The disappointment continues for WWE superstar Daniel Bryan, who this week was once again taking centre stage in a Raw ring for all the wrong reasons.
– WWE: Prince Neville’s rise to the throne
– WWE: Demise of The Big Red Machine
– WWE: Reigns vs Big Show saves PPV
Bryan’s latest battle with injury this time saw the fan favourite reluctantly relinquish his Intercontinental Title after announcing he had been undergoing MRI scans and may never wrestle again.
“The Intercontinental Championship should not be sitting on a physical therapist’s chair. It deserves to be in this ring and in this ring is where I am going to leave it,” Bryan told the Cincinnati crowd.
“They don’t know how long I’ll be out. They said maybe weeks, maybe months. They said I might never be able to wrestle again.
“You deserve to have WWE Superstars fighting for this championship.”
The affable wrestler has established himself as the WWE Universe’s ‘man of the people’ and this announcement is yet another nail in the coffin for one of the company’s biggest assets.
It is yet to be seen whether Bryan will return to the ring and the timing of his heartfelt admission couldn’t have come at a worse time for both wrestler and the WWE.
Having won the title at WrestleMania in a six-man ladder match, Bryan and his cohorts had breathed new life into the once renowned Intercontinental belt.
With another defence scheduled for the upcoming Payback PPV, Bryan was back making headlines in the ring rather than in the doctor’s office.
It is a position he has unfortunately become accustomed to after previously vacating the WWE Heavyweight belt after needing of neck surgery, almost a year ago to this day.
For now, Bryan must pass the baton and hope the likes of Dolph Ziggler, Neville, Sheamus and co can continue the momentum that has been built in the past few months and concentrate on getting fit.
He will be sorely missed by fans but his health must take precedence.
Hopefully, Bryan will come back fitter and stronger than ever before and target a return to the top table on his return.
MOVE OF THE WEEK – Finish-off
In keeping with the usual PPV pre-amble, each of the Superstars in the Payback main event took turns to put WWE champion Seth Rollins down on Raw as Dean Ambrose, Randy Orton and Roman Reigns each gave Rollins a taste of their finishers.
TWEETS OF THE WEEK – #ByeByeBryan
#ThankYouDaniel! #RAW @WWEDanielBryan pic.twitter.com/IuswByE6fm
— WWE (@WWE) May 12, 2015
. @WWEDanielBryan makes an emotional decision on #RAW #WWE pic.twitter.com/nroXPiiLjW
— Brooklyn Brawler (@brawlerreal) May 12, 2015
I have respect for Daniel Bryan, his values and considerations for the WWE Universe. #PeoplePower @WWE @WWEUniverse he is truly a Champion
— John Laurinaitis (@JohnLaurinaitis) May 12, 2015
NO! @WWEDanielBryan NO NO NO! I’m so sad for him! So brave of him to give up IC title. @wwe #RAW get well soon #ThankYouDaniel
— Melissa Joan Hart (@MelissaJoanHart) May 12, 2015
Unfortunately, I can relate all too well to what @WWEDanielBryan is feeling right now. Classy thing to do though. So much respect. #RAW
— Corey Graves (@WWEGraves) May 12, 2015
What a load of horse crap from @WWEDanielBryan tonight. I think we all know I deserve my IC Title back. Pathetic scenes. Jog on.
— King Barrett (@WadeBarrett) May 12, 2015
So grateful for @WWEDanielBryan he’s taught me that I can overcome anything, all I have to do is believe in myself pic.twitter.com/IFeOesaYXb
— Nikki & Brie (@BellaTwins) May 12, 2015
