Three names to consider for the newest member of the Blackpool Combat Club

Bryan Danielson needs a replacement and these are three names that could step into the spot. 

Fans of Bryan Danielson and All Elite Wrestling received some unfortunate news on Wednesday. Danielson is out of two big matches as he’s not medically cleared to compete for both Forbidden Door and Blood & Guts the following Wednesday. However, he did reveal some intriguing news as the Blackpool Combat Club will get a new member that will step in to take on Zack Sabre Jr. and compete in that dangerous match against the Jericho Appreciation Society. Danielson didn’t say who, but here’s some speculation around three names that could fill in the void necessary to complete his version of technical violence.

Jonathan Gresham

Danielson didn’t state that this new member of BCC would be a first-time participant in an AEW ring. If he’s looking for someone that brings a level of beauty to being violent in professional wrestling, Jonathan Gresham is a great solution. The current Ring of Honor World Champion is one of the best technical wrestlers in the industry. In fact, he’s one individual that many have at the top of their list for dream matches against Danielson. The two have never met and that’s the type of match that would keep fans locked in through every hold.

Gresham and Sabre Jr. have a history together, with their last match coming in 2018 at ROH Final Battle where Sabre Jr. picked up the win. Allowing them to restart that rivalry for one night, while seeing Gresham get ultra-violent days later would be a fantastic way to remind fans that he’s a part of the AEW family.

CSRO

Rumors continue to build that Cesaro is close to returning to WWE. While that may be the case, this doesn’t stop wrestling fans from hoping he will turn in AEW. Even though that company is going through growing pains and struggling to leverage the entire roster, that wouldn’t stop a massive reaction for one of the best free agents in the industry.

It has been more than 10 years since Zack Sabre Jr defeated Claudio Castagnoli in a wXw 30-minute Iron Man match. But history is there to power these two men to an interesting match at Forbidden Door. He also has a history with Chris Jericho, making him an unpleasant surprise for YAS as they prepare for Blood & Guts. Plus, seeing him siding with Danielson, Jon Moxley, Wheeler Yuta, and William Regal would be a terrific way to introduce him to the AEW fanbase.

Johnny Gargano

Is Johnny Gargano violent? Yes, remember what he did to both Adam Cole and Tommaso Chiampa during their feuds in NXT. Is he a technical wrestling wizard? Certainly, there’s a reason he is known as Johnny Wrestling. Does he have a history with some of the men involved in this angle? Yes and no, as he’s faced off against Zack Sabre Jr, but never stepped into the ring with Chris Jericho. Still, there’s the link to Danielson where he’s another name that fans have always wanted to see them compete in a one-on-one matchup, and perhaps this will bring us one step closer to that happening.

Gargano is enjoying fatherhood, as he should, but he’s hinted at a potential return. As he takes his time doing so, being a special entrant at this time would be an exciting wrinkle to some of the things going on in All Elite Wrestling.