Bryan Danielson Compares Top AEW Star To Steve Austin
Which AEW standout reminds the American Dragon of Stone Cold?
Prior to competing against 'Hangman' Adam Page at last night's special Winter is Coming episode of Dynamite, Bryan Danielson compared the AEW World Champion to pro wrestling icon 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin.
Speaking with SI's Justin Barrasso, Danielson said that Page's style of wrestling reminded him of a modern-day Austin. The same goes for Hangman's persona, which, Bryan notes, Page has updated for modern wrestling:-
“I love his updated brawler style of wrestling. To me, he wrestles a modernized version of the way Steve Austin wrestled, and that cowboy persona reminds a lot of people of Steve Austin. But in 2021, you can’t come in and be just like Steve Austin. He’s developed this nuanced cowboy character with a drinking problem.”
There are, indeed, many parallels between Page and Austin, stylistically and aesthetically, but also several key differences as well. Much of Hangman's acclaimed 'Anxious Millennial Cowboy' character draws on material 'Stone Cold' would never have touched back in his machismo driven era.
Nonetheless, as a historically great draw and one of the most influential wrestlers ever, Austin is a flattering comparison for anybody.
Page and Danielson wrestled to a 60-minute time-limit draw at Winter is Coming, meaning Hangman retained his AEW World Championship.