Bryan Danielson clarifies his future.
On AEW Collision, Bryan Danielson stated that he was winding down his career and this might be his last full-time run. Danielson said he promised his daughter he would begin to step away when she turned seven.
Speaking to Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated, Danielson clarified his comments on when he would actually be stepping away.
“I don’t think I’ll ever reach a point where I declare I’m absolutely done,” said Danielson. “I want the ability to show up when I want to show up. Terry Funk is someone I always admired. He retired a million times, but he loved it so much he couldn’t help but keep doing it. And he did it when he wanted. For me, it might be a couple times a year, or it might be years between matches.”
He continued, “In my mind, it’s around August of next year. My daughter will say, ‘Daddy, are you going to be done wrestling when I turn seven?’ And I’ll respond, ‘Well, not exactly when you turn seven, but I’ll be on the home stretch.’ I didn’t get a chance to do All In this year. I would like that chance next year. We have a show, WrestleDream, this October 1 in Seattle where I’m wrestling Zack Sabre Jr. If we have another next year in Seattle? Maybe it will be then. My daughter turns seven in May, so it’s a good time to close down the shop.”
It's noted in the article that Danielson contract "expires shortly after his daughter’s seventh birthday." Danielson signed a three-year deal with AEW when he joined the promotion in September 2021.
After missing two months with a broken arm, Danielson returned to the ring to face Ricky Starks in a strap match at AEW All Out. Danielson will face Zack Sabre Jr at AEW WrestleDream.
Elsewhere during the interview, Danielson commented on CM Punk's departure from AEW. You can find his full comments by clicking here.