Best Non-Wrestling Roles for Daniel Bryan Following WWE Retirement

Even though concussions have forced Daniel Bryan from the ring, he can still contribute to WWE, still be a part of the art form he has long adored.

The former WWE champion's expertise and charm, name power and experience are all valuable assets. If Bryan chooses to stick around the squared circle, he could better the company in a variety of ways.

It's unfortunate that this conversation even needs to be had. Bryan is not yet 35 years old. He was arguably the best performer on WWE's roster. And the insanely popular star connected with fans like few ever have.

But on Monday night, it all officially ended. Bryan announced his retirement on Raw.

During his farewell speech, he talked about how much passion he had for the business. Bryan said, "I have loved this in a way that I have never loved anything else."

That's why it's likely that once the disappointment wanes some, Bryan will consider working for WWE in a non-wrestling role. In December, Bryan spoke with Malaysia's Pass the Popcorn about the company offering him just such a gig.

He said, "They [WWE] asked me a bunch of stuff of what I'd like to do like announce or be a trainer at NXT. I'm sure at some point in my life I would, but right now it would be too soon."

That was before he knew for sure that he was done as a wrestler. If that reality changes his mind, there is a trio of ideal spots for him where he can make the biggest impact.

Ambassador 

Maybe it's because Bryan is equal parts everyman and superman. Maybe it's just a result of the powerful connection he has made with crowds along the way. Whatever the reason, the worldwide audience adores him.

He would make a great representative as WWE promotes tours abroad. He would do well hyping events via media appearances. 

As Will Pruett of ProWrestling.net pointed out last year, his personality is perfect for an ambassador role:

This is essentially what WWE has had him doing for the past year. While he awaited medical clearance, he traveled to Malaysia and India, as well as served as a key spokesperson during the promotion of the WWE 2K16 video game.  

It's a bit of a surprise that someone so understated would thrive in these spots, but he has. That's surely partly due to how genuine he is. He doesn't come off as a salesman forcefully pushing his products. 

Going this route moving forward would make use of his fame and popularity while allowing him flexibility. He doesn't need to be on the road every week in this situation.

Agent

Backstage agents, as David Shoemaker explained on Grantland, are "usually former wrestlers tasked with planning untelevised road shows and working out match specifics." Wrestlers like Lita, Dean Malenko and Jamie Noble work in that role for WWE right now.

Bryan would be tremendous as part of that team.

Part of the job is being able to relate and communicate with the Superstars. Bryan clearly knows just about everybody he would be working with. He's a friendly, personable guy who comes off as patient and caring. All that would go a long way in helping him succeed as an agent.

His best asset, though, is his mind for the business.

Bryan has been wrestling since he was 18. He's worked in Japan and Ring of Honor, at the top of the WWE card and as a midcard comedy act. 

And just about every match he had was excellent. Someone that consistent and creative between the ropes would surely help make others better. 

Ryback already credits Bryan with inspiring him to improve:

Hiring Bryan to help craft matches on a regular basis is a no-brainer move. It's the least visible option, something that might appeal to Bryan. 

Teacher, Trainer

To funnel more of Bryan's knowledge, he could serve as a trainer at NXT. It's the best spot to put him in other than in the ring itself.

Just like being an agent, this would be a smart way to have Bryan better the product. Jim Ross believes that the former world champ would contribute in a variety of ways.

Ross wrote in his blog, "I feel that WWE would be best served here to keep Bryan Danielson on the staff and put him in a position to help young talents adjust to life in the WWE not only from an in-ring standpoint but from life away from the ring as well."

Bryan has been a trainer in the past. In 2002, far from being a veteran at the time, he taught at the All Pro Wrestling School in northern California. He helped train Sara Amato (Sara Del Rey) who went on to great success as a performer and later as a trainer for WWE.

When he reflected on that time as an instructor in his autobiography Yes! My Improbably Journey to the Main Event of WrestleMania, he said that he struggled with the motivation part of the job, but wrote, "I truly enjoyed training people." 

Working at NXT would be a lot different than his APW experience in that he will have more than a decade's worth of additional experience to share. He will have more clout going in, students sure to be eager to hear from a man who once main-evented WrestleMania.

This is as close to being a wrestler as Bryan can get at this point, experiencing the business vicariously through his students. It would be a smart use of his skills and a way to strengthen the developmental system.

Ultimately, Bryan will have his pick of these roles. WWE will gladly take him in behind the curtain or in front of the camera if it can't have him flying in the ring any longer.