WWE: DANIEL BRYAN RETIRES -- Thank you, Bryan

[Kimi]

On him asking for his release, that was last month. A rough timeline is something like:

Last year - Cardinals doctor clears him, WWE say no
Mid-Jan - UCLA clear him, WWE says no, Bryan asks for release
Late-Jan - New tests done in New York
Now - Bryan retires


You can easily read the narrative as the WWE saying "We trust our doctor over the word of others, but there are these new better tests being developed. Go do those and we'll see what they say.".

 

[NewAgeOutlaw]

But why do big time NFL and University doctors not have the most cutting edge neurological tests? Were the tests invented after his tests with the Cardinals and UCLA doctors?

 

[Kimi]

I find it interesting that this new test doesn't appear to be "Peer Reviewed", as Dave puts it.

It's not really interesting, it's just how science works.

Not being peer reviewed doesn't mean it's bad, it just means it's in development (which it is, and which is why it was demoed at the conference).

 

[Sammy225]

This is just my train of thought and i could be completely out to lunch on this, but if this is more or less WWE forcing him to retire i would think they would want to do this quietly and not make a spectacle over it on RAW would they?

 

[Cubs2024wildcard]

On him asking for his release, that was last month. A rough timeline is something like:

Last year - Cardinals doctor clears him, WWE say no
Mid-Jan - UCLA clear him, WWE says no, Bryan asks for release
Late-Jan - New tests done in New York
Now - Bryan retires


You can easily read the narrative as the WWE saying "We trust our doctor over the word of others, but there are these new better tests being developed. Go do those and we'll see what they say.".

DB did the new test at the beginning of January.

He was given the results on the 28th.

 

[Cubs2024wildcard]

This is just my train of thought and i could be completely out to lunch on this, but if this is more or less WWE forcing him to retire i would think they would want to do this quietly and not make a spectacle over it on RAW would they?

WWE isnt forcing him to do anything.

This is his call.

 

[NewAgeOutlaw]

This is just my train of thought and i could be completely out to lunch on this, but if this is more or less WWE forcing him to retire i would think they would want to do this quietly and not make a spectacle over it on RAW would they?

Not so much force him to retire as Bryan might have just realized he wasn't getting cleared anyway so he decided to move on. Either way, you can't retire someone of Bryan's stature quietly and he's too professional to start shooting on WWE during an episode of Raw anyway.

 

[KesselBuiltMyHotrod]

 

[Pinkfloyd]

Hate to say I was right the whole time, but.....

From what Meltzer stated the new test examined his entire brain where as the old tests could provide false negatives/ positives as certain parts of the brain could adapt and compensate for areas that had damage.

Think about that. DB failed the new test. He has a certain amount of brain damage already. DB retiring now so he can have a long productive life is the best thing. WWE has been doing nothing but looking out for his long term health and are still paying him rather well.

DB did the new test at the beginning of January.

He was given the results on the 28th.

Where exactly is proof of anything you're saying here. All I see is a whole lot of speculation from various sources. Nothing even remotely concrete like him even taking said test let alone getting results.

 

[Blitzkrug]

This guy again?

M.C.G get your shovel pls

 

[Emperoreddy]

Short but satisfying career. He's definitely one of my favourite wrestlers ever.

Have to disagree with you shock master.

Short yes but not satisfying. At least not as much as it should of been.

He had amazing but small moments of ultimate triump before the company threw yet another mountain in front of him and attempted to bury him.

We complain now how Vince tries to bury Bray and Dean but what DB had to fight through was another level.

That short moment we got to see him finally conquer all was one of the greatest moments in recent wrestling history.

But he should of been the face of the company for years to come buy politics and legit health issues stopped that.

This is nothing but awful news to me.

 

[RockLobster]

On him asking for his release, that was last month. A rough timeline is something like:

Last year - Cardinals doctor clears him, WWE say no
Mid-Jan - UCLA clear him, WWE says no, Bryan asks for release
Late-Jan - New tests done in New York
Now - Bryan retires


You can easily read the narrative as the WWE saying "We trust our doctor over the word of others, but there are these new better tests being developed. Go do those and we'll see what they say.".

While I don't disagree with what you're saying, I can see DB's side being that since they're not peer reviewed, then how can they be given higher priority? That's why I find that particular phrase interesting in that report from Dave, because it indicates that the "jury is still out on the science".

 

[Emperoreddy]

Not so much force him to retire as Bryan might have just realized he wasn't getting cleared anyway so he decided to move on. Either way, you can't retire someone of Bryan's stature quietly and he's too professional to start shooting on WWE during an episode of Raw anyway.

Ya Bryan isn't Punk. Even if he knows they are wrong he might just not be as willing to blow the bridge up.

 

[Kimi]

But why do big time NFL and University doctors not have the most cutting edge neurological tests? Were the tests invented after his tests with the Cardinals and UCLA doctors?

