Bryan Danielson AEW revelation took a revealing turn recently when the former AEW World Champion disclosed an intense moment from his career during a match on Dynamite. Speaking publicly about his experience, Danielson admitted to competing while severely ill, highlighting his dedication to his craft and the promotion.
Bryan Danielson, widely known as the American Dragon, retired from active wrestling at AEW WrestleDream 2024 and has since embraced a full-time role as a commentator on AEW Dynamite. Throughout his career, Danielson has been recognized for his outstanding in-ring performances and unrelenting passion for wrestling. In a recent interview on the UNSCRIPTED podcast with Josh Mansour, Danielson opened up about the mindset that fueled his success and revealed a striking account of one particularly difficult match.
Danielson Wrestled Despite Being Seriously Ill
During the interview, Danielson described a time when he was feeling extremely unwell but chose to wrestle to support the promotion. Tony Khan, AEW’s president, approached Danielson in the trainer’s room while he was lying down due to illness. According to Danielson, Khan asked if he wanted to wrestle that day, a question that surprised him because it was the first time Khan had heard him express reluctance to perform.
“I love to wrestle. Some people don’t want to wrestle every week on TV. No, I want to wrestle every week. One time, I was sick, super sick. Tony (Khan) knows me so well, he came up to me, I’m lying on the floor in the trainer’s room and Tony goes, ‘Bryan, do you want to wrestle today?’ I go, ‘Not really.’ He was so blown away by that. He had never asked me about wrestling a match and I said, ‘Not really.’ He goes, ‘Oh. I just had an idea and you don’t have to do it if you don’t want to.’ ‘What’s the match?’ ‘It would really help the show.’ It wasn’t even a guilt trip. ‘I can do it. If it’s better for the show, I’ll do it,’” said Danielson
This candid revelation underscores Danielson’s commitment not only to his personal passion for wrestling but also to the success of AEW as a whole. Despite his physical condition, he agreed to compete because he believed it would benefit the promotion’s programming.
The Challenging Match Against Matt Menard
Danielson went into more detail about the match itself, which took place in 2022 during a feud involving the Jericho Appreciation Society. His opponent was Matt Menard, a performer who had not participated in a singles match for three years at that time. The unusual circumstances of both men—Danielson grappling with sickness and Menard returning to singles competition after a long hiatus—made the bout particularly notable.
“I wrestled Matt Menard, who hadn’t done a singles match in three years. I’m sick as a dog, he hadn’t wrestled a match in however long, and we had nine minutes to go do our thing. When we came back, I had so much fun. I was sick as a dog, we went out there and did this thing, and it was so much fun,”
This match demonstrated Danielson’s resilience and ability to deliver quality performances even under adverse conditions, reinforcing why he is highly respected in the wrestling industry.
Matt Menard’s Recent Long-Term Commitment to AEW
Matt Menard, often known by his moniker ‘Daddy Magic,’ recently signed a five-year contract with AEW, as confirmed by a Fightful Select report. While Menard has not always been a prominent on-screen figure, his versatility has made him a valuable asset behind the scenes and in various roles within the promotion. His extended contract signals AEW’s confidence in his contributions and hints at a potential increase in his visibility on future programming.
The long-term deal with Menard reflects AEW’s strategy of building a strong, committed roster capable of supporting diverse storylines and performances. Wrestling fans and industry watchers will be keen to see how Menard’s role evolves under this new agreement.
Danielson’s Career Transition and Lasting Influence
Since retiring from active competition at the recent AEW WrestleDream event, Bryan Danielson has taken up a commentary role on Dynamite, allowing him to remain an integral part of AEW programming while preserving his health. His legacy as one of the most talented wrestlers of his generation is firmly established, shaped by memorable matches and a relentless work ethic.
Danielson’s willingness to push through illness for the sake of AEW’s product reveals the passion and dedication that have defined his entire career. His insights provide fans a rare glimpse into the physical and mental challenges wrestlers face, deepening appreciation for the sport’s demands.
Looking ahead, Danielson’s ongoing presence as a commentator ensures his voice will continue to influence AEW storylines and enhance viewers’ experience. Meanwhile, talents like Matt Menard remain poised to expand their roles, contributing to the evolving landscape of All Elite Wrestling.
