“Michael Cole got a nice bucket of teeth. I think we’re in for a fun time…whatever it is, it’s gonna be a blast,” he said.
Danhausen later took to social media to confirm that he is, in fact, alive.
“Danhausen is ALIVE and back inside your television,” he wrote.
The longtime AEW talent ended up being in a crate that had been seen in recent weeks both on Raw and SmackDown, with a note on the box saying it was not to be opened until the Elimination Chamber. The crate opened on Saturday to reveal a coffin. Dancers wearing Danhausen’s face paint emerged from the coffin then Danhausen himself. They all ended up making their way to the ring as Danhausen posed for the crowd. The lights then went out and when they came back on, everyone was gone.
Danhausen’s AEW contract had been frozen for some time, having not wrestled for the company or ROH since 2024. His contract was extended last year against his wishes. On Friday, he gave indications that he had finally been freed from his contract, with his profile being removed from AEW’s website the following day.
The Bryan & Vinny Show is back with tons to talk about as we recap WWE Elimination Chamber, which was a fucking WEIRD show. We had some good wrestling, some average wrestling, a bunch of storylines and finishes heading into WrestleMania, THAT DANHAUSEN DEBUT, and more! A fun show as always so check it out~!
The boxed mystery is a mystery no longer as its contents were revealed to be Danhausen during Saturday’s WWE Elimination Chamber.
Raw GM Adam Pearce and SmackDown GM Nick Aldis brought the giant wooden crate out into the arena and opened it up before walking away, revealing a coffin inside. A group of females dressed as vampires then emerged followed by the enigmatic Danhausen.
He and the women then came out to the ringside era where he handed Michael Cole a jar of teeth. They then got into the ring before the lights went out to end the segment.
Despite remaining under contract, he hasn’t wrestled in AEW since December 2023 and ROH since February 2024. His contact was reportedly set to expire last summer before being extended against his wishes. It remains unclear if he fell out of favor and why he went unused.
Danhausen no longer appears to be with All Elite Wrestling.
On Friday, the 35-year-old posted several messages to social media that hinted at the theme of “freedom” as speculation grew that he was nearing the end of his AEW contract. At the time, Danhausen was still listed on the AEW roster page.
As of Saturday, Danhausen’s bio has been removed from the AEW website.
Danhausen signed with AEW in early 2022 but was used only sparingly on the promotion’s programming. It was reported last August that he had requested his release from the company. However, it was later said that AEW had added time onto his contract to account for time missed while recovering from a torn pectoral muscle.
“He’s absolutely not the kind of wrestler that Paul Levesque would want as a top star. But he can be a comedy character, could get over as a cult figure early and would likely sell a lot of merchandise. I expected discussion regarding him and that in the end they’d give him a try.”
On Friday, Danhausen shared the song “Freedom Slam” by the band Freedom, along with an image from the 1992 film Aladdin showing the Genie being set free. He later posted his email address for booking inquiries.
Something very nice and very evil could be heading to WWE.
On Friday, Donovan Danhausen, better known to wrestling fans as Danhausen, posted several recent teases related to “freedom,” fueling speculation about his future.
The 35-year-old is still listed on the AEW roster page. He has been signed with the promotion since early 2022 but has appeared only sparingly on AEW programming. Last August, it was reported that he had requested his release from AEW but that the company had extended his contract into 2026 due to time he was out with a torn pectoral muscle.
Danhausen recently shared an image of the Genie from the 1992 film Aladdin, specifically a scene in which the character is freed at the end of the movie. He also posted the song “Freedom Slam” by the band Freedom.
“He’s absolutely not the kind of wrestler that Paul Levesque would want as a top star. But he can be a comedy character, could get over as a cult figure early and would likely sell a lot of merchandise. I expected discussion regarding him and that in the end they’d give him a try.”
In vein and valor be what they fear. Their days are over our nights are here. With hate and heartache I'll strike you down. With rage and rapture I crush your crown. pic.twitter.com/5uDh0cZmAV
WWE is reportedly divided on whether or not to sign Danhausen when his AEW contract expires early next year.
Fightful reported on Monday that Danhausen’s AEW contract will expire in February. He hasn’t wrestled for the promotion since appearing in a battle royal on the World’s End 2023 pre-show.
According to comments made on the WrestleVotes Live show on Monday, Danhausen has both supporters and detractors within WWE.
