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Daniel Bryan looks to be the latest WWE superstar who is deciding to make a jump to AEW. The former WWE Champion was just part of the main event of WrestleMania 37 and now may potentially be a huge part of the future of All Elite Wrestling.
According to Cassidy Haynes of Bodyslam.net, Daniel Bryan may be making his debut at the promotion's debut in New York City at Arthur Ashe Stadium on September 22nd. His signing with the company could lead to something that he has desired for a very long time, which is to have dream matches all over the world.
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With Bryan's arrival at AEW on the horizon, there is no better time than now to look at all the possible encounters that the WrestleMania main eventer can have outside of All Elite Wrestling. In this article, let's take a look at the six Daniel Bryan forbidden door matches possible in AEW.
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#6 Daniel Bryan vs. Chris Bey (IMPACT Wrestling)
One of the major promotions of the past two decades that Daniel Bryan has never stepped foot in is IMPACT Wrestling. Despite the promotion's inception in 2002, Bryan spent the majority of his career in WWE and the independent scene. With a possible signing with AEW, fans could finally see the former WWE superstar mix it up with the best of IMPACT.
Chris Bey has quickly become one of the future stars of IMPACT Wrestling. The former X-Division Champion was apart of a thrilling Ultimate X Match at Slammiversary 2021 and has been asked to join the Bullet Club. It seems that there are huge plans for his future. Could one of those plans be a dream match against Daniel Bryan?
Bryan has clashed with some of the best high flyers in the business of this century. From AJ Styles to Jack Evans, Daniel Bryan has meshed well with the more athletic performers in the business. Chris Bey is not only an expert in the air, but he has some of the smoothest footwork in wrestling. These two men could gel well and have an exciting contest that would further the elevation of Bey big time.
#5 Daniel Bryan vs. Hiromu Takahashi (NJPW)
One of the major reasons for Daniel Bryan signing with AEW was the opportunity to work in Japan and face the top talent in NJPW. Hiromu Takahashi is the ace of the junior heavyweight division. The former four-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion has just been cleared from surgery for his torn pectoral muscle and should be returning to action very soon.
Takahashi has had phenomenal encounters against Will Ospreay, El Desperado and Tomohiro Ishii over the past few years. He is among the best wrestlers in the world, pound for pound. Daniel Bryan hasn't been confronted by a wrestler who can match the unpredictability of "The Ticking Time Bomb" in the squared circle.
This is an intriguing contest because of their contrasting styles. Hiromu Takahashi has a "devil may care" attitude and puts his body on the line with regularity. His sunset flip powerbomb is vicious and intense, while his finisher, The Time Bomb II, focuses on his opponent's neck. That would be a key in a bout against Daniel Bryan.
Bryan's technical expertise would have to on point if he were to counteract Hiromu Takahashi one-on-one. Daniel Bryan would also hold a distinct advantage in the strike department, but Hiromu has shown an ability to absorb stiff strikes and keep coming at his opposition. This will be a battle of wills that would be a must-see for any wrestling fan.
#4 Daniel Bryan vs. Minoru Suzuki (NJPW)
Daniel Bryan has been in the ring with Japanese legends such as Shinsuke Nakamura, KENTA and Takeshi Morishima in the past. From junior heavyweights to the top stars of Pro Wrestling NOAH, "The American Dragon" has clashed with the best of the best. One legend that he has never taken on is Minoru Suzuki.
Suzuki has been described as the most sadistic wrestler in the business today. He is known for his hard-hitting style and a tendency to be a sadist who loves to take pain. "The King" has battled with a lot of talent from AEW, including Jon Moxley and Kenny Omega in NJPW. A showdown with Daniel Bryan would be a dream match for both men.
If Bryan wants to clash with the top talent in New Japan Pro Wrestling, Minoru Suzuki would be a gatekeeper of sorts where he will have to prove himself and withstand the onslaught of the former GHC Heavyweight Champion. Suzuki would definitely attack Bryan's head and neck.
Suzuki has been known to focus on the weaknesses of his opponents and that is the most glaring for Daniel Bryan. The American Dragon's heart has always been undeniable, so he would have to show his determination in overcoming the punishment that Suzuki will dish out. This contest will be physically intense and incredible to watch unfold.
#3 Daniel Bryan vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi (NJPW)
If Daniel Bryan wants to face the biggest stars in Japan, the list has to start with Hiroshi Tanahashi. As one of the greatest NJPW stars of all time, the Ace has proven to still be at the top of his game at 44 years old. He just put on another Match of the Year candidate at NJPW Wrestle Grand Slam against Shingo Takagi despite not being advertised for the contest until the same day.
