AEW wrestler Bryan Danielson revealed that in 2010, he intentionally cut his hair to fit a WWE storyline. Before his celebrated WWE career, Danielson, then known as Daniel Bryan, debuted on WWE NXT Season 1 as a “rookie” under the mentorship of The Miz. Despite his vast independent wrestling experience, many fans doubted The Miz’s role as his mentor. However, Danielson appreciated the creative concept, even though WWE didn’t fully develop the story. Speaking with Chris Van Vlit on Insight, Danielson shared that he cut his hair to appear more “regular,” contrasting The Miz’s flashy persona. He explained that this change was part of their collaboration to create a dynamic where The Miz would teach him to be a WWE Superstar, despite Danielson’s focus on wrestling skills. Sadly, the storyline didn’t progress as hoped, leaving Danielson feeling like he looked like a “nerd” for no real reason, though he embraced the effort to tone down his appearance.
Fan Take: This insight into Danielson’s early WWE days highlights the challenges even top AEW stars have faced in the industry, showing that reinvention is often key to success. For AEW fans, it’s a reminder of Bryan’s commitment to authentic wrestling, which continues to elevate the sport’s credibility and storytelling.
