Top 10 Greatest AEW Debuts
Ever since All Elite Wrestling opened its doors in 2019, they have quickly become many wrestling fans' favorite wrestling promotion to watch on TV with their exciting shows and pay-per-views. Of course with an wrestling event, and with rumors going around, fans can often expect great surprises in the form of a professional wrestler's debut in the company. With that in mind, let's see which AEW debuts have excited fans the most since the company's creation.
Jonathan "Jon" Good is an American professional wrestler and actor, signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) under the ring name Jon Moxley. He also makes appearances for New Japan Pro-Wrestling, where he won the IWGP United States Championship. He previously worked for WWE under the ring name Dean Ambrose,... read more After leaving WWE, Jon Moxley, formerly known as Dean Ambrose, made his shocking debut at AEW's very first Double or Nothing pay-per-view in 2019, attacking Chris Jericho, Kenny Omega, and the referee after their main event match.
Moxley had his AEW debut match at the Fyter Fest event in June, where he defeated Joey Janela in an unsanctioned match.
Bryan Lloyd Danielson is an American professional wrestler best known for his tenure in WWE under the ring name Daniel Bryan. He is a five time WWE world champion. Bryan Danielson, also known as Daniel Bryan in WWE, made his surprise debut for AEW during the September 5, 2021, All Out pay-per-view at the end of the show. He then made his in-ring debut against Nick Jackson on AEW Rampage.
In the next few months, he has had matches regarded as all-time classics against the likes of Kenny Omega and "Hangman" Adam Page.
Phillip Jack "Phil" Brooks, also known by the ring name CM Punk, is an American comic book writer, actor, upcoming mixed martial artist and retired professional wrestler who is signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship... read more CM Punk made his long-awaited return to professional wrestling, appearing on the August 20, 2021, edition of AEW Rampage to a huge ovation from the fans, some of whom were crying tears of joy.
Not a shocking return by any means, but it was a moment that did not need it. It was simply an awesome moment. Punk then made his in-ring debut for the promotion on September 5 against Darby Allin at the All Out pay-per-view.
Steve Borden, better known by the ring name Sting, is an American retired professional wrestler, actor, author and former bodybuilder. The WCW legend made his electrifying AEW debut during AEW Dynamite's Winter is Coming event on December 2, 2020, when Darby Allin, Cody Rhodes, Dustin Rhodes, and Arn Anderson were getting beaten down by the members of Team Tazz.
He made his in-ring debut on Dynamite in a tag team match, teaming with Darby Allin against the team of 2.0 (Matt Lee and Jeff Parker).
Saraya-Jade Bevis is an English professional wrestler and actress. She is signed to WWE, where she performs under the ring name Paige.On the 20 November, 2017 episode of Raw, Paige made her return alongside the debuting Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville as they attacked Sasha Banks, Bayley, and Mickie... read more
Austin Jenkins, is an American professional wrestler and actor signed to WWE, where he performs in its developmental territory NXT under the ring name Adam Cole and is the Undisputed Era alongside Kyle O'Reilly, Roderick Strong, and Bobby Fish. He is the longest reigning NXT Champion in history, reigning... read more Adam Cole made his debut during the September 5, 2021, All Out pay-per-view, minutes before Bryan Danielson, reuniting with his friends of The Elite: Kenny Omega, Matt, and Nick Jackson. He then made his in-ring debut on AEW Dynamite against Frankie Kazarian.
The late Brodie Lee, formerly known as Luke Harper in WWE, made his debut for AEW on the March 18, 2020, episode of Dynamite, revealing himself to be the Exalted One, the leader of the Dark Order faction.
Sadly, he passed away on December 26, 2020, and since then AEW has taken every opportunity to honor him and help his family.
Prior to WWE's annual Royal Rumble pay-per-view, fans thought they had seen the last of Christian Cage due to concussion-related issues. However, he made his shocking arrival in AEW during the Revolution pay-per-view on March 7, after AEW president Tony Khan announced a huge signing to the company, which was revealed during the show to be Christian Cage.
Tom Budgen is a Dutch professional wrestler best known for his time in WWE, where he performed under the ring name Aleister Black. Prior to signing with WWE, Budgen worked for promotions across Europe, United States, and Japan, under the ring name Tommy End. He was released from WWE in June 2021. He... read more Malakai Black, also known as Aleister Black in WWE, made his debut on the special July 7, 2021, episode of AEW Dynamite entitled Road Rager by interrupting a promo by Cody Rhodes and Arn Anderson and attacking both men.
His debut was especially shocking as fans believed he had a 90-day non-compete clause on his WWE contract after his release by the company. However, it turned out to only be a 30-day non-compete clause, as it was not modified in his contract. He made his in-ring debut in a match against Cody Rhodes.
He deserved better in WWE. I was so sad when he was fired from WWE.
Formerly known as The Revival in WWE, FTR made their AEW debut on the May 27, 2020, episode of Dynamite. They later won the AEW World Tag Team Championship the following September at AEW's All Out pay-per-view.
Christopher Keith Irvine, better known by the ring name Chris Jericho, is a Canadian-American professional wrestler, musician, media personality, actor, author, and businessman, currently signed to AEW. Chris is such a legend. He beat Steve Austin and The Rock on his debut, won 9 Intercontinental titles, and various other titles. Of course, he deserves some recognition.
I am so shocked he went to AEW, but he is having a better time in AEW than WWE.
Matthew Moore Hardy is an American professional wrestler signed to All Elite Wrestling under his "Big Money" moniker, where he is the leader of the Hardy Family Office. He is also known for his time with WWE, Impact Wrestling, and Ring of Honor. Matt Hardy made his AEW debut with the Broken Hardy gimmick on the March 18, 2020, episode of Dynamite, where he confronted The Inner Circle.
On the May 6 episode of Dynamite, Hardy wrestled his first match with AEW, teaming up with Kenny Omega for a street fight against The Inner Circle's Chris Jericho and Sammy Guevara.
Bret Sergeant Hart, better known by his ring name Bret "The Hitman" Hart, is a Canadian-American writer, actor and retired professional and amateur wrestler. A member of the Hart wrestling family and a second-generation wrestler.
Nuufolau Joel "Joe" Seanoa, better known by his ring name Samoa Joe, is an American professional wrestler, currently signed to WWE and performing on NXT. He is most well known for his time in NXT, where he was a former two time NXT champion.
Matthew Adams is an Australian professional wrestler best known for his time in WWE, where he performed under the ring names Murphy or Buddy Murphy. He was released from WWE in June 2021.