“It’s an interesting one. I know people there want him to come over. And I know this will be picked up but I know people there that aren’t so keen on him and his talents.“
“So I don’t know where they’re going to stand when it’s time for him to come as a free agent. I’m sure there’ll be an offer. He’s talented, people like him, he’s over. I could see them making an offer, but I know some people there maybe just don’t get it. And that’s fair. So we’ll see.”
One person in WWE who is said to be a supporter of Danhausen is The Rock. The TKO board member is said to be a “big fan” of Danhausen, as reported by our own Dave Meltzer in the August 25, 2025 edition of the The Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
Danhausen is said to have aired his frustrations to Tony Khan following plans for his return in late 2023 being scrapped. His contract was originally set to expire in mid-2025. However, the company added injury time onto it, extending the deal into early next year.
Danhausen may finally become a free agent relatively soon.
Fightful Select reported on Sunday that Danhausen’s AEW contract, barring any new extensions, will expire in February. His contract was originally set to expire this past summer, but it was extended due to missed injury time while recovering from a torn pectoral muscle in 2023.
According to Fightful’s report, AEW’s sources have told them that he hasn’t been seen backstage “in ages” and hasn’t been factored into the company’s creative plans.
Danhausen made his AEW debut back in 2022, appearing in a Lights Out match between Orange Cassidy and Adam Cole. He associated himself with both Hook and Orange Cassidy before suffering the torn pectoral muscle. When he returned from injury, Danhausen continued to align with Cassidy and the Best Friends before being taken off television for most of 2024. His most recent appearance was at that year’s ROH Final Battle event, helping out Atlantis Jr. in his match against Mansoor.
Prior to that brief appearance, Fightful had reported that AEW hadn’t been in contact with Danhausen for over six months aside from getting approval to work independent dates.
For the foreseeable future, Danhausen will remain under AEW contract even if he likely won’t be seen on TV.
Fightful Select reported Monday the unusual wrestler had his contract extended by AEW due to injury time “well into 2026” when his contract was originally set to expire on July 1st. According to his outlet, that was “apparently against his wishes” as “it was believed he requested they didn’t pick up his option.”
It’s unclear from the report if AEW added injury time in addition to an option. Regardless, the 35-year-old is still beholden to AEW through some part of 2026. He has been working indies consistently despite his lack of usage.
After not appearing on AEW TV since a battle royal at December 2023’s AEW Worlds End, he defeated Brandon Cutler in a February 2024 ROH match and then disappeared. He made a surprise appearance at last December’s ROH Final Battle to interfere during an Atlantis Jr. vs. Mason Madden match only to disappear again.
It was reported that he reached out about a follow-up, but there were no plans to bring him to TV despite the appearance.
Danhausen’s up and down run in AEW and Ring of Honor will reportedly come to an end in July.
First reported by Fightful Select, the unique star’s contract is set to expire next month unless AEW adds injury time which seems unlikely at this point.
After not appearing on AEW TV since a battle royal at December 2023’s Worlds End, he defeated Brandon Cutler in a February 2024 ROH match and then disappeared. He made a surprise appearance at last December’s ROH Final Battle to interfere during an Atlantis Jr. vs. Mason Madden match only to disappear again. It was reported that he reached out about a follow-up, but there were no plans to bring him to TV despite the appearance.
Fightful reported last November that the 34-year-old and AEW had not been in regular contact for over six months at one point outside getting approval to work indie dates. He signed his initial deal in January 2022 and wrestled just 21 AEW matches and one ROH match over his three years under Tony Khan’s employ.
Despite not appearing in AEW and ROH, Danhausen has continued to work frequently on the indie scene.
Following his return at Final Battle 2024, Danhausen is still figuring out what’s next for him in AEW.
Danhausen made a surprise cameo at the Hammerstein Ballroom last month during an Atlantis Jr. vs. Mansoor match at ROH Final Battle. He had been gone from AEW/ROH programming for almost the entirety of 2024 before making that appearance. Danhausen had a regular schedule of indie matches and convention bookings while off TV, which were approved by AEW.
While being interviewed on a new episode of Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Danhausen said they are still in the process of seeing where things go from here, but he would like to be presented on television. He thinks his character is meant for TV — and he believes his marketability should translate into getting a spot.
“So now it’s kind of seeing where that’s going to go, what’s going to happen. Figuring out still,” Danhausen said. “But I would like to be presented on TV, because I think the character is for TV. I think the [merchandise] top-seller list for the last four years or whatever — on TV or not on TV — it’s always top three or top four. I think it’s always top three. Top three this year, for sure. Last year [2023] I think it was CM Punk, MJF, me. And then I think the year before that was — maybe I was number one, I don’t remember. But, regardless, I feel like that should translate into television time just based off of — marketability.”
