CM Punk defeated Darby Allin in his return match
AEW All Out 2021 featured several newsworthy moments packed into on fantastic show. All Out had a Match of the Year contender, CM Punk’s first match in seven years (which was not the Match of the Year contender on this show) and three debuts of former WWE Superstars who were received like rockstars in AEW.
As pro wrestling kicks off the month of September, heading toward what will be a historic fall season for AEW and WWE, All Out kicked things off with a bang.
AEW All Out 2021 Winners
Miro and Eddie Kingston
Miro and Eddie Kingston had one of the better opening matches in AEW history, which is saying a lot. Miro continued to look dominant as arguably AEW’s top heel, while Kingston marketed his viral phenomenon of “Redeem Deez Nuts,” which already has t-shirts available for sale on ShopAEW.com.
Both AEW stars seemed elevated during this match, and after the finish was filled with referee controversy, this feud could be a candidate for a rare AEW rematch.
Minoru Suzuki
New Japan Pro Wrestling star Minoru Suzuki was very well received by Chicago hardcore fans, who even sang along to “Kaze Ni Nare.” In terms of in-ring chemistry and being well-matched, Suzuki and Jon Moxley very well may be pro wrestling soul mates. Even a brief preview of their inevitable match (which ended with Suzuki laying out Moxley with a Gotch piledriver) tore the house down.
Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D.
Britt Baker had her best match since becoming AEW women’s world champion after defeating Kris Statlander. Statlander also showed very well as a babyface, managing to seize crowd support after the match began with Chicago firmly behind Baker. Baker was able to win them back, however, with a well-placed Adam Cole Easter Egg when she delivered the “Pittsburgh Sunrise.”
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With Ruby SoHo now added to AEW’s women’s division and Thunder Rosa waiting in the wings, AEW is finally developing a deep roster of challengers for Baker.
The Lucha Bros
The Lucha Bros had one of the all-time entrances you’ll ever see as they came out accompanied by pyro and a live performance. The crowd was on their side since the start of the match and throughout, and The Lucha Bros and Young Bucks rewarded them with a Match of the Year contender. Between their entrance and subsequent performance, by the end of the night The Lucha Bros were made into superstars.
The only way The Lucha Bros current momentum can be undone is with a quick title reign.
Ruby Soho
Ruby Soho, formerly known as Ruby Riott, was welcomed with open arms by AEW fans, making her debut as the Joker in the AEW Casino Battle Royale. Fans sang along to Soho’s new theme song, which is Ruby Soho by punk rock band Rancid. Soho went on to win the Casino Battle Royale, last eliminating Thunder Rosa.
Soho does not project to dethrone Britt Baker, so hopefully AEW is able to build her up with a string of wins prior to their world title match.
CM Punk
CM Punk’s return match garnered mixed reactions due to its slow pacing, but many agreed that he looked as if he had never left. Donning a new look with long tights, CM Punk was in prime physical condition and moved around very well with Darby Allin. Given what I saw tonight, there aren’t any doubts that Punk will be capable of having good-to-great matches with some of AEW’s top stars.
Adam Cole and Daniel Bryan
Adam Cole and Daniel Bryan each made their unannounced AEW debuts Sunday night at AEW All Out 2021. Both Bryan and Cole received raucous ovations from the NOW Arena in Chicago. More importantly, Cole and Bryan looked right at home in the AEW main event among their peers who made their names on the independent wrestling circuit—a prototype that AEW President Tony Khan has fallen in love with.
AEW All Out 2021 Losers
Skye Blue, Hikaru Shida and Riho
Three of the most popular stars in the AEW Casino Battle Royale were eliminated early, much to the chagrin of this Chicago crowd. This was never more the case than with the elimination of hometown favorite Skye Blue, who might have received the biggest ovation before the debut of Ruby Soho.
Paul Wight
Paul Wight and QT Marshall’s match was placed in the popcorn spot, right after back-to-back emotionally charged matches. Wight and Marshall had to follow both Chris Jericho’s potential retirement match and CM Punk’s first match in seven years. There was no way this match was ever going have a chance under these circumstances, as this match was seemingly designed to give them a breather before the main event.
