Unbelievable scenes unfolded at Arena Mexico this past Friday night during CMLL Homenaje a Dos Leyendas, culminating in an electric eight-man tag team match.
CMLL’s Blue Panther, Mistico, Ultimo Guerrero, and Volador Jr. emerged victorious against AEW’s Bryan Danielson, Claudio Castagnoli, Jon Moxley, and Matt Sydal.
Despite the defeat, Danielson wasn’t content and promptly issued a challenge to Panther for a one-on-one showdown the following Friday. Panther wasted no time in accepting, leaving the official confirmation in the hands of CMLL.
In the early hours of Monday morning, CMLL made it official, announcing that Danielson versus Panther would headline this Friday’s “Super Viernes” at Arena Mexico.
Additionally, the event will kick off with the first block of CMLL’s Universal Championship tournament, featuring all of the promotion’s champions vying for the title of “champion of champions.”
The Panther-Danielson match is a dream encounter for many, including Danielson himself, who has openly expressed admiration for the 63-year-old luchador over the years.
Despite seeming unattainable due to Danielson’s prior engagements with WWE and AEW’s collaboration with AAA, hopes for the match were reignited when AEW and CMLL initiated a partnership in the fall of 2023.
This collaboration led to last Friday’s main event, where Danielson realized his dream of facing Panther, albeit in a multi-man setting, and competing in Arena Mexico, the historic home of CMLL since 1956.
While Danielson, Castagnoli, Moxley, and Sydal fell short last Friday, AEW’s Willow Nightingale brought a glimmer of joy to the promotion.
The #1 contender for Julia Hart’s TBS Championship secured victory in her match, pinning Stephanie Vaquer and leading her team, alongside La Catalina and Tessa Blanchard, to triumph over Vaquer, Zeuxis, and Lluvia.
