Danielson also wrestled extensively in Japan, winning the GHC Junior Heavyweight Championship in Pro Wrestling Noah and the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship (with Curry Man) in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). Between WWE, ROH and Japanese promotions, he held a dozen total championships. Danielson also won numerous titles on the independent circuit, including two PWG World Championships, the FIP Heavyweight Championship and the wXw World Heavyweight Championship. From May 2014 to December 2014 and from April 2015 to March 2018, Bryan was either injured or recovering from injury. In February 2016, Danielson retired from professional wrestling due to medical issues (including seizures) arising from multiple concussions and a brain lesion. That July, he became the SmackDown General Manager following the return of the brand extension. In March 2018, Bryan was formally cleared by doctors and returned to in-ring competition at WrestleMania 34. He regained the WWE Championship for the first time in four years later that November.