The Chinese zodiac has 12 animals that rotate each year, with 2024 being the Year of the Dragon. 2024 is also the Year of the American Dragon, Bryan Danielson. Danielson entered the year hot off the Continental Classic for his final year as a full-time professional wrestler. He holds nothing back each time he steps between the ropes, knowing the sun is setting. When the American Dragon first hinted at the possibility of stepping away, he said, “I will not go gently into that goodnight,” and he kept true to his promises for the fans and his daughter. Bryan Danielson may have been considered the best of all time for a while, but this run, starting at Wrestle Kingdom 18, has cemented his legacy. These are the matches this year that best encapsulate who Bryan Danielson is and why 2024 was the Year of the American Dragon.
Bryan Danielson vs. Kazuchika Okada: Wrestle Kingdom 18
Some younger or more casual fans forget Bryan Danielson worked the Tokyo Dome three times before January 4, 2024. Danielson teamed with Ricky Reyes and Rocky Romero in defeat against Jushin Thunder Liger, Masahito Kakihara, and Tiger Mask at NJPW The Spiral on October 14, 2002, in his debut in the iconic egg-shaped stadium. He also teamed with Rocky Romero again in 2003 and with Koji Kanemoto and Ultimo Dragon at NJPW Nexess on May 3, 2004.
Wrestle Kingdom 18 would be the American Dragon’s first singles match in the Tokyo Dome in the sequel to Forbidden Door 2023’s main event dream match. Danielson picked up the win over Okada in Toronto by making Kazuchika Okada tap out for the first time since Shinsuke Nakamura in the G1 Climax 25. To add insult to injury, Danielson did it with a broken arm after Okada’s elbow drop. While the return of “The Final Countdown” and interest in seeing two of the best lock up kept excitement high, the match itself was slightly disappointing. Neither man got out of second gear partially due to Danielson’s injury about 20 minutes into the bout. Even before that moment, it felt as if the two were holding back for a rematch down the road on a bigger scale, which turned out to be true. Okada made his Dynamite in-ring debut on October 25, 2023, teaming with Orange Cassidy against Danielson and Claudio Castagnoli to start building a rematch. AEW took advantage of Danielson suffering an orbital bone injury just days prior by making it seem like Okada caused the injury while hitting a Rainmaker, establishing a story heading into Wrestle Kingdom. Okada has now injured Danielson during both matches, but Danielson still walked away with the win. The American Dragon would now go into the Tokyo Dome hellbent on ensuring Okada never hits a Rainmaker again.
Wrestle Kingdom had a completely different vibe to Forbidden Door. Danielson vs. Okada was no longer a dream match. Danielson had an eyepatch due to his fractured orbital bone, and fans were weary after the lackluster original. However, the two delivered what everyone knew they could. Danielson’s aggression out of the gate added much-needed heat. It felt like they hated each other. Bringing in a legitimate storyline also helped Danielson and Okada get out of second gear early. Neither man wasted time feeling out the other. As soon as the bell rang, they were beating the piss out of each other. The rematch felt like what you’d expect from a dream match between two of the best wrestlers. Just hitting the classic moves they are known for while telling a masterful story between the ropes. In the end, Danielson gets overzealous by opting for a second Busaiku Knee rather than going for the pin, allowing Okada to counter and set up a Rainmaker for the victory.
Bryan Danielson vs. Kazuchika Okada at Wrestle Kingdom 18 is one of the best matches of 2024. Each match discussed shows a different side to Danielson. This bout highlights his aggressiveness. Danielson went into the Tokyo Dome wanting to break Okada’s arm, and throughout the match, the crowd believed the American Dragon was actually trying to injure the Rainmaker. His kicks were a bit stronger. His chops were a bit stiffer. Danielson did not let up for one second to show out for the Japanese crowd. Maybe the atmosphere motivated him a bit more, but January 4 was Bryan Danielson at his peak as a professional wrestler.
Bryan Danielson vs. Zack Sabre Jr.: NJPW New Beginning in Osaka
If Bryan Danielson vs. Kazuchika Okada is Dragon’s peak as a professional wrestler, Danielson vs. Zack Sabre Jr. is Dragon’s peak as a technical wrestler. Fans have debated for years now over who the best technical wrestler is: Danielson or ZSJ. The two men faced off for the first time in 2008, but ZSJ was only about 60 matches into his career. People clamored for a rematch to determine once and for all who the best mat wrestler was. At AEW WrestleDream on October 1, 2023, Danielson and ZSJ finally wrestled after a concussion canceled the match in 2022. The bout, as expected, exceeded expectations to become one of the best of the year. Danielson picked up the win in his home state of Washington using the Busaiku Knee, much to the chagrin of ZSJ. Zack argued that Danielson winning without a pure wrestling move does not prove who the best technical wrestler in the world is. British propaganda for months led to a rematch in Osaka at NJPW’s New Beginning. Match one in Bryan’s home promotion and match two in ZSJ’s.
The two submission experts went over 30 minutes on February 11, 2024, going hold for hold and counter for counter. By all accounts, the match is one of, if not the best, technical wrestling matches of all time. Danielson and ZSJ performed so well that EDION Arena started a “this is awesome” chant, which is unheard of from Japanese crowds. The “yes” chants took over at one point as fans adored what the two men did that winter night. The match was not an aggressive, hate-filled contest where two men wanted to hurt each other, but one built on respect. Who is the best technical wrestler? That is all the American Dragon and the Frontman needed to find out in Osaka. But they did not. Mirroring Danielson’s win in Seattle, ZSJ picked up the pinfall victory following a series of pinning exchanges. While ZSJ used more of a wrestling move for the win, neither man has won using a submission and holds a 1-1 record against each other (excluding the 2008 match). With Danielson’s full-time career coming to a close, the question may never be answered.
