Bryan Danielson vs. Zack Sabre Jr. official for AEW WrestleDream

A dream match between Bryan Danielson and Zack Sabre Jr. is finally happening.

AEW has confirmed that Danielson vs. Sabre will take place at next month’s WrestleDream pay-per-view. This is the first match that’s been announced for the PPV. It’s being held in Danielson’s hometown of Seattle on Sunday, October 1.

The announcement of the match was made after Danielson issued a challenge to Sabre during AEW Collision on Saturday night. In his promo, Danielson said he wants to fight the person who calls himself the best technical wrestler in the world — Zack Sabre Jr.

Danielson mentioned on Collision that he told his daughter he would start finishing up his career when she turned seven years old. With his daughter being six now, Danielson knows his time in the ring is running out. Danielson said that, if this is his last year, it will be the most epic year of his career. Danielson then called his shot for a match against Sabre at WrestleDream.

The segment on Collision led to Ricky Starks and Big Bill attacking Danielson. At All Out last Sunday, Danielson defeated Starks in a strap match. It was Danielson’s first match since suffering a broken arm against Kazuchika Okada at Forbidden Door this June.

Danielson vs. Sabre was originally supposed to happen at Forbidden Door 2022, but Danielson had to pull off the show due to injury. Claudio Castagnoli replaced Danielson in the match, making his AEW debut by defeating Sabre.

Either Danielson or Sabre has won Best Technical Wrestler in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards for the past 18 years. It was renamed the Bryan Danielson Award after Danielson had to retire from in-ring competition in 2016. After returning in 2018, Danielson has won the award twice.

Sabre is the current NJPW World TV Champion. WrestleDream will be the first time he and Danielson have faced each other since 2009.

WrestleDream is a new addition to the AEW PPV calendar this year. The event is in honor of Antonio Inoki and is taking place on the one-year anniversary of Inoki’s passing.