Reviews

The John Report: AEW All In London 2024 Review

AEW All In 2024 Review TJRwrestling

The biggest AEW show of the year from Wembley Stadium with Swerve Strickland facing Bryan Danielson, MJF in action against Will Ospreay, and plenty more.

It’s the second AEW All In show from Wembley Stadium. This year’s event has over 50,000+ fans in attendance, so it is less than last year by about 30,000 people, but it’s still something AEW should celebrate. I’m happy for them doing a show in front of a big crowd again.

I didn’t watch the pre-show. Here are the ZERO HOUR pre-show results.

* Tommy Billington, Kip Sabian, Rocky Romero, Kyle Fletcher, Lio Rush, Action Andretti, and Top Flight (Darius Martin and Dante Martin) (with Don Callis) defeated Jay Lethal, Satnam Singh, Anthony Ogogo, Ariya Daivari, Private Party (Zay and Quen), and The Dark Order (John Silver and Alex Reynolds) (with Evil Uno and Sonjay Dutt) by pinfall.

* Willow Nightingale and Tomohiro Ishii defeated Kris Statlander and Stokely Hathaway by pinfall.

* Dustin Rhodes, Sammy Guevara, Katsuyori Shibata, and The Von Erichs (Marshall Von Erich and Ross Von Erich) (with Kevin Von Erich) defeated Undisputed Kingdom (Matt Taven and Mike Bennett) and Cage of Agony (Brian Cage, Bishop Kaun, and Toa Liona) by pinfall.

During the pre-show, they announced AEW Grand Slam Australia is coming on February 15, 2025 from Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia. It’s the AEW Australia debut.

It was also announced on the pre-show that AEW-NJPW Forbidden Door is coming to London, England next year. The date is August 24th, 2025 with no venue announced yet.

Saraya made her way to the ring on the All In pre-show accompanied by Harley Cameron at the same venue where she captured the AEW Women’s World Title in 2023. As Saraya and Cameron tried to stop the show and demanded respect from the crowd who were anything but respectful, Jamie Hayter returned to save the day as the crowd chanted her name. Hayter set her sights on Saraya who helped cost her the AEW Women’s Title in 2023, but had to make do with dropping Harley Cameron with a vicious clothesline as the London fans went wild for Hayter’s return. Thanks to my buddy Lyle on our site TJRWrestling for that recap.

Let’s get to the main show, which started at 6 p.m. locally in England while it’s a 1 p.m. ET start time for me.

AEW All In London
Sunday, August 25, 2024
From Wembley Stadium in London, England

There was no video package to start the show. They went right to the action. Would I put a video package to start? Yes. I would.

It’s Wembley and you know what that means. The commentary team to start was Excalibur, Nigel McGuinness & Tony Schiavone.

London Ladder Match for the AEW World Trios Championships: The Patriarchy (Christian Cage, Killswitch & Nick Wayne) (with Mother Wayne) vs. Bang Bang Gang (Juice Robinson, Austin Gunn & Colten Gunn) vs. House of Black (Malakai Black, Brody King & Buddy Matthews) vs. Pac and Blackpool Combat Club (Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta)

The three title belts were hanging above the ring for this ladder match. I missed the first five minutes of this match. It happens.

The story was that Christian Cage ran away, but then he went back down to the ring when he saw the other wrestlers were down. Christian’s ladder climb attempt failed while the other wrestlers beat him up on the floor. Mother Wayne did a slow climb that didn’t work because The Gunns stopped her. Killswitch hit a double Chokeslam on both Gunns. Killswitch also hit a Chokeslam on Juice and Pac. Killswitch headbutted Claudio and then gave Yuta Chokeslam on Claudio’s back. Killswitch with a Chokeslam on Buddy on the apron. Killswitch gave Black a Chokeslam onto a ladder bridge against the turnbuckle. Nick Wayne hit Wayne’s World on King through the table on the floor. Killswitch tried to climb to get the titles, but Christian stopped his own guy so Christian could try to climb. Yuta and Juice shoved the ladder over. House of Black took control with a cannonball/kick combo. The Gunns hit 310 To Yuma on King. Claudio was back in with uppercuts on both Gunns. Claudio gave Juice the Giant Swing. Pac hit a Red Arrow splash off the top onto Juice on the floor. Pac and Yuta each hit dives onto two guys on the floor. The Gunns used chairs to hit Claudio and King in the back during their climbing attempts. The Gunns and Juice brought tables into the ring. King and Claudio each climbed up with the Gunns on their backs, so then King and Claudio each fell back with the Gunns to put all four guys through tables.

The match continued with Nick hitting Wayne’s World On Buddy. Black sent a ladder into Wayne’s head. Juice sent Black to the apron where Black hit a knee to the head. Nick hit a jumping kick to knock Black out of the ring. Nick jumped onto Black’s black and Nick gave Black a Canadian Destroyer through a table on the floor. That was a bit awkward, but it worked. Juice set up a huge ladder, climbed up top and then Christian shoved the ladder, so Juice was crotched on the top rope. Pac jumped off the top, which led to Christian hitting Pac with a chair and Christian hit the Killswitch through the chair that was opened up in the ring. Yuta climbed a ladder, so Christian sprayed some dreaded spray in the head. Christian hit a ladder that was on Yuta’s back. Juice knocked down Christian in the ring and Juice stopped Mother from using the dreaded spray, so Juice sprayed the dreaded spray in Mother’s face. Killswitch gave Juice a Chokeslam through the table on the floor. The table didn’t break. Buddy climbed the ladder at the same time as Christian and Buddy threw a ladder at Killswitch to stop him. Christian jumped off a ladder and gave Buddy a Spear through a table against the turnbuckle. Killswitch picked up Christian and put Christian on his shoulders to help Christian climb up top. That led to Pac getting back up and the fans cheering the Englishman as Pac kicked Christian down onto Luchasaurus. Pac grabbed one of the titles so his team got the win. It went 18:50.

