15 Greatest Match Finishes In Modern Wrestling History

2. Jon Moxley Vs. Hangman Page - AEW All In: Texas

CM Punk Revolution
AEW

This was AEW's version of WrestleMania 40: a wild, interference-stuffed finish designed to highlight and close every narrative every thread dangled over the last few years. 

The inspiration was at best blatant, but you could argue that the execution was superior. Darby Allin repelling from the rafters was a daredevil stunt that more aptly categorised the scene as "cinematic". There was no jarring Undertaker-like appearance; Bryan Danielson qualified as a non-active legend, but his betrayal at the hands of Jon Moxley sparked the Death Riders' reign of terror to begin with; it made actual narrative sense. The reconciliation of Hangman Page and Swerve Strickland was an exquisite overlap; AEW earned that wonderful moment, and executed it at the perfect time. Also, the remainder of the match - and the match itself - was better than Roman Vs. Cody II. 

Hangman and Moxley delivered something more iconic than the borrowed 'Avengers' moment, whereas Cody and Roman raced through a familiar WWE big match finishing sequence. After falling backward at disturbing force onto a bed of nails, Mox was killed off when Hangman wrapped a chain around his neck and hanged him from the middle rope. This might have been the best 10 seconds of Jon Moxley's entire career. 

He looked terrified, His jerky movements were horrifying. This did not feel like euphoric, climactic escapism in the moment, because it looked, as a result of Mox's animalistic use of body language, like he was on the verge of actual death. 

WrestleMania 40 Vs. All In: Texas: call it a score draw. 

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!