Ever since it was announced that Daniel Bryan is set to return to action at the Royal Rumble later this month it was expected that he'll be kept out of the ring until then, but it appears he may return to action at a live event on Jan. 16.

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WWE officials were going with the idea that Bryan will be kept out of the ring until his big return, but it appears as though that may only be for television.

Bryan is being advertised to face Kane at the Jan. 16 live event at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis.

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The arena advertised a Bryan match for the event in its description and here it is in its entirety courtesy of Wrestlingheadlines.com:

"WWE returns to St. Louis for the first time in 2015 with a special Friday night live event at Scottrade Center on January 16!

John Cena vs. Seth Rollins
Steel Cage Match

Roman Reigns vs. The Big Show

Daniel Bryan vs. Kane

Dean Ambrose vs. Bray Wyatt

Plus more of your favorite WWE Superstars including:
Chris Jericho
Cesaro
Jack Swagger
R Truth
The Divas
And Many More!

* Card is subject to change."

Bryan has been sidelined since mid-May when he underwent neck surgery and then lost feeling in his right arm following the procedure. There was a belief Bryan would have to undergo a second operation and that his career was in jeopardy, but it appears he is fine to return.

Bryan announced two weeks ago on Monday Night RAW that he will in fact return in the 30-man Royal Rumble Match to determine the No. 1 contender for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 31.

"The Beard" walked out of WrestleMania XXX last April with the WWE World Heavyweight Championship after defeating Triple H and going on to beat Batista and Randy Orton in the main event.

The only participants announced for the 30-man match so far are Bryan, heavy-favorite Roman Reigns and United States Champion Rusev while 27 others will be added.

There is a chance that Bryan could walk out of the Royal Rumble on Jan. 25 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia as the No. 1 contender for Brock Lesnar's gold, but Reigns has been the rumored winner for months.

There have been reports of a locker room divide over who should win the Rumble Match and rumors emerged that Triple H held a closed-door meeting before RAW this week and said the status for who will win the Rumble Match is up in the air and talents will be evaluated.

While Bryan's television return may be saved for the Royal Rumble, it appears he'll return to action in the squared circle on Jan. 16.

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