4 Ups & 2 Downs For AEW Collision (Jan 27 - Results & Review)
3. Two Veterans Once Again Deliver Big
For those looking for a hard-hitting war between two iconic greats, look no further than Bryan Danielson vs. Yuji Nagata on this week's Collision.
While it's amazing to see how Danielson is able to still consistently put on such high quality matches after a 25-year career of intense, stiff action, it's even more remarkable to see Yuji Natata delivering to such a level at the ripe ol' age of 55. And here, both men absolutely brought it!
Strikes, grappling, submissions, suplexes, a top-rope exploder, a focus on Bryan's shoulder, and likewise a focus on Nagata's knee; this bout was just a thing of beauty to watch play out. Added to that, as alluded to, everything was just so crisp, so physical, so outright violent, and looked so impactful.
Unsurprisingly, it was the American Dragon who got the win, eventually putting Blue Justice away with the Busaiku Knee after 15 minutes. Making this even better was the commentary soundtrack of Eddie Kingston, with Kingston eager for one of his hero's to make an example of Bryan, yet also giving out praise through gritted teeth to Danielson for more than holding his own against someone who Eddie holds on such a high pedestal.
Of course, while Bryan Danielson had plenty of post-match respect for Nagata - a handshake, an arm raise, a bow - there wasn't that same sentiment towards Eddie Kingston, with Danielson flipping off Eddie before making his way to the back; all as the Mad King refused to rise to Bryan's bait.