Bryan Danielson has opened up about the length of his AEW contract, and whether it permits him to work in other promotions such as New Japan.
Speaking in a new interview, Bryan Danielson has given an insight into his current AEW contract. Danielson signed with the company back in September after his dealAEW with WWE expired in April.
Prior to leaving WWE, Danielson had been vocal about wanting to work for other companies, namely New Japan. It was later reported that Danielson had been “at the crux” of talks between WWE and the Japanese promotion. While no deal between WWE and NJPW eventually come to pass, it was surmised that part of the appeal for Danielson joining AEW was that he’d be able to wrestle in Japan.
In conversation with Ariel Helwani on his MMA Hour podcast, Danielson confirmed that he can work for other promotions. Although he admits that WWE were also prepared to offer him the same opportunity. The American Dragon also revealed that his contract with AEW runs for three years.
“Obviously, I have to clear it all through AEW first. AEW has to be my priority but even going to Japan right now is hard with COVID and all that kind of stuff. I’m able to do that but to be fair, WWE was gonna let me do that as well. With the contract that they offered me and when I was talking to Vince about it cause that was one of my big things. I was like, ‘I wanna be able to go and wrestle these guys all over the world’ and that sort of thing, and they were gonna allow me to do that.”
During the interview, Bryan Danielson also explained that he expects his current contract to be last. This ties in with an interview the star gave in September, where he said he plans to end his full-time career in 2024.
Since making his debut at AEW All Out, Bryan Danielson has remained undefeated. A run that includes taking AEW World Champion Kenny Omega to a 30-minute draw inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.
More recently Danielson has been taking part in the AEW World Title Eliminator Tournament. After defeating Dustin Rhodes in the opening round he saw off Eddie Kingston in the semi-finals. The star is set to meet Miro at AEW Full Gear for the right to challenge for the AEW World Championship.
H/t to sescoops for the transcription.