The emotional moment that shifted Danielson’s wrestling future forever
Summary
– Danielson reveals Brodie Lee’s tribute show deeply influenced his WWE departure
– He says AEW felt more compassionate and talent-focused behind the scenes
– Danielson remains active in AEW despite stepping back from full-time wrestling
Bryan Danielson has finally shared the moment that truly made him walk away from WWE—and it had nothing to do with TV time or titles. In a new TalkSport interview, Danielson said AEW’s tribute to the late Brodie Lee in 2020 was the emotional turning point that changed everything.
Still under WWE contract at the time, Danielson said the heartfelt show hit him hard. “Brodie was my friend… And the way they did that show, it touched something in me,” he admitted. “I thought, ‘These are the good guys of professional wrestling.’”
That tribute helped him see the contrast between companies. While he credited WWE for many positive experiences, he felt that AEW’s culture behind the scenes differed. “They care about the wrestlers. They care about the fans,” Danielson said.
Since debuting in AEW in 2021, Danielson has led the Blackpool Combat Club, delivered countless dream matches, and helped elevate the brand. Although he’s stepped back from full-time competition in 2024, he’s not going anywhere—and AEW continues to benefit from his leadership.
