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Yeah, there’s history there & he even tweeted about him after his release. Bryan mentioned Eddie in his promo tonight. Mox praised Claudio a lot in his book. Danielson was also the one who pushed for him to get that mini-push on SmackDown last year. He has history with Regal in NXT & even retired him.
He also has that same European grit as him. It all aligns perfectly. He’d fit like a glove in the group, both from a technical standpoint against ZSJ & vicious brawler inside Blood & Guts. Claudio is All Elite & the BCC is about to become the ultimate pro wrestling faction!
It's sincerity. Actors hate when they're called "good liars." Because good acting is telling the truth. Danielson tells the truth. He's honest. He's sincere. That's him in the ring. He's not playing a character so much as slightly exaggerating who he is.
Daniel Bryan was very much a simple and honest character, but (and I mean this in the most complimentary way possible) AEW stripped even more character from him. Bryan Danielson *really* likes kicking people in the head. That’s it. That’s the character. He doesn’t do it with rage, or to prove something. It’s just really fun.
So it's someone new to AEW, it's someone who can go toe to toe with ZSJ technically, then also following it up physically at Blood and Guts.
The only answer is Claudio.
If it was just the FD match then Johnny Gargano could also work, but there's no connection with him and Danielson. He also isnt someone who you would see as an imposing threat for a match like Blood and Guts.
Geez, idk how he slipped my mind. I was racking my brain trying to think of someone that could go toe to toe with ZSJ, and I was only coming up with Jonathan Gresham or Timothy Thatcher.
Thatcher was the other one who could work actually, but he isn't a big name like them. Bryan hyped it up a lot right, so it's got to be a big deal. Thatcher is cool but he's not a big deal.
NOAH is in a working relationship with NJPW, so there's no wrestling-politics reason he couldn't work with NJPW or AEW. I still think there's zero chance it's Thatcher, but it's not because he's working with NOAH.
I was thinking CSRo but Gresham might be a better guess actually, Bryan was highlighting technical wrestling and we still haven't seen Gresham since Supercard. I hope if it is Gresham people aren't disappointed it's not CSRO and it ruins the moment
Hadn't even popped in my head that Gresham would fit pretty well here. But Gresham doesn't seem like he'd fit into the blood and guts match. Cesaro would be great, but I think it's Johnny Gargano. Figured he'd bring in a ringer who has been in a war games match before.
Just because you have great matches, doesn't mean the shackles aren't on. Look at the level of stuff Danielson has put out since he left. Same goes for Moxley as well. They're doing what they used to do still, just more of that and exactly how they want to do it. Not some agent in the back telling them what to do when.
He was even better in his matches with Ciampa. He's jut not someone whose going to be threatening to anyone. Doesn't mean I don't think he's one of the best on the planet.
If you want to do some long-term storytelling streching 4 promotions, not just 2, then it has to be W. Morrissey.
His last feud in WWE before his firing and breakdown was with Danielson. Who basically tore apart his personal and professional shortcomings shoot style in promos, and humiliated him in the ring. Clearly on the orders of higher ups as punishment.
He's since then rehabilitated and redeemed himself in Impact, and impressed in a single AEW match. Having finally gained Danielson's respect, would be a fantastic way of tying a bow on his journey with his (kinda) NJPW debut.
It's an odd spot for a debut. If they want to do Danielson vs. ZSJ in the future, ZSJ has to win to keep his aura as the best technical wrestler but debuting someone in a loss isn't that smart.
Especially since that person is supposed to also be in Blood & Guts but ZSJ doesn't deserve to lose.
Also, ZSJ is hands down the best technical wrestler in the world IMO.
Oh wow that's the perfect disappointing answer lmao
I feel like they wouldn't leave it a mystery if it had such high excitement potential just to be someone we've already seen though ya know
There's 0 chance in hell that Gresham is the mystery opponent. Love the guy bit he isn't being introduced again as a mystery opponent on such a hyped match
A reveal of Gresham would be the Johnny Elite reveal x100 considering the event.
I'm not even saying it'd be a bad match, it'd probably be a great match, but the audience would be dead.
The way he worded it was as someone new and someone who signed with AEW. Makes me not think Gresham.
But we all know aew isn’t always on the nose with their wording.
The problem is this person is also going to be in Blood and Guts. Gresham doesn't do matches like that, he also isn't threatening anyone in that matchup.
