The AEW Match Guide: Matches 50-31
A countdown of the greatest matches in AEW's history begins.
What is the best 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. I reached out to the Social Suplex podcast network and a who’s who of AEW commentators from across the Internet Wrestling Community to find out. The answer rolled in and I was able to reveal a definitive list of the top fifty matches to take place in an All Elite Wrestling ring between Double or Nothing 2019 and Double or Nothing 2021.
A lot of time has passed since then, wrestlers we never thought we’d see come have arrived and wrestlers we never thought we’d see go have left. However, one thing has stayed the same, AEW is a company that consistently produces exceptional pro-wrestling matches. So now, to celebrate AEW’s fifth anniversary it is my great pleasure to announce a new edition of The AEW Match Guide, a list of the top fifty matches to take place in AEW between Double or Nothing 2019 and Double or Nothing 2024.
Each contributor could nominate their top ten-to-fifteen matches with each match earning between 15-1 points depending on where they were ranked (1st = 15 points, 15th = 1 point). Ties have been decided by firstly which match had the most voters and if that’s even, then which has the highest individual rank, if that couldn’t split them then a tie would be called.
The results have rolled and produced an incredibly diverse list with over 100 matches from across AEW’s history, shows and wrestlers receiving votes.
Now we get to see the results, over the next week, it is my great pleasure to bring you the top fifty AEW matches, The Definitive AEW Match Guide, starting with numbers 50 – 31 today, 30 - 11 on Wednesday and the top 10 on Friday first with a podcast and then right here.
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. To make sure you don’t miss any you can subscribe to the new AEW Match Guide Substack, after this is done I plan on posting more written content in the future too.
Jon Moxley v Darby Allin, AEW World Championship
Dynamite, 5/8/2020
Total Points: 12
Votes: 3
Highest Rank: 8th
AEW Match Guide Podcast: Episode 30
“Nothing will ever convince me this isn’t the perfect TV championship match. In a single night through a simple promo and match Allin and Moxley tell a perfectly self-contained, emotionally gripping story that perfectly captures who their characters are and what they fight for. Both men’s performances in this match are spot on with Moxley’s body language growing increasingly frustrated and Allin’s defiance growing in the face of it. Ends on a beautiful note as Moxley is forced to do what he didn’t want to, dropping Darby on his head and then cradling a younger man he see himself in afterwards.”
- Sam Brown, @Sir_Samuel
Adam Page, John Silver & Alex Reynolds v MJF, Santana & Ortiz
Dynamite, 30/12/2020
Total Points: 13
Votes: 4
Highest Rank: 10th
“The things that often stick with me are the ones that make you feel. This was a perfect trios match that told a great story to lead to an emotional payoff on AEW's greatest episode of television. Impossible not to watch this back, even now, and not shed a tear or find a smile simultaneously.”
- Trish Spears, @TrishSpeirs48
The Undisputed Elite v The Dark Order
Dynamite 27/10/2021
Total Points: 15
Votes: 1
Highest Rank: 1st
“One of the most fun matches in the history of AEW, just a pure delight to watch. Other matches in the Hangman/DO vs Elite feud are really good as well, but this one remains my favourite in my favourite feud in the company’s history.”
- Atlas
Bryan Danielson v Kazuchika Okada
Forbidden Door 2023
Total Points: 15
Votes: 2
Highest Rank: 4th
“For nearly a decade, this was my biggest "dream match" in wrestling, and it was one I never thought I would get to see. Even if the match didn't end up being good (it was), it would still be rated very well on my list of favorite matches, simply for allowing my "dream" to come true.”
- Aaron Hyden ‘Hustle’, @HustleTheSavage
MJF v Adam Cole, AEW World Championship
All In, 2023
Total Points: 15
Votes: 2
Highest Rank: 3rd
"Setting and stage matter," I have argued for a long time. There's never been a bigger or better setting in AEW than ALL IN at Wembley. 4.5-5 star matches are a dime a dozen, but what makes one stand out from others? Setting/stage. Story, as well. MJF and Adam Cole were the surprise hit of the year with their buddy-cop routine and it led to an intriguing main-event in front of a sea of humanity. They delivered big time in the biggest spotlight of their lives, and in doing so raised the historical profile of their performance.
- ‘The Doc’ Chad Matthews
“People can change and friendship does really have power. And this kind of change can be created and displayed in a very fun way, even when you’re on the biggest stage possible.”
- Greyson Peltier, @GreysonNation
Jon Moxley v CM Punk, AEW World Championship
All Out, 2022
Total Points: 16
Votes: 2
Highest Rank: 7th
Adam Page & The Dark Order v The Super Elite, Elimination Tag
Dynamite 28/7/2021
Total Points: 16
Votes: 5
Highest Rank: 10th
AEW Match Guide Podcast: Episode 34
“In the height of summer in 2021, no match felt like it ever mattered more. The building was raucous, creating a special atmosphere that was added to by some of the most memorable entrances in AEW.”
