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Bryan Danielson Reveals AEW Creative Struggles

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Friday, February 13th 2026 at 10:50 GMT by sportskeeda.com
      Locales: Washington, Maryland, UNITED STATES

Friday, February 13th, 2026 - Veteran professional wrestler Bryan Danielson recently shed light on the internal struggles he's facing within All Elite Wrestling (AEW), revealing that the pursuit of a meaningful role and alignment with the company's creative direction has been taking a toll on his personal well-being. Speaking candidly on the "81 Bites" podcast, Danielson described a challenging period marked by difficulty finding the right balance between his own artistic vision and AEW's broader narrative ambitions. His admission offers a rare and valuable insight into the complex dynamics at play behind the scenes of a major wrestling promotion.

Danielson's comments have resonated deeply within the wrestling community, sparking discussions about the balance of power between performers and promoters, the pressures of creative consistency, and the realities of life as a top star in a demanding industry. While AEW has quickly established itself as a viable competitor to WWE, offering a platform for performers often overlooked by the larger organization, the transition hasn't been without its growing pains - both for the company and its talent.

For Danielson, a performer celebrated for his innovative in-ring style and intensely passionate performances, the issue isn't a lack of opportunity, but rather the complexity of fitting into a pre-existing framework. He's a wrestler renowned for being the story, often driving narratives through his actions and character work. Trying to modulate that inherent drive to fit neatly into a planned-out arc, even a well-intentioned one, is proving to be a significant hurdle. "It's tough, man," he stated on the podcast. "Trying to figure out where I fit in and how I can contribute in a meaningful way, while also respecting the overall story that's being told... it's tough. It's just made sleeping hard sometimes."

This isn't simply a case of ego, wrestling analysts suggest. Danielson's track record speaks for itself - his work in Ring of Honor, WWE (as Daniel Bryan), and now AEW demonstrates a consistent ability to captivate audiences and deliver compelling matches. The struggle appears to stem from a desire to add to AEW's existing foundation, rather than merely occupy space within it. He doesn't want to be a cog in the machine; he wants to be a driving force, and that requires a level of creative autonomy that isn't always easily granted.

This situation raises broader questions about the creative process in professional wrestling. Historically, wrestling has been heavily top-down, with promoters dictating storylines and character development. AEW, led by Tony Khan, initially presented a more collaborative environment, promising performers greater input. However, as the promotion has grown and evolved, the need for centralized control has likely increased, creating potential friction with talent like Danielson who thrive on improvisation and organic storytelling.

Danielson's frustration also highlights the immense pressure placed on veteran performers to consistently deliver. Fans expect a high level of performance from established stars, and any perceived drop in quality is quickly scrutinized. Balancing the demands of maintaining that standard with the complexities of navigating a potentially restrictive creative environment is a significant challenge.

The veteran acknowledged that aligning his ideas with the company's direction isn't always seamless. "It's a constant evolution, and I want to be a part of that," he explained. "But sometimes, the puzzle pieces just don't seem to fit, and that can be frustrating." This sentiment isn't unique to Danielson; many performers across various promotions have spoken anonymously about similar struggles.

Looking ahead, the key will be open communication and a willingness to compromise. AEW needs to find a way to harness Danielson's creativity without sacrificing the overall cohesiveness of its narrative. Danielson, in turn, may need to adjust his expectations and accept that complete creative control is rarely attainable in a collaborative environment. The wrestling world is watching closely, hoping that a solution can be found that allows one of the industry's most talented performers to thrive and continue to contribute to the growth of All Elite Wrestling.