Biography
Bryan Danielson is an American former professional wrestler who now works as a commentator on AEW Dynamite. He is also widely known for his time in WWE from 2009 to 2021 under the ring name Daniel Bryan.
Danielson began his professional wrestling career in 1999 on the independent circuit and signed an 18-month contract with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) in 2000, later making uncontracted WWE appearances until 2003. In 2002, he joined Ring of Honor (ROH), wrestling in the main event of the promotion's first show, The Era of Honor Begins. Considered a cornerstone of ROH, he remained with the company until 2009, winning both the ROH World Championship and ROH Pure Championship—unifying them during his reign—and becoming the inaugural winner of the Survival of the Fittest tournament. His influence led to his induction into the ROH Hall of Fame’s inaugural class in 2022.
Danielson also competed extensively in Japan, winning the GHC Junior Heavyweight Championship in Pro Wrestling NOAH and the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) with Curry Man. He captured numerous independent wrestling titles as well, including two PWG World Championships, the FIP Heavyweight Championship, and the wXw World Heavyweight Championship.
In 2009, Danielson re-signed with WWE, though he was briefly fired in 2010 before returning later that year. During his WWE run, he won the WWE Championship four times, the World Heavyweight Championship once, and the United States and Intercontinental Championships once each. He also won the WWE Tag Team Championship with Kane as Team Hell No and the SmackDown Tag Team Championship with Erick Rowan, making him WWE’s 26th Triple Crown Champion and 15th Grand Slam Champion. Additional accomplishments include winning the 2011 Money in the Bank ladder match, being named Superstar of the Year at the 2013 Slammy Awards, and headlining major WWE pay-per-views, including WrestleMania in 2014 and 2021.
Danielson initially retired from in-ring competition in 2016 due to injuries from multiple concussions that caused seizures and a brain lesion, transitioning to an on-screen general manager role for SmackDown. He remained in that position until 2018, when he was medically cleared to return to wrestling. After his WWE contract expired in May 2021, Danielson signed with AEW, debuting that September and later transitioning full-time into commentary.
External Links
Known For
Filmography
Acting Credits (398)
AEW Dynasty 2026
Bryan Danielson
2026
AEW All Out 2025
Bryan Danielson - English Commentary
2025
AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door 2025
Bryan Danielson - English Commentary
2025
AEW All In 2025: Texas
Bryan Danielson
2025
AEW WrestleDream 2024
Bryan Danielson
2024
AEW All Out 2024
Bryan Danielson
2024
AEW All In 2024: London
Bryan Danielson
2024
AEW x NJPW Present Forbidden Door 2024
Bryan Danielson
2024
AEW Double or Nothing 2024
Bryan Danielson
2024
AEW Dynasty 2024
Bryan Danielson
2024
CMLL Homenaje a Dos Leyendas 2024
Bryan Danielson
2024
AEW Revolution 2024
Bryan Danielson
2024
NJPW The New Beginning in Osaka 2024
Bryan Danielson
2024
NJPW New Year Dash!! 2024
Bryan Danielson
2024
NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18
Bryan Danielson
2024
AEW Worlds End 2023
Bryan Danielson
