Top 20 Greatest AEW Moments Ever

Top 20 AEW Moments

Jason Bowman

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the greatest AEW moments of all time. And for a list this monumental, we’ve called in some AEW heavy hitters: Darby Allin, Willow Nightingale, Anthony Bowens, and Kris Statlander!#20: The "Rated R Superstar" Adam Copeland is All Elite“AEW WrestleDream” (2023)The main event of AEW’s inaugural “WrestleDream” PPV saw Christian Cage successfully defend his TNT Championship in a brutal two out of three falls match against Darby Allin. Not content with this victory, Cage would continue to attack Allin after the match, until Adam Copeland would shockingly make his AEW debut as “Metalingus” by Alter Bridge blared around the arena. For a brief moment, it looked as though the Rated R Superstar was going to align himself with his former tag team partner by hitting Darby with a Conchairto, but he soon set his sights on the Patriarchy instead. Christian Cage and Adam Copeland would come face to face once again just weeks later, with the latter asking his longtime friend to reunite as a team one final time. However Christian Cage would respond with this iconic line.#19: Thunder Rosa Becomes AEW Women’s Champion“AEW Dynamite” (2019-)Brit Baker and Thunder Rosa had one of the most heated rivalries in the early days of the women's division in AEW. The two had put themselves in the history books after their brutal unsanctioned lights out match, but their feud was far from over. Brit Baker would defend her AEW Women's championship against Thunder Rosa in another high stakes violent match later down the line, but this time it would be within the confines of a Steel Cage. Taking place in Thunder Rosa’s adoptive hometown of San Antonio, Texas, the two women didn’t hold back when it came to violence. After putting each other through the ringer, Thunder Rosa would eventually emerge victorious, claiming her first ever AEW Women’s Championship.#18: MJF & Adam Cole Hug it Out“AEW All In London” (2023)Most Pay-Per-View main events usually pit bitter rivals against each other as they vie for the championship, “All In London” however was a very different story when MJF and Adam Cole faced off in the main event. Prior to this, the two had developed the most unexpected friendship, much to the dismay of Roderick Strong, which was showcased throughout the match. After MJF scored the win with a surprise roll up, it looked like the bromance was finally over, with the champion positioning himself to allow Adam Cole to strike him in the back with the AEW World Championship belt. In the end, Cole refused to betray MJF, and the ROH Tag Team champions would embrace in the middle of the ring, keeping their friendship intact.#17: The Dark Order & The Elite's Special Entrances“AEW Dynamite” (2019-)

Talk about aura. During the intense feud between Hangman Adam Page and his former allies of the Elite, he called upon the help of his friends The Dark Order to stand by his side for this epic clash. While the match itself was an awesome one, what people still talk about to this day is the cinematic entrances from both teams. We get chills every time we watch the “What Makes a Cowboy” video package. Although the Dark Order did outdo them entrance wise, we’ve gotta also give it to the Elite, with their hilarious Space Jam inspired entrance that saw them coming out to the iconic 1990s anthem "Y'all Ready for This" by 2 Unlimited.

#16: MJF’s Prophecy“AEW Dynamite” (2019-)

If there’s one thing MJF is known for it's his sharp tongue, but who could have guessed he was so good at predicting the future? His promo against Jon Moxley in 2020 was vintage MJF: arrogant, calculated and packed with a whole lot of insults, but remarkably much of what he said would eventually ring true. Making the bold statement that he was destined to lead AEW for the next 25 years, MJF insisted that his talent outweighed his lack of tenure and promised to make the company the “pinnacle of professional wrestling”. At the time, it sounded like the typical bravado that MJF was becoming known for, but in hindsight it all feels eerily accurate. Just over two years later, he would capture the AEW World Championship with a record breaking 406 day reign and has since cemented himself as a three-time world champion and one of the industry’s top stars.#15: Hangman Sets Swerves House On Fire“AEW Dynamite” (2019-)

Though most of the time he has a heart of gold, hell hath no fury like this cowboy. Swerve took the lowest of low-roads when he broke into Page’s family home and approached his child. Something he regrets to this day. Fast forward to the contract signing for these two’s upcoming match and something felt amiss. Hangman never showed up. Instead, he appeared on the monitor outside of Swerve’s childhood home that he had just proudly repurchased. After some emphatic words, Hangman did the unthinkable. The house went up in flames. Swerve could simply do nothing but watch. #14: Mercedes Moné is All Elite“AEW Dynamite” (2019-)