Winners AND NEW AEW Trios Champions: Pac, Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta

Analysis: ***1/2 It was a very good match most of the way, but I wouldn’t call it some epic ladder match. That means the team that only had one match together before this match ended up in the match and left with the Trios Tag Team Titles. This ladder match had 12 guys in it and far too much of it was spent between two guys in the ring wrestling while the other ten guys had to wait on the floor doing nothing. The main story of the match was that Killswitch could have gotten the win numerous times, but Christian didn’t want him to win and Killswitch had to try to help Christian win the match even after Christian was put through a table. That cost that team the win because Pac was able to get back into it and get the win for his team.

After the match, Christian Cage was furious about the loss. The fans were cheering for fellow Englishman Pac, who celebrated with Claudio & Yuta. House of Black shook hands with Pac as a sign of respect.

A video package aired for the AEW Women’s World Title match between champion “Timeless” Toni Storm and her former ally Mariah May, who turned on Storm after earning a title shot. It has been one of the best storylines going into All In.

AEW Women’s World Championship: “Timeless” Toni Storm (w/Luther) vs. Mariah May

Good crowd reactions for Storm. May is from London, but she was being booed as the heel in the match.

Storm and May had a staredown to start the match. May got some offense early on with a running dropkick to knock Storm down. They showed Mina Shirakawa watching in a skybox. Rachel Ellering was beside her, but she wasn’t mentioned. May hit a two handed chop to the chest. Storm and May exchanged chops followed by Storm hitting a DDT. May avoided a hip attack leading to May delivering a kick to the head. May hit an impressive Powerbomb off the apron to the floor. May spit on Luther while on the floor. Back in the ring, May hit a headscissors off the turnbuckle for a two count. May hit Storm with a hard slap while the fans chanted for the champion Storm. May hit a belly-to-back suplex leading to Storm going to the floor. May jumped off the apron with a running knee on Storm on the floor. Nigel was applauding, so May kissed Nigel on the head. May hit a running dropkick on Luther, who bumped into the barricade. May slapped a woman in the crowd and Excalibur said it was May’s own mother. Storm kicked May to knock her down. Storm rammed May’s head (more like hands) into the steel steps a few times. Storm hit a Storm Zero on May on the steel steps. Storm hugged May’s mother. May was bleeding from the forehead so she did a blade job or something to get some blood going. Tony: “Oh yeah.” Nigel called Tony a sadist for saying that. Nigel is great on commentary supporting the heels.

They were back into the ring with Storm doing the ten punch combo against the turnbuckle while May was bleeding. Storm tossed May across the ring. May spit at Storm, so Storm punched May and Storm hit a sitout spinebuster for two. May hit a roundhouse kick while on the apron. May went up top and hit a missile dropkick. May hit a running hip attack against the turnbuckle. May hit the running hip attack two more times. Storm was back up with a clothesline and German Suplex. Storm hit her own running hip attack. Storm hit the Storm Zero for one…two…no because May kicked out. Good nearfall since it is Storm’s finisher. May held a hand up with a middle finger. They exchanged strikes, then they moved the referee aside, May did a low blow kick, Storm did a low blow kick and May-Storm did a double headbutt so both women were down selling. When they got back up, May hit her Mayday slam off her shoulders for a two count. May tried grabbing the Women’s Title, but Luther grabbed it and gave May the middle finger salute. May grabbed the bloody shoe, Storm took the shoe from her and Storm cried instead of hitting May with the show. May got a jackknife pin for two. May hit a running knee to the back of the head and a running knee to the head. May hit her own version of Storm Zero for the one…two…and three! It went 15:14.

Winner by pinfall AND AEW Women’s World Champion: Mariah May

Analysis: ***3/4 I liked the match and the result because May was the right person to win the title. This was the right place for it too. The fact that May beat Storm with Storm’s own finisher was a fitting end since May impersonated Storm many times while they were allies and also when they were rivals, so having May win with that move is a good call. I thought there were a lot of good nearfalls throughout the match while the fans were really into it.

Mariah May celebrated with the AEW Women’s World Title along with the Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Title as well. Toni Storm took a long time to get back to her feet while the fans sang her name like they did throughout the match.

There was a video package for the FTW Championship match between “The Learning Tree” Chris Jericho and Hook. This feud has been going on for several months.

Chris Jericho: “Hi guys. I am The Learning Tree.” Jericho and had his band Fozzy there while Jericho sang on his way to the ring. Taz replaced Nigel McGuinness for commentary at this point.

FTW Championship: Chris Jericho (w/Big Bill & Bryan Keith) vs. Hook

FTW Championship matches have rules where anything goes. Hook had some tape over his left eye to sell the fire attack from a few months ago.

Jericho got help from Bill and Keith to start the match. Bill splashed Hook against the turnbuckle and Jericho hit a Codebreaker for two. Hook suplexed Keith and sent Bill out of the ring. Hook hit a German Suplex on Jericho followed by an overhead suplex across the ring. Jericho hit a forearm to the throat followed by a Lionsault for two. Jericho dumped out a bag of cricket balls in the ring. Hook gave Jericho a belly-to-back suplex that didn’t hit any of the balls. Hook got a cricket bat that said “Hi Guys” on it so it was a Jericho bat. Hook hit Keith and Bill at the back. Hook hit Jericho with the cricket bat and threw some of the cricket balls at Jericho. Hook hit a Cricket T-Bone Suplex. Keith went into the ring and hit Hook with a trash can lid to the head. Jericho trapped Hook in a Walls of Jericho that was more like a regular Boston Crab. Hook got out of that easily followed by his own Walls of Jericho until Big Bill made the save by hitting Hook in the back. Bill set up a table on the floor while Keith put a barbed wire board on the table. Bill tried a slam through the table, but Hook broke free and sent Bill into the ring post. Jericho hit a thumb to the good eye. Hook was selling like he couldn’t see, so Jericho hit a clothesline. Jericho hit Hook with a trash can to the head. Hook came back with a T-Bone Suplex. Hook the eye tape off and said that he can see. Taz: “Working everybody. I love it.” Yes, what a riveting storyline. Now that’s sarcasm. Hook hit another overhead suplex. The fans love Big Bill, who grabbed Hook on the apron. Jericho had a pool cue that he swung, Hook moved and the pool cue hit Bill, who bumped through the barbed wire table. Keith hit Hook with an object leading to a two count for Jericho. Taz said that if that’s how they are going to play then he’ll play by his rules. Taz applied the Tazmission to Keith on the floor (the fans loved it) and Hook applied the Redrum submission on Jericho in the ring. Jericho quit, so Hook got the submission win at 10:14.