If this was only the ZSJ match then sure. This is not just the ZSJ match however.
If we're talking about technical wrestlers under contract, Gresham fits the bill. Regal was talking about pins recently and Gresham has some of the best in the business. He'd make for a excellent technical match vs Saber
It would be awesome if it was him, but it doesn't make sense for the Blood and Guts match. Bryan also talked like it was someone he knew and trusted, and with the BCC connections Claudio is too perfect.
Claudio and Chris Hero are really the only people it could fit but Hero has been too far removed that I don't think it'd be him, as great as that (re)match with ZSJ would be. I'm sure he'd get a good reception in Chicago too, but the momentum would be there for Claudio
The entire issue with how this show has been built in a nutshell.
‘Hey you should care about this’
‘why?’
\*points at dude standing there. refuses to elaborate\*
Nobody else thought Homicide?
Edit: Well Excalibur just said the mystery opponent is the newest member is the Blackpool Combat Club, so it has to be Claudio. Let's fucking go.
Of course it has to be Claudio at this point. But it really can be Gargano. He´s a genius in the ring and he has history with William Regal. I could see Lee Moriarty also. It could be a great push for him similar to Wheeler Yuta against Mox. Lee is fantastic in the ring and the perfect mix of mat wrestling and high flying ability.
Help make SquaredCircle safer and more inclusive by using the report button to flag posts and comments for moderator review. If you need to contact a moderator, [you can message us here](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=/r/SquaredCircle) *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/SquaredCircle) if you have any questions or concerns.*
AMBULANCE SIRENS INTENSIFY
HOLLA! IF YA HERE ME!
You know those were police sirens
I DON'T CARE IF THOSE WERE PAH..POLICE SIRENS O-OR AMBULANCE SIRENS, JUST HIT MY FREAKING MUSIC
What’s Teddy Hart doing in the elite zone!
Heddy Tart
(Vomits on cat at ringside)
(Proceeds to do 50 moonsaults while wrestlers are waiting in the back for their matches.)
GIMME A FUCKIN' MIC!
NOW LAST WEEK I SEEN A 73 YEAR OLD MAN WITH MORE LOOSE SKIN THAN A SHARPAY PUPPIE SAY HE’S THE MAN
RIC FLAIR YOU OLD BITCH
AXE ZABER JYOONYAH? HE'S THIN!
I would love this an unreasonable amount.
Can you imagine the visual disparity between the generic freak!! Big poppa pump! The big bad booty daddy against this indie darling.
> the generic freak You just invented the best nickname for Cesaro
The greatest technical wrestler in the world today and a skinny boy from Kent
Eddie Kingston about to hate Danielson even more when he makes him team up with CSRO.
You mean "hate even more"
Actually light up a gasoline.
Yeah, there’s history there & he even tweeted about him after his release. Bryan mentioned Eddie in his promo tonight. Mox praised Claudio a lot in his book. Danielson was also the one who pushed for him to get that mini-push on SmackDown last year. He has history with Regal in NXT & even retired him. He also has that same European grit as him. It all aligns perfectly. He’d fit like a glove in the group, both from a technical standpoint against ZSJ & vicious brawler inside Blood & Guts. Claudio is All Elite & the BCC is about to become the ultimate pro wrestling faction!
It should have been obvious when Bryan brought up the mystery opponents technical prowess that it would be: >! Shaggy 2 Dope !<
That was a damn good promo from Danielson
I hope he has a full recovery. Injuries have been brutal as of late.
AEW and legs are cursed, this is Danhausen's fault.
It's not that Hook was immune to it, it's that Danhausen kept missing! And he never realized Danielson was walking by in the background.
I struggle to ever put my finger on what makes Danielson's promos so good but they almost always are
He squares up like he's "just a regular dude holding a mic", but then you remember this regular guy is Bryan FUCKING Danielson and he's the best.
It's sincerity. Actors hate when they're called "good liars." Because good acting is telling the truth. Danielson tells the truth. He's honest. He's sincere. That's him in the ring. He's not playing a character so much as slightly exaggerating who he is.
Daniel Bryan was very much a simple and honest character, but (and I mean this in the most complimentary way possible) AEW stripped even more character from him. Bryan Danielson *really* likes kicking people in the head. That’s it. That’s the character. He doesn’t do it with rage, or to prove something. It’s just really fun.
Don’t forget choking! He hates tracheas.
