ALL IN: Results & Review.

*Spoilers*

ALL IN emanated from the Sears Center in downtown Chicago Illinois the 10,000 sell out was in for a night to remember. I viewed the show from The Fite TV app so this review will focus on the pay-per-view portion of the festivities.

Matt Cross defeated MJF.

The opening contest of the pay-per-view pitted indie legend Matt Cross vs MJF. This was a fast-paced fun opener very typical of the lower card indie scene. Matt Cross can always be trusted to deliver a decent match and this was no different for the veteran.

Rating ⭐️⭐️💫

Next, the commentary team cut to Sean Mooney who they say will be talking to Christopher Daniels. Mooney is actually interviewing NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion Nick Aldis.

Next up

Christopher Daniels pins Stephen Amell. (Jerry Lynn as Referree)

This was much better than I expected. The Arrow star is okay, he can work a basic match well. Amell even hit a coast to coast which was unbelievable. Daniels, of course, is a true pro he led the match and made Armell look good on it. I’m sure their chemistry was the best together but it worked for where it was on the card. Armell went through a table after missing an elbow drop which awoke the crowd who chanted “Broken Arrow”. After the spot, Jerry Lynn put both men back in the ring. Lynn and Daniels squared off teasing a fight but inevitably Daniels won the match following the best moonsault ever.

Rating ⭐️⭐️💫

Former Emma -Tenille Dashwood & Mandy Leon Join the commentary team for women match.

Tessa Blanchard defeated Britt Baker, Chelsea Green and Maddison Rayne in a four way match.

The crowd really enjoyed this match. Fast-paced and fun this delivered on all levels. All four were excellent until the finish. Chelsea Green hit a flawless Canadian destroyer. I expect big things in her future.

The end came when Blanchard hit the Hammerlock DDT on Green. Baker attempted to break up the pin but didn’t make it in time. Or so the story was supposed to go. Unfortunately, the end was slightly botched when the pin was broken up on two in error but the bell rang as planned anyway. Despite the awkward finish, this was overall a good match.

Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️

It’s worth note that Tenille Dashwood & Mandy Leon were excellent on commentary. Tully Blanchard & Magnum TA were in the crowd for Tessa which was nice.

Next up Cody and Nick Aldis. The crowd audibly gasped when it was announced this was on so early. Having seen the rest of the show though this made sense.

NWA WORLDS HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

Cody defeated Nick Aldis

Brandi led the way as Cody walked to the ring with the ‘Nightmare Family’ Tommy Dreamer, DDP, Glacier, Pharaoh, and co in toe. This had a big fight feel to it. Not to be outdone Aldis arrived with Tim Storm, Jeff Jarrett and Shawn Daivari.

The crowd welcomed this match with a standing ovation this really felt like a special occasion. The commentary team went on and on about Twitter, like this was WWE show which was slightly annoying.

Aldis used size early going powering Cody to the floor. The match did contain some sloppy exchanges to start with but things clicked as the match matured. The bout did take a strange turn when referee threw up the X to say Cody was injured. It was unclear if this was a work or stalling for time. DDP and Devari got into it DDP hit a diamond cutter to a huge pop before being sent to the back. In the confusion Cody bladed but the camera missed the supposed story based cause of the cut.

A bloody Cody would battle on slapping a figure four in Aldis. Aldis would later power slam cody outside to great effect. The back an fourth continued with Cody hitting an aeroplane spin and an Alabama Slam.

From their though Aldis would dominate locking in the cloverleaf. Cody somehow managed to get to the ropes for a rope break. Brandi offered support and begged him to stop.

Aldis then hit a vicious piledriver. Aldis climbed up to the top rope and went for an elbow drop. Brandi shielded Cody and took the full force of the elbow.

The crowd chanted “Ass hole” at the champion as he went for the cover. Two count, Cody rallied hitting a slightly botched disaster kick, followed by the Cross Rhodes.

It seemed like nothing would keep the champion down until Cody went for the vertebreaker. Aldis countered into a sunset flip attempt Cody sits down rolls forward and pins Aldis for the surprise three count and the win. The pin was a drop down roll up ala British Bulldog vs Bret Hart in 92.

The crowd reaction is fantastic. This was a tribute to Dusty and a moment that was reminiscent of Kerry Von Erich beating Ric Flair following his brothers' death. Cody winning the 10 pounds of gold felt like a call back to the golden age of the NWA. Dusty would be proud.

Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 for match

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 💫for the moment

Next up a ridiculous dream sequence skit highlighting ‘Hangman’s’ “murder” of Joey. Ryan.

Chicago Street Fight

‘Hangman’ Adam Page defeated Joey Janela w/ Penelope Ford

This was a wild back and forth brawl. Tables, ladders, chairs and even cracker barrels were used as weapons. The two waged war throughout the arena. The silliness included talking boots, a desk phone that was supposedly a murder weapon, super-kicks galore. The match ended when Page hit a rite of passage from a ladder through a table.

The madness was just beginning though. The lights went out, then out came several men dressed as cocks. Yes, you read that right several giant penises lined the entrance way. Joey Ryan’s music blared out. “He’s alive” screamed Don Callis. Ryan would then beat down page. The giant cocks carried the ‘Hangman’ away to lord knows what fate. This was one of the craziest visuals I’ve seen in my near 30 years watching wrestling.

Rating

Match ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Angle ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (as ludicrous as it was)

ROH WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Jay Lethal (black Machismo) w/ ’the genius’ Lanny Poffo. (c) defeated Flipp Gordon w/ Brandi Rhodes

Jay Lethal arrived in ’Macho Man’ Randy Savages WCW debut ring gring to a huge pop. Seeing Savages brother by his side was great.

As a fan I miss Savage so much!!!

In the early going Lethal’s Macho mannerisms were spot on. It’s literally like he channels savage with the Black Machismo character. Lots of macho callbacks done for laughs and nostalgia. Brandi eventually slapped Lethal turning him back into Jay. In the second half, he wrestled Jay Lethal style.

Flip was entertaining in the antagonist role. Lethal once again turned into savage delivering three elbow drops. Flip hulked up, delivered the big boot, kayfabe is dead. A few near falls followed before Lethal hit the jumping Lethal injection *diamond cutter * for the win.

Bully Ray took out both men after the bell. Colt Cabana made the save. All three men then mimicking The Shield put Bully through a table.

Rating

Match ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Shenanigans ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Kenny Omega vs. Pentagon EL Zero (Pentagon JR)

Omega arrived sans IWGP belt, perhaps it was lost in customs? I feel a champion should always carry their title. Even in non-title matches.

That aside believe the hype Kenny Omega is the best in the world and Pentagon is not far behind.

This was a lightning fast paced battle. Pentagon is one of the most charismatic masked stars I’ve ever seen. The two had the audience gripped. Omega eventually winning with the one winged angel.

Then the lights went out when they came back Jericho, in Pentagon Jr gear, had replaced the defeated Impact star.

Attacking Omega the IWGP Intercontinental Champion unmasked delivering a second vicious Codebreaker. This was done to promote the upcoming Jericho cruise. It was one hell of a moment.

Rating

Match ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Jericho angle ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Marty Scurll defeated by Kazuchika Okada

Good chain wrestling to start things off. Okada played up the weight and strength difference here, effectively becoming a heel for the night. There was a clash of styles at times but it seemed to work in the most part. I actually think all the Junior vs Heavyweight talk by the commentary team hurt this match a bit.

Lots of near falls Marty hit rainmaker on Okada. Marty spat at the former champion. Okada. responded with two rainmakers of his own for the win.

This took a while to get going but it was very good in the end.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

The Young Bucks and Kota Ibushi defeated Rey Mysterio, Fenix, and Bandido

Main event time.

This was a super fast paced affair that should have gotten more time. Unfortunately, due to pay-per-view time constraints, this one had to be a brilliant sprint to a rushed finish. These Six ultra talented guys deserved a bit longer. The PPV feed cut out straight after the pin which was an anti-climatic end to an excellent show.

Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Final Conclusion

ALL IN was a thrill ride and a middle finger to those that believe WWE is the only place to be a star.

The decision to put The NWA Championship match on early was the right one. They caught the crowd whilst they still had gas in the tank.

Tonight was for everyone but it will always be remembered as Cody’s big moment.

The show wasn’t perfect, no show is, but it was a great night and a reminder of how really special moments in wrestling can feel.

Show Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I’m ALL IN

Thanks for reading if you enjoyed this article feel free to give me a follow and/or claps. I’m always happy to hear your views.

Cheers

Ian