Former WWE Champion Daniel Bryan rose to superstardom in 2014 thanks to his organic rise as a babyface. This culminated in him winning both the WWE and World Heavyweight Championships at WrestleMania 30 after Bryan defeated Randy Orton and Batista in a triple threat match. Matt Riddle also dropped a huge Daniel Bryan bombshell.
Last month on an episode of Friday Night Smackdown, Daniel Bryan faced off against Roman Reigns for the WWE Universal Championship in the main event of the show. Despite competing to the best of his ability, Daniel Bryan was unable to win the match and was banned from Friday Night Smackdown as a result of his loss. His contract also expired back in May and many fans have been wondering where he will go next. Bryan knew WWE that he would be leaving before WrestleMania.
Daniel Bryan has reportedly signed a contract with AEW and it seems there is a good reason for that. On the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer said that AEW’s partnership with NJPW was a big factor in signing with the promotion.
“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 — it was New Japan, AEW, and WWE. He didn’t consider anybody else. He has loyalty to WWE and Vince McMahon, and he has a lot of friends in WWE. In the end, the company who had the relationship with New Japan would be the favorite to get him.”
