Bryan Danielson, widely known as “The American Dragon,” will make a notable return to AEW television tonight as a special guest commentator for AEW Dynamite’s highly anticipated episode broadcasting live from Glasgow, Scotland. This marks Danielson’s first AEW on-screen appearance since his in-ring farewell at All In Texas last year and underscores his ongoing connection with the AEW brand despite stepping away from active competition[1][2][4].

AEW officially announced Danielson’s addition to the commentary team for tonight’s go-home show leading into the AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door pay-per-view on August 25, 2025. The promotion highlighted the significance of Danielson’s UK appearance, reminding fans of his historic AEW World Championship win at Wembley Stadium during the All In London event in 2024—a moment that cemented his legacy on AEW’s global stage[2]. AEW’s social media celebrated his return, urging fans not to miss “Dynamite from Scotland, TONIGHT!”[1][2].

Danielson’s Role and AEW Dynamite Card Highlights

Danielson will provide expert analysis and commentary alongside AEW regulars such as Tony Schiavone and Excalibur. His presence on the desk is expected to enrich the viewing experience with unique insights drawn from his in-ring expertise and his status as a former AEW World Champion. Sources close to AEW indicate this role is a special one-off appearance for Danielson as he prepares for his participation on the Forbidden Door Zero Hour panel later this weekend[2].

Tonight’s AEW Dynamite card is stacked with marquee matches and segments that set the tone for the Forbidden Door event. Key highlights of the show include:

• Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kevin Knight & Mike Bailey: A thrilling six-man tag that blends AEW’s homegrown talent with NJPW stars.
• Athena & Mercedes Mone vs. Toni Storm & Alex Windsor: Featuring some of the top female wrestlers from AEW and the British scene, this tag match promises intense competition.
• AEW Tag Team Title Eliminator Finals: FTR takes on Brodido in a high-stakes showdown that will determine the next challengers for the AEW Tag Team Championships.
• Will Ospreay Face-to-Face with Jon Moxley: A highly anticipated confrontation between two top-tier wrestlers that could hint at future battles.
• Hangman Adam Page Speaks & Tony Schiavone Interviews Adam Copeland & Christian Cage: Promos and interviews set to build drama leading into Forbidden Door[1][5].

Why Danielson’s Commentary Role Matters

Bryan Danielson’s transition from in-ring performer to commentator is a noteworthy development, highlighting AEW’s intent to keep their veteran talent involved in meaningful ways beyond active wrestling. According to insiders, Danielson’s commentary style is expected to blend his technical wrestling knowledge with genuine passion for storytelling, providing fans with enriched context as the AEW and NJPW rosters collide at Forbidden Door[1][2].

Fightful’s reporting on the arrangement reveals that Danielson’s presence also compensates for Taz’s absence this week, who announced he would miss Dynamite and the Forbidden Door show due to personal reasons. AEW capitalized on the opportunity to feature Danielson, which many fans view as a special treat and a nod to his enduring popularity and backstage role[1].

Looking Ahead: Bryan Danielson at Forbidden Door

Following his commentary stint tonight, Danielson will be on the Zero Hour pre-show panel for the AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door pay-per-view on Sunday at The O2 Arena in London. Alongside Renee Paquette, RJ City, and Jeff Jarrett, Danielson’s expert insights will help set the stage for one of the year’s biggest wrestling events, which will showcase inter-promotional matches and future storylines[2].

Sources close to Cody Rhodes and AEW’s creative team suggest Danielson’s continuing involvement, even outside the ring, is integral to maintaining the bridge between AEW and NJPW talent, especially with the ongoing partnership that has energized wrestling fans worldwide[2].

Fan Reaction and Industry Buzz

Wrestling podcasts and fan forums have largely embraced Bryan Danielson’s commentary return. Analysts praise AEW’s choice to integrate a respected veteran into the broadcast team, noting it enhances the storytelling dimension while keeping Danielson relevant in a new capacity. WWE.com and Fightful have corroborated the announcement, confirming Danielson’s role and schedule for both Dynamite and Forbidden Door coverage[3][5].

An AEW insider shared with Fightful: “Having Bryan on commentary tonight not only elevates the broadcast but reminds fans of the deep history and talent within AEW. His presence is a bridge between past and future AEW eras.” This sentiment reflects backstage optimism about Danielson’s evolving role in AEW’s broader narrative framework.

Summary

• Bryan Danielson returns to AEW TV as a special guest commentator on August 20, 2025, Dynamite from Glasgow[1][5].
• This appearance is part of AEW’s promotion leading up to the AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door pay-per-view on August 25[2].
• Danielson will provide commentary in place of Taz’s usual role and later join the Forbidden Door Zero Hour panel[1][2].
• AEW Dynamite’s card tonight features high-profile tag matches, title eliminators, and major promotional segments building to Forbidden Door[1].
• Danielson’s return has been met with excitement from fans and industry insiders, highlighting his continued influence in wrestling beyond active competition[3].

Bryan Danielson’s special commentary role tonight heralds an exciting chapter for AEW as they blend past champions and new stars in anticipation of a landmark event. Wrestling fans should tune into AEW Dynamite on TBS and HBO Max to catch the “American Dragon” in action from the broadcast desk, offering a fresh perspective on tonight’s thrilling bouts and storytelling moments.

This report is compiled using official AEW announcements, Fightful reports, F4WOnline news, and verified insider sources as of August 20, 2025.