The John Report: AEW All In London 2023 Review

The biggest AEW show ever (in terms of attendance) is upon us as AEW All In London takes place from Wembley Stadium in London, England.

It’s finally here. The first All Elite Wrestling show in England and it’s taking place at the historic Wembley Stadium in London, England with over 80,000 fans in attendance. It should be a spectacular sight to see that many people in attendance for a wrestling show in England, which is known for having enthusiastic fans. Meanwhile, I get to write about it on a Sunday afternoon in beautiful London…Ontario. I ordered the show on Fite as usual for AEW PPVs. Let’s rock.

Here are the ZERO HOUR pre-show results.

MJF and Adam Cole defeated Aussie Open (Mark Davis and Kyle Fletcher) to win the ROH World Tag Team Championships.

They showed Mercedes Mone (former Sasha Banks) sitting in the crowd.

Hook defeated Jack Perry to win the FTW Championship.

That was it for pre-show matches.

AEW All In London
Sunday, August 27, 2023
From Wembley Stadium in London, England

It was an impressive set in Wembley Stadium with over 80,000 fans in attendance. The commentary team to start was Excalibur, Nigel McGuinness & Jim Ross. Excalibur and Nigel worked the whole show while the third man changes throughout the night.

Samoa Joe made his entrance as the ROH TV Champion. That title is not on the line. CM Punk’s “Real World Title” is on the line in this match. I find that title concept to be silly and somebody should tell CM Punk that, but he might want to fight them if they do.

Analysis: I am aware of CM Punk allegedly getting into a backstage altercation with Jack Perry prior to this match. My thoughts are that CM Punk is a millionaire in his mid-40s that still acts like an overly aggressive teenager with trust issues. My advice is to act your age. Be more mature. It’s easy to not be an asshole toward people. It really is. As a talent, I’m a huge fan of CM Punk, but it’s ridiculous that so many people that work in AEW seem to hate him. The boss won’t do anything. Nothing ever changes. I’m sure Jack Perry deserves some of the blame too, but it continues to be CM Punk’s name in this stuff. That needs to change.

Real World Championship: CM Punk vs. Samoa Joe

They were battling over some basic holds early on without much happening. They left the ring, Joe wanted to charge at Punk and Punk went back into the ring to avoid it. Joe worked over Punk with punches and chops. Punk managed to hit a hurricanrana off the middle rope. The crowd was pretty hot at this point. Punk went for his slingshot cross body block over the top to the floor, but Joe moved and Punk hit the floor. That’s a classic Joe spot. Joe hit a running kick to Punk’s face. Punk with a kick and he tried a hurricanrana on the floor, but Joe threw Punk into the bottom of the commentary table. Punk did a blade job because he was busted open after that. Back in the ring, they exchanged strikes until Joe hit a running back elbow. Joe hit a running corner splash followed by a jumping head kick. Joe with an atomic drop along with a high boot and senton splash for two. Joe teased going for a Muscle Buster, Punk got out of it and hit a roundhouse kick to the head. Punk hit jumping shoulder tackles and a spinning slam while holding up his hand. It’s the John Cena moveset, but then Punk did some ear-cupping like Hulk Hogan and hit a leg drop for two. Joe did the Hogan comeback with the punches followed by the point and Joe hit a powerslam for two. Punk went for a knee lift, but Joe caught him with a Powerbomb. Joe transitioned to the STF submission move. Punk got out of that leading to a roundhouse kick to the head. Punk did a spinning toe hold to the late, great Terry Funk and Joe pulled Punk in for a cradle pin for two. Punk ran at Joe leading to Joe hitting an STO slam. They battled by the turnbuckle, Punk bit Joe’s head and Punk hit a Pepsi Plunge while Joe was on the middle rope while Punk was on the top rope and Punk covered for the pinfall win. It went 14:02.

Winner by pinfall: CM Punk

Analysis: ***1/4 An entertaining match by two veterans who can’t move as well as they did 20 years ago when they had better matches together in Ring of Honor. It was still fun to watch Joe pound on Punk, watch Punk sell (better than most people in AEW) and end it with a big move. I don’t think it’s easy for CM Punk to lift Samoa Joe for that GTS because it looked poor when he did it on Collision recently, so having Punk win with the Pepsi Plunge is a nice twist.

A video package aired about the tag team match with Kenny Omega and friends.

