I'm putting this mildly as both of these talents were former world champs. Adam Cole was the former NXT champion though probably not as high up as Daniel Bryan who had been a former WWE champion.
Bryan Danielson aka Daniel Bryan was last seen losing to Universal Champion Roman Reigns at WrestleMania Backlash and being taken out with a "con-chair-to". Adam Cole of course was last seen losing to former stablemate in Undisputed Era Kyle O'Reilly effectively ending that ongoing feud.
Bryan Danielson's debut on AEW was widely speculated over most of the past summer and I suppose no one was sure where Adam Cole would go. Cole's contract had already expired and there was some extensions so that Cole could finish up whatever creative i.e. the O'Reilly fued.
Thanks to WrestleTalk since I didn't watch last nite's All Out PPV we know they both signed with AEW. [VIDEO]
It's amazing that they have so much former WWE talent. While I have a difficult time getting into their programming they seem to have a great fanbase. It was shocking to see Paul Wight or Mark Henry or Malakai Black go over there. Wight and Henry especially had long careers in WWE and they went to the upstart who seems to be gaining moment.
In recent weeks we see C.M. Punk debut for AEW and even had a match at All Out last nite here in Chicago. Since Punk had a very strained relationship with WWE even going so far as to state that he might have died if he had stayed it's great to see him return to a wrestling ring after seven years away. And letting go of his not very good MMA career with UFC.
I don't know what the future may hold for AEW, but allow me to posit one thing. You have a number of top guys who were former WWE talent from Jon Moxley, Jake Hager, Chris Jericho, Cody Rhodes, Christian Cage, in addition to the others I have already named so far. I like some of the other talent such as Orange Cassidy.
I begin to wonder if AEW could suffer the issues of WCW towards the end. Getting all these well known talent instead of showcasing the indy talent who should really have the opportunity to shine. Perhaps AEW is a long way from losing money as WCW ultimately did, I just hope plenty of these new signings with former top WWE talent will help put over the indy talent who should be able to sign on a new worldwide stage.
And as for Adam Cole well I hope he does shine a lot more at the top in AEW. I could've bought him as a future WWE world champion, hopefully he gets his show as the AEW world champ.
