AEW announced on September 6 that Bryan Danielson will take on a new role as a full-time commentator on AEW Dynamite. This move marks Danielson’s first ongoing on-screen position since concluding his full-time wrestling career at WrestleDream in October 2024. Fans widely praised Danielson’s debut commentary performance at the Forbidden Door event, motivating AEW President Tony Khan to bring him onto the regular broadcast crew.
Tony Khan highlighted Danielson’s wealth of wrestling knowledge and preparation as key reasons behind the decision. Danielson’s expertise, combined with his extensive research of wrestling worldwide, including the diverse talents from Mexico, Japan, and other regions featured at Forbidden Door in London, positions him as a valuable asset in the commentary booth. Khan emphasized the appeal of hearing Danielson’s thoughtful insights during broadcasts, which adds depth to AEW’s coverage.
“As we were preparing for Forbidden Door, I thought Bryan would be fantastic on the commentary team for that show, knowing the background he has, knowing his insights into pro wrestling and how prepared he is and how much research he does on pro wrestling worldwide, knowing the stars competing at Forbidden Door, coming from different promotions, stars from Mexico and Japan, and traveling from all over the world to compete at that show in London. Also, I think Bryan’s a great star, and people want to see Bryan Danielson on television and hear Bryan Danielson on television, and thankfully, he’s got very intelligent, insightful things to say when he does talk. I really thought Bryan would be a great part of the commentary team, and he did a fantastic job on Forbidden Door. So I had talked to him, maybe after his promotional tour of Australia was complete, about Bryan joining us on Wednesday, and it worked out perfect. He’ll be joining us tomorrow night, on Wednesday Night Dynamite as a host, a commentator, providing his really, really valuable insights into pro wrestling. I think it’s great anytime we’re able to bring on Bryan Danielson to do anything in AEW, but especially to provide very, very intelligent, insightful commentary on pro wrestling. That’s a great thing in AEW that we have now with Bryan Danielson as a host on Wednesday night’s Dynamite starting tomorrow.”
—Tony Khan, AEW President
Following the success of the Forbidden Door commentary, Khan and Danielson agreed on a permanent arrangement after Danielson’s promotional tour in Australia. Starting the next episode of AEW Dynamite, Danielson will serve as a host and commentator, offering valuable and intelligent perspectives on matches and competitors. This transition allows him to remain an important figure in AEW programming, sharing his expertise in a fresh capacity that complements his legacy as a wrestler.
Danielson Suggests Retirement Is Final, Reflects on Career Fulfillment
While embracing this new chapter outside the ring, Bryan Danielson has hinted strongly that he does not plan to return to full-time wrestling. In a recent interview, he expressed that he has accomplished everything he wanted in his wrestling career, indicating no lingering ambitions to compete further. Danielson described feeling fulfilled by his journey in professional wrestling, a contrast to the frustration he experienced when forced into retirement nearly a decade ago during his WWE tenure.
In July, Danielson revealed the immense physical pain he endured near the end of his time as a performer. He admitted uncertainty about being able to complete his final match at WrestleDream due to injury, referencing a neck injury sustained in a bout with Will Ospreay at Dynasty six months prior. This candid reflection underscores why Danielson viewed retirement as the right decision, signaling a resolve to step away from the ring on his own terms.
Additional Wrestling Industry Updates
Naomi recently marked the 15th anniversary of her WWE debut, choosing to celebrate her milestone in a way that reflects her distinct personality and career journey. Meanwhile, Nikki Bella issued a public apology to a five-time WWE Champion, addressing a matter significant to WWE fans and industry insiders.
Elsewhere, a three-time world champion has confirmed no plans to return to WWE, explaining the reasons behind this decision. Bayley, in a gripping WWE Raw vignette, issued a chilling promise that hints at a darker direction for her character. Additionally, an 11-time WWE Champion announced their alliance with The Vision, a faction gaining notoriety as one of WWE’s most prominent villainous groups.
AJ Styles has drawn attention for exploring business opportunities outside the wrestling arena, sparking speculation about his post-WWE career. Another former WWE Champion has shared under what conditions they might consider a return to the ring, while WWE confirmed John Cena and AJ Lee will appear on the September 15, 2025 edition of Monday Night RAW, a highly anticipated event for fans worldwide.
Significance of Danielson’s New Role and AEW’s Future
Adding Bryan Danielson to the AEW Dynamite commentary team signals a strategic move by Tony Khan to deepen the broadcast’s analytical quality and fan engagement. Danielson’s transition from full-time wrestler to commentator preserves his presence in AEW and leverages his comprehensive knowledge of the sport to enhance viewers’ experience. His involvement promises to enrich AEW’s storytelling and match analysis, potentially attracting both longtime fans and newer audiences seeking expert insight.
This new position may also influence how AEW develops its broadcast team moving forward, blending in-ring experience with articulate commentary to create a dynamic presentation. For Danielson, this role offers a way to maintain his influence in professional wrestling while supporting the growth of AEW as a competitive promotion. Fans can expect to see him contribute thoughtful observations and unique perspectives on weekly episodes of AEW Dynamite, starting promptly with the upcoming broadcast.