Winner by pinfall AND NEW FTW Champion: Hook

Analysis: **3/4 It was okay, but nothing special. It was probably a good move to keep it only around ten minutes because it was everything it needed to be with Hook getting the title back. Hook essentially won a 3-on-1 handicap match thanks to his father Taz taking care of Keith while Big Bill took the big table bump. The story of the match wasn’t that exciting at all although the result was the right move with Hook getting the win. I’m a Jericho fan historically, but I haven’t enjoyed “The Learning Tree” era that much.

After the match, Hook hugged his father Taz at ringside and the fans cheered that. Cool moment.

The AEW World Tag Team Title match was up next with The Young Bucks defending against The Acclaimed and FTR. There was a video package to set that up.

It was FTR up first followed by the AEW Tag Team Championships. The Acclaimed made their entrance with Max Caster doing a rap on his way to the ring. Anthony Bowens fired up the crowd by letting us know that The Acclaimed has arrived.

AEW Tag Team Championships: The Young Bucks (Matthew & Nicholas Jackson) vs. FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) vs. The Acclaimed (Max Caster & Anthony Bowens) (w/Billy Gunn)

Two guys were legal in the ring while the other four guys had to wait on the apron to tag in. First fall wins.

There was some fast paced action to start and then it slowed down a bit. The Bucks took turns working over Cash a bit. Cash came back with an uppercut on Nick. Cash got a hold of Nick leading to a powerslam. Bowens tagged Cash to become legal, so Bowens unloaded with a forearm to Nick and a Fameasser leg drop on the back of Matt’s head. Bowens superkicked Nick for two. The Acclaimed set up both Bucks on top of eachother and then Bowens hit the Scissor Me Timbers leg drop to the groin/leg area. The Acclaimed did their scissor celebration. Dax went into the ring with three German Suplexes on Bowens. Matt tagged Bowens to become legal. Dax gave Nick a back body drop and Dax hit a German Suplex on both Bucks at the same time. Cash and Dax each hit a German Suplex on a Young Buck at the same time. I don’t know who was legal in the match and it’s not like the announcers care and the referee doesn’t care. There was a double suplex spot followed by three guys trying top rope splashes, but the knees were up all three times so they were block. All six guys did double clothesline spots to knock them all down. Dax and Matt were legal apparently as Dax planted Matt with a DDT. Nick jumped off the top with a hurricanrana on Cash. Nick tried a top rope move, but Cash shoved Nick, who did a moonsault onto two guys on the floor. The Acclaimed hit Shatter Machine on Nick for two because Dax’s legs were facing the outside the ring, so Nick pulled the referee out f the ring to stop the count. Nick hit a superkick on Gunn. Nick hit a facebuster on Dax and a DDT on the floor. Cash hit Nick with a forearm to knock him out of the ring. Matt and Max hit an EVP Trigger on Harwood. Caster and Cash hit a Shatter Machine on Matt as well. Bowens broke up a pin attempt by hitting a Blockbuster on Cash, who landed on top of Dax while he was pinning Matt.

The Acclaimed isolated Matt for a double team move, but Nick saved his brother. Both Bucks hit low blow kicks on both Acclaimed guys while the referee didn’t see it. The Young Bucks hit double superkicks on Cash, Max and Bowens in succession and Bowens kicked out of Matt’s pin attempt. Nick tossed a title in the ring, the referee took it out, so Matt had another title. Gunn went into the ring and hit Matt with a Fameasser on the title belt. The referee was really slow and didn’t see it. Bowens hit The Arrival and Caster hit a top rope elbow on Matt for two because Nick broke up the pin. I have no idea of Caster was really legal there. Cash hit a suicide dive on both Acclaimed guys on the floor. Dax sent Matt into Nick on the apron and Nick came back with a belt shot to Dax’s head for a two count. I thought Caster was just legal since he got a nearfall? The Bucks hit the EVP Trigger (double knee) on Dax and Matt covered for the pinfall win at 12:05.

Winners by pinfall: The Young Bucks (Matthew & Nicholas Jackson)

Analysis: ***1/4 It was a solid tag team match, but I don’t think it was up to the level of some of the great AEW tag team matches of the past. The match was very confusing because it looked like two guys were legal to start the match, yet moments after Max Caster got a nearfall, they had Matt Jackson pin Dax Harwood to get the win. It’s very confusing when you don’t try to follow any rules. I got my pick right because I thought there would be a lot of title changes on this show, so I picked The Young Bucks to retain.

The Grizzled Young Veterans duo of Zack Gibson and James Drake confronted The Young Bucks in the ring. The fans liked that. The Bucks didn’t seem interested in a fight so the Bucks left the ring. GYV attacked FTR. Gibson & Drake did a clothesline/sweep kick combo on Cash. GYV celebrated.

Analysis: It’s good to see GYV in AEW. They are a talented team.

The Casino Gauntlet Match was next. It’s a match that can end at any time.

Casino Gauntlet Match

The winner of this match gets an AEW World Title match whenever he wants it.

It was Orange Cassidy and AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada to start the match. The match can end at any time and there is not set limit about how many people in the match. They exchanged pin attempts a few times. After Okada hit a flatiner, it was time for the next guy to get there.

The #3 entrant was Nigel McGuinness, who got a huge pop from the crowd as an Englishman who hasn’t wrestled in over a decade. The fans were on fire singing “Oh Nigel McGuinness” to the tune of the White Stripes Seven Nation Army song as usual. Nigel exchanged strikes with Okada leading to Nigel slapping Okada in the head. Orange was on the floor doing nothing for several minutes. When Orange got into the ring, Nigel hit him with a clothesline.

In at #4 is Kyle O’Reilly to a mild reaction. Kyle hit a jawbreaker on Nigel and a PK kick to the chest. Kyle wrenched Okada’s knee against the ropes. Kyle hit Nigel with a knee to the head as Okada made the save. Nigel with a headbutt to the ribs of Okada and then Kyle gave Okada an armbar. Nigel and Kyle applied submission holds while Orange finally went back into the ring and hit Stundog Millionaire. Kyle kicked Okada and Orange/Kyle hit a high/low combination.