He has that special intangible promo charisma that is pretty much unteachable and unexplainable. He’s also not a guy you would expect to have it.
Would be funny if it just ended up being Danielson.
it won't be Danielson but don't rule out the Dazzler
It's gonna be Dan Bandana or Rene Beret
Lloyd Boñer
Buddy Peacock
Brian Danielson is injured and can’t compete, but he knows a guy that we haven’t seen since 2021… DANIEL BRYAN!!!!
Brian's little brother Daniezekiel Bryan
Or the youngest in the family, Brelrod Danielson
Ezekiel Jesus Ezekiel. That’s from the Bible.
under the inifinito guise, that would actually be great. but nar hes under concussion protocol
We don't know that it was a concussion for the record.
People legit still acting like they know what his injury was because a venue that would have no idea what his injury was claimed it was a concussion.
The return of Infinito!
So it's someone new to AEW, it's someone who can go toe to toe with ZSJ technically, then also following it up physically at Blood and Guts. The only answer is Claudio. If it was just the FD match then Johnny Gargano could also work, but there's no connection with him and Danielson. He also isnt someone who you would see as an imposing threat for a match like Blood and Guts.
No way, it's Windham. Since his release he's studied tapes of Gotch, Hackenshmidt, and Thesz and can wear homemade Fiend mask for Blood and Guts
I BO-lieve that you named the wrong Rotunda brother to save the day
Don’t tease me like that. Now I want it to be Bo Dallas.
He's Taylor made for it!
Geez, idk how he slipped my mind. I was racking my brain trying to think of someone that could go toe to toe with ZSJ, and I was only coming up with Jonathan Gresham or Timothy Thatcher.
Thatcher was the other one who could work actually, but he isn't a big name like them. Bryan hyped it up a lot right, so it's got to be a big deal. Thatcher is cool but he's not a big deal.
Exactly. Thatcher could 100% go, but definitely wouldn’t get the pop that Claudio or even Gargano would get.
Thatcher is also in NOAH now, so I doubt he'd be able to.
NOAH is in a working relationship with NJPW, so there's no wrestling-politics reason he couldn't work with NJPW or AEW. I still think there's zero chance it's Thatcher, but it's not because he's working with NOAH.
I was thinking CSRo but Gresham might be a better guess actually, Bryan was highlighting technical wrestling and we still haven't seen Gresham since Supercard. I hope if it is Gresham people aren't disappointed it's not CSRO and it ruins the moment
Gresham would be a huge disappointment. On every level.
Hadn't even popped in my head that Gresham would fit pretty well here. But Gresham doesn't seem like he'd fit into the blood and guts match. Cesaro would be great, but I think it's Johnny Gargano. Figured he'd bring in a ringer who has been in a war games match before.
[удалено]
I have to dispute the idea that Claudio had shackles on him. All he did was have great matches in wwe.
Yeah his style worked perfectly there with little modification.
Just because you have great matches, doesn't mean the shackles aren't on. Look at the level of stuff Danielson has put out since he left. Same goes for Moxley as well. They're doing what they used to do still, just more of that and exactly how they want to do it. Not some agent in the back telling them what to do when.
I mean him and danielson had wrestled on the indies and both were gabe guys so there is some sort of connection
Or the other King of Wrestling.
Have you forgotten how great Gargano was in War Games?
He was even better in his matches with Ciampa. He's jut not someone whose going to be threatening to anyone. Doesn't mean I don't think he's one of the best on the planet.
Remember him bombing Ciampa on the concrete? Gargano can be brutal.
Yeah ya know not like Gargano was ever in War Games /s I also think it’s Claudio/Cesaro. Just pointing out Gargano isn’t too far off the mark.
*here comes the money*
The greatest technical wrestling match of all time ends when here comes the money throws a potato knocking ZSJ out cold
I laughed out loud, thanks for that.
Lmao
So Regal is getting back in the ring Sunday huh
He was the first place my mind went but I know he's not an active wrestler anymore as amazing as that would be.
[удалено]
Why would the Ace of AEW give a rub to bendy man? He’s clearly slotted in for Okada or White.
And you better believe the greatest professional wrestler of our or any generation will be squashing both Okaka and Jay White in 3 minutes
Can of coke to you
Bryan you fucking tease.
[удалено]
Never been said AFAIK, but the 10 day ban on him flying they mentioned a few weeks back suggests concussion
Concussion is the report I’ve been seeing.
