Bryan Danielson is putting on a clinic early in the new year

Bryan Danielson seems determined to remind wrestling fans that he’s one of the best every time he steps in the ring. 

Three episodes of AEW Dynamite have occurred in 2023 and Bryan Danielson seems like a man on a mission to give fans the best matches possible every outing. During the January 18 edition of the show, he and Bandido tore down the house in what is another entry for the growing 2023 Match of the Year watch list. With 49 weeks left this year, Danielson is on pace to blow away the rest of the wrestling community.

Bryan Danielson is one of the best professional wrestlers in the world. Many will argue that he’s the best of this generation. If someone was to argue against Danielson being in the running, then that person’s vote should be thrown in the trash can. It’s rare that there’s such a universal appreciation of a performer in an industry as divisive as professional wrestling, but Danielson is there. These last two weeks of Dynamite action just further add acclaim to what has already been an exceptional career.

Danielson’s matches against Bandido and Konosuke Takeshita are “must-watch” for anyone who claims to be a fan of wrestling. Watching Danielson wrestle equally impressive matches in two different styles further marks his greatness. He’s taking on Brian Cage next, and Cage is an entirely different type of beast – creating questions about how Danielson will get a big match out of him. And do not think that Cage isn’t ready to step up to the plate. He’s shown that he can go when the lights are bright. Look back no further than his match with Wardlow as an example of his skills.

Bryan Danielson’s quest to out-perform himself

All of this is a part of his chase of the AEW World Champion, MJF. The apparent destination is for MJF and Danielson to face off in an ironman match at AEW Revolution. Will Danielson finally get his hands on an AEW Championship and his first title since July 2019? Expectations are that he will be the next to fall to MJF, but along the way, he’s going to put on the best possible action if these two matches are any example.

With Cage on the horizon, who will Danielson have to face to get his shot against MJF? All Elite Wrestling does an excellent job with surprise names and matches. What about someone like a 2 Cold Scorpio making a surprise appearance at the behest of MJF? Imagine the reaction of Katsuyori Shibata coming in to take on Danielson in a match built around respect. Danielson versus RUSH? There are so many possibilities that come to mind, but the results seem to all be the same: Danielson will continue to wow the crowd.

The return of Bryan Danielson has been one of the top stories in years. His run in AEW is a completely new chapter to what was already a Hall of Fame-worthy career. At this pace, Danielson is going to run away with the award for the top performer of 2023.