Bryan Danielson: Some Thrive In WWE, Some Thrive In AEW, That’s The Benefit Of Two Major Promotions In The United States

Bryan Danielson believes you can thrive in the right promotion.

During an interview with Justin Barrasso of Undisputed, the AEW World Champion, Bryan Danielson spoke highly about former champion Swerve Strickland, and talked about how some people can thrive in the WWE, some can thrive in AEW, and then some can thrive in the place that is best for them.

“Swerve was perfect at All In,” said Danielson. “I mean, he’s incredible. He just signed a new contract with AEW–and that is one of the benefits of having two mainstream wrestling companies in the United States. WWE didn’t see value in him, and they let him go. When Swerve came here, he said he was going to become AEW champion–and he did.

“You watch him and ask, ‘Who would ever let go of this guy?’ He just wasn’t given the opportunity to be his best self. And that goes both ways–I don’t want it to sound like, ‘Oh, evil WWE, they don’t let their talent be their best selves.’ Some people will thrive there. Some people will thrive here. There are people who will thrive in both places, there are people who will be underutilized. That’s the benefit of having two major companies in the United States. If someone doesn’t see value in you, you can try somewhere else. Swerve, he is the most professional of the professionals. Him, Claudio, [Samoa] Joe–anything you need them to do, they do it without hesitation. The way he’s been able to show everyone how skilled he is of a professional wrestler, I’m so impressed. I can’t say enough about him as a professional wrestler or a human being.”

If medically cleared, Danielson will battle Nigel McGuinness for the first time in fifteen years at AEW Grand Slam at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

h/t to Fightful for the transcription.

Want to discuss wrestling further? Join our Discord community by clicking here! 

If you enjoy Bodyslam’s content, you can help donate to the site here. You can also visit our PWTees store and buy Bodyslam official merchandise here.

You can listen to all of Bodyslam’s podcasts by following us on Spotify and subscribing to our YouTube Channel, Twitch, Apple, Google, or any of your favorite podcast platforms.

Follow me on X: @WhoElseButRami
Follow us on X: @BodyslamNet