“I’m still on a high from it,” Mone said. “Last year I was just a fan in attendance with a broken heel dreaming about which company I’m going to be in. Now this year performing at All In at Wembley was such a dream come true, it was so amazing, the crowd was electric and I can’t wait to do it all again next year at All In in Dallas, Texas. It’s been such an exciting time for professional wrestling because of AEW — and I enjoy being the face of TBS.”
There was a 31-year break between London’s Wembley Stadium hosting WWF SummerSlam 1992 and AEW All In 2023. Though All In will be in Texas next year, AEW is bringing the pay-per-view back to Wembley in 2026.
In addition to holding the TBS Championship, Mone is the NJPW Strong Women’s Champion. She’s defending the latter belt against Stardom’s Momo Watanabe at NJPW Capital Collision tonight (August 30).
Tony Khan and other AEW stars spoke to the media following AEW All In.
Bryan Danielson, Mercedes Mone, Hook, Will Ospreay, and Khan all spoke to the media following Sunday’s show at Wembley Stadium. Here are the highlights:
Bryan Danielson
He said tonight is the favorite moment of his entire career as it’s the first time his daughter can remember him wrestling in addition to his sons.
He hasn’t thought about his future past tonight and isn’t sure what’s going to happen. He said he will be in Champaign, Illinois, this Wednesday and may have an announcement then.
He was asked if he would like to end his career at WrestleDream. Danielson said that All In is his sole focus.
Danielson was interested in facing Zack Sabre Jr. again, saying he’d love to wrestle at the Tokyo Dome and there is no one he’d rather wrestle there than him.
Bryan Danielson said he picked Final Countdown as a joke, mentioning he saw it on a 100 Worst Songs of All time list and illegally downloaded it on Napster. He had no idea when he picked it years ago it would be playing in front of 50,000 people.
Dave Meltzer asked Danielson’s daughter Birdie if she wanted to visit Australia or Tokyo, teasing potential places for Danielson to wrestle. Birdie said she would like to.
Mariah May
May read off a piece of paper, saying Toni Storm’s career was now dead, dying of natural causes because she’s naturally better than her in every way. May called Storm a “stupid, washed up t***.” She ended by saying a star was born today, and today AEW is officially All About Mariah. She then walked away without taking any questions.
Mercedes Mone
Mone said at one point that the storylines in the women’s division were better than the men.
She was asked about training at Mark Andrews’ new wrestling school, New Wave Academy. She said it was only ten minutes from the building, so she loved being able to go down and train.
A person asked about her recent divorce and what advice she had for people in similar situations. Mone’s advice was to just follow your heart.
Hook
Hook said that the idea of coming out to his father’s theme song was his own idea.
When someone said that the FTW title was brought into the company as a joke, Tony Khan corrected him and explained the storyline that brought the title into the company.
One person asked when he would like to go for the AEW World Championship. Hook said the sooner, the better.
Will Ospreay
Regarding Ricochet, who made his debut on Sunday, Ospreay said he was interested in the match, but Ricochet would have to work for it. He referenced their match at the Best of the Super Juniors tournament eight years ago.
When asked if he would like to work in Mexico, he said he didn’t think he’d last there, but his friends had given him positive reviews. Ospreay said that it was about time he “hopped on over” to Arena Mexico.
Ospreay said he was a fan of the Assassin’s Creed game and thanked game developer Ubisoft for their involvement on his entrance, saying he was now an actual assassin.
Tony Khan
When asked about Big Bill’s warm reception during All In week, Tony Khan said that it was something that can be leaned into.
Regarding Daniel Garcia, Tony Khan said he wouldn’t get into specifics regarding his contract but it was a good sign that he was there at All In.
Khan was asked about getting tax credits in Ohio and if they would be doing something similar there like in Arlington. Khan said he couldn’t comment on the tax credit, but did say they would be returning to Ohio in the future.
Tony Khan went into detail when someone asked about AEW’s creative process. He said that around 27 people are involved, and repeatedly compared it to a football team and their coaches. It’s a lot of people contributing ideas and everyone puts something in. At the end of the day, he’s the one that has to decide and half of them end up not being used. He reiterated that pro wrestling was a sport.
He mentioned some of the people involved, saying that Jennifer Pepperman works with Mercedes, but may work with other people. RJ City got involved in the process by knowing the All About Eve references in the Mariah May/Toni Storm storyline. Khan said that Jimmy Jacobs gets “so much s***” online but doesn’t put in as many ideas as people think he does. He also put people over like Christopher Daniels, Pat Buck, Sonjay Dutt, Jerry Lynn, and Sarah Stock.
Khan also referenced booking Collision as of late. Without saying CM Punk’s name, Khan said that the show is easier to book than it was last year, and the locker room environment is a lot better.
He also said that Sting and Bryan Danielson were two of the most unselfish people in the business. He said that the first time he’s ever cried in pro wrestling was tonight during Danielson’s scrum with Birdie.
When asked about Nigel McGuiness’ status following his surprise in-ring return on Sunday, Khan said he would continue to do commentary. He noted that it was interesting that it was Christian Cage who attacked him after McGuiness spent so much time praising Cage as of late on commentary.
AEW All In is now confirmed to be returning to London’s Wembley Stadium in 2026.
A lower-third graphic during Sunday’s broadcast showed as much, later followed up on by a post by the venue’s X account nearly 30 minutes after the show ended:
It will be the third-such All In from the famed London stadium after last year’s debut and this year’s return. Next year’s All In will emanate from Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, for the first time ever.
When AEW head Tony Khan first made the announcement about the annual pay-per-view heading to Texas, he said that All In would return to London but didn’t specifically say Wembley Stadium.
AEW will also return to the city for Forbidden Door which will be held in August for the first time ever and overseas for the first time ever. The venue has not been announced, but it assumed to be for one of the city’s indoor arenas instead.
As of this writing, attendance has not been publicly announced for this year’s All In but based on data from WrestleTix, distributed tickets were over 53,000. No live gate has been announced or teased by Khan either.
The following is an opinion-based review that reflects the views of the author and not the website.
What a difference a year makes.
A year ago at All In, Will Ospreay slummed it with Chris Jericho, Swerve Strickland was taking the pin as the least important person in a tag team match, and CM Punk was the “real” AEW World Champion. It’s safe to say things have changed for the better in many ways.
Last year’s card, while a historic achievement, was disappointing bell-to-bell with very few memorable moments other than, well, you know. This year, we have significantly less backstage turmoil, Bryan Danielson’s career on the line, and the culmination of the best story AEW has told with Toni Storm and Mariah May. I’m excited, you’re excited, let’s preview All In from London’s Wembley Stadium.
Casino gauntlet match for a future AEW World title shot
There’s much more to say about Hangman Page’s current character, but that is better served for when he gets a showcase match. For now, I’ll say this is the most interesting he’s been in AEW. The transformation from an unsure, anxious, millennial cowboy to an obsessed, spiraling, vengeance-seeking monster has been wonderful. He’s consumed with taking everything from a person whose name he can’t even bring himself to say. I don’t know much, but I do know he shouldn’t win this match so he can continue his slow descent into total madness. My preferred method of him losing would involve Jeff Jarrett, leading a match at All Out.
Prediction: Not Hangman Page
FTW Champion Chris Jericho defends against Hook
No, thank you.
