12 Best Matches & Moments From Year 2 Of AEW Dynamite

9. Chris Jericho vs. Nick Gage – July 28, 2021

While not the most impressive match in terms of in-ring quality, Chris Jericho’s match with Nick Gage was an illustration of something greater.

AEW has shown that you do not have to look and wrestle a certain way to succeed in this business anymore. This has been exemplified by the likes of Orange Cassidy, Eddie Kingston, Sonny Kiss and others, but Nick Gage is maybe the biggest example yet.

To have deathmatch legend Nick Gage wrestle Chris Jericho in the main event of AEW Dynamite was a statement filled with exciting possibilities for the future.

This might not be everyone’s thing, but every once in a while something totally different is pretty neat.

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8. Shaq & Jade Cargill vs. Cody Rhodes & Red Velvet – March 3, 2021

AEW Dynamite has seen a number of major sports stars have big moments on television. Most recently Jorge Masvidal hit a flying knee on Chris Jericho but the biggest (in more ways than one) has been Shaq.

Shaquille O’Neal has always talked about dabbling in pro wrestling. His lone match before this was a battle royal at WrestleMania 32. This, however, was much more impressive.

Built up for several months, Shaq teamed with the debuting Jade Cargill to beat Cody Rhodes and Red Velvet.

As far as celebrity wrestling matches go, this was in a very high tier. Shaq played his part excellently and the match served as a perfect vehicle to highlight Cargill and Red Velvet.

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7. Malakai Black Debuts for AEW – July 7, 2021

Debuts play a big part in this list. Many of AEW’s best moments have come in the form of debuts at various events but one of the best to come out of AEW Dynamite this year has been that of Malakai Black.

On the first AEW Dynamite back on the road, Black debuted and hit the Black Mass on Arn Anderson and Cody Rhodes.

This first show needed a massive moment after a year and a half spent at Daily’s Place and this was it.

Criminally misused in WWE, Black was immediately pushed as a huge star. Since then, he has only been pushed harder.

• Bryan Danielson
• Dynamite
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