There’s much to like about AEW star Daniel Garcia. The former ROH Pure Champion has displayed many valuable skills and some surprising charisma during his tenure with the promotion. More recently, he’s taken center stage and has even been billed as the company’s “backbone.”
Mixing mat wrestling and high-impact strikes, he originally was “all business” in the ring. However, during his stint as a protege of Chris Jericho, he added a little sprinkle of sports entertainment. This included his now-famous dance. While originally intended to be farcical, it caught on with the audience. That little wrinkle appears to have helped Garcia evolve into an even bigger breakthrough star.
Since the start of 2024, Daniel Garcia has constantly progressed. Such progress may have never been clearer than this past week when All Elite Wrestling emanated from his hometown of Buffalo, New York. It was a hero’s welcome (and a night of ups and downs) for the 25-year-old prodigy. However, it was also a clear indication of what lies ahead.
Daniel Garcia Faces Off Against Will Ospreay
Daniel Garcia heads into the biggest match of his career against #AEW International Champion Will Ospreay!
Watch #AEWDynamite Beach Break, presented by #SharkWeek, LIVE on TBS!@GarciaWrestling | @WillOspreay pic.twitter.com/z6dILEToOd
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) July 4, 2024
On this week’s episode of AEW Dynamite, Daniel Garcia challenged Will Ospreay for the AEW International Championship in a match that truly highlighted the young superstar’s talent. Being on national television against a star like Ospreay only elevates his status even more – even though he’s already had several high-profile encounters in All Elite Wrestling. And his newfound friend, MJF, would be in his corner to “root him on.”
However, it didn’t work out that way. In an incredibly breathtaking battle, Garcia shined against a wrestler many feel is one of the best performers in the world today, especially in sports entertainment. Unfortunately for “Dancin’ Danny,” when he refused to use MJF’s Dynamite Diamond Ring on Ospreay, Garcia would eventually lose the match.
Following the match, MJF brutally attacked Garcia, leading to him being put on a stretcher to close the show. This move solidified Daniel Garcia’s rock-solid babyface status and the return of the company’s most prominent star to his rightful place. Maxwell Jacob Friedman has returned to his heelish roots and appears poised to start a long-term angle with the young “Dragon Slayer.”
Does Garcia’s Immediate Future Include a Huge Push?
I am tired of being right. I made a comment that if I was going to start my own wrestling company that Daniel Garcia would be in my top 10! I got called the AEW ass kisser! What do you think now?He is in the ring with two of the best guys. Like a champ he fought like a champ!…
— TheMarkHenry (@TheMarkHenry) July 4, 2024
The promotion seems committed to giving Daniel Garcia the significant push he has desired. While he has engaged in some great matches in the past, including a win over Bryan Danielson, he has never really been in a storyline of this magnitude. As a heel, MJF is the perfect opponent to get the crowd on Garcia’s side.
The AEW faithful have wanted to see Garcia move up the metaphorical ladder while simultaneously waiting for MJF to return to doing what he does best. And they got that all in one incredible segment.
Seeing what unfolds for Garcia in this inevitable angle against MJF and beyond will be interesting. Tony Khan clearly sees much long-term potential in him, and people have been really behind him in recent weeks. If his character is handled properly going forward, it’s entirely possible that we could see Daniel Garcia as the AEW World Champion someday.
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Ryan K Boman is the author of the 2023 book, Pop Music & Peanut Butter: A Collection of Essays about Embracing Life with Laughter & Love. His previous work has appeared at The Miami Herald, SB Nation, Bounding into Sports, and Yardbarker. Follow him on social media @RyanKBoman.
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