Published: Oct 24, 2023 by Connel Rumsey | Last Updated: Oct 24, 2023 by Connel Rumsey
Connel has over five years of wrestling journalism experience writing about some of the biggest stories from across the wrestling world. Being a fan for 20 years, Connel has an expansive knowledge from a wide range of various wrestling promotions, including WWE, AEW, NJPW, TNA and Joshi.@connel1405
AEW
When Daniel Garcia joined the Jericho Appreciation Society in 2022, a story emerged between him, Bryan Danielson and Chris Jericho.
The storyline conflict saw him be forced to choose between being a ‘Sports Entertainer’ in the JAS, or a ‘wrestler’ in the Blackpool Combat Club.
While the story looked to be heading towards Garcia breaking away from the JAS, that never ended up happening, but it was the original plan that AEW had in place.
Speaking on the Extreme Life of Matt Hardy podcast, Garcia detailed the original plans for him to join up with Bryan, and why he remained a part of the JAS.
He said:
“Yeah, but I’m not big on regrets. I don’t like to look backwards or think about what could have been or what was. In the moment, I was very sad about the situation. Jericho has told the story many times. I was originally supposed to be put with Bryan in the original Blackpool Combat Club, when it first initiated. Jericho needed me for his group, I got taken out of that, put with Jericho, and Jericho told me, when he told me he needed me and I was going to be in JAS, I was just like [sad]. In my mind, I knew I was supposed to be with Bryan in a couple of weeks. This is sad.
“Once I started…Okay, this Bryan thing could be happening in a bigger way where I already got over a little bit, and now it could be a big payoff or storyline that I’ll be put with Bryan. ‘This is really cool.’ I don’t know if I was ready at that point to be put with Bryan, to be a babyface, sometimes I think God, it’s like a slingshot, he pulls you back so he can release you to a further position, so you can go far. I feel like that’s what the situation was. Not that I was in a bad spot, being with Chris, but wanting to be with Bryan, I felt like it was God saying, ‘Not yet, I have something bigger planned for you.’ Then, got released, and started flying. Hopefully, I keep flying, at least for a little bit.”
transcription via Fightful
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