Bryan Danielson Indicates He Could Be Done Wrestling

Is Bryan Danielson hanging up the boots for good? The wrestling legend just gave fans an update—and it might not be what they wanted to hear.

While speaking with Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful during the AEW All In: Texas ticket on-sale event, The American Dragon revealed that he hasn’t signed a new contract with AEW and said the chances of him stepping into the ring again are up in the air.

“I mean, my priority is my health,” Danielson explained. “I think of the odds of me wrestling again ever are probably 50-50 at this point.”

The former WWE Champion got real about why he’s uncertain about a comeback. It all comes down to avoiding another neck surgery—a procedure that already left him with lifelong complications.

“My desire is to not get neck surgery,” he continued. “So if I could, this idea of living comfortably, right? Okay, if I could live comfortably without neck surgery, but it means that I wouldn’t get to wrestle again, I think I’d be okay with that trade-off.”

Danielson added that his previous experience with neck surgery “wasn’t a good experience,” and that it “kind of messed up [his] spine in the upper area for the rest of [his] life.” While fans may want to see him return, Danielson says he’s at peace with the idea of stepping away.

“If we can get to a point where I’m a little bit more comfortable without needing neck surgery but they say you can’t wrestle anymore, I think that’s a fair trade-off. I’ve had a good run, kid.”

Whether or not he ever returns to the ring, Bryan Danielson has already cemented his place as one of the all-time greats. But with the door only halfway closed, there’s still a glimmer of hope.