Brian Kendrick Wanted Bryan Danielson As His Last Opponent

Former WWE star Brian Kendrick recently discussed who he would like his retirement match to be against.

Mulling over potential opponents during an appearance on Reffin' It Up with Brian Hebner, Kendrick said "I don't know what it would be because I'd want it to be whatever the most romantic is". 

Elaborating, the former WWE Tag Team Champion listed several possibilities, including current AEW star Bryan Danielson, who Kendrick admitted he always thought would be his final opponent:

"What's the most beautiful story? An easy one is Bryan Danielson because we started together. That's who I always pictured my last match being against. Could it be against someone who trained me like (William) Regal or Shawn Michaels or Regal's son [Charlie Dempsey]? Do I have my last match putting over the son of my mentor, that's really romantic. Ilja Dragunov is a guy who I'm absolutely dying to wrestle. My favorite person to wrestle is Rich Swann, so do I have it against my favorite guy to work? I want to think hard on it, but it would have to be the most romantic". 

Kendrick was due to debut for AEW against Jon Moxley on the February 2, 2021 episode of Dynamite, after he requested and received his WWE release. However, the match was cancelled when Tony Khan was made aware of previous controversial comments Kendrick had made.

The 43-year-old has since wrestled on the independent circuit, returning to WWE for one night to help produce Ronda Rousey's SmackDown Women's Title match with Shotzi at last year's Survivor Series.

H/T Fightful