The AEW Match Guide: Matches 10-1
The countdown of AEW's greatest ever matches comes to its conclusion and we crown a winner.
What is the greatest match in AEW history?
This is the question I set out to answer when I put together The Definitive AEW Match Guide back in 2021, three more years, a podcast and with the help of a group of wrestling writers, commentators and fans, it is the question we answer again today.
In case you missed it earlier this week we counted down:
- Matches 50-31
- Matches 30-11
There has already been some surprises and upsets but today we get down to the pointy end and count down the top ten. Also because this is a special occasion we have a special podcast where Imp & Floyd Johnson Jr. from the Social Suplex Podcast Network announce and discuss the results so you can either listen here or read below.
If you’d like to discuss the results you can do so in the comments here or in the AEW Match Guide channel on the Social Suplex Discord. I also plan on continuing to post match reviews and wrestling critiques so to ensure you don’t miss any future posts you can subscribe to the new AEW Match Guide Substack.
Kenny Omega v Adam Page, AEW World Championship
Full Gear 2021
Points: 147
Votes: 16
Highest Rank: 1st (x2)
“The happy ending to the greatest story AEW has told. By itself it is a great match, with the story build up, completely peerless in modern wrestling.”
- Sam Brown, @Sir_Samuel
“The story of the match, the connection that I had with both wrestlers and how this was built to just feels like the very essence of what AEW is or should be. They definitely have a better match in them in terms of pure action, but nothing the company has done tops this and the celebration afterwards.”
- Chris L, @Dinahmoehum
“The culmination of AEW's most successful story and a beautiful moment which summarised the journeys undertaken by both characters. For anyone who connected with AEW before or during the pandemic this was a truly special match and moment that was the highpoint of that first era. A Tokyo Dome main event construction on US soil.”
- Trish Spears, @TrishSpeirs48
The Young Bucks v The Lucha Bros, AEW Tag Team Championship, Steel Cage Match
All Out 2021
Points: 164
Votes: 18
Highest Rank: 2nd
“Every time I watch the Young Bucks and the Lucha Bros wrestle they find a way to blow my mind. This All Out steel cage match was incredible. It was refreshing to watch a cage match where the participants weren’t trying to run out of the cage. Instead, they just wanted to beat the crap out of each other. There were so many great spots and double team moves in this match. I popped for the return of the infamous shoe full of thumbtacks which left Penta a bloody mess. I’ll never forget Fenix’s insane Crossbody off the top of the cage. This is easily one of the best cage matches I’ve seen in my 30 years of watching wrestling.”
- Jeremy Donovan, @JeremyLDonovan
“I'll remember this one for making my then-fiancee cry. When you love pro wrestling, you can't help but hope that your person will love it, too. She made me hopeful that maybe - just maybe - she would get it. Here's when I knew she got it. The Bucks were her "boys," her first match she ever watched was Matt Jackson vs. Rey Fenix. By this point 5 months later, she was invested in the Bucks. They lost here in an absolutely awesome Cage Match that I picked as the 2021 Match of the Year...and my boo legit cried. Long live pro freakin' wrestling!”
- ‘The Doc’ Chad Matthews
“This was the first match I ever saw that felt as though I was being hypnotized, I could not draw my eyes away and I did not want to.”
- Charles
“The chemistry between these two teams is unmatched. Perfect rivals who are mirror images of each other, these two sets of brothers have never failed to deliver a high level, heart stopping, jaw dropping spectacle in each of their meetings. This match is one of the best cage matches ever filmed, and a true celebration of the wonder of tag team wrestling.”
- Rambone Slampig, @RamboneSlampig
“Two teams painting their masterpiece after years of greatness together. On a night where CM Punk wrestled his first match back in 7 years, the pop Penta and Fenix received after dethroning the brothers Jackson was deafening. I know...I was there.”
