Ever since Daniel Bryan announced last week that he will return to action at the Royal Rumble, there has been a lot of speculation to how -- if at all -- that will affect Roman Reigns' push and there is said to be a divide backstage over who should win the 30-man match.
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It has been rumored for months that Reigns would win the 30-man match then go on to dethrone Brock Lesnar of the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 31 on March 29 at Levi's Stadium in California.
While that is still likely the case, Bryan never lost the title after winning it at WrestleMania XXX and being forced to relinquish it due to having to undergo neck surgery in mid-May and his return could mean he'll be shuffled into the main event fold at the "Show of Shows."
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Bryan then lost feeling in his right arm, placing his career in jeopardy, but he announced last week he will be back for the 30-man Royal Rumble Match on Jan. 25 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
Bryan was originally rumored to lose the belt to Lesnar at SummerSlam in August, but after he dropped the belt due to injury, it was Cena who took over in that planned feud.
The WWE has an opportunity for "The Beard vs. The Beast" to headline WrestleMania, but they may stick with Reigns' monster push -- even if some feel he isn't quite ready.
According to Wrestlingheadlines.com, Reddit user MetsFan4ever, who is said to be a WWE insider and has broken news in the past ahead of time, said that on Monday many WWE Superstars were greatly divided over whether or not Bryan or Reigns should win the Rumble Match.
There are many backstage that believe the WWE should stick with their original plan of giving the nod to Reigns since he is the future and the next Cena.
Others, meanwhile, believe that Bryan should win the match and be the man or it will be another disappointing finish to the Rumble like last year when Batista won the bout and was rejected by the WWE Universe.
That rejection mixed with a groundswell of support for Bryan from the WWE Universe led to the WWE changing its plans. Bryan then went over Triple H and then defeated Batista and Randy Orton in the main event to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania XXX.
Regarding officials, while there have been reports of some of them not fully believing in Reigns, they also think it's too risky to give the run to Bryan and put the belt on him again due to the nature of his injury and how long it took him to get back.
It is also believed that Bryan's long-term future is in question while some officials still don't see him as a top caliber Superstar.
At last word, there were rumors of Bryan facing Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 31 while a Lesnar vs. Reigns bout will probably still headline.
Though Bryan's return could impact Reigns and has led to a difference of opinion in the locker room, it's unknown if the WWE will change its mind come the Royal Rumble.
As of this moment, Bryan and Reigns are the only two official participants in the Rumble Match, though even after the other 28 combatants are announced, they will still be arguably the most compelling.
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