Bryan Danielson was not present backstage at AEW this past week, leading to questions regarding his status. A new report from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter has shed light on his absence, citing physical issues related to his schedule.
According to Dave Meltzer, the “American Dragon” is dealing with neck problems exacerbated by the rigors of the road. The report indicates that the constant travel required for a weekly television wrestler is taking a toll on the veteran.
“Bryan Danielson wasn’t there,” Meltzer wrote. “He’s been having a lot of neck issues from traveling every week.”
Danielson has a well-documented history of neck and head injuries throughout his career. In 2016, he was forced to retire from in-ring competition due to medical issues, including a lesion on his brain and a history of concussions. He fought to get cleared and eventually returned to the ring in 2018, later joining AEW in 2021 where he has maintained a high-intensity style.
Danielson has previously spoken about the physical toll wrestling takes on his body and his desire to eventually transition away from a full-time schedule to preserve his health for his family. The former AEW World Heavyweight Champion retired from wrestling full-time in 2024 and hasn’t wrestled since that year’s WrestleDream, when he dropped the world Title to Jon Moxley.
