All Elite Wrestling have just concluded their biggest event to date, and with everything that went on, it's hard not to be excited about Tony Khan's new company going forward. All Out from the Sears Center in Chicago was the last stop for AEW on the road to weekly television in a months time, and while we've still got plenty of questions that need answers, they're on their way to greatness.
No matter how good a wrestling show is, there is always going to be negatives, but today, we are going to take a look at the other side of the coin and take a look on the positive side. So without further ado, sit back and read along as we look back on yet another historic PPV for All Elite Wrestling, and look on 5 of the biggest things that the company did right on the night.
#5 Announcing AEW's next big PPV
AEW was announced all the way back in January, and since that point, we've wanted to know all the details of the coming year, but the company has held a lot of things very close to the chest. They've been unveiling the location of their live TV show for the past few weeks, but beyond that, we know few details, so at All Out, AEW decided to announce its next Pay Per View broadcast.
AEW: Full Gear will take place November 9th in Baltimore, Maryland, and while the name may not be the most appealing, we can certainly see what All Elite are going for. This will take place after the 5th episode of AEW on TNT, so it's going to be fun to see how quick AEW can build towards a PPV with weekly TV, and given how they've gone so far, we can't wait for Full Gear.
#4 Storytelling throughout the night
While AEW promised great wrestling action, they've delivered much more than that, as the storytelling throughout All Out was immense. PAC vs. Omega, Spears vs. Cody, Page vs. Jericho and Riho vs. Shida were the most obvious examples, but throughout the night, we got to learn more about all the stars of AEW, with plenty of stories heading into TV.
Due to the lack of consistent shows, the company has yet to tell a compelling, week to week story, so when TV starts, expect that to happen, especially since they've had so much time to plan their weekly TV before it begins. Ultimately, this is one thing that will be overlooked coming out of All Out, especially considering how great the in-ring work was, but if AEW can keep it up, they'll keep audiences hooked week to week, waiting for the perfect pay off to each and every story.
#3 Stipulation Matches
While only 2/10 matches on the All Out card were stipulation bouts, they were arguably the two best matches on the show, and if you like seeing car crash style wrestling, this was the show for you. The Triple Threat between Joey Janela, Jimmy Havoc and Darby Allin was absolutely insane, with all 3 men doing anything they can to win, including a breathtaking Coffin Drop from Allin.
It was Jimmy Havoc to come out on top (another great call), but it was exactly what you'd expect from those 3, and if hardcore wrestling is your style, that was a classic. The other was the Escalara De La Meurte for the AAA Tag Team Championships, in what was the most high-risk ladder match in wrestling history.
From a Canadian Destroyer from a ladder through a table to Nick Jackson almost killing himself on a fall, this was one death-defying spot after another, and while it could have been called a spot fest, it was exactly what we expected, and it delivered in spades.
#2 The debut of LAX
Heading into All Out, there was speculation that LAX was signing with AEW over WWE, and following the Escalara De La Meurte, the news was confirmed. Two men entered the ring wearing presidential masks, and attacked both of the teams after a hellacious contest, before removing the masks to a fantastic ovation from the sold-out Sears Center crowd.
The All Elite Wrestling tag team division was already stacked (8 fantastic tag teams competed at All Out), so adding Impact Wrestling's Tag Team of the Year from 2018 makes it perhaps the best tag team division in history. The name LAX wasn't mentioned specifically, so while we don't know what they will be called when AEW start TV on October 2, but given the AEW World Tag Team Championship Tournament that will be getting underway, it's safe to say that these two made the right choice by going with AEW.
#1 The first-ever All Elite Wrestling World Champion
After PAC pulled out from Double or Nothing, it was clear that AEW's original plans for All Out had to be changed, and while many weren't excited about the Page/Jericho matchup, they certainly delivered on Saturday night. Many thought that Page would go over due to his potential as a future main event player for All Elite Wrestling, but they made the right choice with Jericho, who's had the best run of his career over the past 2 years.
Ever since battling Kenny Omega in the Tokyo Dome, Jericho has been fantastic, and given that he's a household name, having him as Champion on the AEW on TNT debut makes perfect sense. Page is going to get another shot down the line, as he's one of the most talented performers in the business today, but given the match they had and the stars involved, AEW made a fantastic call here.