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Impact Teases Daniel Bryan; WWE Returns to Touring; Chelsea Green Rumors
May 21, 2021
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 05: WWE Superstar Daniel Bryan Celebrate's Wrestlemania 35 at The Empire State Building on April 05, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Santiago Felipe/Getty Images)
Bleacher Report catches you up on the latest news from the WWE Universe.
Impact Wrestling Teases Potential Daniel Bryan Appearance
Impact Wrestling released a video Thursday in which it teased the signing of several former WWE Superstars, including Daniel Bryan.
The video showed images of—or related to—multiple wrestlers who were recently released by WWE or saw their contracts expire:
Impact could not use an image of Bryan since he never wrestled for the company, but it did flash the word "Yes!" across the screen, which is Bryan's signature catchphrase.
It was reported by multiple outlets earlier this month that Bryan's WWE contract came to an end, which is why he lost a career vs. title match to Universal champion Roman Reigns on SmackDown last month and got taken out with a conchairto afterward.
The possibility of the 39-year-old Bryan re-signing with WWE remains, but he is also reportedly free to sign with any other promotion, including AEW, New Japan Pro-Wrestling, Ring of Honor and Impact.
The teaser promo was in reference to Slammiversary, which is scheduled for July 17 and is one of Impact's biggest pay-per-views of the year.
Impact aired similar teasers last year after WWE's mass releases, and it resulted in the likes of The Good Brothers, Eric Young and Heath Slater appearing on the show.
It seems likely that Impact will attract more mid-level performers than top stars like Bryan, but if Bryan is ready to move on from WWE and try new things, an appearance at Slammiversary isn't completely out of the question, even if it's a one-off.
WWE Returning to Touring in Front of Fans in July
For the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic last year, WWE is going back on the road beginning in July.
WWE announced Friday that it will go on a 25-city tour running from July 16 through Labor Day on Sept. 6.
The first three stops on that tour were announced as follows:
SmackDown at the Toyota Center in Houston on July 16
Money in the Bank at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth on July 18
Raw at American Airlines Center in Dallas on July 19
With the exception of the two-night WrestleMania 37 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa last month, WWE has not run shows in front of a live crowd since early last year.
In keeping with health and safety protocols, WWE initially held Raw, SmackDown and pay-per-views at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando before moving to the Orlando Magic's Amway Center and creating the ThunderDome.
While not the same as having live fans in attendance, the ThunderDome has created a fun atmosphere with fans watching from home appearing on screens throughout the arena.
Once WWE had to move out of the Amway Center, it went to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, and it is currently running shows at the Yuengling Center in Tampa.
WWE noted that it will announce subsequent dates and locations for its upcoming tour in the near future.
A live crowd is one of the most important aspects of a wrestling show, and WWE is set to inject some much-needed excitement into the product by going back on the road.
Chelsea Green Reportedly Negotiating with Impact
On the heels of her release from WWE last month, Chelsea Green is reportedly in talks to return to one of her former companies.
According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t WrestlingInc.com's Marc Middleton), Green has been negotiating with Impact Wrestling, although there is no indication that a deal has been reached.
Green cannot officially work for another company until July 14 due to the 90-day no-compete clause in her WWE contract, but that would allow her to appear at Impact's Slammiversary pay-per-view on July 17.
The 30-year-old Green was one of several wrestlers featured in a teaser video for Slammiversary. All of them were recently released by WWE.
Green already has ties to Impact, as she worked there from 2016-18 under the name Laurel Van Ness.
As Van Ness, Green held the Impact Knockouts Championship for just over two months before dropping it to Allie and then signing with WWE.
Green was plagued by injuries in WWE and never truly got a sustained chance to convert her immense potential into a successful run.
Given her history with Impact and the fact that her fiancée, Matt Cardona, is currently working for the company, Impact is a logical landing spot for Green.
Listen to Ring Rust Radio for all of the hot wrestling topics. Catch the latest episode in the player below (warning: some language NSFW).