- Joey G., @TheLuchaJoe
Cody Rhodes v Dustin Rhodes
Double or Nothing 2019
Points: 200
Votes: 21
Highest Rank: 1st (x2)
AEW Match Guide Podcast: Episode 14
“The first show of the Revolution and this match is exactly what you weren't getting anywhere else. Symbol concept Big Brother vs Little Brother. Years of wanting to know who was truly better and went out and put on a masterpiece. The over the top emotion was punctuated by violence and both wrestlers being covered in Dustin's blood. I was on my feet for the second half of the match and the finish led to a standing ovation. Perfect.”
- Floyd Johnson Jr., @floydjohnsonjr
“Cody vs. Dustin holds a special place in my heart and maybe I am biased. As a Cody mega-stan since the Legacy days, it was so amazing to see this match happening. But the legacy of match is largely defined by the context within which it exists and for this match that was so much more than simply two brothers fighting. AEW needed a great singles match to help sell the company and it also needed some incredible visuals. This match provided both. With that picture of Cody holding a bloodied Dustin in the Figure Four leglock to the image of the two brothers hugging after the match and then walking out together. They couldn't ever replicate this match even if they played it the exact same move by move. It is simply special.”
- Gareth Ford-Elliot, @gareth_eno
“Whenever I return to an old NWA or early 90s WCW event, my mind flocks to this match. An American Gothic story told in the squared circle, this match added emotions and modernity to a classic style of wrestling that set the stage for the variety and compelling nature that could be found in this newborn wrestling entity. Blood ran thicker in more ways than one.”
- Corey Michaels, @Corey0Michaels
“It all started with this. The match embodied what set AEW apart. Blood, emotion, in-ring storytelling, and a rabid passionate fanbase. On this night, we got the first taste of what a true alternative could be by using the bond of two familiar faces who relaunched themselves in a whole new way. This was the perfect beginning and I don't think anyone will ever forget the famous "I just need my brother" line from Cody as one of AEW's most touching moments.”
- Lyric Swinton, @Lyric_Wrestling
MJF v Bryan Danielson, AEW World Championship, Iron Man Match
Revolution 2023
Points: 213
Votes: 21
Highest Rank: 1st (x2)
“The greatest Iron Match of all time. These two literally wrote the blue print. Nearly 30 mins wrestled before the first fall. Basically like a normal match would go. Top to bottom great wrestling. The ending was a call back to Bret vs HBK, but done much better.”
- David E. Brill, @TheDavefather
“The Iron Man between Bryan Danielson and MJF was a true dream come true. A real throwback to the classics of the 80s and 90s in many ways, updated for the modern fans and standards of wrestling. Usually I would say a scoreline of 4-3 is a little too much. It's been done many times and usually not executed well. But each and every count was executed perfectly to extract the maximum heat from the crowd and draw you into the action.
The ending to the match and the sudden death period were expertly crafted from two wrestling geniuses. Perhaps the greatest ending to a match in AEW history?”
- Gareth Ford-Elliot, @gareth_eno
“This is, without a doubt, the greatest iron man match ever. The greatness of it with MJF is that he barely tries to cheat throughout and still is keeping up with Danielson. The moment of him wanting oxygen before sudden death while Danielson is smiling is one of the greatest moments in AEW history alone. This is the match that finally shut down anyone who disliked MJF.”
- Ryan, @WrestleWatch_
“Early on in MJF's AEW World Championship reign, I found there to be a lot of entertainment. Friedman early in his career knows how to sell himself and make it all count in the end. This Iron Man match was a glowing example of this. Danielson matched MJF's heel antics with unforgiving offense and strategy, and when the match seemed like it would end in a tie, MJF's dastardly mind was one step ahead of The Dragon's. That damned fire extinguisher.”
- Corey Michaels, @Corey0Michaels
Kenny Omega v Will Ospreay, IWGP United States Championship
Forbidden Door 2023
Points: 235
Votes: 21
Highest Rank: 2nd
“They had a lot to live up to after their match at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom almost six months prior. Here, they decided to use a bunch of callbacks to the WK match, but worked hard to make this one stand out on its own. They worked a slower, stiffer style here, absolutely dropping bombs on each other. It's one of the stiffer matches you're going to see in North America.”
