10 Best Moments In AEW History

10. The Closing Angle Of The Very First Dynamite

In the first ever AEW Dynamite match, Cody Rhodes, after defeating Sammy Guevara in a deafening good-time, extended his hand. 

Foreshadowing the main event angle - and illustrating what would become AEW’s signature level of detail - Guevara shrugged. In plain sight, he did so in the exact manner Chris Jericho had after winning the AEW World title at the inaugural All Out. 

In the main event, Jon Moxley, in a wonderfully violent narrative overlap, took Kenny Omega out of the Elite’s match against Jericho, Santana and Ortiz. After the heels won, Guevara solidified his heel turn, summoning Dustin Rhodes to equalise what had descended into a chaotic brawl. Then, the somewhat unfashionable Jake Hager - who, mercifully, had never looked more motivated - arrived to destroy Dustin. The formation of the Inner Circle was an important booking masterstroke. 

This wild, unexpected angle positioned Dynamite as a different, well thought-out show with real flair and proper wrestling energy. The scene - in addition to building key matches ahead of Full Gear - also yielded countless potential singles, tags, trios and 10-man tags. 

A true ‘here to stay’ declaration, this narrative big bang of a segment built instant trust in the long-term process.