Prediction: Absolutely not
AEW Trios Champions The Patriarchy (Christian Cage, Killswitch & Nick Wayne) defends against House of Black (Malakai Black, Brody King & Buddy Matthews) vs. Bang Bang Gang (Juice Robinson, Austin & Colten Gunn) and Wheeler Yuta, Claudio Castagnoli & PAC in a ladder match
Christian Cage, who made his name wrestling in historic ladder matches in WWE, gets another chance to shine on the biggest stage. And what a deserved spot it is. He remains the most bankable performer in AEW. Whether it’s on interviews, pre-tapes, matches, or even refereeing, everything he does is worth seeing. He is remarkably sure and so certain about what his character is saying or doing at all times. I continue to be astonished that the man is 50 and performing at this high a level.
Is this the match that breaks up the Patriarchy? They’ve been planting seeds for a Killswitch, nee Luchasaurus, departure for some time now. Count me as someone who does not give one single hoot about that, but it’s probably time to move that story forward. His turning on Christian will never get a better reaction than it will at Wembley, so maybe it’s time to pull the trigger.
If not the Patriarchy, then who? These titles were never better than with the spooky boys in the House of Black. They’ll win them back Sunday.
Prediction: House of Black
TNT Champion Jack Perry defends against Darby Allin in a coffin match
Some overdue appreciation for the lunatic Darby Allin is in order. I’ve watched him for almost as long as he’s been wrestling, nearly perishing in community theaters in suburbs north of Boston, dingy social clubs, you name it. For a while, I didn’t get it. I didn’t understand why people loved the guy whose job seemed like it was to perish every weekend in front of 87 people. He was young and I was young, and we both changed. The insane daredevil feats began to take on meaning. He wasn’t doing this because it was all he could do to get over, he was doing it because this is who he is. Someone willing to put his body through almost unimaginable circumstances for the love of the game. Well, that and a generous serving of masochism. He has become one of the most reliable performers in wrestling, showing out equally on Rampage and the biggest shows.
All that flowery prose is a long-winded way of saying that there are leagues between Darby and Perry as performers. No matter how hard he tries, Perry isn’t it. He’s missing that extra 5% that makes someone special. Even the residual CM Punk-related heat has dissipated. He’s a generic, replaceable heel on the roster. The easy solution is to put the belt back on Darby, and get it back on TV…except I don’t think that’s going to happen. Young Jack has only defended the title once, against Marko Stunt of all people, and just fashioned himself a new belt. If he’s ever going to be taken seriously, he has to win.
Prediction: Perry retains
TBS Champion Mercedes Mone defends against Britt Baker
A technical masterpiece this will not be, and an attempt at one would serve neither of these two. The appeal of Mone is not so much her tight, clean ring work. It’s her overwhelming desire to bump like a freak for whoever she’s in the ring with. There is no spot she won’t take. She sees the bumps Darby Allin takes and her mind kicks into overdrive trying to think about how she can rag doll herself around the ring. Do you know how insane you must be to do multiple meteoras every match? My body screams and cries getting out of bed half the time and she’s willingly ravaging her knees.
For the record, all of this is meant as a tremendous compliment — she’s one of the best big-match performers in modern wrestling. Her dedication to giving all of her body in every match is part of what people connect with. We don’t connect with a larger-than-life CEO character. The contrary is true; we reject people like that. But what we do connect with is someone willing to push the flexibility of their spine to its absolute limit. The finisher still has to go, though.
This is the match Baker has always wanted and is as big of a women’s match as there is in AEW: the foundation of the women’s division against its biggest star and Baker’s first big match after an extended absence. The crowd is ready to see her again next to the first few notes of Will Ospreay’s theme song and “The Final Countdown” playing for Bryan Danielson.
“The Doctor will see you now” blasting from the Wembley speakers will be the pop of the night. Unfortunately for everyone’s favorite wrestling dentist, she won’t be adding any gold on Sunday.
Prediction: Mercedes retains
AEW Tag Team Champions The Young Bucks (Matthew & Nicholas Jackson) defend against FTR (Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood) and The Acclaimed (Anthony Bowens & Max Caster) in a three-way
The Young Bucks have always been divisive, but regardless of which side of the fence your opinion falls, one thing remained true: they always showed up and delivered. Now? I’m not so sure. They’ve never felt colder and have never felt less like the historical tag team they very much are. Their matches, though often criticized as hollow spot fests, were rarely the empty-calorie kind especially if they were working heel. Few teams were better at being hated and making their opponents look like stars.
Lately, it’s as if they’re going through the motions, something that started at the last All In. Their match with FTR was a serious disappointment and with the exception of Sting’s retirement match, they haven’t been the Bucks of old in a while. Maybe it’s years of working such a high work rate and physical style catching up to them, maybe they’re just bored, or maybe (hopefully) it’s just a down period. Whatever it is, they’ve never been less compelling.
I don’t think the audience is clamoring for this match. In fact, I don’t think there’s much clamoring at all for tag team wrestling in AEW right now. Considering some of the best matches in company history are in this division, this is a shocking fall-off. No one represents that fall-off like The Acclaimed, who remain in frigid limbo desperate to reclaim the organic love they earned years ago.
This gimmick always had a definitive shelf life and is now collapsing on itself. It carried Max Caster as long as it could, but he’s just not good enough in the ring to thrive without it. Without it, he’s been exposed as someone not compelling enough to move the needle. Anthony Bowens can move it, though. He’s crisp in the ring, excellent on promos, and he continues to shine even as their reactions get quieter and quieter. Maybe through the force of his will, he can return The Acclaimed to prior heights, but a full reset is likely needed here.
It might be strange to say that a match between the two best tag teams of the modern era doesn’t matter, but this really doesn’t. I’m guessing the status quo holds.
Prediction: The Young Bucks
AEW American/International Champion MJF defends against Will Ospreay
It’s a hell of a choice to run a nearly 60-minute match that ends in horsesh*t. Pulling the rug out from your audience with a silly finish in an impromptu Iron Man match is, by any objective measure, bad. Getting them to think they’re seeing something special only for it to end the same way every MJF match ends? Bad! This felt hollow and something that happened purely to be talked about, not because it meant anything.
It was the ultimate representation of the maximalist pro wrestling style that is too often present and far too lovingly praised (derogatory). Breathlessly promoting something as the best thing ever betrays its impact. We, the audience, should not need to be told something is “all-time.” We should feel it deeply. We should just know.
Look, this MJF gimmick is terrible for a many number of reasons. The jingoism, the not-so-veiled racism, and of course, the trademark terrible MJF insults. It stinks and it’s just lazy, and lowest common denominator-type junk. From a wrestling perspective, it also doesn’t work. It doesn’t work when the heel is doing elbow drops through tables and top rope destroyers. MJF should be grounding the match so the face can get their shine. For it to click, he needs to tone the moves down and turn up the chicanery. No big spots, no “moments,” just smarmy tactics and some standard cheating. It’s quite simple. Max cutting out the largess would go a long way toward making this match good.
There is almost no chance that Ospreay will take another loss to MJF, especially in his backyard.
Prediction: Ospreay wins the title
AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm defends against Mariah May
This is the best story AEW has told by a wide margin: a nearly year-long program layered with obsession, devotion, love, greed, and selfishness. It’s made the “Timeless” character go from insufferable to an undeniable (sorry, Cody) high point. It was all worth it to get to this moment. This feels like a literal blood feud, and I hope we get some more color during the show. The only issue is the crowd loves Toni way more than they hate Mariah. Surprisingly, the boos aren’t louder considering how much they’ve come to love Toni. Mariah certainly deserves all of their scorn. Hopefully, the London crowd shows out for this one and provides it.
