Bryan Danielson has put a voice to a long-held perception in the wrestling world, stating he believes WWE wants All Elite Wrestling to fail. Speaking on the Ned & Josh podcast, the former world champion claimed that any potential for collaboration between the two promotions is “impossible today” due to WWE’s aggressive competitive mindset.
Danielson framed his view through a historical lens, asserting WWE has operated with a specific philosophy for decades. “That’s how I look at it. They’ve operated this way since 1984,” Danielson said. “They see a competitor, and no matter what, they want them gone.“
He was careful to distinguish between corporate strategy and the talent on the roster, noting that he knows “good people” in WWE and isn’t framing the issue as a simple good versus evil conflict.
A Strategy of Aggression
Danielson’s perception is underscored by recent reports and scheduling tactics. Sources within WWE have reportedly confirmed the company intends to consistently “go after” AEW, a strategy seemingly designed to disrupt its growth and ability to secure new television rights deals. This corporate philosophy became tangible when WWE scheduled its Wrestlepalooza premium live event directly against AEW’s upcoming All Out on September 20.
The move forced AEW to shift its pay-per-view start time to avoid the head-to-head conflict. According to former WWE talent Al Snow, this was an “acknowledgement” that AEW cannot directly compete with WWE’s immense financial resources and industry influence.
Danielson’s comments give a name to a corporate cold war that is now playing out in scheduling battles. This aggressive counter-programming has forced a direct reaction from AEW, which adjusted its All Out start time to avoid a direct conflict with WWE’s star-studded Wrestlepalooza event on September 20.