Bryan Danielson’s Biggest “Pop-Off” of 2025 Had NOTHING to Do With Wrestling – And Fans Didn’t See This Coming
Bryan Danielson didn’t blow the roof off an arena in 2025 — and that’s exactly why the year meant so much to him. Speaking on The Bella Twins Podcast, the former AEW World Champion opened up about life after stepping away from full-time wrestling, and his answer to whether he had a major “pop-off” moment this year caught fans completely off guard.
Instead of talking about matches, titles, or viral moments, Danielson revealed that 2025 was quietly one of the happiest years of his life.
When asked if there was a single moment that made him go, “Wow, this is it,” Danielson admitted there wasn’t. And for him, that was the beauty of it.
“I don’t have any specific moments that were just like, ‘Oh wow, this’ or ‘Oh wow, that,’” Danielson said. “It’s just been a very pleasant year.”
2025 marked the first full year since Danielson stopped wrestling full-time, following his final major match at WrestleDream in October 2024. For the first time since his in-ring return in 2018, the wrestling icon wasn’t living out of a suitcase — and he embraced every second of it.
Instead of arenas and airports, Danielson’s highlights came from home. Coaching his son Buddy’s T-ball team. Being present for everyday family moments. And one memory, in particular, stood out.
He finally taught his daughter Birdie how to ride a bike.
“Because I was able to be home more and physically do it with her,” Danielson shared. “One of my favorite things ever is just riding bikes with her now.”
It’s a far cry from the high-impact, high-risk lifestyle that defined his legendary career — but it’s clear Danielson wouldn’t trade it for anything.
While he’s no longer competing regularly, the 44-year-old remains a key part of AEW as a member of the Dynamite broadcast team. And despite stepping back from the ring, Danielson has made it clear he doesn’t view himself as officially retired just yet.
For now, though, Bryan Danielson’s biggest win in 2025 wasn’t a title, a match, or a moment under bright lights.
It was simply being there.
