The Latest Update On Daniel Bryan’s AEW Debut
With CM Punk now officially a part of All Elite Wrestling, a recent report from BodySlam.net’s Cassidy Haynes states that the company is getting ready to debut its next huge signing.
According to Haynes, Daniel Bryan will be making his AEW in-ring debut at the company’s All Out pay-per-view on Sunday. The report notes that initially, Bryan — who will be going by his name Bryan Danielson with the company — was supposed to debut later in the year, potentially during the September 22nd episode of AEW Dynamite at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York City, but plans were moved up so that Bryan will debut sooner.
Thanks to the massive boost in excitement surrounding Punk’s return, AEW is reportedly keen on maximizing any potential buzz the return of Bryan would receive. The report also notes that the rising number of COVID-19 cases could have played a role, with New York having already tightened many restrictions in the past few weeks.
After he left WWE earlier this year, it has long been rumored that Bryan would be making his way to AEW at some point. Previous reports stated that Bryan’s contract with AEW has a few perks; he won’t have to work as many dates, he’ll have the freedom to wrestle in Japan, and he’ll also have creative input over his character, all of which he reportedly received upon signing.
F4WOnline.com‘s Dave Meltzer has also confirmed Haynes’ report and noted that multiple sources have said Bryan’s debut is scheduled for the show. AEW hasn’t “confirmed” the debut publicly (and they haven’t denied it, either), but it’s still set to take place. Meltzer noted that if Bryan is scheduled to appear and if he doesn’t show on Sunday, it would be a change in plans.
RELATED: Report: Daniel Bryan Signs With AEW, Details On His Deal With The Company (Updated)
CM Punk was recently asked about Bryan’s status on WFAN’s Moose and Maggie and if it’s a “foregone conclusion” that he ends up in AEW. After noting that Bryan “would have” been a guy that could get him to un-retire, Punk explained why he’s excited to see what Bryan does either way.
“Listen, the seven years I was gone, if you told me, ‘Who’s the one guy that could get you back to wrestling?’ If you could just have one match with them, it would be him. I don’t know if that answers your question or not, but… that guy was in the WrestleMania main event, I don’t know, six months ago? So that would be a huge acquisition and I think he could do, just like me, everything he wants to do. And for a guy like him and me, pro wrestling is art,” Punk said. “This is our art, right? Other people paint with brushes, this is our art and very much in the footsteps of a Bret Hart, so if he does show up, I’m excited to see what he does. If he doesn’t, I’m excited to see what he does elsewhere.”
Check out more of Punk’s comments about Bryan and the potential of seeing AJ Lee returning to the ring at this link.