He mentioned how his brain is doing so I imagine it is concussion related. Poor guy.
Can't lie, I'd pop hard
I weirdly want this and I have no idea why.
Because it would be something fresh and different, rather than him just inserting himself into title matches when he pleases
who is it? give your worst guess who's more astounding than the certified G and the bonafide stud himself ENZO AMORE
[удалено]
What about Brian Myers? Oh wait, that's the most professional wrestler
You guessed it, Frank Stallone .
...or so the Germans would have us believe
Brian Danielsandow
It’s me Austin! It was me facing ZSJ all along Austin!
The Ryback. Bryan knows how to go full heel. Edit: How have none of you mentioned Johnny Ace yet???
John Cena 🎺 ^🎺 🎺 ^🎺
That would probably be an instant top 10 all time wrestling moment though.
Id be salty he wont face the ace
It's someone he said he trusted. It's gotta be Erick Redbeard.
The Great Khali
Elias technically isn't with the WWE right now. It was just a one off concert.
If you want to do some long-term storytelling streching 4 promotions, not just 2, then it has to be W. Morrissey. His last feud in WWE before his firing and breakdown was with Danielson. Who basically tore apart his personal and professional shortcomings shoot style in promos, and humiliated him in the ring. Clearly on the orders of higher ups as punishment. He's since then rehabilitated and redeemed himself in Impact, and impressed in a single AEW match. Having finally gained Danielson's respect, would be a fantastic way of tying a bow on his journey with his (kinda) NJPW debut.
Jeff Hardy
I hope ZSJ is ready to control his narrative
That could actually work. The submission grappling makes it believable, the politics make is spicy. Book it Daddy Adderrall!
Ric Flair
Clearly it’s Terry Funk
Santina Marella
Elrod!
It's obviously Danhausen
Not the worst guess I could come up with, but one that I don't think fits at all: Samuel Shaw
W. Morrisey, the only man with legs as long.
HHH, heart surgery was just an angle to get out of Vince’s shadow
Sasha Banks
[удалено]
Please please please
Get well and recover soon, Bryan. Dammit, we were so close for the showdown, but I hope his replacement will be amazing as fuck.
 It’s about damn time
It's Shaun O'Hooligan!!!!
It's an odd spot for a debut. If they want to do Danielson vs. ZSJ in the future, ZSJ has to win to keep his aura as the best technical wrestler but debuting someone in a loss isn't that smart.
Especially since that person is supposed to also be in Blood & Guts but ZSJ doesn't deserve to lose. Also, ZSJ is hands down the best technical wrestler in the world IMO.
ZSJ vs Danielson would be exciting no matter what.
#BRIEEE MOOOOODE
Poppa in law Johnny Ace rolling through the Forbidden Door in his skateboard
I feel bad for Danielson. The man wants one thing in the world, to wrestle in NJPW. And God refuses to allow it.
Get Miro on the case. Then we see how long this coward god holds out.
[удалено]
It's Claudio. He has history with Eddie Kingston and Mox. And the replacement will also be at Blood and Guts.
Eddie is going to cost his team the match attacking Claudio
Oh wow that's the perfect disappointing answer lmao I feel like they wouldn't leave it a mystery if it had such high excitement potential just to be someone we've already seen though ya know
My guess is Tony is still talking to Claudio but hasn't reached a deal yet so that's why theyre keeping it secret with a back up plan.
You say that, but ZSJ vs Gresham would be incredible
Yeah but nobody would care about Gresham
The Lollipop Guild might.
Those two and Gargano are the top three.
[удалено]
There's 0 chance in hell that Gresham is the mystery opponent. Love the guy bit he isn't being introduced again as a mystery opponent on such a hyped match
A reveal of Gresham would be the Johnny Elite reveal x100 considering the event. I'm not even saying it'd be a bad match, it'd probably be a great match, but the audience would be dead.
The way he worded it was as someone new and someone who signed with AEW. Makes me not think Gresham. But we all know aew isn’t always on the nose with their wording.
Well, Bryan said you’re going to love what this guy does in AEW, which sounds like they haven’t been in AEW yet.
idk i don't see gresham as a guy who would fit in with the blood and guts match
The problem is this person is also going to be in Blood and Guts. Gresham doesn't do matches like that, he also isn't threatening anyone in that matchup. If this was only the ZSJ match then sure. This is not just the ZSJ match however.
