Bryan Danielson Makes Major AEW Retirement Confession

Bryan Danielson is enjoying his pleasant life after retiring from wrestling.

WWE fans will remember Danielson’s run as Daniel Bryan in the 2010s, where his memorable “Yes” movement and WWE World Championship wins, notably the one at WrestleMania 30 against Randy Orton and Batista, became pop culture staples of the time.

A barrage of injuries, including concussions, forced Danielson into retirement in 2016 before he emerged in 2021 in an AEW ring. After a brief but action-packed run in the Tony Khan-led promotion, in 2024, Danielson promised to wrestle until he was the AEW World Champion and would retire upon losing it. After losing an AEW Championship bout to John Moxley at WrestleDream 2024, he retired from in-ring action.

Recently, Bryan has been saying that the “pleasantness” in his life has increased post-retirement.

Bryan Danielson Shares His Special Moments With Family

Speaking to his wife, Brie Garcia (formerly Brie Bella) on the Nikki and Brie Show, Bryan revealed how being with his family has brought him happiness that he would’ve otherwise missed out on as a performer.

When Brie asked her husband if he had any “pop-off moments” from 2025, Bryan said that he had no specific “oh-wow!” moments. Instead he was happy coaching his son’s T-ball team and teaching his daughter how to ride a bike.

I don’t have any specific moments that were just like, ‘Oh wow, this or oh wow that.’ It’s just been a very pleasant year. I was done full-time wrestling and got to be… I got to coach Buddy’s T-ball team. I get to be home more with the kids, like regularly doing stuff.

Finally teaching Birdie to ride her bike… she did it this year. One of my favorite things ever is just riding bikes with her now.

Danielson said that having quit wrestling full-time, he was able to be “home more” and it increased the general pleasantness in his life.

None of it is just like this what you described as like a pop-off moment, but the general pleasantness of my life has greatly increased just being at home with everybody. (13:12 onwards)

H/T: ringsidenews.com

Also read: Bryan Danielson Makes Surprise Wrestling Appearance