During a recent episode of the podcast “The Nikki & Brie Show”, professional wrestler Bryan Danielson confirmed that he is prepared to exit the wrestling ring for good, a resolution he announced last year.
Danielson’s contractual affiliation with AEW ended at the dawn of this month, and at present, he is in the phase of winding down his career as a pro wrestler on a full-time basis.
In his own words, Danielson stated, “I’ve been with AEW for the past three years and I’ve yet to win a championship. So here’s the deal, I am participating in this match that’s a career vs title condition. Should I experience defeat, my retirement is mandatory. At this juncture, I am ready for this. I actually long for some quiet. I want to be at home. I don’t want to miss out on my children’s lives; I want to be present when my kids need me. I observe my friends and my sister, and it becomes evident. Quickly, our kids grow up, they turn into teenagers and their interests shift. Birdie, who is now seven, will soon prefer other things over her dad’s company. But for now, she cherishes her daddy’s presence, and I yearn to be there for that”.
Moving forward, he added, “Simultaneously, I can’t ignore the fact that my body is deteriorating. It’s highly likely that I will need to go through a neck surgery by the end of this year. I have all these health issues to consider. This professional wrestling journey has been a roller coaster ride for the last twenty-five years, and imagining a life without it is hard. However, envisioning a future without wrestling is becoming easier. Keeping up with this strenuous career seems unlikely, especially considering the physical toll it has taken on me in the past year. From herniated discs in my back to a torn shoulder labrum, from a broken arm requiring nine screws to two fractures in my orbital bone, you name it. Recent neck injury has added to the list, and all these incidents have made me realize this hard truth; perhaps I am not as invincible as I initially thought when I joined AEW. I must clarify, though, I am not seeking sympathy. I live a blessed life, and ironically, the thrill of wrestling still holds a charm even after 25 years in the career. But now, there are matters of more importance to me”.
Danielson is set to compete with Swerve Strickland for the AEW World Championship in a Career vs. Title Match at AEW All In: London 2024 hosted at Wembley Stadium, London.