2023
ROH Final Battle 2023
Bryan Danielson
2023
AEW: WrestleDream 2023
Bryan Danielson
2023
AEW All Out 2023
Bryan Danielson
2023
AEW x NJPW Present Forbidden Door 2023
Bryan Danielson
2023
All Elite Wrestling: Collision
2023
AEW Double or Nothing 2023
Bryan Danielson
2023
The Bloodline: The Complete Story
Daniel Bryan
2023
AEW Revolution 2023
Bryan Danielson
2023
AEW Full Gear 2022
Bryan Danielson
2022
AEW All Out 2022
Bryan Danielson
2022
WWE This Is Awesome
Daniel Bryan (archive footage)
2022
WWE This Is Awesome
Daniel Bryan
2022
WWE Rivals
Daniel Bryan
2022
AEW Double or Nothing 2022
Bryan Danielson
2022
WWE Evil
Daniel Bryan
2022
AEW Awards
Bryan Danielson
2022
Hey! (EW)
Bryan Danielson
2022
AEW Revolution 2022
Bryan Danielson
2022
AEW Winter Is Coming
Bryan Danielson
2021
ROH: Final Battle 2021
Bryan Danielson
2021
AEW Full Gear 2021
Bryan Danielson
2021
AEW Grand Slam
Bryan Danielson
2021
AEW All Out 2021
Bryan Danielson
2021
All Elite Wrestling: Rampage
Bryan Danielson
2021
All Elite Wrestling: Rampage
2021
WrestleMania 37: Night 2
Daniel Bryan
2021
WWE Fastlane 2021
Daniel Bryan
2021
Meeting Stone Cold
Daniel Bryan
2021
WWE Elimination Chamber 2021
Daniel Bryan
2021
WWE Royal Rumble 2021
Daniel Bryan
2021
My Way: The Life and Legacy of Pat Patterson
Daniel Bryan
2021
The Best of WWE: 10 Best Matches of 2020
Daniel Bryan
2020
WWE Slammy Awards 2020
Daniel Bryan
2020
WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs 2020
Daniel Bryan (Preshow)
2020
WWE Money in the Bank 2020
Daniel Bryan
2020
WWE WrestleMania 36: Part 1
Daniel Bryan
2020
The Best of WWE
Daniel Bryan
2020
WWE Elimination Chamber 2020
Daniel Bryan
2020
WWE Royal Rumble 2020
Daniel Bryan
2020
WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs 2019
Daniel Bryan (Appearance)
2019
WWE Survivor Series 2019
Daniel Bryan
2019
WWE Backstage
Daniel Bryan
2019
AEW Dark
2019
AEW Dark
Infinito
2019
WWE Hell in a Cell 2019
Daniel Bryan
2019
WWE's The Bump
Daniel Bryan
2019
All Elite Wrestling: Dynamite
2019
All Elite Wrestling: Dynamite
"American Dragon" Bryan Danielson
2019
All Elite Wrestling: Dynamite
“American Dragon” Bryan Danielson
2019
All Elite Wrestling: Dynamite
Bryan Danielson
2019
WWE Extreme Rules 2019
Daniel Bryan
2019
WWE Stomping Grounds
Daniel Bryan
2019
WWE WrestleMania 35
Daniel Bryan
2019
WWE Fastlane 2019
Daniel Bryan
2019
WWE Elimination Chamber 2019
Daniel Bryan
2019
WWE The Best of Raw and Smackdown Live 2018
Daniel Bryan
2019
WWE Royal Rumble 2019
Daniel Bryan
2019
Chasing the Magic: The Nigel McGuinness Story
Himself
2019
WWE Best Pay-Per-View Matches 2018
Daniel Bryan
2019
WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs 2018
Daniel Bryan
2018
WWE Survivor Series 2018
Daniel Bryan
2018
WWE Crown Jewel
Daniel Bryan
2018
WWE Super Show-Down 2018
Daniel Bryan
2018
WWE Hell in a Cell 2018
Daniel Bryan
2018
WWE SummerSlam 2018
Daniel Bryan
2018
WWE Extreme Rules 2018
Daniel Bryan
2018
WWE Money in the Bank 2018
Daniel Bryan
2018
WWE Backlash 2018
Daniel Bryan
2018
WWE Greatest Royal Rumble
Daniel Bryan
2018
WWE WrestleMania 34
Daniel Bryan
2018
WWE Clash of Champions 2017
Daniel Bryan (Smackdown G.M.)
2017
WWE Hell in a Cell 2017
Daniel Bryan (Smackdown G.M.)
2017
Carpool Karaoke: The Series
Self
2017
WWE Money in the Bank 2017
Daniel Bryan (SmackDown G.M.)