- Aaron Hyden ‘Hustle’, @HustleTheSavage
“This match was a fitting part two of the rivalry that catapulted Will Ospreay into international superstardom and reminded the world that Kenny Omega was still the greatest after his return from injury. They managed to have a completely different match from their Tokyo Dome instant classic in front of a packed house in Toronto. This was a brutal storytelling clinic with all the right notes at the right times. Ospreay and Omega bring out the best (& worst) in each other and push each other to and past their limits. This was Ospreay's revenge and the night he became a must-sign for AEW.”
- Lyric Swinton, @lyric_wrestling
“Although not their best match of that year, this bout was a catalyst to post-match events that would change the course of history in both All Elite Wrestling and New Japan Pro Wrestling. Kenny Omega would end up losing the IWGP U.S. Title to Will Ospreay, but not before wow the crowd with a Tiger Driver '91 finish. It was enough to draw criticism to the move and match.”
- The Returner
“Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay faced the daunting task of delivering a match that could rival their epic encounter on January 4th, and they undeniably succeeded. However, the story of this match took a different turn from the first. This time, Ospreay embraced his role as the despised villain, aligning himself with the notorious heat magnet, Don Callis.
On the other hand, Kenny emerged as the beloved hometown hero, basking in the crowd's adoration. Ospreay was determined to rectify his previous loss earlier in the year and left no stone unturned in his quest for victory. He unleashed a barrage of devastating moves, including the Kamigoye, the One Winged Angel, and even a screwdriver to the head.
Yet, Omega proved to be a formidable opponent, refusing to go down without a fight. The relentless onslaught of V-trigger after V-trigger kept Omega in the contest. Despite his valiant efforts, Omega eventually fell to a brutal sequence of moves, including the Storm Driver, the Hidden Blade, and the Stormbreaker. This match was an intense, blood-soaked battle, filled with numerous nods to their previous encounters. It encapsulated everything you would want from a big.”
- Jeremy Donovan, @JeremyLDonovan
“Legendary match for Forbidden Door 2. Ospreay/Omega are truly capable of breaking the scales for wrestling and elevate it to a higher place. Both played their roles masterfully for the IWGP US title match.”
- Atlas
Adam Page v Swerve Strickland, Texas Death Match
Full Gear 2023Points: 240
Votes: 21
Highest Rank: 1st
“A horror show of a match; a hero that is willing to kill, against a villain who feels like he can't be. This match painted one of the darkest, most depraved stories of vengeance I've seen in wrestling and in my mind is a masterpiece.”
- Sam Brown, @Sir_Samuel
“"You tell him I'm coming, and hell's coming with me." The barbaric brutality of this particular ballet tells a story deeper than what was just in the ring. Violence and hatred engulfed these warriors, a fight that was more reminiscent of a scene from American History X than a match between two rasslers. If winning the world title from Omega didn't cement Hangman as a superstar, him drinking the blood of his newest enemy sure did.
- Joey G., @TheLuchaJoe
“Adam and Swerve's violence and rage feels beautiful and raw. It is a match that makes me forget wrestling is scripted, I am so drawn in by their emotions and actions. Their use of weapons feels like an extension of their anger and hatred of the other. I adore the almost overuse of blood in the match, I almost felt as though I was watching a horror movie rather than a wrestling match.”
- Charles
“Some matches will be in this list for their amazing technical wrestling, some for their storytelling and some for their unbelievable creativity and/or violence. Hangman vs. Swerve had all of that but above all this was a truly star-making performance. Hangman played his role to perfection and Swerve rose to the occasion and cemented himself as a future world champion. Solidifying 'Texas Death' as THE stipulation match in AEW.”
- Gareth Ford-Elliot, @gareth_eno
“This is the match that set the hearts of all the fun loving girlies, and blood and guts loving sickos, aflutter. Adam Page has cemented his status as a master of the Texas Death Match. Swerve Stricland was a star in ascent.”
- Rambone Slampig, @RamboneSlampig
Darby Allin & Sting v The Young Bucks, AEW Tag Team Championship, Tornado Tag.
