10 Essential AEW Matches For New Fans

10. Cody Rhodes Vs Darby Allin - Fyter Fest 2019

Remembered more for the conclusion and the aftermath than the match itself, Darby Allin's first high profile effort in All Elite Wrestling offered a captivating glimpse into one of the organisation's obvious future stars while also telling the audience that the promotion was all about ideas.

None of this was wrestling for wrestling's sake - Cody relished the opportunity to play the cocky veteran in his own playground, but underestimated Allin to the point that he needed to get a little introspective after the fact as to why couldn't get it done in their allotted 20:00.

Not only were his pr*ckish instincts not really what the people wanted at AEW's inception, but they were actively failing him against some red hot newcomers he'd scouted. More on that later in the list.

And about that result.

Here, AEW used an early exhibition to establish that a time limit draw was a valid finish, adding a wrinkle of drama to every single contest ever since. Cody getting waffled by a Shawn Spears chair shot in the post-match was a reckless over-reach, but it too had character and storyline implications that built another pay-per-view match and was for a some a sign that this promotion was prepared to go many places the opposition no longer wished to tread.