Vince McMahon was well aware of Tony Khan’s venture with AEW, though he aimed to avoid giving them unnecessary attention. However, McMahon did harbor a curiosity about whether AEW was implementing anything unique that WWE wasn’t.
Bryan Danielson, now a valued member of the AEW roster, shed light on an intriguing moment during his time with WWE. McMahon reached out to Danielson one night, posing a compelling question regarding the AEW vs. WWE programming landscape, prompting Danielson to embark on an investigative mission.
McMahon’s Inquisitive Call to Bryan Danielson
Speaking at SXSW, Bryan Danielson shared insights into WWE’s creative dynamics with Vince McMahon. He recounted a night when McMahon, seeking clarity, called him and asked about AEW’s distinctive features compared to WWE.
Danielson, being on WWE’s creative team at the time, delved into the task and watched eight consecutive weeks of AEW television within six days to provide McMahon with a comprehensive list of observations.
“Vince McMahon called me one night, I was part of WWE creative, and he called me one night and said, ‘What is AEW doing that we’re not doing?’ I went back and watched eight straight weeks of TV within the span of six days and was like, ‘There is a whole list of things.’”
“Vince McMahon actually called me one night, I was part of WWE creative, and he called me one night and said, 'What is AEW doing that we're not doing?'
I went back and watched eight straight weeks of TV within the span of six days and was like, 'there is a whole list of… pic.twitter.com/QeNxk6HJm3
— WrestlePurists (@WrestlePurists) March 12, 2024
Bryan Danielson’s Role in AEW
Currently, Bryan Danielson holds a pivotal position within AEW, not only as a top-tier in-ring performer but also as a key figure behind the scenes.
Bryan Danielson is reportedly part of AEW’s disciplinary committee, alongside two unnamed attorneys. This committee is responsible for addressing matters such as punishments, suspensions, or terminations within the organization.
Beyond his wrestling prowess, AEW has provided Danielson with a significant opportunity to contribute off-screen.
With Vince McMahon no longer at the helm of WWE following Janel Grant’s lawsuit, the future unfolds with uncertainty for McMahon. However, it’s safe to say that late-night calls from McMahon to Bryan Danielson are likely a thing of the past.
