Why AEW Moved Britt Baker Vs. Big Swole From All Out's Pre-Show

The Tooth & Nail match was originally booked for the Buy In.

by Andy H Murray
Britt Baker Big Swole
AEW

AEW decided to pull Britt Baker vs. Big Swole off the All Out 2020 Buy In pre-show and onto the main card as officials felt it belonged on the pay-per-view proper after filming it, writes Dave Meltzer in this week's Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Vocal critics saw putting Baker vs. Swole on YouTube rather than PPV as a slight against women's wrestling and further evidence of AEW's perceived lack of commitment to their own inconsistent scene. This backlash was speculated as the driver behind moving the Tooth and Nail clash onto the main show, though it sounds like the online response had little to do with it.

Tony Khan had previously defended putting Swole and Baker on the Buy In, claiming their cinematic bout would serve as a good advertisement for fans debating whether or not to spend $50 on the pay-per-view. The AEW President also noted that going down the cinematic route was necessary to protect Baker. The dentist is still recovering from a serious leg injury and, per yesterday's reports, hasn't yet been cleared to compete in a traditional bout.

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All Out opened with the Tooth and Nail match, with Swole taking the victory.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.