For a competitor as universally respected as Bryan Danielson, the thought of him being permanently sidelined feels almost impossible to accept. His move to the commentary desk on AEW Dynamite, however, is adding a serious dose of reality to that very possibility, painting a complex picture of his future as an in-ring performer.
AEW has officially installed Danielson as part of the broadcast team for its flagship show. The shift moves veteran announcer Tony Schiavone into a new role as an interviewer for Dynamite, though he will remain at the desk for AEW Collision.
The story behind the change, however, goes far beyond a simple talent shuffle. According to a report from Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, the move is a direct result of Danielson’s physical condition. Meltzer noted that Danielson’s neck is in bad shape and that he has opted against surgery.
Meltzer elaborated on Danielson’s current mindset, explaining that the AEW star is hesitant to continue if he can’t perform at the high-impact level the promotion is known for. “I think that he’s very comfortable with the idea that he’s not going to wrestle again in a major way. I mean I believe he will wrestle again at some point…he’s openly talked about the idea of doing indie shows because he said he can fool around and have fun and do indie shows,” Meltzer stated. “He said the style of wrestling in AEW is such that he doesn’t think that he could go out there and work at that level, and he doesn’t want to be the guy who lives on his rep, and also physically, his neck’s not in good shape. He didn’t have the surgery.”
The change to the commentary booth was a direct swap to accommodate Danielson. “Tony Schiavone was there, he’s doing interviews, but no longer on the announcing team so that’s the replacement,” Meltzer explained. “It’s fresh, it’s new, Tony Schiavone will still be announcing on Collision so it’s not like he’s going away from announcing.”
While Danielson’s presence will undoubtedly enrich the AEW broadcast, the core question remains whether this is a soft retirement or just a new chapter. If his own reported feelings are any indication, fans hoping to see the American Dragon wrestle again may need to look beyond the bright lights of national television.