JAMES

Former AEW Champion Says The Old Version Of Himself “Doesn’t Exist Anymore” In Heartbreaking Injury Update

Former AEW Champion Says The Old Version Of Himself “Doesn’t Exist Anymore” In Heartbreaking Injury Update

It’s common knowledge that Bryan Danielson’s legendary career in the ring took a brutal toll on his body, especially his neck. And now, the former AEW World Champion has admitted to Chris Van Vliet that increased travel for commentary has accelerated the decline, declaring the old American Dragon no longer exists while still refusing to utter the word “retirement.”

“So I have degeneration throughout my entire neck from C1 to T2. I’m on the cusp of needing surgery. I’d really like to avoid it as much as possible. I’d like to never get neck surgery. I was actually doing really well until I started traveling more for commentary, and now it’s really gone downhill … I hate the r‑word because I was forced to retire before. I never consider myself fully retired. I think, this is how a lot of wrestlers think: ‘Well, I think I could do this in this situation if needed or called upon.’ But yeah, effectively, for the Bryan Danielson that I used to be, yeah, that guy doesn’t exist anymore.”Bryan Danielson

Danielson debuted in AEW at All Out 2021, confronting The Elite and quickly establishing himself as a new main eventer. Subsequently, he formed the Blackpool Combat Club with Jon Moxley and was soon wrestlling stars, including Kenny Omega, MJF, and Chris Jericho. Eventually, this led to him winning the AEW World Championship at All In 2024 by defeating Swerve Strickland. However, he dropped Moxley at WrestleDream 2024, retiring from full-time wrestling in the process.

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