In 2021 Kenny Omega and The Elite had taken over All Elite Wrestling and there was no one left who could challenge Omega for the World Championship Title. It was at All Out 2021 where Bryan Danielson would make his AEW debut and his intentions were clear.
The stage was set for Danielson to attempt to unseat Omega as champion at Grand Slam later that month. Omega and Danielson fought to a 30 minute time limit draw and it was thought by many to be the match of the year.
But this would not be the last time Danielson would enter the World Title scene as he would go on to win a Elimination Tournament later that same year that would grant him his first official title shot as the first match with Omega was a non-title match.
But it was not Omega who Danielson would face at Winter Is Coming, it would be “Hangman” Adam page who had beat Omega for the title at Full Gear that same night.
Danielson would be unable to pin Hangman as that match would end in a 60 minute time-limit draw. He would also take his first loss in AEW to Hangman during a rematch for the title in January of 2022.
It was here that Danielson would enter his first real storyline in AEW by forming the Blackpool Combat Club with Jon Moxley and William Regal who would act as the groups manager for the short time he would be with the company.
Shortly after forming the young wrestler, Wheeler Yuta would join after a rather bloody and violent star making performance with Jon Moxley.
The first big moment for the faction would come with the announcement of the first ever Anarchy In The Arena match to be held at Double Or Nothing that year. They would be facing The Jericho Appreciation Society in what would be a losing effort for the newly formed group.
Undaunted by this loss the group would be joined by Claudio Castagnoli and they would attempt to recruit Daniel Garcia to the violence loving crew as well.
However, this would not end well for Danielson who would be attacked by Garcia while attempting to win the ROH World Championship from Jericho making it clear where Garcia’s loyalties were.
Danielson would challenge Jericho again for the ROH World Championship at Full Gear, but this time instead of it being a one on one match it would instead be a four way dance that would see Jericho once again retain the title.
It was after this loss that Daneilson once again set his sights on the AEW World Championship, now being held by MJF. The two would have a 60 minute iron man match that was met with critical acclaim and would be one of the highest rated matches of either wrestler’s career.
After this match Danielson would turn heel and start a proper angle with Kenny Omega and the rest of the Elite.
This newfound viciousness would lead the Blackpool Combat Club to a victory over the elite at the Anarchy In The Arena match at that year’s Double Or Nothing. And was a two for one redemption for Danielson as it would give him a win over both Omega and Hangman who he had failed to beat in one vs one competition the previous year.
This victory would be short lived for Danielson though who would be unable to attend the first All In at Wembley Stadium in 2023 due to injuries.
Danielson would make his return to the ring suddenly and honestly probably too soon to replace CM Punk in an angle with Ricky Starks that was building to a match at All Out to take place shortly after All In. Danielson would win this match and then go on to defeat Zack Sabre Jr. at Wrestledream as well.
At the end of 2023 Danielson would enter the Continental Classic tournament and start an angle with Eddie Kingston. Danielson would taunt Eddie by calling him the King Of The Bums and make a point to disrespect him during his matches. Eddie would ultimately defeat Danielson in the semifinal round and eliminate him for the tournament. This would lead to Danielson challenging Eddie to a rematch at Revolution the next year where he would once again be unsuccessful.
Danielson would announce his pending retirement after losing a match to Will Ospreay at the first Dynasty Pay Per View that year. Although this match was widely considered to be one of the greatest matches of all time it was becoming clear to Danielson that his time as a full time wrestler would need to come to an end.
Danielson would enter and win the Owen Hart Tournament by defeating Hangman Adam Page in the final round, once and for all redeeming himself for failing to capture the AEW title from the cowboy when he first attempted it in 2021. Not only that, but it was stipulated that the winner of this year’s Owen would receive a shot at the AEW World Championship at All In to take place once again at Wembley Stadium Sunday August 25th 2024.