There’s another Englishman in the match because #5 in the match is Zack Sabre Jr., who won the NJPW Climax tournament earlier this month. Sabre went into the ring where knocked Kyle and Orange out of the ring. Nigel and Zack faced off, so the fans cheered a lot for the two British wrestlers. Nigel hit Zack with uppercuts to the chest. Zack countered a move from Nigel for a two count. Okada shoved Nigel down and Nigel went out of the ring. Okada fought out of a submission attempt by Zack and hit a neckbreaker. Okada gave ach a body slam. Okada jumped off the top with an elbow drop. Zack tied up Okada’s legs in a submission and then Zack held Kyle’s arms.

The #6 spot belonged to Roderick Strong, who didn’t get much of a reaction while representing the Undisputed Kingdom group. Strong gave Kyle a slam onto Sabre’s back. Strong gave Orange a backbreaker. Strong gave Kyle a backbreaker after Okada hit a dropkick. It was time for another entrant quickly.

There was a big pop for #7 Mark Briscoe, who is the ROH World Champion. When Mark got in the ring, he cleaned house with strikes. Mark dove onto somebody on the floor. Kyle applied an ankle lock on Zack and then Kyle hit a belly to back suplex. Mark dove onto Zack on the floor. Kyle set up a chair, so Mark jumped off the chair with a somersault dive onto Nigel & Strong on the floor.

Here comes former AEW World Champion “Hangman” Adam Page looking angry as the #8 entrant in the match. Orange jumped onto Page, but Page tossed him down. Page clotheslined Mark and slammed Kyle onto Mark in the ring. Page cleared the ring as he caught a leaping Orange and gave him a fallaway slam. Page took care of three guys on the floor including a Powerbomb on the apron. Page caught Orange going for an Orange Punch and Page hit Beach Break for two because Mark Briscoe mad the save.

It’s Jeff Jarrett (with Karen Jarrett) as the #9 man in the match and he’s had an issue with Hangman Page. The fans popped big for Jarrett, who is likely the oldest man in the match. The ring was empty again as Jeff and Page exchanged punches. The wrestlers ran into the ring so Jeff could punch them. It looked so silly as everybody bumped to the floor after taking a punch. Jeff did a strut, which drew a pop. After Jeff punched Page ten times, Page picked him up and gave Jeff a Powerbomb over the top onto other wrestlers on the floor. Page got a hold of Karen on the apron, but then Page let go.

There was an “R” on the screen and here comes Ricochet making his AEW debut as the #10 entrant. The fans popped huge for it. The announcers shouldn’t have spoken and just let the visual tell the story, but they literally spoke over it while Taz said “let’s just lay out” meaning let’s be quiet. Excalibur followed up saying that the rumors are true because Ricochet is All Elite. Ricochet did a headscissors followed by a dropkick. Tony Schiavone had to overreact like he’s never seen a wrestler like him before. Ricochet was on fire with jumping kicks and a springboard clothesline. Ricochet did a handspring kick to knock Strong off the apron to the floor. Ricochet did a springboard Shooting Star Press onto a bunch of dudes on the floor. Great spot that he makes look easy. Ricochet went up top, but Page was there to stop him with a punch.

It is time for Christian Cage as the #11 man in the match even though he had a match earlier in the night. Christian was limping a bit as he slowly made his way down to the ring. When Christian went ringside, Ricochet jumped off the top and hit a cross body block on Christian on the floor. Ricochet knocked Strong out of the ring. Page hit a Buckshot Lariat on Ricochet, but Okada broke up the pin. Tony wanted Christian to hit Nigel. Page clotheslined Okada. Karen grabbed Page’s foot on the apron, so Jeff smashed Page with a guitar to the head. Okada hit the Rainmaker on Jarrett. Okada with a lariat to Sabre. There was an armbar by Sabre on Okada. Orange got a rollup on Sabre for two. Orange did an Orange Punch to Okada. Sabre and Orange exchanged pin attempts. Orange hit Orange Punch on Sabre. Strong hit his End of Heartache move onto the knees on Orange. Mark hit the Froggy Bow off the top onto Strong. Nigel faced off against Mark and Kyle, which led to Nigel hitting the Tower of London neckbreaker on Kyle for two. Strong was back in with a knee on Nigel. Nigel came back with the bounce back clothesline on Kyle. Christian hit a Spear on Nigel, but there was no cover.

A graphic said it was Luchasaurus at #12 instead of Killswitch. That led to Luchasaurus grabbing a hold of Christian in the ring, but then Luchasaurus gave Kyle a Chokeslam. Luchasaurus put Christian on top of Kyle for the pinfall win. It went 26:01.

Winner: Christian Cage

Analysis: **** That was fun like every Casino Gauntlet Match they have done in the past. I enjoy those kinds of matches because you don’t know who is going to be in the match, how many people are going to be in the match or when the match will end. That means you can use a bunch of guys in the match and create some cool moments. It was great to see Ricochet in the match, which I expected, but it was still nice to see him out there doing his thing. My main issue with a match like this is that it was like the ladder match earlier where there’s two people in the ring doing spots and guys are on the floor for minutes at a time doing nothing.

After the match, Christian Cage hugged Luchasaurus. Christian Cage had a contract that gives him an AEW World Title shot whenever he wants it. Nick Wayne and Mother Wayne arrived to celebrate with Christian as well.

Analysis: The contract that Christian has works like a Money in the Bank contract where Christian can cash in at any time, so it will be interesting to see if they put the AEW World Title on him.

The AEW American Championship match between champion MJF and Will Ospreay was up next. That’s going to be fun.

There was a special introduction for England’s own Will Ospreay. They had some dancers out on the stage. That was followed by a video with a mysterious voice talking about Ospreay’s career story from NJPW before he landed in AEW. They showed Ospreay doing the Tiger Driver to Bryan Danielson and then the hesitation against other people. It was like a samurai video or something that ended with the voice saying: “We are assassins.” There were people holding signs by the entrance plugging Assassins Creed: Shadows which is available on November 15, so it’s a video game. Will Ospreay made his entrance with the fans singing his theme song. That was cool.

