Former World Champion Bryan Danielson has opened up about his 2024 in-ring retirement and how he feels much more at peace with the decision compared to back in 2016.
The American Dragon is now closing in on one year since his final AEW match, which saw him lose the World Championship to Jon Moxley in the main event of WrestleDream. Despite commentary previously noting that this would be the end of his full-time career, Danielson has not competed for an official match for the promotion since, but has occasionally gotten physical in that time.
While speaking with Australia’s Nine Network, Danielson spoke about his decision to retire for the first time, admitting that the fact that it was his choice made things a lot easier for him:
“I feel infinitely more content, honestly,” Danielson said.
“My life has changed and it’s different when it’s your own decision as opposed to when you’re not allowed to do this thing that you love anymore.”
Although Danielson did note in the interview that another return to the ring may be technically possible, the former World Champion has let fans know that if it were to happen, fans should lower their expectations:
“My body physically can’t do some of those things anymore. If I’m going to do it, it can’t be at the scale that I did it before. If I tried to do some of the things I did in my last year with AEW right now, I don’t think I’d be able to go back and hold my kids. Anything that I would do moving forward has to be with that in mind, because that is now my number one priority.“
“Stay healthy, be at home and play with my kids and coach my son’s tee-ball team.”
Danielson regularly appears on AEW TV as a member of the commentary team.
Bryan Danielson Announced First Retirement Back In 2016
Danielson was a member of the WWE roster the first time he had to deliver the unfortunate news that his in-ring career had seemingly come to an end. Cutting an emotional promo on Raw in 2016, Danielson thanked everyone who supported him before remaining on TV as an onscreen authority figure. However, with fans well aware that Danielson did not retire on his own terms, there was a hope that a return could be possible.
After being cleared to compete once more in 2018, Danielson had his return match at WrestleMania 34, where he and Shane McMahon defeated Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn.
Featured image: WWE
