Top AEW Star Not Interested In Being World Champion

One AEW star is trying to keep away from the World Championship.

Bryan Danielson’s AEW career has been characterised by a series of stunning matches and a desire to steer clear of the World Championship. Although he’s challenged for the gold in the past, the American Dragon has always come up short, and that’s exactly how he wants it.

However, with his full-time career coming to a close before the end of 2024, fans have been calling on the star to change his mind. Despite this, the man himself remains unmoved.

Speaking in a new interview with Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated, Danielson explained why he doesn’t feel like being World Champion is his position to take anymore.

“I don’t want to be in that [world champion] position–I don’t feel like that’s my position anymore. The quality of wrestling in AEW is so high, it’s really hard to main-event pay-per-views. That’s not something my body can really do anymore. I know there are a percentage of fans who would like that, but I don’t think it’s my place.

And here’s the truth: I don’t want anything to do creatively with my own stuff. I also don’t know where people get the notion that I do. It’s very hard in wrestling to be objective about yourself, so I leave that in the hands of other people.”

Bryan Danielson Set For AEW Main Event Run?

While Danielson might not want to be anywhere near the World Champion, it seems he is heading for a change of fortunes. Reporting in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer noted that Bryan Danielson is set for a “major turnaround as he closes in on retirement.”

Given his participation in the Owen Hart Cup, Meltzer surmised this could see Danielson challenge for the World Championship at All In.