AEW will celebrate 200 episodes of AEW Dynamite on August 2, but two top stars won’t be involved with the show.
Bryan Danielson has been sidelined since he injured his arm at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door. Likewise, Jamie Hayter has been out of action since AEW Double or Nothing.
Speaking with Mike Johnson of PWInsider, AEW CEO Tony Khan was asked for potential updates on Danielson and Hayter. (Transcription credit of PWInsider.) He expressed his confidence that Danielson will be back later this year, but he noted that he wasn’t sure about Hayter. Khan emphasized that he believes fans will see Danielson in a matter of months.
“They’re different situations. I think there’s a little more clarity as to when Bryan Danielson will be back from his injury,” Khan said. “I am very excited to get Bryan back [but] I don’t want to put a timetable because it’s a challenging injury and a tough recovery. But I’m very confident Bryan will be back later this year.
“I’m still not sure when Jamie Hayter will be cleared and she doesn’t know and we don’t know, but hopefully sooner rather than later. Bryan, I am very confident you’ll see in a matter of months though.
Bryan Danielson Is One Of Multiple Injured Stars
Khan continued by noting that AEW is dealing with multiple injuries right now. He stated that other stars like Penelope Ford and The Bunny are getting close to returning. Khan then pointed out that the women’s division has been hit hard by injuries.
“We have a number of great wrestlers who are out injured right now. It includes some of the top stars in the company like Jamie Hayter, a former world champion, or Bryan Danielson, who’s been a great champion all over the world and a number of other wrestlers up and down the card.
“A lot of the great female wrestlers right now are out injured and we’ve had a lot of injuries across the division, people we haven’t seen in a long time,” he said. “So whether it’s been some of our great hardcore wrestlers like Penelope Ford or The Bunny who’s getting close to returning to the ring thankfully, that we’ve missed. Or Red Velvet, Abadon, Serena Deeb, but a number of people that have been out injured across that division.”
The AEW CEO made it clear that the men’s division has been dealing with injuries as well. He specifically highlighted Danielson before he brought up Kyle O’Reilly, who has been unable to compete for over a year.
“In terms of great men’s wrestlers, a lot of great people out injured as well. Bryan Danielson is one of the greats and certainly I believe one of the greats in AEW and in all of wrestling, and a number of other key wrestlers too,” Khan said. “We haven’t had Kyle O’Reilly able to compete in a long time. He’s somebody that we really value and have missed. And have a number of other people that have been out with injuries across the company. But certainly you asked about two of our top stars and they’re in different situations with Bryan and Jamie.”
A recent report stated that Hayter is not expected to return in 2023. More information is available here.
Danielson previously said he is on the road to recovery after arm surgery.
WrestleZone will provide more information as it becomes available.
