Daniel Bryan's WWE Contract Expired Following Roman Reigns Match
Added 2021-05-05 03:35:48 +0000 UTCFightful has spoken with sources both inside and outside of WWE that have indicated that Daniel Bryan's WWE contract either expired or was set to expire last week, after his Smackdown match. Bryan was on the losing end of a WWE Universal Title match to Roman Reigns in which stipulated he leave Smackdown if he lost, and was quickly moved to the alumni section of WWE.com.
High level sources both outside and inside have noted that they'd heard of the expiration of the deal, but that Bryan had not spoken openly about his contract status that they're aware of. We also hadn't heard of any particular farewells backstage as if he wasn't going to be around, although that doesn't mean they didn't happen privately.
Bryan did an interview with TV Line, where they noted that he was tight lipped about when his contract actually ended, and Bryan said the following: "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"
We should note that this doesn't mean that Bryan is leaving WWE, hasn't re-signed since or that he won't work for WWE without a contract, as we're told he's been vocal about doing some unconventional work with and for WWE. This wouldn't come as a surprise since he's said as much in interviews. What we can confirm is that several talent within WWE had heard that Bryan's contract was set to expire.
Fightful has reached out to numerous officials and representatives to get a comment or confirmation on the news, but thus far have not heard back. We'll continue to work to get an official confirmation
Comments
Funny to read some of these responses now
BennyIllini
2022-02-01 15:19:08 +0000 UTC90 day non compete does not apply to contracts that expire.
Josiah MacDonald
2021-05-05 18:15:46 +0000 UTCIt’s surprising but don’t expect him to go anywhere. WWE treats his family very well and Total Bellas makes them a lot of money. I expect him to stay but with far less dates than he was working
Joel Wood
2021-05-05 05:04:08 +0000 UTC*rips bong* Yuji Nagata wins the belt from Mox then Bryan comes out to challenge
Phil Felice
2021-05-05 04:40:56 +0000 UTCI doubt he'd sign for a long-term deal anywhere, but I"m sure he'd be open to coming in for a program or two with AEW
Jim McShea
2021-05-05 04:21:06 +0000 UTCNot on expirations
Fightful Select
2021-05-05 04:10:39 +0000 UTCIf you’re TK, you gotta get all of your “other money” and give it to him
Tyler Center
2021-05-05 04:04:01 +0000 UTCTony Khan should pay this man 40 million dollars
Ben Dupuis
2021-05-05 04:00:25 +0000 UTCI don't think 90 days apply to contracts that expire but I could be wrong
Evil Jimmy Hart be like MOMMY
2021-05-05 03:59:11 +0000 UTCIf you're Tony Khan & you want him on your roster, I would think Tony would go full GM mode & take his private jet down to where ever Danielson lives and knock on his door right?
Danny Valentin
2021-05-05 03:56:11 +0000 UTCif a contract expires theres no non-compete, not that I believe he's going anywhere else.
Blindrawr
2021-05-05 03:51:05 +0000 UTCI doubt that he is leaving. If he were there would probably be a 90 day non compete clause.
James Arkuszewski
2021-05-05 03:49:43 +0000 UTCI don’t think he goes to AEW, but that would be a huge loss for WWE.
Bryant Heath
2021-05-05 03:49:22 +0000 UTCImagine he shows up tomorrow at Blood and Guts...Huge
Jacob Donnelly
2021-05-05 03:46:50 +0000 UTCWow..so it wasn’t kayfabe
2021-05-05 03:46:27 +0000 UTCWell, shit
Magan Yusuf
2021-05-05 03:46:04 +0000 UTCNice job SRS. Killing it
JB
2021-05-05 03:45:54 +0000 UTCWell, holy crap
Josiah MacDonald
2021-05-05 03:45:25 +0000 UTCI need to reiterate -- I've attempted to reach out to Daniel Bryan and WWE, but haven't heard back. Numerous talent said they heard the same
Fightful Select
2021-05-05 03:39:38 +0000 UTCDude.
Joseph Molina
2021-05-05 03:38:31 +0000 UTCWowwwwww
Ian Beausejour
2021-05-05 03:37:06 +0000 UTC