2017
WWE: WrestleMania Monday
Daniel Bryan
2017
Southpaw Regional Wrestling
René Beret
2017
Southpaw Regional Wrestling
Dan Bandana
2017
Southpaw Regional Wrestling
Dan Bandana / René Beret
2017
WWE The Day Of
Daniel Bryan (Self)
2017
WWE 205 Live
2016
Randy Orton: RKO Outta Nowhere
Daniel Bryan
2016
Total Bellas
Self
2016
WWE Cruiserweight Classic
Daniel Bryan
2016
WWE: The U.S. Championship: A Legacy of Greatness
Daniel Bryan (archive footage)
2016
WWE The Best of Raw & SmackDown 2015
Daniel Bryan
2016
WWE Best Pay-Per-View Matches 2015
Daniel Bryan
2016
WWE Table For 3
Daniel Bryan
2015
Daniel Bryan: Just Say Yes! Yes! Yes!
Daniel Bryan
2015
WWE WrestleMania 31
Daniel Bryan
2015
WWE Hall of Fame 2015
Daniel Bryan
2015
The Flintstones and WWE: Stone Age SmackDown!
Daniel Bry-Rock (voice)
2015
WWE Fastlane 2015
Daniel Bryan
2015
The Destruction of The Shield
Daniel Bryan
2015
WWE 24
Daniel Bryan
2015
WWE Royal Rumble 2015
Daniel Bryan
2015
ROH: Year 5
Himself
2015
WWE Tribute to the Troops 2014
2014
WWE Rivalries
2014
WWE Rivalries
Self
2014
WWE Money in the Bank 2014
Daniel Bryan (Preshow Appearance)
2014
WWE Payback 2014
Daniel Bryan (Appearance)
2014
WWE Extreme Rules 2014
Daniel Bryan
2014
Daniel Bryan: Journey to WrestleMania 30
Daniel
2014
WWE WrestleMania XXX
Daniel Bryan
2014
Wrestlemania Rewind
Daniel Bryan
2014
WWE Elimination Chamber 2014
Daniel Bryan
2014
Superstar Collection: Daniel Bryan
Daniel Bryan
2014
WWE Royal Rumble 2014
Daniel Bryan
2014
ROH: Year Four
Himself
2014
ROH: Creating Excellence
Himself
2014
WWE: Best Pay-Per-View Matches of 2013
2013
WWE Tribute to the Troops 2013
Daniel Bryan
2013
WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs 2013
Daniel Bryan
2013
WWE Survivor Series 2013
Daniel Bryan
2013
WWE: Straight to the Top - Money in the Bank Anthology
Daniel Bryan
2013
WWE Hell in a Cell 2013
Daniel Bryan
2013
WWE Battleground 2013
Daniel Bryan
2013
WWE Night of Champions 2013
Daniel Bryan
2013
WWE SummerSlam 2013
Daniel Bryan
2013
Total Divas
Self
2013
WWE Money in the Bank 2013
Daniel Bryan
2013
PWG Sells Out: Volume 3
Himself
2013
Bryan Danielson: World Champion
Himself
2013
Becoming the Best in the World: Bryan Danielson
Himself
2013
WWE Payback 2013
Daniel Bryan
2013
WWE Extreme Rules 2013
Daniel Bryan
2013
WWE WrestleMania 29
Daniel Bryan
2013
Samoa Joe: A Championship Legacy
Himself
2013
WWE Elimination Chamber 2013
Daniel Bryan
2013
WWE: The Best of Raw & SmackDown 2012, Volume 1
Daniel Bryan
2013
WWE Royal Rumble 2013
Daniel Bryan
2013
WXW Presents: The American Dragon Bryan Danielson
Himself
2013
ROH: Year Three
Himself
2013
AJ Styles: Styles Clash
Himself
2013
Alex Shelley: Made in Detroit
Himself
2013
Austin Aries: The Greatest Man That Ever Lived
Himself
2013
Bryan Danielson: The Final Countdown
Himself
2013
Christopher Daniels: The Fallen Angel
Himself
2013
Claudio Castagnoli: The Swiss Sensation
Himself
2013
Danielson vs The World
Himself
2013
ROH: Top 100 Matches, Vol 1
Himself/American Dragon
2013
ROH: Top 100 Matches, Vol 2
Himself/American Dragon
2013
WWE: Best Pay-Per-View Matches 2012
Daniel Bryan
2012
WWE Tribute to the Troops 2012
Daniel Bryan
2012
WWE TLC: Tables Ladders & Chairs 2012
Daniel Bryan
2012
The JBL and Cole Show
Daniel Bryan
2012
WWE Survivor Series 2012
Daniel Bryan
2012
WWE Hell In A Cell 2012
Daniel Bryan
2012
ROH: Year Two
Himself
2012
CM Punk: Best in the World
Daniel Bryan
2012
WWE Main Event
Daniel Bryan
2012
Danielson vs McGuinness
Himself
2012
WWE Night of Champions 2012
Daniel Bryan
2012
The 50 Greatest Finishing Moves in WWE History
2012
WWE SummerSlam 2012
Daniel Bryan
2012
WWE RAW 1000
2012
WWE Money In The Bank 2012
Daniel Bryan
2012
WWE The Great American Bash 2012: Super Smackdown Live!
