Bryan Danielson Doesn’t Pick Vince McMahon As Wrestling’s Best Executive
Bryan Danielson has named the executive he would choose to run a wrestling company.
Over the course of his 25-year career, Bryan Danielson worked in companies all over the world, including memorable matches in Ring of Honor, NJPW, AAA, and more. However, The American Dragon spent most of his career working for Vince McMahon in WWE, and then finished up his full-time career under Tony Khan in AEW.
When he was asked about starting a hypothetical wrestling promotion by The Daily Star, Danielson had only one name in mind for who he would want in charge, Tony Khan. Insisting that it wasn’t because he still works for Khan, Danielson explained that he thinks Khan is in tune with what wrestling fans want.
“Regardless that this is my legitimate answer, people are going to assume that because I work for AEW that, ‘Oh, he’s just saying this because this is his boss,’ but I would legitimately have Tony Khan.
“I think he’s very in tune with what wrestling fans want, but then also, he is a good person. I’m not saying anything bad about anybody else, but I know that he always tries to treat people with respect and kindness, no matter where they are, like up or down the roster, right?
As an example, the former AEW World Champion recalled Khan taking time out to talk to a lower card star in the aftermath of CM Punk getting into a backstage altercation with Jack Perry at All In 2023.
I remember that after the first Wembley show, we were in a bit of a disarray backstage because of some things that had happened and we were putting together Dynamite. I was hurt, I had broken my arm, but because of the situation I flew in and I’m like, ‘Hey, what can I help with? Whatever it is.’
And one of the talent, somebody you would consider very undercard, and not a top priority, had an issue and Tony took time out to talk to this person. Not talk down to them, but talk to them about their concerns or whatever it is. Sometime, I worry that he is almost too kind [laughs] because we’re trying to get a show out, everything’s in disarray, but he takes other people’s feelings into consideration.”
Danielson finished by saying he sees Khan’s relative inexperience in the wrestling business as a positive.
“There’s also this idea that he’s an outsider in the wrestling business and I think he constantly feels the need to prove himself, which I think is a good thing. When he thinks there’s negative feedback, he doubles down, puts his nose to the grindstone and tries to make sure that our product is appealing to our fanbase.”
Bryan Danielson Suffered Neck Injury During Will Ospreay Match
During the same interview, Bryan Danielson admitted to hurting his neck “pretty bad” in a match against Will Ospreay. In the aftermath, he wasn’t sure he would be able to make it through the final few months of his full-time career.
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