With Daniel Bryan announcing last Monday night on RAW that he will return to active competition at the Royal Rumble, there is a belief that creative plans may be shuffled for WrestleMania 31.
Bryan revealed last week that he will be in the 30-man over-the-top-rope Royal Rumble Match on Jan. 25 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, which will mark his first match in the squared circle since he underwent neck surgery in mid-May.
When Bryan's status was up in the air, he wasn't factored into any main plan for the "Show of Shows" on March 29 at Levi's Stadium in California because he lost feeling in his arm after the neck procedure, keeping his status in doubt.
According to Wrestlingheadlines.com, there is a belief that some creative changes occurred for some of the planned WrestleMania 31 matches now that Bryan is back. There have also been some suggestions for tweaks to the card due to Bryan's comeback.
Bryan, of course, defeated Triple H then Randy Orton and Batista at last year's show to leave New Orleans as the WWE World Heavyweight Champion. His reign was then cut short due to the injury.
Top WWE officials discovered that Bryan would be ready to return for January's Rumble event, which means it is possible that changes were made due to Bryan's return.
Roman Reigns has been rumored to win the Royal Rumble Match and go on to face Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 31 for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, but things could change as there are rumors that the WWE may get cold feet in pushing Reigns.
Bryan and Reigns are the only confirmed participants for the Rumble Match, but more are expected to be announced on this week's RAW.
Other major bouts rumored to be booked for the event thus far include Triple H vs. Sting, John Cena vs. Rusev and The Undertaker (if he returns) vs. Bray Wyatt.
Regarding one other veteran, it is possible that seldom-seen Rey Mysterio may be done with the company come WrestleMania 31. Wrestlingheadlines.com reports that the WWE is close to granting Mysterio his release and while it isn't set in stone, he could be gone by the time 'Mania rolls around.
Mysterio and the WWE reportedly worked things out after they had a contract dispute for most of last year, but a storyline that was slated to carry Mysterio from the Survivor Series through WrestleMania 31 was nixed for an unknown reason.
Vince McMahon had also eased up on some demands he had for Mysterio contractually, but it seems as though Mysterio -- who hasn't competed in almost a year -- may be close to being granted his release.
There could be a lot of changes in store for WrestleMania 31 now that Bryan is back and Mysterio is seemingly out the door.
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