10 Secrets Behind The Rise Of AEW

9. All In WASN'T The Start Of It All

Becoming All Elite
AEW

All In was an unprecedented, incredible celebration of the movement that led to AEW - albeit indirectly.

It was an exceptional show that broadcast an expansive range of the pro wrestling form, proving that independent wrestling was far more than 40 minute back-and-forth matches worked between guys with real names in kick pads. Frightening state-of-the-art head-drop festivals; timeless big match drama indebted to the halcyon territory days; unhinged plunder brawls that paid off irresistibly daft storylines: All In was a great night that evidenced the potential of an alternative.

It was not however a pilot of it.

AEW was in the works before Cody succeeded in his infamous, ambitious bet. It helped that All In was a major success - if it had failed dismally, Tony Khan might have also failed at the negotiating table - but the impressive number of live ticket sales was dwarfed as a revenue stream by the rights fees WWE secured from FOX and USA that same year.

All In was more template than pilot, ultimately - and it helped Khan's cause immensely that many of the proven draws behind it were available as free agents just before AEW's formation.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and surefire Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!