Kenny Omega, “Hangman Adam Page & Kota Ibushi vs. Konosuke Takeshita, Jay White & Juice Robinson (Austin & Colten Gunn)

Don Callis joined commentary due to his association with Takeshita. Page wit ha shoulder tackle on Juice and Omega hit a double axhandle. Omega and Page chopped Juice repeatedly. Ibushi tagged in against White, who hit a shoulder tackle and a slap to the face. Ibushi decked White with a kick. Omega tagged in leading to an Ibushi kick along with Omega hitting a jumping leg drop. Takeshita with a boot to Omega, but Kenny came back with a hurricanrana. Omega hit a somersault dive over the top onto two guys on the floor. Omega had to deal with a Gunn on the apron, so then Omega jumped off the top and White moved. Takeshita was punching Omega and then Ibushi went randomly into the ring to throw strikes. JR wondered who the legal man was and of course it doesn’t matter because that’s AEW. Takeshita rocked Omega with a forearm followed by Takeshita running the ropes leading to a dropkick. White tagged in, caught a kick attempt by Omega and did a leg takedown. Juice suplexed Omega’s legs into the bottom rope. Juice decked Omega with a lefty forearm smash along with a senton splash for two. Omega hit a suplex. Omega finally tagged in Hangman, who hit a springboard clothesline. Page hit a fallaway slam across the ring along with a slingshot cross body block. Page hit a few suicide dive. One of them had his knee hit the rope, but he got through it. Back in the ring, Page hit a top rope clothesline for two. Ibushi was back with a double chop on White followed by a standing moonsault for two. Ibushi hit a bridging German Suplex on White for two. Ibushi hit a jumping knee lift, but White came back with a uranage slam.

Omega tagged in against Takeshita leading to an exchange of strikes and Omega hit a knee lift. Omega hit Snapdragon Suplexes on White and Juice. Takeshita wanted a running knee, but Omega blocked it. Omega with a knee to the back of the head and Omega hit a poison rana for two. Omega set up Takeshita on the turnbuckle, Juice in the ring illegally and Omega picked him up while Page got the tag. Omega hit a rolling senton, Page with a splash and Omega with a moonsault. Page hit a fallaway slam off the top rope. Page on the apron, both Gunns tried to react and Page took care of them. Page hit a moonsault onto both Gunns on the floor. That was followed by a bunch of random spots. Takeshita fought back against Omega and Ibushi. Takeshita hit a jumping knee on Ibushi. Page hit a Buckshot Lariat to the back of Takeshita. Omega went crazy with knee strikes on White, Juice and another one for White. Takeshita did a ROLLUP OF DEATH~! on Omega while grabbing the tights of Omega for the pinfall win. It went 20:31. Omega was the legal man.

Winners by pinfall: Konosuke Takeshita, Jay White & Juice Robinson

Analysis: ***1/2 A fast paced tag team match with a surprising ending since Takeshita came out of nowhere to do the dreaded ROLLUP OF DEATH~! for the win. It should set up Takeshita vs. Omega at All Out next Sunday. There was a lot of chaos in this match with JR doing his usual complaint about wondering who the legal man was. That is JR’s way of being nice about it while I say it’s just a case of AEW allowing random people in the ring at all times. I think Kenny Omega was wasted on this show being in a tag team match. Kenny is one of your five biggest stars in AEW, so he should be in a featured singles match. That’s a miss by AEW’s creative team.

A video package aired about FTR and The Young Bucks.

AEW Tag Team Championships: FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) vs. The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson)

The first couple of minutes were even. They did a double clothesline spot and then all four guys were down. The Bucks were back up with dropkicks along with clotheslines that knocked both FTR guys out of the ring. Nick with a kick to Dax on the floor and Matt with a Spear on the floor. Nick hit a corkscrew splash over the top onto both FTR guys. Matt made a blind tag leading to a superkick on Wheeler. Nick tagged in with a senton bomb on Wheeler, who was being held by Matt near the ropes. Matt back in with a Russian legsweep followed by an elbow drop off the middle ropes and Matt did a Bret Hart taunt. Wheeler tried to pin Matt, but Nick made a blind tag leading to a Nick headbutt. Wheeler sent Nick out of the ring and a belly-to-back suplex on Matt. Wheeler tried to tag out, but Matt superkicked Harwood off the apron. Matt with a DDT on Wheeler for two. Wheeler avoided a charging Matt, so Nick hit a jumping kick on Matt. Nick jumped off the top onto Wheeler, who hit him with an uppercut. Harwood tagged in with suplexes and a clothesline on Nick. Harwood with a German Suplex on Matt three times leading to Matt hitting his Northern Lights Suplex two times. Harwood with a German Suplex and Matt with another Northern Lights Suplex. They each got a couple of rollup attempts. Harwood hit a cross body block off the middle rope for two. Matt with a Northern Lights suplex for two. Harwood with another German Suplex for two. I missed a few minutes due to some technical difficulties.

