5 Best Matches From AEW's First Year

The second annual AEW Double or Nothing is just around the corner, marking the first time that All Elite Wrestling can celebrate a second-annual anything. Hard to believe it's been a year already, right? The anticipation, the excitement, the wonder of what this new nationally-broadcast potential competition to WWE was going to look like. A year later, with a long TV deal in its pocket and an increasingly-impressive roster of stars, AEW looks to be pretty sturdy.

Throughout the company's first year, they've delivered on a number of fronts, including critically-acclaimed pay-per-views, well-executed angles, and, of course, quite a few "Match of the Year" candidates. Whether it was an emotionally-wrought roller coaster of a brawl, a fast-paced exhibition of stunts, or a barbaric battle of wills, AEW's fare encompasses a diverse range of styles and possibilities. It's been highly reflected in their output so far.

So, what would *you* say are the five best AEW matches of the company's first year? These would be my selections, but I'm sure your mileage might vary.

The second annual AEW Double or Nothing is just around the corner, marking the first time that All Elite Wrestling can celebrate a second-annual anything. Hard to believe it's been a year already, right? The anticipation, the excitement, the wonder of what this new nationally-broadcast potential competition to WWE was going to look like. A year later, with a long TV deal in its pocket and an increasingly-impressive roster of stars, AEW looks to be pretty sturdy.

Throughout the company's first year, they've delivered on a number of fronts, including critically-acclaimed pay-per-views, well-executed angles, and, of course, quite a few "Match of the Year" candidates. Whether it was an emotionally-wrought roller coaster of a brawl, a fast-paced exhibition of stunts, or a barbaric battle of wills, AEW's fare encompasses a diverse range of styles and possibilities. It's been highly reflected in their output so far.

So, what would *you* say are the five best AEW matches of the company's first year? These would be my selections, but I'm sure your mileage might vary.

5. Jon Moxley Vs. Kenny Omega (Full Gear)

The possible dictionary photo next to "polarizing". Dave Meltzer rated it highly, despite hating the match, using the Lou Brown Principle from the movie Major League ("Nice catch, Hayes - don't ever f**king do it again!"). In other words, spectacular, but painful to watch.

Omega did his best to go shot for shot with the former two-time CZW champion in this "Lights Out" match, perhaps the most mainstream deathmatch there's been in US wrestling history. The match was a 30-plus minute dance of death that raised lots of debate.

4. Chris Jericho Vs. Cody Rhodes (Full Gear)

Shortly before Omega and Moxley ripped into each other with reckless abandon, Jericho and Rhodes had something a little closer to a traditional scheming heel vs. valiant babyface World title match, marked by gamesmanship, blood loss, and betrayal.

After gashing his brow on the metal entrance ramp, Rhodes (who could never challenge for the belt again if he loses) gets hopelessly entangled in the Lion Tamer. Purported friend MJF throws the towel in for him, and then turns on Cody in the aftermath, through his crocodile tears.

3. The Lucha Bros Vs. The Young Bucks (All Out)

If there were six spots in this list, their battle at Double or Nothing would've ranked there, but in any case, the sequel overshadowed it. How can it not when you stick four sky-scraping daredevils in the "Escalera de la Muerte", with plenty of space and motivation to create?

Canadian Destroyers off of ladders through tables, Matt Jackson landing askew on an overturned ladder, a foot stomp Penta Driver through a ladder bridge - the match certainly lived up to the event's name. The topper: Nick Jackson's face plant onto the ringside tables. Yeouch.

2. Cody Rhodes Vs. Dustin Rhodes (Double Or Nothing)

Going in, it wasn't clear what the ceiling for "three-star Cody" vs. ageing-but-capable Dustin was going to be. Most would've guessed, "Better than their Fastlane match, at least", but match of the year-calibre? Those folks would've scoffed - until the match happened, anyway.

A blood-soaked battle of wills played out between Dusty's sons, melding old school grit and grind with a more modern big match template, hooking the crowd with every ensuing near fall. Cody's tearful embrace of his long-underrated brother afterwards brought the house down.

1. Kenny Omega/Adam Page Vs. The Young Bucks (Revolution)

Page's increasing surliness (probably alcohol-fueled) set him apart from apparent sworn-enemy Matt Jackson, a somewhat less-maligned brother Nick, and even created friction with championship partner Omega, who struggled to try and play peacemaker. Then came the match.

The highest levels of storytelling and athleticism alike were on display in a match where Page fought like hell to escape the demons in the shadow he stood in, while the Bucks' pesky diligence only exacerbated Hangman's iron will. This was the best of all worlds.