Daniel Bryan
2012
WWE No Way Out 2012
Daniel Bryan
2012
The Many Adventures of El Generico
Himself
2012
WWE Over The Limit 2012
Daniel Bryan
2012
ROH: Year One
Himself
2012
ROH: El Generico: Ole! Ole!
Himself
2012
WWE Extreme Rules 2012
Daniel Bryan
2012
ROH: Bryan Danielson - The American Dragon
Bryan Danielson
2012
ROH: Nigel McGuinness - An ROH Career Retrospective
Himself
2012
WWE WrestleMania XXVIII
Daniel Bryan
2012
Chris Hero: Ring of Hero
Himself
2012
WWE Elimination Chamber 2012
Daniel Bryan
2012
Kevin Steen: Ascension to the Top
Himself
2012
WWE Royal Rumble 2012
Daniel Bryan
2012
ROH: Ring of Hardcore
Himself
2012
American Wolves: The Hunt Never Dies
Himself
2012
Austin Aries: Evolution of A-Double
Himself
2012
KENTA: Go 2 Sleep
Bryan Danielson
2012
WWE TLC: Tables Ladders & Chairs 2011
Daniel Bryan
2011
Stone Cold Steve Austin: The Bottom Line on the Most Popular Superstar of All Time
Himself
2011
WWE Survivor Series 2011
Daniel Bryan
2011
WWE: OMG! The Top 50 Incidents in WWE History
2011
WWE SummerSlam 2011
Daniel Bryan
2011
WWE Money in the Bank 2011
Daniel Bryan
2011
WWE WrestleMania XXVII
Daniel Bryan (Preshow)
2011
WWE Royal Rumble 2011
Daniel Bryan
2011
WWE Tribute to the Troops 2010
Daniel Bryan
2010
WWE Survivor Series 2010
Daniel Bryan
2010
WWE Bragging Rights 2010
Daniel Bryan
2010
WWE Hell In A Cell 2010
Daniel Bryan
2010
Dragon Gate USA Way of the Ronin
2010
WWE Night of Champions 2010
Daniel Bryan
2010
EVOLVE 5: Danielson vs. Sawa
2010
WWE SummerSlam 2010
Daniel Bryan
2010
PWG: SEVEN
Himself
2010
Dragon Gate USA Enter the Dragon 2010
2010
CHIKARA: Faded Scars and Lines
2010
CHIKARA We Must Eat Michigan's Brain
Bryan Danielson
2010
EVOLVE 4: Danielson vs. Fish
2010
WWE NXT
2010
WWE NXT
Daniel Bryan
2010
DGUSA Untouchable 2009
Bryan Danielson
2009
ROH: Glory By Honor VIII - The Final Countdown
2009
ROH: The Final Countdown Tour - Boston
2009
ROH: The Final Countdown Tour - Chicago
2009
ROH: The Final Countdown Tour - Dayton
2009
The Wrestling Road Diaries
Himself
2009
ROH: Bryan Danielson - Rise To Glory
Himself
2009
Dragon Gate USA: Open the Untouchable Gate
2009
PWG: Guerre Sans Frontières
Himself
2009
PWG: Speed of Sound
Himself
2009
PWG: Threemendous II
Himself
2009
ROH: Manhattan Mayhem III
2009
ROH: Contention
2009
Dragon Gate USA: Untouchable 2009
2009
PWG: DDT4
Himself
2009
ROH: Never Say Die
2009
ROH: The Homecoming II
2009
ROH: Double Feature II
2009
WWE Superstars
Daniel Bryan
2009
PWG: One Hundred
Himself
2009
PWG: Ninety-Nine
Himself
2009
ROH: Supercard of Honor IV
2009
Chikara King Of Trios 2009 - Night 2
Bryan Danielson
2009
ROH: 7th Anniversary
Bryan Danielson
