Following the conclusion of his in-ring career, Bryan Danielson is stepping into a full-time commentary position with AEW, as announced recently. AEW President Tony Khan shared insights on this development, highlighting Danielson’s transition during an appearance on the Battleground Podcast.
The move comes after Danielson’s successful guest commentary stint at AEW’s Forbidden Door event, leading Khan to offer him a permanent role on the AEW Dynamite broadcast team.
Tony Khan’s Perspective on Danielson’s Transformation
Tony Khan praised Danielson’s knowledge and dedication to professional wrestling as key reasons for his inclusion in the commentary booth. Khan emphasized Danielson’s preparedness and deep understanding of wrestling worldwide, which makes him a valuable addition. Khan also acknowledged Danielson’s strong fan following and the positive response to his guest commentary work.
Khan explained,
“As we were preparing for Forbidden Door, I thought Bryan would be fantastic on the commentary team for that show, knowing the background he has, knowing his insights into pro-wrestling, and how prepared he is, how much research he does on pro-wrestling worldwide.”
He added,
“Also, I think Bryan is a great star and people want to see Bryan Danielson on television. Thankfully, he’s got very intelligent, insightful things to say when he does talk.”
The AEW president further noted,
“I really thought Bryan would be a great part of the commentary team. He did a fantastic job on Forbidden Door, so I had talked to him after his promotional tour of Australia was complete about joining us on Wednesday, and it worked out perfect.”
Context of Danielson’s Final Matches Leading to Commentary Role
Danielson’s final major in-ring appearance occurred at the October 2024 WrestleDream pay-per-view, where he lost the AEW World Championship to Jon Moxley. Since then, he made a brief eight-second return in response to Max Caster’s open challenge during the June 25 taping of AEW Collision, where he did not take any damage.
This gradual exit from active competition coincides with his shift to commentary, marking a new chapter in his AEW career.
Implications for AEW and Bryan Danielson’s Future
Danielson’s new full-time role as part of the AEW commentary team offers fans a chance to continue connecting with one of wrestling’s most respected figures in a fresh capacity. His expertise and insight are expected to enhance the viewer experience on AEW Dynamite broadcasts, while also allowing Danielson to remain a prominent presence within the company beyond his days in the ring.
Tony Khan’s decision underscores AEW’s approach to leveraging talent in diverse ways and signals potential future opportunities for Danielson to contribute to the promotion’s growth from a different angle.