McIntyre Wants Bryan Match, Reigns Makes Boastful Claim, Nakamura on Comfort in WWE
May 19, 2021
TOKYO,JAPAN - JUNE 29: Drew McIntyre enters the ring during the WWE Live Tokyo at Ryogoku Kokugikan on June 29, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)
Bleacher Report catches you up on the latest news from the WWE Universe.
McIntyre Wants to Wrestle Bryan
Daniel Bryan is currently a free agent, but Drew McIntyre isn't giving up hope on Bryan returning to WWE and eventually facing him.
In an interview with Shawn D'souza of Mid-Day.com, McIntyre said the following about his desire to wrestle Bryan:
"Daniel Bryan. I don't know what’s going on with his future after he lost the match. Maybe he shows up on NXT? Maybe he shows up on RAW? But he and I haven't got to do much together. Certainly never had anything big, and I think obviously with where we're at in our careers, it would be something very special."
Bryan's last appearance on WWE programming came on the April 30 edition of SmackDown when he lost a career vs. title match to Universal champion Roman Reigns.
Reigns made Bryan pass out and then put an exclamation point on the win by hitting Bryan with a conchairto after the fact.
That was WWE's way of writing Bryan off television since his contract reportedly expired, meaning he is free to sign anywhere he pleases.
While other companies like AEW and New Japan Pro-Wrestling could possibly appeal to Bryan, a return to WWE isn't necessarily out of the question.
If Bryan does re-sign with WWE, it wouldn't be surprising to see him make the move to Raw since he was banished from SmackDown with the loss to Reigns, and the red brand could undoubtedly benefit from some fresh faces.
In the event that Bryan does go to Raw, McIntyre would be an ideal opponent given his star power and the fact that they haven't wrestled much during their careers.
Bryan and McIntyre have wrestled twice in singles matches during their careers, and neither was televised on a major show. They also haven't locked horns in any capacity since 2013.
Both Bryan and McIntyre are extremely different performers now, and a Bryan vs. McIntyre match would unquestionably be worthy of a pay-per-view main event.
Reigns Says He Is WWE's Best
Roman Reigns has never been lacking in confidence, but The Tribal Chief is at an entirely different level currently.
Replying to a tweet by WWE asking fans to name their favorite WrestleMania Backlash match, Reigns took the opportunity to pat himself on the back:
I don’t need stunts or gimmicks. I am every bit of this art form. 30 min inside the ropes.. No crowd, no problem. Head and shoulders above everyone else and that’s being generous!!
Reigns called himself "head and shoulders above" his peers, and based on his recent performances, it is difficult to argue with The Head of the Table's assertion.
At WrestleMania Backlash, Reigns competed in the main event against Cesaro. Most would probably agree that it was the match of the night, especially since it helped elevate Cesaro even in defeat.
Reigns made his return to WWE at last year's SummerSlam after several months away, and it didn't take long to realize that he was a changed man and a completely different performer.
Reigns turned heel and aligned himself with Paul Heyman, quickly won the Universal Championship and hasn't looked back since.
With Reigns leading the way, SmackDown has arguably been the most compelling wrestling show on television in recent months, plus his matches and rivalries tend to command the most attention as well.
Reigns was a magnet for criticism for many years, but it has become abundantly clear that any shortcomings were a result of him being miscast rather than a lack of talent and ability.
Roman has established himself as the guy and the draw in professional wrestling, and he has every reason to brag based on how consistently he has been delivering.
Nakamura Talks Struggling to Transition to WWE
It has been more than five years since Shinsuke Nakamura left Japan to sign with WWE, but The King of Strong Style recently admitted that he still isn't completely comfortable in his surroundings.
Appearing on Oral Sessions with Renee Paquette (h/t Felix Upton of Ringside News), Nakamura divulged that he believes he is still trying to come into his own in WWE: "I'm still struggling in wrestling. Coming to [the] U.S. and coming to WWE, it's challenging. I came to challenge myself; that's why I’m here. ... I'm waiting to find the right timing [or] the right moment."
Prior to signing with WWE, Nakamura was among the biggest wrestling stars in the world. During his time in NJPW, Nakamura was a three-time IWGP Heavyweight champion and five-time IWGP Intercontinental champion, which puts him in rarefied air among the all-time Japanese greats.