2009
Ring of Honor Wrestling
2009
ROH: Stylin' & Profilin'
2009
ROH: Eliminating The Competition
2009
A Hart Still Pounding
Self
2009
ROH: Caged Collision
Bryan Danielson
2009
ROH: Motor City Madness 2009
Bryan Danielson
2009
ROH: Full Circle
2009
ROH: Injustice II
2009
PWG: The Gentle Art of Making Enemies
Himself
2009
PWG Sells Out: Volume 2
Himself
2009
ROH: Final Battle 2008
2008
ROH: Rising Above 2008
2008
ROH Bound By Hate
2008
ROH: The French Connection
Bryan Danielson
2008
PWG: 2008 Battle of Los Angeles - Stage 2
Himself
2008
PWG: 2008 Battle of Los Angeles - Stage 1
Himself
2008
ROH: New Horizons
2008
ROH: Glory By Honor VII
Bryan Danielson
2008
ROH: The Tokyo Summit
2008
ROH: Night of The Butcher II
2008
ROH: Death Before Dishonor VI
Himself
2008
ROH: Fueling The Fire
Himself
2008
ROH: Northern Navigation
Himself
2008
ROH: Best In The World
Himself
2008
ROH: Greatest Rivalries
Himself
2008
NOAH: European Navigation 2008
2008
ROH: Stars of Honor
Himself
2008
ROH: Southern Navigation
Bryan Danielson
2008
ROH: Take No Prisoners
2008
wXw 16 Carat Gold 2008 - Day 2
2008
ROH: Eye of The Storm
2008
ROH: Without Remorse
2008
ROH: Breakout
2008
ROH: Transform
2008
ROH: Proving Ground
2008
PWG: All Star Weekend 6 - Night Two
Himself
2008
PWG: All Star Weekend 6 - Night One
Himself
2008
PWG: The High Cost of Doing Business
Himself
2007
PWG: European Vacation II - Germany
Himself
2007
PWG: European Vacation II - England
Himself
2007
PWG: European Vacation II - France
Himself
2007
PWG: Schadenfreude
Himself
2007
PWG: Giant-Size Annual #4
Himself
2007
NOAH Summer Navigation '07 - Day 12
2007
ROH: Driven
Himself
2007
PWG: Roger Dorn Night
Himself
2007
PWG: DDT4 - Night Two
Himself
2007
PWG: DDT4 - Night One
Himself
2007
PWG Sells Out: Volume 1
Himself
2007
ROH: International Challenge
2006
ROH: The Chicago Spectacular - Night Two
2006
ROH: The Chicago Spectacular - Night One
2006
ROH: The Bitter End
2006
ROH: Honor Reclaims Boston
2006
ROH: Irresistible Forces
2006
ROH: Suffocation
2006
ROH: Motor City Madness
2006
ROH: Survival of The Fittest 2006
2006
ROH: Glory by Honor V - Night Two
Himself
2006
ROH: Gut Check
2006
ROH: Epic Encounter II
2006
ROH: Frontiers of Honor II
2006
ROH: Anarchy In The U.K.
2006
ROH: Unified
2006
ROH: Fight of The Century
2006
ROH: Time To Man Up
2006
ROH: Generation Now
2006
ROH: War of The Wire II
2006
ROH: Death Before Dishonor IV
2006
ROH: Death Before Dishonor IV
Himself
2006
ROH: Chi-Town Struggle
2006
ROH: Throwdown
2006
ROH: In Your Face
2006
ROH: Destiny
2006
PWG: Enchantment Under The Sea
Himself
2006
ROH: Ring of Homicide
2006
PWG: (Please Don't Call It) The O.C.
