Bryan Danielson has closed the book on his full time wrestling career in an emotional and violent twist at AEW WrestleDream.
The 43-year-old star, best known to WWE fans as Daniel Bryan, was previously forced to retire due to injury in 2016 before making a sensational return two years later.
He left the sports entertainment juggernaut in 2021 and joined rival All Elite Wrestling, and on Saturday night he lost to Jon Moxley in a world championship fight with wider implications.
After winning the title at Wembley Stadium in August, the American Dragon vowed to retire from his full-time career when he lost the gold.
That’s what happened this weekend, as Moxley beat him and launched a brutal attack with fellow Blackpool Combat Club alumni Wheeler Yuta, including a repeat of last month’s plastic bag stunt.
Despite the best efforts of Darby Allin, Orange Cassidy and others, Danielson was left lying and was even placed on a stretcher as the show ended on a sour note.
While some fans were outraged to see their careers decorated like this, others were simply emotional knowing that they would be witnessing their final match as an active full-time wrestler.
In my room alone at 5. I’m so grateful to have experienced Bryan Danielson’s full time career in real time, it felt like witnessing history,’ wrote @phenexqueen on X. ‘I watch the legend born every week and it’s the best thing ever. Thanks for everything Bryan.’
‘#aewwresltedream Thanks Bryan Danielson Career is over put Moxley Over New AEW World Champion. You can hear the silence and the tears,’ tweeted @CowboyFanz11.
Fan @sirelbowdropz added: ‘I just finished my #AEWWrestleDream and I’m in tears… #ThankYouBryan,’ while @AB10os, wrote: ‘End of an era. All I can say is #ThankYouBryan. American Dragon Forever. YES!! @AB10os
As @TCorcoran2000 said: ‘I’m literally crying and angry, I hope this isn’t Danielson’s last fight. Like, why turn Wheeler Yuta heel at the expense of Danielson’s full time match?! If this is Danielson’s goodbye, then this is one of the worst ways to send off all the big time.’
Danielson has been open about his plans to step back from his full-time schedule, especially after his recent October 2 bout with Kazuchika Okada.
He told Yahoo Sports’ Uncrowned: ‘In the middle of the match, I started to lose strength in my legs. There was a point later in the match where I tried to kick him and I couldn’t convert my kick.
“That’s what my body mechanics have to do because I’ve been doing it for a long time, but here I can’t turn my hips for this kick.
“When I got to the end, I went straight to the trainer and he worked on me for 30 minutes. They said it was stemming from that neck.’
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