WWE legend Daniel Bryan ‘has signed a contract’ with rival company AEW after shock exit earlier this year

Is the former American Dragon heading to AEW? (Photo: WWE)

Daniel Bryan has reportedly signed with AEW after leaving WWE shortly after WrestleMania 37.

The former world champion, who enjoyed a fantastic run with Vince McMahon’s company, let his contract expire following his final appearance on April 30 after repeatedly admitting he wanted to step back into a less hectic schedule to focus on his young family.

However, Bodyslam’s Cassidy Haynes has now claimed the legendary grappler -who worked under his real name Bryan Danielson before joining WWE in 2009 – has signed a contract with All Elite Wrestling, and he’s said to be ‘locked in’.

The report adds he has ‘100 per cent’ put pen to paper on a deal with Tony Khan’s company.

Haynes added: ‘In addition, I was told that Danielson was wanting to work less dates for comparable money, he wanted the ability to be able to work in Japan, and wanted to have creative input on his character, which he got.

‘There are also tentative plans already in place for Danielson’s AEW debut.’

It’s incredibly exciting news for fans, especially after the report came just hours after Fightful Select reported that CM Punk himself could end up in AEW.

However, the site was keen to note there is ‘no confirmation of a contract officially being signed, a timetable, a set return date, or any creative plans’ for the Voice of the Voiceless.

Fightful added that other companies have also shown an interest – although again, there are no firm details on who these other promotions are – and it’s thought that officials within WWE itself think he’s on his way to AEW.

He last wrestled in WWE in January 2014 and was released a few months later, before pursuing a MMA career in UFC, where he has an 0-1 record with one no contest.

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He has moved into acting including roles in the likes of Jakob’s Wife and Girl On The Third Floor, and upcoming wrestling drama Heels.

Aside from a couple of anonymous and masked independent scene appearances, he largely stayed away from the business itself until joining Fox Sports show WWE Backstage as a guest analyst.

The idea of Punk and Bryan working together – and separately – in AEW is a mouth-watering prospect for fans, and it will be fascinating to see how it pans out.

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