The acronyms CEO and AEW work together like a match made in heaven, so it was only right that one of the greatest women’s wrestlers in history should find herself amongst the All Elite at the Dynamite special, Big Business. Kicking off the show in her hometown of Boston Massachusetts, Mercedes made an impassioned speech to the fans while also telling everyone her mission statement in AEW. True to her words, the CEO would go on to win the TBS championship only a few months later, defeating Willow Nightingale at 2024’s Pay-Per-View Double or Nothing.#13: Darby Allin Wins the AEW Championship“AEW Dynamite” (2019-)

For many, Darby Allin is the beating heart of AEW. A World title win seemed inevitable, but we never could’ve predicted how incredible his crowning night would be. There was just something electric in the air that evening, everyone knew they were about to witness history. And then came main event time. To the shock of pretty much everyone, Darby defeated world champion MJF in record time. Each of those coffin drops echoed throughout the building but we knew this match could end only one way, with Darby finally getting revenge by winning with a side headlock takeover.#12: Ospreay & Danielson's Legendary Clash“AEW Dynasty 2024” (2024)

The greatest wrestler of one generation vs. the greatest of another - that’s what we were promised for this contest and boy did it deliver. Though their wrestling styles couldn’t differ more, this clash of technical brilliance and high-flying innovation resulted in pure wrestling beauty. You’d be forgiven for thinking these two were out to kill each other. Just look at that Busaiku Knee - Oscutter reversal! For many this is not just the greatest AEW match of all time, but the best wrestling match period.

#11: Hangman Page’s First AEW Championship Win“AEW Full Gear” (2021)Hangman’s journey to claim the top prize in AEW is one full of twists and turns that spanned over two years. After failing to become the first ever AEW Champion and suffering defeat at the hands of Chris Jericho, over time, Hangman’s career took a turn for the worse, and self doubt would consume him. Thanks to his friends at the Dark Order however, he was able to get out of a dark place, and finally challenge his former Elite stablemate Kenny Omega for the gold at 2021’s Full Gear. Both competitors threw everything they could at their opponent, but it was eventually Hangman who claimed the win, after getting the nod of approval from the Young Bucks. Seeing Hangman celebrate his historic title win with the Dark Order is one of the most satisfying moments in AEW history.#10: Sting is All Elite“AEW Dynamite” (2019-)

In the world of professional wrestling there have been champions and all time greats - but only one ICON. The inaugural “Winter is coming” saw the strange sight of snow in sunny Jacksonville, Florida but even more shocking was the man who stepped out after. Interrupting Team Taz’s attack on Cody and his allies, all anyone could do was stand in awe as Sting made his way to the ring, bat in hand. This incredible moment would be Sting’s first appearance on TNT in nearly 20 years, and would be the start of his legendary run in AEW.

#9: Stadium Stampede“AEW Double Or Nothing” (2020)

There was only one question on our lips the night this happened “What the hell is a stadium stampede?” Suffice it to say, no one could’ve predicted the wild ride we were about to experience. Taking place during the pandemic era, this wild brawl pitted The Elite vs. the Inner Circle inside the empty TIAA Bank Field stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, where the first team to score a pinfall anywhere in the arena were the victors. From the 100-Yard Suplex to Hangman’s out of control bar fight, there was no shortage of memorable moments. This chaotic showdown would reach its climax with Kenny Omega’s Giant One-Winged Angel off the balcony onto Sammy Guevara, driving him through the tables below.#8: Bryan Danielson Defeats Swerve Strickland“AEW All In: London” (2024)

With his unmatched wrestling career coming to a close, there was only one last thing Bryan Danielson needed to accomplish - winning the greatest prize in AEW. But that was much easier said than done when facing off against one of the company’s greatest stars in Swerve Strickland in a match that would see him either win the title or retire. It was a hellacious back and forth in front of the huge crowd in Wembley Stadium. Danielson threw absolutely everything he had at Swerve but it was ultimately a LaBell Lock which made him tap out. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house as Danielson finally hoisted up that championship belt and embraced his family.#7: Jon Moxley is All Elite“AEW Double Or Nothing” (2019)