- Trish Spears, @TrishSpeirs48
The Lucha Bros v The Elite, AEW Trios Championship, Match 1
Full Gear 2022
Total Points: 17
Votes: 3
Highest Rank: 5th
“Full Gear 2022 was magical for the Elite returning after their suspension from All Out. And they had an amazing entrance and general aura once coming back after so long. The moment felt simply magical, along with the entrance of Wayward Son.
- Atlas
Jon Moxley v Brodie Lee, AEW World Championship, No DQ Match
Double or Nothing 2020
Total Points: 17
Votes: 5
Highest Rank: 11th
AEW Match Guide Podcast: Episode 5
“Brodie Lee is one of my all time favourite wrestlers. I adored him before AEW, but his run in the company is one of my most cherished times as a wrestling fan. Many say his best match was the Dog Collar match with Cody Rhodes, or even his squashing of Cody.
However, this is one of my favourite ‘David vs. Goliath’ matches ever. Not that Brodie was THAT much bigger than Moxley, However, how he was portrayed in this match made him feel that way and the lengths Mox had to go to beat him played into this also. The Death Rider through the stage is one of the best spots in AEW history. It was so satisfying to not only see Brodie in a match like this, but to see him deliver on what I knew he was capable of given the spot.”
- Gareth Ford-Elliot, @gareth_eno
“This match is the original Terminator movie as covered by two wrestlers. Brodie Lee looks completely unbeatable as he rises and rises again from what Moxley can deal out. The flurry of offence at the end as Brodie rises from the broken ring ramp is a rush of adrenaline that could send me through a brick wall.”
- Sam Brown, @Sir_Samuel
Darby Allin v Samoa Joe, TNT Title, No Holds Barred
Dynamite 1/2/2023
Points: 18
Votes: 2
Highest Rank: 5th
“Over the past week I saw a bit of discourse surrounding AEW and their declining weekly TV quality where some were saying that the weekly TV structure itself just may not be suited for Pro-Wrestling. For many reasons, this is not true. But one of my favourite reasons is the chance that a match like Samoa Joe vs. Darby Allin from 2/1/23 has even a chance of happening on free television.
Just over 16 minutes of hectic, efficient pro wrestling. You see things like Darby coming out in a thumbtack-lined hoodie that he uses against Joe as he throws his body full force into him, followed by Joe wrapping the towel around his arm so he can hit Darby with a lariat. There's environmental brawling, Darby gets thrown around by Joe for some sick bumping, malicious violence from both, and it all comes crashing down with an Avalanche Muscle Buster on the exposed wooden boards. This match is so awesome, it doesn't get much better than this on weekly TV or AEW programming in general.”
- Jack, @blackcrushhh
Kenny Omega v El Hijo Del Vikingo
Dynamite 22/3/2023
Points: 18
Votes: 3
Highest Rank: 5th
“The dream match we waited an additional few years for that somehow still managed to exceed expectations. Omega lent heel to help the match dynamics on top of being a perfect base to showcase the very best of Vikingo. One of those matches with a special type of energy.”
- Trish Spears, @TrishSpeirs48
“This is my favourite match I have ever seen in person. I was in the floor section and every time Vikingo climbed to do a high spot the crowd rose with him, it was as though I was on a roller coaster rising and falling spot after spot. I have never felt so connected to a room full of strangers.”
- Charles
Eddie Kingston v Bryan Danielson
Rampage 29/10/2021
Points: 19
Votes: 2
Highest Rank: 3rd
Swerve Strickland v The Acclaimed, AEW Tag Team Championship
All Out 2022
Points: 19
Votes: 3
Highest Rank: 1st
“An example of the crowd making a match. Acclaimed didn’t have much before this match but the Chicago crowd gave them everything and made this probably one of their best matches in history. Great work from all those involved.”
- Atlas
“I have watched this match countless times, and every time I do I hope for a different outcome. Whether you've watched the build or not the story is presented plainly in the pre-match promo: Swerve is sick of how The Acclaimed act, Lee less so, and Bowens is injury prone.
Over the course of the 20-minute contest, each performer gets a moment to shine, Keith Lee is drawn into Swerve's petty behaviour, Max Caster shows unbelievable strength we hadn't seen from him before and Anthony Bowens displays some of the most convincing injury selling I've ever seen. All of it aided by a crowd that has decided The Acclaimed are worthy of the tag team title.
There is posturing, a friendly competitive spirit that devolves into a sense of disrespect, ultimately ending as ‘Daddy Ass’ slides into the ring at the 3-count. No he can't break the pin fall as The Acclaimed's manager, but he wants to. An earnest baby-face father figure desperate to give his boys one last chance.
