Randy Orton & Bryan Danielson Headline The Weekend In Wrestling

Bryan Danielson delivered an exceptional performance in the Continental Classic over the weekend–and Randy Orton emerged as the next challenger for Roman Reigns

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Bryan Danielson delivers classic against Eddie Kingston

Bryan Danielson wrestled a classic with Eddie Kingston this past Saturday on Collision, picking up a victory in the Continental Classic–and providing the tournament with its first signature bout.

Courtesy AEW

This was Danielson’s first singles match since October, which is when he injured his orbital bone in a bout against Andrade. The injury did not prevent him from wrestling a superb match on Saturday, even if it meant he was wearing an eye patch.

Contents

1. Randy Orton is next in line for Roman Reigns
2. Athena and Billie Starkz building toward Final Battle showdown

Danielson brought out the best in Kingston–and created a scenario where Kingston is now an underdog in the tourney.

#AmericanDragon @BryanDanielson makes his #AEWContinentalClassic debut vs. #ROH World & NJPW Strong Openweight Champ #EddieKingston! | 12/2/23 #AEWCollision

▶️ https://t.co/1hOdyCybbL pic.twitter.com/pB1wrlRBCO

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) December 3, 2023

The two finalists from each group–the Blue League and Gold League–will wrestle on Dynamite on December 27 to decide the finals, which will take place at the Worlds End pay-per-view on December 30. Kingston has now dropped his first two matches in the tournament, meaning he will need to rally in order to land in the top two of the Blue League.

Following the victory, Danielson cut a fantastic backstage promo. He pointedly shared that while Kingston is physically tough enough, he is not mentally tough. That opens a compelling story as this tournament continues, and perhaps there will be a rematch between Danielson and Kingston on December 27.

EXCLUSIVE: A post-match meditation by The American Dragon @bryandanielson, after his first match in the #AEWContinentalClassic on Saturday Night #AEWCollision pic.twitter.com/G5mPJbBUAU

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) December 3, 2023

It is difficult to envision a scenario where Danielson wins this tournament. Already ensconced as one of the greatest in the world, he does not need this tournament win–and his focus is Kazuchika Okada on January 4 at Wrestle Kingdom in the Tokyo Dome. Danielson doesn’t need to win, and he likely doesn’t even want to win.

Inside The Return Of CM Punk

An emphasis of New Japan’s vaunted G1 Climax is that it sets up storylines to take place well after the tournament ends. That is also the plan with the Continental Classic.

If Danielson is to resume his feud with Malakai Black, then this tournament is a great time to reignite it. So it will be worth watching how Danielson’s match unfolds with House of Black member Brody King–and if Black gets involved.

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Randy Orton is next in line for Roman Reigns

After his return to Raw this past Monday, Randy Orton signed with SmackDown on Friday.

The move allows WWE creative to finally pursue the Orton-Roman Reigns storyline that was supposed to take place nearly 18 months ago, but could not due to Orton’s persistent back injury.

Orton has come back to WWE in immaculate shape. Even if he will not be the one to dethrone Reigns, especially just months prior to WrestleMania 40, Orton adds an exciting new challenger to the title mix. It would make sense for him to lose to Reigns at the Rumble, then–if Cody Rhodes wins the belt at WrestleMania, which I’m still not certain will be the plan on April 7–Orton can turn on Rhodes, likely as soon as the Raw after WrestleMania.

Orton’s return adds an incredible amount of life to a WWE product that is already red hot.

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Athena and Billie Starkz building toward Final Battle showdown

Over in the world of Ring of Honor (which, admittedly, has not found its stride since AEW seized control), Athena and Billie Starkz are building to a very compelling bout later this month at Final Battle.

Courtesy AEW

Athena, who won the ROH women’s championship last year on December 10, should headline the show. Her opponent, Starkz, is someone she was mentoring, referring to her as one of her “minions”. Yet the turn was inevitable, and Starkz finally stood up to Athena.

Only 19, Starkz is a wrestling prodigy. Winning the ROH title would be a significant step for her, especially amazing when considering she just graduated high school this past spring.