Bryan Danielson announced his retirement from full-time wrestling in October 2024 at AEW WrestleDream, following his defeat to Jon Moxley for the AEW World Championship. Prioritizing his health and family, Danielson expressed a desire to spend more time with his children, marking a new chapter in his life after years in the ring.
Details of Bryan Danielson’s Wrestling Career and Initial Retirement
Before his recent retirement, Bryan Danielson had previously stepped away from wrestling in February 2016 due to multiple concussions and health issues. After undergoing nearly two years of thorough medical evaluations, WWE cleared him to return in March 2018. His comeback was highlighted by a tag team match at WrestleMania 34, where he partnered with Shane McMahon against Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn.
Life After Stepping Away from the Ring at AEW
Following his AEW retirement, Danielson transitioned to a backstage consultant position and began working as a color commentator on AEW Dynamite. In a recent interview with Australia’s Nine Network, he shared his thoughts on retiring once again, emphasizing a sense of peace this time around because the decision was entirely his own.
“I feel infinitely more content, honestly. My life has changed, and it’s different when it’s your own decision as opposed to when you’re not allowed to do this thing that you love anymore… I would mostly frame it that even though I’m in physical discomfort, I’m pretty happy.”
– Bryan Danielson, Professional Wrestler
Danielson contrasted this retirement with his previous one, highlighting the significant difference between leaving voluntarily compared to being forced by circumstance.
Considering a Future Return—But With New Priorities
Although hinting at a possible return to wrestling, Danielson made it clear that his future involvement would be limited and conditioned by his physical capabilities. Protecting his health and spending quality time with his children are now his primary concerns.
“My body physically can’t do some of those things anymore. If I’m going to do it, it can’t be at the scale that I did it before. If I tried to do some of the things I did in my last year with AEW right now, I don’t think I’d be able to go back and hold my kids. Anything that I would do moving forward has to be with that in mind, because that is now my number one priority. Stay healthy, be at home, and play with my kids and coach my son’s tee-ball team.”
– Bryan Danielson, Professional Wrestler
This statement underscores Danielson’s commitment to family life, signaling a shift away from the demanding schedule and physical toll of full-time wrestling.
Other Noteworthy Wrestling Updates
Meanwhile, Stephanie McMahon revealed tensions with her father and brother over a key decision within WWE, adding intrigue to the company’s internal dynamics. WWE legends and current stars are also making headlines; one legend under a Stamford contract hinted at joining the Wyatt Sicks, who themselves are preparing to face familiar opponents in their upcoming WWE Tag Team Title match.
Ricky Saints has recently captured the NXT Championship, marking a high point in his career, and he has shared his feelings on this achievement. Additionally, the city of Indianapolis remains uncertain about when it will host WWE WrestleMania despite earlier promises. Cody Rhodes has proposed a surprising tag team name alongside Randy Orton, stirring interest among fans, while WWE superstar Naomi provided a pregnancy update during her absence from Monday Night RAW.
Impact of Danielson’s Retirement and What Lies Ahead
Bryan Danielson’s AEW retirement marks an important moment for both the wrestler and the industry. His choice to prioritize health and family reflects a growing awareness among performers about the personal costs of wrestling’s physical demands. His new roles as a commentator and consultant keep him connected to AEW, offering fans an ongoing presence even as his in-ring days wind down. Looking forward, any future appearances in the ring will be measured and mindful, balancing his passion for wrestling with the need to stay healthy and present for his children.