Expectations were huge when Nakamura came to WWE, and he initially delivered by quickly winning the NXT Championship.
Things also went well for Nakamura when he got called up to the main roster, as he beat top stars such as Randy Orton and John Cena and went on to win the 2018 Royal Rumble match.
Nakamura lost to AJ Styles in a WWE Championship match at WrestleMania 34, though, and he turned heel shortly thereafter, which seemed to halt his momentum.
Shinsuke went on to become a United States, Intercontinental and Tag Team champion, but world championship gold has eluded him.
On last week's episode of SmackDown, the 41-year-old veteran lost to King Corbin, but he attacked Corbin afterward and stole his crown, which led to some speculation that WWE could be preparing to hold a King of the Ring tournament.
If that happens and the King of Strong Style wins it, that could be the launching pad Nakamura needs to reach the next level.
Listen to Ring Rust Radio for all of the hot wrestling topics. Catch the latest episode in the player below (warning: some language NSFW).
Jericho Blasts WWE for Zombies; Flair on Daniel Bryan's Future; Hell in a Cell Rumors
May 17, 2021
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 17: (L-R) Ric Flair, Chuck Liddell, and Malea Rose attend the Triller Fight Club: Jake Paul v Ben Askren at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on April 17, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images for Triller)
Bleacher Report catches you up on the latest news from the WWE Universe.
Jericho Makes Zombie Wisecrack at WWE
Sunday night's lumberjack match between The Miz and Damien Priest was...well, it was something. In a cross-promotional event with The Army of the Dead, zombies surrounded the ring rather than WWE superstars.
As one would expect, the result was polarizing. Some thought it was fun and campy, others an embarrassment to the wrestling business.
Chris Jericho? Well, he seemed to be in the latter camp—albeit with his tongue firmly planted in his cheek.
Zombies...ZOMBIES? Wow that just set wrestling back 30 years.
This, of course, is an allusion to the alleged quote from a WWE official who felt AEW's Blood and Guts event "set the business back 30 years."
Jericho has tended to be candid in his thoughts on WWE programming, both good and bad, since leaving the company. If we're going to play a "who's right" battle here, Blood and Guts was basically just the WarGames event WWE puts on every year, plus some actual color.
WWE's zombies match had...literal zombies for cross-promotion for a Netflix movie. Score this one for Jericho.
Ric Flair Doesn't See Daniel Bryan Leaving WWE
Daniel Bryan may be a free agent, but it doesn't appear anyone thinks he's actually heading anywhere. From Vince McMahon to AEW talent to Ric Flair, it appears the overwhelming sentiment is Bryan will re-sign with WWE.
Flair spoke to Conrad Thompson and revealed he thinks family obligations will keep Bryan in WWE.
"I would have a very difficult time believing he would leave the WWE," Flair said. "If he does, I'd be very surprised. That whole family and everybody is tied to the WWE. I was under the impression he wanted to go home and spend more time with the kids. I don’t know what he’s gonna do. Whatever he does, I wish him the best."
Bryan has been open about wanting a less grueling schedule with his next wrestling contract, whether it be in WWE or elsewhere.
Like Flair said, though, it's overwhelmingly likely he winds up staying in WWE because the company can provide him with the best salary and potentially the strongest work environment. He's collecting checks not only from WWE but also the Total Bellas reality show, which is produced by WWE.
Being written off television would give Bryan a well-deserved break while also providing him the freedom of deciding when he wants to return.
WWE surprised fans during Sunday's WrestleMania Backlash pay-per-view by announcing Hell in the Cell would be the next event. Most expected the company to follow its traditional calendar, with Money in the Bank coming directly after Backlash.
PW Insider reported WWE made the decision within the last week to schedule Hell in the Cell for June.
The most logical conclusion here is that WWE wants to have Money in the Bank take place in July in front of fans. While that has not been announced, MITB is a fan-favorite pay-per-view, whereas Hell in the Cell can largely be held without fans.
