Top 10 AEW Dynamite Matches

It isn't every day when vintage arcade cabinets are placed around ringside, but that's exactly what happened on the March 31st, 2021 episode of "AEW Dynamite." The action was fast and furious during this inaugural "Arcade Anarchy" match, as Best Friends members Orange Cassidy and Chuck Taylor squared off against Miro and Kip Sabian. The bout made the best out of its obvious gimmick, with one particularly wince-inducing spot being a power bomb onto a pile of Lego by Sabian onto Taylor. We've squealed in pain when we've stepped on ONE Lego piece in the middle of the night, so we can only imagine how unpleasant THAT felt.

There are few things that are intrinsically linked with the world of pro wrestling as the steel cage match. It's an iconic stipulation that's served as the building block for countless memorable contests over the years. This match-up between Cody Rhodes and Wardlow was the first cage match for "AEW Dynamite," so expectations were high. Thankfully, the contest didn't disappoint, with one particular highlight being a death-defying moonsault by Cody from the top of the cage. It was a standout moment for Cody for sure, but it also proved just how much potential the War Dog has.

This was the sort of match that did exactly what it said on the tin: a Blood and Guts match! It was a faction battle royale as The Inner Circle battled the freshly-formed Pinnacle in a double ring, super cage match for the ages. Honestly, we weren't sure that the newly formed pinnacle would be able to hang with Jericho’s army but they were able to rise to the occasion. Both factions got their fair share of licks in, with Dax Harwood in particular seeing some of the worst damage. It all ended with the sort of "hold-your-breath" moment that we've come to expect from matches like these, when MJF tossed Chris Jericho off the cage and on to the steel ramp below.

They don't call him the "Best Bout Machine'' for nothing. Kenny Omega was experiencing a strange shift in his alignment, but he promised to have a straight-up wrestling match with then AEW Champion Jon Moxley to decide who the better man was. And that’s exactly what happened… until Don Callis made his presence known. Omega used the microphone to his advantage during the match's conclusion, cementing that he was no longer the man he used to be. Outside of that, this was as physical and impressive a contest as we've ever seen from these competitors. The pair just seem to work well together, with Moxley's semi-brawling style counterbalancing Omega's classic, fluid wrestling style. It all made for one memorable closer to "AEW Dynamite's" "Winter is Coming" event.

Darby Allin got his shot at Chris Jericho's AEW Championship back on October 16th, 2019, in what was advertised as a "Philadelphia Street Fight." As this was early days for the company, some people still questioned who Darby was and whether he was up to the challenge - and damn did he ever prove he was. Jericho's unmatched in-ring work and Allin's unorthodox style made for a memorable pairing, including some shocking moments of violence. Chair and kendo stick shots were plentiful, and Allin came close a few times to sealing the deal, but outside interference from Jake Hager eventually resulted in the Walls of Jericho and a win for Chris.

It was a two night event for "AEW Dynamite," titled "New Year's Smash." One of the highlights of these two cards was a bout between Kenny Omega and Rey Fenix, pay-per-view worthy contest on network T.V. Of course, we should've expected as much, given the talent level on display here, but that didn't make the end results here any less impressive. This match was all about big spots, high intensity and an ultra-quick pace. There was no lumbering about or resting on chin locks for twenty minutes, but rather two professionals giving it two hundred percent from bell to bell. This wasn't a long match, but honestly it didn’t have to be: Fenix and Omega just killed it on this night.

Two members of Death Triangle, PAC and Rey Fenix, tried to take the AEW Tag Team titles away from The Young Bucks on April 14th, 2021, and-although they weren't successful-it was the audience who walked away winners. That's because this was a veritable tour-de-force contest that melded impactful moves, chain wrestling and incredible dives in a perfect pro wrestling storm of sorts. The ending was even more shocking, as Nick Jackson tore off Rey Fenix's mask, which is the ultimate sign of disrespect in Lucha Libre culture. It was during this controversial moment that Nick was able to capitalize and superkick his team's way to victory.

Fans probably surmised that this Parking Lot Brawl between Santana and Ortiz and Best Friends members Trent and Chuck Taylor would be intense...but not this intense. That's because this match-up truly delivered the bang for the proverbial buck. Cars were used often in this one, and to very devastating effect, with power bombs and suplexes on front hoods, trunks and even windshields. Orange Cassidy made an appearance out of one car, wielding a chain, and his partner Trent eventually hit Ortiz with the Strong Zero finisher for the win.

Some contests make you truly question how far the wrestlers are willing to go to secure the win.Well, there was NO mistaking the danger in this unsanctioned main event between Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D and Thunder Rosa, as this pair left everything out there on the canvas. With every kind of weapon imaginable making an appearance, this heated rivalry reached its apex in what can only be described as a war. It was a main event to remember and further proof of the level of talent in AEW’s women’s roster. Simply stated: Baker and Rosa were amazing on this night.

Before we name our number one pick, here are some honorable mentions!

Adam Page, John Silver & Alex Reynolds vs. MJF, Santana & Ortiz
In Memory of Brodie Lee

Rey Fenix vs. Nick Jackson
Who Said The Young Bucks Couldn't Excel as Singles Competitors?

Riho vs. Nyla Rose
An Early Women's Division Highlight

Cody Rhodes vs. Brodie Lee
Lee's Incredible Final Match

Iron Man matches aren't always awe-inspiring. After all, not every wrestler can keep that sort of physical momentum moving for thirty or sixty minutes straight. Thankfully, both Kenny Omega and "The Bastard" PAC proved that this stipulation was the perfect way to settle their score, with one hell of a contest. This wasn't the sort of Iron Man contest where either man was ready to have his shoulders pinned to the mat. Instead, they fought tooth and nail unwilling to concede a point to one another with a solid, two-falls-to-one victory for Omega with a One Winged Angel to put PAC away. It’s battles like these that keep the fans chanting AEW.