AEW All In Wembley (2024) review: Everything that went down in London town

AEW All In Wembley (2024) is in the books, here’s what went down in every match along with some analysis, and how it sets up All Out in Chicago on September 7th.

Zero Hour matches

The pre-show started with a 16-man (yes, 16) tag-team match that if it had been anywhere else on the card wouldn’t have worked. Luckily, this was right at the very start of the pre-show while fans were still filing in and it did a great job of warming up the crowd and letting talent from both AEW and ROH get some time to shine at Wembley. The colossal Satnam Singh facing the fun-size Lio Rush was a highlight and we’re keen to see more of this! UK wrestlers like Kip Sabian, Anthony Ogogo and the new Dynamite Kid, Tommy Billington also represented themselves well.

Next up was Willow Nightingale and Tomohiro Ishii versus Kris Statlander and Stokely Hathaway in a match that was better than it had any right to be. Of course, the money match here is Nightingale vs Statlander who’s feud will likely blow off at a later date, but having Stokely Hathaway come face to face with NJPW’s Stone Pitbull was great fun to watch. While Stokely was inevitably crushed by the powerful Ishii, his plucky attempts to face up to the unchoppable force was endearing. Stokely Hathaway is one of the best heel managers in the business, from Evolve to NXT to AEW, he’s been consistently great TV.

The final pre-show match was a 10-man tag-team match between The Von Erichs, Sammy Guevara, Katsuyori Shibata, and Dustin Rhodes, with Kevin Von Erich in their corner, versus the Undisputed Kingdom and the Cage of Agony trio. It’s great to see Sammy Guevara in AEW’s sister promotion, Ring of Honor. He’s honestly a talent they could build the brand around if they wanted to and the monstrous Cage of Agony are always thrilling to watch, almost seeming like ROH’s version of the Bloodline stable. Seeing a new generation of Von Erich’s compete on a stage as large as Wembley with Kevin also getting in on the action was heartwarming to see.

While the Undisputed Kingdom always impress, its frustrating to see that what was supposed to be AEW’s top heel faction several months ago, not to mention the architects of months of devilish scheming to bring down MJF, and the combination of two classing heel stables, has devolved into the midcard. We know the injuries of both MJF and Adam Cole is likely what sunk that story, we just wish that those still around could have continued to be seen as a threat.

The pre-show ended with a segment (that could have passed for a squash match) where Saraya came out with the Knight family to heel it up in front of her home country crowd. Her rant was interrupted by the triumphant return of Jamie Hayter who chased them all from the ring much to the delight of the crowd. We very much look forward to seeing how this plays out on TV.

Pac and Blackpool Combat Club vs. The Patriarchy (c) vs. Bang Bang Gang vs. House of Black (AEW Trios Championships)

The main card started off with a bang as the event’s biggest popcorn match was first up and it was a violent delight from start to finish. Various spots elicited an audible gasp from the Wembley crowd but the most memorable part was Juice Robinson losing patience with the interference from Mother Wayne. The Matriarch escaped the wrath of the Rock Hard one but this wasn’t enough for her team to retain. Pac worked exceptionally well as a member of the BCC and it was the Bastard himself that scored the win for his team. He also celebrated with the other BCC members at the end of the show, but more on that later.

Christian Cage was one of the MVPs of this whole show and The Patriarchy losing their trios titles will allow the group to move on to bigger things. However, it’s only a matter of time until Killswitch turns on his abusive master, which was teased some more here. The Bang Bang Gang are finding their groove while Jay White is away with an injury, and the (are they/aren’t they) Bullet Club members are starting to feel increasingly like fan favourites. The House of Black were reliable and deliciously  ruthless in this match, but we still yearn for a singles run from Malakai Black. With a marquee show in Australia planned, we have to wonder if Buddy Matthews is also due a solo run.

Mariah May vs. “Timeless” Toni Storm (c) (AEW Women’s Championship)

Toni Storm’s Sunset Boulevard gimmick is the gift that keeps on giving and has been a highlight of AEW programming for months. At the same time, Mariah May might just have become the biggest supervillain in women’s wrestling. Neither performer was playing games in this brutal blood feud. May emerged victorious and crowed about her victory during the post show press conference.