WWE seems to be in a bit of a holding pattern regarding roster shakeups and big moves until they can get some fan reaction, so a slight calendar adjustment makes some sense.
WWE Rumors on Daniel Bryan-CM Punk, Stone Cold-The Godfather, Jimmy Uso's Injury
May 10, 2021
Retired American professional wrester Bryan Lloyd Danielson, whose WWE ring name is Daniel Bryan, watches during the second period of an NHL hockey game between the New York Islanders and the Anaheim Ducks, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016, in New York. Danielson is now the on-screen general manager of the professional wrestling television program SmackDown Live. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Bleacher Report catches you up on the latest news from WWE and AEW.
WWE Offers No Edict to Avoid Daniel Bryan
When a wrestler leaves WWE, oftentimes the company erases them from their history; when's the last time you heard the name Dean Ambrose or saw any Shield highlights with his name mentioned? The name CM Punk was seemingly taboo for years.
Mike Johnson of PW Insider reported no such edict of silence exists with Daniel Bryan, whose contract with WWE recently expired.
The overwhelming expectation is that Bryan will return to WWE—albeit not on the SmackDown brand. Bryan's loss to Roman Reigns effectively ended his time on the blue brand, but there just so happens to be two more brands he's not banned from should he sign a new contract with the company.
As much fun as it is to speculate about Bryan Danielson showing up in AEW or NJPW for a few dream matches, he's almost certainly finding his way back to WWE. Bryan's found his greatest success with the company, and his wife was just named a Hall of Famer for the company. WWE's production company also handles Total Bellas, the reality show in which Bryan is one of four stars.
As he approaches his 40th birthday, Bryan is likely just trying to position himself to decide the type of arrangement he wants from his next contract.
The Godfather Set for Broken Skull Sessions
Johnson also reported that Charles Wright, known as The Godfather, Papa Shango and Kama Mustafa, will be a guest on Stone Cold Steve Austin's Broken Skull Sessions.
The 59-year-old should make for an interesting episode, given his three major gimmicks in WWE were all memorable for their own reasons. Papa Shango was an attempt to create another supernatural-type character following the success of The Undertaker, using voodoo as its basis. Kama Mufasa was in the Nation of Domination in its infancy, which helped launch The Rock into worldwide superstardom.
However, he remains best known for The Godfather, a gimmick that was the epitome of the Attitude Era—for better and for worse. It will be interesting to see how WWE and Peacock's PG rating will discuss The Godfather character without the obvious allusions to prostitution and the use of derogatory language toward women.
The Godfather remains a mostly beloved gimmick and is by far the most famous period of Wright's career, just not one that would hold up well with 2021 audiences.
Jimmy Uso Cleared for Return
If it wasn't obvious based on his on-screen return for Friday's SmackDown, Jimmy Uso has received full clearance from WWE doctors to return to the ring, per Johnson.
Uso missed more than a year of action after suffering a knee injury at WrestleMania 36. It appears he's headed into some sort of angle where he attempts to come between the bond forged by his brother, Jey, and Roman Reigns.
Jimmy tried to push Jey into breaking away from Reigns during Friday's SmackDown before ultimately choosing to help his brother and cousin when they were attacked by Cesaro.
Report: Daniel Bryan 'Could Legally' Go to AEW 'Next Week' After WWE Contract Expired
May 7, 2021
DETROIT, MI - FEBRUARY 28: WWE wrestler Daniel Bryan appears on Sunday, February 28, 2016 at Autorama at Cobo Hall in Detroit, MI, United States. (Photo by Paul Warner/Getty Images)
Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t Felix Upton of Ringside News) said Bryan could "legally show up next week on [All Elite Wrestling]" if he so chooses.
Wrestlers typically have 90-day non-compete clauses in their contracts after getting released by WWE, which prevents them from joining another company for three months, but since Bryan's contract reportedly expired, he isn't under the same restriction.
Fightful Select (h/t WrestlingInc.com's Marc Middleton) reported this week that Bryan's WWE contract expired after he lost to Roman Reigns in a Universal Championship match on SmackDown last week. The stipulation of that match was that Bryan would have to leave SmackDown in the event of a loss.
