Backstage News on Daniel Bryan’s WWE Contract and Speculation That He Might Have Used Retirement to Get Out of His Deal

February 21, 2016

Following his retirement on Raw a few weeks ago, there has been online speculation that Daniel Bryan might have used retirement as a way to get out of his WWE contract.

It’s no secret that Bryan wanted to return to the ring prior to his retirement, and we reported that he even asked WWE for his release so he could return to the independent scene if WWE wouldn’t clear him to return.

Dave Meltzer of F4WOnline.com shot down speculation that Bryan might have used retirement to return to the ring outside of WWE, and Meltzer added the following:

“If you think Bryan outsmarted Vince by retiring to end the freeze on his contract, well, I can tell you for sure you’re wrong on that one. Retirement had no affect on the terms of his deal.”

Daniel Bryan

WWE Superstar Daniel Bryan!

Daniel Bryan

DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - JULY 08: WWE Superstar Daniel Bryan flys off the ropes during the WWE Smackdown Live Tour at Westridge Park Tennis Stadium on July 08, 2011 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Steve Haag/Gallo Images/Getty Images)
Daniel Bryan

DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - JULY 08: Daniel Bryan (Bryan Danielson) (R) and Tiger Raj Singh (Jinder Mahal) in action during the WWE Smackdown Live Tour at Westridge Park Tennis Stadium on July 08, 2011 in Durban, South Africa
(Photo by Steve Haag/Gallo Images/Getty Images)
Daniel Bryan

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - AUGUST 13: Daniel Bryan attends WWE SummerSlam Press Conference at Beverly Hills Hotel on August 13, 2013 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Valerie Macon/Getty Images)
Daniel Bryan

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - AUGUST 15: Wrestler Daniel Bryan attends WWE & E! Entertainment's "SuperStars For Hope" at the Beverly Hills Hotel on August 15, 2013 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for WWE)
Daniel Bryan & Brie Bella

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - AUGUST 15: (L-R) WWE Diva Brie Bella and wrestler Daniel Bryan attends the WWE SummerSlam VIP Party at Beverly Hills Hotel on August 15, 2013 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Earl Gibson III/WireImage)
Daniel Bryan

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - AUGUST 15: Wrestler Daniel Bryan attends the WWE SummerSlam VIP party at Beverly Hills Hotel on August 15, 2013 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic)
Daniel Bryan

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - AUGUST 13: WWE Superstar Daniel Bryan attends the WWE SummerSlam Press Conference on August 13, 2013 at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Barry King/FilmMagic)
Daniel Bryan, John Cena & Triple H

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - AUGUST 13: (L-R) WWE Superstars John Cena, Triple H and Daniel Bryan pose at the WWE SummerSlam Press Conference on August 13, 2013 at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Barry King/FilmMagic)
Daniel Bryan & Brie Bella

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 10: WWE Diva Brie Bella (L) and WWE Superstar Daniel Bryan attend FOX's 2014 Teen Choice Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on August 10, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
Daniel Bryan & Brie Bella

NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 03: Daniel Bryan (L) and Brie Bella attend WWE's 2014 SuperStars For Kids at the New Orleans Museum of Art on April 3, 2014 in New Orleans. (Photo by Josh Brasted/WireImage)

Nick was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and lived there until the age of 18, when he decided to pack his flack jacket and move to New York City.

Nick attended New York University and graduated in 2001 with a degree in Drama.

Nick first entered the internet wrestling community back in 2004 when he became the co-host of The Voice of Wrestling Radio Show. From there, Nick made the transition from radio personality to editor when he began working with WrestleZone in 2008.

Nick is a member of two Off-Broadway theatre companies, Another Urban Riff, and the Drama Desk Award winning Godlight Theatre Company. Nick has appeared in over a dozen Off-Broadway plays since he moved to New York City, and has shot several short and feature length films. In 2010, he completed principle photography on a film titled "How to Score Your Life," which also features TNA Knockout ODB.

Inspiration in his life has come from many people including his family, Woody Allen, Steven Spielberg, Jack Nicholson, The Beatles, and of course, Lassie.