Bryan Danielson vs. Ricky Starks strap match signed for AEW All Out

While Ricky Starks may not be getting CM Punk or even Ricky Steamboat at Sunday’s AEW All Out as he hoped, he did get a surprise opponent instead: the returning Bryan Danielson.

Danielson will now face Starks in a strap match at the pay-per-view in Chicago, Illinois, made during the first segment of Saturday’s AEW Collision.

Going into Collision, Starks said he was going to challenge the 70-year-old Steamboat to a strap match following his attack on Steamboat following his loss to CM Punk several weeks ago.

After talking about his frustrations without mentioning the now-fired Punk, Steamboat came out and said that Starks would be facing “the Dragon” at All Out and had Starks signed the contract. Steamboat then revealed there was more than one “Dragon” and revealed the returning Danielson, much to Starks’ chagrin. Danielson signed the contract and the match was official.

Danielson hasn’t been in the ring since defeating Kazuchika Okada at June’s AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door after suffering a broken forearm. Reports had him hopeful for October following surgery that was expected to keep him out for three months, but that it would be a “photo finish” whether he would be ready for October 1st’s Wrestle Dream.

Danielson didn’t have a cast on his right arm, but a lengthy scar was visible.

Punk was expected to face Starks at the PPV, but was suspended after last Sunday’s altercation with Jack Perry at All In and was then fired, revealed Saturday.

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Josh Nason
Josh Nason

Since 2011, Josh has been a contributing editor to Wrestling Observer/F4WOnline.com and also hosts the Punch-Out podcast. He has also written for Fight Magazine, Bloody Elbow, Bleacher Report, and other websites. He's a 2000 graduate of the University of Maine, worked in pro sports, and once was an indie ring announcer.