The rumors are running rampant that Bryan Danielson, better known to some as Daniel Bryan in WWE, is a free agent and could be taking his talents to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) among other places. No one knows for sure if Danielson will be officially leaving WWE for what could be the final stretch of his career, but with no signs of him returning as his merchandise goes on-sale on WWE Shop and his name is no longer brought up, it feels like it typically does in WWE when talent is leaving. That being said, AEW makes a lot of sense for the returning “American Dragon” who could pave the final part of his storybook career through the Tony Khan-led promotion and the “Forbidden Door.”
With so many potential matchups that fans want to see, we narrow down what would be the best of the best. Bryan Danielson against almost anyone will be a blessing, but these competitors take the cake as the most enticing potential opponents for “The American Dragon.”
Potential Opponents for Bryan Danielson
Darby Allin
The uncertainty and speed of Darby Allin mixed with the technical prowess and hard-hitting strikes of Bryan Danielson make this one feel right. It was only a week ago that Allin called out the “Best in the World” for the episode of AEW Rampage inside the United Center in Chicago. While many figures that to be CM Punk, it would be wrongful to not think that Allin could have Danielson in mind. After all, many people have felt this way for years when it comes to “The American Dragon.” Whether it was during his time in WWE or before, Danielson has never ceased to be one of the best when cleared to compete.
Perhaps the most intriguing part of this particular fantasy matchup between Allin and Danielson is them matching each other’s intensity. For years, Danielson has shown that nearly no one can match him when he gets in the zone, but he has never faced someone like Allin. There’s a reason as to why Allin gets a lot of comparisons to someone like Jeff Hardy. At all times, Allin is willing to put his body on the line to reach his goal. Danielson facing Allin in the ring, comparing their intensity, and mixing their vastly different styles is what makes this potential match one of the most dreamt of when it comes to Danielson’s rumored addition to AEW.
Malakai Black
Malakai Black has only just debuted in AEW but feels like the perfect opponent for Danielson somewhere down the line. The dark, mysterious, and heelish persona of Black instantly plays the perfect antagonist in any story with someone like Bryan Danielson. It was Wednesday night that Black instantly made it a point that he was a major player for AEW moving forward, swiftly striking down Cody Rhodes once and for all in dominant fashion. And somehow, these two never had the ability to face off in the world of WWE. With Black creating his own vision of who he is and Danielson being able to channel the version of himself that so many fell in love with the first time, it only feels as though that this potential match and feud would be perfect for AEW.
The dark heel versus the underdog babyface has always and will always write money.
Orange Cassidy
Don’t know why this potential matchup feels so right but it does. What Danielson has managed to show in his career, especially in the WWE, is his ability to make anything work due to how great he is. Working with Orange Cassidy feels perfect for the often super serious professional wrestler that Danielson is in many people’s eyes. While it is unlikely that Danielson would be a heel that soon into his AEW tenure, the idea of “The Planet’s Champion” facing off with “Freshly Squeezed” sounds like the perfect feud. Cassidy has shown the world that not only can he compete on the highest stage, but that he’s one of the absolute best in AEW, sloth style or not. Mixing that with Danielson to create professional wrestling magic is a dream that anyone can appreciate and hope for.
PAC
There isn’t a more perfect clash for Bryan Danielson in AEW than one with PAC. “The Bastard” and “The American Dragon” have competed before against one another before either one of their WWE careers began. To say a lot has changed since May 3, 2009, would be an understatement. Over a decade of improvement for both men, allowing them to come into their own as competitors makes this prospective bout a must-see occasion. Looking at the styles of both these men only enhances any anticipation of it seeing that PAC’s mixture of high-flying beauty and raw unadulterated power going head to head with the technical mastermind that is Danielson. We have seen both men have so many moments on the biggest stages wrestling has to offer so it’s only right that they do it together finally.
This matchup, more than any on this list, feels to be the one that could be the best. There’s something about a man who was held down like Danielson was facing off with the man who was able to break through from being held down in WWE. Storytelling and great in-ring work are what make this potential match one of the most exciting for Danielson’s potential run in AEW.
Penta El Zero Miedo
It’s time we embrace the wilder side of Danielson as a wrestler with this one. Considering those who we have gone through thus far, it remains a list of just top talent after top talent. And yet, this could be the most charismatic wrestler that Danielson could take on in AEW. Everything about Penta El Zero Miedo screams “star.” From the “Penta Says” promos to the look that never fails to be among the best in wrestling down to his interactions with the crowds every single night — Penta has what many like to reference as “it.” And that facing off with a fan-favorite in Danielson? Chills as the crowd lose their mind for these two staring each other down before action.
“Cero Miedo” versus “Yes!” sounds like a good enough feud in itself actually. Getting away from the spectacle aspect of it and looking at it as a match itself, the insane Lucha menacing style that Penta has created for himself is something that Danielson has never experienced in his career. It makes the hopeful clash that much more appealing as these two could put on the perfect story if given the time and ability to do so.
Kenny Omega
This is the match. Besides any dream matches in NJPW, this is the one everyone has been asking for, wondering about, and simply dreaming of. The prospects of “The American Dragon” Bryan Danielson versus “The Best Bout Machine” Kenny Omega make anyone with an interest in professional wrestling at least wonder what could happen. Seeing that people have thought, for years, that these two are among the best in the world only adds to what these could do against one another. Believe it or not, this would not be the first time these two face off in singles action. Danielson and Omega faced off at Pro Wrestling Guerrilla‘s One Hundred show on April 12, 2009. In that one, they went over 20 minutes before Danielson won but so much has changed since.
Both men have become multiple-time world champions. Danielson has main evented WrestleMania twice while Omega has main evented Wrestle Kingdom twice. They’ve both done things that few can dream of and it is becoming a when, not an if, as to them facing off. Whenever that day comes, it would be the biggest match of the year as two of the best wrestlers in the world will do everything in their power to put on a show like never before. Lofty expectations, but understandable for two people who have been considered the best in the world on more than one occasion.
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