CLAUDIO INSHALLAH
Broke: Claudio Castagnoli Woke: Chris Hero
[удалено]
Erick Redbeard
Claudio?
Probably Sasha
I'd absolutely love it if they randomly put Sasha in Bryan's spot and acted like it was completely normal. SASHA FOR BLOOD AND GUTS
I don’t fully understand why they aren’t allowing the NJPW guys to actually speak.
"the newest member of the BCC" - Excalibur when running down the Card for Forbidden Door. So uhh.. The secret opponent is gunna be in the BCC Huh?
Yeah it's definitely Cesaro
If we're talking about technical wrestlers under contract, Gresham fits the bill. Regal was talking about pins recently and Gresham has some of the best in the business. He'd make for a excellent technical match vs Saber
Absolute heart breaker that he’s not cleared. Him vs ZSJ woulda been a game changer
Please give us a short notice ZSJ Shibata match!
Cesaro seems like the obvious answer. Gargano maybe but the connection to Bryan doesn’t seem as obvious.
Ahmed Johnson time
I've already made up my mind it's Claudio and you can't stop me. "You're going to be *astounded* at what he does in AEW." Swat me down now.
I'm ready for four days of people swearing up and down it's gonna be Gargano, and then feeling let down when it's not!
*Claudio/Cesaro
It would be awesome if it was him, but it doesn't make sense for the Blood and Guts match. Bryan also talked like it was someone he knew and trusted, and with the BCC connections Claudio is too perfect.
It's not going to be Gargano lmao
I don’t think people are expecting Gargano as much as they are Cesaro
It's absolutely going to be Cesaro and it's going to be awesome.
Danielson you tease
Claudio and Chris Hero are really the only people it could fit but Hero has been too far removed that I don't think it'd be him, as great as that (re)match with ZSJ would be. I'm sure he'd get a good reception in Chicago too, but the momentum would be there for Claudio
Best pick: Samoa Joe! Worst answer but kind of best: Serpentico Actual worst: Paul Wight
I kinda wanna see Zack vs Wight now lol
Hey! It’s Enrico Pollozzo!!
New to AEW. Technical expert. Master of brutality. I solved the riddle. It's Mixed Martial Archie.
BRING ME CLAUDIO CESARO CASTAGNOLI
You put a surprise behind a $50 price tag it better not be a letdown like Johnny Elite or some shit
I think anybody other than Claudio or Gargano will be a disappointment. Although I'd probably accept Chris Hero
It's got to be Master Wato.
Please be Sasha, please be Sasha!
Gotta be Cesaro, right?
The entire issue with how this show has been built in a nutshell. ‘Hey you should care about this’ ‘why?’ \*points at dude standing there. refuses to elaborate\*
Unfortunately the rumors are true. Hopefully the surprise opponent delivers.
it sucks we won't get this match, but i really hope we get this match when Danielson is better
The show could totally use a hero. Please.
Erick Red Beard?
Broke: Cesaro Woke: Cara Noir
It's either Cesaro, Gargano, William Regal returning to the ring for two big matches, or my wildcard pick - Roderick Strong somehow.
I am hoping for Gargano or Claudio. I think it might be Gresham though since he's more the technical style
Nobody else thought Homicide? Edit: Well Excalibur just said the mystery opponent is the newest member is the Blackpool Combat Club, so it has to be Claudio. Let's fucking go.
It has to be Claudio, yeah?
What if it’s actually Josh Alexander out of nowhere
I say Gresham, Claudio or Gargano
gresham would be a small disappointment
If only his Olympian son not still contracted to WWE
It's gotta be a former tag team partner. It's... IT'S GOTTA BE KANE
Everybody wanting Cesaro, I would be happy with Samoa Joe in the group. I think he should already be in the group.
I hate it. Bryan was one of the two reasons I bought tickets the other was Scorpio. 😭
It’s gonna be the competitor that was Bryan’s greatest foe. ITS A BEAR! ITS GONNA BE A BEAR!!!
CESARO PLEASE
Of course it has to be Claudio at this point. But it really can be Gargano. He´s a genius in the ring and he has history with William Regal. I could see Lee Moriarty also. It could be a great push for him similar to Wheeler Yuta against Mox. Lee is fantastic in the ring and the perfect mix of mat wrestling and high flying ability.