On Facebook
On Flipboard
Eric Bischoff urges Tony Khan to give Bryan Danielson a role change
Bryan Danielson's slew of injuries could mean he's nearing the end of his in-ring career. Eric Bischoff believes Tony Khan would be wise to begin integrating Danielson into creative as soon as possible.
When speaking on a recent episode of his "83 Weeks" podcast, Bischoff noted how Danielson can elevate AEW's storytelling and become an integral part of AEW's behind-the-scenes efforts.
"When I was working in WWE back in 2019, I hope I’m not speaking out of school here, but I know that Vince McMahon was very impressed with Bryan Danielson," Bischoff said, as transcribed by Fightful. "His creative, his psychology. I know that there was some conversation, I don’t know how serious it was at the time. Vince mentioned to me that he was possibly interested in bringing in Bryan Danielson to be very involved in the creative side of things...That is where the potential upside is, long-term for AEW. That’s the breath of fresh air, frankly, that AEW needs. If I were Tony, I’d give that Collision show to Bryan. Not just be my right-hand man and bounce ideas off. Give it to him. Say, ‘Here you go. Here’s your notepad, here’s your computer, here’s a pen. There’s an office."
Bischoff is right. AEW's in-ring work is exceptional and the key selling point for their brand. However, Khan and his creative team are miles behind WWE. Oftentimes, storylines feel cobbled together. There's no pop. And there's certainly nothing on the level of 'The Bloodline.'
If Danielson was good enough to impress McMahon during his tenure with WWE, then he's good enough to have an input at AEW. Collision has enjoyed a strong start since its launch earlier this year. Yet, without CM Punk to lead the brand, Danielson's input would be more valuable than ever.
AEW needs storylines that drive discussion and captivate imaginations. It needs highlights that don't consist of actual wrestling. Danielson doesn't need to quit wrestling to comprise a role in creative.
Being judicial when Danielson competes in the ring would be a fair compromise.
Bischoff has experience in leading a wrestling company's creative and has been incredibly successful at it. Khan would be wise to take his advice.
More must-reads:
- Mark Henry warns AEW of financial hit following CM Punk's termination
- Popular member of AEW roster suspended indefinitely
- The 'NBA Summer League MVPs' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
TODAY'S BEST
WWE SmackDown Results (7/25/25): Hulk Hogan Remembered, TLC Match Added To SummerSlam
WWE SummerSlam may be just a week away, but no one was going to take the main spotlight away from the late Hulk Hogan. The larger than life cultural icon passed away Thursday at the age of 71, and WWE spent much of Friday's episode of SmackDown honoring his Hall of Fame career with video packages, highlights and 10-bell salute. The WWE Universe also heard from Cody Rhodes and there may have been no one better in the entire company to sum up Hulk Hogan's complicated legacy. The American Nightmare did so eloquently and with respect before turning his attention to his SummerSlam opponent. Cody Rhodes sent a message directly to John Cena ahead of their WWE Championship Street Fight next weekend, two absent WWE Superstars also made their return to television and Jelly Roll absolutely shocked Logan Paul with some of his recent in-ring training. And after the WWE Tag Team Championship Match broke down into a massive brawl amongst the entire division, SmackDown GM Nick Aldis booked a massive TLC Match for next weekend at MetLife Stadium. Here's everything you may have missed from Friday's episode of WWE SmackDown from the Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. WWE SmackDown Results: The entire SmackDown locker room opened the show on the stage as WWE Chief Content Officer Paul 'Triple H' Levesque led a 10 bell salute for the late Hulk Hogan. A lengthy video package was then shown highlighting Hogan's Hall of Famer career. Logan Paul's homecoming was cut short by Jelly Roll. The Maverick declared himself to be an inspiration to the entire city of Cleveland, but the Grammy Award nominee said all Paul has ever inspired is for 'little ass---- kids to film themselves being ass-----.” It was when Jelly called Logan a "Prime peddling punk ass b----" that Drew McIntyre hit the ring ready for a fight. Randy Orton would then emerge to even the odds and these two SummerSlam tag teams gave SmackDown a little MetLife Stadium sampler. Paul's mouth would get busted open during the brawl as Jelly Roll brought more a fight than he was expecting. He sent the Maverick running for the back after shocking him with a BossMan Slam. Roxanne Perez defeated Alexa Bliss. The Prodigy was able to avenge Raquel Rodriguez' loss to Charlotte Flair last week when Bliss got distracted by a fight between both women outside of the ring. Raquel had the Queen set up for a powerbomb, but Alexa dropped her with a Twisted Bliss onto