However, we have an excited feeling that this is just the start of something bigger, as now the timeless one has absolutely nothing left to lose – and Mariah May is about to become her sole obsession, something the new champion should be very afraid of. There’s still one more act in this show, darling, and things are about to get dark. Props to Luther too for his rather hilarious and defiant taunt of May even in the face of annihilation at her hands.

Hook vs. Chris Jericho (c) (FTW Championship)

While Chris Jericho has turned way too many times in his AEW run, it’s hard to deny he’s best suited to the role of a delusional faction leader and his smarmy Learning Tree gimmick is pure gold. Over 50,000 people in Wembley Stadium were salivating at the prospect of him receiving the beating he deservers oh so much. Send Hook. Not only did Hook become a three-time FTW champion, Taz even got involved and reminded Jericho’s cronies why you should never mess with a man with an orange pocket square. Jericho’s minions frustrated Hook throughout the match, but he valiantly stood against them throughout, at least until Taz had seen enough.

Father and son embraced after the match, making this one of the most meaningful and heartwarming moments of the show. We hope the belt sticks around and that Hook defends it against new challengers. However, as far as Jericho goes, there’s an angry Samoan submission machine looking to chop down the Learning Tree, and it’s only a matter of time until he’s back. Big Bill was one of the most over stars during this match. While he’s played the role of Jericho’s toadie and muscle for the past few months, it may be time for AEW to consider a larger position for the seven footer. After all, you can’t teach that.

The Young Bucks (c) vs. FTR vs. The Acclaimed (AEW Tag-Team Championships)

How do you improve on the Young Bucks vs. FTR series? Throw in another tag-team into the mix apparently, which in this case was the Acclaimed. Although, like all tag-team matches that contain more than two teams, knowing who to tag in and out can be messy. Why would you ever tag out to another team? Even if you were in dire straights, this is counterproductive. This is why no DQ or tornado rules often smooth over the rough edges of such match-ups. Luckily, the action in this one was so fast and fun that it didn’t suffer from this issue. And let’s be honest, every promotion does this.

Just we can’t help that the Acclaimed were an unnecessary addition and should have been elsewhere on the card. There was nothing specifically wrong with the match, it just didn’t sparkle and the animosity between FTR and the Acclaimed feels a bit forced. All it did was serve to get more heat on the Bucks who escaped with their belts. Grizzled Young Veterans made their debut after the match, staring a hole through the EVPs before attacking the babyfaces. Let’s hope GYV are sooooooon to be recognised as the talents they are.

Casino Gauntlet Match

Be still our beating hearts, if the last match made us feel slightly deflated then this next one soon kicked things back into fifth gear. So much happened in this, so let’s just stick to the top moments. Like the ladder match earlier in the night, this was so much fun from start to finish and will go down in history for multiple reasons. Orange Cassidy and Okada started the match, which alone was noteworthy, but less than 48 hours before Oasis revealed they’re reforming, we saw the in-ring return of Nigel McGuiness. He’s also not lost a step. The “clam-digger” and new AEW World Champion Bryan Danielson should be concerned, but long-time ROH fans are already fantasy booking their little hearts out.

Speaking of Ring of Honor, their World Champion, Mark Briscoe also participated in this match. It may have been nice to see him defend at All In, considering AEW and ROH have the same owner, and let’s be honest, the same roster. But the card was stacked enough. Even still, the belt was defended last year. G1 Climax 2024 winner Zack Sabre Jr and Ricochet also debuted in the match. As awesome as it was, we were still coming down from Nigel McGuiness. After more entrances, an already battered Christian scored the win and now has an opportunity at the title. The question is, how long is his pet dinosaur going to put up with him?

While we’re of the view that Okada also should have had a one-on-one match at All In to defend his Continental Championship, we’re just nitpicking. This was great.

