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There’s a big announcement I am happy about.
MJF (c) vs. Bryan Danielson
MJF has new music as the lights come up and there is a small string group on stage to play the music we know. He is wearing a Devil’s mask and a robe.
They are in no hurry to get started, and we have a countdown clock on the big screen on stage. MJF starts stalling and when they finally lock up, MJF gets an arm drag. Danielson starts with mat wrestling. After a series of counter holds, MJF calls for a handshake. Danielson kicks it away and Max goes back to stalling mode.
When they are both back in the ring it’s back to hold vs hold. They aren’t showing the clock any more and Danielson is in control as they move to a more punch and kick style. MJF takes a water break after tossing Danielson into the ring post, shoulder first. MJF moves to working over Daneilson’s shoulder, which is covered in tape.
At the 15 minute mark, Danielson hits a sunset flip power bomb and both men are down to recover. We then get a series of near falls and MJF goes back to work on Danielson’s shoulder. They then move to big leaps and high spots, and I like how each section of the match is clearly defined and happens for a reason. The storytelling in this match is top notch.
Back to solid, simple mat wrestling as they keep getting quick near falls. They rolls through into pins over and over and over and over. At the 25 minute mark, both men are down on the mat, and the ref is giving a ten count.
Danielson kips up to a crowd pop and hits the psycho knee for the first pin.
Danielson 1 - MJF 0
Danielson looks fresh and MJF is exhausted and hits a low blow in front of the ref for two quick falls. The ref declares the low blow is a DQ.
Danielson 2 - MJF 2
MJF is now selling a knee that’s hurt and they brawl on the outside of the ring. Danielson is in charge at first but MJF takes over until Danielson gets a lariat. Danielson then hits a psycho knee on MJF in a chair next to the barricade. Danielson then starts working over MJF’s knee, wrapping it around the ring post repeatedly. Danielson drops on MJF’s knee and starts doing joint locks on it.
MJF starts slapping MJF and Daneilson puts more pressure on the knee lock. And smiling. MJF makes it to the ropes. When the ref calls for a break, Danielson says “I’ve got 5.” They move to the apron and each other hits the injured body part of the other. They fight on the top and Danielson crashes down to the apron and then the floor. MJF sets Danielson up on a table at ringside. MJF pulls off the turnbuckle pad and then hits a flying elbow from the top onto Danielson on the table.
Danielson barely makes it into the ring by the ten count. MJF then takes Danielson out of the ring and pile drives him through the remnants of the table. Danielson is busted open and MJF attacks Daneilson’s head.
20 minutes left and MJF hits a heat seeker and covers for a pin.
Danielson 2 - MJF 3
MJF takes another water break and is limping with every move. MJF then mounts Danielson for a ground and pound.
I said during the Mox and Page match that I hate blood. I would rather there was not blood in this, but this is how to use it if you are going to use it. It shows the brutality of the match and it gives MJF a target to attack.
MJF attacks Danielson screaming how much he hates him and how he is the best in the world. MJF starts slapping Danielson in the face and calls for Danielson to give him a shot. He does and MJF hits a headbutt and Danielson is down again. They go to the floor and Danielson shoves MJF into the ring post. MJF is down and Danielson goes to the top and connects with a leap.
Danielson drags MJF into the ring and goes up again. MJF is up and they fight on the top. Danielson is able to crotch MJF on the bar between the post and the turnbuckle. Danielson hits a superplex, but holds on to the ropes and pulls himself back up. He then hits a diving head butt, which he hasn’t pulled out in years (for good reason). MJF is now busted open and he’s bleeding a gusher.
You know how I said I didn’t mind blood in this match? This is too much blood from MJF.
Danielson hits the psycho knee and puts on the Labell Lock and MJF taps.
Danielson 3 - MJF 3
Ten minutes left.
MJF tries for Salt of the Earth, and Danielson reverses and tries for the Labell lock. He locks it in. MJF is able to reverse it into the Salt of the Earth. Danielson almost makes it to the ropes and MJF pulls him back to the middle of the ring. Danielson makes it close to the ropes and MJF grabs the free arm and locks it behind a leg. Danielson finally makes a foot on the rope and the crowd was into the entire sequence.
They throw hands on their knees. They get to their feet and the blows get strong and the recovery takes longer. It speeds up as it goes along and then they collide and drop back to their knees. Daneilson is laughing and MJF is having trouble moving. They pop to their feet at the five minute mark and start blasting fists. MJF runs out of steam and Danielson works chops, ensign with a running forearm shot.
MJF hits a heat seeker for two. MJF takes another water break, but he brings the bottle into the ring. MJF sets Danielson on the top and they fight up there. Daneilson hist the hammer and anvil elbows, but MJF hits a pile driver from the second rope. MJF’s knee gives out and Danielson is flat on his back in the middle of the ring at the two minute warning.
MJF crawls to cover Danielson and does so at a minute twenty, and Daneislon kicks out and locks in a Single leg crab in the middle of the ring. MJF almost makes it to the ring and Danielson pulls him back. MJF’s facials are amazing and time runs out. MJF taps out.
Winner: The match is a draw and MJF is still champion.
As the medical staff look at MJF, Tony Schiavone says he has heard from the back and goes to the ring. MJF is given oxygen and Danielson is revving up the crowd. We are then told Tony Khan will not allow this to end in a draw, so it’s now Sudden Death.
The match starts again.
MJF shoves the ref, the ref shoves him back and Danielson gets a roll up for two. MJF hits a low blow and gets a rollup with tights for two.
MJF grabs his belt and the ref says if he uses it, he’s DQed and will lose the title. The ref takes the belt and MJF puts on the ring. Danielson hits a poisonaran and hits the psycho knee for TWO.
This is fantastic.
Danielson starts working over MJF’s leg and gets a heel hook and the ref takes away his ring. MJF grabs the rope and MJF taps. Danielson thinks he won and MJF rolls out of the ring to grab the oxygen bottle. Danielson goes to grab MJF and MJF nails him with the steel bottle. MJF puts on the Labell lock. Danielson's arm drops twice and the third time, he powers up and the crowd is going crazy for this.
MJF has not let go and eventually, Daneilson has to tap out.
Winner and still AEW Champion: MJF, by 4 to 3
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