Bryan Danielson Questions WWE’s Decision to Release Swerve Strickland: A Controversial Call That Continues to Spark Debate
In the fast-paced world of professional wrestling, skills moves inside and outside of the highlight with rapid pace, but the current fulfillment of Swerve Strickland has raised a few complicated questions about WWE’s selection-making. One of these thinking voices is none aside from Bryan Danielson, AEW’s newly crowned World Champion. Danielson’s victory over Strickland at All In solidified his reign but additionally stirred up deeper reflections approximately WWE’s preference to element approaches with Strickland, especially given the plain skills he has displayed seeing that then.
Bryan Danielson, another time on the top of expert wrestling, isn’t simply basking in his latest triumph. During a candid interview with Justin Barrasso, the All Elite Wrestling (AEW) celebrity took the opportunity to praise his former rival and new settlement signee, Swerve Strickland. Strickland, a growing superstar within the AEW roster, these days signed a significant contract after his meteoric rise to the pinnacle of the organization’s name scene.
His AEW World Title run is considered a pivotal moment in his profession, made all the more mind-blowing by the reality that it comes less than 3 years after WWE released him. For Bryan Danielson, this success raises eyebrows, specifically thinking about the capability WWE failed to see in Strickland. “Swerve was perfect at All In,” Danielson said. “He’s incredible. He just signed a new contract with AEW—and that is one of the benefits of having two mainstream wrestling companies in the United States. WWE didn’t see value in him, and they let him go.”
These words carry weight coming from Danielson, who isn’t always simplest an industry veteran but someone who has seen firsthand how competitive environments can either make or smash a talent. Reflecting on Strickland’s trajectory, Danielson’s message changed into clean: WWE ignored the boat on a notable wrestler.
Danielson’s admiration didn’t stop at just a surface-level nod to Strickland’s in-ring abilities. He delved deeper, emphasizing how Strickland has flourished since joining AEW. “You watch him and ask, ‘Who would ever let go of this guy?’” Danielson remarked, visibly perplexed by WWE’s oversight. “He just wasn’t given the opportunity to be his best self. And that goes both ways—I don’t want it to sound like, ‘Oh, evil WWE, they don’t let their talent be their best selves.’ Some people will thrive there. Some people will thrive here.”
Danielson’s words reflected a broader understanding of the wrestling industry, one where performers are often subject to the whims of corporate decision-making. While WWE undoubtedly provides a global platform, not every performer can fit into its vision. “There are people who will thrive in both places, there are people who will be underutilized. That’s the benefit of having two major companies in the United States. If someone doesn’t see value in you, you can try somewhere else.”
For Strickland, the “somewhere else” has been AEW, and the results speak for themselves. The star has rapidly become one of the most talked-about wrestlers in the business, and his professionalism has only added to his rising stock. Danielson even highlighted this, mentioning Strickland’s adaptability and dedication. “Swerve, he is the most professional of the professionals. Him, Claudio [Castagnoli], [Samoa] Joe—anything you need them to do, they do it without hesitation. The way he’s been able to show everyone how skilled he is as a professional wrestler, I’m so impressed.”
While Danielson celebrated Strickland’s achievement, he also spread out about his very own struggles. The new World Champion found out within the same interview that he has been grappling with neck issues that date lower back to 2014 whilst he first captured the WWE Title. These injuries had been persistent throughout his career and feature once again emerged as a widespread assignment. “It’s very similar to when I won the WWE Title in 2014,” Danielson admitted. Back then, he managed to postpone surgical procedure till his body in the end demanded it. Now, going through the toll that professional wrestling has taken on him, Danielson is aware of surgery is inevitable.
As Danielson maintains to push the bounds of his in-ring profession, the question looms: how tons longer can he defy the odds? His healthy in opposition to Strickland at All In might also have earned him another championship reign, but it has also served as a reminder of his personal physical limits. “I’ll need surgery when my current in-ring run is over,” Danielson stated, absolutely aware of the sacrifices he continues to make for the sport he loves.
While Bryan Danielson’s career continues, regardless of the shadow of ability surgical operation hanging over him, his reflections on WWE’s remedy of Strickland are sure to linger. They provide a unique perspective on how wrestling expertise is assessed and the significance of getting options in a aggressive enterprise. The future of Swerve Strickland is shiny, however WWE’s selection to launch him will in all likelihood keep to spark debate in wrestling circles for years yet to come.
