Report: WWE's Door Is Open To Future Bryan Danielson Return

Backstage news and notes in the former Daniel Bryan's final few months in WWE - and more.

Bryan Danielson WWE
WWE/AEW

WWE's door remains open for a potential Bryan Danielson return somewhere down the road, reports Fightful Select.

The outlet issued a writeup on Danielson's final few months with the world's biggest wrestling promotion over the weekend, reaffirming that the former WWE Champion left on "very good terms" this spring, when his contract expired after losing a career vs. title match to Universal Champion Roman Reigns.

Bryan conducted himself so well on his way out of WWE that people within the company didn't believe he was even leaving. Danielson was also praised for his professionalism during the Reigns program, which was his last in the company.

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Danielson, 40, wrestled for WWE as Daniel Bryan between 2009 and 2021. A four-month hiatus followed his departure from the company before he made a surprise AEW debut at All Out 2021 (5 September), appearing at the end of the pay-per-view.

Fightful's report also notes that Danielson wasn't originally going to be part of this year's WrestleMania 37 night two main event, in which Reigns triumphed over him and Edge in a Universal Title Triple Threat. There were never any concrete plans for him to win the 2021 Royal Rumble either, despite rumours leading into the pay-per-view, and 2020's tease of Danielson teaming with Kevin Owens never got beyond the pitching stage.

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.