This doesn’t seem like the end of something, more like just the beginning. A story this long isn’t going to end after one match. I’d love to see them run it back in the near future with a nasty stipulation (AEW’s first-ever First Blood match, anyone?). For that to happen, Mariah needs to win. They didn’t spend all this time building her up just to cut her momentum off at the knees.
Prediction: May wins the title
AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland defends against Bryan Danielson in a title vs. career match
The best to ever do it gets to do it on the biggest stage one more time in the ultimate culmination of a legendary career. How perfect that ten years ago, Danielson reached the top of WWE at WrestleMania 30 and now is in a position to do the same thing in AEW at All In. All that’s left to cap it off is to win the AEW World title. Even at the height of his powers in WWE, he was still never pushed like a true, long-term top guy. Sure, he was getting the biggest reactions, but it took an unprecedented groundswell of support for him to get that spot. Even then, it felt fleeting. Ever since he came to AEW, they have thrown all of their support behind him, making him the biggest deal possible. Even through all the losses, he remains the ultimate measuring stick. If you wrestle Danielson on a major show, you’re someone worth paying attention to.
Swerve keeps leveling up. With each program and with each promo, he shows more and more. Every match gets a little crisper and his moves a little tighter. Danielson frequently brings the best out of everyone he dances with, and this should be no different. Swerve is approaching his frightening peak as a performer. He’s someone who checks every box, including and especially ‘other’. This will be big and emotional. I cannot wait.
I’m conflicted about what to predict here. Danielson has shown an almost freakish delight in losing just about every big match he’s been in since he started in AEW. But you know if Tony Khan has his way, he will send him out on top like he did with Sting earlier this year. There’s a world where Bryan wins at All In and wrestles his last match as a full-timer at WrestleDream in Washington later this fall. There’s also a world where August 25th is the end of his career.
That’s a world I’m not ready for. When the curtain goes down and the confetti falls at All In, the American Dragon will stand alone at the top where he’s always belonged. Yes, yes, yes.
After he announced that All In would be heading to Texas in July 2025, AEW head Tony Khan likely eased some minds in the United Kingdom by also announcing that All In would return to London in 2026.
Khan made the statement during the All In: Texas press conference Thursday, but didn’t add any information in terms of a date or a confirmation it would emanate from Wembley Stadium for a third time.
Those details could come as soon as next Sunday’s All In from London.
While London appears to be out for next year, AEW might still be heading out internationally again in 2025 for a major event as news broke this week that they are in advanced talks to run a stadium show in Australia. Khan has yet to address that rumor publicly.
In addition to Wembley, Khan has also ran AEW events in Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens, New York, for their annual Grand Slam Dynamite & Rampage every September.
AEW's @TonyKhan on why now is the time for the first PPV in Texas and the first stadium show in the U.S. before All In returns to London in 2026. @AEWpic.twitter.com/19SPfAuFVJ
Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive is back with tons to talk about including a ton of thoughts on the Owen Hart tournament and Wembley, NXT’s preposterous booking for Je’Von Evans and why it’s a bigger story than just his booking, all the news and more. A fun show as always so check it out~!
Before he wraps up his career as a full-time wrestler, Bryan Danielson wants to compete at London’s Wembley Stadium.
AEW is returning to Wembley for All In 2024 on Sunday, August 25. It’s the second straight year AEW has run the stadium. When AEW made its Wembley debut last summer, Danielson was out of action at the time and couldn’t wrestle at the show.
Danielson told Casual Conversations with The Classic this week that his AEW contract actually expires before All In 2024. Despite that, he really wants to wrestle at the show before ending his full-time run.
He responded when asked what milestones are left on his checklist:
The big one is Wembley. I want to make it to Wembley. My contract actually expires before Wembley. But I want to make it to Wembley. Because as a wrestling fan — one, last year’s All In was incredible. But then as a wrestling fan, that’s like a defining moment, when the British Bulldog beats Bret Hart. So you think of Wembley almost in these mythical terms.
AEW All In 2023 and WWF SummerSlam 1992 are the only wrestling shows Wembley Stadium has ever hosted.
Danielson mentioned that he’d like his last match as a full-time wrestler to take place at AEW’s WrestleDream pay-per-view this October, but he isn’t sure if he’ll make it that far before the end of his run:
But I really want to be able to do Wembley and just see what that’s like, see what that feels like. So, yeah, that’s a big one for me.
I’m not sure if I’ll make it, but one thing that would be a nice way to like kind of close everything out for me is to do my last match as a full-time wrestler at WrestleDream at the Tacoma Dome.
Washington is Danielson’s home state, and the Tacoma Dome is the venue where he saw his first wrestling show. It was a WWF event headlined by Ultimate Warrior vs. Rick Rude.
WrestleDream is being held on Saturday, October 12.
Wrestling at Wembley Stadium was the coolest thing Will Ospreay has ever done.
This August, Ospreay defeated Chris Jericho at AEW All In London. It was a significant moment for Ospreay and for pro wrestling in his home country of England. After the show, Ospreay got a tattoo commemorating the moment. It includes All In’s paid attendance number (81,035).
In a new interview with Comicbook.com, Ospreay reflected on what All In meant to him. Ospreay revealed what was going through his head when his music hit:
Oh man, I was scared. I just remember feeling like I’ve done it now. The maximum I’ve ever performed in front of was 40,000 at Wrestle Kingdom. This was twice as many. I was worried that my stuff was going to get lost, or not as big of a reaction as what it could get. Maybe I’m not the guy that they really want in this position. Maybe it should have gone to someone else. That’s all going through my mind.
The moment the music was playing, just that bit of the piano, I could just feel my heart coming out of my chest. So flipping scared. Family’s here. Everyone is here just wanting to just enjoy wrestling in England, wrestling of this caliber and stage.
Ospreay noted that it felt like everything was going in slow motion as he made his entrance. Ospreay said All In is the coolest thing he’s ever done in his career.
Going out and hearing people sing my song… man. I literally heard people screaming it and then pointing up to the sky and when the fireworks were going off. Just watching it, it felt like two minutes. It felt like everything was going in slow motion. Then to get in the ring and the bell rung and then just 80,000 people do the ‘Olé!’ chants. Oh man, it was just the coolest thing. It was the coolest thing I’ve ever done.
Ospreay was also in action at AEW’s WrestleDream pay-per-view last month. He teamed with Konosuke Takeshita & Sammy Guevara in a victory over Jericho, Kenny Omega & Kota Ibushi.
With his NJPW contract set to expire in February, Ospreay is an impending free agent. Ospreay has said he’s looking to explore every single option in contract talks.
Ospreay is facing Jon Moxley and David Finlay in a three-way match at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom on January 4. The winner will receive a new championship that NJPW is creating to replace the IWGP US/UK Championship.
I am back with the Sunday edition of Wrestling Observer live talking everything AEW All In.
I give my real-time reaction to Sunday’s pay-per-view from London’s Wembley Stadium. I run through the entire card talking all the highlights including MJF retaining the AEW World Championship over Adam Cole.
Also, there are updates on the reported backstage altercation between CM Punk and Jack Perry.