Revolution 2024
Points: 250
Votes: 27
Highest Rank: 1st (x3)
“Perhaps one of the most emotional AEW matches in the promotion's history, this tugged on my heartstrings. Sting watching a highlight reel of his career in a theater, being joined by his sons as previous versions of his character, and no-selling the superkicks...this was a love letter to The Icon fans grew up watching. He left as the superhero we remembered him as.”
- Corey Michaels, @Corey0Michaels
“The ultimate feel good wrestling match. I have been a huge fan of superhero type figures in wrestling while growing up. The ones that would make you feel that no matter how bad things get, you always have a chance to win. Sting was forever that guy in AEW. And with the perfect presentation, Darby being a nutjob and The bucks being at the very best shitheads that they can, this was perfect. Sometimes wrestling moves me to tears. That happened here.”
- Ashtoush, @AshWTRR
“Perhaps the greatest sendoff in the long history of the sport. Sting's final match was picture perfect. High drama, an intense 'HOLY F$%&ING SH** spot, blood, the perfect hatable villains, and the correct ending. An emotional crescendo.”
- Joey G., @luchajoe
“Despite my childhood being filled with Joker Sting rather than something more iconic, he was still a part of my childhood. He's been a part of childhoods for 40 years. The construction of this final plunder brawl was brilliant, from the spine tingling entrance, warm family feel of his cosplaying sons to the inclusion of foreign objects and the Stingers oldest friends. A legend saying goodbye on top in a match where the crowd never sat, your heart rate never lowered and the memories last forever.”
- Sam Roberts, @QuantumRoberts
“Has there been a greater retirement match than this? I don't think so. Sting's retirement run showed us all a different path for how North American legends get to experience the final chapters of their story. It was only right that the original face of alternative wrestling was sent off in style by AEW. Perfect partner, perfect opponents, perfect venue, perfect entrance, perfect ending. The stars all aligned for this one for the Stinger to go out on top in the place where he became a star.
This one was a moment where I just felt proud to love wrestling and even prouder to be in the building. There was no "phoning it in". We saw a 62-year-old Sting go out in a blaze of glory & gore, thanks to Darby Allin's unforgettable bump(s) and The Young Bucks fully leaning into being shithead heels. In his last stand, Sting proved to the world that he is the bar for a career well done.”
- Lyric Swinton, @lyric_wrestling
Kenny Omega v Bryan Danielson
Dynamite 22/9/2021
Points: 253
Votes: 24
Highest Rank: 1st
“The standing ovation still rings in my heart, as a clash between two of pro-wrestling's greatest storytellers would deliver in every way imaginable.”
- Joey G., @luchajoe
This was AEW's first true Clash of the Titans dream match. The type of GOAT vs GOAT match you never expect to see in your lifetime and they did it in Arthur Ashe Stadium on Wednesday night television. This is another defining match for AEW as the place where anything can happen and it lived up to every expectation. This was also the match when Bryan Danielson made his intentions clear that he was on a mission in AEW to make wrestling history and where Kenny Omega, even in his physical depletion, proved that he was very much so still the Best Bout Machine.
- Lyric Swinton, @lyric_wrestling
“This was a collision course that fans anticipated when "The American Dragon" Bryan Danielson stepped foot in Chicago during 2021's All Out. Two of the best. Evenly matched, they fought until the clock ran out in a moment that seemingly was devoid of time. This was professional wrestling magic, and I hope they run it back.”
- Corey Michaels, @Corey0Michaels
“The excitement this match induced in me was next level, the perfect debut for Dragon. The opening seconds of this match before they even touched and the crowd were going absolutely insane will stay with me forever.”
- Adam Smith, @Hakandori
“Not sure the company has ever come close to matching this big fight feel before or since.”
- David Fenischel
Will Ospreay v Bryan Danielson
Dynasty 2024
Points: 271
Votes: 23
Highest Rank: 1st (x5)
“It had "Match Of The Year" expectations. Hell, the expectations were even higher than that in the minds of many. The fact that it not only met those lofty expectations, but exceeded them, says everything about Danielson and Ospreay. Play this on one of those picture frames that play videos, and hang it in the motherfucking Louvre, because this was a piece of art.”
