The anticipation surrounding the American wrestling promotion, All Elite Wrestling's (AEW) inaugural event in the United Kingdom later this summer is palpable. However, one person not sharing in this excitement is the reigning AEW World Champion, Maxwell Jacob Friedman, popularly known as MJF.
On Sunday, August 27, AEW is set to make its UK debut by hosting its flagship event, All In, at the historic Wembley Stadium in London. The response from fans has been overwhelming, with over 65,000 tickets reportedly sold.
Although this British invasion might be cause for celebration among many in the AEW roster, MJF appears to harbor a starkly different sentiment. MJF, never one to mince his words, expressed his disdain for the upcoming visit in a promotional video.
"While everyone else is reveling in the excitement, the prospect of heading to the UK has no allure for me. I'd rather face death than traverse the Atlantic, but I anticipate Tony [Khan, AEW president] will insist, given his lackluster decision-making," MJF stated.
MJF Acknowledges AEW's Milestone
However, despite his reservations, MJF acknowledges the significance of All In for AEW. This event marks the company's first foray into international territory and appears to be on track to draw the largest crowd in AEW history.
MJF affirmed, "Each show we present is unparalleled, thanks to our elite talent, enthusiastic audience, and the biggest star — yours truly, Maxwell Jacob Friedman. All In is an unmissable event; we're writing history here.
It's set to be the largest, rowdiest, most intoxicated crowd this promotion has ever catered to, embodying quintessential European fandom." As things stand, the seating arrangement for All In is expected to accommodate 74,000 spectators.
However, AEW will likely increase the seating capacity if ticket sales reach this figure. It's worth noting that Wembley Stadium can accommodate up to 90,000 spectators, presenting a significant opportunity for AEW to tap into the enthusiasm of the UK's wrestling fanbase.