Bryan Danielson: What Cody Rhodes is doing in WWE is 'really special'

Bryan Danielson is rooting for his friend Cody Rhodes to capture the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at WrestleMania 40.

When WrestleMania 40 takes place this weekend, Rhodes will be in the main event of both nights. He's teaming with Seth Rollins against The Rock & Roman Reigns at night one. Rhodes will then face Reigns in a singles match at night two. It's the second straight year that Rhodes has challenged Reigns at WrestleMania.

“I am really proud of Cody,” Danielson told Sports Illustrated in an interview published on Tuesday. “What he’s doing is really special.”

Danielson said he sent a text before WrestleMania 39 last year congratulating Rhodes and saying he was so proud of him. When Reigns won the match, Danielson was "so mad."

Tribalism isn't something that affects the friendship between AEW star Danielson and WWE star Rhodes. Danielson told Sports Illustrated that most wrestlers want what's best for each other and are glad that there are two competing promotions:

This is the beauty of professional wrestling. There may be animosity and tribalism amongst fans or people who run companies. But the wrestlers? We want what’s best for each other. From a wrestler’s perspective, I want my friends to do well. And they want me to do well, too.

I want what’s best for Cody. It’s no different with him. Cody texted me after my hour-long match against Max [MJF] and told me how much he loved it.

There are plenty of friends from WWE who’ve reached out and complimented different things I’ve done in AEW. I’ve done the same for friends in WWE. I want my friends to succeed. We like the fact there are two competing companies. That’s good for wrestlers, and the wrestlers want each other to succeed.

Danielson and Rhodes worked together in WWE in the 2010s and later were briefly on the AEW roster together.

At AEW Dynasty later this month, Danielson will face off against Will Ospreay for the first time ever. The dream match is part of Danielson's final year as a full-time wrestler.