It's a simple story, told with great exchanges, facial expressions and valiant attempts to win championship gold. But in entertainment sometimes it's the simple stories that get you. Rooting for the underdog. And every time I put this on, I hope the underdogs finally pull it off.”
- Sam Roberts, @QuantumRoberts
Jamie Hayter v Hikaru Shida, AEW Women’s World Championship
Dynamite 21/12/2023
Points: 19
Votes: 6Highest Rank: 10th
“The first time the women’s world championship main evented Dynamite, Shida vs Hayter is everything the AEW women’s division can be. Well-constructed, hard-hitting, and just plain fun - this was the moment I knew just how special Hayter’s reign could be. This match didn’t appear on a lot of Best of 2022 lists due to people making their lists way too early! Definitely AEW’s greatest women’s match between their greatest talents.”
- Atlas
“The two greatest women’s champions AEW has had went out to this main event with so much to prove and poured what I imagine was years of frustration at being overlooked, slandered and taken for granted by fans, commentators and even their own boss into a blistering performance. The best women’s match the company has ever produced and deserves a strong position in any list of AEW matches worth its salt.”
- Sam Brown, @Sir_Samuel
Bryan Danielson v Eddie Kingston
Dynamite 27/12/2023
Points: 21
Votes: 3
Highest Rank: 6th
Best Friends v Proud & Powerful, Parking Lot Fight
Dynamite 9/10/2020
Points: 21
Votes: 5
Highest Rank: 10th
AEW Match Guide Podcast: Episode 10
“This Parking Lot Brawl was packed with iconic moments that were important to the early tone and vibes of AEW, including a cameo appearance by Trent's mother, Sue. This was a spectacle that was more than the sum of its parts thanks to the compelling characters and emotional investment that many day one AEW fans had in both teams. Sadly, it appears that neither team is destined to ever capture AEW tag team gold, to the detriment of that division. Despite that, this match earned its place on this list by telling a compelling story, with compelling characters, in a fun and creative way that is a breath of fresh air.”
- Jerimiah Pond, @RamboneSlampig
“Took a mediocre gimmick and made it memorable.”
- David Fenichel
Darby Allin v MJF
Full Gear 2021
Points: 25
Votes: 3
Highest Rank: 5th
“This is quite possibly the best mid-card match in modern wrestling history. It had that extra special feel like Rock vs. HHH in '98 of two guys that were about to define an era in a major pro wrestling company. So creatively performed, so smart, so exemplary of two young pillars making it big. I thought it was criminally underrated. So many matches get the 5-star treatment today. I'm not sure how this didn't qualify. Tremendous match.”
- ‘The Doc’ Chad Matthews
“Set up something for the audience to focus on, misdirect them to everything else, fulfil the story set up. All of it, intertwined with impressive athleticism and creative grappling exchanges.
"I can beat you with a headlock takeover", repeated throughout the match so you never forget - yet ultimately intended to be an example of a greater point: MJF thinks he's a better grappler than Darby. Early power shifts caused by cheating versus speed/being a crash test dummy remind you what their personal strengths are in spite of this challenge set between the two. And yet the finish still returns to the chekhov's gun: a headlock takeover, facilitated by MJF's cheating.
Basic/classic heel heat, in a match that could have simply been a showcase. Remember the INSANE Code Red/Powerbomb!?”
- Sam Roberts, @QuantumRoberts
FTR v The Young Bucks, AEW Tag Team Championship
All In 2023
Points: 25
Votes: 3
Highest Rank: 2nd
“My favorite of the four matches. Great action throughout.”
- David Fenichel
The Young Bucks v The Lucha Bros, AAA Tag Team Championship, Escalera de la Muerte
All Out 2019
Points: 25
Votes: 4
Highest Rank: 7th
AEW Match Guide Podcast: Episode 21
“Do you know what happens when you take the Lucha Brothers and the Bucks, and then throw in some ladders and tables? Chaos. Sweet, sweet chaos.”
- Aaron Hyden ‘Hustle’, @HustleTheSavage
Eddie Kingston v Bryan Danielson, American Triple Crown Match
Revolution 2024
Points: 26
Votes: 4
Highest Rank: 8th
“If you sell a limb more than once over the course of a match I'll likely adore it, especially when said limb has already been highlighted as your athletic advantage by commentary. Kingston strikes with his hands, Danielson with his legs: so what happens when Kingston can't use his dominant hand?
The struggle between the two throughout is great, made better by the personal struggle Eddie goes through in order to continue using the injured hand for his offence. A great one two punch.
The peak of this: the bent over striking exchange. Hesitant to use his injured hand at first, as soon as Eddie swings with it, it's clutched back to his body to protect it from further damage.”
- Sam Roberts, @QuantumRoberts
That brings us to number 30 which will be announced on Wednesday. To ensure you don’t miss it and the top 10 on Friday make sure you subscribe to the Substack below. 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.
Thanks to all the people who voted in the AEW Match Guide. 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