9-Time WWE Champion Reveals Why He Left For AEW
A legendary WWE superstar has explained why he chose to sign with AEW.
Bryan Danielson was known as WWE’s Daniel Bryan from 2010 until his departure in the summer of 2021. During his WWE career, Bryan was a 5-time World Champion who also headlined WrestleMania multiple times.
At WrestleMania 37 in 2021, Bryan actually headlined the Sunday night edition of the show with Roman Reigns and Edge. Reigns got the win (thanks to help from The Bloodline) and stacked the two WWE legends to pin them at the same time. A few months later, Bryan’s WWE deal expired.
In September 2021, Bryan Danielson returned to using his real name in AEW and had a three-year run with the company, during which he won the AEW World Title in his final year as an active wrestler.
While speaking with Insight’s Chris Van Vliet, Danielson explained that AEW’s lighter schedule was a reason he chose to sign there instead of staying with WWE.
“There was also the idea at the time—you know, the pandemic was just kind of ending and they were starting to do live shows again. I didn’t know if WWE was going to start doing the live events and stuff again, because that schedule. At that point, we had two kids and I was like, I don’t want to do that schedule anymore.”
Bryan Danielson Was Intrigued By AEW’s In-Ring Style
In addition to the schedule, Bryan Danielson also liked what he saw when he watched AEW’s product.
“I had watched Cody wrestle Penta. And Cody—and I used to ride with Cody—he did this like, they’re both standing on the top and Cody does this top rope Frankensteiner on Penta. Like, is that what—is that what you have to do? Like, and part of it is scary and part of it is like intriguing. Like, oh, can I do this? I used to be able to do this style. Can I still do this style?”
“I always kind of wanted to push myself. I knew it was probably the last wrestling contract I’d ever sign.”
Since AEW doesn’t do live events, it meant Danielson would have more time at home, so he cited that as a reason to sign there as well.
“That was a very appealing schedule to me for my family.”
Bryan Danielson also revealed that his wife, Brie Bella, is interested in a WWE return teaming with sister Nikki Bella, but Brie doesn’t want to have a singles run.
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