Bryan Danielson Wasn’t Sure He Could Wrestle His Final AEW Match

Bryan Danielson has now admitted he wasn’t sure he could wrestle his final match in AEW due to neck issues.

While speaking to Sun Sport News, Bryan Danielson talked about his last match in AEW, which was against Jon Moxley in Tacoma, Washington. That match was very special to him because it happened in the same arena where he saw his first wrestling show as a kid. The main event at that show was The Ultimate Warrior vs. Rick Rude, which made the moment even more meaningful.

“That was a match that I really enjoyed. I think the last match that I had—which was in AEW against Jon Moxley in Tacoma, Washington—was incredibly special, because that’s the building where I saw my first-ever wrestling match. The main event that night was The Ultimate Warrior versus Rick Rude.”

Heading into the match, Bryan admitted he was ready to be done. His neck had been in terrible condition for more than six months, causing him constant and intense pain. He wasn’t sure if he could continue doing what was being asked of him in the ring.

“I was ready to be done. At that point, my neck had been really bad for six-plus months, causing me tremendous pain. I wasn’t sure I could do what I was being asked to do in the match.”

Danielson said his mother was sitting in the front row, and they both knew this would be his last match. During the match, as he was being choked out, he looked at his mom and mouthed the words “I love you.” He said that his career wouldn’t have been possible without his family’s support.

What made the night even more special was that his high school friends were there as well. It felt like a perfect ending to a big part of his life. Instead of feeling sad, the American Dragon felt happy and thankful that he got to live out his dream. He also felt relief that it was over, since he had been in so much pain.

“My mom was in the front row. We knew it was going to be my last match. And as I’m getting choked unconscious, I see my mom in the front row and just mouth to her, ‘I love you.’ This whole career that I’ve had—it wouldn’t have been possible without the support of my family.

And the fact that my mom got to be there for that moment is really, really cool. It wasn’t just my mom—my high school friends were there too. It was just a really special thing.

The emotion of knowing, ‘Okay, this is the end of this chapter of my life’—and not feeling sad about it, but happy. Happy that I got to experience all of it, and honestly, almost relieved that it was over… because I was in so much pain.”

Danielson made his return at AEW All In: Texas but he then made it clear he wasn’t necessarily back as an in-ring competitor. While it’s not known if he will ever wrestle again, many fans were glad Danielson still managed to have one last match in AEW despite his neck issues.

How do you feel about Bryan Danielson possibly ending his in-ring career this way? Sound off in the comments.

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