Maxwell Jacob Friedman made his entrance wearing a full red, white and blue robe representing the colors of the United States of America. Tony said that MJF didn’t care about America, he just did this to piss off the England fans. Yes Tony, we know. Anyway, Tony kept on ranting about MJF, who was carrying the AEW American Championship. MJF also had USA colored trunks on them as well. They even had a giant American flag above the ring with MJF’s head replacing the stars on the flag. They said that MJF’s Dynamite Diamond Ring was stolen, which is probably just part of the storyline. The fans booed the giant flag, which went away quickly.

AEW American Championship: Maxwell Jacob Friedman vs. Will Ospreay

The match started by exchanging punches. MJF did an eye poke that the referee didn’t see. Will got some offense going when MJF was out of the ring and Will did a handspring backflip over the top onto MJF on the floor. Will went for the running elbow, but MJF avoided that and MJF did some eye-gouging on the mat. MJF tossed Will out of the ring. There were streamers everywhere around the ring. MJF sent Will right-shoulder first into the barricade. MJF broke the referee’s count even though the referee wasn’t counting because it’s AEW. MJF hit a running kick to the head. Will charged at MJF on the floor leading to MJF hitting a back body drop on the floor. Will got back up and went for an Oscutter, but MJF countered and they exchanged pin attempts. MJF blocked a move on the shoulders and then MJF hit a Powerbomb on the knee for two. Will hit a jumping kick to the head. MJF did a hair pull to stop another move. MJF teased the kangaroo kick that he did last year and MJF hit the kangaroo kick, which is a dropkick that includes a loud leg slap. Will shoved MJF away to stop a move followed by Will hitting a springboard forearm smash that some might say was phenomenal. Will did a backflip over MJF, who did an eye poke and a celebration. Will came back with a kick along with a handspring knee to the head for two. MJF did a snot rocket, so Will knocked him down followed by his own snot rocket and Will did a twisting splash onto MJF for two. MJF left the ring, so Will fired up the crowd an Will went for a dive over the top, but MJF caught him. MJF gave Will a Tombstone piledriver on the floor. MJF yelled at Will for thinking he was special while adding that anybody can flip, you piece of shit. MJF went for a moonsault, but Will avoided it and Will hit a Spanish Fly on the floor. Will set up MJF on the ropes, MJF had to hold onto the bottom rope for about ten seconds and then Will hit a Shooting Star Press to the back for two. The move looks great, but having a guy wait on the ropes by holding the ropes looks silly. I like the result. I just think they could set that up better.

Will went for a Stormbreaker, but MJF got out of it and Max hit Cross Rhodes for a two count. MJF called for a brainbuster, but Will countered with a neckbreaker. Will jumped off the ropes with an Oscutter for a two count. Will hit two kicks to the face leading to an Oscutter off the top rope for a two count because MJF had his left foot on the bottom rope. Will lifted up MJF, who faked a knee injury, which caused Will to hesitate and then MJF hit a piledriver for two. They exchanged some moves leading to MJF hitting a rolling elbow to the jaw. Will picked up MJF leading to a Stormbreaker for a two count. MJF managed to counter whatever Will was trying. They were on the apron where MJF jumped off the middle turnbuckle with a Canadian Destroyer on the apron, so Will bumped to the floor. The referee did a count (after not counting many times before) while Will was on the floor, but Will got back in just before the ten count. The fans were singing/chanting for Will again. MJF wanted a kick to the head, but Will collapsed. Will avoided a move and came back with a superkick. Will gave MJF an Oscutter on the apron, which sounds way more painful for Will than it does for MJF. The fans chanted “this is awesome” as both guys were down about 20 minutes into this match. MJF was on the floor so Will jumped off the apron with a Hidden Blade elbow attack, but MJF moved and Will hit a camera guy by accident. I assume it was a wrestler that took the bump.

Will showed concern for the guy he hit on the floor, so he took about a minute to get into the ring. The referee was looking at the floor, so MJF hit an elbow shot to the head for two. MJF hit a brainbuster for two. MJF went for his own elbow shot, but Will moved and MJF elbowed MJF, who knocked referee Bryce Remsburg out of the ring. MJF bit Will in the head. MJF teased a Tiger Driver, then Will countered it and Will teased it, but MJF hit Will with a low blow uppercut to block that. The referee was down, so he never saw it. MJF had brass knuckles on his hand and he wanted to use them, but somebody stopped it. That person in a hoodie punched MJF. It was Daniel Garcia. The fans popped for that. Will got back up leading to a Hidden Blade elbow to the head. Will teased the Tiger Driver, then he said Tiger Driver 91 and Will hit the Tiger Driver for the one…two…and three! Ospreay wins. It went 25:50.

Winner by pinfall AND NEW AEW International (not American) Champion: Will Ospreay

Analysis: ****1/2 It was an outstanding match that I expected. I’m not going to go five stars like their Dynamite match, but it was still a very entertaining matchup. It was the best match of the night so far. I mentioned in the preview that Daniel Garcia may show up and that he would get involved, but I thought maybe he would help MJF win. Having Garcia cost MJF makes sense since MJF took him out in the past. MJF came close to winning a few times after cheating with low blows and things like that, so I liked how that was done in the final few minutes. Ospreay winning with the Tiger Driver is what I said should happen because if he won with another move it wouldn’t be as impactful as winning with the Tiger Driver move that was a big part of the story going into this match. Remember how they said MJF’s Dynamite Diamond Ring was stolen? I assume they will say Garcia was the one who stole it to prevent Max from using it. Anyway, I expected Will to win. That’s the right call.

After the match, referee Bryce Remsburg presented the AEW American Championship, but instead, we saw Christopher Daniels go into the ring with the AEW International Championship. Ospreay celebrated with the AEW International Championship. The fans loved it as Ospreay celebrated with the crowd.

Analysis: This was the kind of match where they should show replays after the match to remind us of all the great moments. Instead, they show zero replays. Why is AEW against replays on these PPV shows? Show the people replays. It’s only going to take a minute or two. It’s not that long.

There was a brief video package for the TBS Championship match between champion Mercedes Mone and challenger Britt Baker.

