After taking a hiatus, Bryan returned on the October 16 episode of "SmackDown". At on December 20, Bryan teamed with Big E, Chad Gable and Otis to defeat Sami Zayn, King Corbin, Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro in an eight-man tag team match. Following this, Bryan then participated in the 2021 Royal Rumble match on January 31, but was eliminated by Seth Rollins. The next month, Bryan competed in an Elimination Chamber match at the Elimination Chamber event, where the winner would receive a match for the Universal Championship immediately. Bryan won the match, but was quickly defeated by Universal Champion Roman Reigns. Bryan would subsequently request a rematch from Reigns, which he would receive at Fastlane on March 21, in a match where Edge was the special guest enforcer. In the main event of Fastlane, Bryan was defeated by Reigns after Edge had attacked both men with a steel chair. Afterwards, it was announced that Bryan would again challenge Reigns for the Universal Championship at WrestleMania 37, in a triple threat match also including Edge.