{"id":126521,"date":"2024-08-22T08:00:44","date_gmt":"2024-08-22T12:00:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/?p=126521"},"modified":"2024-08-22T05:42:57","modified_gmt":"2024-08-22T09:42:57","slug":"match-point-swerve-strickland-vs-bryan-danielson-aew-all-in","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2024\/08\/22\/match-point-swerve-strickland-vs-bryan-danielson-aew-all-in\/","title":{"rendered":"Match Point: Swerve Strickland vs. Bryan Danielson, AEW All In"},"content":{"rendered":"

Match Point is an ongoing series at Last Word on Pro Wrestling, where we look at intriguing matchups in indie wrestling and beyond. They may be dream matches, first-time matchups, or hotly anticipated rematches. <\/em>In this edition, James Staynings will focus on AEW<\/strong> All In<\/strong>\u2019s main event and its high-stakes, career-altering stakes: Swerve Strickland<\/strong> vs. Bryan Danielson<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n

It\u2019s All So Calm<\/h3>\n

We\u2019re heading to Wembley for the biggest event of AEW\u2019s year. Whatever the final turnstile count, whatever trends or news breaks before and during the event, one certainty seems set.<\/p>\n

Bryan Danielson is content. Whatever the outcome, The American Dragon is satisfied and at peace.<\/p>\n

For some fans, that is understandable to an extent, but it has made the build underwhelming. This may be the end of Danielson\u2019s full-time career.<\/p>\n

Does the man himself not understand the magnitude of that?<\/p>\n

Does one of the greatest wrestlers of all time, a man who found a way against hope and expectations to work within Vince McMahon\u2019s<\/strong> WWE<\/strong> system and main evented WrestleMania<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0not get that he should be fired up? Breathing fire and making this feel like the most important contest of his life?<\/p>\n

The idea that Danielson can and has been his worst enemy in this build is valid. Especially when you judge The Blackpool Combat Club<\/strong> man against history and previous wrestlers who stared retirement in the face.<\/p>\n

Historically, it wasn\u2019t that long ago that Sting<\/strong> retired (Match Point for Sting’s retirement match here<\/a>). Even at the end of that match, The Icon remained ageless.<\/p>\n

And yet, as the build and presentation of Danielson goes, I can\u2019t think of a more authentic way of presenting a wrestler who defied stereotypes his entire career. Danielson has never been a traditional wrestler.<\/p>\n

Danielson, like Andy Dufresne<\/strong> in The Shawshank Redemption<\/strong>, broke free from creative obstacles and poor booking. Danielson crawled through politics with his principles intact to become a main eventer in WWE.<\/p>\n

The man\u2019s authenticity and independence made him beloved. He\u2019s an icon without the face paint or bravado.<\/p>\n

Why change the habit of a lifetime now at the very end?<\/p>\n

Does Bryan Danielson Still Want This?<\/h3>\n

Danielson\u2019s arc is multi-layered. First, fulfilling the promise The American Dragon made when he arrived in AEW – to win championships.<\/p>\n

Another is Bryan\u2019s desire to end his career with a monumental win on PPV. If this had been any other wrestler, they would have been seething.<\/p>\n

Bubbling with frustration and shouting down the camera about what\u2019s next. That difference in mood is clear, even compared to matches and feuds earlier this year.<\/p>\n

Against Eddie Kingston<\/strong>, Danielson\u2019s \u201cbullying\u201d side, mind-games, repeatedly verbal shots aimed at Kingston\u2019s insecurities. In-ring, being a relentless sadist happy to stamp people\u2019s heads in.<\/p>\n

That was a different dragon. This conscious choice to focus on whether Danielson is fully committed and mentally ready for this potential end of his full-time career does add unpredictability.<\/p>\n

AEW has rightly been criticized for signposting match endings. Even with Will Ospreay<\/strong> vs. Strickland at Forbidden Door<\/em><\/strong>, the foreshadowing that Ospreay was working next with MJF<\/strong>\u00a0killed the suspense for some.<\/p>\n

Some have said Danielson\u2019s unselfishness, particularly in interviews where he has openly said in the past that he did not want the championship, has undermined the outcome. On a tangent, it presents the Dragon as the antithesis of stereotypical top guys like Hulk Hogan<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

I imagine when Danielson learns he is going to win he says: \u201cThat doesn\u2019t work for me, brother.\u201d<\/em> Then Tony Khan<\/strong> spends hours convincing Danielson to take a win.<\/p>\n

The use of Jeff Jarrett<\/strong> as a vehicle for fans’ feelings, along with Kingston\u2019s comments on Collision <\/em><\/strong>has made this the central tension. Does Danielson still want this?<\/p>\n

Or is Danielson in his own head and already lost? If so, Danielson’s head will be kicked in.<\/p>\n

This Is Swerve\u2019s House<\/h3>\n

Concerns about the AEW World Championship reign of Strickland were eased at Forbidden Door<\/em>, which featured the match many expected to main event All In<\/em>. Last week, I discussed how the victory over Ospreay and Strickland’s general performance and growth into the role as the world champion has pushed aside the post-chase blues (read here<\/a>).<\/p>\n

If Danielson\u2019s mind is unfocused, from the moment the match was made official, Strickland has had his target in his crosshairs like a sniper. Strickland, who slips into the role of the bad guy, is justified as he was against \u201cHangman\u201d Adam Page<\/strong>, in that nothing is off-limits to secure his rightful place.<\/p>\n

