Daniel Bryan has experienced one of the most meteoric rises that the WWE Universe has ever seen.
But just like that, can it be all over for the soon-to-be 34-year-old superstar?
It sure seems that way after Bryan forfeited the WWE Intercontinental championship on Monday Night RAW, emotionally citing a doubtful MRI last week.
"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," Bryan said as he stood in the center of the squared circle. "But despite the uncertainty in my career, that makes me know for a fact what needs to happen with the Intercontinental championship. You guys deserve to have WWE Superstars fighting for this championship. You deserve to have Wade Barrett, you deserve to have Dolph Ziggler, you deserve to have Dean Ambrose fighting for this championship!
"The Intercontinental championship doesn't deserve to be on a physical therapist's chair," he added. "It deserves to be in this ring, and in this ring is where I'm going to leave it."
With that said, Bryan announced that he was officially relinquishing the IC strap, drawing a chorus of "Thank you, Daniel" chants from the crowd. In turn, he thanked them before leaving the belt in the ring and walking away, leading a raucous "Yes" chant. Will it be his last, though?
Bryan holding court in the ring Monday night came a year after he already had neck surgery. We've seen storylines cleverly crafted before to set up a wrestler's absence, only to return him to an even bigger pop down the road. This doesn't seem like one of those times at all. Don't forget that neck injuries also claimed the careers of Edge and Stone Cold Steve Austin. It would be a shame if Bryan's career ends with him in his absolute prime. No, no, no!
Let's hope that Bryan is back in the ring before we know it.
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