Plus, AEW already announced All In next year for the same weekend, How might this change the pay-per-view model?
Website subscribers can hear the show by clicking below while YouTube members can click on the YouTube link above to watch.
AEW descends upon London’s Wembley Stadium Sunday for All In — both the largest event in the company’s history and one of the largest in pro wrestling history.
In front of more than 80,000 fans, AEW World Champion MJF will defend against rival turned friend Adam Cole hours after they challenge Ring of Honor Tag Team Champions Aussie Open on the pre-show.
AEW Tag Team Champions FTR defend against The Young Bucks in their trilogy match.
AEW Women’s Champion Hikaru Shida will defend her title in a four-way that includes former champions Toni Storm and Britt Baker in addition to hometown favorite Saraya.
“Real World’s Champion” CM Punk will defend his ceremonial title against Samoa Joe while Will Ospreay will take on Chris Jericho in their first-ever clash.
The Golden Elite (Kenny Omega, Hangman Page & Kota Ibushi) will face Jay White, Juice Robinson & Konosuke Takeshita.
The rest of the card features Sting & Darby Allin in a coffin match, Jack Perry vs. Hook, and more.
**********
Zero Hour
Machinehead by Bush plays as Renee Paquette, Paul Wight, Anthony Ogogo & Kip Sabian welcome us to Zero Hour by quoting the late Windham Rotunda saying “wrestling is not a love story, it’s a fairytale for masochists, a comedy for people who criticize the punch lines, a fantasy most people can’t understand and a spectacle no one can deny.”
They run down the matches and have video packages before we see Powerhouse Hobbs waiting in the ring with security and a contract waiting to be signed for All In for his match with Miro. Hobbs said the people of London don’t deserve to see him, as Miro interrupted, had a faceoff with Hobbs, who tried a cheap shot, but Miro sent him to the outside. Security restrained Miro, who quickly broke free and laid them all out to stand tall, as he told Hobbs next week he will break his spine and humble him.
After some more video packages, Tony Schiavone introduced Jay Lethal, Sonjay Dutt, Satnam Singh, Jeff & Karen Jarrett to the ring, as Jeff proceeded to run down the London crowd about how American wrestling paved the way and trash talked UK wrestling. Paul Wight, Anthony Ogogo and Grado made their way out to a huge ovation. Excalibur referenced Jarrett smacking a guitar over Grado’s head during a media appearance a few weeks back. Wight & Singh had a face off and Wight KO’d Singh with a punch, while Lethal ate a choke slam. Jarrett ate a right from Ogogo before Grado got his revenge with a guitar shot.
MJF & Adam Cole defeated Aussie Open (Kyle Fletcher & Mark Davis) to win the ROH Tag Team Titles
(A very fun sprint of an opener, with the crowd on fire for a majority, going crazy for the highly anticipated Kangaroo Kick and Double Clothesline by Better Than You Bay-Bay. Cole officially completes his quest on winning ROH gold he never held.)
Before Cole & MJF could do their double pose, Davis & Fletcher attacked from behind and hit the collider outside. Bell officially rang and MJF was isolated in the early going with Cole being kept from making a tag. MJF got a throat shot and wanted the Kangaroo Kick, but Fletcher put a stop to that. Finally MJF did a roll and made the hot tag to Cole, who ran wild with pump kicks and clotheslines. Fletcher avoided the Boom, but not the backstabber, which got Cole a two. Cole wanted Panama Sunrise, but opted to demolish Fletcher with a super kick instead. Cole & MJF called for the double clothesline, but Davis saved his partner. Cole got the crowd to chant for an MJF dive and he hit the ropes too long with Cole being dragged outside.
Davis & Fletcher hit double thrust kicks on MJF and connected with the Aussie Arrow for a near fall. Friendly fire from Aussie Open, as MJF hit a Kangaroo Kick that made the crowd go crazy. MJF & Cole hit the double clothesline on Fletcher that folded him up and got the three count and the titles.
-While Paquette, Wight, Sabian & Ogogo were recapping what we just saw, we cut to Mercedes Mone sitting in the crowd to a huge ovation.
-Lexy Nair is backstage with Britt Baker and said she never thought they’d be at Wembley, but also never thought she’d be complacent, which is what she’s been. Baker allowed herself to take a backseat, assuming someone would take the driver’s seat, but no one has. Tonight she walks out a bonafide star and the face of the women’s division. Baker will walk out women’s champion and re-start the era of D.M.D. Paul Wight said all the women in the title match are determined to win, but there’s a shark circling in the stands, bringing up Mercedes Mone.
HOOK defeated Jack Perry to win the FTW Title
(This didn’t go as long as I’d thought it would, but it was a solid brawl and win for HOOK. Perry is really settling into the heel role and I wonder if this is it for their feud or if there will be another chapter? Regardless, I’m looking forward to seeing what both men do next.)
Jim Ross joined commentary, as Perry rode to the stage in a limousine and was promptly met by HOOK, as Perry was whipped into the open door. As both fought to the top of the limo, Perry hit a suplex before hit a RVD Rolling Thunder on the hood. Perry told the camera “real glass, cry me a river” (a reference between the report of CM Punk’s take on Perry wanting to use real glass in a previous match), but wasted too much time and HOOK hit a fisherman’s suplex onto the windshield, shattering it. Both finally went to ringside and Perry hit a draping DDT off the barricade to regain control. Placing a trash can in front of HOOK; Perry went up top and mocked like he was going to do a RVD Coast to Coast, opting to flip off the crowd.
HOOK tried fighting back, but Perry hit rolling bridging suplexes for a few near falls and capped it with a thrust kick flush. Perry tried a moonsault on top of a trash can, but HOOK moved and leveled Perry with a lariat and trash can shot. Cross face punches led to REDRUM and despite Perry trying to fight his best, tapped out.
-Nigel McGuinness joined Excalibur & Jim Ross as we’re told CM Punk vs. Samoa Joe will kick off the main card.
AEW All In London
-Excalibur said “It’s Wembley, you know what that means” before welcoming us to the biggest night in AEW history.
CM Punk defeated Samoa Joe to retain the “AEW Real World’s Title”
(I thought this was an excellent opener, with the finish somewhat coming out of nowhere, despite it being Punk’s old finisher. The crowd was loudly behind Joe, but Punk, who played it up heel a bit, still had his share of chants. This was exactly the hard hitting opener you’d expect between these two.)
Nigel McGuinness cleverly said Joe has a Sweet Tooth for revenge. Punk smirked that he got in the first chop and used his speed early to avoid Joe’s strikes. While in a headlock, Joe slid to the floor and lit up Punk with chops. Back inside, Punk was teetering on the ropes like Terry Funk, getting chopped relentlessly. Joe tried his side step of a cross body, but Punk had it scouted and hit a hurricanrana dropping Joe on his head. Joe regained control and hit his old school ROH Ole, Ole kick outside, but Punk tried another hurricanrana off the apron, only to be caught by Joe and swung through the lower part of the announce table, busting Punk open. Joe picked Punk apart in the ring, hitting a corner charge and enzugiri with blood dripping from Punk. Signature Joe combo with the atomic drop, big boot, running senton got two, but Punk avoided a Muscle Buster into a high kick for the double down.
