Daniel Bryan to Give Up WWE Titles? Superstar to Appear on 'Raw' Tonight
There is much confusion about whether WWE superstar Daniel Bryan will retire his titles due to neck surgery. The star was forced to undergo immediate surgery on his neck after sustaining multiple injuries, and while he was at the top of his game, holding the WWE titles, the Authority wants him to forfeit the titles "for the sake of business."
Bryan fought hard to win his titles, battling every imaginable, and unimaginable, foe the Authority threw his way. Now he has the titles and a serious neck injury to focus on. He announced that he would be taking time off two weeks ago, much to the dismay of fans. Then, last week, owner Stephanie McMahon announced that she wanted Bryan to appear on "Monday Night Raw" to formally forfeit the titles. He is scheduled to be on the show tonight, fresh from surgery, but what he has to say remains to be seen.
While there are many who want him to keep the hard-earned titles, other insiders think that it would prove to be an interesting storyline if he had to start from scratch to gain the titles back from the Authority. Right now the WWE is suffering from a loss of profits after signing a new deal with NBCUniversal.
Owner Vince McMahon lost approximately $300 million dollars in stock after signing with NBCUniversal, and if Bryan is willing to cooperate, giving up his titles could bring a renewed interest in the classic underdog storyline and unite his fans. The question remains, though, who would hold the title?
Stephanie suggested a plethora of candidates, including Batista, Kane, and Triple H. Any of those wrestlers could prove to be formidable foes for those who dare step in the ring with them. However, there is a great deal of talk about Batista leaving the WWE because he is unsatisfied with his treatment since returning. Holding the title could give him an incentive to stay.
"Raw" airs Monday nights on USA Network.