MJF (c) vs. Will Ospreay (International Championship)

It pains us that this time last year MJF was on his way to becoming a generational babyface, but his and Adam Cole’s injuries saw the need for him to revert back to a previous form. The good news is that MJF is also a generational heel and earned that accolade years ago. It also meant that we could give AEW’s Saint George, in this case Will Ospreay, a dragon to slay. Ospreay’s entrance tied into the upcoming Assassin’s Creed Shadows and rather nicely paid homage to his Aerial Assassin gimmick, love of the franchise and history in Japan all at once. MJF’s entrance was full of faux patriotic bombast that sadly wasn’t as cool as his devil entrance from 2023.

But my God did they tear the house down, the crowd were on their feet throughout as both men proved why they’re two of the best in the world – and in many ways, are only just getting started. Ospreay’s reluctance to use to dangerous Tiger Driver was teased and has been throughout the story, but the Billy Goat eventually relented and hit MJF with a Hidden Blade before unleashing the terrifying move on him for the win. MJF nearly cheated his way to victory, but a vengeful Daniel Garcia returned to ensure the villain went home without his championship. There’s your All Out match, folks! Let’s go.

Mercedes Moné (c) vs. Britt Baker (TBS Championship)

Moné’s entrance was likely to draw some heat from over-sensitive monarchists, but that was probably the point, it was also fitting as Moné herself is a corgi owner. Britt Baker also felt like a star and it was clear to everyone in attendance that this feud likely wasn’t ending tonight.

Sadly, this dampened the already exhausted crowd’s enthusiasm and the atmosphere suffered for it. However, that didn’t stop both women from deriving a masterclass in the ring. We’re looking forward to seeing where it goes from here, but this story clearly needs more chapters until it can reach a satisfying conclusion.

Jack Perry (c) vs. Darby Allin (TNT Championship coffin match)

Mercifully, the picture featuring a man stood on the struts above Wembley Stadium was only a meme, but we wouldn’t put any stunt past Darby Allin! He did, however, have thumbtacks stuck to his face from the very start of the match. Ouch. Like the previous match, this story still feels like it has a mileage in it – and Jack Perry has history in Wembley. Beating a beloved babyface like Darby in this stadium only increases his notoriety.

The match was nasty, short and brutish, which is exactly what it needed to be. Jack Perry stood tall after locking his fellow Pillar of AEW in the coffin, making All In 2024 a successful outing for this current iteration of the Elite stable. It’s also way too early to replace Perry’s dope TNT Championship which has entered its goth phase. Jack also used glass to hurt Darby, real glass. Cry him a river.

The Young Bucks then came out, apparently to burn Darby alive. However, they were stopped by Sting who once again came out to Metallica’s Seek and Destroy for a raucous pop from the crowd.

Swerve Strickland (c) vs. Bryan Danielson (AEW World Championship vs. Career Match)

While he’s been absolutely superb, it was starting to feel like the sun was setting on Swerve’s title reign. His chase and antihero antics were also far more interesting than having him at the top of the mountain turned out to be. Still, he’s had some bangers and his partnership with Prince Nana is a weekly television highlight for us. It would also be criminal for Bryan Danielson to retire and not hold AEW’s top prize, which this stipulation would have ensured.

Luckily, the American Dragon had one more miracle in him and to say this sent the crowd home happy would be an understatement. Coming out to the Final Countdown was the icing on the cake.

Of the match itself, both men put on a 25-minute clinic of strikes, holds and drama. Danielson’s wife and children were also ringside, with the camera catching their reactions on occasion. Swerve became increasingly desperate to put Danielson away as he and Nana used every trick in the book, but to no avail. Heads were kicked in and a new champion was crowned. Welcome to a new era of AEW. Are we excited? Yes. Yes. Yes!

AEW feels reinvigorated after this event, with multiple new stories and twists to existing ones. Some feuds have ended with satisfying conclusions while others have swerved into new and exciting avenues. We walked out of All In (2024) more excited than when we walked in, which is the mark of an excellent show. Hopefully AEW can ride this momentum into All Out in two weeks and keep the fire of London burning.