Daniel Bryan is RUMORED to have signed a deal with AEW

[Canadian Dragon]

via SRSCassidy Raynes



bodyslam article:

Daniel Bryan’s last match with WWE took place back on April 30th on SmackDown when he lost to Roman Reigns in a “Championship vs. Career” match. It was then reported that Daniel Bryan’s WWE contract had expired on May 4th, 2021.


There has been lots of speculation as to what the future holds for the former WWE Champion, as it was reported earlier this week via PWInsider that there were no merchandise or action figure plans in place for Bryan within WWE for the remainder of the year. This led many to believe that Bryan will not be returning to WWE.

In an update as to the future of Bryan Danielson (fka Daniel Bryan), a source I have spoken to has told me that he is “locked in” and has 100% already signed a contract with AEW.

In addition, I was told that Danielson was wanting to work less dates for comparable money, he wanted the ability to be able to work in Japan, and wanted to have creative input on his character, which he got.

There are also tentative plans already in place for Danielson’s AEW debut.

We will have more on Bryan Danielson’s signing with AEW and potential plans for his debut soon.

(Please credit Cassidy Haynes and Bodyslam.net when using this news.)



- Sean Ross Sapp did not confirm the signing but confirmed Cassidy as a credible source within AEW.




uncle dave's take today - WOR: AEW's partnership with NJPW was the key factor for Bryan's decision between AEW and WWE

Meltzer said he doesn't yet know for a fact that Bryan is signed for AEW, but all signs so far point to the deal being done, with a debut in New York being the most likely outcome. WWE's talks with NJPW earlier this year happened because WWE wanted to keep Bryan at all costs, but NJPW chose to go with AEW, which Dave says was the deciding factor for Bryan's decision.
Source: latest WOR

TLDR: Strong leaks that Bryan has indeed signed with AEW but unconfirmed at this time.

 

[Hidden Blaze]

Big if true.

Better come out to Final Countdown.

 

[Canadian Dragon]

Give me G1 American Dragon

 

[Chris]

If it's actually true that the whole WWE/NJPW story was bc of DANIEL FUCKING BRYAN wanting to be kept at all costs you made it my guy

 

[Kross Rhodes]

JULY 26, 2021 OBSERVER NEWSLETTER: DANIEL BRYAN AND CM PUNK, MONEY IN THE BANK REVIEW
Rumors regarding Bryan Danielson and C.M. Punk heading to AEW broke on 7/21.

First, with Danielson, what was first reported by Cassidy Haynes of Bodyslam.net is that Danielson has signed with AEW, and that he would debut on the 9/22 show at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York. Bryan Alvarez also heard the same date for a debut for Danielson.

Nobody has been able to confirm the story but for such a major story, nobody has denied it either. Debuts for either or both would be something that the company would never confirm to begin with, and if the stories weren’t true, they’d be quick to deny them most likely.

For something at that level, one would think there would be a denial if there wasn’t something to the stories or at least something close because in a number of cases of reports of people on the verge of signing who were not, denials came quickly, particularly involving Punk, who has been quick to deny previous rumors. Punk even played into them by tweeting out the Alan Parsons Project song “Sirius” which is the theme song for the Chicago Bulls and AEW has looked to trademark the phrase “First Dance” which is an offshoot of “Last Dance,” the name of the heavily talked about 2020 ESPN mini-series of the heyday of the Bulls and Michael Jordan.

These past 24 hours have been the most exciting time for wrestling news and anticipation since the Monday night wars.

And perhaps early brand split and TNA/ROH launches in 2002. DB debuting for AEW in WWE's main market would be insane.

Edit: Uncle Dave's exact words for further clarity on the op. Just a crazy week.