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Ever since its first pay-per-view, Double or Nothing, AEW has established itself as the second-largest wrestling promotion in North America and a credible alternative to WWE.
The company has managed to land some of the world's best wrestlers, including Bryan Danielson, CM Punk, and Pac, who deliver in the ring on a weekly basis.
One of AEW's greatest strengths is the diversity of its roster, which consists of performers with diverse skill sets. As a result, it produces a greater variety of matches than WWE, whose bouts can be homogenized.
Affording performers the freedom to express themselves has worked wonders for AEW. The promotion has already been awarded nine 5-star matches by Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
With that being said, here are five AEW matches you need to rewatch:
#5 Jon Moxley vs Kenny Omega (AEW Full Gear 2019)
Having grown frustrated with WWE's creative process, Jon Moxley turned down a generous offer from the company and left when his contract expired in 2019. He signed with AEW and debuted at Double or Nothing, attacking Kenny Omega, Chris Jericho and even the referee.
Moxley's first big program was with Omega, which resulted in an Unsanctioned Lights-Out match at Full Gear 2019. Determined to prove what he could do without the constraints placed on him in WWE, the former Shield member pulled out all the stops and had one of the best matches of his career.
The two stars fought all around the building and used a multitude of weapons on each other. The finish saw Omega miss a Pheonix Splash and crash into the exposed ring padding. Moxley took advantage and hit the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion with a Paradigm Shift for the the win.
While some fans were put off by the amount of gore involved in the match, the drama that Moxley and Omega, AEW's two biggest stars at the time, managed to generate was riveting.
#4 CM Punk vs Darby Allin (AEW All Out 2021)
CM Punk's AEW debut was one of the biggest moments in modern professional wrestling history. Punk's return to the squared circle set the community abuzz and triggered waves of nostalgia among a fanbase that had chanted his name for seven years.
In his comeback match at All Out 2021, The Straight Edge Superstar worked with the high-flying Darby Allin, one of AEW's four pillars. Unlike most of the other performers on the roster, Punk wrestled at a methodical tempo and forced Allin into a technical battle.
The bout gathered pace as the former TNT Champion proved he could adapt to Punk's style. Allin seemed to be gaining the upper hand but he was eventually outmaneuvered by the crafty Chicago native who sat up to avoid a Coffin Drop. Punk then connected with a second GTS to seal the win.
#3 The Best Friends vs Santana and Ortiz (AEW Dynamite)
The Best Friends settled their grudge with Santana and Ortiz in a parking-lot brawl. Trent and Chuck Taylor had been looking for retribution against Santana and Ortiz after the Inner Circle members wrecked a van that belonged to Trent's mother, Sue.
While the motivation behind the program might have been a little flimsy, the payoff was truly glorious. There were several memorable spots where the two teams inflicted pain on each other. Just as Santana and Ortiz looked to have gained the upper hand, Orange Cassidy popped out of a car trunk and nailed Santana with an Orange Punch while his fist was wrapped in a steel chain.
The Best Friends then put Santana and Ortiz away before leaving in Sue's new van to end a truly enjoyable match.
#2 Bryan Danielson vs Kenny Omega (AEW Dynamite Grandslam)
After an 11-year stint with WWE, Bryan Danielson made his AEW debut at All Out 2021. He joined Vince McMahon's company as an indie darling and left as one of the biggest stars in professional wrestling. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Danielson hadn't grown tired of WWE but was simply looking for a new challenge.
The American Dragon immediately went after Kenny Omega and a non-title bout between the two was booked for AEW Dynamite Grandslam at Arthur Ashe Stadium. They opened the show and took a few moments to drink in the adoration of the crowd.
Danielson showed that he was no longer the ultimate underdog that he portrayed in WWE, peppering Omega with a barrage of stiff strikes. He also demonstrated his psychology and put in an exceptional performance that elevated both stars. Even though the encounter ended in a draw, fans were left wanting more.
#1 Cody Rhodes vs Dustin Rhodes (AEW Double or Nothing 2019)
Prior to joining AEW, the last time the two Rhodes brothers had a televised singles match was at Fastlane 2015 as Goldust and Stardust. That encounter was meaningless and forgettable. However, they set things right when they received an opportunity to face each other at Double or Nothing 2019.
Unlike many modern-day bouts that devolve into spotfests, this match was an emotional struggle between two brothers who had waited for an opportunity to wrestle with each other. The older Dustin was immediately forced on to the backfoot, making him the underdog.
The audience fully bought into his quest for victory and popped each time he came close to winning. However, the former Intercontinental Champion fell short as his younger brother outlasted him in an emotional affair. After the match, Cody invited Dustin to join forces with him to face The Young Bucks in a tag team match.
