Introduction
Since its inception, AEW definitely has caused a revolution of sorts… With the usual terrible pun segue aside, AEW are set to hold Revolution 2024 in a little over a week with a stacked card as ever already forming. So with that in mind, we thought we’d look back on the very best that one of AEW’s big four PPVs has produced over the years. And shockingly there’s been a huge lack of great women’s matches at Revolution which works as a microcosm for the company as a whole. Anyway, with all this out of the way, check out more of our wrestling content here and let’s get into the ranking of the best AEW Revolution matches (so far?)….
10. Wardlow vs Christian Cage vs Keith Lee vs Orange Cassidy vs Powerhouse Hobbs vs Ricky Starks – Face of the Revolution Ladder Match (AEW Revolution 2022)
Man, Wardlow in his Batista era was certainly something. Once tipped to rule the company as World Champion after powerbombing MJF into oblivion, many would consider this part of Wardlow’s career as the huge stalling point. However let nothing take away from the hilarious amount of carnage that these men inflict on each other. Most of it involves the big meaty men launching everyone into each other and ladders. There’s also some really funny comedic spots between Cassidy and Lee, the latter of whom has been so damn unlucky, as well as Hobbs and Starks doing the whole how can they coexist when there’s a greater prize at stake? A fun enough match with some good rewatch value.
9. Eddie Kingston vs Chris Jericho (AEW Revolution 2022)
While it’s very easy to remember how Jericho’s feuds often seem to go at the pace of erosion, especially the whole Kingston saga, this match was a blistering amount of fun and actually saw Jericho take a clean loss. Similarly to his Full Gear match with Punk, Kingston is typically wild and brawling everywhere whilst Jericho attempts to bring him to the mat. Also, that pop when Kingston does get one over the Ocho is wonderful to see and as long as you conveniently forget the next very long months, this is a terrific match and a slap in the face to anyone who says Kingston can’t go in the ring.
8. Jon Moxley vs Chris Jericho – AEW World Championship Match (AEW Revolution 2020)
Speaking of Chris Jericho and Revolution, this was a huge moment in AEW history as it crowns only its second ever world champion. Also, the match is just fun to watch with them pulling out every scummy heel trick in the book to make you believe Jericho might just escape with his title intact. However, as soon as Moxley pulls the eye patch off and the crowd erupt the audience finally believe in Moxley winning. Also, it helps that the feud going into this was bonkers fun with that spot of Jericho stabbing Moxley in the eye or Moxley doing a BTEC Austin milk float with champagne. Either way, a great way to kick off Moxley’s excellent first AEW World Championship reign.
7. Darby Allin and Sting vs Team Taz – Street Fight (AEW Revolution 2021)
With Sting’s final match approaching at Revolution 2024, why not include his excellent street fight alongside adopted emo son, Darby Allin, against Team Taz? Everything about this match is just daft in the best possible way like the opening which sees Darby and Sting do a Tim Burton version of Back to the Future or the multiple dives off very high ledges inside a warehouse. Honestly, it might have been matches like this that made everyone go how on earth is Sting still this good at nearly 60 years old? Also, it helps that Starks and Cage are very solid and fun bases to work off especially when Cage is using ragdoll physics to launch Allin around. Another very solid and entertaining match.
6. PAC vs Orange Cassidy (AEW Revolution 2020)
Speaking of very daft and silly matches, look no further than Orange Cassidy’s debut match against the world’s angriest Geordie wolverine: PAC. So much of why this match works is because of the contrast in character as PAC is incredibly aggressive and violent whilst Cassidy just doesn’t give a s**t. This helps create a very fun groundwork for the match as no matter how many brutal moves PAC hits, Cassidy just doesn’t care. Also, the irony of the man who doesn’t care actually being very good at wrestling is so daft but perfect for this match. Just look at the spot where he puts his hands into his pockets for the first time. So damn perfect. A great match which proves that sometimes great matches don’t need sequels.
5. Jon Moxley vs Bryan Danielson (AEW Revolution 2022)
Now at this point, you could make a case for any of the top five being the best AEW Revolution match so bear this in mind. That being said, the clash between the Blackpool Combat Club’s two violent dads is a wonderful match to see. Mostly because of the clash and melding of styles with Moxley’s wild brawling pitched against Danielson’s cerebral technical wrestling. The only complaint here is that this was before Nigel McGuinness signed as his commentary on Danielson matches is amazing. Also, props to this match for being William Regal’s AEW debut to a wonderful pop. And thus the Blackpool Combat Club was formed…
4. MJF vs Bryan Danielson – 60 Minute Iron Man Match for the AEW World Championship (AEW Revolution 2023)
Controversy alert…. Despite easily being one of AEW’s best matches in recent memory it has to settle for fourth in our ranking. As mentioned above, any of the top five could make a case for being number one. And besides that takes nothing away from either man as this match works brilliantly as a character study. While Max is terrified as the match goes longer and longer, Bryan is laughing and in his element. Also, kudos to AEW for almost making you believe MJF was losing until that oxygen tank shot. And fair play for making a 60 minute match feel like 20 minutes with how smoothly both men worked. The wrestling world is really going to miss Bryan Danielson when he retires.
3. CM Punk vs MJF – Dog Collar Match (AEW Revolution 2022)
Talking about the Salt of the Earth and AEW’s best matches, this brutal dog collar match from Revolution 2022 is still difficult to watch at times. This might have something to do with the fact it borders on snuff film territory with both men just bleakly beating each other up for little if any reward. However, that feels like the point as this a match for both men getting their revenge on the other man. Also, it helps that this is the match where Wardlow turns on MJF as he hands the diamond ring to Punk which leads to two of the most satisfying pops in AEW’s history. If you can stomach the match, this is definitely a must watch for any fan looking to get into AEW.
2. Jon Moxley vs Hangman Adam Page – Texas Death Match (AEW Revolution 2023)
Feeding into what I mentioned in the last entry, this match is virtually a Hostel film. Who would have thought that Adam Page is AEW’s death match MVP? Anyway, this is a difficult match to watch if you’re not into deathmatch wrestling as both men start wrapping their arms in barbed wire before clobbering each other. Also, there’s Hangman hitting a moonsault onto Moxley on the outside whilst being wrapped in barbed wire. That doesn’t even mention the fact Moxley is turning a fork into a weapon of mass destruction by stabbing Hangman in the head. But the most brutal spot is saved for the end as Hangman takes his name literally when submitting Moxley. Honestly, if you’re into deathmatch wrestling you need to watch this match though not whilst eating.
1. Kenny Omega and Hangman Adam Page vs The Young Bucks – AEW World Tag Team Championships (AEW Revolution 2020)
And still the best AEW Revolution match is…. Kenny Omega and Hangman vs The Young Bucks at Revolution 2020. Narrowly edging out the snuff film of a Texas Death Match is still one of the best tag matches full stop in wrestling history. What makes this match so good isn’t the incredibly fluid moves or intricate sequences but the story behind the match. That story is simple: how far is too far when you’re wrestling your friends? So what starts out as a gentlemanly exchange turns into both teams trying more and more brutal moves to put the other team away. Also, the moment where Kenny kicks out of a BTE trigger at one is one of the best pops you’ll ever see. There’s only so much justice we can do this match so make sure to check it out.
