8 Times AEW's Tony Khan Was A GOD-TIER Booker
2. The Birth Of Anarchy In The Arena
It is hard to bring a new match to fans that is original and actually excites them. The Casino Gauntlet match is great, but pays homage to the Royal Rumble format. Stadium Stampede was fun if a little silly, but Anarchy In The Arena is a crazy and unique concept that is an absolute blast every time it happens.
A demolition derby of a match, it is a team-based, falls count anywhere bout that has happened every year at Double Or Nothing since 2022. It is as violent as it is enjoyable, with an unrelenting pace, referees trying to keep up with everything, and a slew of unforgettable moments. Eddie Kingston set the tone in the first Anarchy In The Arena between The Blackpool Combat Club and Kingston and The Jericho Appreciation Society, by bringing a tank of kerosene to the ring to attempt to set a man on fire. Things have rarely cooled down since.
Weapons used have included golf clubs, staple guns, and Darby Allin memorably bringing a flame thrower to proceedings in the 2024 match. Anarchy In The Arena doesn't need stakes or great storyline beats. It is the kind of match that echoes ECW at its most anti-establishment and anarchic, without deviating from the world-class wrestling that AEW has made its forte. It is one of Tony Khan's greatest contributions to pro wrestling to date.