HeelByNature.com is reader-supported. When you click on links or make purchases through our site, we or our affiliated partners may earn a commission. Additionally, our site features Sponsored Content, which helps us maintain and operate the website.
Daniel Bryan’s WWE Contract Expires Following SmackDown Match Against Roman Reigns
Following his match against Roman Reigns last Friday during SmackDown, Daniel Bryan’s WWE contract had expired.
According to Fightful Select (subscription required), sources both inside and outside WWE have revealed, “Daniel Bryan’s WWE contract either expired or was set to expire last week, after his Smackdown match”.
Bryan lost against Roman Reigns in a WWE Universal Championship match, which stipulated he leave SmackDown. Over the weekend, he was moved to the alumni section of WWE.com.
During an interview with TV Line ahead of the match, Daniel Bryan remained tight-lipped about his contract status, but did state it does not end in September.
“It’s funny that people gravitate towards the date “September,” and I think it’s because that’s when my last contract ended, but it doesn’t end in September. [Note: Bryan was tight-lipped about when his contract actually runs out.] I’m still trying to figure out what that looks like… I had a tag team match on SmackDown last Friday, and it was a lot of fun, but my neck was just wrecked. I’m going to be 40 in May and my daughter likes to get on my shoulders to pick leaves from a Japanese maple in front of our house [and he couldn’t this time due to the pain]. You get to that point where it’s like, how long can I do this full-time and still be able to do those kinds of things with my daughter? What’s the right balance between part-time and that sort of thing? It may be that it’s just every once in a while when the urge strikes, or maybe like a schedule where it’s like eight months on, these months off.”
Bryan spoke with BT Sport last year, stating he was looking to transition to a full-time dad, and part-time wrestler.
“So now I am switching priorities in my life where for years wrestling has been the key focus. Like my contract is coming up soon, and we’re looking at me transitioning to maybe less than a full-time wrestler. My time being a full-time wrestler are numbered. I’m going to be more like a full-time dad, part-time wrestler. Wrestling is my side job, daddy is my most important job.”
The report notes, high-level sources heard his contract had expired, but Bryan was not open about his contract status. There is also no indication of any farewells that took place during SmackDown.
While farewells could have happened privately, the report does note that it’s currently unknown if Daniel Bryan is leaving WWE, or if he will/has re-signed, or will work for the company without a contract. Several talent within the company were aware his contract about to expire.
As more details are known, an update will be provided.
Stay tuned!