Punk hit the John Cena combo of shoulder tackles, spinning back suplex, then opted to get even more heat by channeling Hulk Hogan for a leg drop. Joe wasn’t having that, as he hulked up and fired off strikes and snap powerslam. Joe locked in the STF, transitioned into a crossface, but Punk escaped into a stiff high kick. The crowd is loudly booing Punk, who does the Terry Funk spinning toe hold, which Joe escaped with an inside cradle. STO connected, but again Punk avoided the Muscle Buster, this time hitting his old ROH finisher, the Pepsi Plunge and got the victory.
Konosuke Takeshita, Jay White & Juice Robinson (w/The Gunns & Don Callis) defeated The Golden Elite (Kenny Omega, Kota Ibushi & Hangman Adam Page)
(What an action packed six man, with everyone getting in their offense and looking very good. You have a lot of singles matches you could do next week at All Out stemming from this result. The result certainly came out of nowhere, but it made sense to give Takeshita and especially Callis bragging rights over Omega.)
After a six man face off, it was Robinson who was isolated early by Page & Omega, who fired off chop after chop. Ibushi tagged in and Robinson bailed to tag White to reignite their rivalry from NJPW. Ibushi no sold everything White threw at him and punted White in the chest with a kick before firing off some Golden Lovers double teaming. They went to do the same on Takeshita, who had it scouted, but was sent to the floor where Omega hit his Terminator Dive. Robinson took the ref, as The Gunns held up Omega long enough for White to dodge a diving Omega and gain control. With Omega down, now Takeshita wants to pick him apart, as Callis on commentary was shown on the big screen and the crowd booed him mercilessly.
Ibushi tried to save Omega and briefly had a slugfest with Takeshita, but the numbers of White & Robinson were took much and they took out Page as well. Omega & Takeshita traded forearms until a Takeshita-line connected and White grounded Omega, even playing air guitar like Hiroshi Tanahashi before doing a dragon screw. Robinson connected on the Left Hand of God and standing senton, but Omega kicked out. Omega fought out of the corner and nearly dove for a tag, but The Gunns pulled Page & Ibushi away. That worked the first time, but after dispatching of The Gunns, Page made the hot tag and ran wild with multiple tope’s and diving lariat on White for two.
White avoided Dead Eye, as Ibushi got the blind tag and lit up White with a combo and standing moonsault. Omega & Ibushi tried their double moonsault to the floor, as Omega hit flush, but Ibushi slipped briefly on his, still getting enough. With White all alone, locomotion corner splashes led to a pop up German suplex into a half and half by Ibushi for two. Kamigoye was countered into a Uranage with the reset leading to Takeshita & Omega slugging it out. Robinson & White suffered snap dragons, as Takeshita was there to hit a Blue Thunder Bomb. Omega answered with a V-Trigger to the back and Poison Rana, Omega & Page hit You Can’t Escape on Robinson, while Page hit a Blockbuster on Takeshita. Page wanted the Buckshot, but The Gunns interfered, only to be both wiped out with a moonsault.
Buckshot was countered into a half and half by White, as Omega charged with a slam dunk, but Takeshita countered Kamigoye into a massive jumping knee. Page blindsided Takeshita with a Buckshot to the neck, as Omega caught White with a V-Trigger and one for Robinson as well. As Omega was going to go for a home run shot, Takeshita flew in and rolled up Omega for the flash pin. Page, Ibushi & Omega were shocked as Takeshita & Callis celebrated.
FTR (Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood) defeated The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson) to retain the AEW Tag Team Titles
(Post match, McGuinness called this yet another classic in this title reign for FTR and I completely agree, this match was phenomenal and added to this saga between the two best tag teams in wrestling. It’s not a matter of if, but when will this happen again, as post match, the denial of a handshake means there’s still a story left to be told.)
The Bucks are rocking Freddie Mercury inspired gear for this one as an early back and forth between both teams, we got an all out slugfest leading to a double down. The Bucks kipped up and sent FTR to the outside to regroup. Nick hit a running punt kick on the apron on Harwood, while Wheeler was flattened by a Spear. Nick hit his corkscrew tornillo on both, as the crowd is split 50/50 with their chants so far. Wheeler ate a superkick, hung up in the ropes and Nick hit a Swanton for two. Wheeler remained isolated, nearly diving for a tag, but Matt hit a superkick on Harwood in mid air to prevent it. 15% miscalculation by The Bucks allowed Wheeler to make the hot tag to Harwood, running with jabs, lariats and suplexes. Three Germans from Harwood led to two Northern Lights by Matt, as each traded one more of each before a crazy amount of switches led to a number of near falls and again trading suplexes in a fun sequence.
Harwood countered a springing Nick into hit slingshot powerbomb, but he wasn’t the legal man, as Matt made the save, only to be trapped in a Sharpshooter. While on the apron, Wheeler somehow got a Sharpshooter on Nick as well until Nick powered out and launched Wheeler into the ring steps. Nick saved his brother and took out Wheeler with a moonsault leading to everyone down. The Bucks wanted a Power-Plex, but Matt & Wheeler tried double splashes, with Nick & Harwood getting their knees up. FTR hit the Spike Piledriver on Nick for a close two and the fans cheered loud. Matt saved his brother from Shatter Machine, as Nick & Harwood nearly replicated the Bulldog/Bret finish to Summerslam 92, but Nick kicked out.
Harwood collided with his partner and The Bucks answered with a Superkick Party until hitting a Spike Piledriver of their own for a near fall. Wheeler prevented a Meltzer Driver, so Nick took him out with a tope. The Bucks wanted BTE Trigger, but Harwood ducked and their knees collided. Wheeler sprinted in with a dive through the ropes on Nick, as the FTR Trigger connected into Shatter Machine, with Matt kicking out last second. Wheeler missed a 450 Splash, as The Bucks hit BTE Trigger, with Harwood breaking it up barely. Harwood knew what was in store, as he turned into Shatter Machine, while Wheeler ate another BTE Trigger, only to kick out. With every near fall, the crowd gets more and more loud. The Bucks tried Meltzer Driver, but FTR somehow countered into Shatter Machine in mid air and got the pin. Post match, FTR wanted a handshake, but The Bucks denied them.
Eddie Kingston, Orange Cassidy, Chuck Taylor, Trent Beretta & Penta El Zero Miedo defeated Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, Mike Santana & Ortiz in a Stadium Stampede Match
(First off, I know it looks like I wrote a novel about this match, but I tried my best to keep up with everything that took place. Did this maybe go too long, sure, but you can’t say this match didn’t deliver the blood and wild moments. This match was crazy and lived up to the Stadium Stampede billing.)
Kingston sprinted down the aisle to meet Castagnoli. Best Friends & Proud and Powerful had a face off in the ring and reignited their rivalry from their classic Parking Lot Fight. Taylor hit a somersault suicida onto Ortiz & Santana, but trash can shots put them back in control. Meanwhile, Kingston & Castagnoli brawled into the crowd with Moxley using what I think was a branding iron on the side of the head of Beretta. Penta saved Beretta from a Street Sweeper by using chair shots and Sling Blades, but a backstabber barely connected. Moxley hit a springing Penta with a Paradigm Shift, as Moxley, in fact, is bleeding first. We get a split screen now with Kingston & Castagnoli and Yuta & Taylor paired off.
