Bryan Danielson Confirms If He’s Planning AEW In-Ring Return
Following his physical altercation at AEW All In Texas, Bryan Danielson has addressed whether it means he will wrestle again.
Bryan Danielson is in a consulting role with AEW after ending his career as a full-time wrestler. While Danielson hasn’t officially used the word “retire” as a wrestler, his last match was in October 2024 at WrestleDream, where he lost the AEW World Title to Jon Moxley, his former friend.
After 25 years as a pro wrestler, there’s nothing more that the former WWE, AEW, ROH World Champion Danielson has to do. He’s going to be in the WWE Hall of Fame one day; he’s already been honored by ROH, and when AEW has a Hall of Fame, he’ll likely be inducted into that as well.
At AEW All In Texas, Jon Moxley made his return wearing a mask while leading the crowd in “Yes” chanting. Bryan also hit a Busaiko Knee on Jon Moxley’s Death Riders because he was one of the babyfaces who helped “Hangman” Adam Page beat Moxley in a Texas Death Match to become the AEW World Champion.
That attack by Danielson was the first time he had been physical in an AEW ring in about nine months, leading fans to wonder if he will return to the ring.
Bryan Danielson “Is Not Back” As A Wrestler
Before his 2024 run ended, Danielson had said that while he was wrapping up his time as a full-time wrestler, he was hoping to wrestle occasionally in the future. However, Bryan Danielson has been dealing with serious neck issues that have prevented a return to the ring.
While speaking to his wife, Brie Danielson (aka Brie Bella) on her Nikki & Brie Show podcast, Bryan Danielson made it clear that he’s not returning to the ring as a wrestler. Bryan also admitted that he did more in the ring than what was actually approved.
“Well, some of them I had cleared, some of them I did not, but I was feeling it. To be fair, Dr. Samson wasn’t upset, but he did think I was an idiot.”
When asked if he was returning to the ring, Danielson answered matter-of-factly.
“No, I’m not back.”