Bryan Danielson reveals how he wants to be like Owen Hart; gives major credit to Martha Hart
Bryan Danielson aspires to be like Owen Hart. The veteran star recently won The Owen Cup and is steadily making his way to the top of the AEW men's division. Danielson has now opened up on the late WWE Legend, while also giving major credit to his widow, Martha Hart.
AEW recently wrapped its third annual Owen Hart Foundation Tournaments. Bryan Danielson captured The Owen Hart Foundation trophy and a custom championship belt by defeating Hangman Page in the finals of the men's tournament. Mariah May took home the same hardware for the women's division after defeating Willow Nightingale in the finals. The winners also earned title shots at AEW All In next month.
The American Dragon has captured numerous titles in his 25-year career, but he holds the Owen Hart Cup Championship dearly due to what it signifies beyond the ring. He told Sports Illustrated how it feels to be associated with the annual tournament, and praised Owen's widow - Martha Hart, who launched the foundation in December 2000:
"I’m honored to be part of the Owen Hart Memorial Foundation Tournament. It’s really inspiring to me what Martha Hart has done with this tragedy, and how she’s helped so many people–and raised her children. She got her doctorate. She raised two wonderful children, and she’s an incredible parent. That’s something I aspire to be, too," Bryan Danielson said.
Danielson and Hart had similar but versatile promo and in-ring styles, and both overcame criticism aimed at their size. However, SI points to how the former Intercontinental Champions are strikingly alike when it comes to family. Danielson recalled hearing about Hart's love for his family and declared that he wanted to embody how The King Of Harts put family first.
"When I was a teenager, Owen Hart was one of my favorites, which makes this really special. I love hearing about how much he loved his family. Those guys were on the road so much, something like 300 days a year. So when I hear the stories about how he’d find one extra day to be at home, that means a lot. Was he an incredible professional wrestler? Of course. Was he hilarious? Everyone says he was. You can see it in his promos. But I want to embody the way he put his family first," Bryan Danielson said.
Britt Baker and Adam Cole won the inaugural Owen Hart Foundation Tournaments in 2022. The 2023 competitions were won by Willow Nightingale and Ricky Starks.
Bryan Danielson and Mariah May set for AEW All In
All Elite Wrestling will present its second annual All In pay-per-view on Sunday, August 25 at Wembley Stadium in London, England. The big event will coincide with the August Bank Holiday weekend in the UK.
Two title matches have been confirmed for All In as of this week. Bryan Danielson will challenge Swerve Strickland for the World Championship, while Mariah May will lock up with Toni Storm for the World Women's Championship.
Danielson earned the title shot by defeating Hangman Page in the finals of The Owen Hart Foundation Men's Tournament. May won the women's tournament by beating Willow Nightingale in the finals and then made a bloody heel turn on her mentor, Timeless Toni.
AEW is expected to confirm new All In matches this week. All Out will take place two weeks after All In, on Saturday, September 7 at NOW Arena near Chicago, IL.