Harwood tagged in, Matt saved Nick from a double team move and Harwood covered Nick for a two count. Matt was back in illegally and hit a double superkick. Matt and Nick did a spike piledriver for a two count. Young Bucks went for BTE Trigger, but Harwood moved and Wheeler tackled Nick off the apron to the floor. FTR did the FTR Trigger on Matt, then a double kiss on the cheek and FTR hit Shatter Machine for two on Matt, who kicked out without any problem. Bucks hit their own Shatter Machine on Harwood. Bucks hit the BTE Trigger on Cash for just a two count. Great nearfall. FTR came back with their own Shatter Machine for the pinfall win at 21:45.

Winners by pinfall: FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler)

Analysis: ****1/4 I thought it was a great match, but I don’t think it was as epic as some of their past matches. Maybe that’s on me feeling it wasn’t a five-star level match, but that’s not a slight by any means. I think they had an excellent finish in the last few minutes with a lot of believable nearfalls for both teams. The finish worked pretty well in terms of putting FTR in a big way. I picked The Young Bucks to win, but I certainly don’t mind FTR getting the win.

Post match, instead of a handshake, the Young Bucks walked away. The fans booed that. FTR celebrated with their AEW Tag Team Titles. Why doesn’t this company show replays of big moments in a match like this? They should.

A video aired about the Stadium Stampede match that’s yet another tag team match on this show. This time it’s 5-on-5 all around the stadium.

The commentary team was Excalibur, Tony Schiavone and Nigel McGuinness now, so JR was out.

Blackpool Combat Club – Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta, Mike Santana & Ortiz vs. Best Friends – Orange Cassidy, Chuck Taylor, Trent Beretta, Penta El Zero Miedo & Eddie Kingston

The ten guys were fighting all around the ringside area. Best Friends faced off against Santana & Ortiz, which led to Chuck & Trent sent out of the ring. Best Friends used trash cans on Santana & Ortiz. Taylor hit a somersault dive over the top on Santana & Ortiz. Trent hit a moonsault onto somebody that had a trash can. Penta battled Moxley with a chair shot. Penta grabbed some skewers and put them into Moxley forehead, so the skewers were pouring out of Moxley’s hand. Fenix hit a Made in Japan slam for a two count. Moxley was a bloody mess at this point. Santana battled Penta in the ring and hit a Powerbomb onto two open chairs. Senta also hit a piledriver on Penta. They called the doctor to check on Penta. Moxley took out a fork and hit Orange in the back of the head with it. Moxley was grinding the fork against Orange’s head. Moxley blocked Trent from using a barbed wire board and Moxley hit a brainbuster onto an open chair. Moxley used the barbed wire board on Trent by hitting him in the head and Trent was bleeding already. They showed Yuta suplexing a guy onto a barricade somewhere in the arena. Claudio and Yuta were fighting with Kingston in the upper decks while Taylor arrived to join the fun. Those four guys kept on fighting while Santana put barbed wire into Orange’s face. Kingston beat up “security” guy while Yuta hit Moxley in the head with some substance. Santana and Ortiz gave a bloody Trent a Powerbomb against the turnbuckle. Moxley brought a barbed wire board into the ring and suplexed Trent back-first onto it. Ortiz went up top and hit a splash on Trent for two.

Santana whipped Orange into the barricade. Moxley hit a Piledriver on Trent on the top of the steel steps. Ortiz used a fork on Orange’s head and Orange was bleeding heavily. The fans wanted a table, so Ortiz pulled out a table from ringside. A white van drove up to the wrestlers in the match and the fans chanted “Sue” for Trent’s mom. Trent went after Moxley, who “kissed” Sue. That led to Sue handing cookie sheets to the wrestlers, so Trent and Chuck beat on their opponents with cookie sheets. There was a new theme song playing and it’s now Penta Oscuro. Penta hit Santana with a steel chair as they battled by the entrance area. The ladder collapsed after a headbutt. Penta went up the broken ladder and gave Santana sunset flip Powerbomb through the table. Back in the ring, Best Friends hugged Yuta at the same time. Yuta got a rollup on Taylor while others on the floor were fighting. Yuta attacked with a screwdriver, Chuck avoided it and delivered a kick to the head followed by a sitout piledriver for two, but Claudio made the save. Moxley hit a running suicide dive. Claudio did the Giant Swing on Orange. Moxley DDT’s somebody on some candy or whatever it was. Trent gave Ortiz a superplex off the top through some tables on the floor. Orange broke free from Claudio to connect with the Orange Punch twice. Orange hit a third Orange Punch on Claudio for a two count. Orange had some duct tape on his hand along with broken glass. Moxley stopped that by punching Orange. Moxley tried a move on Orange, but Orange hit a Tornado DDT on the broken glass. Claudio came back with an uppercut on Orange.

