Bryan Danielson makes a heartbreaking revelation as AEW contract nears expiration - "I don’t know if that’s going to be in the cards for me"
The AEW future of Bryan Danielson has been a hot topic of discussion as of late. After winning The Owen Hart Foundation Men's Tournament, significant concern over Danielson's health was revealed from within AEW. New comments from the 25-year veteran have exacerbated the anxiety.
The American Dragon returned to the WWE ring from a career-ending neck injury and later joined All Elite Wrestling in September 2021. Since then he has held key roles behind the scenes and in the storylines while working with NJPW, ROH, and CMLL. Danielson recently revealed that Dr. Sampson does not want him to wrestle at All In, and that is not a work as doctors have placed heavy restrictions on the 43-year-old due to how beat up he is. This all comes as Danielson's talent contract is set to expire on August 1.
Danielson worked more than 100 NJPW matches from 2002-2004, and then had three big New Japan matches this year. However, he's wanted to work the legendary G1 Climax tournament for decades. The 34th G1 Climax began in late July and will wrap in mid-August, but Danielson was not able to make it. Speaking to Sports Illustrated, the former WWE Champion revealed how he was hopeful for this year's tournament.
"Over the winter, I told Gedo, the booker in New Japan, 'I would love to do the G1 this year!' I’d just wrestled Zack Sabre in Japan [in February]. I was so excited. It all happened in the heat of the moment. I would like to think it would be possible. I don’t limit possibilities in my mind. But it seems unlikely," Bryan Danielson said.
The Best Wrestler In The World continued and named reasons why the G1 wasn't a good idea this year, reiterating how he's having neck issues. Danielson indicated he may have come to terms with giving up on the idea.
"My neck isn’t doing real great right now. So there’s my health. But even if Tony [Khan] freed me up for the entire summer and said, ‘Go do the G1,’ I wouldn’t want to leave my wife and kids for that long. I don’t think my wife would think it was good for my health, either. I’ve always wanted to do the G1. I don’t know if that’s going to be in the cards for me, and that’s OK," Bryan Danielson said.
Danielson is set to challenge Swerve Strickland for the AEW World Championship at All In 2024. The big event is scheduled for Sunday, August 25 at Wembley Stadium in London.
Bryan Danielson on AEW Dynamite ahead of contract expiration
Bryan Danielson recently confirmed that his All Elite Wrestling contract is set to expire at the beginning of August. The former WWE Champion will speak on tonight's Dynamite to get a few things off his chest.
A recent report from Fightful Select noted that there is an active plan for Danielson to continue working numerous AEW dates past the contract expiration, including All In. The American Dragon is expected to be just a part-time in-ring talent for AEW after his current deal ends.
Danielson has helped with AEW creative for the past year or so. He is said to be well-liked as a talent, backstage presence, and creative contributor.