At this week’s “SXSW 2024” panel, AEW veteran Bryan Danielson discussed his goal of passing on his knowledge and stardom to the younger generation in AEW.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On why he doesn’t use the word retire: “I don’t use the R-word [retire], I already had to do that once and I don’t want to do it again. I want to leave it open to wrestle when I’m 75 if I so choose. One of the things I loved about AEW, and just the idea of it, is that it made the pro wrestling industry healthier. So, when I look at that, how do I make this industry that I love, that I’ve loved since I was a child, healthier? And the idea is to pass on what stardom I have been given, to try and pass it on to the younger wrestlers.”
On why he hasn’t been champion yet: “No, the champions we’ve had have been great. Hangman was a great champion. MJF was a great champion. It elevated these younger people, to now, these people are stars … It would be easy to just take stars of the past and make them your champion and make them your top guy, that’s the easy way. It’s much harder to take somebody like MJF, who had not been on national television, and turn him into a star that draws ratings. That was my bigger goal, to transfer stardom from one generation to another.”
AEW veteran Bryan Danielson, also known as Daniel Bryan, recently shared his goal of passing on his knowledge and stardom to the younger generation in All Elite Wrestling (AEW). During a panel at SXSW 2024, Danielson discussed his perspective on retirement and why he hasn’t pursued championship titles in AEW yet.
One of the notable aspects of Danielson’s approach to his career is his refusal to use the word “retire.” Having already retired once before, he wants to keep the possibility of wrestling open, even when he reaches the age of 75. This mindset reflects his deep love for the industry and his desire to contribute to its overall health. Danielson believes that AEW has played a significant role in making the pro wrestling industry healthier, and he wants to contribute to that positive change.
Danielson’s main objective is to pass on the stardom he has acquired over the years to the younger wrestlers in AEW. He recognizes the importance of nurturing and elevating the next generation of talent. By sharing his knowledge and experience, he aims to help them become stars in their own right. This approach aligns with AEW’s philosophy of creating a platform for new and emerging talent.
When asked about why he hasn’t pursued championship titles in AEW, Danielson emphasized the greatness of the champions who have held the titles so far. He praised Hangman Adam Page and MJF for their performances as champions, acknowledging their ability to elevate themselves and draw ratings. Danielson believes that it is more challenging but ultimately more rewarding to take someone like MJF, who had not been on national television before, and transform them into a star.
Rather than relying on established stars from the past, Danielson wants to focus on transferring stardom from one generation to another. He sees this as a way to ensure the longevity and growth of the industry. By helping younger wrestlers achieve success and stardom, he believes he can contribute to the overall health and prosperity of professional wrestling.
Danielson’s commitment to passing on his knowledge and stardom reflects his passion for the industry and his desire to see it thrive. As an AEW veteran, he recognizes the importance of nurturing new talent and creating opportunities for them to shine. With his experience and dedication, Danielson is poised to make a lasting impact on the future of professional wrestling in AEW and beyond.