This match showed Danielson’s technical wrestling side in all its beauty. Dragon is known for being a great technical wrestler, but ZSJ brought out his two best performances on the mat. American televised wrestling does not always lend itself to grappling’s slow pace, leading Danielson to focus on other aspects of his game rather than his technical expertise. The Japanese fans appreciated that match style, which gave him the right avenue to create an instant classic. Bryan Danielson vs. Zack Sabre Jr. in Osaka is a special match for technical wrestling fans.
Bryan Danielson vs. Eddie Kingston: AEW Revolution
Bryan Danielson and Eddie Kingston’s fourth singles match in AEW is unique from the others on this list. The match itself is great and easily Eddie’s best of the year. However, it does not crack the top five for Danielson on Cagematch in 2024. So why is it a top moment for the American Dragon this year? Danielson vs. Kingston IV is Danielson’s best character work of the year.
Danielson is a 5’10, 210-pound man who uses his small stature to his advantage by taking up different styles. He’s worked hard to overcome doubts about his size, proven by the dome overflowing with people screaming “YES” down in the bayou. Everything he has accomplished is because of hard work. Danielson looks in the mirror and does not see Eddie Kingston. He does not see anything resembling Eddie Kingston. He sees the opposite of Eddie Kingston. Eddie is a man who is admittedly a bit bigger, who does not move as eloquently, or who never reached the mountaintops of corporate America. Danielson sees Eddie as a man who rode his best friend’s coattails to a pandemic paycheck in Jacksonville. Danielson sees Eddie the same way a lion may see a raccoon. Since first squaring off in October 2021, Eddie Kingston made it his mission to prove to Danielson that he, too, is a lion.
Eddie lost his first two singles matches against Danielson, with the second during the round-robin stage of AEW’s Continental Classic in 2023. The two faced off again in the tournament semi-finals on December 27, 2023. Facing a third straight loss to Dragon, Eddie stepped up to the plate in a meticulous, punishing fight and finally beat Danielson to advance in the Continental Classic. Still, Danielson refused to shake the hand of Eddie Kingston to show respect. During AEW Collision on February 10, 2024, Eddie challenged Danielson to a match for his Continental Crown, where Danielson must shake Eddie’s hand if he wins. Eddie walked into the Greensboro Coliseum, embracing being called a bum by Danielson, nicknaming himself the King of the Bums. The Mad King needed that handshake, and he got it after putting away Danielson for the second time.
Danielson vs. Eddie is a transition in the character of the American Dragon in AEW. Since arriving in 2021, Danielson has blurred the lines between face and heel. He constantly switched depending on the story. This match was the turn to becoming a full babyface for the end of his run. Showing respect to the man he first worked heel against in the fall of 2021. The final match in Danielson and Eddie’s quadrilogy may not be their best, but it’s a masterful piece of storytelling. Danielson’s storytelling ability is often overlooked due to his in-ring work. He is one of the best at using moves to convey drama without relying on drawn-out promos. The narrative is subtle but easy to catch. The American Dragon captivates his audience in a way that few in the world can, and Danielson vs. Eddie IV is a perfect example.
Bryan Danielson vs. Swerve Strickland: All In London
Bryan Danielson will challenge Swerve Strickland for the AEW World Championship on August 25, 2024, at Wembley Stadium. While the match has not occurred, the circumstances surrounding the main event are crucial to the Year of the Dragon. Danielson and Swerve first faced off in October 2023, with Dragon winning. Since then, both men have gone on opposite trajectories. On April 21, 2024, Samoa Joe lost his AEW World Championship to Swerve at AEW Dynasty. Swerve became the flag bearer for AEW as World Champion, defending against Claudio Castagnoli, Christian Cage, Roderick Strong, and Will Ospreay. He also led Team AEW to victory against The Elite in Blood and Guts. Swerve spent the past ten months becoming the top guy in AEW.
Danielson did not win a title. He actually lost a lot. Dragon lost in the semi-finals of the Continental Classic. He lost against Kazuchika Okada at Wrestle Kingdom 18. He lost against ZSJ in Osaka. He lost against Eddie Kingston at Revolution. He lost against Will Ospreay at Dynasty. He led Team AEW to a loss against The Elite at Anarchy In The Arena. Danielson spent the past ten months doing a lot of losing in the big moments. Then, the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament started. The American Dragon showed up to work, running through Shingo Takagi, PAC, and Adam Page to win the Owen. Danielson earned himself a title shot in the main event of All In against Swerve.
The stakes were not quite high enough for Danielson, though. The main event of AEW’s biggest show of the year at Wembley Stadium could be the American Dragon’s last, as he put his career on the line. If Danielson loses, he will never wrestle again. Now, with the Final Countdown looming under the arches of Wembley, Danielson is Odysseus heading home from the Trojan War to fight the Cyclops. He will be tied to the mast to face his siren song, and he is going to kick someone’s head in. The American Dragon battles one more time in front of his daughter, son, and wife to end the reign of Swerve Strickland and become the AEW World Champion. Everything he has gone through this year has led to this moment. Danielson has one more chance to truly make 2024 the Year of the American Dragon.
