October 11th 2024.
Bryan Danielson, a beloved wrestler known for his time in WWE and now as the AEW World Heavyweight Champion, is facing some difficult decisions about his future in the ring. In a recent interview with Yahoo Sports, he opened up about his struggles with injuries and the toll it has taken on his body.
Back in 2016, Danielson was forced to take a break from wrestling due to medical reasons, including concussions and neck issues. But in 2018, he made a comeback as an active WWE superstar before eventually leaving to join AEW in 2021. Despite his determination to continue performing at a high level, Danielson's recent match with Kazuchika Okada on October 2nd revealed some concerning health issues.
"I started losing strength in my legs midway through the match," Danielson shared. "There's a point where I'm trying to kick him and I can't turn over my kicks. That's something I have the body mechanics to do, but here I am and I can't do it."
After the match, Danielson sought medical attention and was told that his neck issues were the cause of his physical struggles. At 43 years old, he is starting to "see the signs" of his deteriorating health, including shooting pains down his arm and difficulty sleeping.
"It's getting to a point where we're seeing the signs," he admitted. "It would have been really hard to retire if I felt great, but now that I'm struggling physically, it's easier to accept that my time in the ring is coming to an end."
Despite his love for wrestling, Danielson knows that it's becoming increasingly difficult for him to continue. "When I'm out there, I don't feel pain," he said. "But recently, I've noticed that I don't have the strength in my legs that I used to. That's when it gets tough."
Although it was heartbreaking for him to step away from wrestling in 2016, Danielson is mentally prepared for his retirement this time around. "Part of it is because of my physical struggles," he explained. "But now, I have a family with my wife Brie and our kids. I love coming home to them and being with them."
But before he bids farewell to the ring, Danielson has one more match to defend his world title against former teammate Jon Moxley at AEW WrestleDream. Fans are urging him to retire, and in August, he confirmed that he will need neck surgery soon.
"My neck has been bothering me for years, but it was made worse after my match with Will Ospreay," he shared. "It's been progressively getting worse, and I'll probably have to have surgery before the end of the year."
In the end, Danielson is grateful for his time in the wrestling world, but he knows that it's time to move on. If you have a story, video, or pictures to share about this beloved wrestler, you can reach out to The Agency entertainment team by email, phone, or by visiting their Submit Stuff page. They would love to hear from you.
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