11 Match Star Ratings From AEW All In

4. Darby Allin & Sting Vs. Swerve Strickland & Christian Cage

Sometimes, you know a match is going to rule before the opening bell, and when Sting and Darby Allin entered to Seek & Destroy by Metallica, the tone was set. A bit slower than the usual crazed Sting party match, this was nonetheless fabulous.

Each character has such presence about them, and all boast a very high wrestling IQ. Between the unhinged set pieces, the spaces between moves and the genre-specific takes on near-falls soared. Sting keeping the lid from closing with the use of his bat was inspired, and Swerve's slow-dawn realisation that he hadn't won was great ass-showing heel work. At times, it did feel a bit stilted between the set pieces, but mostly, this was yet another different match in the signature AEW buffet.

Every great moment and twist was pure wrestling theatre worked by four outstanding performers with a superb grasp of how to make the big moments count. Fun, creative and violent, watching Sting be Sting live was surreal magic.

"It's showtime!" is his catchphrase, but it's never been more apt than in AEW.

Star Rating: ★★★★

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 current Undisputed WWE 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!