Bryan Danielson has stepped into a full-time commentary position on AEW Dynamite in 2024, marking a significant change in his career path. This shift is closely tied to ongoing injury issues that have prevented him from competing, while Danielson’s decision to forego neck surgery influences his continued presence in the company.
Danielson’s Transition from Wrestling to Commentary Explained
Bryan Danielson, widely known for his in-ring resilience, has faced substantial physical setbacks that curtailed his WWE career, initially forcing him into retirement. During that period, he took on the role of SmackDown General Manager before eventually returning to wrestling. A similar pattern is now unfolding at AEW, where injury problems have stalled his active wrestling career, prompting Tony Khan to assign him to the commentary booth on Dynamite.
Despite the parallels to his WWE tenure, Danielson’s mindset toward this next phase appears notably different, framing his acceptance of the commentary role not merely as a placeholder but as a realistic career turn.
Danielson Accepts the Likelihood of Ending His Wrestling Career
Insights shared by Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio shed light on Danielson’s perspective. Meltzer suggests that Danielson is at peace with the fact that he will not be wrestling at a major level again, though he remains open to participating in smaller indie events simply for enjoyment rather than competition.
“I think he’s very comfortable with the idea that he’s not going to wrestle again in a major way. I believe he will wrestle again at some point. He’s openly talked about the idea of doing indie shows, and he’s said he can fool around and have fun doing indie shows. He said the style of wrestling in AEW is such that he doesn’t think he could go out there and work at that level, and he doesn’t want to be the guy who lives on his rep.”
—Dave Meltzer, Wrestling Observer Radio
This suggests a conscious decision by Danielson to avoid competing beyond his physical limits and not to rely solely on his past reputation in AEW’s demanding wrestling environment.
Declining Neck Surgery Limits Danielson’s Return to Active Wrestling
Central to Danielson’s current situation is his choice not to undergo neck surgery, a decision that heavily influences his ability to return to high-level wrestling. Meltzer explained that the condition of Danielson’s neck is poor and that while surgery might have offered a possible comeback route, Danielson prioritized his overall quality of life over surgical intervention.
“Also, physically, his neck’s not in good shape. He didn’t have the surgery. If he had the surgery, I don’t know if he could’ve come back or not; it would have been a matter of the healing and everything, but he opted not to have the neck surgery because of quality of life and everything like that.”
—Dave Meltzer, Wrestling Observer Radio
This choice significantly reduces the likelihood that Danielson will resume full-time in-ring competition, making commentary a practical avenue to maintain his involvement with AEW.
Recent Wrestling Appearances Highlight Danielson’s Status
Danielson’s last competitive match occurred at WrestleDream 2024, where he dropped the AEW World Championship to Jon Moxley. Since then, he appeared briefly at AEW Collision in Washington, his home state, where he answered an open challenge from Max Caster. That encounter ended quickly in eight seconds and was not aired on television, signaling a departure from traditional match formats.
Ongoing Influence and Future Role Within AEW
By embracing the commentary role, Bryan Danielson remains a vital part of AEW’s presentation, sharing his expertise and perspective without risking further physical harm. His transition also reflects broader concerns about wrestler health and longevity, highlighting the difficult decisions athletes face as injuries accumulate.
Danielson’s choice to avoid surgery and shift away from competitive wrestling may set an example for others dealing with similar dilemmas and could shape how AEW utilizes veteran talent beyond the ring.