Danhausen said he understands that his character isn’t for everyone, but he believes wrestling is a variety show where every performer brings something different. If someone watches AEW because they like what he does, they might be exposed to a Will Ospreay or Powerhouse Hobbs match and be wowed by that.
When asked about dream matches he wants to have, Danhausen said he would like to team with The Outrunners, team with The Gunns, do something with “Timeless” Toni Storm, and either team with or face Brody King. He also mentioned PAC, Claudio Castagnoli, and Bullet Club Gold as potential opponents.
Danhausen said he really wishes he could have teamed with Sting & Darby Allin before Sting retired. He thinks it almost happened at one point with Sting, Allin & Danhausen vs. The Gunn Club & Max Caster.
Since debuting for the promotion in January 2022, Danhausen has been signed to AEW. He spent several months out of action in 2023 after tearing his pec at that year’s Revolution pay-per-view.
The full episode of Insight is available to watch below. It was an out-of-character conversation with Danhausen not wearing his face paint.
Towards the Atlantis Jr./Mansoor match that opened Friday’s ROH Final Battle event at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York, Danhausen crawled out of the ring and confronted Mason Madden at ringside, low blowing him. Later, Danhausen placed a curse on the MXM member, laying him out after dousing Madden with teeth. The distractions eventually led to a victory for Atlantis Jr.
Danhausen hasn’t been seen on AEW television since appearing at Worlds End 2023. He also made an appearance in ROH in February, defeating Brandon Cutler in a television match. In a November report from Fightful Select, it was said that Danhausen and AEW hadn’t been in contact with one another for over six months aside from getting approval for independent dates.
One of the more unique characters in wrestling — Danhausen — remains under AEW contract even though there are no creative plans for his return.
Fightful reported Sunday that the 34-year-old and AEW haven’t been in regular contact for over six months outside getting approval to work indie dates. They added the company has no creative plans for his return and that his deal runs into the summer of 2025. He signed his initial deal in January 2022.
After suffering a pectoral injury at March 2023’s Revolution, Danhausen made his return in late-November after vignettes hyping his return began earlier in the month. However, he only worked three AEW matches and hasn’t been on AEW TV since last December’s Worlds End. He did appear on an early-February Ring of Honor show in a win over Brandon Cutler.
The outlet stated that “plans changing regarding his return led to Danhausen expressing frustration directly to Tony Khan.” He has been willing to return to AEW, but pitches made to bring him back haven’t led anywhere.
They also reported the promotion believed he wanted to prioritize indie bookings over working on Collision while the Danhausen side said there were family-related issues that limited that availability.
Since last appearing for AEW, he has worked over 50 matches for various promotions worldwide including GCW, OTT, Prestige, Limitless and others.
Danhausen will return to the ring for the first time since March on tonight’s AEW Rampage.
After being out of action since suffering a pectoral injury at Revolution on March 5, Danhausen will team with Orange Cassidy, Hook, and Trent Beretta on Rampage against Evil Uno, Alex Reynolds, Matt Menard, and Angelo Parker in an eight-man tag.
Three trios matches are also set for tonight’s show.
In one trios bout, Konosuke Takeshita, Powerhouse Hobbs, and Kyle Fletcher of The Don Callis Family will be in action tonight.
In a women’s division trios contest, Saraya, Ruby Soho, and Anna Jay will team against Kris Statlander, Hikaru Shida, and Skye Blue.
Penta El Zero Miedo, El Hijo del Vikingo, and Komander will face Brian Cage, and JD Drake & Anthony Henry of The WorkHorsemen in the other six-man tag set for the show.
A promo segment with Sting & Ric Flair has also been advertised for tonight’s episode.
Taped in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Excalibur and Tony Schiavone were on commentary.
Orange Cassidy, Hook, Danhausen & Trent Beretta defeated Evil Uno & Alex Reynolds, Matt Menard Angelo Parker (w/ Jake Hager) (10:07)
Hager distracted the babyface team before the bell, which allowed the heels to take advantage. But that didn’t last long. Danhausen hit a step up rana on Uno and a release northern lights suplex on Reynolds. Then all eight men started brawling in the rings. Hook’s hesitation on the group hug almost led to a quadruple suplex from the heels, but all the babyfaces reversed it. The babyfaces got their group hug in. “Think Hook ever hugged his dad?” – Tony.
