AEW All Out Review 3/9/23

AEW presented All Out 2023 just 7 days after the All In show at Wembley Stadium. The show aired live from the United Center in Chiccago, IL.

MJF and Adam Cole vs. Alex Reynolds and John Silver – MJF started off very entertaining with the strut and getting the crowd to chant sportsmanship. The match took a serious turn when MJF first sold his neck and then was struck with a chair, forcing him to go to the back. Cole fought back as best he could until MJF made a valiant return. A Kangaroo Kick and Double Clothesline got the win for the champions.

An entertaining opener and continued the story of MJF’s neck issues from All In – ***

Samoa Joe vs. Shane Taylor – Joe shoved MJF on his entrance, resulting in a pull-apart brawl. Taylor got some hope spots and shots in on Joe, but the power and technique of Joe was too much. Joe locked in the Coquina Clutch to win the match. 

The match itself was relatively predictable and by the numbers. Joe never looked in danger of losing – **

Luchasaurus vs. Darby Allin – An injured Allin was rag-dolled right from the off by the larger competitor. Christian Cage ordered Luchasaurus to continue the punishment. The steel steps were placed on the back of Allin, with Luchasaurus stepping on them to add to the punishment of Allin’s back. The punishment continued in the ring, with Allin reversing the momentum and hitting a senton to the outside. Back in the ring, Allin was suplexed onto his head and placed in a torture rack. Cage demanded Nick Wayne throw in the towel, but Wayne refused. Allin took out Cage with a dive to the outside and hit an avalanche code red, but also only got a 2 count. Allin went for the coffin drop but was distracted by Cage attacking Wayne. Luchasaurus hit 2 tombstones and a lariat to win the match.

A good big vs. little wrestler contest. Allin had great underdog energy and Luchasaurus looked dominant – ***½

Powerhouse Hobbs vs. Miro – The two big men locked horns right from the opening bell, trying to assert their dominance. Hobbs hit a big suplex onto Miro to take control. Hobbs attempted to hit a corner splash on Miro but missed and spilt to the outside. A fistfight took place back in the ring, followed by a strike exchange, with the crowd acknowledging the big meaty men by starting a “meat” chant. Miro got the better of the fight. More big moves followed that the crowd loved. Miro locked in the Game Over but Hobbs powered out, Hobbs hit a massive spine buster but Miro kicked out. Miro locked in the Game Over again and Hobbs tapped out. 

This was a great change of pace following the high-flying and mismatched affair from the previous match. The crowd were really into it too – ***½

Kris Statlander vs. Ruby Soho – Statlander took control early, slamming Soho into the barricade. Saraya would provide a distraction for Soho to take advantage. Soho continued to remain on the offensive with Statlander trying to retreat. Statlander managed to attack Soho in the corner and created some breathing space. Soho tried to use the spray paint but Toni Storm came from under the ring to prevent it. Statlander won the match with a Sunday Night Fever. 

The match seemed more about the advancing of The Outcasts split than the title, but the in-ring work was also solid – ***

Ricky Starks vs. Bryan Danielson – Starks was reluctant to start the match, going on to attack Danielson before the opening bell, busting open Danielson. The bell rang and Starks slammed Danielson’s head onto the steps. The punishment continued with multiple whips and coking spots. Bryan took control with multiple loud whips to the back of Starks. Multiple dropkicks followed to Starks as Danielson took control. Spilling to the outside, Danielsom pulled the strap to drive Starks into the post, busting him open as well. A lariat by Starks caused a double-down. Starks would whip Danielson but to no effect. Big Bill interfered in the match, but was stopped by Ricky Steamboat. Danielson hit the running knee but Starks kicked out. Danielson locked in the LeBell lock with the strap to get the victory.

