Bryan Danielson Details Who Pitched Claudio Castagnoli Forbidden Door Debut

AEW

Claudio Castagnoli made is AEW debut back at the AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door event, defeating Zack Sabre Jr in a match that was originally slated to be for Bryan Danielson.

When Danielson revealed that he was not cleared to compete at the show, he teased that he had handpicked a replacement for himself, which turned out to be Claudio.

While Bryan on screen took the credit for choosing Claudio, the behind the scenes story is not actually too different. Bryan recently spoke to Renee Paquette on the Sessions over Starrcast V weekend, where he detailed how Claudio ended up in AEW, and Bryan pitching for him to replace himself in the match, but for a one off.

He explained:

“So when it was clear that I wasn’t going to be on Forbidden Door, I called Tony [Khan] and I was like ‘Hey, I got a great idea. Put Claudio in my place.’ I didn’t say that we should sign Claudio, I didn’t know that Claudio was signed. But I did say ‘I’m sure that Claudio would just come in to do a spot.’

“He [Khan] goes ‘I talked to his agent and I don’t think he is just going to come in to do a spot.’ I was like oh, ok. But then he said ‘Just so you know, don’t tell anybody but I have already signed him.’ So yeah, he was already there.”

Claudio is currently undefeated in AEW and ROH since his arrival, capturing the ROH World Championship from Jonathan Gresham at Death Before Dishonor. He is set to defend against Konosuke Takeshita at tomorrow night’s Battle of the Belts TV special.

transcription via Inside The Ropes

If you’re in the UK but didn’t manage to get tickets to Clash at the Castle on September 3, WrestleTalk is hosting a watch party at The Joiner on Worship in Shoreditch, London, and we’d love for you to join us! Click here for more details.

• Claudio Castagnoli
• Forbidden Door
• Bryan Danielson
• AEW

Share this article with friends