4-Time WWE Champion Quietly Removed From AEW Roster
A beloved and respected 4-time WWE Champion who is also an AEW Champion has quietly been removed from All Elite Wrestling's roster. The move marks the end of an era for one of the most celebrated wrestlers of the modern era, Bryan Danielson.
Bryan Danielson Has Just Been Removed From AEW's Active Roster
On May 27, 2026, TJR Wrestling reported on an unannounced change that had been made on the official website for AEW (All Elite Wrestling). The outlet noted that Bryan Danielson had been removed from the active roster. As can now be seen on the company's roster page, he is currently listed as part of the broadcast team instead.
After wrestling for WWE for more than a decade and becoming a four-time WWE champion, Danielson joined AEW in September 2021. He would go on to prove why he is considered one of the best wrestlers of all time during his run of incredible AEW matches. He was also crowned the AEW World Champion and joined one of the most star-studded factions in recent wrestling history, the Blackpool Combat Club.
In October 2024, Danielson lost the AEW World Championship to his former ally, Jon Moxley, in a retirement match. Despite him putting his career on the line in that match, his removal from AEW's active roster is still likely to be surprising and emotional for many fans.
Why Wrestling Fans Will Be Surprised, Disappointed, and Relieved Bryan Danielson Is No Longer on AEW's Active Roster
Even though Bryan Danielson retired in 2024, he would later make a shocking return to in-ring physicality. While he didn't compete in a match, he ran to the ring at AEW All In: Texas to help "Hangman" Adam Page overcome Jon Moxley and The Death Riders in July 2025. Considering that and the fact that he was still listed on the active roster until very recently, many fans thought he might come out of retirement for a match or several in the future.
Even in the immediate aftermath of Danielson's retirement, fans took to social media to express their desire to see him wrestle again. One fan posted on X that Danielson and Adam Page needed to compete again. "Hangman Page & Bryan Danielson have All-Timer chemistry. Need one more match before Bryan is retired for good." Another expressed confidence that he'd take on his former allies. "Oh yeah, that wasn't his retirement. He will need and get his revenge on Blackpool Combat Club ." Fans like those will likely be surprised and disappointed by his removal from the active roster.
"Bryan Danielson may return in the future, the very distant future" - Nigel McGuiness.
— Cold Foam Cunthausen (@The_KingSuplex) October 17, 2024
Oh yeah, that wasnt his retirement. He will need and get his revenge on Blackpool Combat Club #AEWDynamite
On the other hand, there is no doubt that some fans will also be happy to know that it seems like Danielson's time as an active wrestler truly is over. That is the case because many fans know about his history of suffering from neck injuries and several concussions. In 2025, Danielson revealed he suffered 13 documented concussions during a conversation that also touched on his neck problems.
Even before that number was revealed, fans knew enough about his past head and neck injuries that some expressed relief after his October 2024 retirement match. One fan wrote, "Daniel Bryan has been retired. Thank Christ for that. Now he can get his neck sorted and play with his kids." Another went further by writing that he wished Danielson had retired before he did. "I also wish he had retired sooner, as I worry greatly about his long-term health. Thankfully, he's finally realized this." Clearly, fans like those will be happy he is now recognized as a broadcaster only.
Next: Former AEW and TNA Wrestler Announces Terminal Diagnosis
This story was originally published by Men's Journal on May 29, 2026, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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This story was originally published May 29, 2026 at 1:06 PM.