AEW star Bryan Danielson hasn't been seen in a wrestling ring since early last year, and we're still not sure whether the American Dragon is nursing an injury or has unofficially retired from in-ring competition.
AEW President Tony Khan recently spoke to Way of the Blade, and confirmed he hopes to see Danielson back in an AEW ring once he's dealt with his nagging issues (which closes the door on theories that he might return to WWE as "Daniel Bryan").
"I still work with Bryan Danielson. He’s still a big part of my office," the executive explained. "He’s not on the show, and he’s been injured and maybe retired for good, but he’s never said he’s done for good, and I hope that there’s some possibility he will be able to return to wrestling from the injuries and the way he left, but he’s still a part of AEW, so I’m still very fortunate to work with Bryan."
"I talk to Bryan almost every day. He’s got a great mind for wrestling, and he’s somebody that I’m really pleased and blessed came into AEW and got involved with us," Khan continued. "He’s a great person in and out of the ring, and he’s a great leader in AEW."
The interview also saw Khan address AEW's approach to extreme wrestling. The company has been criticised for taking things too far, with the recent match between Jon Moxley and Cope a good example of that.
During the bout, Moxley had a spike bat driven into his back, and what followed - the spikes being pulled out of Mox's back - was a turn-off for many AEW fans. However, Khan believes it brought more eyes to the product.
"I think these are great moments on the shows, and thankfully, every time, the people have continued their career. There hasn’t been that kind of injury moment, but these are incredible chances and risks that the wrestlers take, in particular here in AEW, and that’s what makes them the best. When Mox had the spike bat in his back on AEW Dynamite in Omaha versus Adam Copeland, that was a great wrestling moment."
"It was memorable. It helped drive box office for us. It was our highest rated episode of the year. It went viral. It’s one of the most watched videos of the year. I think it’s probably the most watched video of the year in AEW, and it’s a fantastic moment. It made new fans. It created interest. It was on TMZ. There’s people that weren’t watching AEW that saw it, and it clearly brought outside fans in and created casual interest. In a perfect world, that’s what these can do."
Whether AEW is helping or hurting the professional wrestling business is up for debate, particularly as it arguably makes it look barbaric and outdated (we're pretty sure this is the first time anyone has bragged about getting TMZ coverage).
However, if Khan's goal is to get people talking, then it is working. AEW also has a TV deal in place with TNT and Max, so it likely won't be pulled off the air anytime soon, regardless of how bloody or gross things get.