Bryan Danielson Reveals Why WWE SmackDown General Manager Gig Was So Important To His Career

Bryan Danielson’s accolades as a professional wrestler certainly need no introductions as they proved to be one of the best in the business. He spent several years working in WWE as one of their top stars and towards the end of his run, Bryan Danielson was even part of WWE Creative. It seems Bryan Danielson’s stint as Smackdown General manager was more important than expected.

Danielson’s debut in AEW is considered one of the most impactful debuts in recent memory as well. Danielson had previously mentioned his desire to wrestle in other pro wrestling companies and that’s exactly what he did in the end.

Danielson had to retire from in-ring competition back in 2016 and many fans believed it was the end for him. Right after that, Danielson became the general manager for Friday Night Smackdown and was a regular on WWE television.

While speaking on WEEI’s Twitch, Bryan Danielson stated that he isn’t sure if he would’ve made a pro wrestling return had he not been the general manager for Smackdown.

“It was really hard because I think I would still be retired if WWE didn’t have me come back and be the general manager. I really love wrestling and I didn’t want to have to retire, I was forced to retire. They brought me in as a general manager and I was around it every single week. I think I would have gone off and started my own little organic farm or something. I would have been like, ‘Okay, I had a great time wrestling, but now I’ve transitioned into this other part of my life,’ but being around it but not actually being able to do the thing I love was really really hard. Then I started doing all these different medical treatments that are a little bit out there and a little bit wild and a couple of years later I ended up getting cleared. My passion for wrestling is so deep that if you put me around it too long, I will want to get in there.”

Bryan Danielson also recently admitted he needs to wrestle fewer matches in AEW. Danielson is currently participating in the AEW World Title Eliminator tournament. It remains to be seen how he will fare in the tournament.

h/t to Fightful for the quotes.

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