Latest news with #AmericanDragon
Newsweek
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Bryan Danielson Breaks Silence on Pro Wrestling Future
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. AEW star Bryan Danielson has admitted that his recent physical involvement at the All In: Texas pay-per-view was not entirely approved by the company's medical staff. The "American Dragon" confirmed that he performed several un-cleared moves during his surprise appearance. Danielson discussed the incident on the latest episode of The Nikki & Brie Show, hosted by his wife, Brie Garcia, and her sister, Nikki Garcia. He confirmed that despite his year-long absence from the ring, he still got caught up in the moment. "Some Of Them I Did Not Clear" During the podcast, Brie asked her husband if he was supposed to do all the moves he performed when he ran in to help "Hangman" Adam Page at All In. Danielson admitted that some of his actions were not pre-approved. "Well, some of them I had cleared, some of them I did not," Danielson said, before adding with a laugh, "But I was feeling it!" He specifically mentioned that AEW's Dr. Sampson "did think I was an idiot" for his actions. Despite his recent physical appearances, including a quick match at a TV taping and an appearance at an ROH show, Danielson was firm when asked if he was officially back. "No, I'm not back," he stated. March 3, 2024 – AEW Continental Champion / NJPW STRONG Openweight Champion / ROH World Champion Eddie Kingston takes a kick from Bryan Danielson during AEW Revolution. March 3, 2024 – AEW Continental Champion / NJPW STRONG Openweight Champion / ROH World Champion Eddie Kingston takes a kick from Bryan Danielson during AEW Revolution. Jeff Jones/AEW More news: WWE News: Steve Austin Reveals Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation A Dangerous History Danielson's admission is significant given his well-documented history of career-threatening injuries. He was famously forced into a multi-year retirement from WWE in 2016 due to a series of concussions and post-concussion seizures. After a long and arduous journey of seeing specialists, he was miraculously cleared to return in 2018. Danielson's current absence from AEW stems from a neck injury that was worsened at the Dynasty pay-per-view last year. This history explains why his wife, fans, and the AEW medical team would be so concerned about him getting physically involved, especially with un-cleared, high-impact moves like a suicide dive. A Complicated Relationship Danielson's appearance at All In was also significant from a storyline perspective. He interfered in the main event Texas Death Match between Jon Moxley and "Hangman" Adam Page. The men Danielson brawled with—Wheeler Yuta, Claudio Castagnoli, and Gabe Kidd—were all members or associates of the Blackpool Combat Club, a faction that Danielson himself founded alongside Moxley. Danielson's last televised match was a loss to Moxley at WrestleDream in October 2024. His run-in at All In was a direct confrontation with his former stablemates, suggesting that even if he is "not back," his story with the BCC is far from over. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Could Jon Moxley's frustrating title reign finally end at AEW All In?
Jon Moxley puts the title up for grabs against Hangman Adam Page at All In, and there's only one right choice. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Heaven knows we've been teased and tested along the way, but heading into this weekend's AEW All In event, you get the sense that it's finally happening. Jon Moxley's reign of terror is coming to an end. Reign of terror, you say? Well, how else do you describe the fact the Death Riders have ruled over the AEW world championship with an iron fist in a way not seen before in Tony Khan's promotion? But, yes, there's also the fact Moxley himself has been perhaps the most divisive champion in modern wrestling, and that a sizable chunk of fans see his dominance as an abomination. Advertisement But why all the Moxley hatred? On the face of it, his whole schtick hasn't been that big a departure from the established heel playbook. Plenty of "tough guy" champs have enjoyed dominant reigns without being popular. But how many have had fans actively jeering, 'Bulls***!' when they win? Sometimes I wonder if the rage-baiting is the whole point. When you look at how the Death Riders are presented, there's something gratuitous about their whole biker gang vibe that goes beyond the traditional heel factions. The point isn't just to win the match, but to actively pulverize opponents in a way you rarely see in WWE (at least not when The Rock and Travis Scott aren't around). The mold was established on the first night Moxley became champion. Having already scored a gut-punch win over Bryan Danielson (just listen to the air go out of the room when he beats the most beloved man in the company), Moxley and his goons proceeded to beat "The American Dragon" senseless. Lowlights included suffocating him with a plastic bag and stomping on his neck in an obvious reference to Danielson's legitimate injury history. That sort of ultraviolence can work well when used discerningly and at the right moments — like The Bloodline savaging Kevin Owens after Royal Rumble 2024. But when it's forced down our throats time after time, accompanied by another Moxley victory we probably didn't want in the first place? It's no wonder this run has tested the patience of AEW fans. Advertisement Add on top of that, some of the more inexplicable narrative decisions — and I'm not talking about little quirks like the Death Riders locking away the title in a briefcase. (Personally, I always wondered if that was a satirical commentary on Jon Jones running away with UFC's heavyweight title). But how do you explain the Young Bucks suddenly appearing out of nowhere to kick Swerve Strickland into oblivion just when Mox was actually on the ropes for once? Did we ever get an answer to that? It isn't that there isn't a place for the Death Riders in AEW. Compared to the more rigid nature of WWE, Khan's promotion has always endorsed a wider diversity of wrestling styles, and presumably