5 biggest rivalries in AEW history
AEW has been a strong force in the wrestling business for almost five years. The Tony Khan-led company has put out a great amount of entertaining content since their inception in 2019, which has helped them create an impressive fan following.
All Elite Wrestling has several intriguing characters on its roster. Whenever these personalities clash against each other in the squared circle, the audience finds itself at the edge of their seats. While Tony Khan has his fair share of critics, he has crafted some of the best rivalries that the pro wrestling industry has ever seen.
These intense feuds involved some of the finest storytelling in the history of the business, which was further complimented by an equally excellent in-ring display by the performers. While the fans usually move past the majority of storylines, some specific AEW feuds have etched themselves in the annals of the wrestling folklore forever.
In this article, let's look at five rivalries that could be called the greatest in AEW's history.
#5. Kenny Omega vs. Jon Moxley has been the defining rivalry for AEW
A feud that began on the first-ever show of All Elite Wrestling, Kenny Omega vs. Jon Moxley finds a special place in the hearts of the AEW fans. The sight of a debuting Jon Moxley chucking off The Cleaner while standing atop a pile of poker chips remains an iconic memory to this day.
It set the bar for an entertaining rivalry while letting the fans know about the exciting action they could expect from AEW. At Full Gear 2019, it was Moxley who obliterated The Best Bout Machine in a violent Lights Out match. However, Omega returned the favor to his unhinged opponent by dethroning him as the AEW World Champion a year later.
A few years later, the roles were reversed in this heated rivalry. With The Blackpool Combat Club in his corner, Moxley took the mantle of antagonist against Omega, while the latter played the role of a babyface.
The feud between The Elite and The BCC resulted in a steel cage match between The Cleaner and The Deathrider, where Moxley prevailed yet again, courtesy of Don Callis' interference.
Aside from the violent in-ring displays, it was the genuine chemistry between the two stars that helped define their epic rivalry. Both individuals have been established as the main characters in AEW since day one, which makes it special whenever they cross paths in the ring.
Omega vs. Moxley truly gave a solid headstart to the Jacksonville-based promotion in 2019, for which it will forever be considered one of the greatest AEW storylines in history.
#4. Britt Baker and Thunder Rosa did not let their real-life issues affect their onscreen chemistry
It is very common for wrestlers to keep aside their backstage beef in the best interest of the audience. While the duo of Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart are well known for showing maturity onscreen despite their real-life issues, Britt Baker and Thunder Rosa have set a new standard of professionalism for the AEW Women's division in recent years.
Among the earliest AEW signings, Baker and Rosa are regarded as the cornerstones of the women's division in the Tony Khan-led company. Although they reportedly have genuine issues behind the scenes, the duo have never let their backstage beef get in the way of their in-ring chemistry.
In March 2021, Baker and Rosa featured in an unforgettable Unsanctioned Lights Out match on Dynamite. In this contest, the two women shattered all the barriers to deliver one of the most extreme wrestling exhibitions in history. The arch-rivals tore each other to shreds with several weapons, including ladders, steel chairs, and thumbtacks.
Ultimately, it was Rosa who emerged victorious in this match after putting Baker through a table. The Doctor was the highlight of this match, as the image of her smiling through a bloodied face instantly became one of the most iconic visuals in AEW history.
This was the match that compelled the fans to take notice of AEW's budding women's roster. The two women met again in March 2022, where Thunder Rosa took down The DMD in a hardcore steel cage match to become the new AEW Women's Champion.
Despite not locking horns in over two years, Rosa and Baker still own the distinction of being involved in the best women's rivalry in AEW. Their genuine animosity blurs the line between reality and fiction, which keeps the fans invested whenever they come across each other on screen.
#3. Swerve Strickland vs. Hangman Adam Page has grown into a heated rivalry
Swerve Strickland started feuding with Hangman Page in the fall of 2023. The Killshot targeted the former AEW World Champion at a time when he was still struggling to recover from the CM Punk fiasco. Swerve desperately wanted to take Hangman's main event spot, which resulted in him doing some unjustifiable deeds.
