In January 2025, AEW announced that Christopher Daniels had decided to retire, concluding his three-year wrestling career. Daniels wrapped up his storyline feud with Hangman Adam Page by losing at AEW Collision. He revealed that he was informed he would no longer be wrestling and decided to end his in-ring career.
During a recent appearance on Insight with Chris Van Vriette, Daniels shared his feelings about retiring, stating, “I’m not a fan of it.” He reflected on the beginning of 2024, knowing his contract was ending and working with Cesar Bononi to stay in good shape while preparing for the possibility of retirement. Daniels explained that if AEW president Tony Khan needed him for a show, he would step in.
Daniels’ final matches feature younger wrestlers like The Young Bucks. He also described his collaboration with Hangman Adam Page during his farewell, recalling a conversation where he asked Page to end his career in a way that felt right, especially since Page had faced boos and was transitioning characters. Near the end of the year, Daniels was told by Khan that the farewell storyline with Page would proceed.
Daniels confirmed he was the one who challenged Jack Perry on the September 14 episode of AEW Collision. Interestingly, Daniels preferred to keep his retirement match a secret, not wanting fans to treat it like a final episode of a drama, where the ending is obvious. He wanted to announce his retirement a week after his match and hoped to leave without fanfare at first.
Reflecting on his retirement, Daniels said there were no leaks about his decision before the show aired, and he knew early in the year it was time to slow down. He now works backstage in AEW as the Head of Talent Relations.
Fan Take: Christopher Daniels’ retirement marks the end of an era for AEW, as he’s been a pivotal figure both in the ring and behind the scenes. His departure signals a shift that could open doors for fresh talent while maintaining strong leadership backstage, helping AEW continue its growth in the wrestling world.
