Bryan Danielson Teases Retirement Ahead of AEW WrestleDream: “Any Match Can Be My Last”

AEW fans may want to savor every moment of Bryan Danielson in the ring because the AEW World Champion just dropped a bombshell about his wrestling future. With his upcoming title defense against Jon Moxley at AEW WrestleDream, Danielson is preparing for what could be one of his last matches as a full-time wrestler—and he’s getting real about the ticking clock on his in-ring career.

In an interview with The Undisputed, Danielson reflected on his 25 years in the business and the reality that any match could be his last. “The reality is, no matter what happens at WrestleDream, I don’t have much time left,” Danielson revealed. “October 4, 1999, was my first-ever wrestling match. In relation to those 25 years, I have a really short amount of time left. Any match can be your last match.”

He also recalled how an unexpected injury in 2016 forced him into temporary retirement, with his last match being a tag team bout alongside John Cena. “I didn’t think my last match would be tagging with Cena against Claudio and TJ Wilson, but it was—for three years. So whether this is my last match as a full-time wrestler or not, I know that time is coming soon,” he added.

While Danielson is set to clash with Moxley in what could be his farewell as a full-time competitor, the wrestling icon opened up about the very real health concerns surrounding his career. He admitted that even though he feels he can still perform at a high level, those around him, including his wife Brie Bella, are worried.

“Is our trainer worried about it? Yes. Am I worried about it? Yes. Is my wife concerned? Very much so,” Danielson confessed. But for now, he’s focused on going out on his own terms. “Right now, everything is fixable… In the short term, it’s all about whether I can perform at the level I want to. I know I can. I’m exactly where I want to be, fighting someone I want to fight.”

The stakes couldn’t be higher. Danielson’s full-time wrestling career hinges on the outcome of his match against Moxley. Fans have been on edge, especially after Danielson revealed he lost feeling in his legs during a recent bout against Kazuchika Okada at AEW Dynamite’s Fifth Anniversary show.

With so much on the line at WrestleDream, could this be the final chapter for Danielson in the ring? His fans—and the wrestling world—will have to watch closely.