9 Ups & 2 Downs From AEW All Out 2023 (Results & Review)

Ups

9. Better Than You Bay Bay Vs The Dark Order

The Dark Order unexpectedly earning a shot at the Ring Of Honor tag team titles with just a few days' notice was just another case of AEW feeling unfocused as a promotion going into Sunday's show.

Sentimental favourites to much of the core base, John Silver and Alex Reynolds won the latest in a long line of quick-fix battle royals to get the match, and in the shadow of a rumoured (dropped) Wembley showdown with The HungBucks, it was hard to see this as anymore than a make-good. That train of thought was derailed the second the Champions arrived on the scene anyway.

Not to discredit a strong effort from Reynolds and Silver as situational heels, but Better Than You Bay Bay can only be compared to The Rock for how they chew scenery in ways big and small. The biggest, daftest spots are the ones that matter most to the live crowd, and the wins and losses matter just as much. It's a combination of wrestling's key tenets working in perfect harmony, right down to the way Cole dove for MJF's outstretched hand when he returned from an ostensible injury write-off.

The two are reflecting a deep bond and love, and a similar one exists between the duo and the fans. More proof that the company absolutely nailed the All In main event booking, this was yet more perfect angle advancement disguised as a title match. And they went beyond the bell too...