Wrestling legend Bryan Danielson could be hanging up his boots for good at Wembley Stadium next week.
The American Dragon, best known to WWE fans as Daniel Bryan, signed with rivals All Elite Wrestling three years ago and his in-ring career is on the line at AEW All In London on August 25.
The 43-year-old pioneer has been vocal about his AEW deal, which is said to have expired two weeks ago, being his final full-time wrestling contract as he looks to spend more time with his family.
Under the iconic Wembley arch, he will challenge Swerve Strickland for the AEW World Heavyweight Championship with his own career on the line if he doesn’t capture the gold.
It sets the stage for an emotional night in the capital, and on Wednesday night’s episode of AEW Dynamite, fans were treated to a heartbreaking career retrospective teasing the end of Danielson’s 25-year run in the business.
From Ring of Honor to AEW, the package covered the beginning and end of his career (with his WWE time understandably absent), and fans were in tears over the video package.
‘That video brought me to tears. Literally first time I saw Danielson wrestle live was 2004… first time on videotape was ROH in 2002. It very well could end with his boots being left on the canvas. That would be tough to watch,’ wrote X user @ChrisVetter73.
‘I’m in tears on my couch rn. I can’t do this. Please let Danielson win man,’ begged @nugthanksyew, while @HudsonHawk88 tweeted: ‘Nah dude they got me crying during a Bryan Danielson video set to Good Riddance. Next Sunday going to wreck me.’
Fan @eclass_king added: ‘My goodness what a beautiful video package recalling Bryan Danielson’s career from his start back in ROH to today. A touching tribute to the GOAT w/Good Riddance by Green Day to the wrestler he is. I’m not crying, you are #AEWDynamite.’
‘I’m legit crying . I can’t imagine a world of pro wrestling w/o Bryan Danielson . For us sickos, he is legit the full package . A honorable person inside and out of the ring . I hope I can take whatever happens at Wembley,’ added @cheers_bruv.
Others pointed out ‘there will never be another Bryan Danielson’, with an illustrious career which saw him define an era for Ring of Honor before changing the game in WWE.
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There, he became a five-time world champion as well as holding tag team, Intercontinental and United States Titles during an 11-year stint between 2010 and 2021.
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