AEW ‘Secret’ Plans For Bryan Danielson Championship Reign Revealed

An update has emerged on AEW’s “secret” plans for the AEW World Championship and Bryan Danielson, with backstage details revealed.

Following Danielson winning the AEW World Title at All In London, the popular star announced that he would retire from full-time competition after losing the gold.

Jon Moxley ultimately won the gold from Danielson at WrestleDream, with Moxley earning this title shot by defeating the original #1 contender Darby Allin at Dynamite Grand Slam.

Per Dave Meltzer in the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, despite AEW seemingly building towards Danielson vs Allin, the plan was always for Danielson to face a heel Jon Moxley following his title win.

Noting that only Khan, Moxley, Danielson and Allin knew the true plans, Meltzer wrote:

According to those close to the situation, while the story was out about Darby Allin being planned for the title this year after Bryan Danielson, the secret plan from months ago was always Danielson to Jon Moxley as a heel.

The Swerve Strickland to Danielson and then to Moxley story was planned prior to Moxley winning the IWGP title, but apparently the only people who were supposed to know were Tony Khan, Moxley, Danielson and Allin.

Danielson did not want to win the title but Khan talked him into it feeling that his winning would be the best possible moment for the end of the biggest show of the year.

Danielson pretty much chose the end date in Tacoma as that date wasn’t locked in stone, but going to Moxley as a heel was the idea. The new Moxley version of the BCC is his idea.

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AEW reportedly had "secret" plans for the AEW World Championship and Bryan Danielson:

A few notes regarding the long-term plans here. According to those close to the situation, while the story was out about Darby Allin being planned for the title this year after Bryan Danielson,… pic.twitter.com/md2RzJCscA

— WrestleTalk (@WrestleTalk_TV) October 25, 2024