Bryan Danielson, the former multi-time WWE champion, made his AEW debut yesterday at the All Out pay-per-view.

Just before Kenny Omega bid everyone goodbye and goodnight, Wilhelm Richard Wagner’s Flight of the Valkyries song hit the speakers and the NOW Arena became unglued for the arrival of Bryan Danielson.

A smiling Danielson emerged from the tunnels to thousands of “YES!” chants from the crowd and quickly aligned himself with Christian, Jungle Boy, and Luchasaurus. The four of them, standing face-to-face with The Elite, then brawled with Danielson hitting the YES! kicks on Nick Jackson as the crowd chanted along. He then delivered a German suplex before hitting the running knee on Jackson. All four faces then celebrated in the ring as The Elite retreated.

“The home of professional wrestling is All Elite Wrestling,” said Excalibur on commentary as fans chanted AEW and the pay-per-view came to a close.

This was Danielson’s first non-WWE appearance since 2010 and AEW’s third major signing following CM Punk’s and Adam Cole’s arrivals. Danielson last appeared on WWE television on the April 30 episode of Smackdown where he lost a Universal title match against Roman Reigns which also had the stipulation that if he loses, he’d be gone from WWE.

His contract expired following that match and despite WWE’s attempts to get him to sign a new deal, Danielson opted for greener pastures. It is believed that he wanted to wrestle for New Japan, a major sticking point in his WWE deal, and something that he could be able to under All Elite Wrestling.

Danielson was expected to debut at the September 22 episode of Dynamite: Grand Slam in New York but it was moved up due to uncertainty of coronavirus restrictions in the state.