Bryan Danielson Goes Full Heel On AEW Dynamite, Declares War On Dark Order
Danielson unlocked the (American) Dragon within to kickstart his 'Hangman' Adam Page feud.
Though Bryan Danielson earned his upcoming shot at 'Hangman' Adam Page's AEW World Championship as a babyface-leaning tweener, the 'American Dragon' became the heel foil to the folk hero on last night's episode of Dynamite.
Page and his Dark Order allies opened the show in the ring, celebrating what Page had declared to be 'Cowboy Sh*t Day' in his home state of Virginia. The new champ took his victory lap, his enthusiasm matching the crowd's, before Danielson interrupted - and unleashed a verbal browbeating on all before him.
Danielson was more scathing, cutting, and harsher than at any other point in his AEW run thus far. He drew big-time heat for saying that while he wrestled the next night after becoming WWE Champion at WrestleMania XXX, Page was out there "flapping his gums," and with the intensity building, The Dark Order had to get between the two to prevent them from brawling. The segment closed with Hangman breaking free from his friends to leap at Danielson, who bailed.
Bryan's advertised match with Evil Uno followed. Grumpier and more aggressive than in recent matches, Danielson put Uno away, then grabbed the microphone to effectively declare war on The Dark Order ahead of the Page match. This set him up for a singles match with Colt Cabana for next week.
More an acceleration of traits Danielson has subtly exhibited since first promising to kick the roster's heads in after All Out 2021 than a full-on turn, this was nonetheless a notable shift for Bryan, who defeated Miro to earn his World Title contendership at Full Gear 2021.
AEW is yet to confirm a date for Danielson vs. Page.