Bryan Danielson appears to have been written out of AEW television for a while.
On last night’s “AEW Dynamite,” a pre-recorded video showed Danielson, battered and bloodied after his Iron Man Match defeat to MJF at AEW Revolution, reflecting on his future in wrestling.
“I used to think I was doing this for my kids,” Danielson began. “After being forced to retire, I wanted to show them that you should fight for what you love. But tonight [Sunday], I realized Max was right. My career has always been about pushing my legs, lungs, heart, and never giving up. I believed that constant fighting was the way.”
He continued, “But when I woke up from being unconscious, I found myself in a LeBell Lock, and my first reaction was to fight! As I fought, I realized I couldn’t feel my arms, and my left leg had lost its strength. When Max said after the Iron Man Match that I wouldn’t be able to play with my kids…it struck me. He was right.”
Overwhelmed with emotion, Danielson confessed he had placed his championship ambitions above his family.
“I was putting my own desires before my family,” he admitted. “More than tapping out, that realization brought me the most shame. It’s time for me to go home.”
The video did not specify when Danielson might return. However, AEW also aired a post-match interview with MJF and announced a birthday celebration for him next week, hinting that MJF will soon face a new challenger.
Danielson is approaching the end of his career. In a recent interview, “The American Dragon” stated he would stop being a full-time wrestler once his AEW contract ends. He signed a three-year deal with AEW in September 2021, meaning he will become a free agent in summer 2024.