Bryan Danielson has been on another level since he arrived in All Elite Wrestling.
“The American Dragon” has impressed fans with his in-ring work, which is exemplary as always, but he has also showcased remarkable character work, leading some fans and analysts alike to argue that Danielson is better than ever right now. This narrative has become particularly prominent since the former WWE star turned heel and started feuding with Hangman Page, as his matches and his promo skills have seemingly taken another step up during this recent stretch. However one feels about Danielson’s current run in AEW, it’s clear that he’s absolutely enjoying himself.
In an interview with the Asbury Park Press, Bryan Danielson noted that this version of himself is certainly different than the one fans saw in WWE. He then described how he likes the way wrestlers can say things that are often deemed as impolite by typical society.
“If you’re used to seeing me in WWE, this is a pretty radical departure,” said Danielson. “I came in with the attitude that I’m the best, and you’re going to have to prove to me that I’m wrong. One of the cool things to me about wrestling is that we all have these different aspects of our personality and different things that we think and in polite society (feel that) ‘Oh you can’t say that’ or ‘You can’t do this’ or whatever. ‘It’s just not polite,’ or whatever it is. And I think the fun part about wrestling is both as a good guy or as a bad guy, you get to explore those different thought processes.”
Danielson then explained that having the freedom to explore his character makes him truly happy, so when you see him smiling on AEW programming, his smile is genuine. Danielson then emphasized that he loves his job and he doesn’t have to turn it on for the cameras.
“I’m sure actors think the same thing, but they don’t get to come up with their own lines,” said Danielson. “It’s like the joy that I experience wrestling, whether as a good guy or a bad guy, I think it just kind of bleeds through. To me, it’s not like, ‘This is where I do my evil smile, ha ha ha, this will really get ’em.’ No, it’s usually coming from a real place of joy and me enjoying what I do. I’m very lucky that I love what I do.”
Danielson continues to compete at a high level in AEW; he’ll challenge Hangman Page in a heated rematch for the company’s world title on the January 5 episode of AEW Dynamite.
