Below are a couple of top AEW news stories of the day, featuring Bryan Danielson and Mercedes Mone.
• Bryan Danielson, recognized as one of the top professional wrestlers in the world today, has recently faced criticism for allegedly diminishing his value in AEW. He has been vocal about retiring from full-time wrestling in 2024 to focus on his family. Despite joining AEW in 2021, Danielson has yet to capture any titles, surprising many fans.
On the podcast “Keeping It 100 Official,” WCW Veteran Disco Inferno commented on Danielson’s career. He acknowledged Bryan’s strong fanbase but stated that Danielson’s decisions (such as openly saying in interviews that he won’t be a World Champion in AEW) have somewhat diminished his value and star power.
“I think it’s a fair statement to say he completely lost his star power. Just say if he left AEW today to return to WWE tomorrow, would they even care? He’s broken and hasn’t sold tickets or drawn ratings in years. I still think he has value because he has fans. I don’t think anybody has turned on him but I do think his value is obviously diminished by his own volition.
He’s been touted over the years as the best wrestler at the top of the totem pole. How do you tell a guy like that, that has that much respect in the business, how do you tell him, ‘Hey, somebody needs to protect you from yourself.’ I just wonder if people are afraid there to go to him and tell him ‘Bro, you can’t be doing this.’”
Bryan won the Men’s Owen Hart Cup tournament and will now face Swerve Strickland for the AEW World Championship in the main event of All In 2024 at Wembley Stadium.
Many fans feel the outcome of this match is predictable, as Bryan has said he won’t hold the AEW World Title and will end his full-time career just a few months after All In.
WATCH: Revealing Video Of Brie Bella’s (Daniel Bryan’s Wife) Top Being Taken Off (Part 2):
• Mercedes Mone, one of AEW’s most significant signings, initially debuted as a babyface but is now leaning towards a heel persona. This shift began after Britt Baker overshadowed her at Forbidden Door, leading to tension between the two. Mone’s heel turn was further solidified during her championship celebration on Dynamite, where she insulted Baker and provoked a confrontation.
During the July 10th edition of AEW Dynamite, Mone hosted a double championship victory toast, promising no interruptions. However, she berated Britt Baker about a potential match at All In, which led Baker to storm the ring, causing Mone to escape through the crowd.
On Fightful Select’s Q&A podcast, Sean Ross Sapp was asked about the reaction Mone received from fans turning on her. Sapp noted that AEW anticipated Mone’s heel turn and leaned into it with the Britt Baker storyline.
He added, “They knew she could lean towards the heel route. Also, they leaned into it with the Britt Baker stuff. I’m pretty sure Mercedes wanted to be a heel as well.”
