Bryan Danielson is finally back on AEW television. After months away while dealing with the physical toll wrestling has taken on his body, Danielson made a surprise return during the AEW All In Buy-In on August 30.
Danielson didn’t return to the ring, but fans still gave him a huge welcome when he joined the commentary team alongside Tony Schiavone, Taz and Excalibur. Danielson looked genuinely happy to be back, while the Wembley Stadium crowd celebrated his appearance by breaking into his signature “YES!” gestures.
The return is particularly importance because Tony Khan recently revealed just how difficult even commentary duties had become for Danielson. Speaking during a charity livestream in July, Khan explained that he had deliberately kept Danielson off the road so his body could recover.
“Bryan’s beat up, and I’ve been giving Bryan time to recover. I’d love to have him there all the time, but he’s been home with his family, and he’s doing very well.”
Khan made it clear at the time that Danielson’s absence wasn’t simply about keeping him away from wrestling matches. Traveling every week was taking its own toll, so AEW wanted him home with his family instead of constantly putting his body through life on the road.
“But it’s a lot for Bryan being on the road, and a lot of the utility of Bryan stepping away from the ring and resting is being home with his family, recovering, and trying to be off the road. So I’ve been trying to take the pressure of the road off Bryan.”
Danielson hasn’t wrestled since losing the AEW World Championship to Jon Moxley at WrestleDream 2024, and he still hasn’t officially announced his retirement. His All In appearance doesn’t answer whether another match is somewhere in his future, but seeing him healthy enough to travel and get back behind the commentary desk is certainly a big change from where things stood in July.
For today, nobody needed Bryan Danielson to wrestle anyway. Hearing him back on AEW television and watching Wembley bring the “YES!” chants back was enough to make his return feel special.
What did you think of Bryan Danielson’s surprise return at AEW All In, and would you like to see him become a regular part of the commentary team again? Let us know in the comments.