TBS Championship: Mercedes Mone (w/Kamille) vs. Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D.

Mone sent Baker into the ropes leading to a dropkick. Kamille had the TBS Title and NJPW Strong Women’s Title on her shoulders. Baker went for the Lockjaw submission quickly, but Mone got to the ropes. Baker charged, Mone hit a back elbow and Baker grounded Mone going for a submission again. Mone worked over Baker with elbow strikes, but Baker came back with a superkick. Baker was distracted by Kamille, so Mone took advantage with a backbreaker on the top turnbuckle. Mone hit a sidewalk slam while Baker was holding the back to sell the back injury. Mone hit a sloppy backbreaker for two. The fans weren’t into it much at this point as Mone hit another backbreaker. Mone continued the attack with the Three Amigos suplexes for a two count. The crowd barely reacted to that. Mone went to the turnbuckle, Baker went after her there and Mone gave Baker a body slam off the top turnbuckle. Mone went for a move off the ropes, but Baker got the knees up. Baker went for a Stomp and Mone countered with a Powerbomb. Mone bounced off the ropes leading to Baker hitting a Cutter. Mone charged at Baker with running knees, Baker moved and Baker hit a forearm to the head. Baker hit a neckbreaker. Baker hit Slingblade. Baker hit a double underhook suplex for a two count. Baker took out the glove to set up for the Lockjaw, so the fans woke up a bit for that. Mone countered that submission attempt with a pin for two. Mone hit a neckbreaker for two.

Mone put the dreaded red glove and went for a move, but Baker countered with an Air Raid Crash for two. Baker put the glove back on. The fans do wake up to chant “DMD” on cue but are otherwise silent. Mone went for the Mone Maker, but Baker countered it into a cradle for two. Mone countered a move with a backstabber double knees to the back. Mone went to the turnbuckle, so Baker hit her with a superkick. Mone went for a body slam off the ropes, but Baker flipped over to reverse and Baker landed on top for two. That led to a good reaction from the crowd. Baker hit The Stomp for two because Kamille put Mone’s foot under the bottom rope. You could tell that was coming based on how Baker did the pin. Kamille put the TBS Title on the apron, Mone grabbed the title, the referee took the belt away and Baker superkicked Kamille trying to use the NJPW Strong Women’s Title. Baker bumped to the mat and tossed the title to Kamille, so Baker pulled an Eddie Guerrero move from 20 years ago. The referee ejected Kamille from ringside. That spot always works. Baker sent a charging Mone into the turnbuckle. Baker hit Panama Sunrise and the Stomp for a two count. Baker applied the Lockjaw submission with the dreaded glove, so Mone bit the hand to get out of it. Baker got a backslide for two. Mone sent Baker throat first into the top rope. Mone hit a Mone Maker slam off her back for the pinfall win at 17:25.

Winner by pinfall: Mercedes Mone

Analysis: *** It was okay and had some good moments, but overall I’d call it a disappointing match based on the talent of both women. The first half of the match was really slow paced and the fans weren’t into it at all. If you compare the crowd reaction to this match compared to the Storm/May match earlier then it will tell you the fans cared about the other women’s match a lot more. However, the fans did come alive for some of the creative spots later in the match. I liked the story of the match with Mone working over Baker’s back throughout the match. The finish felt flat because it was just Mone sending Baker throat first into the top rope and then Mone hit the Mone Maker for the win. I think they could have had a better ending than that because the fans barely reacted to it.

There was a video package for the TNT Coffin Match between champion Jack Perry and crazy man Darby Allin.

Darby Allin made his entrance with the dreaded skateboard. Allin had thumbtacks in his face as he made his entrance. Weird guy. There was a coffin at ringside. Jack Perry had a body bag with him, which he brought down to the ring.

Coffin Match for the TNT Championship: Jack Perry vs. Darby Allin

A Coffin Match means anything goes and it ends when one guy is placed into a coffin. You have to close the lid to win the match.

Allin was aggressive against Perry on the floor. Allin went up top and jumped off with a dropkick on Perry, who was sitting on a chair. Allin tried putting Perry into the casket, but that didn’t work. When Perry tried to punch Allin, Perry sold his hand hurting because of Allin’s thumbtacks in the head. Allin ran the ropes leading to a suicide dive while Perry moved and Allin went crashing into the coffin. Ouch. Perry grabbed a “Scapegoat” bag from under the ring. Perry poured out broken glass from the bag. The fans reacted to it as a big deal because of the Perry issues with CM Punk in the past involving real glass and fake glass. Perry went for a move onto the glass, but Perry gave him a back body drop onto the glass. Allin kicked the skateboard onto Perry’s lower back so Perry went onto the glass again. Allin went up top, but Perry tripped him up and Allin went crashing onto the apron to the floor. Perry found a roll of white tape, so he taped Allin’s hands together. Perry sent Allin hard into the barricade. Allin was bleeding from the right side of his head. I’m not sure when he cut himself. Perry charged at Allin, who moved and Allin sent Perry into the steel steps. Allin went up top and hit a Coffin Drop onto Allin on the floor even while Allin’s hands were taped together. Allin put Perry into the coffin, but Perry kicked his way out of it. They went fighting up the ramp where Perry gave Allin a Powerbomb on the ramp. Perry grabbed Allin’s belt and whipped Allin’s back with it. Perry used Allin’s belt to tie Allin’s legs together. Perry tossed Allin off the stage through a table on the floor. It was about a 15 foot drop for Allin going through that table.

Perry brought the black body bag over to where Allin went crashing through the table. Perry put Allin in the body bag and zipped it up nearly all the way. Perry pulled the body bag over to the coffin. Perry put Allin in the bag into the coffin, but Allin was able to get his head free while in the bag. Perry hit a running knee and shut the coffin lid on Allin, who was in the body bag. It went 10:42. Excalibur said it was the first time Allin lost a Coffin Match.

Winner: Jack Perry

Analysis: **3/4 This was okay, but it didn’t really reach a point where I would call it a great match. The match just didn’t work that well. It was a decisive win for Jack Perry winning in dominant fashion. I kept waiting for Allin to make the comeback but it didn’t happen. Since Darby Allin has an AEW World Title match that he already won, he could afford to lose in a match like this. I picked Perry to win so I was fine with the result. I just don’t think this match worked that well. It was really just a bunch of crazy bumps by Allin as usual while Perry looked like a smart heel who meticulously took Allin apart.