Eddie Kingston made his return after about two minutes with Eddie carrying a barbed wire chair. Kingston beat on Claudio with chairs. Kingston with a Spear on Moxley through the table against the turnbuckle. Orange hit another Superman Punch (this time with broken glass on the hand) on Claudio for the win. It went 21:33.

Winners by pinfall: Best Friends – Orange Cassidy, Chuck Taylor, Trent Beretta, Penta El Zero Miedo & Eddie Kingston

Analysis: ***3/4 It was a bloody brawl with about half the guys bleeding heavily. If you’ve seen one bloody brawl in AEW with the same weapons then you’ve seen them all. I don’t think it’s a bad match or anything, but I’m not going to call it some wrestling classic either. I’m not sure why they keep booking Blackpool Combat Club to lose these multi-man tag team match because they lost the Blood & Guts match and now they lost this match. It makes the BCC look weak. Does Orange Cassidy and his comedy friends really need wins in matches like this? I don’t know. Orange wins so many matches already. Anyway, if you’re into garbage matches with a lot of weapons then this was right up your alley.

A video package aired for the AEW Women’s Title match. It’s the only women’s match on the show.

Saraya made her entrance to Queen’s “We Will Rock You” and she brought her family with her. Saraya had the UK flag on her gear and jackets. The family was seated at ringside for the match. Toni Storm was next followed by Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D. and the AEW Women’s Champion Hikaru Shida was last.

AEW Women’s Championship: Hikaru Shida vs. Saraya vs. Toni Storm vs. Britt Baker

Saraya and Storm are in The Outcasts together, so they worked together leading to a Powerbomb on Shida. Baker hit a neckbreaker on Saraya for two. Saraya with a running knee on Baker while Storm hit a hip attack. Saraya and Storm each tried to pin, so they argued about it. Shida rammed Storm’s head into Saraya’s head. Shida hit a running knee attack (with knee slap) and Shida suplexed Saraya onto Storm against the turnbuckle. Saraya with corner punches on Storm, but it was more like punching her own hand. Saraya slammed Shida onto the apron. Baker hit a Slingblade neckbreaker on Storm. Saraya back in with a superkick on Baker to knock her out of the ring. Storm chopped Baker and then Storm accidentally hit Saraya’s mom with a forearm to the head. Saraya whipped Baker and Shida into objects. Saraya yelled at Storm in the ring, then Saraya grabbed Storm by the hair and they each delivered strikes. Storm was in control of Saraya. Storm pulled the turnbuckle pad off and wanted to attack Saraya, but Ruby Soho went into the ring saying “her neck” referring to Saraya. Storm headbutted Soho and Soho left. Saraya superkicked Storm. Baker with a neckbreaker and superkick that was on Storm, who landed on Saraya. That made Saraya angry so Saraya applied a submission move and Baker hit a Stomp on Storm for a two count. They did a spot where Shida bodyslammed Baker onto Saraya. Shida jumped off the top with double knees for two. Shida with a spin kick on Saraya led to a pin attempt, but Baker broke it up. Baker went for the Lockjaw submission and while that was going on, Saraya with the spray paint into the eyes of Toni Storm and Saraya hit Nightcap on Storm for the pinfall win at 8:50.

Winner by pinfall AND NEW AEW Women’s Champion: Saraya

Analysis: *** A pretty good match with an obvious result because Saraya getting the win is what most of us assumed they would do since the show was in her home country. I thought it was a clever finish in the sense that Baker was pre-occupied by trying to put away Shida, so having Saraya spray the spray paint on Storm and that was enough to win. I’m happy for Saraya. She’s been through a lot.

Post match, Saraya called for her family to go into the ring with her. Saraya held up the AEW Women’s Title proudly. They didn’t show replays even though they should.

A video aired about the upcoming Coffin Match.

Swerve Strickland made his entrance with a rapper singing his entrance. Swerve shouted “WHOSE HOUSE?” repeatedly and the fans chanted “Swerve’s house.” Christian Cage was next with the TNT Champion Luchasaurus even though Christian was wearing the title. Luchasaurus stayed in the back. The lights went out. A video aired featuring Darby Allin and Sting with the Stinger saying “it’s showtime.” Sting and Darby made their entrance to a big ovation. There was a Coffin at ringside as well.

