Bryan Danielson did it! At the end of his career, with retirement staring The American Dragon in the face, Danielson finally captured the AEW World Championship in front of 50,000 folks who sang into the ring. Some of us questioned if this would be it.
Is this how one of wrestling’s greatest technicians, perhaps also its most authentic wrestler, ends his career?
This introduction might seem familiar if you read my article: A Final Countdown: 5 Men AEW’s Bryan Danielson Should Face Before Retirement (EDITOR- include link please :)).
Repetition is a fact of life. In stories and sports, wrestling, epic sequels, trilogies, and rematches build into mythology—monolithic towers built with layer upon layer of history and emotions.
Although the career of Bryan Danielson is winding down, there are questions left unanswered. There are “what ifs” that fans need to be resolved. There are loose ends that in fiction need to be neatly tied up in a bow.
Whether that is now, in this final run, or further down the line. I mean, I’m not the only one reading between the lines when Danielson said this would be his final full year of wrestling. Part-time and one-off matches are not just wishful thinking.
There is the potential for rivalries with ancient history to add one final epilogue. There are half-finished stories without a definitive result. It would be a shame if these were left unfinished.
So, let’s look at five such examples.
This List’s Perimeters
Rankings are usually done in a subjective, personalized order, counting down to number one, the best. I avoided this sort of ranking, preferring to go for chronological order when discussing The Lucha Brother’s AEW career recently. This was with both their greatest matches and moments (here) and matches where their brother’s creative ceiling became clear (here).
However, to honor Danielson and the final countdown concept, this is going to be subjective. Based on my views, anticipation, and excitement for these potential hypothetical matches.
If you disagree or feel I missed someone, please let me know in the comments.
Before I begin, I will mention three men I’ve had to exclude from this list and the reasons why.
Honourable Mentions
Christian Cage– Christian will get a title shot after winning the Casino Gauntlet match. At first, I was underwhelmed. Then when I saw Danielson in the ring with his children post-celebration, I could see where the feud could go. I’m excited.
Christian faced and beat Danielson to retain his TNT Championship last year, giving more intrigue to the match’s story. Add to this if/when Killswitch/Luchasauras will turn. Although undoubtedly this will be a master class, it does not have the gravity or appeal as other matches.
Samoa Joe– There will be ROH callbacks on this list. The reason this nudged Joe from the list for three reasons. One, I don’t think this match can live up to their past wars. Although Joe had a late-career Renaissance winning the AEW World Championship at World’s End and remaining strong on the microphone, I do not think it could live up to expectations.
I’d loved to be wrong.
Second, I don’t think besides nostalgia, Joe vs. Danielson needs to happen in 2024. Finally, there is no unfinished business to revisit.
Will Ospreay– Although they interacted at Dynamite from Cardiff, at this stage neither champion needs the rematch. Their Dynasty match set an extremely high bar for match of the year. This was a hit that doesn’t need a sequel.
Number 5: Claudio Castagnoli
Bryan Danielson’s Blackpool Combat Club teammate and long-time friend. Claudio Castagnoli continues to be the evergreen workhorse for all seasons. Now one-third of the AEW Trios Champions, a match between Claudio and Bryan has been teased. There’s scope to revisit their last, friendly but competitive, encounter from The Continental Classic.
Earlier this year, Claudio was concerned for Danielson’s health in Anarchy in the Arena. Imagined or not, perhaps there is some tension there. With Jon Moxley absent and PAC now aligned with the group, what about the prospect of The BCC turning on Danielson?
Bryan’s history with Wheeler Yuta is another potential storyline driver. Danielson stated when sat next to Wheeler how he believed Daniel Garcia was the best technical wrestler of the future. The group with “the bastard” PAC involved could freshen up the stale BCC.
And having a clear face vs. heel dynamic to Danielson vs. Claudio would aid the story of the match. Seeing Claudio work Danielson’s neck and ruthlessly exploit his friend’s injuries could be art.
Number 4: Konosuke Takeshita
This is a rematch where the circumstances have changed. Developments in both men’s careers have brought them to different paths.
When they last wrestled, Konosuke Takeshita was in his valiant babyface looks good in defeat phrase. Now, the Alpha has turned heel and is coming off an exciting run of form from the G1. Danielson is now more vulnerable, yet grizzled, but admittedly himself more at risk of being hurt.