Self
2006
ROH: Weekend of Champions - Night Two
2006
ROH: The 100th Show
Bryan Danielson
2006
ROH: Better Than Our Best
Himself
2006
ROH: Supercard of Honor
Himself
2006
ROH: Dragon Gate Challenge
Himself
2006
ROH: Best In The World
Himself
2006
ROH: Arena Warfare
2006
ROH: Fourth Anniversary Show
Himself
2006
ROH: Dissension
Himself
2006
ROH: Tag Wars 2006
2006
ROH: Tag Wars 2006
Himself
2006
ROH: Hell Freezes Over
2006
ROH Final Battle 2005
Himself
2005
ROH: Steel Cage Warfare
Himself
2005
PWG: All Star Weekend 2 - Night One
Self
2005
ROH: Vendetta
2005
ROH: Vendetta
Himself
2005
ROH: Showdown In Motown
2005
ROH: Showdown In Motown
Himself
2005
ROH: This Means War
Himself
2005
ROH: Buffalo Stampede
Himself
2005
ROH: Enter The Dragon
Himself
2005
PWG: 2005 Battle of Los Angeles - Night Two
Self
2005
PWG: 2005 Battle of Los Angeles - Night One
Self
2005
ROH: The Final Showdown
Himself
2005
PWG: All Star Weekend Night One
Self
2005
FIP Bring the Pain
2005
FIP With Malice
2005
FIP Dangerous Intentions
2005
FIP New Dawn Rising
2005
PWG: Card Subject To Change
Himself
2005
ROH Final Battle 2004
2004
PWG: Uncanny X-Mas
Himself
2004
ROH: All Star Extravaganza 2
Himself
2004
PWG: Free Admission (Just Kidding)
Self
2004
ROH: Weekend of Thunder - Night 2
2004
ROH: Weekend of Thunder - Night 1
2004
ROH: Midnight Express Reunion
2004
IWA Mid-South Ted Petty Invitational 2004 - Night 2
2004
IWA Mid-South Ted Petty Invitational 2004 - Night 1
2004
ROH: Glory By Honor III
2004
PWG: The Next Show
Self
2004
ROH: Testing The Limit
2004
PWG: The Reason For The Season
Self
2004
The Soup
Daniel Bryan
2004
ROH: Survival of The Fittest
Himself
2004
NJPW Nexess
American Dragon
2004
ROH: Reborn - Stage Two
Himself
2004
ROH: Reborn - Stage One
Himself
2004
PWG: The Musical
Himself
2004
PWG: Kee_ The _ee Out of Our _ool
Self
2004
PWG: 88 Miles Per Hour
Self
2004
PWG: Taste The Radness
Self
2004
PWG: Tango & Cash Invitational - Night Two
Self
2004
PWG: Tango & Cash Invitational - Night One
Self
2004
ROH: The Battle Lines Are Drawn
Himself
2004
MLW Reloaded Tour Day 1
2004
Phenomenal: The Best of AJ Styles
Himself
2004
ROH Final Battle 2003
2003
PWG: An Inch Longer Than Average
American Dragon
2003
ROH: Main Event Spectacles
2003
ROH: The Epic Encounter
American Dragon
2003
ROH: One Year Anniversary Show
2003
ROH: Revenge on the Prophecy
The American Dragon
2003
ROH Final Battle 2002
American Dragon
2002
ROH: Night of The Butcher
American Dragon
2002
ROH: Scramble Madness
Bryan Danielson
2002
ROH: All Star Extravaganza
American Dragon
2002
NJPW The Spiral
American Dragon
2002
ROH: Unscripted
American Dragon
2002
ROH: Honor Invades Boston
American Dragon
2002
ROH: Road to the Title
The American Dragon
2002
WWE Velocity
Bryan Danielson
2002
ROH Night of Appreciation
American Dragon
2002
ROH The Round Robin Challenge
The American Dragon
2002
ROH: The Era of Honor Begins
The American Dragon
2002
WWE Tough Enough
Daniel Bryan
2001
WWE Friday Night SmackDown
Daniel Bryan
1999
WWE Friday Night SmackDown
1999
Raw
Daniel Bryan
1993
Raw
1993
WWE Pay Per View
1985
OMG! Top 50 Incidents in WWE History
Self
