In a blockbuster that had all the thrills, spills, and family feels, Bryan Danielson clinched the AEW World Championship at All In 2024, sending Swerve Strickland’s reign packing after a solid 126 days. The victory came with a side of melodrama, as Danielson locked in the LeBell Lock, tapped out the champ, and then celebrated with his family like he’d just won a lifetime supply of vegan protein bars.
Now, let’s talk about the emotional rollercoaster that was Danielson’s night. Just before stepping into the squared circle, he stopped to embrace his wife, Brie, and their adorable little ones—because nothing says “I might retire, but first, I gotta win this belt” like a family hug in front of thousands of screaming fans. Of course, this tender moment wasn’t lost on Strickland, who decided to poke the bear by glancing over at Danielson’s family during the match. Pro tip: If you’re wrestling a guy who’s been thinking about hanging up his boots, maybe don’t antagonize him by getting the family involved. Unless, of course, you’re into getting locked into a submission hold that feels like a visit to a medieval torture chamber.
Strickland didn’t stop there. No, he had to add insult to injury by dragging a bloodied Danielson over to his family mid-match. Classy move, right? The crowd, firmly on Team Danielson, responded by booing Strickland louder than a referee’s three-count in a fast-food joint. But in typical Danielson fashion, he absorbed a flurry of House Call kicks to the head, then channeled the power of his loved ones to pull off the kind of comeback that only happens in wrestling and cheesy sports movies.
Just when you thought things couldn’t get crazier, a wild “Hangman” Adam Page appeared, looking like he’d just lost a bar fight with a tornado. Fortunately, this was just a cameo appearance, and the focus quickly shifted back to the real drama between Strickland and Danielson. With the odds seemingly against him and a retirement plan creeping closer, Danielson dug deep, busted out of Strickland’s “Big Pressure” finisher like it was just a mild inconvenience, and then finally made the champ tap out.
And let’s not forget the high stakes: Danielson had vowed that if he didn’t win, he’d retire for good. So when he slapped that LeBell Lock on Strickland and made him tap, it was more than just a victory—it was a declaration that Danielson’s wrestling career still has some chapters left to be written. With his family by his side, the new AEW World Champion stood tall, proving that you can’t keep a good dragon down, especially when he’s got a cheering section like that.