Former WWE Champion Daniel Bryan was recently interviewed by Gorilla Position. Here, he explained in-depth how he was cleared to return to in-ring competition, Birdie, and his opinions on Big Cass, The Miz, and Universal Champion Brock Lesnar.

Bryan first opened the discussion up by explaining his current mood, given that he is on the road competing and away from wife Brie Bella and their daughter Birdie-Joe. Bryan revealed he missed Birdie’s first birthday and hasn’t heard his daughter say “dad” yet in person; only on FaceTime. He misses the both of them and really wants to spend time with them. He really felt how bad this was when he returned to action and immediately had several back-to-back tours which kept him away from his family.

Bryan wants to work a reduced schedule, which was actually instructed to do during his return. He would like to have around 100 matches per year and leave it at that. For the remainder of the time, he would like to be home with his family.

In relation to being cleared for an in-ring return, Bryan revealed it wasn’t easy at all. After having discussions with Vince McMahon, Bryan was instructed to talk with Dr. Joseph Maroon. Bryan put over Maroon as being an incredible help to him. Maroon suggested three of the top neurologists in America for Bryan to visit and get cleared from. If each of the three neurologists cleared him, he’d have the opportunity to have his case looked at again.

After visiting all three neurologists and being cleared, Bryan returned to Maroon with the results. While reluctant, Maroon gave Bryan the all-clear. Bryan credits Maroon for taking a chance on him, because if something were to happen to him, it would fall back on WWE’s doctor, regardless of others clearing him. From here, Bryan found out at 9pm on Monday he was cleared before the announcement before SmackDown Live on Tuesday at 3pm.

Had it not been for the support of his family and in particular with Dr. Maroon, Bryan would not be back in the ring today.

Changing the topic up, Bryan revealed he knew Paige as a kid and put over her family’s legacy in the business. He says he gave her advice before her retirement speech the night after WrestleMania 34. She only knows wrestling, and he feels that pain. He doesn’t entirely know her situation, but he hopes she gets cleared in the future.

Bryan said he would describe The Miz as being somebody that doesn’t know when to shut up oand doesn’t realize when he has gone too far. Bryan asked for his release and wasn’t granted it. With all his frustrations, Miz knew everything and knew how to get under his skin. Bryan says he can do the same thing back. They have been around one another so long and there is real tension there. They know how to affect one another. He and Miz have totally different worldviews.

Bryan would be open to working a WrestleMania 35 match against The Miz, given their history. However, Bryan doesn’t believe or trust that WWE could tell the story between the two rivals through to WrestleMania. He thinks the fans would love to see that.

Bryan had no problems feuding with Big Cass. He just wants to wrestle. He remembered a producer telling him he IS Daniel Bryan and should be treated as such. Bryan believes this to mean a top star who has a say in what happens with his character. He still says 95% of what he suggests would be ignored or not used regardless.

Bryan doesn’t think he should be rocketed into the title picture and credits Cass as being a talented performer. He thinks fans have this idea that whatever they want will happen just because they ask for it, which isn’t always the case. He says they helped him get to the main event of WrestleMania 30 but that isn’t something that will always happen.

In terms of the relationship between John Cena and Nikki Bella, he believes people should essentially mind their own business. It isn’t his place to comment on what is happening with the family right now.

His dream match is to face Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship at WrestleMania 35. However, he would change the location to Seattle, Washington. He says they don’t need a stipulation and he actually prefers title matches whenever there aren’t any. He is of the mindset that a Championship match between two huge competitors should sell the match for you, as it did him.

What are your thoughts and opinions on what Bryan had to say? Sound off in the comments below.