- Aaron Hyden ‘Hustle’, @HustleTheSavage
“From a purely technical standpoint Danielson vs. Ospreay is AEW's best match ever, in my opinion. It's unbelievable mastery in execution from both men. Two geniuses meeting in the ring and absolutely delivering on the "dream match" tagline.”
- Gareth Ford-Elliot, @gareth_eno
“I acknowledge that recency bias may play a part in the high listing here, but this match was an in ring tour de force that demonstrated the superlative abilities of each competitor to milk astonishment, fear, joy, and elation from a willing crowd. Will Ospreay has been on a run of peerless in ring performance for the last couple of years. His match up with Bryan Danielson was prefaced by a "anything you can do, I can do better" series of warm up matches. The outcome here was an explosive celebration of the possibilities of the physical expression available in the artform of professional wrestling.”
- Rambone Slampig, @RamboneSlampig
“Much like Omega vs Danielson and Ospreay vs Omega, this was a Clash of the Titans dream match for AEW and symbolic for the PPV it was on, Dynasty. This is the best wrestling match on American soil and certainly an immediate addition to the list of greatest matches of all time.
For two wrestlers who had never locked horns before, the chemistry they displayed was otherworldly. Ospreay hasn't yet reached his prime and Danielson is winding down on his full-time wrestling career, but they both emerged as the undisputed best wrestlers in the world with Ospreay getting a win and his former induction as one of AEW's new faces.”
- Lyric Swinton, @lyric_wrestling
Adam Page & Kenny Omega v The Young Bucks, AEW Tag Team Championship
Revolution 2020
Points: 322
Votes: 25
Highest Rank: 1st (x14)
AEW Match Guide Podcast: Episode 27
“The greatest match I have ever witnessed live and some of the best in ring storytelling you may ever see. This match is a masterpiece in every single way and a triumph for the Elite style of storytelling.”
- Trish Speirs, @TrishSpeirs48
“This match is AEW at its core. This match is proof that The Elite are the heart, soul, and spirit of AEW. This match is a collection for 4 of the finest in-ring storytellers in wrestling today. It's rare to find a match that can single handedly sum up a company's purpose and existence but this is it. These are AEW's main characters and while they're great friends, they make even better adversaries.”
- Lyric Swinton, @lyric_westling
“A mythic match in AEW’s history at this point. It is to AEW what Andre v Hogan at Wrestlemania 3 is to Vince McMahon’s WWE. The perfect blend of character, story and pulsating action. I would not change a single thing about it.
- Sam Brown, @Sir_Samuel
“Aptly taking place at an event called Revolution, this match still to this day epitomizes the spirit of the revolution that AEW was back then. I felt like this match said to all the "flippy" detractors, "This is what pro wrestling can look like, the story, the suspense, plus unparalleled athleticism." It was so, so good on all the levels that matter to the die-hard fanbase. Something that good on a big stage is what we live for as fans. AEW was my wrestling fan anchor at that time. This was the best match at the peak of my AEW fandom. Maybe there's been something better, but nothing greater to me.”
- ‘The Doc’ Chad Matthews
“I absolutely loved this match! What an emotional rollercoaster this was! The story and build going into this match were great. It reminded me of the story that was told in the great feud between Golden Lovers and the Young Bucks. This time Omega was stuck between the Bucks and Hangman Page. Long time Elite fans like myself were rewarded with callbacks, classic signature moves, and references. This was a star-making performance for Hangman which helped him break out from the shadow of the Elite. An instant classic and one of the greatest tag team matches of all time.”
- Jeremy Donovan, @JeremyLDonovan
“I'm not sure if anything will or can ever top this match for the best AEW match, for me. It is AEW at its best. Elite wrestling, elite storytelling (both in the match and in the build), elite atmosphere all tied into an overriding saga that spanned years. The match itself is incredible, but the best matches truly ascend the minutes in the ring and Young Bucks vs. 'HangMega' achieved that better than almost any match ever, in my view.”
