Pro wrestling is a dangerous business. While the results might be predetermined, there’s nothing fake about the damage that wrestlers do to their bodies. AEW is a relatively new promotion but the inherent danger of the sport means that there have been some scarily brutal injuries in AEW history however short it might be.
Injuries in wrestling can vary in severity. Sometimes, it’s a simple sprain or a more painful muscle tear. Other times, it can be a serious head or neck injury that can have severe implications for the future of a star’s career.
AEW is known for its fast-paced, high risk style of wrestling that produces incredibly entertaining matches. However, with that comes the significant danger of injuries.
On the 20 September Grand Slam edition of AEW Dynamite, AEW International Champion Jon Moxley was apparently injured due to a botched piledriver in his match with Fenix. This resulted in the match ending awkwardly and prematurely with Fenix going over in an unplanned finish. PWInsider reported that “backstage, the belief is Moxley may have suffered a concussion.”
Let’s take a look at five of the most brutal injuries in AEW history.
5 Brutal AEW Injuries
5. Cody Rhodes burns himself on a flaming table
Cody Rhodes might be one of the biggest superstars in WWE but his rise to the top started in All Elite Wrestling.
During his run with AEW, Rhodes was one of the top wrestlers in the company and found himself involved in many memorable feuds.
On the 1 December 2021, Cody found himself across the ring from Andrade El Idolo. At the end of the match ‘The American Nightmare’ had Andrade on the top rope with a table waiting below.
At the last second, Brandi Rhodes hit the ring and ignited the table. Cody then hit a reverse superplex on Andrade through the flaming table.
While Andrade was the recipient of the manoeuvre, Cody took the brunt of the move when he landed on the flaming table flat on his back.
After the match, Cody shared a photo on social media that showed horrendous burns on his back from the dangerous stunt.
4. Matt Hardy suspected concussion
During a Broken Rules match with Sammy Guevara, Matt Hardy suffered a nasty concussion.
While fighting backstage, Guevara speared Hardy off a scissor lift through two tables. Unfortunately, Matt overshot the table and cracked the back of his head on the concrete floor.
AEW’s ringside doctor checked on Hardy – who was visibly shaken and dazed – and the match was allowed to continue. It ended soon after but fans were concerned about Matt’s welfare and the decision to continue the match.
In the end, AEW President Tony Khan confirmed that Hardy did not have a concussion – but it was a scary spot nonetheless.
3. Christopher Daniel’s hematoma
On 12 May 2021, Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian battled The Young Bucks in a tag team match.
During the bout, Nick Jackson superkicked Daniels’ head into the ring post. The boot landed flush and Daniels’ was legitimately busted open.
The injury caused a hematoma (severe bruise) in and around the veteran’s eye which looked particularly gruesome. It wasn’t until July 2023 that Daniels’ said his eye had fully healed.
2. Lance Archer botched moonsault
Jumping off the top rope has always been considered high risk. And it’s not unusual to see some pretty bad injuries resulting from wrestlers jumping off the top.
In October 2021, ‘The Murderhawk Monster’ Lance Archer went to hit a moonsault off the top rope but failed to full rotate. As a result, he landed on the top of his head and the match ended early with opponent Eddie Kingston picking up the win.
Thankfully, Archer avoided serious injury. Nevertheless, the botched spot looked brutal.
1. Fenix dislocated elbow
Fenix was one half of the 20 September AEW International Championship match that saw Jon Moxley suffer a suspected consussion. However, he’s no stranger to injury himself.
During a match in January 2022, Fenix took a chokeslam from Luchasaurus off the ring apron and through a table on the outside.
As he landed, his left arm bent backwards at the elbow underneath his weight. The injury looked particularly horrendous and Fenix suffered a dislocated elbow.
Do you think there were any AEW injuries that were worse than those listed? Let us know in the comment section below and don’t forget to check out our other Film & TV articles…
