'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Bryan Danielson dropped the AEW World Championship at WrestleDream, and per the stipulation, he can no longer compete as a full-time wrestler. As the wrestling world honors the 25-year industry veteran this week, one AEW fan-favorite is praising Danielson in a major way, putting him above Shawn Michaels and another wrestling great.
The American Dragon was forced to end his full-time career after being dethroned by Jon Moxley at WrestleDream. Danielson decided to become a pro wrestler while still in high school, which led him to the Texas Wrestling Academy in San Antonio, TX, training under The Heartbreak Kid and Rudy Gonzalez. The Washington State native debuted in late 1999, then went to Japan. Before joining All Elite Wrestling in September 2021, Danielson's career included successful stints with WWE, NJPW, and ROH, among others.
The former Daniel Bryan of WWE is the absolute greatest pro wrestler of all-time, according to Tony Schiavone. Speaking on his What Happened When podcast, the AEW commentator ranked Danielson over Michaels and Ric Flair. Schiavone was asked for his thoughts on Danielson's WrestleDream loss:
"The only thing I think about right now is how lucky... I’ve talked to you about this, about me feeling lucky. I feel very fortunate to have been there for Bryan Danielson’s, probably his last match, because he’s gotta get healthy. To me, am I wrong to say he’s the best of all-time? Is a man like me, who has watched Ric Flair, who has seen Shawn Michaels, wrong to say that Bryan Danielson’s the best of all-time? Yes, [he’s the number one of all time], for me," Tony Schiavone said. [H/T to Fightful]
The "Yes! Man" had nine championship reigns in WWE. The 2022 ROH Hall of Famer had two Ring of Honor championship reigns, along with two in PWG, one in Pro Wrestling NOAH, one in NJPW, and now one in AEW.
Bryan Danielson AEW status update
Bryan Danielson retired from full-time competition after losing the AEW World Championship to Jon Moxley at WrestleDream. There has been some fan speculation on the stipulation after references to Danielson being retired from full-time action, with references to Bryan having just retired.
There are currently no firm plans for The American Dragon to wrestle again, at least based on the word going around, according to Fightful Select. After more backstage details were leaked, it was noted that the door was not closed on Danielson wrestling again.
While the door is not closed, in-ring action is not Danielson's priority as he's focused on family and his own health, mainly getting his neck fixed. The severity of Bryan's health issues became a lot clearer in recent months. Danielson does want to return in some fashion, but he is not being advertised for any upcoming All Elite Wrestling events.
