Bryan Danielson’s jarring end to full-time career was change AEW needed

The jarring end to Bryan Danielson’s full-time career shows how much he cares.

As the American Dragon was stretchered out of the Tacoma Dome in his home state of Washington to end AEW’s WrestleDream pay-per-view on Saturday, he had just completed one of the most giving ends to a career as we have seen in wrestling.

Danielson, 43, gave everyone involved a chance to be elevated and for AEW’s next top-tier storyline to get the heat it needs as he closes out a full-time career that had begun nearly 25 years ago to the day.

None of what we saw Saturday would have taken place without his blessing and if he can’t trust his instincts, then who can?

For too long, AEW has given its fans the happy ending they crave — we got that at All In with Danielson winning the world championship.

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So even if Saturday’s ending felt unsatisfactory in the moment, kudos to AEW for trying to leave people with something uncomfortable for a change.

Fans’ anger was palpable online and there was an audible gasp as former friend Jon Moxley choked Danielson out cold in the middle of the ring to win the AEW World Championship for a record fourth time.

Moxley doesn’t need the rub and heat from beating Danielson, but his revamped Blackpool Combat Club faction and storyline sure do as he, PAC, Marina Shafir and Claudio Castagnoli continued to attack the former champion.

Then it was Wheeler Yuta, whose heel turn on Danielson was exactly what he needed to become one of the most hated men in the company. He attacked Darby Allin and then in the storyline tried to suffocate Danielson with a plastic bag, just as Moxley did to start this whole angle. Yuta even has storyline justification as Danielson was doing the “Yes!” chant instead of tending to him after an attack from the new BCC on Dynamite.

It wouldn’t be my preferred story device given some kids and teens are likely watching, but it certainly adds cruelty.

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It was Allin, who Moxley had beaten to earn this title shot, who emerged from the back as the only one with the courage enough to take on the menacing faction and stand up for Danielson.

He was eventually tied to ropes as Moxley stomped on a chair around Danielson’s neck for the super-heat moment.

It was that which finally united the rest of the AEW locker room against Moxley’s crew as they spilled out of the back and forced them to escape through the crowds. There were plenty of somber looks on the AEW crew’s faces as the crowd chanted, “Thank you, Bryan.”

Jon Moxley's 4th reign as #AEW World Champion begins tonight as the reign and career of Bryan Danielson is over.

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It was risky, it was different and it should leave fans more invested in what’s to come if they can get over not getting immediate gratification on Saturday. Think about the heat that would be on Shane McMahon if it’s revealed he is the mastermind behind Moxley’s group.

Allin, who beat Brodie King for the first time earlier in the show, is clearly being groomed as AEW’s new leader and the next world champion. Thanks to this, he will likely ride the fans’ emotions of wanting him to avenge Danielson to that goal.

There is no reason Danielson, who is fulfilling a promise to his 7-year-old daughter Birdie be ending his full-time career, can’t return in some way to give Allin a pep talk, help him during the match or just raise the hand of a fellow Washington wrestling star dethroning Moxley. Imagine the pop either way or whenever Danielson does choose to return. Fans will want to properly thank him.

For far too long AEW has been criticized for not telling good enough stories and not having enough matches where the majority of fans truly care who wins and loses.

It is now up to AEW to make sure that isn’t a problem in this case as Bryan Danielson’s generosity gave AEW the momentum to make that happen for Allin and the rest of the roster.

It is just another reason everyone in AEW should be saying: “Thank you, Bryan.”

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