Coffin Match: Sting & Darby Allin vs. Swerve Strickland & Christian Cage

There was a spot early on where Sting and Allin were wearing jackets with thumbtacks on it, but they didn’t get to use them. Swerve and Christian hit both guys with Spears. Christian tapped up Allin’s hands behind him with some black wrist tape. Christian launched Darby into the turnbuckle. Allin had his hands tied behind his back, but he was able to knock Christian out of the ring and Darby hit a dive onto Swerve. Sting freed up Allin’s hands. Christian slammed the lid, so Sting slammed Swerve onto the coffin. Christian wanted a Conchairto on Allin, but Darby moved to avoid it. Allin dropkicked Christian into the clothesline. Allin hit a Flipping Stunner on Swerve. Sting jumped off the apron to jump on Swerve’s back, but the table didn’t break. Sting went back to the apron and jumped using his butt to splash Swerve through the table and this time it broke. Allin put Christian on a chair on the floor, so Allin hit a dropkick on Christian. Luchasaurus arrived at ringside to help Christian. Luchasaurus launched Allin into the coffin. Nick Wayne hit Luchasaurus with a skateboard to the back, so Luchasaurus headbutted him. Luchasaurus gave Wayne a Chokeslam onto the skateboard on the floor. Sting held Swerve on the coffin, Allin went up top, jumped backwards and landed on the top of the coffin, so it was a Coffin Flop instead of a Coffin Drop. Sting was alone against Swerve and Chrisitan leading to Sting applying the Scorpion Death Lock on Christian. Swerve hit Sting with a chair, so Sting no-sold it. Christian used the baseball bat for some cheap shots on Sting. Swerve jumped off the top with a double foot stomp off the top onto Sting. The heels brought the casket into the ring. Swerve put Sting in the coffin, but Sting had his bat and he used it to keep the coffin up. Swerve hit a running kick on Sting. Swerve set up Sting on the hood of the coffin, Swerve went up top and took way too long, so Sting moved and Swerve’s 450 Splash hit the coffin. Allin eye gouged Christian and Allin hit Chrisitan with the TNT Title. Sting gave Swerve the Scorpion Death Drop on the coffin. Sting put Swerve into the coffin, but Swerve’s hand were still out. Allin jumped off the top rope with a Coffin Drop and that was enough for Sting & Allin to close the coffin on Swerve. It went 16:00.

Winners: Sting & Darby Allin

Analysis: ***1/4 There really isn’t much drama watching Sting & Allin matches because Sting is now 18-0 in his AEW career, so you know he’s not going to lose. I respect what Sting has done in his career. However, at 64 years old he doesn’t move that well. He moves like a guy that’s old. Anyway, Swerve was there to get put in the coffin and it made it just feel like another match rather than some grudge match. Christian really didn’t do much in the match while Luchasaurus did some damage and left.

Chris Jericho faces Will Ospreay up next. There’s a video package for it.

Chris Jericho and his band Fozzy were on a stage above the entrance where they performed the song Judas, which is Jericho’s entrance song. That led to Jericho making his entrance for the match with Sammy Guevera joining him. Sammy went from main eventing a PPV three months ago to not even being in a match on this show. It’s a big singalong when there are 80,000 people involved in it.

Will Ospreay got a huge ovation as an Englishman. Ospreay was wearing the NJPW UK Title with Don Callis joining him for the match.

Chris Jericho (w/Sammy Guevara) vs. Will Ospreay (w/Don Callis)

The commentary team was now Excalibur, Taz & Nigel McGuinness. It is nice to see a one on one match after so many tags. Ospreay was in control with a springboard forearm. They did a double boot to the face spot. Ospreay sent Jericho into the turnbuckle, then they ran across the apron and Jericho hit a dropkick. Jericho with a sliding dropkick on Ospreay on the floor. They battled on the apron with Jericho hitting a German Suplex where Ospreay landed on his head/neck. Ouch. Ospreay always takes crazy bumps. Jericho did a middle finger salute to the fans. Jericho hit a vertical suplex along with a “come on baby” cocky cover for two. Jericho hit a running splash onto Ospreay’s back against the ropes. Ospreay did an impressive corkscrew kick to the head. Ospreay with an atomic drop, a chop to the chest and a standing Shooting Star Press. They battled by the turnbuckle with Jericho delivering chops. Jericho was standing on the top rope and hit a hurricanrana for a two count. Ospreay went for a dropkick, Jericho held onto the ropes and Jericho went for a Lionsault, but Ospreay blocked it. Ospreay set up Jericho against the top rope, which meant Jericho had to hold himself against the ropes for five seconds as Ospreay hit a Shooting Star Press for a two count. Ospreay tried a springboard move, so Jericho hit a Codebreaker to the back and a second Codebreaker to the face. Jericho with a Judas Effect attempt that was blocked and Ospreay hit an Oscutter for a two count. Ospreay went for the Storm Breaker, but Jericho countered it into a hurricanrana! That was so good by Jericho. Jericho applied the Walls of Jericho. Callis was on the apron to talk to the referee and Sammy hit Ospreay in the head with the baseball bat. Ospreay was able to counter the Walls and punched Jericho to get out of it.

