Over the past few days there have been a lot of rumors floating around on various wrestling websites that WWE SmackDown Live General Manager Daniel Bryan is set to be a surprise entrant in this year's Royal Rumble Match, and possibly even win the whole match.

The story goes that somebody in WWE Creative has pitched the idea backstage, and it has reportedly caused quite a stir behind the scenes.

Bryan has even become one of the favorites to win the Rumble for people who bet money on WWE matches. A lot of times, the odds-on favorites are said to be determined based on "inside information."

Bryan Alvarez of The Wrestling Observer Newsletter commented on the issue, saying that he too has heard some rumblings about it, but that he doesn't expect Bryan to compete in the Rumble:

"Here’s what I can tell you, it’s all I can tell you, okay? Because, if Daniel Bryan is going to win the Rumble they’re gonna try and keep it as secret as possible but here’s what I can tell you. Clearly, and I don’t know what it is but clearly, someone had some sort of idea that involved Daniel Bryan winning the Royal Rumble.

“Obviously, word got out and some people in the company placed bets. But, as of right now as of this moment Daniel Bryan is not cleared. The situation has not changed one single solitary bit with Daniel Bryan. He is not cleared. I guess they could find some way for him to win the Royal Rumble but I’ll just flat out say, I don’t think Daniel Bryan’s winning the Royal Rumble."