7 Ups & 2 Downs From AEW Dynamite: Holiday Bash (21 Dec - Review)

4. Bryan Danielson, MJF, and Ethan Page Trade Shots

Bryan Danielson
AEW

MJF's backstage promo was a good example of AEW's recent formatting changes working. Addressing Bryan Danielson chasing him down the ramp last week in the moment captured his rage in a way that doing it live this week wouldn't have. The World Champion wasn't there later on, however, when Danielson's fiery in-ring words were answered by Ethan Page, not MJF.

Danielson joined Renee Paquette to speak on William Regal, his now-departed trainer, who made him the man and wrestler he is today. Doing this in Shawn Michaels' San Antonio hometown (given HBK was one of Danielson's first coaches) was particularly effective.

A bitter Page commanded monster heat when he came out to whine about being overlooked for a title shot despite making it to the Eliminator tournament's finals and hitting the recent Dynamite Diamond Ring Battle Royal's last two. A good heel point. Danielson fired back by insulting Stokely Hathaway's bald head, later challenging Page to a fight. Predictably, Ethan backed down, promising to fight Danielson next week, not this week.

This stands as a sensible fill-in time-killer until AEW is ready to launch into MJF vs. Danielson full-speed. Page has an understandable gripe, given his escapades, and his ties to the World Champion through The Firm. 'Vegetable Man' is going to eat him alive, though.

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.