Bryan Danielson recently appeared on the Kairouz Bros podcast, offering a fascinating perspective on the professional wrestling landscape. The former WWE Champion and current AEW star explained why he believes the existence of All Elite Wrestling has been a significant net positive for WWE.

For decades, WWE operated largely unopposed at the top of the sports entertainment world. While other promotions existed, none possessed the financial backing or television presence to be considered true competition. The arrival of AEW in 2019 changed that dynamic entirely, creating a competitive environment that many, including Danielson, argue has been beneficial for everyone from the performers to the fans.

The Rhodes And Punk Effect

Danielson pointed to two of WWE’s biggest current stars, Cody Rhodes and CM Punk, as prime examples of how AEW has directly benefited its competitor.

“If AEW wouldn’t have started, would Cody Rhodes be where he is right now? No, they have a megastar because AEW exists,” Danielson stated. “Would CM Punk ever have come back? Probably not.”

His point is well-founded. Cody Rhodes left WWE in 2016 and completely reinvented himself on the independent circuit and in Japan before becoming a foundational piece of AEW in 2019. As an Executive Vice President and a top star, “The American Nightmare” was a central figure in AEW’s initial success, holding the TNT Championship three times. This run allowed him to build a deep connection with fans and develop the persona that would eventually carry him to the main event of WrestleMania and a reign as the Undisputed WWE Champion. Without the platform AEW provided, it is highly unlikely he would have returned to WWE with the same superstar status.

Similarly, CM Punk’s shocking return to professional wrestling in August 2021 happened on an episode of AEW Rampage. After a bitter falling out with WWE seven years prior, many WWE fans believed they would never see him in a wrestling ring again. His time in AEW, which included two reigns as the AEW World Champion, re-established him as a top-tier draw in the industry. While his tenure ended in controversy, it undeniably set the stage for his own blockbuster return to WWE at the 2023 Survivor Series.

Changing The Financial Landscape

Danielson also shed light on the financial impact AEW’s emergence has had on the industry, forcing a change in how talent is compensated.

“AEW existing and being this challenger brand, and being as successful as we’ve been, has changed the landscape for wrestling and for the wrestlers themselves. Wrestlers are being paid more now than ever from a sports rights perspective,” Danielson explained. “So, for example, in most major sports in the United States the players get anywhere between 40 to 50% of the revenue. WWE was paying their wrestlers nowhere close to that. Now, keep in mind, they’re still not paying anywhere close to that, but they do have to pay more, because if they don’t the talent is going to leave and go to AEW. AEW does pay that 40 to 50% of their revenue to their wrestlers.”

This competition for talent has directly resulted in better pay for wrestlers across the board. The presence of a legitimate, well-funded alternative in AEW means that WWE can no longer be the only major option for top-tier performers, leading to more favorable contracts and a healthier industry for the athletes themselves.

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