Bryan Danielson is AEW’s biggest star, you could argue. He is a multi-time WWE Champion, one of the greatest wrestlers of all time and one of the most beloved babyfaces in history. He has wrestled some intense matches in AEW, with his matches against Kenny Omega being the best match in the companies history.
However, after the brutal Anarchy in the Arena match at Double or Nothing, AEW’s Bryan Danielson suffered a concussion which was rumoured to keep him out for only 1-2 weeks. He also missed a meet and greet for AEW (although not quite the same way MJF has done recently) due to being unable to fly due to the concussion.
Original reports from Bryan Alvarez of F4WOnline claimed that he suffered the concussion in the match at Double or Nothing, but that “it doesn’t appear to be anything serious” and that he should only be out for a week or two.
However, the latest reports seem to indicate the injury is much bigger than first feared. In AEW Bryan Danielson has been able to wrestle exactly how he wants, despite risking injuries such as concussions. He was forced to retire in 2016 due to concussion issues and fans wince every time they see him take a big bump or hit his head in the ring.
His all-out style has seemed to come back to bite him, as the concussion he suffered at Double or Nothing has been reported as being a “rough concussion” and could indicate being out for longer than the early reports suggested.
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com claimed that he heard Bryan Danielson suffered a “rough concussion”, but was not able to confirm 100%. Sapp has previously been accurate with many reports, including revealing CM Punk’s return to wrestling in August 2021.
More concussion issues would be a huge blow for Bryan Danielson and could force him to miss the AEW vs NJPW super show called Forbidden Door later this month. Danielson was slated to face either Zack Sabre Jr or Kazuchika Okada by fans at the event, although a Blackpool Combat Club vs Bullet Club match has also been suggested.
Sadly, if he does not recover from his concussion in the next 3 weeks, he will miss the show and be unable to wrestle at one of the most historic events in history. He has long been an admirer and wants to wrestle in Japan so missing out on this huge event would be a big blow for the American Dragon.
The former Daniel Bryan also needs to be careful with his career, as he will be monitored extra carefully due to his previous history of concussions. He will not want to see his career slip away again just as he is doing some of the best work of his career with Jon Moxley, William Regal and Wheeler Yuta as part of the Blackpool Combat Club.
While Bryan Danielson will not be at AEW Dynamite this Wednesday, his teammate Jon Moxley will be in action. He will take on the winner of the Casino Battle Royale earlier in the show, with the winner earning a shot at the vacant interim AEW Championship.
Assuming he wins that match, Moxley will go on to Forbidden Door to take on the winner of Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Hirooki Gota at NJPW Dominion 2022.
The winner of that match will face CM Punk some point down the line to crown an undisputed AEW Champion. Sadly we will not see Bryan Danielson as AEW Champion due to his concussion, but maybe we will see it in the future when he heals up and is ready to go again.