It’s often so easy to become lost in the 24/7 nature of the professional wrestling news cycle and the corresponding storm of crazy that inevitably encompasses it on social media. I think it’s important to remember the reason we all started watching this wild and wonderful thing of ours in the first place as well. Because whether in large ways or small, it simply makes us happy. Each week, I’ll shine a light on something or someone in the wide world of professional wrestling that is creating smiles out of thin air. Care to join me?
When considering the past week in wrestling, there were a few things and people I considered including in the very first edition of this weekly column. Sammy Guevara and Cody Rhodes had the best ladder match I’ve ever seen and one of the best matches in recent memory, period. Watching Miz and Maryse do battle with Edge and Beth Phoenix at the Royal Rumble was a treat, and I absolutely adored the very apparent pride all four felt while competing with the one they loved. Then of course, there is Colt Banana. If you didn’t smile at the forgotten pumpkin on Being the Elite this week, what are we even doing here anyway?
Even with the above contenders and a few more deserving subjects as well, there was one moment and one man that made what may often be a difficult weekly decision an easy one this time. I’m of course talking about Danhausen and the All Elite debut heard ‘round the world.
As well-established a fan favorite as there is in wrestling today, many wondered if a Danhausen/AEW union was inevitable but seeing him literally pulled from under the ring and into the Elite-verse sent immediate shockwaves through the wrestling world. In a match featuring Orange Cassidy and Adam Cole (BAY-BAY!) – two talents fans consistently lose their minds for – he commanded such a pop, Twitter nearly exploded with the resulting barrage of praise, wonder, and well-deserved congratulations all meant for this very nice, very evil wrestler of sorts.
I don’t think it’s any coincidence that it wasn’t just the fans coming to give Danhausen his flowers for landing on TBS with so many of his pals. No, wrestlers from all disciplines and too many companies to count sent on words of love and encouragement for a man who had worked tirelessly to reach this pinnacle of professional wrestling. It hasn’t always been easy. In fact, I’d argue that it has never been easy, but that’s exactly the type of experience that separates the good from the great. The good persevere, sure, but the great do so much more than that. They evolve, adapt, grow, learn, and become undeniable.
It doesn’t take long listening to Danhausen speak about this business – in character or out – to understand that he simply “gets it.” He’s marketed himself to such a point that he may exist in his very own top tier of popularity. You see, he’s more than a wrestler now. He’s an icon. You heard me. Move over Sting.
Whether popping up with Conan O’Brien, temporarily becoming the face of A&W (even if by accident) or spearheading an actual music video further cementing the #AssBoys phenomenon he is responsible for, Danhausen can do it all. Now, after signing on the dotted line with Tony Elite, the sky is the limit. I hope y’all are ready to see him everywhere because I expect that’s just where he’ll be soon enough.
All Elite Wrestling, for all the incredible technical wrestling and supreme storytelling they put forth, can certainly do with a little levity. Along with his friend Orange Cassidy, the Best Friends adjacent star should give us plenty to talk about in the coming weeks and months as he brings his brand of chaos and hijinks to AEW and its national television audience.
Along with some comedic relief, I hope we see Danhausen in the ring when his broken leg has fully heeled as well. He’s someone whose talent in ring can be easily overshadowed by his larger-than-life persona, but when I say he can hold his own between the ropes, I mean it. There is no avenue he cannot help make better in the wrestling world, and we’re all about to see just that.
As much as I enjoyed him with Ring of Honor, I can’t help but appreciate how fitting the AEW banner is draped around his neck. Much like Dwight Schrute had a perfect situation going for him in the Office universe – a 9-bedroom house (just the one bathroom under the porch though), an on site crossbow range, multiple muscle cars to restore to double their values – all settled on a 60-acre working beet farm – Danhausen finds himself in a similarly perfect situation. Let me explain.
To go along with his reach on social media and YouTube, he now finds himself with three hours of nationally televised elite programming to wander in and out of as he pleases, reminding the oft-potty-mouthed AEW roster, “NO SWEARING!” There is a fairly recognizable dastardly dentist on the payroll if he ever finds himself low on teeth. Very evil indeed. As an official employee of A&W, perhaps we can get another addition of Fat Food Fest with his very good friend, Egon Page. We might finally be able to witness the Arm Anderson groin shot spoken about in legend. And finally, imagine the V-Logs y’all. I just can’t even begin to explain how much joy they’re all going to bring me and EVERYONE.
Always amazing to his fan-hausens, Danhausen is as deserving a signee as any before him, and the mutual respect from his peers speaks volumes. It’s been only one week and the joy he’s spread has been incalculable. I’m here for it, and I hope you will be too.
I’d like to end these weekly columns as graciously and as simply as possible.
So, Mr. Danhausen. Thank you for the smiles this week. Here’s to many more.
