4 Ups & 6 Downs From AEW Dynamite (1 Mar - Review)

by Michael Sidgwick

1. The American Dragon Breathes Fire

Bryan Danielson AEW
AEW

This was key to the build. Bryan Danielson needed to show that he was desperate to win a wrestling match, not merely participate in one against an opponent he rates highly.

He accomplished that here with an impassioned promo delivered at the right time. He told the crowd and MJF alike why he fought, what he has fought for throughout his entire life - and the sheer adversity he has already conquered made it seem that defeating MJF is a likely possibility. This was powerful, effective, and necessary. It was hard not to believe in Danielson. The swearing was great, of course it was, but more important was the idea that he believed he will win and actively wants to win. This anti-boo boo face promo achieved precisely that, and MJF's subtle "Oh, sh*t" reaction made it seem like the walls were closing in on his reign.

This article is written by somebody who has the man on his Mount Rushmore, and so this take is written in the best faith: Bryan Danielson is a bit careless in the social media age.

Twitter isn't real, it's a bubble etc. etc. - but the man has too often volunteered that he's happy to just be wrestling in the 24/7 media era. If he has spent too long outwardly saying that he doesn't have an ambitious bone in his body, it's just as well this promo was this good.

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Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!