Speaking candidly about the bitter competition, Danielson told Fightful and other wrestling media outlets that the hostility from certain WWE camp members towards AEW seems excessive and counterproductive. “I don’t understand why some people in WWE want AEW to disappear. The wrestling business is big enough for both of us,” he remarked. This comment came amid a backdrop of escalating promotional rivalries and counterprogramming efforts observed throughout the year, including major event clashes such as AEW’s Double or Nothing and WWE’s NXT Battleground airing on the same day[1].
The competition between WWE and AEW has been a dominant theme in wrestling news in 2025, with both companies vying for viewership, talent acquisition, and market dominance. WWE, led by Triple H, maintains its legacy status, while AEW, under Tony Khan’s ownership, has carved out a passionate fanbase and delivered critically acclaimed matches that many fans and critics regard as superior in in-ring quality[3][4]. This intense rivalry has seen WWE reportedly deploying strategies aimed at stifling AEW’s momentum, including scheduling conflicts and talent recruitment battles.
Despite this, AEW stars including Danielson have remained vocal about fostering respect and growth within the wrestling industry rather than engaging in hostile competition. Sources close to Danielson reveal that he views wrestling as a collaborative industry where both promotions can thrive without undermining each other. “Bryan feels that competition should push everyone to be better, not breed resentment,” said a WWE insider familiar with backstage dynamics.
The rivalry culminated notably at AEW’s Double or Nothing 2025 event, held in Glendale, Arizona, which attracted significant attention and featured highly acclaimed matches like Hangman Adam Page’s victory over Will Ospreay in the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament finals[1][4]. WWE’s counterprogramming attempts around such events underscore the high stakes involved and the corporate pressure both companies face to outperform each other.
Tony Khan has also publicly downplayed the animosity, reportedly considering WWE’s aggressive tactics as part of regular business competition. In an AEW fan fest disguised press conference, Khan stated that competition is a natural part of wrestling business evolution and that AEW’s rise is a testament to their commitment to quality storytelling and fan engagement[2].
Industry analysts note the contrast between AEW’s emphasis on sustained long-term storytelling and WWE’s historic reliance on star power and nostalgia, fueling debates among fans about which promotion is the future of pro wrestling. The ongoing feud affects not only corporate strategies but also the performers, whose careers often intersect and sometimes overlap between the two organizations.
In conclusion, Bryan Danielson’s comments reflect broader concerns within wrestling circles about the bitterness of WWE-AEW rivalry in 2025. While WWE’s tactics suggest a desire to eliminate competition, voices like Danielson’s call for a more sportsmanlike coexistence, recognizing that the wrestling industry benefits from diverse promotions pushing creative and athletic boundaries. As both companies continue evolving, the wrestling world watches closely, hoping for innovative and respectful competition rather than destructive rivalry.