That doesn’t mean AEW deserves no credit. The build to All In’s main event — MJF vs. Adam Cole — has been superb. It also stands as proof that the company is capable of creating storylines that have structure, layers, and entertainment value when the creative team really makes an effort. It’s the type of match that’s worthy of headlining Wembley Stadium, but…

The rest of the show is essentially a glorified exhibition. 

FTR vs. The Young Bucks should be more than it is, especially given the well-documented tension between both teams behind the scenes. There’s potential for a heated program here, but so far, it’s been nothing but standoffs in advance. Of course, it remains to be seen if FTR will even be on the show, following Cash Wheeler’s recent arrest; he was charged with aggravated assault with a firearm.

The rest of the card is mostly tag and multi-man matches, most of which feel thrown together simply for the purposes of getting more people on the show. For example, Don Callis randomly hired Bullet Club Gold to attack Kenny Omega on this week’s “AEW Dynamite.” Now we’re getting a trios match partnering Juice Robinson and Jay White with existing Callis disciple Konosuke Takeshita to face Omega and teammates “Hangman” Adam Page and Kota Ibushi, because they’re Kenny’s friends. Riveting storytelling, that is.

It is truly admirable that Tony Khan wants to give as many wrestlers as possible the chance to wrestle at such a momentous event, but less is often more. And there’s no guarantee that any momentum from this version of All In will actually help AEW and its stars grow in the long run. While the hype for the event is undeniable, it also highlights some of the more irksome elements of how AEW has operated lately.