Tanahashi is a master of match layout, psychology and selling. The way that he crafts his big-time matches has always made him the most reliable main eventer to ever step foot in a NJPW ring. Daniel Bryan is someone who also has similar traits. Their mutual technical wrestling ability would put on an epic encounter that will be remembered for years to come.
Daniel Bryan has always expressed his desire to be in a Tokyo Dome main event. That huge stage would provide plenty of motivation to produce an all-time classic. The American Dragon would be hard-pressed to find a better dance partner than Tanahashi. The Ace of the Universe has delivered time and time again on the biggest shows in NJPW history against Kazuchika Okada and Minoru Suzuki.
Both men are among the best babyfaces of this century, but Daniel Bryan has also shown that he can be equally effective as a heel. His work as "The Planet's Champion" has to be included in the conversation for the best heel world champions of the past decade. Bryan put on tremendous matches, stellar promos and top notch character work.
With Tanahashi as the babyface and Bryan as the heel, this would make for a showdown for the ages. The storytelling and drama would be on another level and unlike anything seen before. If it takes place inside the Tokyo Dome, the bout would have the better atmosphere for a once in a lifetime battle.
#2 Daniel Bryan vs. Zack Sabre Jr. (NJPW)
Daniel Bryan is widely considered one of the greatest technical wrestlers of all time. From his time on the independent scene to the top of WWE, the former WWE Champion has showcased his ability to be a submission specialist and put on mat wrestling clinics. A competitor has emerged over the past decade who can match Bryan's technical expertise.
Zack Sabre Jr. has been described as a mat magician. He knows 100 ways to submit his opponent. ZSJ has tied up his opponents in knots and made top talent have no choice but to tap out. He was the first British-born New Japan Cup winner and has wins over Tanahashi, Will Ospreay and Tetsuya Naito in NJPW.
After being the best wrestler on the UK independent scene, he has went on to great success in New Japan Pro Wrestling. In addition to his 2018 New Japan Cup win, Sabre Jr. has won the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Titles on three occasions with his Dangerous Tekkers tag team partner, Taichi. Daniel Bryan would have his hands full with ZSJ.
This would be two of the greatest technical wrestling geniuses in the history of the business. Chain wrestling, counters and submissions would be amazing and compelling to watch. Daniel Bryan and Zack Sabre Jr. have met in the past, but their experience over the past few years would make for an even better encounter now. This is the match most fans will want to see from Bryan in NJPW.
#1 Daniel Bryan vs. Kota Ibushi (NJPW)
Daniel Bryan facing any of the main event talent in New Japan Pro Wrestling would be the main event in any building in the world. He was in the ring with the current IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Shingo Takagi almost a decade ago, while many fans will name the longest reigning IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada as a competitor for any AEW star to contend with.
However, Kota Ibushi has to be considered in the conversation for a bonafide Hall of Famer on the NJPW roster as well. The first IWGP World Heavyweight Champion reached his goal of becoming a God in Japan at the biggest stage possible. In the Tokyo Dome, Ibushi defeated Tetsuya Naito to win the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Championships at Wrestle Kingdom 15.
The Golden Star followed up that performance on Night 1 with an even greater effort against Switchblade Jay White in a Match of the Year candidate and the longest match in the history of the Tokyo Dome on Wrestle Kingdom 15 Night 2. That 47 minute clash was captivating, suspenseful and outstanding. It has been some time since Daniel Bryan has put on a match of that length.
Due to his time in WWE, Bryan hasn't had a match over 35 minutes in length in well over a decade. Fans have seen him put on hour-long classics during his independent career and it begs to question if he can still put on those type of encounters. The endurance of Ibushi could be a factor. If he pushes the match to the 40 minute mark, can Daniel Bryan still keep up?
Another interesting question mark is whether Daniel Bryan can withstand the kicks and strike of Kota Ibushi. The switch that Ibushi flips in certain matches has overwhelmed the likes of Tomohiro Ishii and Suzuki in the past. If he can do that against some of the toughest individuals on the NJPW roster, Daniel Bryan will have his hands full with Ibushi for sure.
Bryan will have to tap into the viciousness that made him a formidable striker. He has stomped the heads of opponents in WWE and his signature elbow strikes have made opponents pass out in previous encounters. This may be a bout that ends by a flash knockout based on the two men's history.
There are a number of factors at play that make this a must-see dream match that is head and shoulders above the rest. Kota Ibushi has the accolades, experience, skills and intensity that make him a perfect match for Bryan. That is why Ibushi is the biggest and best forbidden matchup that is possible in AEW for Daniel Bryan.