Jericho charged into a Spanish Fly by Ospreay for two. Ospreay charged right into a Codebreaker by Jericho. There was a springboard attack by Jericho, who did his own version of an Oscutter. That was a bit sloppy as Jericho got a one count. Ospreay with a punch, then a kick and Jericho hit a low blow kick while blocking the view of the referee Aubrey Edwards. Jericho hit the Judas Effect elbow finisher for a two count. Ospreay countered a Jericho move into a two count. Ospreay tried a Powerbomb, but there was a slip and Ospreay got a two count. Ospreay hit a back elbow to the head. Ospreay hit the Storm Breaker for a two count with Jericho getting his right shoulder up. Ospreay hit a Hidden Blade elbow to the face. Ospreay hit Storm Breaker again for the second time for the pinfall win at 14:55.

Winner by pinfall: Will Ospreay

Analysis: ****1/4 That was an excellent match with a lot of counters of big moves and a lot of believable nearfalls for both guys. It wasn’t as good as Ospreay-Omega at Forbidden Door, but it’s still an outstanding match. Jericho was very impressive with some of his counter moves in the match. Ospreay needing to hit the Storm Breaker twice was the right call because it puts over Jericho as a guy that’s tough to beat. Considering it was their first match together, I thought the chemistry was amazing. Even though Ospreay is a NJPW guy, it made more sense for him to win since it’s in England where Ospreay is from and he’s the younger guy. Jericho losing matches like this is fine.

After the match, Sammy Guevara helped Jericho up and wanted the crowd to cheer him. Jericho pushed Sammy back and Jericho left looking frustrated. Excalibur pointed out that Jericho had lost matches earlier this year, so maybe he’s frustrated. Jericho left on his own while Sammy took his time leaving the ring.

Nigel McGuinness was in the ring to announce the paid attendance of 81,035. It was announced that it is a new worldwide record for a pro wrestling event.

Analysis: Congratulations to AEW. It’s an amazing number to draw for their first UK show obviously. It was a bold move to run a Wembley Stadium show and that bold move paid off in a big way.

The Trios Tag Team Title match was next so there was a video about what set it up.

Trios Tag Team Championships: House of Black – Malakai Black, Brody King & Buddy Matthews (w/Julia Hart) vs. The Acclaimed – Max Caster & Anthony Bowens and Billy Gunn

It was another match without any rules on a card full of them. Julia Hart got on the apron, so The Acclaimed did their spot with Bowens hitting a leg drop on her lower body. HOB took over with a triple team attack with Black hitting Bowens with a forearm. They showed Mercedes Mone watching from the crowd. King was working over Gunn on the floor with Black missing a charging cross body block because Gunn moved, so King hit the barricade. Gunn threw a chair at King’s head. Black and Buddy sent Bowens & Caster out of the ring. Gunn hit a double clothesline on Black & Buddy. Gunn tossed Buddy over the barricade to the floor. Black went for a spin kick, but Gunn ducked it and Gunn hit a Full Nelson Slam for two. Bowens hit The Arrival slam on Black. Everybody took turns doing moves leading to people bumping out of the ring after taking a move. Bowens with a forearm on Buddy, then Black with a sweep kick and Buddy splashed Bowens against the turnbuckle. Black hit a cannonball on Bowens while the other delivered kicks for a two count. King had a chain around his right hand, Bowens moved out of the way and King punched Black in the head with the chain. Caster clotheslined Brody out of the ring. Bowens with a leg drop on Buddy, Caster with a Fameasser and Gunn with a Fameasser on Buddy as well. Julia Hart pulled referee Aubrey Edwards out of the ring during the pin. Black went back into the ring with The End spin kick, but Gunn got his right shoulder up at two. Caster and Bowens back in with a thrust kick/elbow strike. Bowens with The Arrival on King and Caster jumped off the top with a Mic Drop elbow for one. Gunn hit a Fameasser on King. Bowens hit The Arrival on King, Caster hit a Mic Drop elbow off the top and all three Acclaimed guys covered King for the win. It went about 10:51.

Winners by pinfall: The Acclaimed – Max Caster & Anthony Bowens and Billy Gunn

Analysis: *** It was a match with no rules where they didn’t use many weapons at all except for King using a chain that he used to accidentally punch his buddy Black. I guess other matches used weapons so they didn’t want to overdo it, but it makes the wrestlers look dumb for not using weapons in a match where anything is allowed. Anyway, based on the long term story it made sense for The Acclaimed and Billy Gunn to win. I picked House of Black although I regretted it because the title change made sense for the story.

