Since Bryan Danielson arrived in All Elite Wrestling, he has impressed many fans with the frequency of his matches. “The American Dragon” has wrestled practically every week since his in-ring debut at AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam.
The 40-year-old has battled significant injuries throughout his remarkable career; he was forced to retire in 2016, but he later overcame the odds and returned to the ring. He has continued to prove that he’s one of the best in the world ever since.
In a recent interview with Scott Fishman TV Insider, when asked about his weekly matches in AEW, Danielson noted that he appreciates the benefits of staying actitve in the ring. He described how wrestling more frequently helps him feel better physically and prepare for “longer and bigger” bouts.
“There wasn’t necessarily a plan to wrestle each week,” said Danielson. I’m a firm believer that too much time between matches makes matches hurt more. For me, the optimal number of matches is eight to 10 a month. That’s what I realized in WWE. In my last contract with WWE, I got a lighter schedule to be at home more. It was really limited to 10 shows a month.
“I don’t want to wrestle 227 matches a year, but I find wrestling every week makes my body feel better. I’m prepped better for longer and bigger matches. I look forward to wrestling every week.”
As for his storybook return to the ring, along with the way legends like Edge, Christian Cage and CM Punk have come back, Danielson emphasized the importance of technological and medical advances. He also pointed to the way it was crucial for him and the others to believe in themselves
“One of the things that made my comeback possible and others is the emergence of better technology and health advances,” said Danielson. “These same things wouldn’t have been possible in 1985 for Edge, specifically, and his neck issues. With me, they wouldn’t even have diagnosed my concussions. Punk, I see him a lot backstage and his attitude is completely different. I think it comes down to the belief that you can do it.
“It’s hard to be away from wrestling for seven years. I questioned if I can keep up in AEW. I’d been wrestling for the last several years and watched AEW. The stuff they do is crazy. To try and keep up, you have to have that belief you can do it.”
Indeed, Danielson, Edge, Cage and Punk all did it, and they’re thriving in this new chapter of their respective careers.
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