The stipulation may simply be a means of allowing Bryan to take some time off, as he is married with two children. He also told Keisha Hatchett of TV Line that his neck was "wrecked" going into the match against Reigns.
Since Bryan has a history of neck and head injuries, it might behoove him to take some time off before returning to the ring.
Meltzer said this week that Bryan would "probably" wrestle for New Japan Pro-Wrestling at its next Tokyo Dome show if not for the COVID-19 pandemic, but he also reported that the "door is still very much open" for him to return to WWE.
Also, Fightful Select (h/t Upton) reported that those within AEW who they spoke to "fully expect" Bryan to re-sign with WWE.
Bryan has been under contract with WWE since 2009, with the exception of a brief hiatus in 2010, and he has been pushed as one of the top Superstars in the company for much of that time, as evidenced by his five world title reigns.
The one thing that could possibly compel Bryan to sign with AEW or another company is the allure of new and fresh opponents, but WWE can offer that as well should Bryan have a run in NXT.
It remains to be seen where the 39-year-old veteran will end up, but he reportedly now has the freedom to go wherever he chooses, whether it's WWE, AEW or somewhere else.
Listen to Ring Rust Radio for all of the hot wrestling topics. Catch the latest episode in the player below (warning: some language NSFW).
Daniel Bryan is a free agent for the first time in over a decade, and his future with WWE is entirely up in the air, p er Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select (h/t Marc Middleton ...
Daniel Bryan Rumors: AEW Talent Believe Superstar Will Sign New WWE Contract
May 6, 2021
Those within All Elite Wrestling reportedly don't expect Daniel Bryan to leave WWE despite the reported expiration of his contract.
According to Fightful Select (h/t Felix Upton of Ringside News), sources within AEW have said they "fully expect Bryan to remain with WWE." Fightful Select added that one AEW source said definitively they heard Bryan is re-signing with WWE.
Fightful Select (h/t WrestlingInc.com's Marc Middleton) reported earlier this week that Bryan's WWE contract expired following his loss to Roman Reigns in a Universal Championship match on SmackDown last week.
The stipulation for the match was that Bryan would have to leave SmackDown if he lost. After winning the bout, Reigns took Bryan out with a conchairto, which suggests he will be taking some time off regardless of his contract status.
The wording of the match stipulation is such that Bryan could return on Raw or NXT in the future while remaining true to his word and staying off the blue brand.
Once Fightful Select reported that Bryan's WWE contract was up, there was predictably speculation within the wrestling world that the 39-year-old veteran could sign elsewhere. AEW emerged as the most-talked-about option given that it has become the No. 2 wrestling promotion in the United States.
AEW could be attractive to Bryan if he wants to try something new and face fresh talent, but he is deeply rooted in WWE.
Aside from a brief stint on the independent scene in 2010, Bryan has been under contract with WWE since 2009, while his wife Brie Bella signed with the company even earlier than that.
Bryan has been one of the biggest stars in the company for much of his tenure, is a five-time world champion and competed in the main event of WrestleMania 37 last month, facing Reigns and Edge in a Triple Threat.
It stands to reason that WWE will give Bryan what he wants within reason in order to get him to stay. One thing that may appeal to Bryan is working a lighter schedule so he can spend more time with his wife and two children.
On top of that, WWE could offer Bryan the chance to work with new and exciting talent should it allow him to have a stint in NXT, where the possibility for dream matches against the likes of Finn Balor, Johnny Gargano, Tommaso Ciampa, Kyle O'Reilly, Walter, Pete Dunne, Kushida, Karrion Kross and others exist.
Any wrestling company would undoubtedly love to have Bryan on its roster, but based on the intel coming out of AEW, rival promotions may be hard-pressed to pry him away from WWE.
Listen to Ring Rust Radio for all of the hot wrestling topics. Catch the latest episode in the player below (warning: some language NSFW).
WWE loves itself some wacky, mismatched tag teams, and R-K-Bro is the latest in a long line of them. Just how long are Randy Orton and Riddle expected to tag, though, and might their ...