After the match, House of Black handed The Acclaimed the titles Anthony Bowens said they promised Billy Gunn they would get him some gold. Bowens cued the largest scissor party on Earth: “Now, scissor me, Daddy Ass.” They did the scissor gesture to end it.

Analysis: The scissoring gimmick is still popular among AEW fans. No doubt about that.

The video package aired for the main event: MJF defending the AEW World Title against Adam Cole. They are going into it as friends.

Adam Cole made his entrance first wearing the ROH Tag Team Title that he won earlier in the night. It was loud for Cole saying “BOOM” during his entrance. Maxwell Jacob Friedman made his entrance wearing The Devil mask while being wheeled out on a podium on his way to the ring while random people on the sides were bowing to him. MJF was wearing the AEW World Title around his waist and carrying the ROH Tag Team Title on his shoulder.

MJF and Adam Cole stood in the ring for the introductions by ring announcer Justin Roberts. It had a big fight feel to the match. No doubt about that.

AEW World Championship: Maxwell Jacob Friedman vs. Adam Cole

MJF had “Brochaco 4 Life” on his armband since that’s what he calls his friendship with Cole – a Brochacho. They left the ring, grabbed t-shirts from under the ring and put on “Better Than You Bay Bay” chants. They did an exchange of holds in the first minute with neither man getting the advantage. Cole went for a superkick, but MJF ducked it while holding onto the top rope. MJF led the crowd in a “sportsmanship” leading to a handshake followed by Max doing an eye poke. Cole came back with an enziguri kick along with a slam onto the shoulders with MJF’s neck hitting Cole’s knee. Cole sent MJF into the turnbuckle. They did a spot where Cole hid behind the referee and Cole sent MJF face first into the middle turnbuckle. Cole did a hair pull takedown. MJF broke free, he kicked Cole in the leg and Cole did another hair pull takedown. MJF got back up with a hair pull takedown. MJF ran the ropes, but he stopped himself from doing a dive. Cole was back in with a superkick for two. Cole told MJF they may be friends, but he is better than him. Cole took MJF’s shirt off so the fans booed that. Cole did an eye gouge. MJF blocked a kick and hit two clotheslines, a back elbow and a scoop as well as a slam. MJF delivered corner punches along with some head biting. MJF whipped Cole hard into the turnbuckle. Cole left to the floor, so MJF hit a suicide dive onto Cole on the floor and MJF was shocked that he did it. MJF sold it like he was shocked. Cole and MJF did a bunch of pin attempts using different moves. Cole jumped up, MJF caught him and MJF hit a stiff Powerbomb for a two count. MJF jumped off the middle turnbuckle, but Cole stopped that with a superkick. Cole hit his own version of Max’s Heatseeker DDT for two because MJF got his foot on the bottom rope. Cole sent MJF into the steps. Cole gave MJF a sheer drop brainbuster on the steel steps. I remember Cole doing that spot in NXT as well. The replays featured the announcers talking about how you can end MJF’s career with a move like that. MJF got back into the ring before the ten count. MJF was back in control, they left the ring and were on the commentary table. MJF was about to Tombstone Cole through the table, but MJF couldn’t do it. Nigel called MJF a coward for that. Cole picked up MJF and hit a Tombstone Piledriver on the commentary table. The table didn’t break. It was Cole’s knees taking all of the bump, but we are supposed to assume it was felt bad for MJF too. Back in the ring, Cole got a two count.

Cole with a charging kick, MJF with a rolling elbow, Cole with a Canadian Destroyer and MJF superkicked Cole leading to both men hitting the mat to sell it. The fans were chanting “this is awesome” for them. Cole and MJF called for the double clothesline, so they ran the ropes and did a double clothesline spot. They each had their arm on the other guy so the referee Bryce Remsburg counted both guys down for a three count. Cole told Justin Roberts that this match is a draw. It went 20 minutes.

Adam Cole said “No Way” and told Max to give him five more minutes. MJF: “No. Five minutes isn’t enough. We’re going until we’ve got a winner in f**king Wembley!”

