What a night in St. Louis! AEW again delivers with their Dynasty PPV . Even though Swerve Strickland and Samoa Joe were the main event of the evening, Will Ospreay and Bryan Danielson have the night’s match, if not the year.
As with Forbidden Door 2, where Ospreay and Kenny Omega were set up in the semi-main spot, Danielson and Ospreay were in the same spot in AEW Dynasty. This was unfair to those who had to follow these two wrestlers.
While Will Ospreay defeated Bryan Danielson in a 32-minute epic match, professional wrestling fans were the real winners. Since coming to the company full-time, Ospreay continues putting on instant classics. His match at Dynasty was no different.
It was a contrasting of styles, with Ospreay being known for his aerial work, while Danielson is more of a mat wrestler, counter wrestler, and strong-style with some aerial offence. This was a clash of styles in the best possible way. Two artists on a canvas. Like two musicians built up to the crescendo that will last.
The build to this match was superb as both wrestlers wanted to prove who the better man was before AEW Dynasty. Those who were in St. Louis for this magical moment were ready. It was a reminder of what AEW could be and what it was in the past. The staredown returned memories of Omega and Danielson from the first AEW Grand Slam.
This was the greatest wrestling match ever. We knew it would be special, and Danielson and Ospreay did not disappoint. Danielson through everything at Ospreay and more. The crowd was on the edge of their seats. This was the match they were looking forward to the most. You could tell they were drained after that performance.
Each man countered the other, with Danielson countering Ospreay’s Hidden Blade into a Lebell Lock and rising to deliver Physcho Knee as Ospreay went for the Oscutter. Each man went blow for blow with the other. We saw Danielson bust out the “Yes Kicks.” Then, when the Aerial Assassin took to the air, it was a sight to see, especially when he hit the Oscutter on the apron.
In the match’s closing moments, Ospreay nailed Danielson with a ruthless Tiger Driver ’91 after hitting the Hidden Blade finisher. With Danielson barely moving, Ospreay hit the Hidden Blade again for the win. Once the three-count hit, the referee called for the medical team. There was concern for Danielson after the match as he clutched the back of his head.
Ospreay went over to Danielson to see if he was okay. Though Danielson walked out of the ring, it was still a scary scene. While Tony Khan did not seem too concerned about Bryan Danielson’s health in the press conference, AEW put out a backstage video with Will Ospreay walking him back to the medical room and apologizing for what happened.
AEW did a beautiful job setting up a rematch between Will Ospreay and Bryan Danielson. What a match and night for the company. It was something they desperately needed.
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