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Special entrances have been a feature of wrestling for decades. AEW has had its fair share of elaborately planned entrances, some that will live long in memory.
Entrances often play an important role in how a wrestler is perceived. Ask Karrion Kross over in NXT. A talented performer in his own right, his stunning entrance added an aura about him that made up for some of his shortcomings within the ring. Once he debuted on RAW without his entrance sequence, he just didn't feel like the same monster we saw in NXT. The Undertaker's entrances were just as must-see as his matches.
However, sometimes an event is too big for a wrestler to come out with the same sequence. Things need to be shaken up, to add grandeur to the moment. Luckily, we have seen such instances in AEW already. Let's take a look at the five best entrances we've seen so far in AEW.
#5. Kenny Omega's entrance at AEW Dynamite
Kenny Omega is unquestionably one of the top wrestlers in the world. Everyone was excited to see how the Best Bout Machine would turn out in AEW after making a name for himself in Japan with some iconic matches.
Omega didn't start off in AEW as everyone expected, taking a backseat from the main event scene while the likes of Jon Moxley, Cody Rhodes and Chris Jericho dominated the headlines. All that changed on the October 21, 2020 episode of AEW Dynamite.
A stunning video package was played on the titantron as Justin Roberts ran down a long list of accolades. A couple of beautiful women walked out with brooms in their hands and the other entrance to the ramp showed a silhouette. Once the curtains were raised, AEW was introduced to The Cleaner.
Kenny Omega beat Sonny Kiss in 26 seconds to advance in a tournament that ultimately saw him beat Jon Moxley at Winter is Coming for the AEW World Championship, a title he holds to this date.
This entrance marked the beginning of Kenny Omega's rightful ascent to the top of the AEW card. It was also the first time we saw the Belt Collector play the heel, before he turned into one of the biggest villains in AEW within 2 months. The entrance started it all.
#4. Chris Jericho's entrance at AEW Revolution 2020
Chris Jericho is the only wrestler in AEW who walks out to his own music. Anytime it plays in any arena, fans chime in and sing along until the sound fades away.
At AEW Revolution 2020, a choir did a beautiful rendition of Jericho's theme, Judas, by Le Champion's own band, Fozzy.
Once the choir popped the crowd, Jericho walked out with Santana and Ortiz with the AEW Championship around his waist. A one-eyed Jon Moxley looked intensely at the Demo God as the big main event felt a whole lot bigger thanks to a stunning entrance that ranks among the best seen in AEW to date.
#3. Malakai Black's entrance at AEW Homecoming
Malakai Black was positioned as a big deal from the get go as he kicked Arn Anderson and Cody Rhodes into oblivion in his first appearance at AEW Road Rager.
His first match for the company came at AEW Homecoming against Cody Rhodes and it was imperative that AEW strapped him with a rocket and Tony Khan did just that.
As Jim Ross described it, Malakai Black's entrance was "unique, macabre and ghoulish." The match was a short affair as Black put away Cody in a squash to establish himself as one of the most dangerous men in All Elite Wrestling.
This was another case of a great entrance immediately elevating a superstar before they set foot inside the ring.
#2. Dark Order and Hangman Adam Page's entrance at AEW Fight for the Fallen
AEW Fight for the Fallen started off with a huge match as Dark Order and Hangman Adam Page took on the Super Elite. A win would allow Adam Page to challenge for the AEW World Championship.
Before they made their way to the ring, a video played showing the Dark Order and Adam Page's journey in AEW before the lights spotlighted all 7 members of the Dark Order. One spot was left unoccupied for the late great Mr. Brodie Lee.
Adam Page walked through the center as the crowd erupted. All men sported matching purple bandanas and posed at ringside in what will go down as an iconic image in AEW's short history.
#1. Cody Rhodes destroys the throne during his entrance at AEW Double or Nothing 2019
Nobody thought Cody Rhodes' release from WWE would spark a wrestling revolution, the kind we're seeing from AEW right now.
Double or Nothing 2019 marked the first instance of Cody and the Elite's brainchild being presented to the world and the American Nightmare made sure that it was memorable.
The arena was dark for a while as somber music played, a single beam of light spotlighting a throne with skulls popping out, eerily reminiscent of Triple H.
Cody's theme song played as he walked out accompanied by his wife Brandi Rhodes. Brandi presented Cody with a sledgehammer as Cody proceeded to destroy the throne. The action needed no explanation and till date is the most iconic entrance moment in AEW history.
The match that followed between the Rhodes brothers stands as the best singles contest ever seen in AEW. Cody's post-match speech made the entire segment that much better, elevating the effect of the entrance even further. We might not see such a spectacle in AEW for quite some time.