the floor instead of attempting the move on Perez. When she got back in the ring, Roxanne slipped her into a cradle and grabbed the rope to leverage a three count. Jade Cargill defeated Chelsea Green. This is a fight that was started backstage when Cargill heard Green talking smack about how the Queen of the Ring crown was stolen from her. The inaugural Women's United States Champion would fight back and take Jade down with a Zig Zag. When she went for the Unprettier, however, Chelsea was overpowered and dumped face first into the mat with a Jaded slam that gave the win to Cargill. The Secret Hervice would attack Jade after the match was over, but Tiffany Stratton ran down to the ring to save her SummerSlam opponent. They would jointly dump Piper Niven to the outside before having a brief tug of war over the WWE Women's Championship. Cody Rhodes kicked off the second hour of the show and paid his respects to the Immortal Hulk Hogan. The American Nightmare recognized that Hogan was a "complicated man" but he thanked him for his undeniable contributions to the professional wrestling industry. Rhodes then turned his attention to the man he will battle next weekend in a Street Fight. Cody said that the man he's watched parade around as the WWE Champion since WrestleMania 41 is not the man he wants to face at SummerSlam. He asked for the real John Cena to show up to MetLife Stadium with his hustle and loyalty in tow, and they can beat the respect into one another. Damian Priest vs. Aleister Black was announced for next Friday on SmackDown. Jacob Fatu defeated The Miz. The two-time Grand Slam Champion made his return to SmackDown and he was seeking revenge for the Samoan Werewolf for putting him on the shelf six weeks ago. That did not happen as Fatu was able to fight through Solo Sikoa and his MFT's, who came down to the ringside area mid-match, and gave Miz a pop-up Samoan Drop to pick up the win. Sikoa and his Family Tree then jumped Fatu after the match was over. Jimmy Uso would attempt to make the save armed with a steel chair, but the numbers game was too great. The impressive Tala Tonga stunned Jacob with a big choke slam, which allowed Solo to finish him off with a Samoan Spike. Zelina Vega approached Giulia backstage, but was cut off by Kiana James who is now the official representative of the Women's United States Champion. Vega told Giulia's "clipboard Karen" to step aside so she can ask the Beautiful Madness about her rematch for the title. James said she'd get it next week. The Wyatt Sicks retained the WWE Tag Team Championships via disqualification. Andrade and Rey Fenix had the titles as good as won after Andrade delivered the Message to Joe Gacy, but Nikki Cross pulled referee Daphanie LaShaunn out of the ring on the three count and she was forced to call for the bell. The Wyatts would immediately go on the attack, but soon the entire tag team locker room would clear out. The Street Profits, MCMG, #DIY and Fraxiom all got involved in what sparked into a massive brawl. Once dozens of WWE Officials were able to separate everyone, SmackDown GM Nick Aldis announced that all six teams will face each other in a TLC Match at SummerSlam with the WWE Tag Team Titles on the line.
'In what world does this make sense?’: Oilers and $63M forward
According to some, throw out the idea that the Edmonton Oilers should pursue Max Pacioretty. A veteran forward who has earned over $63 million over the course of his NHL career has yet to sign an NHL contract and was recently mentioned in a post by David Staples as a possible fit. In a recent post, the Journal noted, “All of the top NHL unrestricted free agents have already signed contracts, but there’s one big name player still available that makes good sense for the Edmonton Oilers to pursue.” Responses have been varied, with a few quite vocal about the Oilers not following Staples’ advice. “In what world does this make sense?????” writes a commenter on a recent post for The Hockey Writers. Another commenter wrote, “Pacioretty is a good journeyman player but he is injury prone now, late in his career. Oilers might be lucky to get 40 games out of him. They should look elsewhere instead of taking a chance on Patches.” Tyler Yaremchuk of Oilers Nation chimed in and said, “He scored five goals in 37 games last year with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Can’t stay healthy, very old, very slow.” Yaremchuk then went on a rant, listing several Oilers forwards who would be better than Pacioretty. What About Pacioretty on a PTO? Is there any reason that a team that is looking to get younger and faster, and move out depth pieces that were older and less productive than expected, would revert back to last summer’s strategy? It seems like an odd choice on the surface. Something would have to happen that would make giving Pacioretty a look risk-free. That means only a PTO. Even at that point, should he agree, it would require him to be willing to sign a two-way contract for the league minimum.
