While AEW has been around for over a year and a half, the company has made some great strides forward in generating interest in the brand. Since since its inception, AEW has promoted its willingness to have a sports-orientated presentation with the usage of a ranking system to track wins and losses.
The AEW Ranking system has provided context to wins and losses
While it could be argued that the wins and losses ratio is mixed at times, AEW has used specific workarounds to warrant sports entertainment. Cody Rhodes' open challenge on AEW Dynamite is a clear-cut example of this as it provided story context without breaking the "rules."
Moreover, the company has used the reset button for each year, so that wrestlers can start with a clean slate. This way their overall record doesn't dictate their standings or impact their run at a title shot.
On first look, it may seem like a tricky ordeal, but so far, AEW has found ways to ensure that it remains a relevant part of its storylines and gauges the wider pro wrestling audience on social media.
Notably, these members of AEW's roster may have lost in tag matches, but their win/loss ratio is different in singles competition. Thus, here are for AEW stars who have lost only once and one is undefeated.
#5. MJF - AEW singles record: 8-1
Don't let the loss fool you. Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF) is indeed the future of AEW. He suffered his first loss at the hands of Jon Moxley at All Out in a match befitting its main event status. Of course, he later tweeted that Moxley cheated, but that's a story for another time.
MJF is dedicated to an old school motif with some fans drawing similarities to Rowdy Roddy Piper and his drive to stay in character. As such, he has garnered praise as one of the best heels in professional wrestling with the in-ring technique to back it.
Moxley even showered him with praise after All Out, saying that MJF is going to be on top of the mountain once he isn't around. He said:
"It's like all those things your parents taught you that you never listened to. Measure twice, cut once. Always break down your cardboard, stuff like that. As I've said before - he's going to be on top of this company long after I'm gone."
Considering that MJF is only 24 years old, he may not be that far off the mark.
#4. Brian Cage - AEW singles record: 8-1
Brian Cage made his surprise debut at AEW Fight for the Fallen. Rumor suggested that the former IMPACT World Champion would join the company for a while, but it wasn't until he showed up for that ladder match that those reports turned out to be true.
While Cage has been impressive during his stint with the company, the pairing with Taz and Ricky Starks has been interesting. Taz even awarded the FTW Championship to Cage, which did grab fans' attention because of its obscure lineage with ECW.
When it comes to singles competition, Brian Cage has only lost once, and that was at the hands of Jon Moxley. It did seem like AEW was trying to protect Cage though as he didn't give up. Instead, Taz threw in the towel, and Cage lost the match.
While Cage was unsuccessful in the Casino Battle Royale at All Out, there seem to be some plans for him. The former IMPACT World Champion is current at 8-1 as of now. It'll be interesting to see if he doesn't record any more losses for the rest of the year.
#3. Lance Archer - AEW singles record: 13-1
Everything about Lance Archer seems inherently scary. So far, the former NJPW star has made his presence felt with AEW. He has hammered his opponents into oblivion, laying waste to stars like Marko Stunt and Joey Janela in his path.
Archer's monstrous presentation has put him in good steed. While his loss to Cody Rhodes at AEW Double or Nothing was a blemish on his record, he has since been indomitable. Since AEW seems to have plans to push him going forward.
Lance Archer won the recent Casino Battle Royale at All Out, so he will challenge Jon Moxley for the AEW World Championship. Archer and Moxley have met before at NJPW's Wrestle Kingdom 14 for the IWGP US Heavyweight Championship.
At the event, Moxley beat Lance Archer by countout in a Texas Death Match. While it's unclear when their match will happen, it'll probably be sooner than later.
#2. Brodie Lee - AEW singles record: 7-1
The WWE Superstar, formerly known as Luke Harper, is now the AEW TNT Champion. It's amazing to see how far Brodie Lee has come since he left WWE. One of the reasons for exit was that he felt the company didn't use him properly. It seems that Brodie Lee's mission in AEW is to prove the doubters wrong.
Brodie Lee joined AEW as the leader of The Dark Order, The Exalted One. Initially, fans didn't take to the group, but over time and thanks to Brodie Lee, the group has gotten over. Their skits on Being The Elite have developed Lee's character work, coming off as a Vince McMahon parody.
A gimmick like this can seem one-note in the wrong hands, but Lee has provided layers that some didn't think were possible. While Brodie did lose his match against Jon Moxley at Double or Nothing, he has been undefeated in singles action since then.
He notably destroyed Cody Rhodes to capture the AEW TNT Championship and even dispatched of Dustin Rhodes on a recent episode of AEW Dynamite.
Like Lance Archer, AEW seems to be putting their "big men" front and center from now on. It'll be interesting to see how long Brodie Lee holds on the title.
#1. Jon Moxley - AEW singles record: 17-0
Since Jon Moxley signed with AEW, fans were unsure of what they were going to get. Was this the WWE's Dean Ambrose, or was this something far more dangerous? AEW got the latter as Moxley became the central part of the show.
En route to becoming the second AEW World Champion, Jon Moxley went through the likes of Kenny Omega to reinvent himself with the organization. Then, he went through the Inner Circle.
Moxley's match with Chris Jericho at AEW Revolution was more of a slobber knocker than a wrestling match, but it was filled with emotion as Moxley won his first title in AEW. It seemed that all those years of hard work had finally paid off.
Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic happened. So, Moxley found himself as champion during one of the trying periods for pro wrestling and other sports organizations across the world.
During his 196-day reign, Jon Moxley has already defended his title against Brian Cage, Jake Hager, Brodie Lee, and MJF. His next major defense will pit him against Lance Archer. Can Archer be the first man to add a loss to Moxley's singles record?