Menard hit Beretta with a powerbomb, Cassidy caught Menard with a DDT, and Hook hit T-bone suplexes on all the heels. After that display, Ring of Honor Pure Champion Wheeler Yuta entered the arena to distract Hook (and join the commentary team), which allowed Menard to get the advantage on Hook with a vertical suplex.
Yuta got on commentary and trashed his former mentors Cassidy and Beretta. The heels pounded on Hook in the corner.
After a split-screen break, Hook suplexed Parker and hit Menard with a clothesline. Uno and Beretta got the tags, and Beretta dropped Uno and hit a series of german suplexes on Reynolds. Beretta hit a half-and-half suplex on Uno, then yanked Reynolds off the middle turnbuckle into a backdrop suplex.
Cassdiy got the tag and took out both the Dark Order members with a dropkick, then hit Uno with Slumdog Millionaire. Uno came back with Something Evil, but Beretta broke up the pin attempt. Reynolds worked Cassidy up to the top rope for a superplex, but Beretta popped up and yanked Reynolds down from the top with a german superplex.
Danhausen and Menard got the tag, and Danhausen pulled out Hager’s hat! This lured Hager into the ring, who was instantly dumped. Parker got the hat from Danhausen, but Hook snuck up behind Parker to lock in the Redrum. Danhausen rolled up Menard, and got the pinfall.
And, Danhausen got the hat back!
– Rene Paquette interviewed the women in tonight’s trios match. Saraya is thrilled to be teaming with Anna Jay tonight, and still annoyed with her other partner, Ruby Soho. Parker runs in to let the women know he’ll be in their corner later, but Anna Jay wants nothing to do with him.
– Tony Schiavone brings Sting and Ric Flair to the ring for an interview. Tony said they wrestled in the first main event on TNT from Minnesota, (false, that was Hulk Hogan v. Big Bubba) and also wrestled in the last wrestling match on the network in 2001 until the foundation of AEW (that is true). Flair’s suit is something else. Schiavone announced that tickets will go on sale for Revolution in Greensboro in two weeks. Sting talked about teaming with Lex Luger and wrestling Bam Bam Bigelow in Minneapolis, while carefully avoiding running afoul of copyright laws by saying what shows they were on. Sting also cleaned up Schiavone’s earlier remark by saying he and Flair were on “the first and last shows on TNT.”
Then, Flair gets the mic. “From 1972 until today, and believe it or not, I’m still alive.” Flair counts Dusty Rhodes, Ricky Steamboat, and Sting as the four people who are special in his life (he missed one, probably one who works for the rival company). Flair promised they’d “dance all night and dance a little longer, stay out all night and stay out a little longer.” And that… was it. Thank god for taped shows and editing, I guess.
They replayed Hobbs slamming Paul Wight on the car hood a few weeks ago. Keep doing that to get him over as a monster.
The heels wiped out the enhancement talents, with Hobbs getting the legal pinfall.
– After the match, Callis took the mic and promised to continue dominating AEW until Kenny Omega and Chris Jericho have nowhere to have.
– Earlier tonight, Prince Nana hired JD Drake and Anthony Henry to team with Brian Cage tonight. Nana paid them off “to do the job tonight.” I love shoot comments that aren’t meant to be shoot comments.
Kris Statlander, Hikaru Shida & Skye Blue defeated Saraya, Ruby Soho & Anna Jay
Anna Jay turned on Ruby Soho, and now Saraya is forcing them to team up because she hates that Soho is dating Jeff Parker. And Statlander and Blue don’t like each other because they each feel the other cost them the TBS championship at Full Gear.
Blue and Statlander kept blind-tagging themselves in, until Shida got sick of that and blind-tagged herself in. She dropped Saraya out of a torture rack and then suplexed Soho on top of Saraya for a near fall.
After a break, Jay saved Saraya from a pin from Statlander. Jay and Saraya are functioning much better as a team, with Soho as the odd woman out. Statlander escaped a Queenslayer, and Shida caught Saraya with a jumping knee. Jay hit Statlander with a flatliner, but Statlander pulled Jay into a superkick from Soho. Statlander then set up Soho for the Code Blue from Skye Blue, who got the pinfall. The heels argued their way to the back while the faces celebrated in the ring.
– A recap of the Round 2 of the Continental Classic from Dynamite, with a preview of the Blue League matches tomorrow.
Penta El Zero Miedo, El Hijo del Vikingo & Komander (w/ Alex Abrahantes) defeated JD Drake, Anthony Henry, & Brian Cage (11:13)
If they’re really serious about pushing the Workhorsemen (Henry and Drake) they could have Flair endorse them or something.
