Bryan Danielson 'Thought About Not Coming Back To Wrestling' After WWE Deal Expired

Bryan Danielson has revealed he considered stepping away from wrestling fully for a number of years in the aftermath of his WWE contract expiring.

Danielson's deal with WWE expired at the end of April 2021, with the former Daniel Bryan going completely off-grid until his shock debut for All Elite Wrestling at All Out earlier this month.

The 40-year-old has been open about the difficult decision he had to make regarding whether to stay with WWE or try something new with AEW, but has now admitted he seriously thought about just not coming back into wrestling for a couple of years so he could enjoy time with his children.

Speaking on WFAN, Danielson said: "A lot of people look at as there being two options; either WWE or AEW. I'm like, 'or I could just do an Independent schedule where I don't sign with anybody. I did (think about it).

"I also thought about not coming back to wrestling at all, in the sense of at least the next couple of years. I wanted to take the summer off because my daughter started preschool.

"Just being at home with her every day, she's four, I've left every week or almost every week. I loved it and she loved it, me being home every night. I FaceTime her every night and she's like, 'Daddy, I miss you, I miss your cuddles. Momma doesn't cuddle me like you do.' The idea of stepping away until my son starts preschool so I could be there every day for him and my daughter.

"Then, I'm missing maybe the four years of my productive athletic career and I might not be the same at 45 as I am at 40."

H/T Fightful