Jack Perry celebrated the win with The Young Bucks joining Perry since they are in The Elite together. The Young Bucks had a gasoline can that they poured onto the coffin. Perry teased lighting it on fire, but the lights went out and here comes Sting!

Sting got a massive pop from the crowd as the retired AEW legend went down to the ring with a baseball bat. Sting went into the ring against the three guys from The Elite. When Perry hit Sting in the back, Sting no sold it and Perry ran away. Sting hit a double Scorpion Death Drop on both Young Bucks at the same time. Sting opened up the coffin and pulled out his buddy Darby Allin from the coffin. Allin’s hands and legs were free after all of that.

Analysis: That was a cool moment to see Sting in AEW for the first time since he retired back in March.

There was one match left so it was video package for the AEW World Title match between champion Swerve Strickland and challenger Bryan Danielson, who is putting his career on the line.

A video package aired about Bryan Danielson’s wrestling career. Bryan spoke about how pro wrestling has given him life. There were photos and videos of Bryan with his wife Brie along with daughter Birdie and son Buddy. It ended with a shot of Bryan’s face.

Bryan Danielson made his entrance to The Final Countdown song. The fans exploded for it. Bryan was cheered heavily while the fans were singing along with the Final Countdown song. Bryan greeted his wife Brie along with their kids at ringside. That was a cool entrance and obviously the right song for Bryan in this match.

Swerve Strickland was up next as the AEW World Champion joined by Prince Nana. They had some guys by the stage asking “Whose House?” so the fans could chant “Swerve’s House.” There were two rappers joining Swerve for his entrance down to the ring. A lot of asking “Whose House?” by Prince Nana so the fans could chant “Swerve’s House” as well. Swerve stole that from my LA Rams (his favorite team too), so I like him for that.

The ring announcer Justin Roberts did the championship introductions. He even mentioned the names of Bryan’s wife Brie and their two kids Birdie & Buddy as well. Swerve was cheered just like Bryan was, but the fans were louder for Bryan. Jim Ross joined commentary for this match as well so there were four announcers on the call.

AEW World Championship: Swerve Strickland (w/Prince Nana) vs. Bryan Danielson

If Bryan Danielson loses, he says he will retire. It’s Title vs. Career.

They exchanged chops right away as JR said “Daniel Bryan” less than one minute into the match. I expected that. Swerve hit a hiptoss and then Bryan came back with an armbar that sent Swerve hard into the mat. Swerve countered a move leading to Swerve doing a catapult over the top to the floor. Swerve kicked Bryan in the jaw. Swerve ran the ropes, jumped over the top and Bryan avoided it. Bryan kicked Swerve to knock him down. Bryan hit a springboard cannonball dive onto Swerve on the floor. Back in the ring, Bryan jumped off the top with his knee into the left arm. Bryan jumped off the top rope with a backflip, but Swerve caught a running Bryan with a backbreaker. Swerve hit a suplex. Excalibur said that they could hear Bryan’s daughter Birdie at ringside making noises when sad and happy. Swerve trapped Bryan’s leg against the ropes followed by Swerve dropkicking the left leg. Swerve did a knee drop on the leg. Swerve sent Bryan hard into the turnbuckle leading to Bryan doing a sternum bump into the turnbuckle. Bryan and Swerve exchanged palm strikes to the head. Bryan applied a submission, but they were by the apron where Swerve had Bryan on his shoulders. The referee took a boot from Bryan, which was inadvertent. Swerve called for Nana to do something, so that led to Swerve giving Bryan a Death Valley Driver on the ring bell. Bryan bumped to the floor while the referee was back up after not seeing the bell usage. That was a creative spot to show how Swerve is going to do anything to win. Bryan was on the ground with a bloody forehead, so he did a blade job while Bryan was also holding his neck/shoulder area. They did that spot on the other side of the ring rather than doing it right in front of Bryan’s family.

Swerve stomped on Bryan to keep him down. Swerve asked why did we have to do this because Bryan’s family was there. Swerve jumped off the turnbuckle with an elbow smash to the back. Swerve teased stomping on Bryan’s head in the ring. Swerve dragged Bryan out of the ring and Swerve stomped on Bryan’s head right in front of Brie and the two kids. Swerve told Birdie she’ll get her wish because daddy is coming home. Swerve punched at Bryan’s head while it was bleeding. Swerve gave Bryan a belly-to-back suplex off the top rope. Bryan was bleeding heavily from the forehead. Swerve jumped off the top, but Bryan countered a stomp followed by Bryan applying the Regal Stretch or STF on Swerve, but Swerve managed to get out of it by breaking the grip. Swerve got an up-kick to knock Bryan back, but Bryan came back with a clothesline. Bryan got a backslide pin attempt for two. Bryan ran the ropes leading to a running clothesline. The fans were chanting “YES” for Bryan, who hit two running kicks to the head. Swerve no sold those kicks because he hit a jumping flatliner for a two count. Bryan countered a move leading to a two count. Bryan grabbed Swerve’s arms leading to a Tiger Suplex across the ring. Bryan worked over Swerve with repeated kicks to the chest followed by the roundhouse kick to the head. The Danielson kids were happy now. Bryan set up Swerve on the top rope leading to Bryan hitting an Avalanche Tiger Suplex off the top for a two count. That was a crazy move as Taz pointed out how dangerous it was, but they did it perfectly. Bryan held Swerve’s arms followed by Bryan doing repeated stomps to the head. Bryan applied the Cattle Mutilation submission hold hooking the arms and Swerve was able to get out of it. Swerve picked up Bryan leading to a Vertebreaker. The referee called for Dr. Sampson and others to get into the ring, so they checked on Bryan in the ring. They replayed the spot, which showed the move was done safely. Swerve got the doctors out of the ring.

