Bryan Danielson on his dream of competing in the G1: ‘That’s starting to fade’

“I’d love to be able to go back to Japan, but I just don’t know if that’s a realistic possibility for me at this point in my career”

Bryan Danielson is planning on completing his run as a full-time wrestler in the fall of 2024.

In theory, that allows an opportunity for him to compete in the G1 Climax, New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s vaunted tournament, next summer. Yet that is extremely unlikely to occur, as the 42-year-old Danielson has other responsibilities that should prevent him from competing in the grueling tourney.

“I’d love to be able to go back to Japan, but I just don’t know if that’s a realistic possibility for me at this point in my career,” said Danielson. “I’ve always wanted to do the G1, but now that’s starting to fade. At this point in my life, it wouldn’t make sense.”

Courtesy AEW

This past summer’s G1, which took place throughout Japan from July 15 to August 23, featured stops in Sapporo, Yamagata, Hiroshima, Osaka, and Tokyo. The tourney consists of 32 wrestlers split into four different blocks, with a wrestler facing all seven opponents in his block–and those with the top two highest point totals in their block advanced to the single elimination rounds.

AEW star Eddie Kingston competed in this past summer’s G1. Had the timing worked, Danielson would have been a perfect fit in 2024. That would allowed for singles matches against top NJPW talent like Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kazuchika Okada, Will Ospreay, Zack Sabre Jr., Shingo Takagi, Sanada, Tomohiro Ishii, Hirooki Goto, Tama Tonga, and Tetsuya Naito, who won this year’s crown. The reigning IWGP world heavyweight champion is also traditionally part of the G1.

“I love watching Tanahashi matches,” said Danielson. “And Okada. Shingo, Ospreay, Zack Sabre Jr. When I watch, I realize how good they are. I loved watching Kenny’s matches when he was in New Japan. I thought I would need to go to Japan to wrestle the style I wanted to wrestle. Then AEW started, and I came here.”

Courtesy AEW

With Danielson intending to wrap up his full-time commitments next year, with October a possible end point, he plans to make AEW his priority. His match on Dynamite this past Tuesday against Swerve Strickland was phenomenal, and he now moves on to a TNT championship bout against Christian Cage this Saturday night on Collision.

“I have this whole full-time job in AEW, and I’m focused on everything I’m doing here,” said Danielson. “And as much as I like the idea of doing the G1, the whole idea of leaving my wife and kids for a month to go wrestle the hardest tournament in wrestling? At 42 while the injuries start to pile up? That’s one of those things that’s going to pass me by.”