Daniel Bryan has a dubious history at the Royal Rumble, but perhaps his momentum at the January staple can change this year.
In 2014, Bryan was left out of the 30-man Rumble Match entirely after facing Bray Wyatt earlier in the show, drawing the ire of the WWE Universe.
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"The Beard" would eventually bounce-back that WrestleMania season and he ended up on top of the WWE mountain by winning the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Bryan defeated Rumble winner Batista and titleholder Randy Orton at WrestleMania XXX.
Last year, the crowd was behind a returning Bryan in the Rumble Match, but the booking team reared its ugly head again. The babyface drew No. 10 and was eliminated 12th, a method the creative team used to make sure he wasn't around when the much maligned Roman Reigns won the 30-man bout.
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The fans revolted anyway, but it fell on deaf ears. Bryan then settled for the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania 31, but was sidelined shortly thereafter with a concussion. The WWE Superstar is still out, but there could be some hope of a return for him soon.
Bryan's personal doctors have cleared him, but for whatever reason, the WWE physicians haven't felt comfortable letting him back into action. This week, however, Bryan is scheduled to meet with Dr. Joseph Maroon, who is the head of the WWE's wellness testing, in Pittsburgh, Pa., according to PWInsider.
The reason for Bryan's visit is likely to undergo testing and hopefully get cleared to return. If Dr. Maroon gives the former WWE World Heavyweight Champion the go-ahead, he'd make for a tremendous surprise entrant into the Rumble Match this Sunday.
The WWE has used the 30-man free-for-all as a way to shock the fans on small and large scales before, throwing surprise entrants into the draw to keep things interesting. One of the most well-known examples of this occurred in 2008.
John Cena, who was expected to be sidelined for months, returned from injury as the No. 30 entrant and won the Rumble Match. If Bryan made his return to action for the first time since last April, it would make for the greatest swerve in Rumble Match history.
Bryan's track record at the event is suspect, but the "YES!" chant he'd receive by the fans at the Amway Center in Orlando, Fla., if he returned on Sunday would change everything.
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