Top AEW star reveals he was close to facing ‘retired’ Shawn Michaels in WWE

Former WWE Champion claims that he missed out on facing his former trainer, Shawn Michaels, during his run in WWE.

Top AEW star reveals he was close to facing ‘retired’ Shawn Michaels in WWE

Bryan Danielson wanted to face Shawn Michaels (via WWE)

Bryan Danielson competed for more than a decade in WWE, sharing the ring with several top stars throughout his run. However, the YES Man feels that he missed out on a chance to face a WWE legend. The name in question is none other than Shawn Michaels. Speaking with Daily Star, Danielson revealed that he was “close” to facing his mentor.

When asked whether he missed out on facing anyone in his career, the AEW star picked Michaels. Moreover, Danielson claimed that there was a period in 2013–14 where he believed that he would wrestle The Heartbreak Kid. At the time, the latter had already hung up his wrestling boots. Michaels retired from the sport after suffering a loss in a ‘Streak vs. Career’ match against The Undertaker at WrestleMania 26.

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In 2013, Danielson was involved in a rivalry against Triple H and The Authority. At Hell in a Cell, Michaels posed as the special guest referee in the main event between Bryan and Randy Orton. The Hall of Famer cost his trainee the match after the latter laid his hands on HHH. Hence, fans felt that a potential bout between the pair was around the corner.

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The one that I’ve always wanted is Shawn Michaels, because he helped train me. There was a moment, a brief period of time, in 2013-14 when I thought I was going to get it but I didn’t. So close.
Bryan Danielson via Daily Star

Although Shawn Michaels didn’t come out of retirement that year, he still ended up competing again a few years later. At Crown Jewel 2018, HBK teamed up with his DX teammate to face The Brothers of Destruction. As expected, a match involving wrestlers way past their primes did not deliver at all. In fact, the four legends choose not to acknowledge the ‘dream’ bout, with Michaels openly criticizing his decision as well.

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Bryan Danielson calls himself the best wrestler in the world ahead of AEW All In

Speaking of retirement matches, Bryan Danielson will be putting his career on the line at this Sunday’s AEW All In. Swerve Strickland will be defending his AEW Championship against Danielson in a ‘Title vs. Career’ match. On the go-home Dynamite episode, the technical wrestler sent a bold message to the champion.

Bryan Danielson
Bryan Danielson (via AEW)

Having heard enough of the insults, The American Dragon boldly claimed that he was the best wrestler in the world. Moreover, Danielson said that he had maintained the position for the last 20 years. The Utilita Arena in Cardiff came unglued as they began chanting “YES!” in agreement with the former WWE star’s statement.

Since arriving in AEW in 2021, Danielson has come close to winning the world title on multiple occasions. With this year being his final as a full-time wrestler, the 43-year-old has one final opportunity to finally claim gold by defeating Strickland this Sunday. Therefore, fans will have to wait and see if he fulfills his promise.

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