Bryan Danielson vs Eddie Kingston (AEW - 12/2/23)

Elliott is almost out of Danielson matches to watch so I'm nominating another one.

This was my favourite match from the Continental Classic tournament, which was probably my favourite thing from wrestling in 2023, delivering good-great matches each week it ran. Pretty much everyone involved was able to shine and develop their characters and came out looking better than they went in. 

This was the round robin match between these two. Eddie's belts were on the line in the tournament and so he had the most to lose here. He had also lost his opening match (against Brody King) and therefore has a tinge of desperation from the start since a second defeat could potentially eliminate him already and he has never beaten Danielson before in his career. This was Danielson's first match of the tournament and so he was fresher and under less pressure, but was coming back from an orbital bone injury which meant he gets to wear a eye patch and look like a pirate. So that was probably fun for him.

Elsewhere for this project we've discussed matches which are structured around memorable high spots but the "connective tissue" isn't there and the performers can feel like they're filling time between spots. This match is one where there doesn't seem to be any visible connective tissue at all - everything flows smoothly from bell to bell. Clear dynamic of smaller, wily technician vs larger, emotional bruiser. Steadily builds to a decisive finish without outstaying its welcome - fantastic TV main event and contender for my favourite Danielson match in AEW.

Edit: entrances start at 88 minutes. www.bilibili.tv/en/video/4789422997242368