Bryan Danielson is opening up about the actual purpose he determined to take a step again from in-ring motion—and all of it traces again to his brutal match with Will Ospreay at AEW Dynasty 2024.
Whereas talking at Starrcast, Danielson admitted his neck, which had already been a long-term problem, deteriorated quickly after that match. Although he’s made restricted AEW appearances since dropping the AEW World Title at WrestleDream, Danielson knew one thing was mistaken and it began with a mistake he blames himself for.
“After the Ospreay match, I knew it was time to step away from the ring. My neck has been unhealthy for 10-plus years. I had a neck surgical procedure in 2014. My neck by no means actually got here again to the place it was earlier than. I used to be at all times type of in a little bit little bit of ache, after which after I wrestled Will — Will is such an unbelievable athlete, and I’m such a silly man… He can do issues that no one I’ve ever wrestled can do, and since he can do issues that no one I’ve ever wrestled can do, I put myself able the place I didn’t truly know what I used to be doing and didn’t ask him what I ought to do, and so then I landed on my head, after which from there, my neck simply received progressively worse.”
That match wasn’t the one pink flag. After his Owen Hart Cup bout with Shingo Takagi, Danielson received an MRI—and the outcomes made him rethink his future fully.
“I’d gotten an MRI proper after the match with Shingo that was within the Owen Hart Cup final yr and the MRI was not nice, and yeah, I questioned whether or not we must always even do what we have been going to do.”
The bodily ache began affecting his private life, together with his capability to sleep. Danielson reached a breaking level, realizing he needed to prioritize his well being and his household.
“It was at that time after which I ended with the ability to sleep for greater than three or 4 hours at a time after which it simply received to a degree the place I used to be similar to, ‘Okay, I can’t go on like this…’ I’ve two comparatively younger children and while you discuss, okay, the place you set your focus, the place you set your consideration is a very powerful factor in your life, proper? Am I placing my focus and my consideration on these children who want me and who should be beloved by me?”
Bryan Danielson’s phrases are a reminder of the toll skilled wrestling takes—and the way even the perfect know when it’s time to place household and well being first.
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