some folks like the bar-fight, death-match stuff. What should be obvious even to them, though, is Moxley isn't working as the top guy. Advertisement In fairness, AEW has been telegraphing the end of Moxley's reign for a while now, even if most of us erroneously guessed it would be Will Ospreay who would be doing the honors. The whole story of the last few months has been how the winner of the Owen Hart Cup will go on to challenge Moxley at All In — the biggest show on the AEW calendar. That will now culminate with 'Hangman' Adam Page vs. Jon Moxley in a Texas Death Match main event. It isn't just that 'Hangman' needs to win for narrative reasons. It's that putting the belt on one of AEW's most loyal soldiers and consistent performers is the perfect way to usher in a new era for the challenger promotion — one that takes hold of all the things that seem to be going in the right direction for Khan right now while also setting up things for an excellent end to the year. We've mentioned a few times at Uncrowned that AEW is on a bit of a run right now (Death Riders storyline aside). Viewing figures and live audiences have been picking up, after a noticeable slump this year. On this week's media call, Khan said he expects All In to do a $3 million gate in Texas, which, if accurate, is seriously impressive. Wrestling-wise, Ospreay and Swerve are both still red-hot with fans, despite their respective setbacks. Kenny Omega is back on his feet after his health issues, while MJF is jelling nicely with The Hurt Syndicate — which looks as good as it ever did in WWE — all while having a solid feud with Místico. You also have new talents like Megan Bayne and Kevin Knight establishing names for themselves. Advertisement As much as the gambling metaphors have been done to death with AEW, you have to admit that it all looks like a seriously strong hand for Khan. If there was ever a time to reset things at the top and tell stories that don't end with your best babyfaces being choked out with plastic bags, now is the time to do it. Again, all signs point to that happening this weekend. But when you've confidently set out predictions about how Moxley's title run will end — only to see them go up in smoke — you learn to be a bit more cautious. Sometimes I wonder if all our hopes just end up contributing to some cosmic jinx that keeps the Death Riders on top. Come Saturday evening, we'll know the answer to all those questions. And right now, the smart money has been on "Hangman" scoring the victory and becoming the first non-Death Rider to even touch the world title (quite literally) in this calendar year. At that moment, AEW can finally put those 'bulls***' chants firmly in the past. On the other hand, if things go the other way, then Khan's company might want to update its motto. I suggest: 'AEW: Where the Best Wrestle — Before Being Choked Out Again by Jon Freaking Moxley.'
Newsweek
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Bryan Danielson Finally Reveals Why He Left WWE For AEW
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Bryan Danielson's decision to leave WWE for AEW in 2021 sent shockwaves through the wrestling world. In recent interviews, the "American Dragon" has provided insight into the emotional catalyst for that move, the highs of his AEW run, and the physical toll that ultimately led to the end of his full-time career. Danielson revealed to TalkSport that AEW's handling of the tribute show for his late friend Jon Huber (Brodie Lee/Luke Harper) profoundly influenced his choice while he was still under WWE contract. "We had a wrestler, Brodie Lee, who had passed away. AEW did this incredible tribute show. At that point, I was still with WWE," Danielson explained. "And the way AEW did that show. Brodie was my friend... it touched something in me and in my mind." This heartfelt presentation shifted his perspective on the upstart promotion. He recalled thinking: "I was thinking like, 'Oh, these are the good guys of professional wrestling'." Joining AEW later that year, Danielson embarked on a run filled with acclaimed matches and character work, eventually forming the Blackpool Combat Club. His AEW career perhaps peaked at the historic All In event at Wembley Stadium in London during August 2024. NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 03: Daniel Bryan (L) and Brie Bella attend WWE's 2014 SuperStars For Kids at the New Orleans Museum of Art on April 3, 2014 in New Orleans NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 03: Daniel Bryan (L) and Brie Bella attend WWE's 2014 SuperStars For Kids at the New Orleans Museum of Art on April 3, 2014 in New Orleans There, Danielson defeated Swerve Strickland to capture the AEW World Championship, a moment he later described as his favorite career highlight, largely due to celebrating in the ring with his wife and children afterward. However, Danielson's time in AEW was also marked by significant injuries. He suffered a broken forearm in a match against Kazuchika Okada in 2023 and later a broken orbital bone. Throughout 2024, increasingly severe neck issues plagued his final months as a full-time competitor, notably aggravated after his match with Will Ospreay in April 2024. More news: WWE News: Steve Austin Reveals Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation These cumulative injuries, particularly the neck condition he now describes as "wrecked," led Danielson to designate his AEW World Championship defense against Jon Moxley at WrestleDream in October 2024 as his final match as a full-time performer. He lost the title to Moxley in that bout and has been inactive in the ring since. As of April 2025, Danielson remains focused on rehabilitation, reportedly exploring stem cell treatments as he actively tries to avoid potentially career-ending neck surgery. While not completely ruling out sporadic future appearances under specific circumstances, he has stated he currently has no desire to wrestle and is "at peace" with stepping back to prioritize his long-term health and family. He continues his affiliation with AEW, reportedly in a backstage advisory or creative role. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.
