10 Match Star Ratings For AEW All Out 2023
7. Miro Vs. Powerhouse Hobbs
Rendered unforgettable by a unique crowd response, Miro Vs. Powerhouse Hobbs could not have gone any better on the night.
Fans, overjoyed by the spectacle and bruising collision detection, used the word "meat" in various chants, inspired by that joyous Big E promo a few years back. Sometimes, this stuff is a bit cutesy and detached, but the "meat forever" chant was fun.
In truth, had the crowd not got into the match with the level of investment they did, this might have dragged at 15:30. The rest periods went a bit long, but that crowd was bang up for this, and they got their desire for meat most of the time.
The rhythm of the match was intoxicating; protecting their monster auras, it took forever - in a compelling, believable and suspenseful way - for either man to knock the other off their feet. It felt like a struggle and then an achievement. And, when the impact arrived, the beads of sweat flew. Gorgeously paced, the superhuman hoss fight picked and delivered its big moments. The Game Over finish looked a bit laboured, but that was more feature than big. They'd smashed one another into kingdom come. Of course the submission application wasn't going to look the cleanest.
Too often over the last year, AEW has booked cheap, carny finishes on TV. This was clean, and did much for Hobbs even in defeat.
Hopefully, a lesson will be learned.
Star Rating: ★★★¾