AEW’s first ever pay-per-view sent out a message to the wrestling world - and then punctuated it with this incredible moment. Following the conclusion of its main event, where Chris Jericho defeated Kenny Omega, to the surprise of everyone, Jon Moxley would casually make his entrance through the crowd. We were all in absolute disbelief as Moxley entered the ring and hit Jericho with a Paradigm Shift. Moxley wouldn’t stop there though, as he would also put Kenny Omega through the Double or Nothing stage for good measure!#6: The Hollywood Ending“AEW Revolution” (2025)Immediately following her Owen Hart Cup tournament victory, Mariah May would betray her mentor Toni Storm and then go on to claim her AEW Women’s Championship at All In 2024. The rivalry between protégé and mentor did not end there; it evolved into a bitter blood feud. After Storm returned to reclaim her title at Grand Slam Australia, the feud culminated at 2025’s Revolution PPV in a "Hollywood Ending" Falls Count Anywhere match. Under these rules, both women would take each other to the limit, resulting in one of the most violent matches in AEW history. The conclusion of the match, which would see Storm pin May after a Storm Zero through a literal “Hollywood Ending” sign served as the perfect conclusion to the year long story.#5: Sting's Final Match“AEW Revolution” (2024)To say Sting’s time in AEW was a home run is an understatement. Teaming up with Darby Allin, he proved exactly why he’s the Icon, going the extra mile in all of his performances. After winning the AEW Tag Team Championship with Darby Allin, the date was set for Sting’s final match at AEW Revolution, and their opponents were arguably the greatest tag team of this generation, the Young Bucks. It’s a very rare sight in Professional Wrestling to see a wrestler actually win in their final match up, and this was looking to be the case with the Young Bucks’ exceptional Tag Team abilities. Sting however defied all odds, and with the aid of Darby Allin was able to retire as a champion after tapping out Matt Jackson with the Scorpion Deathlock.#4: Danielson & Omega Reach the Time Limit“AEW Dynamite” (2019-)The American Dragon facing off against the Best Bout Machine was a dream match we never thought we’d get to witness, but thankfully it became a reality in Bryan Danielson’s very first match in AEW at the inaugural Grand Slam. As you can imagine, fans were incredibly hyped for this match, which became immediately apparent to anyone who wasn’t in the know the second the bell rang. What followed was one of AEW’s greatest matches in the history of the company, with both Omega and Danielson pulling out all of the stops. Unfortunately, we never got a winner as the matchup resulted in a draw, and there were no further rematches. But in a way, their only one on one showdown in AEW ending this way somehow made it feel even more special.#3: Hangman Page Defeats Jon Moxley“AEW All In: Texas” (2025)After defeating his former fellow Death Rider Bryan Danielson and winning the AEW Championship, Jon Moxley immediately put the title in a briefcase, believing that both the AEW roster and fans weren’t worthy enough to see it. Because of this, for months upon months, we’d never see the AEW Championship in its physical form. That is until “All In: Texas” where Hangman would challenge and defeat Moxley, forcing him to tap out while being hanged by a chain. Not only was it an iconic moment, but we all breathed a sigh of relief to see the AEW Championship once again!#2: Brodie Lee Tribute Show“AEW Dynamite” (2019-)In late December of 2020, the wrestling world mourned after the tragic death of Brodie Lee at the age of 41. The following Dynamite show would be a tribute show to the multi-time wrestling champion titled the “Brodie Lee Celebration of Life.” Throughout the night, Brodie’s fellow stablemates from the Dark Order would each pick up wins whilst honoring their leader. The most touching moment came at the end of the show, when Brodie’s wife and son, Brodie Lee Jr. made an appearance. After placing Brodie's wrestling boots in the center of the ring, the President and CEO of All Elite Wrestling Tony Khan would present to Brodie Lee Jr. the very last title his father captured, proclaiming him the “TNT Champion for life.”#1: Bryan Danielson & Adam Cole Double Debut“AEW All Out” (2021)2021’s All Out was already an all timer event in itself, but its incredible closing moments are still burned into our memories to this day. Following Kenny Omega’s successful title defence against Christian Cage, the champion would continue to attack the challenger as well as Jurassic Express with his fellow stablemates The Elite. Completely overwhelmed, it appeared as though no one was coming out to help them, that is until Adam Cole made a shocking debut… only to end up aiding and aligning himself with The Elite. With the show about to close as Kenny Omega bid the crowd goodnight, none other than the American Dragon himself would suddenly appear. Allying with Christian Cage and Jurassic Express, Bryan Danielson was able to help them fend off The Elite, finishing things off with a very satisfying Busaiku Knee to Nick Jackson.What’s your favorite AEW moment? Let us know in the comments below!