ESPN Predicts Mets-Twins Trade One Week Before Deadline
The New York Mets are a half-game ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies for first place in the NL East, but their pitching staff is still injury-ravaged despite the recent returns of Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas. Brandon Waddell (hip), Dedniel Nuñez (elbow), Max Kranick (flexor), Paul Blackburn (shoulder), Tylor Megill (elbow), Griffin Canning (Achilles), Drew Smith (elbow), A.J. Minter (lat), Danny Young (elbow), and Christian Scott (elbow) are alll on the Mets' IL. The MLB Trade Deadline is July 31 at 6 p.m. EST, so the front office has one week to add healthy arms from around the league this season. ESPN's David Schoenfield predicted on Thursday that New York would trade for a Minnesota Twins reliever. "One guarantee of the trade deadline: The Mets will add to the bullpen, probably with more than one trade. Though the rotation still ranks fifth in ERA, that was built off a hot start," he wrote. "More importantly, the only Mets starter to complete six innings since June 7 has been David Peterson. As a result, manager Carlos Mendoza has run relievers Reed Garrett, Huascar Brazoban, Jose Butto and Ryne Stanek into the ground. The bullpen had a 2.78 ERA through May, but that figure is over 5.00 since the beginning of June (ranking near the bottom of the majors)." "The Twins have two high-profile relievers in [Jhoan] Duran and [Griffin] Jax, both of whom are under team control through 2027, so they'll be much more expensive than your usual short-term relievers if the Twins decide to trade one or both," he continued. "Duran would be harder to deal -- but bring more in return -- so we'll say Jax will go. Don't be fooled by his 4.09 ERA: He has 68 strikeouts and 12 walks in 44 innings with a 97-mph heater. He's an elite strikeout reliever, the type you want on the mound in October." The Mets are hot despite their injuries, as they're on a four-game winning streak and just swept the Los Angeles Angels. Next up is a road trip against the San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres. New York right-handed pitcher Clay Holmes (8-5, 3.48 ERA) will face Giants right-hander Logan Webb (9-7, 3.08 ERA) on Friday.
Trade rejection speaks volumes about Red Sox's Jarren Duran intentions
The Boston Red Sox appear to have no interest in trading outfielder Jarren Duran, at least not in the near future. Trade rumors have swirled around Duran for most of the season, especially after designated hitter Rafael Devers was traded to the Giants. However, Sean McAdam from MassLive reported that the Red Sox may wait until the offseason before moving on from the former All-Star. The decision to wait on Duran is not due to a lack of offers. McAdam also reported that the Padres made a significant offer for Duran involving pitcher Dylan Cease, catching prospect Ethan Salas and another unnamed prospect. That offer was quickly rejected. The Padres have long coveted Duran. McAdam had previously reported that the Padres have been "relentless" in their pursuit of the Red Sox outfielder. The reported trade offer including Salas, the Padres second-best prospect and the 21st-best prospect in baseball per MLB.com, illustrates how serious they are about acquiring Duran. Likewise, the Red Sox's refusal to entertain such an offer, even as a starting point for negotiations, speaks volumes about their interest in moving Duran. The Padres' offer would help solve several problems for the Red Sox in both the present and future. Moving Duran would help clear up the logjam in the outfield, while Cease and Salas would respectively improve the back of their rotation and provide a possible cornerstone behind the plate going forward. Duran is a valuable trade chip as he is under team control through 2028. He has also taken a step back in production from his stellar showing in 2024, posting a respectable .254/.321/.428 batting line in 459 plate appearances entering Friday, with nine homers and 25 doubles while stealing 16 bases. That production would be an upgrade for several teams looking to improve their outfield going forward. The question is whether or not the Red Sox will be realistic in their asking price for Duran. Considering how quickly the Padres' offer was reportedly rejected, that may not be the case.
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
