Bryan Danielson shares his thoughts on his future.
On the September 9 episode of AEW Collision, Danielson stated that time was running out on his career. He stated that he told his daughter that he would start to step away from full-time competition once she turned seven. A subsequent report noted that he intends to make the change in the next year.
In an interview with Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated, Danielson discussed his future. He highlighted how his transition away from full-time wrestling could go.
“I don’t think I’ll ever reach a point where I declare I’m absolutely done,” Bryan Danielson said. “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.”
Bryan Danielson On Timeline For His Transition Away From Full-Time Wrestling
Danielson also pointed to the aforementioned promise he made to his daughter. He stated that he sees the shift happening around next August. Danielson also made it clear that he wants to wrestle at AEW All In next year.
“In my mind, it’s around August of next year,” said Danielson. “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.”
Bryan Danielson: At What Point Are The Injuries Worth The Risk?
After noting that he doesn’t think he’ll always wrestle on a weekly basis, Bryan Danielson described how he knows the injuries are starting to rack up.
“There is the realization that over the past year, I’m getting hurt after every big match I have,” Bryan Danielson said. “That’s a sign. I love wrestling, but I do not want to wrestle at the expense of my long-term health. I did the Iron Man match with Max, and then I didn’t wrestle again until Anarchy in the Arena, and even that was a lot of smoke and mirrors.
“Then I wrestle Okada and I break my arm. The injuries are starting to pile up. At what point is that worth the risk? Especially when my kids want and need me at home.”
When asked about his list of opponents he wants to face in the last stretch of his full-time career, Danielson teased that he has some people in mind.
