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Daniel Bryan Talks Recovery from Injury, Stares at WWE WrestleMania 34 Sign

Joseph Zucker@@JosephZuckerFeatured ColumnistMarch 21, 2018

In this April 6, 2014 photo, Daniel Bryan reacts during Wrestlemania XXX at the Mercedes-Benz Super Dome in New Orleans. Bryan was on top of the wrestling world when he won the WWE championship at WrestleMania in 2014. But he is finished just two years later at 35, a victim of at least 10 concussions that ended his career and showed how real-life injuries interrupt fantasy endings.  (Jonathan Bachman/AP Images for WWE)
Jonathan Bachman/Associated Press

Daniel Bryan got emotional as he confirmed his return to the ring Tuesday night on SmackDown Live after receiving medical clearance from independent doctors and WWE.

Bryan announced in February 2016 he was retiring from in-ring competition on the advice of doctors after he had been suffering complications from multiple concussions over the course of his career. On Tuesday, the former world champion said his wife, Brie Bella, was the biggest reason he visited medical specialists in pursuit of a comeback.

"There was a time when I wanted to quit," he said. "Instead of walking out, she got in my ear and she said, 'You don't walk out.' She said, 'You fight, because you need to fight for your dreams. Fight for your dreams, fight for your dreams and if you fight for your dreams, your dreams will fight for you.'"

WWE shared Bryan's passionate promo:

WWE @WWE

#SDLive General Manager @WWEDanielBryan had some amazing help on his long road to being cleared for in-ring action, and it came from his wife Brie @BellaTwins! https://t.co/BNfPUwNjQt

Bryan didn't give a specific date for his next match but offered a big tease when he stared at the sign for WrestleMania hanging in the rafters of American Airlines Center in Dallas:

WWE @WWE

Hmmmm..... #WrestleMania #DanielBryanReturns @WWEDanielBryan #SDLive https://t.co/s60HXEN5Uj

Considering WrestleMania 34 is less than a month away (April 8), wrestling at WWE's biggest show of the year may not be a realistic option for Bryan.

But after more than two years on the shelf, waiting a few more weeks or months to get back between the ropes is nothing.