- Gareth Ford-Elliot, @gareth_eno
“AEW's foundation has always consisted of the Young Bucks, Kenny Omega, Chris Jericho and Cody Rhodes. Throughout the build to this match, Hangman Adam Page suffered from major imposter syndrome, comparing himself to the foundation and wondering if he belonged. The finish was symbolic, with Page hitting both the Bucks with his finisher, but it would begin to splinter the Elite over time. This would also be one of the most memorable matches before the pandemic, leaving fans at the time wondering if we'd ever see wrestling again.”
- The Returner
“It is a match dedicated to my favorite aspects of wrestling- athleticism, story, emotion, and attention to detail. Throughout the match you see each wrestler go through their own struggle as they fight someone they consider a friend. The build to the match adds to its perfection as each wrestler's anger toward their friends' previous actions is shown in their violence even if their have some initial hesistance.”
- Charles
“Peerless in ring action from four of the best of their generation. Emotional storytelling in the form of in ring action with high stakes. This match was a major step along the road of The Elite's meta-narrative about male friendship, estangement, loneliness, insecurity, self doubt, and the how it is possible to overcome those issues. Separate from the high level narrative pay off, this is simply the best worked tag team match I have ever seen, and my favorite match of all time, featuring four of my all time favorite wrestlers. They may not get the credit they truly deserve for this and other superlative performances until people are looking back in retrospect with the benefit of hindsight and historical context.”
- Rambone Slampig, @ramboneslampig
“Not a ton of gimmicks needed. Just pure, unadulterated tag team beauty. The pacing was tremendous, the crowd was red hot, and the drama was top notch. It was a great idea for the Bucks to lean in and work more of a heel style as the match went on, clearly desperate to win the AEW Tag Team Titles for the first time.”
- Aaron Hyden ‘Hustle’, @HustleTheSavage
That brings our countdown to an end. Thanks so much to all the people who contributed to this list either with written work, voting, sharing it on social media or commenting.
I plan on putting out more written content here in the future too so keep an eye out for that.
If you’d like to discuss the results you can do so in the comments here or on the Social Suplex Discord in the AEW Match Guide Channel.
Here is the full list of contributors, please check out what they do.
Aaron ‘Hustle’ Hayden, @HustleTheSavage, Wrestling Headlines
Adam Smith, @Hokandori
Ashutosh, @AshWTRR, Wrestle Purists
Atlas
Caro Taro, @caro__taro, C-Squared Podcast
Charles
Charlie Antosca, @WGWPOD, Watch Great Wrestling Podcast
Chris L, @Dinahmoehum
Corey Michaels, @Corey0Michaels, Wrestle Inn, Wrestle Purists, Body Slam
Craig Williams, @CraigPWMusings, Pro Wrestling Musings
David E. Brill, @TheDavefather
David Fenischel
Floyd Johnson Jr., @floydjohnsonjr, All Things Elite Podcast
Gareth Ford-Elliot, @garath_eno, Pro Wrestling Musings
Greyson Peltier, @GreysonNation, Pro Wrestling Musings & The Fixer Punk Podcast
Jack, @blackcrushhh
Jeremy Donovan, @JeremyLDonovan, Keepin’ It Strong Style Podcast
Jerimiah Pond, @RamboneSlampig
Joey G., @TheLuchaJoe, Westling Headlines
Joseph Montecillo, @josephweirdness, josephmontecillo.com, bigegg.substack.com
J.R., @TGIFProfessor, All Things Elite Podcast
June, @junejuneonthatb
Kunal Singh Rawat, rawatkunal31
Lyric Swinton, @LyricWrestling, linktr.ee/lyricwrestling
Matt Maher ‘Imp’, @TheDamnImplicat, Imp’s WWE Adventures Podcast
Michael Sidgwick, @MSidgwick, WhatCulture Wrestling
Mizfan, @SpectralGent
Ryan, @WrestleWatch_, Wrestle Watch
Sam Roberts, @QuantumRoberts
Sergei Alderman, @SergeiAlderman, Pro Wrestling Musings
Stephen White II, @ghostofkurta
'The Doc' Chad Matthews, The Doc Says Podcast
The Returner
Tim Hunter, @Hunter_S_Timsen
Trish Spiers, @TrishSpeirs48, The Trish & Sarah Wrestling Podcast