Alright so Im up. Thoughts from being at the PPV
-Definetly was not a sellout. I was starting to question the 81,000 number also but then I think the capacity is like 90k so the number seems legit (Though I believe the mania 32 might have been legit over 80k and still the record) Whole side of he hardcam was tapered more tha it needed to be and they were empty seats on that section above and peppered through the arena.. They also tarpered some sections in the lower bowl. But it was still a stadium size crowd who was loud. I dont know it didnt look like a record breaking wrestling crowd, I swear some Manias have looked bigger but I cant deny the facts. And you know I defend AEW over WWE so Im just being honest even if Im wrong loool
-Didnt even know they had a bunch of things before 5pm. I guess zero hour started at 4pm and was making my way down, so missed the contract signing and the Jarrett/Big Show/Grado nonsense. Weird to fly Miro and Hobbs out for a contract signing not promoted when people still coming in. Came in during the ROH tag title match at the end and saw them win while I was walking to my seat and was like wtf
-Punk and Joe had some HEAT. Maybe cause it was the opener. I dont know how it sounded on tv and on video but it was a mixed reaction for Punk. Boos and cheers when the music hit but people sang his theme anyway
Felt more 60-40 Anti Punk and Joe got love but when Punk made the comeback his cheers got louder. The Irony of his mixed reaction is I saw a lot of people rocking Punk tees around though (actually probably more than anyone else with Adam Cole second) so hes definetly in that Cena/Reigns mode with the reactions but people still cop his merch. Fun match overall and probably in the top 5 of the night
-Kenny and the Hangman were super over with the crowd. Don Callis might have had the most heat all night between the two matches he was involved in. Got roundly booed when on screen both matches. This was a solid match with what expect with Elite/BC Gold/New Japan. Surprised at the L for the Elite.
-Bucks and FTR might have been the match of the night. Surprisingly FTR was slightly more popular than the Bucks which was weird cause I figured it would be maybe more pro elite. The crowd definetly clown on Wheeler singing Wheelers got a gun to the sound of Kc-i and the Sunshine band give it up
. Lotta pops for the near falls and the moves on each other. Huge pop for FTR winning which surprised me.
-Stadium in the stampede was a lot of fun. There was a lot going on in different areas and we saw it on the screen. Lot of gimmicks, sue in the van, the skewers to the head, slapping someone in a suite box it looked like . People reacted pretty well. Surprised at the finish too and Best Friends going over
- I didnt think much of the women's match. Lot going on in terms of the outcasts imploding. I wondered if they would give Paige the belt coming out to Queen and her family and they did which pop the crowd......but I dont know if that was the right move. I guess she'll drop it back in the US
-People went nuts for when Sting came out to Seek and Destroy, I had to know what
@puppetmaster thought. But yeah this was a cool enjoyable match. Felt like a lot repeated dive spots to tables and the coffin and the whole thing with trying to put Swerve in felt a bit weird but people love Sting. And ther was a TNA chant when him and Christian faced
-Couple of fights broke out on the floor seats and I counted 3 people being escorted out. Lot of brit brehs were drunk af at the event and leaving a couple was struggling being held up loooool
-Osprey, Jericho. This was a banger and I feel like maybe should have main evented. It was kept concise, letting Jericho do the most within his limits and Will showed. Great entrances for both guys. Crowd was feeling it
-HoB and Acclaimed. The Acclaimed were super over. Cant lie though, surprise at the outcome. House of Black kinda deserve better and I thought the Andradae feud they'd need the trios titles so Im not sure what went on here. Sisscor me shyt is way over in the UK...
-So the Main event.....Granted I dont watch Dynamite weekly but I got the gist of this. This was entertaining as hell with the psychology and the chair spot was funny...Im just sort surprised this is the A story in the company in some ways. Theres definetly some interesting ways they can continue it and the crowd was into this. Definetly more on MJF's side. I dont know how I feel about this match and this angle. It feels kinda comedy ish for a main event angle and the finish while the crowd almost unanimously loved it it didnt do it for me. Maybe Im WWE conditioned but I guess it main evented a stadium show, you kinda expect to be the conclusion, turning point to a story and its just starting
-Dont know if you guys saw it but when they went off obviously Tony came in announced they are doing All In at Wembley again in 2024 same Bank Holiday Sunday. So I guess All In/All Out is gonna be a thing going forward.....WWE bout to make Clash at the Castle a same weekend or weekend after thing watch
I dont know how it will sustain doing annual stadium shows but to be fair, like Mania its gonna be a destination wrestling gathering and people will come just to chant and have a good time whoever is there. TK needs to be mindful of star power but he can probably do this for a couple of more years anyway.
Soon as I left the Stadium projected All In 2024 everywhere ont he stadium front and along the walkway back to the train station....and thankfully it actually moved relativley quick to the station with the cues (Maybe 20 mins as opossed to when I saw the Weeknd and it was an hour to get from the venue to the station) Saw the Punk-Perry news in the cue for the station and was like ...."Damn, everytime I go to an AEW event shyt happens" lol hopefully it aint a big deal
Overall cool experience, going to Wrestling shows in the UK is always fun. Some matches I felt could have been better but not bad
4/5