Fans want the proverbial rocket strapped to Takeshita’s back. Putting a man who at six foot two, somehow seems bigger is a reversal of their positions last time. The idea of Konosuke beating and throwing Danielson around the ring is heart-wrenching.
Fans might want Konosuke to win but at the cost of putting Danielson out of his misery? The idea of Danielson being hit with German suplex after German suplex is sickening. Yet so appealing to see how Danielson would fight through the pain.
The idea that Konosuke could do what Swerve failed to do feels real and believable. With Don Callis in promos and on commentary explaining how the 29-year-old prodigy is looking to disable Danielson adds brutality.
The threat and real possibility of a title change could be believed with inspired booking. Especially given how much fans want Takeshita to be treated as a main event talent. Even in defeat, such a performance could set Konosuke up for the rest of the year.
For an eventual championship victory elsewhere. Or a face turn. Separate Takeshita from Callis given how Takeshita has played a background character in the Family drama.
Number 3: Zack Sabre Jr.
Bryan Danielson and Zack Sabre Jr.’s series stands at one apiece. Would it be too much to see a thirty-minute ultimate submission match?
Their first two encounters were inspirational. Their WrestleDream match demonstrates how AEW at its peak hits nirvana-like levels of action.
Yet I don’t see it happening while Danielson is the AEW World Champion for political reasons. ZSJ might be being built into NJPW’s new ace. The British Master is committed to Japan and takes that responsibility as the Front Man seriously. Given that ZSJ won the G1 and called his shot sooner rather than later, it’s not going to happen while Danielson has the championship.
But down the road, perhaps internationally on somewhat “mutual” (air quotes) ground, it may happen. All In 2026? Wembley again? With Danielson putting Sabre over. I mean, knowing how unselfish Danielson is, would you expect that match to go any other way?
Not before some mind-blowing sequence. Counters within counters and chain wrestling and submission trade-offs that require re-watching to see how it was done. Another modern classic shows the boundaries of what is possible with the human body and how far it can be stretched.
Number 2: Nigel McGuiness
I have a confession to make. When Nigel McGuiness emerged at All In, I not only leaped from my seat and screamed. I cried. McGuiness competed on the first-ever wrestling show I saw live as a kid. Back when he had spiked hair and wielded an iron with the Union Jack painted onto it. It was a moment I did not think would be possible. The kind of moment that All In events have left as part of their rich legacy (which I’ve written about here).
Although the Casino Gauntlet allowed Nigel to display himself at his best, I want to believe McGuiness can go. I want to believe in the magic. Despite not having wrestled in thirteen years, these long-time adversaries need one more go at it.
Once again, Nigel can be Bryan Danielson’s foil. Relive the glory!
Even the story itself, outside of the match could a be classic. The parallels between the men’s history are unique. Both were forced into retirement. One earlier than the other. Nigel is justified in his hatred. Both had the chance to sign with WWE. The difference was Nigel told the truth about his injuries. Bryan lied. The rest is evident.
McGuiness can be more than Bobby Heenan to Danielson’s Hulk Hogan. That desire for retribution could be an amazing angle.
Originally this would have been an honourable mention in my plans before All In and writing this list. I don’t care anymore about it underwhelming. I’d want to be wrong. I want to see that old magic, even if it’s not the same as their classic ROH rivalry.
Let them fight.
Number 1: Kenny Omega
Kenny Omega needs to prioritize his recovery. This is a part-time Danielson match that could happen next year. These two have unfinished business. There is no definitive answer of who is the best after their one-hour time limit draw.
If I was booking, I’d book this match sooner rather than later. Play into both men’s history of injuries/bad luck to maximize the drama and storytelling. The idea both men are going into the match with targets on their bodies seems a perfect tool for both men’s use of physical storytelling.
What a multi-layered battle it could be. It would be a story of when rather than if each man is willing to sink to those depths to win.
Imagine likewise the selling. After big moves but in the space between moves. Imagine the look of agony as Danielson chooses to stomp the gut rather than the head of Omega. Imagine Omega hitting a snap dragon suplex and the fear that Bryan Danielson isn’t going to get up. Or perhaps Omega setting on the tiger driver. The way his facial expressions compare or contrast to Will Ospreay’s then connect to that story arc.
For someone as perfectionistic and detail-orientated as Omega, this match would just be a section of a bigger canvas. Connecting into wider feuds upon his return and with his rivals who want to be called the best in the world.
A match is just as much about the willingness to torture the other to cement their legacy. Answer the question that has remained unanswered.
More From LWOS Pro Wrestling
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