During this match, it was announced that Tony Storm will face Skye Blue for the AEW World Women’s title on Dynamite Wednesday.
Vikingo took out Henry with an implosion rana out of the corner. Drake got the tag and opened himself up for some chops from Vikingo. Vikingo came back with a chop and belly to belly suplex. Vikingo came back with a tijeras. Komader hit a springboard dropkick on Cage. The Luchadors went for a triple dive on the floor, but Vikingo got caught in the ropes somehow (it was barely on camera) and Drake caught him against the apron.
The heels worked over Komander in the corner during the split-screen break. Drake hit a nice-looking slingshot senton into the ring. Drake missed a Vader bomb on Komander, who tagged Vikingo. Vikingo came in with a springboard dropkick, but Henry caught him with a pair of neck twists. Cage got the tag and gave Vikingo an overhead fallaway slam.
Penta got the hot tag tag and caught Cage with a slingblade. Penta hit a sloppy double-ddt on the Workhorsemen. Komander came off the top with a missile dropkcik on Drake, and Penta lauched Henry into a dropkick from Vikingo.
Komander hit Cage with a lung blower, held him for a stomp from Vikingo, and then let him go for Penta to hit a top rope stomp for a near fall. Komader tried a springboard into the ring on Cage, who took him out with a shoulder block. Cage monkeyflipped Komader into a powerbomb from Drake.
Vikingo caught Cage with a springboard DDT, but Henry hit a stuff piledriver. Penta took out Henry with the Made in Japan.
After a miscommunication, Cage floored Henry with a clothesline. Cage left the match, and Penta hit the Fear Factor on Henry. Komander hit a shooting star press, and then Vikingo hit a 630 senton to get the pinfall on Henry.
There were some sloppy spots, but this was okay.
Final Thoughts:
Also announced for Dynamite during the main event were the following Gold Leauge matches: Jon Moxley v. Rush, Swerve Strickland v. Mark Briscoe, and Jay White v. Jay Lethal.
Danhausen’s in-ring return will be featured among the four matches set for the Friday, December 1 AEW Rampage show.
After being out of the ring after suffering a torn pectoral in March, Danhausen will team with Orange Cassidy, Hook, and Trent Beretta against the makeshift team of Evil Uno, Alex Reynolds, Matt Menard, and Angelo Parker on Friday’s episode.
Three trios matches are also set for Friday’s show.
Powerhouse Hobbs, Konosuke Takeshita, and Kyle Fletcher of The Don Callis Family will be in action against three enhancement talents on this week’s episode.
In the women’s division, Saraya and Ruby Soho of The Outcasts will team with Anna Jay against Kris Statlander, Skye Blue, and Hikaru Shida.
Penta El Zero Miedo, El Hijo del Vikingo, and Komander vs. Brian Cage and JD Drake & Anthony Henry of The WorkHorsemen rounds out Friday’s lineup.
Friday’s show was taped Wednesday night in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Spoilers for the show are available here.
The Friday, December 1 Rampage lineup:
Danhausen, Orange Cassidy, Hook & Trent Beretta vs. Evil Uno, Alex Reynolds, Matt Menard & Angelo Parker
The Don Callis Family’s Konosuke Takeshita, Powerhouse Hobbs & Kyle Fletcher in action
Saraya, Ruby Soho & Anna Jay vs. Kris Statlander, Hikaru Shida & Skye Blue
Penta El Zero Miedo, El Hijo del Vikingo & Komander vs. Brian Cage & The WorkHorsemen’s JD Drake & Anthony Henry
After being on the shelf since March after suffering a pectoral injury at Revolution, Danhausen made his return on Wednesday’s Thanksgiving Eve Dynamite in the corner of Orange Cassidy, Hook, and Katsuyori Shibata in a trios match against Jake Hager, Matt Menard, and Angelo Parker. Prior to the bout, Cassidy introduced Danhausen as a surprise to the crowd.
After weeks of vignettes building up his comeback, Danhausen’s return was originally announced in advance on the November 3 edition of Rampage with the nebulous distinction that he would return “next week.” The return did not materialize until this week, however.
Danhausen suffered a pectoral injury in a Tag Team title match at the Revolution pay-per-view in March in teaming with Cassidy against then-Tag champs The Gunns, The Acclaimed, and Jeff Jarrett & Jay Lethal.
In a social media post, Danhausen revealed that the injury was a torn right pectoral muscle.
