15 Match Star Ratings For AEW All Out 2022
The MOTY, more than one dud, and extraordinary backstage drama: this was AEW in 2022 defined.
AEW rode into Chicago amid much controversy and uncertainty.
The morale of a roster in crisis. A "new", Triple H-led WWE generating hugely impressive ratings as their own stagnated. The anniversary of last year's potentially transformative All Out PPV hanging over this year's, like a greying cloud, as something more of an opportunity wasted than a landmark occasion to celebrate.
On television, some of AEW's output was almost as intriguing as the sensational reports of onscreen burials, locker room blood feuds and panicked escapes into bathroom stalls. CM Punk and Jon Moxley told a bold, experimental story that was nothing if not fascinating. The Trios Title tournament was a deft blend of compelling storytelling and jaw-dropping action. On Wednesdays, anyway; Rampage continues to the least interesting thing in the company, which is saying something, since it tries to do a million things at once.
The usual complaints echoed across the week, which is worrying, since AEW is meant to listen to them. 15 matches is far too many. The women received barely any attention in the build. All of this shooting, while entertaining, simply can't be good.
Quite clearly, very little was resolved...
15. Zero Hour: Sammy Guevara & Tay Melo Vs. Ortiz & Ruby Soho
The plight of Ruby Soho underscores the year AEW has had with its ridiculously overstuffed roster.
At All Out 2021, she was one of the new faces leading every division to a golden age. At All Out 2022, almost a nonentity, she worked a match that very few people needed to see. The announcement of a second match in the least compelling chapter of the JAS Vs. BCC saga on Rampage was mystifying enough. Did this warrant a trilogy? Did the rubber match warrant being added to what was already a 14 match card?!
If Tony Khan is accommodating too many matches on his PPVs in fear of upsetting his roster, it might be a better idea to simply not nod along as CM Punk's aims a f*cking flamethrower in their direction.
This match is even harder to care about now than it was at the time, but as easy as it was to resent - 15 matches man - it was just as easy to pop for its empty, excessive calories. Sammy Guevara assisted a Tay Conti Canadian destroyer on Ortiz at one point in a very fun if inessential get-your-sh*t-in affair. It was a mad spot in a match that the talent did give a sh*t about.
God bless Ortiz, but that look needs to be abandoned. There's trying to stand out more, and there's...whatever that is.
Star Rating: ★★¾