Was it a full “flat back bump”, or the result of him taking or delivering a wrestling move?
No.
But during his stint as one of two referees in the Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens vs. Shinsuke Nakamura and Randy Orton bout at Clash of Champions on Dec. 17, Daniel Bryan did get involved physically during a match for the first time since he retired due to concussion and brain injury issues back in February of 2016.
While fellow ref Shane McMahon was counting a pin by Orton on Zayn, Owens came crashing into the ring and knocked Bryan into McMahon:
gulp pic.twitter.com/D07ZoeXTaA
— TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) December 18, 2017
This was to further the ongoing story of how disagreements regarding Shane’s handling of KO and Sami were driving a wedge between General Manager Bryan and Commissioner McMahon. But, while it wasn’t much, it is noteworthy that WWE would script the match to include DB taking a televised tumble.
Bryan is on record with his hopes and plans to wrestle again. If that can happen with his current company, great. If not, he’s willing to move on.
Reports and rumors have been flying around regarding if WWE would clear him after his emotional farewell and public relations tour about the company’s handling of his brain trauma. There’s been no word that the process of evaluating him for a return has even begun, but letting him get knocked down during a match won’t do anything to lessen speculation that it could be about to get underway.
Make of it what you will, but there it is.
Get complete Clash of Champions results and coverage of every match on the card by clicking here.