Bryan Danielson, widely recognized as one of AEW’s top performers and a former AEW World Champion, retired from wrestling last year after a celebrated career. Despite stepping away from active competition, there remains a sense that Danielson has unfinished business in AEW, including several key matches he hoped to have before retiring. This ongoing narrative keeps fans curious about whether he might still compete again in the company.
During the AEWxNJPW Forbidden Door 2023 media scrum, Danielson revealed a list of opponents he wished to face before ending his career. He named notable stars such as Orange Cassidy, Darby Allin, CM Punk, Samoa Joe, and Kenny Omega. Notably, after this 2023 interview, none of these anticipated matchups came to fruition, leaving these dream encounters unrealized in AEW.
Danielson’s single iconic match against Kenny Omega
Bryan Danielson and Kenny Omega shared one memorable bout at the AEW Dynamite Grand Slam event on September 22, 2021. This match remains the only official encounter between the two highly regarded veterans within AEW. Their confrontation has been praised as a classic, and fans continue to express a strong desire to see them face off again.
The prospect of a rematch between Danielson and Omega was raised during the 2023 Forbidden Door media scrum, but it did not materialize. This leaves open the possibility for a future meeting between these two stars, which would carry significant interest given their history and talent.
CM Punk’s exit dims the chance for a dream AEW bout
Among Bryan Danielson’s dream opponents was CM Punk, known as “The Best in the World.” Danielson wished to have a high-profile match against Punk within AEW. Unfortunately, the aftermath of the All In backstage altercation led to CM Punk’s departure from the company. Consequently, the highly anticipated match between Danielson and Punk will not occur in AEW.
While Danielson’s retirement and Punk’s exit close the door on this confrontation in AEW, the possibility remains that they might face each other if either returns to WWE. However, that scenario falls outside AEW, where the match was originally envisioned.
Transitioning from ring to commentary in AEW
Bryan Danielson is making his return to AEW, but not as a wrestler. Recently, he appeared as a special guest commentator on AEW Dynamite, a role that received positive feedback from fans and commentators alike. His insightful commentary sparked calls for him to have a permanent presence at the AEW commentary table.
Responding to this enthusiasm, AEW President Tony Khan announced that Danielson would join the commentary team full time for weekly AEW Dynamite broadcasts. With this new commitment, the chances that Danielson will lace up his boots again to settle his unfinished business inside the ring seem to be diminishing.
The significance of Danielson’s ongoing AEW role
Bryan Danielson’s shift from competitor to commentator marks a notable change in his AEW journey but does not erase the desire among fans for certain matches that never happened. His move to commentary preserves his presence in AEW, keeping him involved and influential, even as his in-ring career appears to have concluded. How this role might evolve and whether Danielson could someday return to wrestling remains uncertain, but his impact on AEW is undeniable.
