Earlier this week, we learned that Daniel Bryan, a.k.a. Bryan Danielson, has reportedly signed a deal with All Elite Wrestling. It's said that the former WWE Champion will make his debut on the September 22 episode of Dynamite in New York City, a big show for the company that's seen them sell 15,000 tickets.
It would be a fitting debut for Bryan in the company, and Dave Meltzer - who has been unable to confirm the news, but certainly hasn't debunked it - believes the biggest reason for him jumping ship to AEW is their relationship with New Japan Pro Wrestling.
"As far as Bryan Danielson goes, I’m pretty sure that whatever decision...I mean there are a lot of factors that are going into whatever decision he would make and it was New Japan, AEW, and WWE."
"He has loyalty to WWE and Vince McMahon and has a lot of friends in WWE. At the same time, in the end, the company who had the relationship with New Japan was going to be the favorite to get him."
For a time, it looked like WWE might strike a deal with NJPW, but it never really went anywhere, and you have to believe that made Bryan's decision that little bit easier. WWE was never going to allow him to compete for them the same time he had a deal with the sports entertainment giant, but with AEW, Bryan can face a vast array of different talent and head overseas as and when he chooses.
It's likely he also wants to wrestle in Mexico, and seeing as he's done pretty much all there is to do in WWE, no one can really blame him for wanting to give being "All Elite" a go...