![AEW Dynamite Rundown: Bryan Danielson Comes Out Of Retirement; Extremely Emotional Pac Tribute; WWE Namedropped [09/30]](https://prowrestlingtakes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/AEW-Dynamite-rundown-0930.png)
The latest episode of AEW Dynamite was all about Pac and Tony Khan did a great job of ensuring it was as emotional and moving as possible.
AEW Dynamite was an emotional mess for those who watched the show as the promotion paid their respect to the recently deceased Pac. Pac passed away on Sunday at the young age of 40, leaving behind a legacy that is unmatched. The uber athletic star was found unresponsive in his car in Des Plaines, Illinois, before being declared dead, just hours after his match against Andrade at All Out.
The show started off with a speech from Mox which was shot after All Out and marks the last official appearance from Pac. The 10-bell salute was a real tear-jerker. The entire night was filled with backstage interview segments from those close to Pac, along with tributes, and some unforgettable moments.
Bryan Danielson returned at the start of the show to hug it out with Jon Moxley while Will Ospreay hit the Black Arrow. Ricochet hit the Phoenix Pele Kick, while Swerve Strickland and The New Level left the Trios Title in the ring.
The Elite reunited in honor of Pac and won against The Don Callis, but the real surprise of the night came in the main event.
Bryan Danielson Has Come Out Of Retirement
Bryan Danielson has come out of retirement, albeit for one night. The star returned in the main event of the show to reconcile with The Death Riders and compete against The Don Callis Family.
It was so good to see Danielson return to action after two years and it seemed like he hasn’t missed a day of action. He is an immaculate human being and a sensational leader. Danielson was also great in the match and the overall celebrations were really emotional.
The Death Riders all hugged each other after the bout and cried in unison with the ending of the show being them standing over the chair of Pac. What an epic ending to a heartbreaking show.
AEW Dynamite Was A Perfectly Done Tribute Show
There’s one thing about AEW that nobody wants to acknowledge – they are real fans running a wrestling show. Tony Khan is a fan, first and foremost, and so is the rest of that locker room. This is exactly why nobody does tribute shows better than AEW, although I’d never want them to do another one in their existence.
Khan has the ability to leave rivalries, personal vendettas, and selfish gains aside to make room for pro wrestling. He makes room for the things that matter to his stars, whether past or present. He is ready to move mountains in order to settle debts and do that not for himself but for those around him.
You can see at every point that he had the best interest of the locker room, and more importantly, the best interest of Pac in mind while setting up this show. He did not care about namedropping WWE (more on that later), he did not care about showcasing their stars, and he certainly did not care about his storylines. He was more than happy to have The Elite reunite for this night, instead of saving it for a later date. He did not care about Wardlow’s return, which would have garnered a lot better reaction on a different show.
If you wonder why his stars are ready to put their lives on the line for Tony Khan it is because of this reason.
AEW Namedrops WWE, Features Kevin Owens And Cody Rhodes, And Is Fearless About It
It’s quite funny to think that despite WWE trying every trick in the book to damage AEW’s business with Worlds Collide in Chicago and the same show running head to head with Dynamite, the other company simply went ahead and namedropped WWE multiple times on their program while also featuring Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, and Cody Rhodes in the tribute package to Pac and on the titantron during the 10-bell salute.
It’s a surefire way to ensure fans perceive Tony Khan to be the bigger man in this scenario, and truth be told, he was exactly that. He did not fight the situations in that regard but made full use of it ensuring that Dynamite was remembered for all the right reasons.
It’s strange to think that after all this, WWE still wants to focus on competing with All Elite Wrestling. Of course, that’s what big corporations do, you have to hold them by the jugular and wipe out the competition.
Either way, whatever the end result of this might be, the eventual scenario is that AEW has showed the world that when done right pro wrestling can tell love stories unlike any other sport, it has the power to make you feel emotions you didn’t know existed. It can show you reasons why you love this weird amalgamation of fake fighting and elaborate theatre.
Pro wrestling is a love story and it was once again proved tonight.
Rest In Peace Pac.
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