Bryan Danielson defeated an old foe last night, and now he’s preparing to battle an old friend.

The AEW World champion kicked off the Grand Slam Dynamite at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York with a victory over Nigel McGuinness in a non-title match.

Danielson and McGuinness had a classic rivalry in Ring Of Honor. Last night was their first meeting since Glory By Honor VIII, which took place 15 years ago.

(Fun fact: I was the play-by-play announcer for the first ROH Glory By Honor in 2002.)

Jon Moxley won the Grand Slam main event over Darby Allin to claim Darby’s title shot against Danielson at the WrestleDream pay-per-view on Oct. 12.

Danielson attacked Moxley after the match, seeing revenge on his former Blackpool Combat Club teammate. Moxley recently tried to suffocate The American Dragon with a plastic bag.

BACK TO YOU, DAD

Hook retained the FTW championship with a win over Roderick Strong. After the match, Hook retired the championship and returned it to its creator – his father, Taz.

The Young Bucks held onto the AEW tag team belts by defeating Will Ospreay & Kyle Fletcher, who weren’t on the same page with manager Don Callis.

Speaking of managers, MVP made his AEW debut, offering to join or replace Prince Nana on Swerve Strickland’s management team.

“The Glamour” Mariah May retained the AEW women’s title by defeating Yuka Sakazaki. The champ countered the Magical Girl Splash and won with the Storm Zero piledriver.

MORE GRAND SLAMMING

After the show, AEW taped this Saturday’s Grand Slam episode of Collision. Here’s the lineup:

·      Jamie Hayter vs. Saraya in a Saraya’s Rules match

·      The Conglomeration vs. The Learning Tree

·      Continental champion Kazuchika Okada vs. Sammy Guevara in a non-title match

·      Jeff Jarrett vs. “Hangman” Adam Page in a lumberjack strap match

·      Hologram vs. Dralistico vs. The Beast Mortos

·      Jack Perry defends the TNT title in an open challenge

·      Trios champions Claudio Castagnoli, PAC & Wheeler Yuta vs. Private Party & Komander