In October 2023, The Killshot shockingly broke into Hangman's house to take their feud to the next level. After watching Swerve putting his young son's life in danger, The Cowboy only had revenge on his mind.
![Hangman Adam Page and Swerve Strickland have put each other through hell [Image credits: AEW YouTube and Swerve's Instagram]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/07/276f4-17205889199973-1920.jpg)
During their Texas Deathmatch at Full Gear 2023, The Hanger drank Strickland's blood in one of the grossest visuals on AEW television. The moment fully established Swerve and Hangman as arch rivals, who were thirsty for each other's blood, both literally and metaphorically.
The two individuals have featured in a trilogy of matches so far, all of which have been excellent. It is their mutual hatred that has truly kept the fans hooked on this storyline.
While their feud is already amongst the top five, the issues between the two stars are far from over. Following his return from suspension, Hangman Page has immediately set his sights on facing Swerve Strickland at All In.
Interestingly, The Cowboy has turned heel post-his return, while The Killshot has become the babyface protagonist. After months of buildup, it will be intriguing to see how Tony Khan provides a solid conclusion to this amazing storyline.
#2. CM Punk's rivalry with MJF was a classic
Even though it ended on bad terms, CM Punk's AEW run was nothing less than spectacular. In his two-year stint at AEW, Punk exchanged blows with several amazing talents, who gave him a run for his money. However, The Straight Edge Superstar faced his toughest challenge in AEW when his paths crossed with Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF).
What started as a superiority contest soon turned into a bloody war between MJF and Punk. With Punk being MJF's childhood hero, the story had another level of intrigue to it. The duo participated in multiple blockbuster promo segments, where they tried to verbally destroy each other.
In February 2022, The Salt of the Earth shocked the world by pinning CM Punk in their first-ever in-ring encounter. It also marked The Second City Saint's first official loss in AEW, which took their rivalry to the next level.
The buildup to their second match saw MJF spilling his hero's blood in the middle of the ring. With the tensions between the two stars at an all-time high, it was announced that CM Punk would take on MJF in a violent Dog Collar match at Revolution.
At Revolution 2022, The Voice of the Voiceless beat down the 28-year-old star to a pulp to pick up the massive victory. Unfortunately for the fans, this was the final time the duo ever fought each other in the squared circle. With Punk's eventual departure from the company, the plans for their trilogy eventually went down the drain.
Regardless, Punk vs. MJF was the defining rivalry during AEW's peak in 2021. Not only did the feud help put MJF on the map, but it also helped bring out the real CM Punk after a seven-year-long absence. From gripping storytelling to terrific in-ring action, the story ticked off every box required, establishing itself as a proper wrestling masterpiece.
#1. Hangman Adam Page vs. Kenny Omega was a match years in the making
Tony Khan’s finest work as a booker remains the amazing rivalry between Hangman Adam Page and Kenny Omega. The storyline spanned over two years and led to some exceptional character development for both individuals.
The feud essentially kicked off in September 2020, when Hangman Page and Kenny Omega lost their AEW World Tag Team Titles to FTR. Following this defeat, the two stars went on their separate ways.
While Omega gradually ascended to the top of the card, Hangman's career took a sudden nosedive. As Omega reached the top of the main event scene, The Hanger lost his inner confidence, leading to a string of disappointing losses.
The Cleaner also had the backing of The Super Elite, whereas Hangman Page was only supported by The Dark Order.
After almost two years away from the spotlight, the fallen hero in Hangman Page emerged out of the shadows to battle the unstoppable villain in Kenny Omega. In October 2021, The Anxious Millennial Cowboy defied the odds to win the Casino Ladder match, which secured him a world title shot against the Best Bout Machine.
After a two-month-long buildup, the duo churned out an instant classic during their meeting at Full Gear 2021. Following an action-packed contest, Hangman nailed his former best friend with a Buckshot Lariat to finally get his hands on the AEW World Championship.
Not only did Hangman complete his redemption arc with this victory, but it also provided a satisfying end to Omega's historic title reign.