Swerve went up top and jumped off with a Swerve Stomp to the chest for a two count. Swerve hit a House Call kick to the head. The director missed it by showing a wide angle shot. Swerve hit a second House Call kick. Swerve was behind Bryan as he charged with another House Call kick to the head for two. The fans chanted “YES” going crazy after that. Bryan said “I’m sorry” to his family before Swerve hit that kick. Swerve kicked Bryan in the chest a few times as Bryan looked at his family and Bryan no sold it. Bryan slapped Swerve hard in the family a few times. Bryan hit repeated kicks to the chest and then a triangle choke submission around the head/neck. Bryan nailed a shoulder capture reverse suplex. The fans came alive as Bryan charged with a running Busaiko Knee that sent Swerve into the turnbuckle because Swerve anticipated it, so he avoided it. Swerve hit another House Call kick. Swerve hit the Big Pressure sitout slam for a two count. The fans popped huge for that nearfall. Excalibur claimed that was the first time anybody has kicked out Big Pressure. Swerve taunted Bryan by mocking the “YES” chant so the fans chanted “No” as Swerve did it. There was “Hangman” Adam Page at ringside and he beat up some security guys. Page threw Prince Nana down. Several security guys went down to ringside. Swerve was looking at Page on the floor. Bryan got back up and hit a Busaiko Knee for the one…two…no! What a great nearfall.

Bryan and Swerve locked hands while exchanging forearms. Bryan delivered kicks to the body. Swerve with a headbutt. Bryan got an arm drag. Swerve hit a pump kick. Swerve rolled through going for a move, but Bryan hit another Busaiko Knee to the head. The fans came alive again while the Danielson Family was excited. Bryan hit a running Busaiko Knee to send Swerve into the turnbuckle. Bryan applied the LeBell Lock submission, Swerve looked like he was going to tap, then Swerve broke the grip and Bryan snapped the fingers. Bryan had Swerve locked in a LeBell Lock S Grip and Swerve tapped Bryan on the shoulder so Swerve tapped and Bryan gets the win! It went 26:04.

Winner by submission AND NEW AEW World Champion: Bryan Danielson

Analysis: ***** That was an incredible match. Five stars from me. This was a classic from Bryan selling everything so well and there was so much drama due to the retirement stipulation. Swerve does an excellent job of being an aggressive wrestler who doesn’t let up the whole match, so it’s believable when he is kicking somebody’s ass. I loved the crowd in this match because every time Swerve went for a pin and Bryan kicked out, the fans came alive. The inclusion of Hangman in the match plays into that history with Swerve and you can also have Swerve blame Hangman for causing him to lose. After that, it was all about Bryan hitting the Busaiko Knee several times before putting him away with the LeBell Lock. I thought it was an excellent match that definitely lived up to the hype. I enjoyed it a lot. Swerve had an incredible title reign in terms of match quality and I think he’s a bigger star because of the title reign, that’s for sure. Bryan continues to amaze as one of the best wrestlers ever. Both guys should be proud of that match.

After the match, Bryan Danielson pointed to his family. Claudio Castagnoli, Pac, and Wheeler Yuta went down to ringside to celebrate with Bryan. They brought Bryan’s kids into the ring with Danielson. Brie Danielson went into the ring as well. The Final Countdown played in the arena while the fans were cheering and there was confetti in the building. Bryan’s young son Buddy was going crazy in the ring because he’s a young guy full of energy. Bryan continued to celebrate with the family and the cheering fans. That was the end of the show.

Analysis: That was a cool celebration. I’m guessing Bryan knew he was going to win weeks ago because I doubt he would have brought his kids if he was going to lose in a match like that. I never thought he would lose anyway. Cool moment for one of my favorite wrestlers ever.

AEW All In London had a runtime of 4:00:36 hours on pay-per-view.

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Five Stars of the Show

  1. Bryan Danielson
  2. Will Ospreay
  3. Swerve Strickland/MJF
  4. Mariah May
  5. Christian Cage

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Final Thoughts

It gets an 8.25 out of 10 from me.

I thought it was a very good show, but I’m not rating it as the best AEW PPV of the year because I think Revolution was better. I expected Bryan/Swerve and Ospreay/MJF to be the best matches and they were that. The Bryan/Swerve match I rated highly at five stars because it was such an outstanding match with a lot of great moments. They built to the finish so well. I wasn’t really nervous about Bryan winning because it felt obvious that he was going to win, but credit to both guys for playing their parts perfectly. The Ospreay/MJF match was also what I expected. That felt like the semi-main to me no matter the order of the matches.

Regarding the women’s matches, I liked the May/Storm match a lot more than Mone/Baker, which came across as flat in front of a crowd that wasn’t invested much. The May/Storm match had such a good story and the fans were into it. Plus, May slapped her mom to show how much of a heel she is. Love that. Mariah May is terrific. I do think the Casino Gauntlet Match was excellent and the best of the multi-person matches on the show. I certainly didn’t expect a Christian Cage win so that’s a nice surprise. It’s cool to see Ricochet in AEW officially, but he should have tried to win the match he was in rather than just doing flips. No Jon Moxley, which surprised me a bit. It was cool to see Sting again.

A small complaint that I have is that there were too many gimmicky matches. I didn’t expect the Perry/Allin match to be the worst, but it felt that way to me. Chris Jericho’s match with Hook bored me. The three-team tag team match with Young Bucks/FTR/Acclaimed really didn’t come close to being as good as some of the matches with those teams. Regular tags are better. Even the ladder match with 12 guys, that one was okay, but way too many guys sitting on the floor doing nothing for most of it.

I rated this All In a bit higher than last year. The stories going in were stronger and I think the big matches delivered, so that’s important. I enjoyed the event.

Here are my AEW PPV reviews of 2024 so far:

Revolution: 9 out of 10 – March 3 (Sting & Darby Allin vs. The Young Bucks)

All In London – 8.25 – August 25 (Bryan Danielson vs. Swerve Strickland)

Double Or Nothing 8.25 – May 27 (Anarchy In The Arena: The Elite – The Young Bucks, Kazuchika Okada & Jack Perry vs. Team AEW – Bryan Danielson, FTR & Darby Allin)

Dynasty: 8.25 – April 21 (Swerve Strickland vs. Samoa Joe)

Forbidden Door: 7.5 – June 30 (Swerve Strickland vs. Will Ospreay)

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