Former superstar says “never say never” on a possible AEW and WWE collaboration.
WWE and AEW are two of the biggest wrestling companies today. They have been competing against each other for the past few years, as seen through the deals they lock in, talents they sign, and even some insults here and there. Despite the competition also going to its fanbases, a collaboration between both promotions is still something many dream of. Interestingly, Bryan Danielson thinks it’s still a possibility.
Bryan Danielson, a current AEW star who wrestled in WWE as Daniel Bryan from 2009 to 2021, discussed the possibility of the two promotions collaborating in an appearance on the Ned & Josh podcast. He shared that although anything is possible in wrestling, a collaboration might not happen at the moment, adding that he thinks the Stamford-based promotion wants All Elite to be gone.
You never say never. In the current climate, my answer would kind of have to be no. It almost seems, and this is just my perception, and I don’t want to put this on anybody because I’ve never talked to anybody about this. It almost seems like they would like us to go out of business.”
Bryan Danielson On WWE Counterprogramming AEW
Another topic Bryan Danielson discussed in the podcast was WWE holding events the same day as AEW in recent months.
The former superstar shared that they can simply focus on All Elite’s product as they can’t control the moves of World Wrestling Entertainment, citing that it was how they did it when they established in 1984 and during his 12-year stay, adding that there’s nothing AEW can do to stop WWE from making “over a billion dollars a year.”
Bryan also questioned WWE’s decision-making about possibly running AEW out of business as they were already “making billions of dollars a year.” He shared that having both promotions exist is good, as it gives options to fans and wrestlers alike.
Not only is it good for the fans, I think it’s super important for the wrestlers. I mean, the wrestlers get having two companies where you can make a serious living is really good for the wrestlers. It’s really good for the production people in wrestling. I would think most wrestlers in WWE want AEW to keep existing because it’s good for them. But certain people there obviously don’t want us to exist. I just be, and I’m not saying anything bad about them. I’m just saying, I’m curious as to why they desire that.”
In other news: Bryan Danielson reveals AEW’s role in WWE paying its stars more.