
Do I believe WWE is telling doctors to keep Bryan in limbo so his return does not destroy their evil plans of World Romanation or his rejection results in him jumping promotions? Of course not, that's ridiculous. And although WWE is a petty, childish company, they're rarely outright sinister.
But I don't think he gets the A-OK on Friday and is on RAW on Monday. I think WWE has assumed Bryan is out for the year and have made zero plans for him, so it'll be difficult for them to reincorporate him into the show in time for Wrestlemania, much like last year. And, you know, that's probably for the best. Nobody wants to see him return so he can get beat and have a Wrestlemania match with little thought put into it. After Mania, it's a new year with a fresh start and that's a great time for him to return. And I wouldn't blame WWE to tell Bryan once he's approved to not announce it immediately. But even that is, like, come on.
My biggest concern by far isn't even Daniel Bryan. It's Tommy Dreamer. He's spoken at length about how concussions have affected his mind and he was in the main event of RAW a month ago. I don't know if he was exaggerating his condition or what, but I do know that there should be one universal standard for WWE performers, regardless of part-time, full-time, or one-time returns. Everyone gets their head examined, everyone takes a piss test, and everyone lives longer.