Moxley goes to the bag that Yuta brought to the ring and wanted to use skewers, but the tables were quickly turned and it was Penta who used the skewers, which the crowd couldn’t believe. With some of the skewers still in the head of Moxley, Penta hit Made in Penta for two as we see Kingston & Castagnoli battling into the royal box level of Wembley. Santana connected with a piledriver onto a chair onto Penta, as the doctors had to come out and check him as a result, with Penta ultimately being helped to the back. As this was happening, Cassidy tried his little kicks on Moxley, who brought out a fork and stabbed Cassidy relentlessly, busting Cassidy open. A violent brainbuster onto a set up chair led to Moxley raking a barbed wire board onto Beretta. We then saw back in the parking lot Yuta suplexing Taylor onto a set up guard rail.
Taylor & Kingston fought with Castagnoli & Yuta up in the box seats and used umbrellas as weapons, Kingston jamming the umbrella into the mouth of Yuta. McGuinness did make a Mary Poppins reference while this was going on. Kingston had a bottle smashed over his head by Castagnoli, while back in the ring, Beretta had his legs swept out of the corner and smashed onto a ladder before Santana & Ortiz followed with a powerbomb onto the steel, Beretta is bleeding now as well, as Moxley hit a suplex onto a barbed wire board. Beretta was dropped with a piledriver on the steps, as Ortiz stabbed away at Cassidy more with the fork.
Taylor & Beretta were thrown up the ramp and surrounded by everyone except Ortiz, who was setting up tables ringside. We then see a van drive up to the stage and it was indeed Beretta’s mother, Sue, who Moxley walked up to and kissed, which caused Beretta to explode and fight back. Sue handed her son & Taylor some trays of cookies, which they waffled The BCC with. The music for Penta Oscuro hit, as Penta appeared to no longer be injured and in different gear, as Penta & Santana fought onto a ladder, which broke initially, but they still hit a Destroyer off it through set up tables. A barely conscious Yuta was in the ring and Best Friends group hugged him to give the people what they wanted before beating him down.
Yuta tried to use the screwdriver on Taylor, who dodged and hit the Awful Waffle, but Moxley quickly answered with a dive outside. Castagnoli blocked Orange Punch into the Giant Swing. As the swing was still going on, Beretta superplexed Ortiz to the floor through tables, while Moxley slammed Taylor onto I believe Legos on the floor. Cassidy taped his hand with the sticky part on the outside, broke a bottle and dipped his hand in the glass, but Moxley cut Cassidy off before it could do damage. Cassidy did manage a Tornado DDT onto the broken glass, but Castagnoli hit a pop up uppercut to follow.
A bleeding Kingston walked out from backstage, holding a barbed wire chair and hit everyone that moved until Moxley tried to stop him. Kingston started firing off spinning backfists on Castagnoli & Moxley, who he ultimately tackled through a set up corner table. Cassidy popped up and hit an Orange Punch wrapped in glass on Castagnoli got the win in this chaotic war.
Saraya defeated Hikaru Shida, Toni Storm & Dr. Britt Baker to win the AEW Women’s Title
(A great moment and celebration for The Knight Family, as the hometown girl, who at one point of her career, never thought she’d wrestle again, now wins the title in front of 80,000 plus fans. I think it’s safe to say The Outcasts have officially imploded, as Shida & Baker not involved in the pin certainly gives them some gripe to get a title shot. Commentary also mentioned Mercedes Mone being in attendance and brought up how she might have something to say as well.)
Queen’s “We Will Rock You” played as Saraya made her entrance with her family. “God Save the Queen” played for Storm’s entrance, as McGuinness on commentary compared her to Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor, among others. He also talked about how Baker must’ve handed out business cards around London, as she could be a millionaire with the possible business, which I got a kick out of.
Storm & Saraya dispatched of Shida early with a double powerbomb, as Baker was able to fight off both Outcasts initially, but the numbers were too much. Storm hit Sweet Cheek Music, but Saraya & Storm couldn’t figure out who would make the cover. Shida hit a double noggin knocker before suplexing Saraya into Storm. Ten corner punches on Storm was broke up with Saraya slamming Shida on the apron, as Storm had Saraya’s mother hold onto Baker, as Storm charged and accidentally wiped out Saraya’s mother. This infuriated Saraya, as Storm tried to plead her innocence, but led to a brawl. Storm got the upper hand, exposed the bottom turnbuckle and Ruby Soho ran to the ring to play peacemaker, but Storm popped her with a forearm and that was it for Soho.
Shida flew in with a missile dropkick, but Baker was there with a spinning neckbreaker. A Baker thrust kick caused Storm to fall onto Saraya for a cover, as Saraya was furious it happened, so she locked on the former PTO submission, which Baker hit a Curb Stomp for two. Shida, Baker & Saraya traded strikes until Shida hit a Falcon Arrow on Baker onto Saraya. Shida hit a Meteora and Katana kick, but Baker was there to apply the Lockjaw. With the submission applied, Baker didn’t realize Saraya sprayed Storm in the eyes with the spray paint and hit the Knight Cap to get the pin and win the title. Post match, The Knight Family jumped in the ring to celebrate the victory.
Darby Allin & Sting defeated Swerve Strickland (w/Prince Nana) & Christian Cage in a Coffin Match
(Sting is 64 ladies and gentlemen, 64; I just want us all to remember that. We can question how Allin’s body is holding up, but the same can be said for Sting, as he’s defying the odds. This was such a fun match and a lot more fun than I thought it’d be. These four men absolutely crushed it. The usage of Metallica at the start was icing on the cake for me.)
Flash Garments & DJ Whoo Kid rapped Strickland & Nana to the ring. Meanwhile, Sting & Allin had a really great video walking the streets of London, with Sting wearing a top hat, half of his face as Joker and the other the Crow. When making their official entrance, Sting’s old theme, Seek & Destroy by Metallica played in an incredible moment. Sting & Cage had an early face off, as Allin pulled out two coats covered in thumbtacks from the coffin. Sting lit up Nana & Strickland with a cricket bat before tandem Coffin & Stinger splashes connected while wearing the jackets. Cage came in and chop blocked the leg of Sting, as he & Allin ate Spears before they ripped the jackets off. Cage taped the wrists of Allin behind his back, while Strickland used the cricket bat on Sting outside.
Cage missed a corner charge and Allin hit a no handed springing moonsault before hitting a running dive on Strickland. Allin broke free as Sting almost slammed Strickland into the coffin, but Cage kicked the lid shut at the last moment. Back inside, Cage wanted a Con-Chair-To, missed, as he laid out Strickland with a float over stunner on the apron. With Strickland draped over a table, Sting leapt off the apron once and it didn’t break, so Sting tried again and hit a massive legdrop to successfully shatter it. Excalibur with the line of the night saying Sting letting 80,000 plus know he is the table. Allin set up Cage on a chair and hit a shotgun dropkick off the top rope to the floor.
Cage was about to have the coffin door shut, but Luchasaurus appeared from behind to make the save and Snake Eyes Allin into the closed coffin door. Nick Wayne showed up and cracked Luchasaurus with a skateboard, but it was no sold and Luchasaurus hit a head butt and chokeslam onto the skateboard and took him backstage. Sting set up Strickland on top of the coffin and Allin tried a Coffin Drop off the top, but missed and Allin crashed insanely hard. The sound of the thud made was pretty gross, as Sting was left to go at it 2 on 1 in the ring. With the Scorpion Death Lock on Cage, Strickland hit a chair shot from behind, which Sting no sold. Cage hit a low blow with the bat, as Strickland hit the Swerve Stomp.
