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In a banner year where they made more strides than ever before, AEW set a standard for themselves by elevating everything they do. From signing top talent in the business to delivering in-ring excellence every week, the company delivered in big ways in 2021.
There have been six title changes and almost 30 new signees for All Elite Wrestling this year. AEW continues not just to produce great matches, but also incredible and unforgettable moments.
With 2021 in the rearview mirror, it is the perfect time to remember every moment that defined AEW this year. There are a plethora of things to consider, but these are the ones that were the most "All Elite." Let's take a look at the five defining moments of AEW in 2021.
#5 Bullet Club reunion creates the Super Elite on AEW Dynamite: New Year's Smash Night 1
Since the inception of All Elite Wrestling, many fans have wondered when the presence of the Bullet Club would be felt. The Elite, led by Kenny Omega and the Young Bucks, are former members of the legendary group that has run roughshod over NJPW since 2013. Whether this stable or its previous members would come to the company remained a mystery.
On the New Year's Smash Night 1 edition of AEW Dynamite, Kenny Omega defeated Rey Fenix to retain the AEW World Title. Following the match, Jon Moxley attacked the Cleaner because he was screwed out of his gold. It was none other than IMPACT Wrestling Tag Team Champions Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows who appeared to help Omega.
The Good Brothers shocked everyone with their emergence and displayed a unit that was just starting to get going over on IMPACT Wrestling. However, no one expected what would come next. Other locker room members came down to help Moxley and were taken down by the former Bullet Club stablemates until the Young Bucks came out.
Matt and Nick Jackson were confused by the Good Brothers' appearance and Omega's alliance with them. More competitors from the locker room came down to the brawl, and it was the Bucks who helped Omega, Anderson and Gallows fight them off. The episode ended with all five former Bullet Club members saluting with the "Too Sweet" to end AEW Dynamite.
This became one of the most memorable moments of the year due to what it foreshadowed. A majority of 2021 was dominated by the re-dubbed "Super Elite". Omega held the AEW World Title for 11 months of the year, while the Young Bucks reigned as AEW World Tag Team Champions until All Out. The additions of the Good Brothers and then Adam Cole made them the best faction of 2021.
4) Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D. wins the AEW Women's World Championship at Double Or Nothing 2021
Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D., could have made this list twice for her historic moment in AEW earlier in the year. In March, Baker took part in the first women's main event and Lights Out Match in the company's history against Thunder Rosa on the St. Patrick's Day Slam special of Dynamite. It was a tremendous barnburner that put both women and division on the map.
But Britt Baker did one better just a couple months later when she officially arrived. Baker faced Hikaru Shida for the AEW Women's World Championship at Double Or Nothing 2021. It was a very good and physically intense clash that saw Britt defeat Shida with the Lockjaw to win the title. It was her coronation to the top of All Elite Wrestling where she belonged.
3) Hangman Adam Page defeats Kenny Omega to win the AEW World Championship at Full Gear 2021
Three years in the making! It took Hangman Adam Page nearly three years from his proclamation of becoming the AEW World Champion to making it to Full Gear 2021. At the event, he faced his former AEW World Tag Team Champion partner Kenny Omega for the title in the main event.
The headliner lived up to any and all hype in an excellent encounter that told a superb story. Hangman Page received a nod of approval from his former friends in the Young Bucks before hitting consecutive Buckshot Lariats to win the AEW World Championship. This felt earned for Page and the fans who went on the journey and finally made it to the happy ending.
2) Adam Cole and Bryan Danielson debut back-to-back to end AEW All Out 2021
AEW All Out 2021 had a great deal of hype heading in with many expecting a thrilling night. No one could have imagined the all-time classic event that transpired. It witnessed title changes, exciting spots and CM Punk's first match in seven years. However, it was the ending that had the world talking.
Just two weeks after his final WWE match against Kyle O'Reilly at NXT TakeOver 36, Adam Cole made his shocking AEW debut and was immediately reunited with The Elite. Just when the Chicago crowd thought the evening was over, Bryan Danielson then debuted to align with Christian Cage and Jurassic Express to fight off the Elite.
The energy that this moment generated in the business and for AEW can't be quantified. It was the most exciting wrestling that has been in quite some time. The back-to-back debuts of Adam Cole and Bryan Danielson delivered not just the most shocking ending in the company's history, but it may just be the greatest pay-per-view ending in wrestling history.
1) CM Punk returns to professional wrestling with his AEW debut on Rampage: The First Dance from Chicago's United Center
There was only one moment that was just a bit more defining for All Elite Wrestling than All Out 2021's ending. As reports circulated that CM Punk may return to wrestling with AEW being his likely destination, the wrestling world was abuzz for the most talked about performer of the past decade. Punk left WWE under difficult circumstances and hadn't been in the ring since 2014.
AEW Rampage's announcement: The First Dance at Chicago's Center fanned the flames of the rumors. The show kicked off with arguably the greatest return in professional wrestling history.
The Cult of Personality hit and it was him! CM Punk returned to wrestling with tears in his eyes in front of his hometown crowd. It was an emotional and surreal scene as fans and Punk himself cried. The speech that followed was outstanding with Punk writing his love letter to the business he loves and to the fans who he appreciates now more than ever.
CM Punk explained why he left professional wrestling and why his signing with AEW signals his return to professional wrestling. His challenge to Darby Allin for All Out 2021 was the cherry on top. All Elite Wrestling has had its fair share of surprises and huge title changes, but nothing matches CM Punk's return to professional wrestling as the defining AEW moment of 2021
