AEW is for hardcore fans. They brag about their wrestling-focused programming and even go so far as to lampoon WWE’s brand of “sports entertainment.” AEWThe hardcore fighting style of involves callbacks to decades-old fighting like Easter eggs for his devoted fanbase, good fighting for good fighting’s sake, and the occasional bloodbath.
When AEW wants to do an especially intense or shocking match, it will often show some (or a lot) of blood. These fights usually come in the form of unauthorized matches, lights out matches, dog collar matches, or pretty much any match with Jon Moxley. AEW has plenty of wrestlers willing to put their blood, sweat, and tears into their performances. Some of these stars made a name for themselves on the American indie scene as hardcore icons, while others worked abroad in various deathmatch circles.
10/10 Rabbit
Unfortunately, we don’t get to see much of Bunny on AEW TV (or any women, for that matter) and she has shown wrestling fans that she isn’t afraid to fight when she needs to.
The Bunny, formerly known as Allie, proved to be one of the bravest members of the AEW roster during her Street Fight alongside Penelope Ford against Tay Melo and Anna Jay. Over the course of the fight, Bunny took a chair DDT and a hard fall into a pile of tacks.
9/10 archer spear
AEW’s Murderhawk Monster is never afraid to break someone’s bones, be it an opponent or just a crew member unlucky in his way. Archer is currently a member of Suzuki-Gun, one of the bloodiest factions wrestling has ever seen.
Arguably his best match in AEW was his Texas Death Match against Hangman Adam Page for the AEW World Championship. The fight left both men and the canvas stained with blood. The ropes were also taken down, leaving a picture of utter carnage when the bell rang.
8/10 the young bucks
Don’t be fooled by her frilly outfits and fancy shoes; the Young Bucks can be demons when they want to be. Before becoming the Executive Vice Presidents of AEW, Nick and Matt Jackson became famous in NJPW and throughout the independent circuit.
In PWG and ROH, the Bucks had some especially violent matches against the Briscoes, Kevin Steen, El Generico, and Candice LeRae. The most violent stunt of his saw Matt kick Candice LeRae in the jaw with his infamous studded sneaker. He left his face drenched in a crimson mask, but he was still able to come out on top with victory.
7/10 luther
Not many AEW fans are too familiar with Luther’s career before coming to AEW. While he currently is Serpentico’s wacky and wacky teammate, Luther’s act wasn’t always so light-hearted.
Luther earned a reputation as one of the most violent and feared wrestlers in Japan during his time with FMW. He would often throw chairs at his opponents (and sometimes at the audience) and loved to leave everyone fighting in one big, bloody mess.
6/10 britt baker
At the St. Patrick’s Day Slam in 2021, Britt Baker and Thunder Rosa shocked the entire professional wrestling world with their brutal and bloody Unsanctioned match. The match was unlike any women’s match AEW has put together before.
The two competitors nearly hit each other senseless with thumbtacks, steel chairs, tables, and even a crutch. Britt Baker has proven time and time again that she’s not afraid to spill some blood in the ring. Don’t be fooled by her pretty face; there is a demon lurking within the DMD.
5/10 darby allin
It’s quite likely that no one in AEW has taken more punishment in the ring than Darby Allin. His biggest opponents usually throw him around like a rag doll, leaving him battered and defeated when the bell rings.
Yet Darby Allin has proven time and time again that he’s willing to take all that punishment and take it. From barbed wire to steel chairs to thumb tacks to skateboards, no one has seen such brutality as Darby Allin.
4/10 abadon
One look at Abadon will tell you that they are more than willing to fight dirty (he used to draw blood out of his mouth on the way to the ring, for God’s sake!) The Zombae of wrestling will go so far as to bite their opponents if it brings them closer to victory. .
In his Trick or Treat Street Fight against Britt Baker, Abadon put the dentist through a table and tossed it onto a pile of thumbtacks. Although they did not win the match, Abandon proved to be one of AEW’s most violent competitors.
3/10 Penta The Zero Fear
Of the two Lucha Brothers, Penta is undoubtedly the most intimidating. Prior to coming to AEW, Penta made a name for himself in Lucha Underground, where he became known for breaking the arms of his opponents.
He has also fought in more than his fair share of bloodbaths. Most recently, Penta defeated Villano IV in a mask vs. mask match at Triplemania 30. The match cemented Penta’s place as an icon in the world of wrestling.
2/10 eddie kingston
As soon as Eddie Kingston appeared on AEW, he made it known that he was willing to go through hell in the ring. In his first match in an AEW ring, Eddie used tacks against TNT Champion at the time, Cody Rhodes.
Since then, Eddie has wrestled in some of the most violent matches AEW has ever seen, including Anarchy in the Arena and the company’s second Blood and Guts cage match.
1/10 jon moxley
Who else could top this list besides the Vendor of Violence himself? Moxley wrestled in AEW’s first Lights Out match at Complete team 2019, where he defeated Kenny Omega.
Moxley’s entire wrestling career has been an experiment in violence; he has fought in some of the bloodiest and most disgusting matches in CZW, GCW, NJPW and AEW.