Bryan Danielson, widely recognized for his exceptional wrestling abilities, is currently among the most celebrated names in pro wrestling, particularly for his technical prowess. Despite this, Dutch Mantell, a seasoned veteran in the industry, argues that Danielson may not hold the top position when considering overall impact. Mantell’s comments come on the heels of Danielson’s ongoing run with AEW, where he has been a prominent figure and former champion.
According to Mantell, although Danielson’s in-ring skills are indisputable, other factors like drawing power and financial success need to be accounted for when determining wrestling’s greatest of all time. He stated on The Wrestling Time Machine podcast,
“As far as his talent, very very talented. Probably amongst the top five, in executing a match. But in wrestling you are not really graded by how good you are, because that’s a subjective term. It’s how much money you are drawing. So if you look at money, you gotta look at WWE those guys, and you gotta look at Hulk Hogan and all that.”
—Dutch Mantell, Wrestling Veteran
Mic Skills Also Under Scrutiny by Former WWE Creative Member
Beyond the debate over wrestling skill and financial success, microphone ability has also been questioned. Vince Russo, a former WWE creative writer, recently critiqued Danielson’s promo skills during a discussion on his podcast Writing with Russo. Russo emphasized that while Danielson excels inside the ring, his effectiveness on the mic may limit his overall appeal.
He remarked,
“Well, see, here’s where I think, from what I saw of Bryan Danielson, this is, to me, the box he would not be able to check, and that’s cutting the promo,”
—Vince Russo, Former WWE Writer
Danielson’s Recent Performances and Future Prospects
Currently signed with AEW, Bryan Danielson lost the World Championship title to Jon Moxley at WrestleDream 2024, a major event held in Jacksonville. Despite the loss, Danielson played a key role at the 2025 All In event when he assisted Hangman Page in defeating Moxley during the main event. His continued involvement in high-profile matches underscores his significance in the Jacksonville-based promotion, although his next steps remain uncertain.
These perspectives on his mic work and overall legacy illustrate an ongoing conversation among wrestling experts about how to best evaluate a wrestler’s place in history, balancing technical ability with showmanship and commercial success.
