Daniel Bryan Gets Physical For First Time Since 2015, Leaves SmackDown On Stretcher (Video, Photos)
Tonight's WWE SmackDown saw General Manager Daniel Bryan get physical in a WWE ring for the first time since 2015.
Bryan called out Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens to confront them about last week's attack on Shane McMahon and ended up firing them for their actions. This led to Sami and Owens attacking Bryan until he fought back for a very strong reaction from the crowd. Bryan hit his Yes Kicks, the corner dropkicks and other moves but the numbers game caught up to him. The brawl ended with Sami hitting a Helluva Kick and Owens hitting a powerbomb on the outside. SmackDown ended with Bryan being stretchered away by paramedics.
As noted earlier via Wrestling Observer Radio, the plan as of Sunday and Monday was to do Bryan and Shane vs. Owens and Sami in a tag team match at WrestleMania 34. Shane previously announced Sami vs. Owens in a singles match for New Orleans but it looks like that match will be changed due to Bryan being cleared, possibly as soon as next Tuesday night.
Bryan's last WWE match came on April 14th, 2015 – a win with John Cena over Tyson Kidd and Cesaro. There's no word yet on if WWE has plans for Bryan to wrestle before WrestleMania 34 but as noted before, Bryan is now free & clear to wrestle as much as he wants and as much as the company wants to use him.
Below are photos and videos from the segment along with a tweet from Owens and video from Bryan's opening segment:
? Kevin Owens (@FightOwensFight) March 21, 2018
.@SamiZayn and @FightOwensFight have arrived, and they'll meet #SDLive General Manager @WWEDanielBryan in the ring... NEXT! pic.twitter.com/0lvG0t1mDW
? WWE (@WWE) March 21, 2018
.@SamiZayn CAN'T contain his excitement for @WWEDanielBryan's in-ring return! #SDLive #DanielBryanReturns @FightOwensFight pic.twitter.com/gXQsTZ9J7D
? WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) March 21, 2018
.@FightOwensFight and @SamiZayn's smiles have soured as @WWEDanielBryan voices his displeasure for their actions against @shanemcmahon last week. #SDLive pic.twitter.com/tLbrPVW2rH
? WWE (@WWE) March 21, 2018
"I hate that I have to do this, but @SamiZayn... @FightOwensFight... YOU'RE FIRED."
A SHOCKING announcement from #SDLive General Manager @WWEDanielBryan. pic.twitter.com/TVmrsLF73k
? WWE (@WWE) March 21, 2018
Try to ATTACK @WWEDanielBryan? NOT SO FAST, @FightOwensFight and @SamiZayn! #SDLive #DanielBryanReturns pic.twitter.com/oLVbbEjtF3
? WWE (@WWE) March 21, 2018
The YES! Kicks are BACK!!!!#SDLive #YesYesYes #DanielBryanReturns @WWEDanielBryan @FightOwensFight @SamiZayn pic.twitter.com/cJT8vYC64A
? WWE (@WWE) March 21, 2018
#SDLive General Manager @WWEDanielBryan seems to have more FIGHT in him than ever, but the now-FIRED @FightOwensFight & @SamiZayn may have just extinguished it... pic.twitter.com/GhUMf8MTNx
? WWE (@WWE) March 21, 2018
Is @WWEDanielBryan's in-ring return in jeopardy after a VICIOUS attack from @FightOwensFight & @SamiZayn? #SDLive pic.twitter.com/fvtf06Lmid
? WWE (@WWE) March 21, 2018