Daniel Bryan made yet another cameo on Monday's Raw, and again it meant nothing. After plugging his book, Bryan stood idly by while intercontinental champion Ryback cleaned house.Bryan's popularity in WWE is undeniable, especially in his home state of Washington, where fans cheered him wildly.Unfortunately, WWE continues to burn through Bryan's appearances without adding any substance to them. If this pattern persists, Bryan will slowly begin to lose the charm that helped him become a fixture in the hearts and minds of wrestling fans.Bryan has spent the majority of the past two years on the shelf. Even the most diehard fans of the Yes Movement will eventually have no choice but to move on.If WWE only books Bryan in hapless midcard segments, fans will find it easier to distance themselves from the former WWE world heavyweight champion.Even as WWE continues to exercise caution with Bryan's delicate injury situation, using him as a special guest referee in big matchesor even a limited authority figurewould allow fans to view him in a more serious light.This is not the first time a major star has been out with a serious injury. Still, in the past, WWE has done a much better job of making use of big-name talents unable to wrestle.It was during Stone Cold Steve Austin's recovery from a very serious neck injury that WWE was able to brilliantly build the tension between Austin and Vince McMahon. Austin's memorable Stone Cold Stunner on McMahon in Madison Square Garden served as the catalyst for a rivalry that launched WWE to new heights.Shawn Michaels was all but retired with a back injury in 1998. However, WWE still used him in critical non-wrestling roles such as commissioner, special guest referee, color commentator and even as a member of the NWO for a brief stint.By the time Michaels miraculously returned to the ring in 2002, he was able to make a natural transition right back into the main event.Bryan's current injury situation is the type of anti-authority storyline that can easily be played out on television, hopefully leading to an eventual return to wrestling. During a recent appearance on WFAN New York's Boomer & Carton show (h/t theWashington Post), Bryan sounded ready to make his in-ring return."I feel great," he said. "Ive done all the neurological tests and all the neurological testing has come back great, but now were in an era where ... theres this fear of what happens when youve had multiple concussions."This is essentially a real-life version of the aforementioned Steve Austin injury storyline. Bryan feels he is ready to return, yet WWEwith his best interests in mindrefuses to clear him.Should this storyline play out ahead of a possible in-ring return, fans will once again rally behind Bryan instead of watching him awkwardly support Ryback during a segment that didn't really need him.Bryan is too big of a star to be reduced to such an inconsequential non-wrestling role. Even if WWE has no plans for him to wrestle again, there needs to be a certain level of importance to all of his future appearances.Alfred Konuwa is a featured columnist and on-air host for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @ThisIsNasty and subscribe to his weekly wrestling podcast.
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