Will Ospreay Beats Bryan Danielson in Dream Match at AEW Dynasty 2024
Mike Chiari@@mikechiariFeatured Columnist IVApril 22, 2024
Etsuo Hara/Getty Images
Will Ospreay defeated Bryan Danielson in a dream match between two of the best in-ring wrestlers in the world at AEW Dynasty on Sunday night.
The highlight-filled match ended when Ospreay hit his Hidden Blade finisher and followed it up with a Tiger Driver ’97 and another Hidden Blade. Fans will surely be mentioning this battle when discussing Match of the Year.
All Elite Wrestling @AEWWe have run out of words to describe this match.@bryandanielson | @WillOspreay
Order #AEWDynasty on PPV right now!
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B/R Wrestling @BRWrestlingTHIS MATCH.
(via @AEW) pic.twitter.com/6MVCqr2EAN
All Elite Wrestling @AEWAn incredible exchange between Ospreay and Danielson!@bryandanielson | @WillOspreay
Order #AEWDynasty on PPV right now!
🇺🇸: https://t.co/ikg1uVbyrL
🌐: https://t.co/i2toHZ2Ft1 pic.twitter.com/MH6hPwYZ8L
All Elite Wrestling @AEWHere. We. Go!@bryandanielson | @WillOspreay
Order #AEWDynasty on PPV right now!
🇺🇸: https://t.co/ikg1uVbyrL
🌐: https://t.co/i2toHZ2Ft1 pic.twitter.com/7Yr3kDgm54
Ospreay made his in-ring debut as an officially contracted AEW wrestler in a win over Konosuke Takeshita at Revolution last month, but that was merely the precursor to something even bigger.
After Ospreay beat Kyle Fletcher on the March 6 episode of Dynamite, Danielson confronted him, marking the initial tease of a match between them.
Ospreay followed suit on the ensuing episode of Collision following Danielson’s win over Shane Taylor, as he came to the ring and engaged in a conversation with The American Dragon.
The British star made it clear that his decision to sign with AEW in free agency was predicated on his desire to prove that he is the best wrestler in the world.
Given Danielson’s longstanding reputation of being the world’s best wrestler, Ospreay suggested that he needed to beat The American Dragon in order to truly prove himself.
With both Ospreay and Danielson agreeing to do battle, their bout became the first match officially announced for the inaugural AEW Dynasty pay-per-view.
Ospreay and Danielson have enjoyed enormous success all over the world during their careers, although neither of them have won a title in AEW as of yet.
The 30-year-old Ospreay held numerous titles in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, including the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, whereas as Danielson was a five-time world champion in WWE.
No titles were on the line Sunday, though, as their match was more about pride and proving themselves on a big stage.
Ultimately, Ospreay continued to dominate the early part of his run in AEW, and he showed with a win over Danielson that he has the ability to be a top star and world champion in AEW.
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