The Final Countdown of Bryan Danielson
Bryan Danielson faces potential retirement after AEW WrestleDream. Is this his final match as AEW World Champion?
Bryan Danielson Faces Possible Retirement After AEW WrestleDream
Bryan Danielson \ Credit: AEW
Current AEW World Champion Bryan Danielson defends his championship against Jon Moxley tonight at AEW WrestleDream. During a recent press interview with KIRO 7's Shawn Garrett, Danielson revealed his current AEW contract expired this past August, and he doesn't plan to sign another one.
“It actually expired August 1st, so I’ve been wrestling without a contract since August 1st.”
The American Dragon goes on to say that after a conversation with his wife, Brie Bella (one-half of former WWE women's tag team The Bella Twins), Danielson promised his daughter that by the time she turned 7, he would be done with wrestling.
Danielson also adds that he's also facing the need for neck surgery by saying, "The reality is right now that I need neck surgery, and that's coming sooner rather than later."
Bryan Danielson vs. Jon Moxley, AEW WrestleDream 2024
The past 25 years have led to tonight's World Championship title defense against Jon Moxley in the main event at AEW WrestleDream, live from Tacoma, Washington.
Speaking ahead of his match against Jon Moxley tonight, Danielson admits, "I don't have much time left." As the AEW World Champion, he's been pushing his body to the limit and knows any match could be his last.
Danielson reflected on his forced retirement from the WWE in 2016 due to concussions and said, "You never know when your last match will be." Danielson returned from retirement in 2018 to the WWE as Daniel Bryan after more than two years of evaluations, reviews of his medical history, and neurological and physical evaluations from external independent neurosurgeons, neurologists, and concussion experts.
What's Next for Bryan Danielson After AEW?
Danielson has made it clear that his time as a full-time wrestler is running out. Whether or not he wrestles again after neck surgery remains uncertain. However, he hasn't ruled out a part-time return down the line. "My heart says yes because I love wrestling," Danielson admitted, "but at some point, you have to know when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em."
Pro wrestling fans will watch closely as Danielson steps into the ring at AEW WrestleDream, potentially for one of his last matches as AEW World Champion.