When the first match for AEW WrestleDream was announced – it was a moment 15 years in the making. Bryan Danielson & Zack Sabre Jr. are two of the best technical wrestlers of all time, despite having different styles.
Danielson learned his craft in the United States, while Zack Sabre Jr. has a European flair to his style. Tonight, the debate is finally going to end – as this legitimate dream match finally takes place.
This match was originally planned for Forbidden Door 2022 – but an injury to Danielson would delay it until right now.
A Mental Chess Game Between Bryan Danielson & Zack Sabre Jr.
Danielson & ZSJ would size each other up as this match began – and Danielson would almost get the first hold as he briefly had the ankle of ZSJ. The wrist of ZSJ would be the next target, but the englishman would be able to slip free. ZSJ would catch Danielson with an Cobra Twist, with Danielson able to slip free.
A leg lock would be applied, and Danielson would try to bridge back – only for ZSJ to use this opening to regain control. The Double Crab Hold would see ZSJ try to gain control, but again hit a stalemate. However, ZSJ was the man on his feet – while Danielson was slower to his feet, and ZSJ would rush in to get the next hold.
The Surfboard Stretch would be applied, but Danielson was able to easily slip free and apply the hold himself – ripping at the face of ZSJ along the way.
ZSJ threw the first strike of the match with an uppercut, and Danielson was more than willing to stand and strike. Danielson would use his left arm, the right arm still hurt from the match with Okada – and when ZSJ goaded him into using the right – he took advantage of the mental chess game.
ZSJ would block an uppercut with the right hand with a shoulder block, sending Danielson to the mat before stomping on the elbow.
Now with the target in mind, ZSJ would attack the hand of Danielson – snapping the fingers back. Danielson would get a Single Leg Crab – rolling into it Lance Storm style, before moving into a kneebreaker.
The American Dragon Refuses To Quit
Focusing on the leg, Danielson would hit a series of roundhouse kicks before a tight Dragon Screw leg whip. ZSJ would respond with a quick neck crank, before this match went to the top rope. Danielson would have his arm attacked, but ZSJ was unable to prevent the Avalanche Butterfly Suplex.
The LeBell Lock would be blocked by ZSJ – but a Buzzsaw Kick would follow. Danielson would stomp the head of ZSJ into the match, but the Running Knee Strike was avoided., ZSJ tried for the European Clutch, and after a trade of control – would get the pinfall for a two count. Danielson hit a dropkick in the corner, before ZSJ rushed across the ring for a takedown.
ZSJ would nearly end up in the Cattle Mutilation, but was able to prevent this before capturing the left arm with his legs and going after the recently injured right arm – twisting away.
Danielson would be able to snatch the leg of ZSJ, but the hold was a 50/50 advantage – before both simply kicked each other in the face.
A battle over control of a backslide favoured ZSJ, before a PK to the arm. The Zack Driver landed before the Omoplata was applied.
Danielson was able to hold on, and got the foot on the bottom rope. ZSJ would kick away on Danielson, only to take roundhouse kicks. The stomps to the head would follow, before ZSJ blocked into a Double Wristlock.
ZSJ would flow right into the armbar, but ended up in the RegalPlex before the Running Knee Strike for a near fall. Lowering the kneepad for a second knee strike – and this match was over. He was able to win the war – and proved his claim as the best technical wrestler in the world.
Six Of The Best Professional Wrestlers In The World In One Ring
The Don Callis Family has exploded onto the scene in AEW, and has already made some incredibly dangerous enemies. Konosuke Takeshita & Sammy Guevara are being guided by Callis, and it puts them at odds with Kenny Omega & Chris Jericho as a result.
Guevara would even be convinced to turn on Jericho after AEW Grand Slam – a betrayal that remains very fresh in the mind of Jericho. Joining the DCF tonight is Will Ospreay, while Jericho & Omega have Kota Ibushi – making this a massive trios match.
Ibushi would elect to start the match – but it would be Omega & Ospreay starting as the bell rang. Omega would gain wrist control, before Guevara got the tag and was run down with a shoulder tackle.
Guevara managed the dropkick to the chest – before tagging back to Jericho. Ospreay would pick up where he left off with Jericho, only to take a double suplex from Omega & Jericho.
Omega would hit an elbow to the neck of Ospreay, before all six men got into the ring for a brawl. The DCF would be sent from the ring – and a three way dive from Jericho, Omega & Ibushi would follow.
Back in the ring, Ospreay would hit the back handspring blast kick on Omega, before getting Takeshita in the ring.
The Takeshita Line would drop Omega – before the Camel Clutch was applied. Ibushi broke the hold up, before disrespecting his former protege.
Ospreay would keep the pressure on Omega, getting a Cobra Twist applied in the middle of the ring – before getting the extra leverage from Guevara, Takeshita and even Callis.
Don Callis Plays A Key Role Like Always
Omega would break free with some dunks, before getting Jericho back into the ring. Guevara was there to take shoulder tackles before a double axe handle.
Jericho would get the chain abdominal stretch next, and Jericho followed with a poke to the eyes. Ibushi would hit the roundhouse kick to the chest of Guevara, before the Golden Lovers worked to cut him down.
The Golden Triangle moonsaults would keep Takeshita & Ospreay at bay while Jericho caught Guevara with the Lionsault for a near fall.
Takeshita would get a Chaos Theory German Suplex on Ibushi, before Jericho would fight off both Takeshita & Ospreay on his own. The Hidden Blade and Power Drive Knee was planned – but Jericho ducked and caused the partners to collide.
Jericho would sent Takeshita & Ospreay to the floor, and Omega hit the Terminator Dive. Guevara dropped Jericho with a Spanish Fly – before a Shooting Star Press to the floor.
Ospreay & Takeshita would take out Jericho with a double Helluva Kick in the corner, before feeding him into a Codebreaker from Guevara for a one count.
Jericho would not take that disrespect – and Ibushi would rise into the dark place – and swatted Ospreay & Guevara away with single and precise strikes.
Takeshita was ready for this level from Ibushi, hitting a big lariat before taking one back from Ibushi. Omega would help Ibushi and looked for Golden Trigger on Ospreay, before Guevara dove onto them.
Jericho would have his eyes raked by Guevara, and Ospreay saved Guevara from the Judas Effect. Ospreay would be down and out, and Jericho would hit a Frankensteiner – ensuring time was found for Callis. The bat of Jericho was used to bludgeon, and Guevara scored the pinfall win.
What can stop the Don Callis family? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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