Until recently, Daniel Bryan seemed to be close to a ring return after getting clearance from a third outside doctor in connection with his concussion issues.
However, at World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Raw, it wasn't about that. Rather, it was an emotional farewell to the "Yes Man" who officially announced his retirement.
Try as he might, Bryan was simply plagued with medical issues that forced him to make the difficult decision. He has been in the sidelines for quite some time now, a reason for the evolution of the WWE.
This was no longer about a scripted scene but reality. Bryan's hard announcement of the end of his wrestling career is a fact which comes as a disappointment to the WWE universe who were hoping to see him back in the WWE ring.
Bryan did it all. He savored being a WWE champion and has held most of the other major belts. His size was a handicap but was seen as something that even drew admiration from people who wanted an inspiration.
Despite following a storyline, Bryan would set an example that anything is possible. He did it his way, sacrificing his body for the entertainment of viewers but the pains were real.
Such was the reason behind the hard decision. His body had become fragile as a result of multiple injuries. Such include a neck injury which he somehow managed to return from last year. But as he went along, there was something terribly off when he competed from surgery and ultimately the concussions took its toll.
The WWE didn't want to risk it and in the end, Bryan finally realized that it was not only himself at risk but his family. His wife Brie Bella is around and hopefully, some little tykes to take care of.
The only thing that Bryan left is the action in the ring. He could carry on as an ambassador for the WWE, although the difficulty of walking away permanently may need some time for him to come back to his usual self.
And just as the fans at WWE Raw chanted, "Thank You Bryan, YES, YES YES!"
