AEW Dynamite continued to be the place with some of the best in-ring action and storytelling in 2023. The roster put their bodies on the line to deliver Match of the Year contenders week in and out for fans to enjoy.
It’s difficult to pinpoint the greatest Dynamite match from last year because there are so many to choose from. The insane litany of wrestlers that put together the spectacle fans saw in the ring last year deserve massive appreciation.
That being said, let’s take a look at some of the best AEW Dynamite matches of 2023:
Kenny Omega vs. El Hijo Del Vikingo
AEW has successfully carved a reputation for making dream matches happen. Kenny Omega versus Bryan Danielson, and CM Punk versus MJF are some of the dream feuds that’ve already been delivered by the Jacksonville-based promotion.
The Cleaner once again gave fans a huge dream match in 2023 when he took on indie sensation Hijo Del Vikingo. Both men headlined the March 22 episode of Dynamite. This was a fantastic blend of athleticism and ground-based offensive.
Vikingo used an opening to put Omega through a table with his patented 630 moonsault. The spot prompted chants of “holy s**t” from the crowd. Omega, somehow, recapitalized to put away his opponent with a One Winged Angel.
Swerve Strickland vs. Darby Allin (AEW Dynamite – July 26)
Mark Henry has called Swerve Strickland the “breakout wrestler” of 2023. The Mogul Embassy’s main man was one of the most consistent performers in the past year. His matches against Darby Allin, Adam Page, and others elevated him to a higher level.
The grudge match against Darby took place on the July 26 episode of AEW Dynamite. Both men had the crowd on the edge of their seats with each exchange. The inclusion of AR Fox was a nice twist to cap off the heated action inside the ring.
Bryan Danielson vs. RUSH
Bryan Danielson may just be the epitome of a professional wrestler. The American Dragon gave fans of this incredible sport some truly memorable matches in 2023. One such match came against RUSH in the lead-up to AEW Revolution.
This was the final test in Danielson’s bid to secure an Iron Man match against then-World Champion MJF. The Devil Himself sat on commentary for the match.
Danielson and RUSH beat the life out of each other. The crimson mask made for a gory yet excellent visual. Amid support from a red-hot Texas crowd, Danielson managed to put away RUSH with a second Busaiku Knee Kick.
Eddie Kingston vs. Bryan Danielson (AEW Dynamite: New Year’s Smash)
Eddie Kingston and Bryan Danielson had one of the best matches in Rampage history two years ago. They met again and put on an absolute classic in the Blue League Final of the Continental Classic.
The trash talk from Danielson really put the crowd behind Kingston. The Mad King came back with a fiery offensive. He put away the American Dragon with a series of backfists and a gigantic powerbomb.
The Golden Elite vs. Blackpool Combat Club (Blood & Guts Match – July 19)
The Elite and the Blackpool Combat Club went to war in 2023. Both factions agreed to settle the feud at the third annual Blood and Guts television special on July 19th Dynamite. The match saw the Kota Ibushi’s AEW debut.
Both teams did a fantastic job showcasing the violence associated with the match. The match delivered from a storyline point of view. In the end, The Golden Elite finally managed to put away their arch-rivals.
Honorable Mentions
- Bryan Danielson vs. Swerve Strickland (AEW Dynamite – October 10)
- Kenny Omega vs. Kyle Fletcher (October 18)
- Orange Cassidy vs. Wheeler Yuta (AEW Dynamite – February 22)
- Jon Moxley vs. Kenny Omega (Steel Cage Match – May 10)
- Adam Cole vs. MJF (June 14)
Also read: Best AEW Dynamite Matches Of 2022
