Bryan Danielson will be stepping away from wrestling full-time in the next year, yet may remain a special attraction for AEW.
After taking care of business in a brutal strap match with Ricky Starks at All Out in Chicago, Bryan Danielson made his return to AEW television on Collision, where he was slated for some promo time.
Taking the ring with Tony Schiavone, Danielson marched down to the ring to the applause of the Ohio crowd and let it be known that he had more on his mind than the traditional post-match celebratory speech. No, for better or worse, this was a very special segment that will have serious ramifications for the next year plus.
The ‘American Dragon’ continued, describing the impact his wrestling career has on his family life – particularly relating to his daughter, Birdie (h/t Bleacher Report):-
“Her whole life, I’ve left almost every week, but me being home every night, she loved it and I loved it. Now, when I FaceTime her, she’s like, ‘Daddy, I miss your cuddles, mama doesn’t cuddle me like you do!’ and that kind of stuff. That was part of the idea of maybe stepping away until my son starts preschool, but then you wonder if I’m missing years of my productive career, and I might not be the same at 45 as I am at 40.”
“So I told my daughter once she turned seven, I would start finishing up on my career, and she’s six right now,” Bryan Danielson told the crowd. “And I’m a man that keeps his promises, especially to the people I love. So, guess what? Time is running out. With that said, I will not go gently into that good night. If you think I will, you don’t know who the h*ll I am!”
After making illusions to the story of Odysseus, Danielson cut back in, announcing the first major stop on what is effectively shaking up to be his farewell tour.
