During a recent interview with TalkSport, Bryan Danielson offered insight into what he believes sets AEW apart from its competitors, particularly WWE. While discussing the Brodie Lee tribute show, Danielson pointed to that moment as a defining example of AEW’s compassionate approach to both its talent and fanbase.
“We had a wrestler, Brodie Lee, who had passed away. They did this incredible tribute show. At that point, I was still with WWE. And the way that they did that show – Brodie was my friend – it touched something in me and in my mind, I was thinking like, ‘Oh, these are the good guys of professional wrestling,’” Bryan remarked during the interview.
The event, which took place in December 2020 following the untimely passing of Brodie Lee (real name: Jon Huber), received widespread acclaim and praise.
Danielson isn’t the only AEW star who was moved by the tribute. CM Punk has also spoken publicly about how deeply the Brodie Lee show impacted him.
Discussing the ongoing competition between AEW and WWE, Bryan was careful to downplay any notion of hostility. “We as a company don’t approach other companies in a warlike fashion, right? We don’t feel like we’re in a war with anybody,” he said. “But that’s not the same as the other side. We’re constantly kind of on the defense in that.”
He added that while some in his circle have suggested All Elite Wrestling take a more aggressive stance, it’s not in line with the ethos of the company or its leadership. “I don’t know the right strategy, but I like the way Tony Khan handles things because that, in my mind, it makes us the good guys,” Danielson explained.
“But I don’t know if at some point we need to go more on the offensive. I’ve had friends bring that up to me like, ‘Oh, you guys should attack.’ I’m like, wait a second. Like one, that’s not my personality.
Two, that’s not Tony Khan’s personality. And I think that’s one of the things that drew me to AEW. When I was in WWE, I was watching the way AEW did things.”
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