All the signs are pointing to Daniel Bryan/Bryan Danielson making his AEW debut in a matter of weeks, and if so, that will be just as huge for the company as them being able to bring back CM Punk.
It's certainly going to go a long way in increasing the ratings of shows like Dynamite and Rampage, and is likely to inch AEW ever closer to matching - or topping - WWE shows like RAW and SmackDown. Recently, AEW President Tony Khan was interviewed by Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio and asked about the big rumours about Danielson's in-ring future.
"I can’t answer that question," he said (via WrestlingNews.co). "It’s fair for you to ask that question but it’s not anything I could address on the Observer today but it’s fair enough for you to ask it. He’s one of the all-time greats."
Despite his reluctance to answer, Khan did tease more big signings being on the horizon. "I’m definitely gonna make multiple additions over the next 4 to 6 months and I think there will be some activity in the near future. I can’t specify exactly what it is and I don’t think anybody would really want me to just like nobody would have wanted any confirmation of anything going into The First Dance of what it was or how it was gonna come off."
"I definitely will be active and have been active signing people from day one in this company," he continued. "Recruiting talent is key to any wrestling company, it’s key to any sports business."
Taking Danielson aside, Ric Flair, Ruby Riott, Adam Cole, Braun Strowman, and Bray Wyatt are among those we could soon see branded as being "All Elite," and any one of those could have major consequences for what we see play out on AEW television each week. The company has been careful about not signing too many big ex-WWE names, but there are some undeniable talents there.
We'll keep you updated.