13 Ups & 5 Downs From AEW All Out
Chris Jericho makes history on a wild, chaotic AEW pay-per-view.
Professional wrestling fandom has become so partisan that the immediate reaction to an AEW pay-per-view is often to label it the best thing ever or a complete and utter disaster. All Out was neither of those things, though that won't stop knees from jerking and hot takes from spewing across the internet.
All Out lacked Double Or Nothing's buzz by the time it came to an end, but perhaps this was inevitable. You can only hold your first pay-per-view once, after all, but while this show lacked a headline-making moment like Jon Moxley's debut, it delivered on the card's promise. This was an exciting night of rich, varied action from a rich, varied roster.
There was no sign of CM Punk or Moxley. It didn't matter, though. Depending on your expectations, anticipated bouts like The Lucha Brothers vs. Young Bucks and PAC vs. Kenny Omega likely delivered or over-delivered. Yes, the show had its flaws, and yes, AEW have a few nuts and bolts to tighten before their televised debut, but they're absolutely moving in the right direction, with All Out a major improvement over Fyter Fest and Fight for the Fallen.
All Out brought the first AEW World Champion, cemented the inaugural Women's Title match, a big tag team debut, and all kinds of chaos between the ropes. Let's break it down.