Cage laid out Allin ringside, as Strickland had Sting in the coffin, which had been brought in the ring. Strickland threw the bat in the coffin, as this allowed Sting to keep it from closing. Sting escaped, ate a Kill Shot kick, but took way too long on the top and missed a 450 onto the coffin. Allin outside fought back with a TNT Title shot to the face of Cage, as Sting laid out Strickland with a Death Drop on top of the coffin. With Strickland half stuck in the coffin, Allin did a Coffin Drop on top of it and slammed the door shut to win a wild spectacle.
Will Ospreay (w/Don Callis) defeated Chris Jericho (w/Sammy Guevara)
(This was another really good match, with Ospreay taking advantage of the home turf and the crowd being behind him. There was one spot with Jericho trying an OsCutter and both men clonked heads pretty good, but aside from that, these two certainly delivered in my book. I also really enjoyed this being a one on one match, with no outside interference. The post match is another chapter in Jericho not having many allies left, as Guevara was left on his own watching Jericho walk off.)
Jericho channeled his best Freddie Mercury Ay-Oh impression before Fozzy played Judas live for the Wembley crowd. Ospreay got his wish and had Elevated for his entrance, as the crowd was loudly behind him, with amazing pyro going off during it. We saw footage of Jericho attacking Ospreay last night at the RevPro show after Ospreay’s match with Shingo Takagi. Osperay shook off Jericho’s early and hit a Sky Twister Press outside that clipped Jericho on the head. Back inside, Osperay hit Pip Pip Cheerio, as both traded chops and big boots into a double down.
Ospreay was sent to the apron and Jericho hit his springing dropkick and baseball slide outside. Back on the apron, Jericho folded up Ospreay with a German, as Ospreay was shaking out his right arm as a result. Jericho targeted the upper back of Ospreay until a standing shooting star put Ospreay back in control. It was short lived, as Jericho fought back with a top rope hurricanrana. Osperay got his knees up to avoid a Lionsault, draped Jericho on the top and hit his Shooting Star splash. After countering their finishers, Jericho hit a Code Breaker to the back of Ospreay, who was looking for an OsCutter. A proper Code Breaker got a near fall, as Ospreay answered with a hook kick and OsCutter for two. Jericho incredibly countered Storm Breaker into a flipping hurricanrana into the Walls of Jericho.
Ospreay got free, as Jericho charged right into a Spanish Fly, as Ospreay wanted Hidden Blade, but ran into another Code Breaker and OsCutter from Jericho, who nearly landed on his own head in the process. It was very awkward, as Ospreay kicked out and hulked up into a forearm exchange. Jericho hit a mule kick with referee Aubrey being unaware, as a Judas Effect connected for two. Ospreay floated up and hit a massive powerbomb, as both went for home run shots, Ospreay hitting Hidden Blade first and then Storm Breaker, only for Jericho to kick out. The elbow pad was removed, as Jericho flipped Ospreay off and dared him to hit him, as Ospreay charged for Hidden Blade and another Storm Breaker to win it. Post match, Sammy Guevara tried to console Jericho, but he was shoved away multiple times, with Jericho leaving on his own.
-Nigel McGuinness went to the ring to thank the 81,035 paid attendance record for tonight’s event.
The Acclaimed (Anthony Bowens & Max Caster) & Billy Gunn defeated The House of Black (Malakai Black, Brody King & Buddy Matthews w/Julia Hart) to win the AEW Trios Titles
(I think they tried to cram too much stuff into this. Also the House Rules just popping up whenever they choose is kind of strange, as No Holds Barred was fine, but I think it resulted in a clunky match. That said, this result was the only way to go, with The Acclaimed & Gunn losing their first two shots at the Trios Titles. This also gives House of Black something to do outside of Trios tags in the future.)
House of Black paid tribute to the late Windham Rotunda by having a lantern during their entrance, as the fireflies in the crowd lit up. Commentary paid respects to Rotunda as well. We’re told this was House Rules, which happens just randomly I guess, as The Acclaimed & Gunn have selected No Holds Barred. Black hit an early moonsault outside on Caster, while Gunn & King fought ringside. Matthews flipped over the top to take out The Acclaimed, as Gunn teased a dive, put on the brakes and it was King who did a dive instead. Gunn again teased a dive, but Julia Hart stepped in and slapped him. Gunn told her to suck it and The Acclaimed hit Scissor Me Timbers on Hart. Yes, Taz made a yambag reference, which he realized didn’t apply in this situation, which was hysterical.
We once again see Mercedes Mone watching from the stands, as the House of Black took over, but King missed a charging senton on Gunn against the railing. Gunn drove a chair onto King’s head, but was surrounded by Black & Matthews, who both ate a double clothesline by Gunn. Locomotion splashes led to Gunn missing a Fame-Asser, but hit the One and Only for two. Bowens hit The Arrival on Black, as the match broke down with Bowens dropping Matthews with a right hand, but the House of Black hit triple corner charges for a near fall. King is bleeding from earlier in the match, as he wrapped a chain around his fist, but accidentally cracked Black.
Caster low bridged King, while Gunn & Caster took turns hitting Fame-Assers on Matthews. Hart again intervened, which allowed Black to hit The End kick on Gunn, who kicked out. House of Black went for Dante’s Inferno, but wiggled free, as Bowens hit The Arrival on King, Caster connected on The Mic Drop, but King kicked out at one. Gunn hit another Fame-Asser, an Arrival by Bowens and second Mic Drop by Caster got the win and the titles. Post match, the House of Black didn’t want to initially give up their belts, but showed respect and awarded them to Gunn, Caster & Bowens, who said Gunn deserves this moment. Despite being Bad Ass tonight, they scissored with Daddy Ass in celebration.
MJF defeated Adam Cole to retain the AEW World Title
(What a story these two told, from the opening few minutes of friendship, to things getting more intense throughout, each man couldn’t pull the trigger for the home run shot. They couldn’t find it in themselves to cheat to win. An excellent performance by champion and challenger, with the crowd being there every step of the way. Friendship won out tonight, but there’s no telling when the wheels of this team will fall off, I’m thinking sooner rather than later.)
Cole had a standard entrance, while MJF came to the ring on a gold throne and wore his devil mask, ladies kneeling and bowing in masks down the aisle. From the opening match of the 2018 All In to the main event in 2023, it’s been quite the journey for the AEW World Champion.
Being brochachos, MJF & Cole put their tag team shirts on at the bell and wanted a right down the middle match with drop downs and leap frogs with headlocks into a stalemate. A Fargo Strut and Rude hip swivel from MJF nearly led to him eating a superkick, which he dodged and Cole did his pose. MJF started a sportsmanship chant, but poked Cole in the eyes to He’s A Scumbag chants. Cole slapped MJF and the match picked up with Cole hitting the fireman’s carry neckbreaker on the knee. Both men took turns pulling the others hairs into a slam, as MJF faked a dive, turned his back and ate a superkick for two. Cole said they might be friends, but he’s better than MJF, as he ripped the shirt off MJF, who hulked up, but Cole raked the eyes. MJF blocked a superkick and ran wild with corner punches in bunches, whipping Cole violently to follow.
