Bryan Danielson‘s name came up during the WWE Wrestlepalooza pre-show as the sports entertainment world witnesses a face-off between WWE and AEW, highlighting the ongoing Bryan Danielson WWE AEW rivalry. This mention ties into his storied career and the ongoing competition between the two wrestling promotions.
A Look Back at Danielson’s WWE Highlights and Its Role in the Rivalry
Some of Bryan Danielson’s most notable wrestling achievements occurred during his tenure with WWE, where he faced off against many top-tier competitors. Among these, his rivalry with The Miz stands out as a significant storyline during his WWE return starting in 2018, following nearly two years away due to serious concussion injuries. Interestingly, their feud’s groundwork was laid even before Danielson’s retirement from active competition.
The buildup to their rivalry began notably with a moment on the “Talking Smack” show in 2016, which fueled anticipation among fans that Danielson might one day be cleared to wrestle again and reignite his battles with The Miz.
The Miz Shares His View on Danielson’s Criticism of His Wrestling Style
During the Wrestlepalooza pre-show, The Miz spoke with O’Shea Jackson and TJ Jefferson, recalling past interactions with Danielson. He remembered Bryan criticizing his conservative wrestling style, which frustrated him because he felt it benefited WWE as a whole, whereas Danielson’s more dangerous style contributed to his injuries and eventual retirement.
“Bryan told him about his very safe way of wrestling, which enraged him,”
said The Miz, also noting that the individual Bryan was referring to was no longer with WWE, so further details were unnecessary.
The origins of their rivalry may be debated, but their dynamic is remembered as one of the last decade’s most compelling due to how it blended real-life tensions with scripted storylines. Bryan was known as the indie wrestling darling, while The Miz was a product of WWE’s homegrown system.
Longstanding Hostility Between Danielson and The Miz in WWE
The animosity between The Miz and Bryan Danielson dates back to the late 2000s, with The Miz initially acting as Danielson’s mentor in NXT. Their paths diverged at SummerSlam 2010, when Danielson stepped in for The Miz on John Cena’s team against The Nexus. That year, Bryan defeated The Miz to win the United States Championship, marking his first title on WWE’s main roster.
Their rivalry continued years later at SummerSlam 2018, where The Miz finally got a victory over Danielson and also teamed with his wife, Maryse, to defeat Bryan and his wife, Brie Bella.
Bryan Danielson’s Current Status in AEW and Future Prospects
Bryan Danielson is currently signed with AEW but has been inactive recently due to injuries. He publicly expressed doubts about returning for any future televised matches, sparking calls from former WWE stars urging him to consider a comeback on AEW programming. This ongoing uncertainty underscores the tension surrounding the Bryan Danielson WWE AEW rivalry and the competitive dynamics between the two promotions.
— . (@xFaMxHD) September 20, 2025
