The ongoing war between WWE and AEW has escalated beyond simple ratings battles into what Bryan Danielson perceives as a genuine desire within WWE for AEW to go out of business. In a recent interview, the WWE star and former AEW figurehead expressed confusion and frustration over this hostile industry climate.
Bryan Danielson, known for his technical prowess and respected tenure in both promotions, stated he does not understand the reasoning behind some WWE personnel wanting AEW to disappear entirely. “People in WWE want AEW to go out of business, and I don’t understand why,” Danielson said, highlighting a divisive backstage atmosphere that extends past healthy competition into animosity[Wrestling Inc].
This admission comes amid a notable intensity in the WWE-AEW rivalry throughout 2025. The two companies have increasingly clashed head-to-head with simultaneous events and counterprogramming efforts. For example, AEW’s monumental Double or Nothing pay-per-view on May 25, 2025, headlined by “Hangman” Adam Page defeating Will Ospreay to win the men’s Owen Hart Foundation Cup, went head-to-head with WWE’s NXT Battleground, reflecting the direct ratings battles both companies pursue[1][WWE.com].
Moreover, August 24 saw WWE’s NXT Heatwave premium live event scheduled the same day as AEW x NJPW’s Forbidden Door cross-promotional show at London’s O2 Arena. Sources from WrestleVotes confirmed WWE’s Heatwave was rumored to be held at Spartanburg Memorial Stadium in South Carolina, presenting another deliberate scheduling clash[2]. According to Fightful and industry insiders, this tit-for-tat booking extends beyond showcasing talent to an almost combative strategy of undermining each other’s business.
Despite the business rivalry, Danielson’s remarks shed new light on the human element behind the scenes. The WWE often projects a polished image in line with its corporate stature, but rumors and insider reports describe an environment where some executives view AEW as an existential threat to WWE’s dominance. This mindset reportedly fuels the desire for AEW’s market elimination rather than coexistence or competition in good faith.
“Backstage, it’s like they want AEW to just vanish,” a WWE insider told Fightful. “There’s this persistent fear that AEW is stealing the future talent pipeline. It’s less about wrestling and more about business control.” Danielson’s commentary aligns with this narrative of mounting tension across locker rooms, management, and fandoms alike.
Yet Danielson himself has spoken positively about AEW’s contributions to professional wrestling’s broader ecosystem. He recently praised AEW’s emphasis on long-term storytelling and opportunity for in-ring freedom. The promotion’s success with young stars and innovative tournaments — including the Owen Hart Foundation Cups in 2025 — exemplifies this approach[1]. He acknowledged how AEW’s growth increases options for wrestlers and fans, enhancing the wrestling industry overall.
This contrasts sharply with WWE’s historically conservative booking style, which some critics say stifles talent potential to protect established brands and sponsors. Analysts comparing 2025 had noted that while WWE continues relying on legacy stars and nostalgia, AEW boasts fresh storytelling and rising stars, with matches that often top critics’ and fans’ charts[4][5].
The intensity of this rivalry has led to heated conversations across podcasts and interviews in the wrestling community. On recent programs, AEW’s Tony Khan downplayed WWE’s counterprogramming tactics, noting that competition invigorates business. Meanwhile, WWE responded by doubling down on big events like the all-women’s Evolution 2 event and the Great American Bash[3]. Such maneuvers have fueled speculation about the long-term future of both companies amid this corporate wrestling war.
Sources close to Cody Rhodes, AEW’s Executive Vice President and key wrestler, reveal internal resolve to continue innovating despite WWE’s aggressive posture. “AEW isn’t going anywhere,” one insider shared. “They know the risks, but they believe in their product and their fans. They want wrestling to evolve, not just survive.” This attitude epitomizes the defiant spirit many AEW talents convey publicly and privately.
In summary, Bryan Danielson’s candid comments provide a rare backstage glimpse into the WWE-AEW rivalry’s sharp edges. While WWE pursues aggressive tactics aimed at undermining AEW, prominent wrestlers like Danielson question the purpose and benefit of wishing to see their competition vanish. As both companies gear up for more overlapping events and storylines through late 2025 and beyond, the battle for pro wrestling supremacy is increasingly personal as well as strategic.
Whether true coexistence or a winner-take-all scenario awaits remains to be seen. But industry watchers agree the stakes are higher than ever — with potential to reshape professional wrestling’s landscape significantly in years to come. Danielson’s voice serves as a reminder that beyond corporate games lie real people who simply want to wrestle and entertain fans worldwide.