AEW is Swerve\u2019s house. The results have proved this.<\/p>\n

Strickland has captured victories where Danielson could not. Against The Elite<\/strong>, against Ospreay.<\/p>\n

Strickland is at his peak. Strickland is ready to put a legend down.<\/p>\n

The motivation is there. Strickland doesn\u2019t forget and owes Danielson a receipt after The Dragon beat him last year for a shot at the TNT Championship.<\/p>\n

Unlike Ospreay (whose Tiger Drive 91 injured Danielson\u2019s neck to the point he required surgery), Strickland is not going to hesitate if it means putting Danielson in a wheelchair or in the ground. History has shown he doesn\u2019t care about someone else\u2019s kids.<\/p>\n

Such a victory would be the biggest of Strickland’s career. Many are already predicting that Strickland will retain and face Page in a rematch at All Out<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Some have even said Page should be facing Strickland at Wembley. Yet, creatively, there is more to Page\u2019s relapse story (which I\u2019ve discussed here<\/a>) to come before Page is again the world champion.<\/p>\n

At the same time, with Page in the wings ready to face Strickland, does that rematch necessarily need the championship at this stage?<\/p>\n

Still, It\u2019s Farewell?<\/h3>\n

It is hard to call who will win this match. Especially because, with either man as world champion, the potential for big headline feuds going into the summer and beyond is there.<\/p>\n

Danielson or Strickland vs. Darby Allin<\/strong> at Grand Slam<\/em><\/strong> could be huge.<\/p>\n

Danielson has said this will be his last wrestling contract. That contract has ended.<\/p>\n

If some fans seriously think Danielson is jumping back to WWE, like the rumors that the Lucha Brothers<\/strong> (whose AEW careers I\u2019ve written a retrospective of here<\/a>) will, they miss something else the man has said. AEW has been the company where The American Dragon has had the most fun and he believes AEW\u2019s existence is good for the wrestling business.<\/p>\n

When he is finished, Danielson will be done with wrestling full-time. The potential Danielson returns as a part-timer or for special attraction bouts is high.<\/p>\n

There is still a long list of opponents in AEW, NJPW,<\/strong> and elsewhere that fans would love to see against The American Dragon. Many expect Danielson to do the honors in his final match.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s easy but true to say Danielson has been extremely giving throughout his AEW career by allowing wrestlers to pin and go over him. But then, why not subvert the expectations?<\/p>\n

\u00a0WrestleDream<\/em><\/strong> will once again be in Seattle, Washington. Danielson’s home state and also where Danielson had to retire the first time due to injury.<\/p>\n

All In<\/em> might be the biggest show but, from a business and historical standpoint, like with Sting, wouldn\u2019t it be better to end things where they began? If Danielson wins, the reign will be finite.<\/p>\n

Is a rematch in Seattle wishful thinking? Is our desire to see Danielson hold the championship one last time a wish that AEW can fulfill?<\/p>\n

Yes!<\/p>\n

The Match Itself<\/h3>\n

This is not Danielson and Strickland’s first match. Beyond the difference being the build and stakes, Strickland has evolved into a different athlete from their first encounter.<\/p>\n

Having gained weight to fit the expectations of a world champion, Strickland might be bigger but has retained his slick offense while flying off the ropes and through the air. During last year\u2019s All In<\/em>, there were multiple times when myself and other fans were off our feet during the main event.<\/p>\n

There were points where we stood tall just to ensure we didn\u2019t miss the details and story between the moves. With Danielson\u2019s psychology and technical prowess and Strickland’s uniqueness and adaptability, I\u2019m anticipating that we\u2019ll be leaving the ground.<\/p>\n

Both men will take flight like rockets into the stratosphere. AEW\u2019s 2024 PPV main events, including those involving Strickland, have hit that nirvana-like ecstasy for AEW fans.<\/p>\n

Likewise, we want this match to take us into space. Then maybe to come back to Earth, eventually.<\/p>\n

Whether the final countdown ends Sunday, or it stretches out a few more months, two things feel certain after Sunday. First, Danielson, on one of the biggest stages in wrestling history and at one of the most iconic venues in the world is going, will give it his all.<\/p>\n

The second\u2026 Things will never be the same again.<\/p>\n

More From LWOS Pro Wrestling<\/h3>\n

Header photo \u2013 AEW \u2013 Stay tun<\/em>ed to the\u00a0Last Word on Pro Wrestling<\/a>\u00a0for 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.\u00a0 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\u00a0YouTube<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Match Point is an ongoing series at Last Word on Pro Wrestling, where we look at intriguing matchups in indie wrestling and beyond. They may be dream matches, first-time matchups, or hotly anticipated rematches. In this edition, James Staynings will focus on AEW All In\u2019s main event and its high-stakes, career-altering stakes: Swerve Strickland vs. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4960,"featured_media":126539,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4677,6,2192],"tags":[4133,8573,1634,8520],"class_list":["post-126521","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-aew","category-north-america","category-wrestling","tag-aew","tag-aew-all-in","tag-bryan-danielson","tag-swerve-strickland"],"modified_by":"Chinyere Okafor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/126521","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4960"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=126521"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/126521\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/126539"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=126521"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=126521"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=126521"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}