At AEW WrestleDream 2024, we will finally see Bryan Danielson vs. Jon Moxley! We last saw these two against each other two years ago at AEW GrandSlam 2022 and AEW Revolution 2022.
When Moxley and Danielson enter the ring, you know you’re in for a treat. These two are technical and brutal, each with their unique style.
Their wrestling journeys, though similar, have distinct flavors that make every match between them a classic. They’re fighting for the AEW Championship because they never fail to leave everything in the ring, and we can’t get enough of it.
Their history has expanded over the past 15 years. These two may know each other better in the ring in AEW than anyone else.
Indie Wrestling
Before Moxley and Danielson appeared on national television, they had three matches against one another on the independent scene. This history shows how they learned about each other in the ring while learning more about themselves.
The first match occurred at Mad Pro Wrestling in 2007, when Danielson defeated Moxley. Their wrestling styles meshed beautifully in this match, foreshadowing a long road in their careers together.
Moxley even referenced this match and their history on the February 16, 2022 edition of AEW Dynamite.
They had two matches in 2010: the first with Heartland Wrestling Association (HWA) on August 20, 2010, and the second with Dragon Gate Wrestling on September 26, 2010. Danielson also won these two matches.
Even these matches from 15 years ago show their technicality and tenacity against one another. They have only improved since then and have met even more times in the ring
These matches foreshadowed a long and successful career for the two of them, much of it they experienced together.
WWE
While Moxley and Danielson made their names well known in the indies, they fought to become part of the largest professional wrestling promotion, the WWE. This is where they became better known as Dean Ambrose and Daniel Bryan.
Arriving at the company at similar times, Bryan debuted first in 2010. Not long after, Ambrose made his main roster debut in 2012 (he was signed to FCW in 2011).
They each began what would become a remarkable career from the point they debuted in the company. They both became top wrestlers in the largest professional wrestling promotion.
It’s a big deal that they were able to accomplish that together. Even though they had very different WWE careers, it doesn’t take away from their memories on the road.
In their entire career together in WWE, they have had 20 televised matches with each other. In only one of these matches, the pair were on the same team.
Many of the matches against each other were tag team matches, as both Bryan and Ambrose were in tag teams for a few years of their career (Team Hell No and The Shield). However, the three singles matches they had against each other were all in 2013.
Out of these three matches, Ambrose won one of them, and it was by disqualification.
It is interesting to look back at these statistics and see how much yet little they worked together in their duration in WWE. It doesn’t take away from the fact that this company brought them closer together over that near-decade.
All Elite Wrestling
Seeing familiar faces arrive in AEW was like a breath of fresh air. It was exciting to see what that talent has in store for the company.
Having Jon Moxley as one of the first few former WWE stars to appear in AEW was a powerful statement. His debut closing out the first AEW pay-per-view event, Double or Nothing 2019, foreshadowed the force he would become in the business.
AEW opened many doors for wrestlers who previously said they had past creative frustrations in other companies. Bryan Danielson was one of the many to step through that door in 2021, not due to creative frustration but rather the chance for new opportunities and to face new talent (which I felt needed to be mentioned).
Only around six months after Danielson’s AEW debut would he approach Moxley wanting to team with him. Only for Moxley to reminisce about his losses against Danielson and how he “doesn’t fight with anyone that he doesn’t bleed with first.”
This led to their only match against each other in AEW with a story behind it, at AEW Revolution 2022, where Moxley finally beat Danielson in what has been their best match yet. The other match they had against each other was at AEW GrandSlam 2022, where Moxley beat Danielson in a tournament to become the AEW World Champion.
While it was a great match, since it was tournament-style, there was less of a story between the two. AEW Revolution 2022 began the current tale of Moxley and Danielson in AEW.
Blackpool Combat Club
That one match that Moxley needed against Danielson at AEW Revolution 2022 created one of the most dangerous factions in AEW, The Blackpool Combat Club. This faction consisted of Moxley, Danielson, Claudio Castagnoli, and Wheeler Yuta – all phenomenal talent with unique wrestling styles.
This began two years of them demolishing anyone in AEW in all types of brutal matches, from Blood and Guts to Anarchy in the Arena. The Elite (The Young Bucks, Kenny Omega, Adam Page), FTR, The Don Callis Family (Kyle Fletcher and Powerhouse Hobbs), and many more became victims of the Blackpool Combat Club.
They indeed became one of the best factions AEW has had. They all have different wrestling styles, yet they have so much chemistry together in the ring.
They genuinely risk their lives nearly every time they are in the ring. Everyone can argue that statement all they want but, due to the force of this company, Danielson will most likely be due for another neck surgery soon, which is why we are nearing the end of his career.
The Blackpool Combat Club is still rampant around AEW; however, some member changes have occurred. Yuta and Danielson have been kicked out, and Marina Shafir and Pac have been taken in.
WrestleDream 2024
One more time. This story, the tag team, and the matches, all leading up to this moment at WrestleDream.
One more moment between Danielson and Moxley at AEW WrestleDream 2024 for the AEW World Championship.
They have years of stories together but this one is much more involved now. Their little time together in AEW alone has created more of a story behind this match than any other promotions.
Moxley and Danielson fought each other alongside each other and created over a decade of memories. They shared this with the AEW fans.
Moxley removed it when he shoved a plastic bag over Danielson’s head. Moxley has always been sadistic but this was a side we haven’t seen from him.
Undoubtedly, they will bring out the best of each other in this match at WrestleDream. It will be exciting to see.
Once Danielson’s championship reign ends, he will likely be hanging up his boots as well. However, I don’t think this WrestleDream match will be his last.
It feels like he just won the AEW World Championship, and this is most likely his last World Championship reign, so it needs to be perfect. I think Danielson will be getting more time as champion after WrestleDream.
More From LWOS Pro Wrestling
Header photo – AEW – Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world. As well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world. You can catch AEW Dynamite on Wednesday nights at 8 PM ET on TBS. AEW Rampage airs on TNT at 10 PM EST every Friday night. AEW Collision airs Saturday at 8pm Eastern on TNT. More AEW content available on their YouTube.
