Bryan Danielson Reflects on Leaving WWE in 2021 for AEW
Bryan Danielson parted ways with WWE in May 2021, choosing not to renew his contract following WrestleMania 36. Just a few months later, he made his debut in AEW at All Out and has since expressed contentment with his decision. In his three years with AEW, Danielson has headlined five pay-per-views and captured the AEW World Championship.
Speaking with “Inside The Ropes,” Danielson opened up about his WWE departure in 2021, revealing that he was weighing four potential paths for his wrestling future at the time.
“People often think it was just between AEW and WWE, but there were actually four options: AEW, WWE, stepping away from wrestling altogether, or signing a non-exclusive deal where I could compete in events like the G1 without needing permission. My decision to leave wasn’t out of frustration with Vince McMahon or WWE’s product—it was about chasing opportunities that weren’t available within WWE, and that’s still the case,” Danielson explained.
He also added that while he appreciated his time in WWE, his choice to join AEW would have remained the same, no matter who was in charge of WWE at that time.