Bryan Danielson wrapped up his WWE run last year after his WWE contract expired following his Universal Championship match against Roman Reigns on SmackDown. 

The former WWE Champion made his wrestling return at AEW All Out 2021.

While speaking on My Mom’s Basement with Robbie Fox, Danielson stated he thought his match with Reigns would’ve been a great way to end his full-time wrestling career: 

“The one unique experience at WrestleMania (37) where it was just like, ‘Woah, this feels empty. Ironically, my last match in WWE with Roman, I was pumped for.

“I loved it, and it was in the Thunderdome. It was a bunch of screams and canned-down noises and stuff, and I was, ‘This is great! I love this,’ and like, I honestly thought that’s a perfect way to go out.

“Because I also wasn’t sure if I was even going sign with AEW. I was debating back and forth, but I was also debating on just kind of — I don’t want to say hanging it up, but just stop doing it full time and focus more on being a dad.”

Transcription via Wrestling Inc.