Daniel Bryan's Reported Health Issues Should Not Impact Extreme Rules Booking

Daniel Bryan's physical health is all the talk among WWE fans once again.  The Yes Man is reportedly having tests run to see if he will be able to face Bad News Barrett at Extreme Rules on Sunday, April 26.  This news comes after he was sent home from the company's European tour, and the intercontinental title match is now perhaps in danger of not taking place.

But if Bryan is healthy enough to compete, then neither this booking nor the decision of who should go over for the championship should be impacted.

This may have been the worst possible news Bryan's fans could have received.  The former WWE world champion has been through so much and seen so much disappointment that any negativity at this point is cause for serious dread.

The term "career threatening" has been used closely with Bryan's name since 2014, and it's really never dissipated in fan circles.  That talk could well be heating up once again, as just the mention of a potential new injury likely has the wrestling world speculating like it did before.

credit: wwe.com

Bryan's exit for neck surgery in May of 2014 left fans shocked and disheartened.  The man they had supported during his fight against The Authority had finally been defeated, but the loss was due to the physical work he had put in on his way to winning the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.

WrestleMania 30 was Bryan's night, as he had finally conquered the biggest heel threat of his career and overcame the odds to become champion.  He was the most naturally gifted and most technically skilled underdog WWE had possibly ever seen.  Fans rode his emotional roller-coaster ride to the top with him.  But as soon as he got there, it was over.

It seems history may be repeating itself.

As of this writing, however, the match is still on, and if Bryan can go on April 26, then it should happen. The company would surely want him to be safe, but the fact is Bryan is a competitor, and performing at a high level is what he does.

He certainly knows how he's feeling, and as long as WWE green lights the match, then it should go on as planned.

credit: wwe.com

The Intercontinental Championship was an important title before it landed on Bryan's waist, but now that he has it, it's more important than ever before.  This is definitely a case of the man making the belt, not the belt making the man. Bryan's star power has helped lift the strap to new heights.

Bryan's love of the belt and the respect he's shown it only adds to the work he's put in to make it relevant once again.  There should not be a knee-jerk reaction to Bryan's health issues at Extreme Rules.  

Taking the belt from him under these circumstances would be the wrong move and would be too much of a blow considering how he was forced to give up the WWE world title last year.  That was a moment in time WWE fans will never forget, as the man that fought so hard to get the top prize was forced to give it back.

And that moment should not be repeated now.

The IC title may not be the main title, but WWE has reminded fans of its importance from the moment Bryan won it.  In the fans' eyes, Bryan is getting the closest consolation prize possible with the Intercontinental Championship, and that cannot be forgotten.

Many already feel Bryan was robbed of the main event at WrestleMania 31, and to stop him now after he's gotten into a great rhythm would be a mistake.

But if Bryan were physically unable to defend the championship, then its understandable WWE would need to move on.  Simply taking it from him for fear of what could happen is not right, however; he's done nothing to lose it.

He does not have to be 100 percent from this point on to remain the champion.  He is a workhorse in WWE, but defending the title on both Raw and SmackDown is not really necessary; other talents can step up to fill the void.  Bryan could take time to heal up and get back to form while still cutting promos and being a presence on TV.

And when he's ready to step back into the ring, he can do so and get the Intercontinental Championship back on track once again.  

Bryan has just not had enough time with the belt.  Every week, John Cena throws out the challenge for anyone in the WWE locker room who wants the United States Championship. He has brought the title back to the forefront, elevating it in the process.

Bryan deserves that kind of spotlight, and he can make the IC title just as important as the U.S. title is now.  But that cannot happen if WWE pulls the plug too soon.  Barrett is a good technician and a great heel, but he cannot give the belt what it really needs to get over.  

The same can be said of Dolph Ziggler, The Miz, Damien Sandow, Luke Harper and perhaps every other midcard star WWE has.  The talent is there, the drive is there, but the heart and the star power Bryan has is not.

It's unknown what will happen with Bryan through all of this.  But barring any serious injury requiring him to be sidelined, there is no reason for WWE to change its plans at Extreme Rules.  There is even less reason to take the Intercontinental Championship from him.

He's just getting started with the belt and should stay the course as long as he's healthy enough to do so.