AEW news: Bryan Danielson backstage injury update

Danielson said on Wednesday that a stand-in, a Blackpool Combat Club rookie, will battle Sabre in his place and in the forthcoming Blood & Guts match.

Bryan Danielson in a file photo. (Twitter: @AEW)
By Blesson Daniel | Jun 25, 2022 | 2 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

On Wednesday’s “AEW Dynamite” episode, Bryan Danielson addressed worries about his health, but he left viewers with more questions than answers. Danielson, who was scheduled to compete against Zack Sabre Jr. at Sunday’s Forbidden Door event, hasn’t been seen on television since AEW Double or Nothing because of an unexplained injury that prevented him from attending a meet & greet and missing a flight.

The most recent issue of the Wrestling Observer newsletter sheds some insight on the circumstance. Dave Meltzer reports that although Danielson’s ailment has not yet been officially certified, it is thought to have been a concussion sustained during the frenzied Anarchy In The Arena Match. Meltzer claims that WWE, who typically are honest about injuries unless they include “the two C’s (COVID & Concussions),” set the standard that AEW followed. According to The Observer, Danielson has a history of head injuries and has previously taken a temporary break from wrestling due to concussion concerns. If, after a month, he is still failing the concussion protocol, the damage may be serious.

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Danielson said on Wednesday that a stand-in, a Blackpool Combat Club rookie, will battle Sabre in his place and in the forthcoming Blood & Guts match that the BCC is scheduled to compete in on next week’s “Dynamite.” Danielson just stated that he will not be attending Forbidden Door or Blood & Guts without giving into greater detail about his injury. Danielson didn’t exhibit any slurred speech or uncertainty during the announcement, as the Observer points out.

Who will replace Bryan Danielson

AEW has yet to announce Sabre’s replacement, but The Observer speculated that they may already have someone in mind and are delaying the announcement out of PPV interest. Cesaro and Johnny Gargano, both former WWE stars, have both been the focus of rumours in the wake of Danielson’s announcement, so the replacement will need to live up to the expectations of the highly anticipated original match, claims the publication, or else fans will start to grumble against AEW’s penchant for surprises.