The match restarted with each guy going for a pin while grabbing tights. Cole ran the ropes, MJF ducked and Cole hit referee Bryce Remsburg with a forearm. MJF had a smile on his face and left the ring. MJF grabbed a steel chair, threw it at Cole and they kept on throwing the chair at eachother. MJF had the chair in his hand, so Cole bumped. MJF put the chair around his throat as the referee woke up and assumed Cole did it. MJF rolled up Cole for two. MJF with a superkick and a Heatseeker DDT for two. They battle on the apron with Cole hitting a Straightjacket Suplex on the apron. Cole jumped off the apron and hit Panama Sunrise on the floor. Cole grabbed dead weight MJF and got Max into the ring. Cole covered MJF for just two. Cole jumped off the middle turnbuckle, MJF moved and Cole gave the referee Bryce Remsburg a Panama Sunrise. Cole was stunned by it. That was a silly spot, but it takes out the referee again. MJF put the Dynamite Diamond Ring on his right pinky finger. MJF refused to do it. Roderick Strong was in the ring and he did a low blow kick to MJF. The referee never saw it. Cole acted like he didn’t know Strong was going to do that. Cole hit the Panama Sunrise on MJF. Cole hit the Boom knee (with loud leg slap). The referee Bryce Remsburg did a slow, dramatic count of one….two…and no because MJF got his left shoulder up. And the crowd cheers. Strong gave Cole the AEW World Title saying that he is Cole’s best friend, not MJF. Cole took off his tag team shirt with MJF. Cole grabbed the AEW World Title while MJF was on his knees in the ring, but Cole refused to do it. Strong was furious, so Strong left to the back. MJF popped back up and did an inside cradle where he had Cole’s legs tied up for the pinfall win at 29:02.

Winner by pinfall: Maxwell Jacob Friedman

Analysis: ****1/4 That was a dramatic match full of great action for about 30 minutes, but there was also a lot of chaos in the last ten minutes as they went heavy on the storyline following the referee Bryce Remsburg bumping numerous times. MJF didn’t want to use the ring and Cole didn’t want to use the title. I kept thinking that Cole was going to cheat to win to leave the show as the AEW World Champion, but it didn’t happen and MJF found a way to get the win. I can’t rate it higher than what I did, but I think the story was interesting and dramatic in the last few minutes. It wasn’t a match of the year or anything like that. It was heavy on story and that’s fine based on what this match was going into it.

After the match, MJF told Cole that it could have went either way. MJF said that these people still love you. MJF said he got lucky. MJF brought their ROH Tag Team Titles into the ring saying they’ve still got these and Cole threw his title out of the ring. MJF said that Cole never cared about Max. MJF said that Cole was a fake piece of shit that only cared about him. MJF threw the AEW World Title at Cole and told him to “f**king take it.” MJF told Cole to get it over with and hit Max wit the title. Roderick Strong was back telling Cole to do it. Cole threw the title down again without Max. MJF and Cole hugged in the ring wit the fans popping for them again. They played MJF’s music while the stadium was filled with confetti. The Kingdom’s Mike Bennett and Matt Taven were there to hold onto their buddy Roderick Strong.

Analysis: More drama with that finish. MJF and Cole are genuine friends so there’s no turn here even though it would have been a big deal if there was.

There was an impressive pyro display filling up the London night sky. MJF and Cole celebrated together in the ring.

Excalibur said that on Sunday, August 25, 2024 they are returning for All In London at Wembley Stadium. MJF and Cole continued to celebrate. End show.

Analysis: That’s huge news that AEW is doing All In London next year at Wembley too.

AEW All In London had a runtime of 3:59:01 on pay-per-view.

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Five Stars of the Show

1. Will Ospreay
2. Saraya
3. Chris Jericho
4. FTR
5. MJF-Adam Cole

Final Thoughts

It gets an 8 out of 10 from me.

It was a very good event for the most part for four hours on the main show. There really wasn’t anything that was that bad. I think the women’s match going under ten minutes is disappointing, but this is AEW and we know they don’t care that much about women’s wrestling. For best match, I thought Ospreay/Jericho was probably it while I enjoyed FTR/Young Bucks and MJF/Cole, which was heavy on story. The FTR/Young Bucks was very good, but not at the level of their first two matches. As for CM Punk/Samoa Joe, that match was solid as an opener. I already covered Punk’s latest backstage incident in the review. It’s getting very tiresome.

I thought the Wembley Stadium crowd was lively and it was fun to hear how they reacted to some things. I also think AEW could have done a better job of creating memorable moments. It just like match after match on this show. A non-wrestling segment to break up the action would have been nice. I think there were too many tags too.

The people that are overly biased toward AEW that see no fault in anything they do will think this was their best show ever. It really wasn’t that. However, it was an entertaining stadium show show with a strong card from top to bottom. I don’t think they had any matches that were Match of the Year quality like some AEW shows. It also wasn’t the “biggest wrestling show ever.” Yes, they sold the most tickets and that’s great, but it’s really not the biggest show ever no matter what they want to say. Still, I rated it 8 out of 10, which means I enjoyed it immensely.

My AEW PPV reviews for 2023:

Revolution (March 5) – 8.25

All In London (August 27) – 8

AEW-NJPW Forbidden Door (June 25) – 8

Double or Nothing (May 29) – 7.5

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Email: mrjohncanton@gmail.com

Twitter: @johnreport