From Aberdeen to AEW: Wrestling legend Bryan Danielson talks hometown start, Seahawks, and how to talk smack

Bryan Danielson, known as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time under the stage name Daniel Bryan, is headlining an All Elite Wrestling (AEW) event at the accesso ShoWare Center in Kent on June 21. It’s not just another event on the calendar for Danielson though, as this time, he gets to perform in his home state.

“You grew up in Aberdeen. You are a local. When you were a kid, did you ever think you would be this guy?” KIRO host Charlie Harger asked Danielson on “Seattle’s Morning News.”

“No. I had wanted to be a professional wrestler ever since I was in first grade, but I never expected to reach the heights that I did,” Danielson answered. “My first 10 years of my career, I was at the independent level, and it was mostly wrestling in front of anywhere from 100 to 1,000 people. I’d go internationally, but I just figured that would be my whole career. I mean, I’m five feet, eight inches tall, 190 pounds. I’m not your standard professional wrestler.”

His multi-decade career reached new heights of fame and success after a WWE show at Seattle’s Key Arena, now known as Climate Pledge Arena, with John Cena and Randy Orton headlining. Despite the star power within the stadium, the crowd was mainly chanting for Danielson.

Danielson’s inspiration and childhood favorites

“Growing up, my favorite was the Ultimate Warrior. You know, when you’re a kid, you like the colors. He looked like a superhero, he shook the ropes,’ Danielson said. “The first wrestling show I ever went to see was at the Tacoma Dome. The main event was the Ultimate Warrior v. Rick Rude, and the Ultimate Warrior did this move where he pulled his pants down. It was the first time my sister had ever seen an exposed male butt.”

Ironically, while growing up in Aberdeen, Danielson only completed one year of wrestling in high school. According to Danielson, he “was not particularly good.”

By 2016, after collecting numerous WWE titles and championships (including being crowned as a Triple Crown Champion and a Grand Slam Champion), he retired due to injuries. He suffered from multiple concussions, which led to seizures and a brain lesion. But, just two years later, he made a triumphant return after being medically cleared, competing in the WWE until 2021 before switching to AEW.

He’s currently considered semi-retired.

“Any current member of the Hawks you think could make the switch to professional wrestling?” Harger asked, knowing Danielson is a lifelong Seattle Seahawks fan.

“You’d have to get to know them as individuals, because it’s not just about athleticism, it’s entertainment,” Danielson said. “Some of the people that you think would be like, ‘Oh, this guy would be great for it,’ and they end up being shy when they’re in their spandex battle jammies out there fighting other people.”

Creating a fight promo for KIRO Radio

“A promo is essentially talking up a fight, so it’s making people excited to see this fight and making people aware of what the beef is,” Danielson explained.

“Well, Gee (Scott) makes fun of my clothes and other things,” Harger said.

“What do you not like about him?” Danielson asked.

“Do we have all morning?” Harger jokingly replied. “I’ll say it’s that he doesn’t always wear Seahawks apparel. I saw him wearing a Patriots hat the other day.”

“You made fun of my vest. Look at you. You’re wearing a Patriots jersey,” Danielson exclaimed. “You’re in Seattle. You’re not even wearing Seahawks memorabilia. What are you doing? You know what? This makes me so angry. I am so frustrated with you, I am going to grab you around your neck and punch you in the nose.”

A fight between KIRO hosts Charlie Harger and Gee Scott has yet to be determined, as of this reporting.

AEW Collision, headlined by Bryan Danielson, invades the accesso ShoWare Center in Kent on June 21, starting at 4:30 p.m.

Listen to the full conversation here.

Listen to “Seattle’s Morning News” with Charlie Harger and Manda Factor weekday mornings from 5-9 a.m. on KIRO Newsradio. Subscribe to the podcast here.