The original plans for the ending of Bryan Danielson\’s AEW World Title reign and his full-time run with the company were very different. The wrestling veteran\’s run with AEW\’s top price came to an end after only 48 days, making it the third shortest AEW title reign in the history of the company.
Since Bryan had been very open about his health issues leading up to his loss to Jon Moxley, many wondered if the company sped things up because of his problems. However, that the plan always was for Bryan to drop the title at the WrestleDream PPV, according to the Wrestling Observer. His opponent was indeed changed from Darby Allin to Jon Moxley because the officials wanted to jumpstart interest in the promotion.
Bryan won the championship at the All In event from Wembley Stadium on August 25. It was Bryan\’s first title in the company and he made Swerve Strickland tap out for it. Darby originally won a shot at the AEW World Title after winning a Royal Rampage battle royal during the July 26 edition of the Friday Night Show.
Moxley then challenged him to put the title shot on the line in a match at the Dynamite: Grand Slam special on September 25. Mox would go on to win the match. He then defeated his former BCC teammate at the WrestleDream PPV on October 12. Jon Moxley won the match via referee stoppage after putting Bryan Danielson out with a sleeper.
