Bryan Danielson’s Wrestling Future in Limbo as Neck Surgery Could Sideline Him for Over a Year

Bryan Danielson’s transition away from full-time wrestling hasn’t been smooth, as the former AEW World Champion faces a potentially career-altering decision.

According to Dave Meltzer, Danielson may need neck surgery—a procedure that could sideline him for over a year, depending on the severity of the damage and the type of surgery required.

Appearing on the Nikki & Brie Show podcast, Danielson shared candid updates on his health, admitting his wrestling career has left him with ongoing neck issues. “We don’t know what’s going to happen with my neck, but it honestly feels like I have a bobblehead,” Danielson revealed. His wife, Brie Garcia, confirmed the severity of his condition, noting surgery is on the table.

Meltzer provided additional context, stating that Danielson is exploring alternatives before committing to surgery. “The last word we had, which was several weeks back, is that he was going to first do stem cell treatments to see if that would allow him to avoid neck surgery,” Meltzer reported. Should surgery become unavoidable, Danielson could be out of action for a year or more, leaving his wrestling future uncertain.

Despite the challenges, Danielson remains deeply connected to wrestling. “I still wake up in the middle of the night with ideas for wrestling,” he admitted, showing that his passion for the sport remains undiminished even as his body demands a break.

The American Dragon has been through this before, having previously retired in 2016 due to concussion issues before making a remarkable comeback. However, this time, the situation feels different as his long-term health takes center stage.

Fans are left wondering if surgery will take Danielson out of the ring indefinitely or if the stem cell treatments will offer a quicker path to recovery. For now, Danielson is taking it one step at a time, but the possibility of a prolonged absence looms large.