American wrestling megastar Bryan Danielson has ignited a fiery transcontinental debate after delivering a brutal assessment of Australia's premier sporting codes, branding their athletes "soft" in a stunning broadside.
The revered grappler, celebrated globally for his hard-hitting, high-risk style in both WWE (as Daniel Bryan) and All Elite Wrestling (AEW), made the incendiary comments during an appearance on the Busted Open Radio podcast. His harsh critique has sent shockwaves through the Australian sporting landscape, drawing immediate and fierce backlash.
The Explosive Comments That Lit The Fuse
Danielson was discussing the physical toll of his own profession when he turned his attention to the athletes of the National Rugby League (NRL) and Australian Football League (AFL). The veteran wrestler didn't mince his words, questioning the very foundation of their toughness.
"I watch Australian rugby league and I watch AFL and those guys, they're tough, but they're also kind of soft," Danielson stated. He elaborated by criticising the prevalent culture of players staying down to draw penalties from referees. "You see them, they get touched and then they like grab their face and roll around... to get a penalty."
He drew a direct and unfavourable comparison to other sports, adding, "You don't see that in MMA, you don't see that in boxing, you don't see that in real fighting."
Aussie Sports Stars Fire Back
The response from Down Under was swift and indignant. NRL and AFL players, past and present, rushed to defend their codes' formidable reputations.
Former NRL enforcer James Graham delivered a particularly scathing retort on social media platform X, formerly Twitter. "Bryan Danielson you are an absolute egg," he wrote, using a classic Australian insult. Graham challenged the wrestler's credibility, pointing out the predetermined nature of his sport: "You pretend to fight for a living. We actually play a collision sport. Sit down."
Other commentators were quick to highlight the sheer physical reality of both codes, noting the relentless collisions, broken bones, and gruelling schedules that players endure without the safety net of scripts or choreography.
A Clash of Sporting Cultures
This incident highlights a fundamental clash between the world of sports entertainment and elite competitive athletics. While Danielson's profession demands incredible athleticism and a high pain threshold, its outcomes are predetermined—a fact his critics were eager to emphasise.
In contrast, the NRL and AFL are fiercely competitive, unscripted leagues where every game carries real consequence. The accusation of "softness" strikes at the heart of the rugged, macho identity both codes have cultivated for over a century.
Whether Danielson's comments were meant as a genuine critique or merely provocative showmanship remains a topic of debate. Nonetheless, they have successfully achieved one thing: putting the American wrestler squarely in the crosshairs of the entire Australian sporting community.
