Bryan Danielson On His AEW Character: "I Came In With The Attitude That I’m The Best And You’re Going To Have To Prove To Me That I’m Wrong"

Since debuting in All Elite Wrestling in September, Bryan Danielson has developed an aura around himself of being one of the best if not the best professional wrestler in the world today. A wrestler who can defeat others with any number of moves and also kick his opponents' f*cking heads in. 

Particularly the aggressiveness of Danielson's in-ring work in AEW is a noticeable change from his 11-year WWE run and The American Dragon noted his new character has been a big departure from his previous work with Vince McMahon's company. 

"If you're used to seeing me in WWE, this is a pretty radical departure," Danielson told the Asbury Park Press. "I came in with the attitude that I'm the best, and you're going to have to prove to me that I'm wrong.

"One of the cool things to me about wrestling is that we all have these different aspects of our personality and different things that we think and in polite society (feel that) 'Oh you can't say that' or 'You can't do this' or whatever. 'It's just not polite,' or whatever it is. And I think the fun part about wrestling is both as a good guy or as a bad guy, you get to explore those different thought processes. I'm sure actors think the same thing, but they don't get to come up with their own lines," he continued.

Danielson has also developed somewhat of a menacing grin since he turned heel in November, but the former WWE Champion revealed it isn't an evil smile, he is simply just smiling with joy. 

"It's like the joy that I experience wrestling, whether as a good guy or a bad guy, I think it just kind of bleeds through. To me, it's not like, 'This is where I do my evil smile, ha ha ha, this will really get 'em.' No, it's usually coming from a real place of joy and me enjoying what I do. I'm very lucky that I love what I do," he added.