Bryan Danielson disclosed that WWE reached out to him shortly after his final match in All Elite Wrestling (AEW), delivering a surprising request. The primary reason for WWE’s contact was related to his trademark ‘YES’ chants, a key part of his wrestling persona that began during his WWE tenure and continued in AEW.
Danielson is a highly respected figure within professional wrestling, having made a significant impact in both WWE and AEW. Although his AEW career was relatively brief, it was marked by notable achievements, including capturing the AEW World Championship. Despite the shorter stint, his presence was felt strongly among fans and the wrestling community alike.
WWE’s Interest in Protecting Signature Elements
During a special panel hosted by Andrew Baydala at Starrcast, Bryan Danielson revealed WWE’s attempt to restrict his use of the ‘YES’ chants after he moved to AEW. The Stamford-based company is known for fiercely guarding its intellectual property and signature moves, which explains their request to Danielson. WWE’s call to him was to discourage the use of these chants that are closely tied to their brand and marketing.
This move was anticipated by many observers familiar with WWE’s approach to its talents and trademarks, highlighting the company’s intent to maintain exclusivity over iconic wrestling elements they helped create.
Controversy Sparks Between MJF and Bryan Danielson
Adding to the intense atmosphere around Bryan Danielson, wrestler MJF recently expressed a controversial opinion about him. Having faced Danielson in an Iron Man Match at Revolution 2023, MJF openly called Danielson “overrated,” sparking debate among fans and commentators.
On The Masked Man Show, MJF said,
“Great. Great. Highly overrated. Wasn’t ever really all that good. So, he wants an Iron Man Match. So, in a scenario like that, I have no choice but to wrestle for an hour. That’s not something I wanted to do. I didn’t want to wrestle for 59 minutes and 59 seconds with Will Ospreay. Now, did I beat both of the men I just mentioned? Of course I did, because I’m the best.” —MJF, Wrestler
These remarks add a layer of tension to existing narratives and raise questions about the future interactions and storylines involving MJF and Bryan Danielson within the wrestling world.
Implications for Bryan Danielson and Wrestling’s Ongoing Storylines
The WWE’s contact with Bryan Danielson over the ‘YES’ chants emphasizes the ongoing rivalry between major wrestling promotions and their efforts to protect unique aspects of their performers’ identities. Danielson’s experience underscores how intellectual property concerns continue to influence wrestlers‘ creative expressions after changing companies.
Meanwhile, the outspoken comments by MJF suggest that there are fresh storylines and conflicts on the horizon, potentially shaping upcoming wrestling events and fan engagement. Watching how Danielson responds to both WWE’s restrictions and MJF’s remarks will be important for followers of professional wrestling.
