Bryan Danielson's legendary rival to return and teach Wheeler Yuta a lesson? Exploring the hints
Jon Moxley, Wheeler Yuta, Claudio Castagnoli, PAC, and Marina Shafir have dominated AEW in recent weeks. After Bryan Danielson was dethroned of the World Championship and taken out by his ex-stablemates at WrestleDream, The Blackpool Combat Club has increased the carnage from its takeover campaign. And now there is speculation that one of Danielson's biggest rivals could change his tune in a major way.
The American Dragon wrestled five matches between his World Championship win at All In, and the title loss at WrestleDream. Grand Slam Dynamite on September 25 opened with a re-visit of a legendary rivalry as Danielson defeated Nigel McGuinness. This was their first bout since September 2009, and Nigel's second match since retiring in 2011, as he also worked the All In Casino Gauntlet.
McGuinness has resumed his broadcaster duties, and Saturday's live Collision episode saw the former WWE commentator conduct a sitdown interview with Wheeler Yuta. The World Trios Champion mocked Nigel when asked why he tried to suffocate Danielson and permanently injure his own trainer, Chuck Taylor, on Dynamite during The Blackpool Combat Club's latest massacre of babyfaces.
Nigel McGuinness labeled Wheeler Yuta a "smug b*****d," as the 28-year-old admitted he doesn't enjoy any of this but owes everything to the faction. Yuta stormed out to end the interview.
The Decoder vs. the former Desmond Wolfe in a big singles match is now being speculated on for an upcoming AEW event. McGuinness has not confirmed that he plans to wrestle again, but he has left the door open by expressing interest in more in-ring action.
AEW fans pointed to how Saturday's Collision segment indicated that Nigel seemed to have eased up on his negative feelings towards Danielson. Yuta remained defiant, and McGuinness didn't budge, which fueled speculation on the exchange leading to the latter's third match inside an All Elite ring. There was a feeling that the 48-year-old was sympathizing with Danielson.
The next AEW pay-per-view is Full Gear on November 23 in Newark, NJ. However, next week's live Collision episode is scheduled to take place in Yuta's hometown of Philadelphia, PA. It remains to be seen if The Blackpool Combat Club is planned for a title defense at Full Gear, but that could be a location for Nigel McGuinness vs. Wheeler Yuta.
AEW has not confirmed when Danielson will make his return to the storylines as a part-time wrestler, but Nigel McGuinness vs. Wheeler Yuta could be the potential set-up for his comeback. A likely scenario could see Danielson return to save his fellow former ROH World Champion from a beatdown by The Blackpool Combat Club, which could end with a handshake between the longtime rivals.
AEW star to address Wheeler Yuta and his stablemates
Wednesday's AEW Dynamite main event saw Private Party and Daniel Garcia defeat The Young Bucks and Jack Perry. After the two teams agreed on a Career vs. Title match for next week, The Blackpool Combat Club's Marina Shafir was seen arriving in a truck outside.
Claudi Castagnoli and Wheeler Yuta suddenly attacked the babyface winners with steel chairs, as Jon Moxley tossed Yuta's trainer, Chuck Taylor, into the ring. The heels stomped a chair placed around his head when Orange Cassidy ran down to save his longtime friend but he was also taken out. The show ended with a distraught Cassidy looking on.
AEW has announced that Cassidy will address what happened to his friend on Wednesday's Fright Night Dynamite. Officials later released a post-show footage of Taylor being taken away.
You can check out the footage below:
The Fright Night edition of Dynamite will take place in Cleveland at the Wolstein Center. The following has also been announced: World Tag Team Champions The Young Bucks vs. Private Party in a Titles vs. Career match, Adam Cole returns vs. Buddy Matthews, Adam Page will speak, Kamille vs. Kris Statlander, Shelton Benjamin vs. Swerve Strickland.