This was a great return to action for Danielson and a great strap match. The blood was justified and was as physical as advertised. While the match was about Danielson, Starks also had a great showing – ****

Katsuyori Shibata and Eddie Kingston vs. Claudio Castagnoli and Wheeler Yuta – Shibata and Yuta started the match off, with Yuta quickly tagging in Castagnoli. Kingston was tagged in and Castagnoli tagged out. Not letting that stop him, Kingston went to the outside to get his hands on Castagnoli. Kingston was driven into the guard rail and thrown back in the ring to be worked over. Shibata got the hot tag and went after Castagnoli. Shibata got Castagnoli and Yuta in a double submission before Castagnoli fought out of it. Kingston tagged in and delivered multiple chops to Yuta. Castagnoli hit an uppercut to win the match. 

This was a good match but felt like it should have been on TV to set up for a future match and not a pay-per-view match. There was just that something that was missing – **½ 

Kenny Omega vs. Konosuke Takeshita – The match had a big fight feel before the first punch was even thrown. Good back and forth from the start. Omega was dropped on his head early on. Taking it to the outside, Omega hit a moonsault off the barricade. Back in the ring and Takeshita took advantage again with a high-impact clothesline and throwing Omega into the second turnbuckle. Takeshita tried to use a chair but was stopped by the referee. Callus placed chairs onto Omega while the referee was distracted and Takeshita dived to the outside onto the chair pile. Takeshita attempted a top pore senton but Omega got the knees up. Takeshita tried the jumping knee but fell out of the ring. Omega hit a powerbomb and V trigger but only got a 2 count. Takeshita countered the one winged angel into a slam but also got a 2. Takeshita hit a top rope blue thunder bomb but again only for a 2 count. Callis tried to use a screwdriver, but Omega avoided it. Takeshita then grabbed the screwdriver but the referee spotted it. Takeshita hit the running knee to win the match.

The interference was not as much as previous matches with Callis at ringside. Takeshita put on a good showing but it felt like there is more in the tank for this one – ***½ 

Jay White, Juice Robinson and The Gunns vs. FTR and The Young Bucks – The Young Bucks got a hostile reaction due to the recent news regarding CM Punk. Dax Harwood was isolated with quick tags from the heel team. Cash Wheeler was tagged in and then also isolated. A 4 on 4 standoff occurred with quadruple sharpshooters. The Young Bucks were tagged in to a mixed reaction. A flurry of offence occurs with The Bucks and FTR working well together but not managing to get the victory. Harwood and White are left alone in the ring. Matt Jackson and Dax Harwood hit a shatter machine but was broken up. A BTE trigger was also executed and broken up. White hit the Bladerunner on Wheeler for Colten Gunn to get the victory. 

The crowd enjoyed jeering The Young Bucks as much as they enjoyed the match itself. Bullet Club Gold were the right winners here in a match that was all action – ***½

Orange Cassidy vs. Jon Moxley – Cassidy went for the pockets but Moxley met it with a stiff strike. Moxley stood over a fallen Cassidy to signify that he was the fresher competitor and Cassidy is in survival mode. Cassidy dived off the top but Moxley countered with boots to the head. Cassidy countered a suplex attempt with the stundog millionaire. Cassidy was thrown into the post and was split open. Back in the ring and Moxley hit a piledriver but only got a 2 count. The blood continued to flow from Cassidy’s head. Cassidy continued to fight back but looked already beaten. Cassidy hit the orange punch but only got a 2 count. Moxley put a very bloody Cassidy in a choke but Cassidy fought out of it. Mox transitioned into a LeBell lock with Cassidy escaping out of the ring. Moxley exposed the concrete on the outside but was driven into it by Cassidy. Moxley was then dropkicked into the steps. Mox made it back into the ring and countered an orange punch into a cutter. Mox hit a death rider but Cassidy still kicked out. A second death rider won the match and the title for Moxley.

This match was rightfully the main event. Moxley’s violent style and Cassidy literally fighting to survive told a great in match story. The lack of interference and making this a true one on one contest made for a refreshing change. Cassidy looked great in defeat and went down swinging after elevating the International Championship – ****

Featured image: AEW