On April 21st, 2024, at the first AEW Dynasty event, the show will feature a huge first-time dream matchup between two of the greatest warriors to enter the squared circle, Bryan Danielson and Will Ospreay.
On one side, we have the Aerial Assassin and the Englishman who has traveled from Japan to America, displaying his immense skillset and proving his claim of being on another level.
In the opposite corner, we have the American Dragon, regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time and looks to test the Aerial Assassin’s claims when they clash for the first time.
This is the journey between Bryan Danielson and Will Ospreay to their first match against one another.
Bryan Danielson and Will Ospreay –
The Dragon Challenges the Assassin
On March 3rd, 2024, at Revolution, Will Ospreay wrestled his first match under contract of All Elite Wrestling in a spectacle of a war against Konosuke Takeshita.
The wrestling world’s stunned reaction showed the match’s greatness, with a particular legend keeping a close eye on the victor.
On the following episode of Dynamite (March 6th, 2024), the Aerial Assassin again showed his immense talent by gaining another victory over his teammate, Kyle Fletcher.
However, the celebrations were cut short because Bryan Danielson came to the ring to stare down Ospreay, showing the newly signed star that his focus was entirely on him.
Ospreay returned the favor by confronting Danielson on Collision the same week, which led to a challenge from the American Dragon to see who is truly the best in the world. To which Ospreay responded with two words: ‘Yes, bruv!’
“He’s obviously always been dynamic, but now he’s putting together the entire package of what a modern professional wrestler should embody…
He has such a great grasp of what the modern professional wrestling fan wants. There are people who criticize him, and I think they are mostly from the older guard.
When I see him, I think he’s the best wrestler in the world for modern wrestling fans, as far as what they enjoy”.
A Battle Of Wrestling Excellence
The dream match between Danielson and Ospreay on April 21st will represent a celebration of the art of professional wrestlers from two of the best today.
Bryan Danielson made a name for himself in the 2000s as a talent that brought all different styles worldwide, such as Strong Style from NJPW and the lucha libre from CMLL.
The Dragon has carved a legacy of wrestling brilliance that he went on to implement and improve to 2024, cementing himself as one of the most extraordinary talents of all time.
On the other hand, Ospreay came into New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2016 as a junior heavyweight after impressing stars like Okada and Styles in RevPro.
He dazzled fans with his stunning aerial ability, and even when he transitioned to a heavyweight in 2020.
He easily added many breathtaking power moves into his arsenal, creating magic in the ring with classic after classic against everyone who stepped in front of him.
Both warriors may have contrasting styles, but both have traveled the world to develop their wrestling ideologies to the highest level so that they can be the best at their craft.
The American Dragon’s Proving Ground
This match means so much more than putting on an all-time battle for both wrestlers. With his full-time career beginning to wind down, Bryan Danielson wants not only to give the fans the best wrestling but also to prepare the future of the sport by testing the new generation.
From his strap match with Starks to his rivalry with Garcia, the American Dragon has been giving the new stars of wrestling competition that will raise them to a new level.
Furthermore, with whispers of the new signee potentially being touted as one of the greatest that has been seen in the sport, Danielson wants to put that to the test to create a new legend.
Will Ospreay also sees this match as a test to prove that he is high on the food chain in the world of pro wrestling?
“The respect I have for Bryan Danielson, I don’t have the vocabulary to be able to tell you how meaningful this match is to me.
But it doesn’t mean that I’m starstruck by Bryan Danielson. I do see him as somebody that is reachable.
I can take anything that Bryan Danielson has ever done, whether it’s in Ring of Honor or the other company, and do it better…
..You want this next generation to kick your ass, and here I am. I’m ready to take the reins from you. You’ve been the greatest wrestler of all time for god knows how long.
But like you said, you’re coming to the end of your full-time career. I’m here to take the throne from you now, mate.”
In the eight years the Aerial Assassin spent in NJPW, he defeated their most prominent stars, from Okada and Omega to Naito and Tanahashi, proving himself as a top-tier competitor in Japan.
Still, he looks to extend that respect over to the States. Despite testing himself with amazing athletes such as Shibata and Takeshita in AEW, the Kingpin looks to aim straight for the top for the biggest test in Bryan Danielson.
This leads us to their initial match against one another. Two of the top stars will walk into Missouri on April 21st at AEW Dynasty after agreeing to a huge dream match that is sure to steal the show and fulfill the goals of both competitors.
Bryan Danielson looks to put one of the hottest new talents to the test while adding another dream match to his final year as a full-time wrestler.
In contrast, Ospreay wants to get the respect of the wrestling world by taking down what many consider to be the GOAT and, once again, proving his top-tier wrestling ability to a larger audience.
So, will the American Dragon derail AEW’s new hype train to continue his farewell tour with a victory? Or will the Aerial Assassin break down the wrestling marvel that is Bryan Danielson to continue his winning streak in AEW?
