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AEW has presented several memorable match stipulations thus far. Whether adopted from an existing gimmick or an innovation, they have been incredibly entertaining in their own right.
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Not all concepts have been a success. Some have been unfortunate duds. Others seemed great in theory but failed in execution. Find out which ones hit the mark, with each unique stipulation ranked in order. Honorable mentions go out to The Coffin Match, Mimosa Mayhem, and The Elite Deletion. Here are our top five AEW match stipulations ranked.
#5. AEW Casino Battle Royal and Casino Ladder Match
We are lumping these two as they are casino-themed and share a similar concept. The Casino Battle Royal was one of AEW's first innovations. Tony Khan wanted a gimmick match that would fit with the Las Vegas setting of the inaugural Double or Nothing pay-per-view.
21 wrestlers entered in groups of four named after card decks, and the final entrant was deemed the Joker. It's essentially a modified Royal Rumble. The winner usually receives a title bout.
The unpredictability of this match builds anticipation for fans in attendance. AEW uses the wild card spot at the end to debut incoming wrestlers, such as Ruby Soho, Lio Rush, and Matt Sydal. AEW has promoted this stipulation for the men's, women's, and tag team divisions.
The Casino Ladder match was the second casino-related theme by AEW. While the general concept remains the same, it takes place within the confines of a multi-man ladder match instead. Think of it as a variation of WWE Money in the Bank match. Instead of a briefcase, the competitors must grab a casino chip hanging above the ring. It has spawned some great moments, like Brian Cage's debut and Hangman Page's return, setting him on a path to winning the world championship.
#4. Exploding Barbed Wire Death Match
In early 2021, AEW announced Kenny Omega vs. Jon Moxley at Revolution pay-per-view for the world championship in an Exploding Barbed Wire Death Match. This dangerous stipulation was made famous in Japan and hadn't been seen in North America in decades.
Tony Khan, in an interview with Mike Johnson of PWInsider, revealed that the company discussed plans to hold this match almost a year in advance:
"It came up a long time ago, almost a year ago. I had it in the back of my mind as something we can do. It's a great idea and the timing is right now, it's a great main event for Revolution and it's something we can do here. It's something I think we can do and will be great for the match and, look, it's an exploding barbed-wire death match, I think people can expect this to be a savage match and that's what they're going to get."
"It's going to be one of the craziest matches ever on pay-per-view. Jon and Kenny tore the house down and I paid a pretty big fine in Baltimore. I think this will be crazier and better and I can't wait for Revolution. Revolution last year was my favorite wrestling show and set a huge standard to live up to and it's going to be a tremendous show, I'm really excited about it."
The match had great expectations. Moxley is one of the best hardcore wrestlers of his generation, and Omega was early into his run as the world champion. Both sought to settle their blood feud in the most violent match possible. For those who remember, the bout itself was excellent and delivered brutality and drama in spades.
Unfortunately, AEW's presentation of this match will forever live in infamy for completely botching the ending. The explosives set to go off after the battle looked like sparklers and ruined the titanic performance of both men. It is such a shame, and we hope AEW can rectify this blemish and deliver an unforgettable match that will make up for this dud.
#3. AEW Blood and Guts
Blood and Guts is AEW's interpretation of WarGames created by Dusty Rhodes in the 1980s for NWA. It consists of two factions of wrestlers, battling in two rings shrouded by a cage. The right to the name of the gimmick is owned by WWE, so AEW decided to rename it but kept the concept close to the original.
It was originally slated to take place between The Inner Circle and The Elite in 2020, but the pandemic thwarted those plans. When it finally took place, Chris Jericho's team became the de facto babyfaces facing off against MJF and The Pinnacle.
The hype for the event was at an all-time high, and the match delivered its advertised violence. Unfortunately, the brilliance of the match was marred by another anti-climatic ending.
MJF and Chris Jericho battled at the top of the cage, and the young star threatened to throw Jericho off the top, which led to Sammy surrendering on his group's behalf. The camera work made it too obvious that Jericho landed on crash pads. Despite the error, the match concept should be an AEW tradition and be used to blow off big faction rivalries.
#2. AEW Stadium Stampede
AEW was forced to get creative during the pandemic and deliver a marquee offering at Double or Nothing 2020. With no fans in attendance, the company had to find a satisfying stipulation for the big Inner Circle vs. The Elite main event.
Stadium Stampede saw the two teams battle all over TIAA Bank Field Stadium in a jumbo-sized, no-holds-barred, empty arena match. Tony Khan's family-owned the venue, so the wrestlers had the freedom to fight everywhere.
During a time when the wrestling industry pivoted to cinematic matches, AEW set the standard for the genre with this instant classic. The Elite scored their biggest win as a group up to that point, and it became a critical hit among fans and wrestling journalists. Stadium Stampede 2021 was a worthy sequel as well, with The Inner Circle once again triumphing. AEW stumbled upon a truly unique gimmick that could be a signature bout going forward.
#1. Unsanctioned Lights Out Match
When it comes to brutal bouts, the company can be counted upon to go all out (no pun intended). Kenny Omega and Jon Moxley tore the house down at Full Gear 2019 in a barbaric Lights Out match. The level of violence has not been seen in mainstream wrestling in decades, especially since WWE became PG.
The match divided opinion as a lot of people couldn't stomach its hardcore nature, including Moxley's wife, Renee Paquette. It set the tone for AEW as a promotion willing to push the envelope.
The most famous match under this stipulation is the classic Thunder Rosa vs. Britt Baker. Their Unsanctioned Lights Out match on Dynamite in 2021 was historic as it was the first time women main-evented AEW's flagship show.
Baker and Rosa gave it their all in one of the bloodiest matches in women's wrestling. Rosa emerged victorious, but the night belonged to Baker, who truly became a star. The unsanctioned nature of the match makes it feel dangerous and unpredictable. It has created several unforgettable moments for AEW, hence why it tops our list.
