At the recent AEW All In: Texas event in June 2024, Bryan Danielson made a surprising return to in-ring action, exciting fans but stirring controversy backstage. The unexpected appearance marked a notable moment in Danielson’s ongoing journey post-retirement, though it quickly sparked tense exchanges, including criticism from AEW’s medical staff regarding his decision to wrestle without full clearance.
Unexpected Return Shakes Up AEW All In
Bryan Danielson, widely known as the American Dragon and a revered figure in professional wrestling, retired from full-time competition at AEW WrestleDream 2024. His retirement aimed to prioritize his health and more time with family after a lengthy career highlighted by top-tier performances. Danielson lost the AEW World Championship to Jon Moxley and was then written out of active storylines following an attack by the emerging heel faction, The Death Riders.
Despite stepping away from active wrestling, Danielson remained connected to AEW through backstage roles and promotional appearances. However, on June 25 during AEW Collision’s dark main event, he made a dominant in-ring comeback by decisively defeating Max Caster in mere seconds.
The same weekend, Danielson also made a rare appearance on a taped ROH x CMLL Global Wars show, teaming with notable stars Hologram, Atlantis, and Mascara Dorada to rescue Blue Panther from Shane Taylor Promotions. At All In’s main event, amid a chaotic World Championship match where Adam Page took the title from Jon Moxley, Danielson surprised fans once again. Wearing a Blue Panther lucha mask, he returned alongside Darby Allin to help fend off interference from The Death Riders, receiving a strong reaction from the crowd.
Earlier during Starrcast, a wrestling convention in Texas, Danielson connected with enthusiastic fans, which he later recounted on The Nikki & Brie Show with his wife Brie Bella. The couple reflected on the excitement and unexpected nature of his appearance.
“Well, let’s talk about the day after, or a couple days after, when all of a sudden I see you in the ring at All In. I did not know and then I thought, ‘OK, maybe he’s gonna go in and help… nope. [Bryan: I did!] Well, you helped, but Bryan… [Bryan: I helped] I was like, ‘Oh, I know the doctor is not going to be happy.’ Because I need to know, were you supposed to do the moves you did?,” Brie Bella said.
Danielson admitted he only partially received medical clearance for his moves, acting on how he felt physically at the moment.
“Well, some of them I had cleared. Some of them, I did not. [Brie: Of course] But… [laughs] but I was feeling it. I was feeling it,” Bryan Danielson confirmed.
Medical Staff Reaction to Danielson’s Return and In-Ring Activity
On the same episode of The Nikki & Brie Show, Brie Bella elaborated on Bryan Danielson’s retirement status and how his return was met with mixed feelings within AEW’s medical team. Despite stepping back from wrestling in October 2023, excluding the use of the term “retirement” himself, Bryan’s brief in-ring action raised concerns for those responsible for his health and safety.
“So, for all you listening who, if you didn’t watch AEW, my husband, he retired. Brian retired in November, right? Or October? [Bryan: October and I don’t use the R word] Yeah, in wrestling, no one’s truly ever retired. But OK, he hasn’t been in-ring since then, and [there’s been] a lot of stuff with healing and where Bryan is at, and the doctor just feels, and the list goes on. So, I was done because when he got in the ring, I was like… [Bryan laughs: did you see me in my Blue Panther mask?] Yes, which I was like, ‘So Bryan,’” Brie Bella said.
Dr. Michael Sampson, AEW’s ringside physician since May 2019 and former WWE Ringside Physician, is known for closely monitoring wrestler health. Brie Bella shared her thoughts on how Dr. Sampson viewed Danielson’s unexpected performance, suggesting the doctor was less than pleased with Bryan taking risks so soon after retirement.
“Then when I saw you do all the different things, I was thinking to myself like, ‘No way!’ I knew Dr. Sampson was going to be so upset. [Bryan: to be fair, he wasn’t upset] He just thought you were an idiot. [Bryan: he did think I was an idiot. I also, had cleared…] By the way, everyone thinks you’re back because you did all that. Everyone thinks you’re back. [Bryan: I’m not back] I know… well, actually, to be honest, I was confused. [Bryan laughs: you thought I was back?] Well, I go, ‘Is there something I don’t know? Tell me. He’s been keeping a secret from me and he’s going to be like, ‘So, Bri?,” but I was like, ‘Oh my Gosh!,’” Brie Bella said.
Despite the rumors stirred by his All In performance, Bryan Danielson clarified that this was not an official comeback to regular wrestling but rather a special appearance. His health remains a priority, and the decision to wrestle was carefully considered, though not fully cleared in advance.
Implications of Danielson’s Return and Future Prospects
Bryan Danielson’s presence at AEW All In: Texas electrified the event and thrilled fans hungry for surprises, but it also underscored the tension between a wrestler’s passion and the medical realities of retirement. The fact that AEW’s doctor referred to Danielson’s decision as foolish highlights ongoing concerns about athlete welfare in professional wrestling.
This moment serves as a reminder of the challenges retired athletes face when balancing their health with the desire to connect with fans and the performance itself. While Bryan Danielson’s actions brought joy and excitement, they also raised urgent questions about safety, medical protocols, and the pressures wrestlers may experience post-retirement.
For AEW, maintaining transparency and care for performers like Danielson will remain critical as speculation about future appearances continues. Fans and industry insiders alike will be watching closely to see if Danielson’s All In performance signals a gradual return or simply a one-time flashback to the past.
