Bryan Danielson Faces Career-Defining Match Amid WWE Hall of Fame Speculation

Bryan Danielson, a renowned technical wrestler for nearly 25 years, is preparing for what could be his final match next Sunday at All In. In a high-stakes contest called “The Final Countdown: Title versus Career,” Danielson will face Swerve Strickland for the AEW World Championship, with his career on the line.

If Danielson loses, he will voluntarily retire, leading to speculation about his potential induction into various wrestling Halls of Fame, including WWE’s. Given his long history in WWE, many fans believe he deserves the honor, though uncertainties remain about how his affiliation with AEW might affect his candidacy.

Tommy Dreamer, speaking on the “Busted Open” podcast, expressed doubts about whether WWE and AEW could set aside their competitive differences to honor Danielson’s contributions to wrestling.

Dreamer pointed out that while Danielson undoubtedly deserves recognition, WWE’s current leadership may view him primarily as an AEW wrestler, which could complicate any potential Hall of Fame induction. Moreover, Danielson’s future career moves, including whether he remains with AEW behind the scenes, may influence WWE’s decision on whether to induct him.

Dreamer compared Danielson’s situation to that of Jeff Hardy, who was invited to the WWE Hall of Fame but refused to be inducted without his brother Matt, who was working for AEW at the time.

This instance shows how company allegiances can play a significant role in Hall of Fame considerations. Despite these complexities, Dreamer firmly believes that Bryan Danielson deserves to be inducted into every major wrestling Hall of Fame, regardless of his current affiliations.

As Danielson prepares for his pivotal match at Wembley Stadium, AEW President Tony Khan paid tribute to his storied career with a special video highlighting his journey from independent wrestling to his breakthrough in promotions like Ring of Honor and AEW.

If Danielson emerges victorious against Strickland, he will claim the AEW World Championship for the first time in his career, further solidifying his legacy in professional wrestling.