Bryan Danielson to make new memories in Miami with AEW. His others in Miami were excellent
Miami elicits fond memories for one of AEW’s newest signees, Bryan Danielson, aka WWE alum Daniel Bryan.
Miami was were the “Yes” movement really took off.
WrestleMania 28 in April 2012 at Sun Life Stadium, home of the NFL Miami Dolphins in Miami Gardens.
WWE world champ Daniel Bryan with A.J. Lee lost the title to Sheamus in a mere 18 seconds.
Fans were so upset with the match length and outcome that the following night on “Monday Night Raw,” they chanted “Yes” and “Daniel Bryan” throughout the live three-hour TV show from the AmericanAirlines Arena/FTX Arena, just 1.2 miles north of the James L. Knight Center, where Danielson will be Friday and Saturday.
AEW returns to Miami for two action-packed nights. “AEW Rampage” is Friday live on TNT from the James L. Knight Center. “AEW Dynamite” is Saturday live on TNT also from the James L. Knight Center. Matches for AEW Dark and AEW Dark: Elevation will be taped there, too.
In a mat classic, Danielson will wrestle Bobby Fish on Saturday during “AEW Dynamite.”
In my audio interview with Bryan Danielson, he discusses AEW in Miami, AEW fans, Miami memories, his passion, wrestling Kenny Omega in the AEW Grand Slam opener on TNT, coffee, the Seattle Seahawks and more.
On the WrestleMania 28 card, Big Show defeated Cody Rhodes for the Intercontinental title, and CM Punk successfully defended his WWE title with a submission win over Chris Jericho. Jim Ross was lead commentator, and Justin Roberts the ring announcer.
In that WrestleMania main event The Rock returned to WWE to face John Cena in Rock’s hometown. The next night on “Raw,” even the super popular Rock put over Bryan. He wasn’t on the TV show but did wrestle the dark match afterward, a six-man tag, and the crowd popped big time.
Such a cool moment, and the “Yes” movement evolved from there, becoming bigger and bigger, growing into one of the greatest movements in WWE history and catapulting him into WWE main event status.
Earlier in his WWE career, Bryan was part of The Nexus, and the young, hungry contingent debuted (without any build-up or fanfare) at that same AmericanAirlines Arena in Maimi for “Raw” on the USA Network.
Nexus surprised everyone at the close of the show by appearing from the crowd and then attacking Cena and destroying the ring, the set and everyone in their path. Bryan was legitimately fired for apparently taking things to the extreme, but was later rehired after an uproar (again) by fans.
What a journey for Danielson, who also starred in Ring of Honor prior to WWE.
Many top stars in AEW, such as Danielson, excelled in ROH, which showcased their in-ring wrestling skill.
Here are some outstanding wrestlers on AEW’s roster, who have Ring of Honor ties: Colt Cabana, Adam Cole, Jack Evans, Matt Hardy, Frankie Kazarian, Jerry Lynn, Omega, Hangman Page, CM Punk, Rhodes, Lio Rush, Scorpio Sky, Roderick Strong, The Young Bucks, Bobby Fish and Danielson.
Now Danielson is creating moments, memories in AEW. His match with AEW champ Omega (seconded by Don Callis) highlighted the AEW Dynamite Grand Slam show on TNT in September, before 21,000 loud, proud fans at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing Meadows, New York.
A dream main event matchup, AEW opted to open the show with it, and the two standouts delivered one heck of a match to jump-start the action.
When AEW returns to Miami in October, this marks his first time wrestling in Miami for a company, other than WWE.
Danielson, 40, debuted in 1999. He’s wrestled for Evolve, Full Impact Pro, Memphis Championship Wrestling, New Japan Pro Wrestling, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, Pro Wrestling NOAH, Ring of Honor, WWE and more.
Now he wears AEW on the front of his shirt and red on his chest.
Originally from Abeerdeen, Washington, he is a Seattle Seahawks fan. His favorite player is QB Russell Wilson for how he conducts himself on and off the field.
Danielson is married to WWE alum Brie Bella of the Bella Twins, and they have two children.
AEW in Miami
All Elite on Wrestling returns to Miami for two nights of action with all its programming.
AEW Rampage on TNT is live Friday with AEW Dark tapings for AEW YouTube also on the docket.
AEW Dynamite on TNT is live Saturday for a special Saturday edition with AEW Dark: Elevation tapings for AEW YouTube.
The James L. Knight Center in Downtown Miami will house those shows.
AEW is no stranger to the JLC.
AEW’s Welcome Back Tour drop kicked off in Miami on July 7 with AEW Dynamite Road Rager on TNT from the James L. Knight Center in Miami.
For ticket info on AEW in Miami, click:
https://www.ticketmaster.com/aew-presents-rampage-miami-florida-10-15-2021/event/0D005B17AA39C291
https://www.ticketmaster.com/aew-presents-dynamite-miami-florida-10-16-2021/event/0D005B17ABBAC2A7
https://www.ticketmaster.com/aew-combo-package-miami-florida-10-15-2021/event/0D005B17A8F1C251
https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/fighting/article254674697.html
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This story was originally published October 11, 2021 at 1:08 PM.
