Re-enter the Dragon: Daniel Bryan's return is game-changer for WWE

"You ... are ... cleared."

It's possible that three sweeter words have never been uttered to Bryan Lloyd Danielson - WWE's Daniel Bryan - who spent the better part of two years trying to convince the WWE medical staff he was in proper health to return to in-ring competition.

Bryan was forced into retirement in 2016 after a long history with concussions that finally caught up with him. He began to experience seizures as a result of repeated head trauma causing a chronic lesion in his brain, which he attempted to keep hidden.

It was a tough pill to swallow for someone who was incredibly passionate about the industry he'd been a part of for over 16 years. Bryan had a love for wrestling that was unmatched by anything else in his life, and for that to be taken away from him so swiftly was undoubtedly emotionally devastating.

But the "YES!" man just couldn't take no for an answer.

Bryan sought out independent physicians and neurologists across the United States, with the blessing of his wife - WWE Superstar Brie Bella - to gather the evidence he needed to get the green light from WWE. He turned his depression into anger, and that anger into the will to keep pushing and fighting for his dreams.

On March 20, those dreams finally came true.

There will perhaps be no bigger news in professional wrestling in 2018 than Bryan's return. What once seemed impossible is now a welcome reality, and WWE's product will be all the more improved because of it.

Before hanging up his boots, there was arguably no performer as beloved by the WWE Universe than the 5-foot-9, 185-pound Bryan. Even as the "SmackDown Live" general manager, Bryan consistently garners some of the loudest pops of anyone on television each and every week, because his connections with demographics across the board are both special and real.

He's the ultimate underdog, not just because he's smaller in stature than most guys on the roster, but because of what he's had to overcome to reach his level of success. Had it not been for the outpouring of support Bryan received, which sometimes even hijacked the shows which he was a part, his WrestleMania 30, when he won the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, never would've materialized.

Fans can't be forced to jump on someone's bandwagon. WWE writers can do everything in their power to give fans storyline reason to cheer for a babyface, but that doesn't always work. Roman Reigns, for example, has been slotted in multiple WrestleMania main events as a top-level babyface, yet continues to draw a mix of cheers and boos.

Bryan has never really had that problem. WWE turned him heel by aligning him with The Wyatt Family in early 2014, but backtracked weeks later after realizing their foolish error in judgement.

WWE hasn't caught lightning in a bottle with a babyface since shutting Bryan down. The likes of Reigns, A.J. Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura, Finn Balor, Seth Rollins, and John Cena all have sizable followings, but none of them have captivated the audience quite like Bryan did when his "YES!" movement was at its peak.

If the Aberdeen, Wash. native can regain even 1/10 of the magic he channeled while on top, he'd still be one of the most over wrestlers in the business. There's going to be an adjustment period in terms of finding a style better suited to keeping him off the sidelines, but if there's anyone capable of adapting while maintaining his elite status, it's Bryan.

Imagine Bryan and Nakamura locking horns this summer, or Bryan facing someone the caliber of Styles, Balor, or Rollins. There's a seemingly endless number of fresh matchups and dream scenarios, as long as he can keep himself upright.

WrestleMania 34 on April 8 at Mercedes-Benz Superdome marks Bryan's first WWE bout since April 14, 2015 when he and Cena defeated Cesaro and Tyson Kidd in tag team action on "SmackDown." On Sunday, the 36-year-old submission specialist will join forces with "SmackDown Live" commissioner Shane McMahon against the dastardly duo of Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn.

Over 70,000 fans are expected to attend the festivities, and when "Flight of the Valkyries" begins to play, they'll all rise out of their seats, point their fingers in the air, and salute their hero as he triumphantly marches down to the squared circle in his signature red trunks and boots.

"The American Dragon" has risen.