On AEW Dynamite, CM Punk revealed that Jon Moxley has entered treatment for alcohol addiction. Moxley was celebrated for his decision, and has garnered the support of multiple wrestlers from AEW and beyond. Sadly for the fans, they missed out on Jon Moxley vs Orange Cassidy on AEW Dynamite. The pair were due to wrestle for the chance to face Bryan Danielson at Full Gear. The original plan was for Bryan Danielson vs Jon Moxley at AEW Full Gear, with the winner getting a shot at the AEW World Championship.
Due to his absence, Moxley was replaced by Miro. “God’s favourite champion” has been absent from in-ring action since losing his TNT Championship to Sammy Guevara last month. He was drafted in at the last minute, replacing Jon Moxley in his semi-final matchup with Orange Cassidy.
In a great, but short, match, Miro defeated Orange Cassidy with his “Game Over” finishing manoeuvre. He worked the ribs of Orange Cassidy in the match, which were injured by Matt Hardy a month prior in the Casino Ladder Match. Cassidy came close to winning, and disappointinly tapped out due to the pain inflicted by Miro.
Whilst I personally wanted to see Freshly Squeezed face the American Dragon at Full Gear, I am excited by the prospect of a hard hitting encounter between Miro and Bryan Danielson.
Bryan Danielson vs Jon Moxley
However, I would bet on it that this it for a potential Bryan Danielson vs Jon Moxley match.
Moxley will be out of action for an unspecified amount of time. Inpatiant alcohol treatment programs can last over 3 months, and look to be at least 30 days long. This puts Moxley out of Full Gear, and potentially AEW Revolution next year also.
Not that there’s any issue with that. While disappointing that fans wont be seeing Moxley, his health is more important.
When he does return, I expect him to continue with the heel character he was building over the last few weeks. Moxley showcased a new, more aggressive side to his character. He won his matches quickly with little fuss. He stormed to the ring, angrily beat his opponents bloody, as fast as possible, pinned them and left. No trash talk, no performing for the crowd.
Get in, win, get out.
It was great. And when he returns, I expect him to turn fully and be the brutal, violent heel we know he can. The one he was denied being in WWE. I also predict him to face off with Bryan Danielson, and feud with him in the future. But only once Danielson becomes the AEW World Champion.
Bryan Danielson as AEW Champion
Danielson, behind CM Punk, is the biggest star in AEW. Maybe even bigger than CM Punk, based on how long Punk was away.
He is also one of, if not the, best wrestler in the world. Bryan Danielson vs Kenny Omega is the best match I have ever watched, and I am not alone in thinking it. It is definitely the best match in AEW history, beating even the Omega and Page vs Young Bucks bout from AEW Revolution. The fans cheering for the bell being rung, because they were so excited to watch the match, ranks with one of AEW’s best moments.
We can all agree that it’s time for Hangman Adam Page to win the AEW Championship. The Anxious Millennial Cowboy is at the culmination of a near three year arch to become AEW Champion. It would be a crime to void that and give the belt to Danielson right now.
But once Page has won the belt, then it’s Danielson’s time. Should Hangman have a long run with the belt, to prove he’s as good as everyone thinks he is? Definitely.
Would losing the belt in his first defence to Bryan Danielson be an incredibly interesting story? Undoubtable.
Whatever the circumstances of his victory, Bryan Danielson must become AEW World Champion.
Once he does, then the stage will be set for Moxley vs Danielson, and I for one cannot wait.
Who wins?
Who wins when Bryan Danielson vs Jon Moxley happens on AEW Pay per view? It could go either way. AEW has yet to gave a two-time world champion. Only Cody Rhodes has won one title more than once, having two reigns with the TNT Championship.
If anyone could be a two-time champion, Jon Moxley is my candidate. His character would be vastly different from when he first became champion, and could have excellent title matches with a number of great wrestlers he previously hasn’t faced.
Adam Cole, Adam Page, Orange Cassidy, but to name a few men who could have wonderful world championship feuds with a heel Jon Moxley.
Whatever happens, I just hope we get Jon Moxley vs Bryan Danielson in AEW ASAP.
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