Tony Khan has declined a request from AEW star Danhausen to exit the company, choosing instead to extend his contract due to injury. Danhausen has been an important figure in AEW since his signing, but injuries have hampered his momentum over time. His original contract was set to expire last month, yet it remains active following Khan’s decision to add injury time to the agreement.
Danhausen, also known as “The Very Nice Very Evil,” has not appeared on All Elite Wrestling television since 2023. His most recent match occurred at AEW’s Worlds End pay-per-view event in Jacksonville, after which he returned for ROH’s Final Battle in December 2023 but was defeated. Despite his injury status, Danhausen has accepted independent bookings during his recovery period.
Reports from Fightful.com revealed that Danhausen preferred to allow his contract to expire unless AEW had creative plans for him. Still, Khan’s move to extend the injury clause indicates a commitment to retaining the wrestler within the promotion.
“Danhausen’s AEW deal was extended due to injury time, learned. We’re told Danhausen preferred it to just expire if AEW did not have anything creatively for him. More details for subscribers.”
—Fightful.com report
Veteran’s Perspective: Danhausen’s Potential in WWE
Danhausen has developed friendships with several WWE talents, fueling speculation among fans that he could eventually transition to the rival company when his contract concludes. Dutch Mantell, a seasoned wrestling veteran, shared his viewpoint on the Story Time podcast, expressing that Danhausen’s character fits well within WWE’s framework, although his ring name might require modification.
“Danhausen, they would have to change his name, I guess, you know, and they could do a lot with him. [Host: ‘What would you change it to?’] Well, I don’t know unless they could use something like that. They could come up with something; it’s not the name, it’s the character, and I’ve always liked the character. So, where did he get that character? He just came up with it? It’s a good one. So, I’d like to see him in WWE. He’s tailor-made for them anyway,” he said.
—Dutch Mantell, Wrestling Veteran
Mantell’s endorsement highlights the creative potential that Danhausen carries, making his future moves highly anticipated within the wrestling community.
Future Prospects for Danhausen in AEW and Beyond
The extension of Danhausen’s AEW contract signals that Tony Khan aims to retain the star during his recovery, preventing an immediate departure. This move suggests AEW’s interest in potentially reintegrating him once he is fully fit. For Danhausen, the situation remains open-ended as he balances injury rehabilitation with independent appearances.
Should AEW decide against offering a creative role, it could open the door for Danhausen to explore opportunities elsewhere, including WWE, as speculated by insiders and veteran observers. Fans and industry watchers will be closely tracking updates surrounding “Kid Curious” to see where his wrestling career heads next.
