Bryan Danielson returned to AEW television on Wednesday’s Dynamite in Pittsburgh, walking out after Jon Moxley retained the AEW Continental Championship over Orange Cassidy and sharing a long embrace with Moxley in the ring.
The episode was a tribute to PAC, Benjamin Satterley, who died earlier this week at 40. Danielson wore a PAC memorial shirt and was in tears as he came down the ramp. Moxley, who had turned away at first, faced him and the two hugged while the Death Riders’ theme played.
Danielson was not done. In the main event, the Death Riders walked out with four men in the ring, and Danielson’s music hit to reveal him as the fifth member of the team. He teamed with Wheeler Yuta, Daniel Garcia, Claudio Castagnoli and Gabe Kidd, with Moxley and Marina Shafir at ringside, against Don Callis Family members Jake Doyle, Josh Alexander, Mark Davis, Lance Archer and Wardlow.
Danielson landed the Yes Kicks and, with Yuta, Busaiku Knees on Doyle and Davis. Garcia locked in the Dragon Tamer and pinned Doyle for the win. The Death Riders wore navy gear to match what PAC wore in his final match at All Out and did push-ups around his empty ringside chair before the bell.
The appearance follows Tony Khan’s July comments on Danielson’s AEW status, when Khan said he wanted Danielson around more but was protecting his body.
The show closed with a career video on PAC and a spotlight on his chair in the crowd.
