Queens, NY – Fans witnessed an instant classic at last week’s Grand Slam as newcomer Brian Danielson met AEW champion Kenny Omega.
Both wrestlers entered the ring as the stadium lights dimmed. A spotlight focused on the two mat masters. Danielson sported an old-timey St. Louis Wolves baseball uniform while Omega held a baseball bat. The audience sat in enraptured silence, watching the two grapplers engage in a confrontation for the ages.
Facing the hard camera, Danielson addressed viewers stating “Strange as it may seem, they give ball players nowadays very peculiar names.”
“Funny names?” asked Omega.
“Nicknames, nicknames,” corrected Danielson, turning towards his opponent. “Now, on the St. Louis team we have Who’s on first, What’s on second, I Don’t Know is on third…”
“That’s what I want to find out,” interrupted Omega. “I want you to tell me the names of the fellows on the St. Louis team.”
A low murmur resonated in the live audience.
“You know the fellows’ names?” inquired Omega.
“Yes,” affirmed Danielson, getting a small pop out of the crowd.
“Well, then who’s playing first?” questioned Omega.
“Yes,” confirmed Danielson again, eliciting a bigger response from those in attendance.
“I mean the fellow’s name on first base,” explained Omega.
“Who,” answered Danielson, with the crowd joining in the response.
“The fellow playing first base,” said a slightly exasperated Omega.
“Who,” replied Danielson along with the 10,000 fans.
“The guy on first base,” Omega said breathlessly.
“Who is on first,” answered Danielson matter-of-factly.
The AEW faithful began chanting and pointing “Who! Who! Who!” over and over.
Even AEW announcers Taz and Excalibur got in on the act.
“Who is on first?” shouted Taz over the deafening audience.
“Exactly!” laughed his masked commentary partner.
“No, I’m serious,” shouted Taz. “I have no idea what’s going on. I’m completely lost! Is this a new gimmick or something? What’s the gag? Someone please help me!”
For a full 30-minutes, Omega and Danielson jousted back and forth. The pacing, work rate, and storytelling received universal praise from the wrestling community. AEW officials were thrilled with the response and are already formulating plans to include more vaudeville into Dynamite.
The only person not praising the encounter was Taz who is reportedly still trying to figure out who is on first.