3 Potential finishes to Hangman Page vs. Bryan Danielson in the Owen Hart Cup finals
Bryan Danielson and Hangman Adam Page are set to collide in the finals of the 2024 Men's Owen Hart Foundation Tournament on the upcoming episode of Dynamite, which is set to emanate from Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The winner of the bout will be entitled to a shot at the AEW World Championship at All In, as was stipulated by Tony Khan a couple of months ago.
So far in AEW, Danielson and Page have clashed three times. Their first bout ended in a draw, with both men gaining one victory over the other in their subsequent matches. Both top stars have narratively compelling motivations to win the Owen Hart Cup this year, making their upcoming bout a highly-anticipated one.
As such, let us look at three possible conclusions to Hangman Page vs. Bryan Danielson IV in the Owen Hart Tournament finals.
#1. Bryan Danielson defeats Hangman Page clean
During a backstage promo last month, Bryan Danielson vowed to make up for the major losses he had suffered recently by winning the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament and headlining Wembley Stadium, voicing his resolve to finish his career on top.
To this end, the former WWE Champion defeated Shingo Takagi in a quarterfinal match at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2024 and later pinned PAC in the semifinal on Dynamite: Beach Break last week.
Bryan Danielson is carrying a lot of momentum as he heads to Calgary for the finals of The Owen. He has been vocal about finishing up his full-time career in 2024, and challenging for the World Title in London would inarguably make for a worthy accolade for Danielson before he transitions to what could be a lighter, more limited schedule.
Furthermore, according to a recent report, The Blackpool Combat Club member is believed to be the favorite to win the Owen Hart tournament this year. This suggests the likely possibility of Danielson defeating Hangman Page clean to proceed to All In 2024.
#2. Nigel McGuinness costs Bryan Danielson during the Owen Hart Cup finals
During his unforgettable run in ROH, Bryan Danielson wrestled a number of matches against Nigel McGuinness. The two stars collided in several acclaimed bouts over the ROH World Title - in fact, both men competed in their final match for the promotion in 2009 against each other.
Their rivalry has carried over to AEW, where McGuinness signed with the promotion in 2023. The 48-year-old, who has been retired since 2011, currently serves as a commentator on Collision alongside Tony Schiavone. However, a recent report claimed that he nearly made his in-ring return last year before it was canceled.
McGuinness has consistently alluded to his storyline rivalry with and dislike for Bryan Danielson on air, freely taking shots at the latter from behind the announcers' desk. In fact, on multiple occasions, he has insinuated that Danielson does not want to lock horns with him again, suggesting his openness to another match against the latter. Danielson himself has voiced his interest in squaring off against McGuinness in recent interviews.
This opens up the possibility of the former ROH Pure Champion potentially costing his nemesis the victory against Hangman Page during the finals of the Owen Hart Cup. Such an outcome could, in turn, set up a blockbuster match between Danielson and McGuinness in the latter's hometown in London at All In 2024.
#3. Hangman Page cheats to defeat Bryan Danielson and head to All In 2024
Hangman Page has undergone a radical shift as a character in his recent appearances in AEW. The Anxious Millennial Cowboy began displaying villainous tendencies on the heels of his blood feud with Swerve Strickland. He even assaulted referees during a three-way AEW World Title match involving The New Flavor and defending champion Samoa Joe at Revolution 2024.
He was indefinitely suspended by The Young Bucks after the pay-per-view until last week when Page returned to Dynamite: Beach Break as The Elite's hand-picked wild card entry for the 2024 Owen Hart Cup.
Page defeated Jeff Jarrett in brutal fashion in their quarterfinal meeting before proceeding to defeat Jay White in a controversial semifinal bout on Collision. Page's conduct during his match against The Switchblade was transparently at odds with his former babyface character, as he choked and whipped White with his belt before eventually delivering a Buckshot Lariat to the latter for the win (but not before White had already been speared by Christian Cage).
Hangman has been outspoken in his resolve to win the Owen Hart Tournament to challenge for the AEW World Title - currently held by Swerve Strickland - at All In 2024. The 32-year-old star seems intent on exacting vengeance against Swerve in a continuation of their rivalry from 2023 and could be willing to go to any lengths to earn his shot at Strickland.
The tournament finals on Dynamite could thus very well see Page resorting to underhanded tactics to pick up the win over Danielson. Given that The BCC (like The Elite) will be banned from ring-side, Danielson could find himself overwhelmed by Page, who could solidify his heel turn by cheating to win against The American Dragon.
It remains to be seen how Bryan Danielson vs. Hangman Page IV will play out in the upcoming episode of Dynamite.