MJF was again tempted by a dive and successfully did it this time, as he was stunned like everyone else. A double stomp to the arm off the second back inside led to a wild series of near falls until MJF bridged out of a jackknife cover and caught a Cole leap frog into a powerbomb on his knee. Cole responded by hitting MJF’s own Heatseeker, but MJF got his foot on the ropes. MJF was sent into the steps outside, as Cole followed with a violent sheer drop brainbuster onto the steps and Taz said it was right in front of MJF’s parents, who are sitting ringside. MJF didn’t move until 9 and broke the count, as I wonder why Cole even wanted to win by countout there.
Cole wanted the Panama Sunrise, but MJF rolled outside, so he could sweep the legs of Cole on the apron. MJF cleared the announce table, but couldn’t bring himself to Tombstone his best friend. Cole meanwhile, pulled the trigger just fine, as once MJF came back, Cole dropped him with the Tombstone on the table and got a two count back inside. Cole was able to hit a Destroyer back inside, but the momentum allowed MJF to hit a kick before collapsing together. Both men rose to their feet and yelled for Double Clotheslines, as they collided at the same time, both men’s arms draped over the other and referee Bryce counted the double pin. Justin Roberts called the match a Draw and Cole demanded 5 more minutes just like their last match. MJF declined and said they’re going until they have a winner in f*cking Wembley.
Both men got quick roll ups and Cole charged, but collided with referee Bryce, as MJF is smirking and grabbed a chair. Both men tried channeling Eddie Guerrero and played hot potato with the chair until Cole bumped, so MJF wrapped the chair around his head and played dead. Cole couldn’t believe it as Bryce recovered and saw the chair, but MJF got a school boy for two; hit a thrust kick and Heatseeker for a near fall. To the apron they went, as Cole hit a Florida Key on the edge of the ring and Panama Sunrise onto the floor, but MJF kicked out back inside. Cole wanted a proper one in the ring, but MJF pulled Bryce in and Cole laid out the ref with a Panama Sunrise.
MJF reached in his trunks for the Dynamite Diamond Ring, but like the Tombstone, couldn’t pull the trigger and put the ring away. Roderick Strong appeared from behind and punted MJF low, as Cole turned and didn’t realize what happened. Strong told Cole to finish it, as Cole hit a Panama Sunrise and lowered The Boom, but no referee, as he got a visible three. Bryce recovered and MJF kicked out officially at two. Strong threw the AEW Title at Cole and told him to use it, as Cole took his shirt off, but couldn’t bring himself to do it. Strong stormed to the back, as MJF surprised Cole with an inside cradle and got the flash pin. Cole was left in shock.
Post match, MJF said the crowd still loves Cole and MJF got lucky, as Cole is in tears. MJF grabbed the ROH Tag Titles and said Cole still has them, as he slapped them away. MJF broke down and called Cole a fake piece of s*it and threw the AEW Title at Cole, saying he was never his friend, turning his back and telling Cole to hit him. Roderick Strong appeared again on the apron yelling for Cole to do it, but Cole threw down the belt again and hugged MJF. Cole & MJF stood tall with their hands raised as pyro went off and confetti poured down with The Kingdom consoling Roderick Strong on the aisle.
Excalibur informs us AEW is returning to London and Wembley for All In next year on August 25.
As confetti dropped from the sky to close out Sunday’s first-ever AEW All In from London’s Wembley Stadium, the company announced their return date.
AEW will return to the famed stadium on Sunday, August 25, 2024, in hopes of breaking the company attendance record set for the first one. No ticket sale information was announced with the date.
While the final gate revenue has yet to be announced, Khan said this past week it was nearly $10 million.
The show was headlined by AEW World Champion MJF successfully defending against Adam Cole in the main event with AEW Tag Team Champions FTR doing the same against the Young Bucks earlier in the night in their third-ever match.
It was AEW’s third-ever stadium show following the first two Dynamite/Rampage Grand Slam events from Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens, New York. They return to the famous tennis venue next month for the third-such event.
Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive is back with tons to talk about including AEW Dynamite last night with Don Callis turning on Kenny Omega, more on the big AEW announcement next week, Will Ospreay and Wembley stadium, and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!
Will Ospreay is expected to be on the card when AEW presents All In from Wembley Stadium this summer.
Ospreay expressed his desire to perform on the August 27 show during an interview with DAZN last month. He said, “It would mean a lot but I also understand I don’t work there. If there is an opportunity, then I’ll take it with both hands.”
On Thursday, our own Dave Meltzer noted on Wrestling Observer Radio that Ospreay is currently factored into plans for the big show in London.
Meltzer said:
Will Ospreay, as of a couple days ago, was booked on the show. I do not know his opponent, I do not know the match but he was booked on the show.
Meltzer also addressed Ospreay’s impact on AEW’s television ratings in the UK, saying:
For the UK ratings, the biggest series of events – not every single week – was last year when they were building up Forbidden Door and Will Ospreay was on the show. That was really a peak of UK ratings. There were a couple of times that they beat that later but not on a consistent basis and that was also with a move to a better time slot.
But in that bad time slot, that was the high point. So, whatever it means in the United States, who knows? In that country, the idea that Will Ospreay has never been a big star there, well, he’s a big enough star to move the ratings more than anyone else.
Meltzer also ran a poll on his Twitter account asking followers who they wanted to see Kenny Omega face at All In. Ospreay was the overwhelming favorite, earning 53% of the vote.
Ospreay has a chance to earn a shot at Omega’s IWGP United States Championship upcoming. He’ll face Hiroshi Tanahashi at NJPW Resurgence on May 21 and if he wins that match, he’ll advance to face Lance Archer at Dominion on June 4. The winner of that match earns a shot at Omega’s belt.
Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive is back with tons to talk about including business success for both AEW and WWE, NXT TV report from this past week, the odd story of the ratings for the DRAFT, and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!
AEW sold more than 36,000 tickets for $4.7 million in revenue during the Tuesday presale for this August’s All In event at London’s Wembley Stadium.
The number guarantees AEW will have their largest-ever attendance and largest-ever gate before a single match is even announced.
Earlier Tuesday, our Dave Meltzer first reported that more than 35,000 tickets had been sold. Later in the day, AEW head Tony Khan gave an update which included the current gate number:
Thank you to all buying #AEWAllIn tickets today, off to an AMAZING start already 36,000 sold for £3.8M ($4.7M) + we're only getting started, more great seats are going on-sale!
Let's celebrate TOMORROW on Wednesday Night #AEWDynamite
The show is set for Sunday, August 27th. The broadcast availability and start time has yet to be revealed, but it appears unlikely to be a pay-per-view with All Out happening the following weekend.
In a reply to a tweet from this website, ESPN boxing writer Mike Coppinger tweeted the following which Khan took umbrage with:
Khan then replied:
LIES. What a load of crap. Tell your agent Nick Khan to shove it up his ass
Khan then replied again, asking where he got the information from:
Since you carry the credentials of a credible reporter + represent the Worldwide Leader, I'm just curious: who was your source for this, and how can a reporter representing ESPN tweet something about a legit news story that's so blatantly wrong and easily verified as a falsehood?
Meltzer had reported in a recent Wrestling Observer Newsletter that over 60,000 presale codes were requested and distributed for AEW’s first-ever show overseas. By comparison, for their Clash at the Castle event in Cardiff, Wales, WWE had nearly 90,000 codes requested in a similar presale system.
Full seating capacity for the event is unknown. The public onsale date is scheduled for later this week.
AEW has yet to announce any additional shows in the United Kingdom before the event.
Khan first announced the event in early-April and said it would be one of “the biggest shows in the history of the company.”
