Bryan Danielson has stated that just a few days before his AEW debut at All Out, he received a call from Vince McMahon regarding a potential WWE return.
Following his loss to Roman Reigns on WWE SmackDown shortly after WrestleMania 37, which also had the stipulation attached that the former World Champion would be banished from the blue brand, news broke that the stipulation had much more impact than many fans believed, as the former Daniel Bryan became a free agent.
With rumours circulating that Danielson could be the latest wrestler to become All Elite, the rumours were proven to be true at the end of All Out 2021 as The American Dragon made his entrance shortly after Adam Cole also debuted, capping off a night of surprises on a very newsworthy show. However, according to the man himself, there was an alternate timeline where a WWE return could have happened,
Speaking with Nick Stav, Danielson first stated that he only signed his AEW contract a few days before the debut, which he also believes may have been by design by Tony Khan:
“I hadn’t actually signed my contract until two or three days before that. ‘Always the plan,’ was Tony (Khan) thinking it? Did he have it in the back of his mind? I want to say Adam Cole didn’t sign until that day. Maybe he agreed to come, but you never know what’s going to happen.
Continuing, Danielson also added that when WWE found out that he hadn’t committed to his future, both the company and Vince McMahon got in touch to see if he was interested in coming back:
When WWE found out I hadn’t signed yet, they said, ‘Is there anything we can do?’ I called Vince (McMahon) in early August because I was going back and forth. I called Vince in early August and let him know, ‘I made my decision. I’m going to do this.’ He called me one time in the meantime and said, ‘What if we offered you this instead.’ I hadn’t signed my contract yet, it was maye five days before the pay-per-view, and he called me. I told him, ‘Sir, I already agreed to this thing. If I were to go back on this, I feel you have a decent amount of respect for me. One of the things you respect me for is that I honor my word.’ It was a great conversation. He said, ‘Damnit, you’re right,’” recalled Bryan.
Bryan Danielson To Make Full-Time AEW TV Return
Danielson has yet to return to the ring for a full match since his full-time career came to an end at WrestleDream 2024 following a loss to Jon Moxley. However, along with cameo appearances on TV, the former World Champion has also provided guest commentary, most recently for a few matches at Forbidden Door in London. Following an update from Tony Khan, Danielson has been announced as a full-time commentator, and will return to the desk on the September 10 episode of Dynamite.
H/t to Fightful for the use of transcription.
Featured image: AEW
