Jim Ross believes AEW All In: London was the best event the company has produced since its launch in 2019, and he made sure Tony Khan knew exactly how highly he rated the show.
Ross watched the August 30 pay-per-view from home in Oklahoma after doctors advised him against flying following brain surgery on August 12. Speaking on Grilling JR, the veteran announcer offered considerable praise for what AEW presented at Wembley Stadium. “I thought All In was the very best pay-per-view or television broadcast that AEW has presented since they were formed,” he said. “I love that show, and I am an old-school grouchy fart, get off my lawn guy. I want to see a hold every now and then, so I’m not a high-flyer exclusive proponent. However, I never got tired of anything I was seeing, and I thought it was just a phenomenal show.”
Ross revealed that he contacted AEW President Tony Khan immediately afterward to share his reaction. “I congratulated Tony Khan, and he was in London when I texted him. We exchanged text messages after the show, and he appreciated my feedback,” Ross said.
Ross watched the event on his phone with closed captions enabled and was particularly impressed by the overall presentation surrounding the matches. “The quality of the vignettes leading into a match, and the entrances, I thought was as good as I’ve seen from anybody anywhere anytime,” Ross said.
His criticisms were relatively minor. Ross felt the show may have run slightly too long and noted the relentless pace of the high-flying action. “It might have been a little too long. It was over four hours long, as I understand. That’s a long time. Old man’s got to go pee,” Ross said. “And the high-flying stuff never let up, so I never got to catch my breath.”
Ross also acknowledged that some fans may dismiss his praise because he works for AEW. “People say, JR works for AEW, what do you think he’s going to say?” Ross said. “You don’t hear me bitching about AEW very often. I try to find positive things to talk about.”
The AEW commentary team also received significant praise, particularly Excalibur for managing a lengthy outdoor broadcast featuring multiple announcers. “As the play-by-play guy and the lead, you’ve got to keep the rudder in the water. You’ve got to stay in your lane and get these guys to stay in their lane and coordinate it,” Ross said. “I thought all those guys were unselfish. They seemed to be passionate. Excalibur gets from me special recognition, because you didn’t find yourself listening to two guys talk at the same time very often. It just worked.”
Ross also highlighted Mercedes Moné and Willow Nightingale’s AEW Women’s World Championship match. While he felt the blood added to the drama, he stressed that the quality of their performance stood on its own. “They were laying their stuff in. They’re serious about their profession and having a great performance, and I’m proud of both those ladies,” he said. “Tony Khan has done a great job of evolving his women’s participation in AEW television shows. He’s done a good job developing that side of the roster.”
According to Ross, there wasn’t a match on the card that he would describe as merely average. He also believes the performances illustrated how wrestlers should approach the increased freedom that comes with major pay-per-view matches. “Talents have got to realise, like they obviously did in London, that when you get the opportunity to go on pay-per-view and do things that you don’t normally do, sequencing to the finish, false finishes, that’s the time to try your new stuff,” he said. “Wrestling fans like new, and they like surprises.”
Ross’ glowing assessment differs considerably from comments made by longtime colleague Eric Bischoff. Speaking on 83 Weeks, Bischoff criticized the AEW World Championship main event between Will Ospreay and Kenny Omega, arguing that the match lacked structure and at one point comparing it to watching a Nasty Boys match.
Ross was complimentary toward Bischoff personally before disagreeing with his assessment. “I like Eric. We didn’t always get along, but we have for the last several years,” Ross said. “And I admire his work ethic, because he’s a hardworking son of a gun.”
He then made his position clear. “I would choose at this point in this conversation to say I think that he’s wrong,” Ross said.
Ross specifically disagreed with the Nasty Boys comparison. “If you want to compare it to something else, another match, but not the Nasty Boys. I just don’t feel it,” he said. “But I respect his opinion. Glad he gave one. I’m glad he watched the show.”
Ric Flair also generated discussion following All In by pushing back against comparisons between Ospreay and Omega and his legendary rivalry with Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat. Flair compared the two rivalries to the Mississippi River and Pacific Ocean and argued that Ospreay and Omega should get back to him after working hundreds of great matches and numerous hour-long draws.
Ross didn’t believe Flair’s response was necessary. “I didn’t think it was. I thought it was unnecessary,” Ross said. “I respect his opinion. That doesn’t mean I have to agree with it.”
At the same time, Ross stressed that he has enormous respect for Flair and Steamboat and their historic rivalry. “No one will ever make me say negative things about him or Ricky Steamboat. They were perfect for each other. Great booking,” Ross said.
Ross did, however, question Flair’s emphasis on the number of hour-long draws the pair allegedly worked. “The fact they went an hour Broadway 200 times is troubling, because you mean you couldn’t figure out a finish?” he said. “I don’t mind a Broadway, but it’s not something I relish.”
Ross ultimately returned to the same position: he respects Flair’s right to have an opinion but doesn’t share it. “I didn’t agree with Ric’s tweet, but I respect his opinion. I appreciate the fact that he expressed an opinion on Ospreay and Kenny, which leads me to believe, I don’t know about you, Conrad, that maybe Ric watched the show,” he said.
Ospreay defeated Omega in approximately 34 minutes at Wembley Stadium to capture the AEW World Championship. Ross described both men as great workers regardless of generation.
For Ross, the match was part of an event that ultimately set a new benchmark for AEW — one he considers the company’s finest overall production to date.