'Cos that's not how the world works.


It's a new test being developed and worked on by one lab in New York. It's not a finished product that you can buy in a shop or something, or even something that everyone is going to know about even within the area of research. That's why they have these conferences and thing to demo things and exchange ideas and discus problems. And even when people can buy it, it's not going to instantly proliferate to everywhere instantly.

 

[Blitzkrug]

I think it was satisfying. He does have one of the biggest moments in Mania history to his name.

Some guys spent double the time he did in WWE and don't even come close to getting something like that.

 

[Pinkfloyd]

'Cos that's not how the world works.


It's a new test being developed and worked on by one lab in New York. It's not a finished product that you can buy in a shop or something, or even something that everyone is going to know about even within the area of research. That's why they have these conferences and thing to demo things and exchange ideas and discus problems. And even when people can buy it, it's not going to instantly proliferate to everywhere instantly.

But generally those tests don't become the standard for clearing someone while in its development phase. Using a developing system to keep a guy out is sketchy at best and I don't think this issue has anything to do with that.

 

[NewAgeOutlaw]

'Cos that's not how the world works.


It's a new test being developed and worked on by one lab in New York. It's not a finished product that you can buy in a shop or something, or even something that everyone is going to know about even within the area of research. That's why they have these conferences and thing to demo things and exchange ideas and discus problems. And even when people can buy it, it's not going to instantly proliferate to everywhere instantly.

But my point is that somebody with Bryan's money is going to find the most cutting edge tests. You can bet the man is desperate to wrestle again, but he surely would also like to know if he risks serious brain injuries by wrestling. There is just no way he wouldn't be getting the most up to date tests available.

 

[Cubs2024wildcard]

So don't. Plain and simple.

I have no intention to. Because the one person on this forum (me) who knows a little bit more about the industry beyond a Meltzer sub could have told you all along DB was damaged goods physically before he came into the WWE. And that it was 50/50 from the beginning if they would even offer him a contract.

The WWE has done just as much for DB as he has done for them if not more. This translucent idea they were holding him back just to bury him was just a story line when the fact is, they pushed him straight to the top knowing he didnt have a long shelf life as a prime time guy, then send him off a grand slam champ.

If anybody wants to point fingers, blame all the indys for letting this guy do whatever in front of 200 people.

 

[Kimi]

But my point is that somebody with Bryan's money is going to find the most cutting edge tests. You can bet the man is desperate to wrestle again, but he surely would also like to know if he risks serious brain injuries by wrestling. There is just no way he wouldn't be getting the most up to date tests available.

And just as easily you can say that someone with Bryan's desire to wrestle will look for any doctor who will clear him so he can wrestle.


Anyway, getting the most up to date approved tests is one thing, getting the cutting edge in development ones is a very very very different thing.

 

[Cubs2024wildcard]

Where exactly is proof of anything you're saying here. All I see is a whole lot of speculation from various sources. Nothing even remotely concrete like him even taking said test let alone getting results.

Meltzer

 

[RockLobster]

I have no intention to.

Okay, good. I believe you, let's move on with th---

Because the one person on this forum (me) who knows a little bit more about the industry beyond a Meltzer sub could have told you all along DB was damaged goods physically before he came into the WWE.

Damn it. You ALMOST had me.

How about this. Stop the gloating, or you won't be able to participate in this conversation.

 

[NewAgeOutlaw]

And just as easily you can say that someone with Bryan's desire to wrestle will look for any doctor who will clear him so he can wrestle.


Anyway, getting the most up to date approved tests is one thing, getting the cutting edge in development ones is a very very very different thing.

The guy lives for wrestling, but he's not gonna avoid advanced tests that might show brain damage just so he can wrestle. Do you really think he's crazy enough to turn a blind eye towards his own serious head injuries just to wrestle again?

Meltzer

Speculation by Meltzer.

 

[Pinkfloyd]

Meltzer

My point is proven. All you got is speculation.

 

[Cubs2024wildcard]

Okay, good. I believe you, let's move on with th---



Damn it. You ALMOST had me.

How about this. Stop the gloating, or you won't be able to participate in this conversation.

Nobody is gloating. This is a horrible day for wrestling/ sports entertainment.

But I will say this, if indy promoters would regulate the things that go on within their promotions you wouldnt have a guy shut down in his prime.

I recall one spot fest ROH show in the Chicago burbs where DB (known as BD back then) didnt three flying head butts onto the concrete missing twice, but he had to do it to elevate his match on a card filled with high spots and sick bumps.

 

[Kimi]

The guy lives for wrestling, but he's not gonna avoid advanced tests that might show brain damage just so he can wrestle. Do you really think he's crazy enough to turn a blind eye towards his own serious head injuries just to wrestle again?


Speculation by Meltzer.

No I don't. I've never said anything to make you think that.