Csonka: All In Sells Out

It started as a joke, as a challenge when Dave Meltzer questioned a non-major promotion selling 10,000 seats for a show. The challenge was accepted from Cody & The Young Bucks. They talked about self-financing and running their own show, an almost outlaw style show if you will. It became a running gag on Being the Elite, the guys talked about it, constantly teasing the show and a venue. It became a saying, a hashtag, and even a catchphrase. “Are you all in?” Right away, there were instant supporters and just as many doubters. Some claimed it would be a success, but many predicted failure.

The guys announced a venue in a popular wrestling city and venue, and the idea slowly became a reality. But “traditional thoughts” and those tied to the old way of the business constantly said that the event, ran by a former WWE star and “indie darlings” had no chance to succeed. Talent was announced, a lot of indie favorites, some quality talent to be sure. Along with the Bucks & Cody as the headline talent, Kenny Omega & NJPW’s Kazuchika Okada were announced as the big names. Things started to take shape, what started off as a challenge turned into a quest, and is now a reality.

On May 13th 2018, a press conference was held. It was really nothing special, but the additions of Rey Mysterio and Cody challenging for the NWA title were announced. Two hours after the press conference ended, All In was officially a thing as the event sold out, Cody hoped for 4,000 sold on day one, but they hit their goal of 10,000; the seemingly impossible to so many happened.

This is wrestling in 2018, WWE is making agreements with Impact and airing their footage on specials and even promoting EVOLVE, who they have been working with, in a loose relationship. NJPW is running in the US, UK, & Australia and selling tickets well and are continuing great business in Japan. ROH sold 6,000 seats over Mania weekend running head to head with Takeover, Impact is slowly improving; the landscape continues to drastically change. There is something to the old way of doing business, but the fact remains that it’s clearly not the only way to do business in 2018.

But the event wasn’t supposed to sell out, especially with virtually nothing concrete announced as far as the card goes. I constantly read that Cody & The Bucks aren’t draws, that no one will buy the show on them alone. And in a way that’s true. All In succeeded and sold out for a few reasons. You may not like the Bucks brand of wrestling, and you may not think that Cody is any great shakes either. All In succeeded because of the concept. It’s anti-establishment, it’s against the grain, it’s different, and it was presented as a show for the fans, and the fans bought in hook, line, and sinker.

In his post WWE run, Cody has proven to be a great businessman; he’s a smart guy and has struck at the right time. Love them or hate them, the Bucks have created years of goodwill with their fans from the way they run their business, to their matches, to Being the Elite. They are certainly not for everyone, but they clearly cater to a section of fans, fans that believe in them and will spent money on them. Look at any autograph signing, look at all the shirts they sell, look at the Funko pops; they have transformed into businessmen that clearly know how to brand themselves. They know their business, they know their fans, and they used that to help create a groundswell of support and to help build All IN into a real, moneymaking venture.

All In selling out is another great thing for the ever-changing and evolving wrestling business. Anytime someone succeeds in wrestling like this it’s great for the fans, but more importantly, great for the wrestlers. Because any time the wrestlers can gain some control and momentum in a business that is seemingly set up against them and for the big time promoters, it’s a positive for a business we all love and invest time and money into.

Cody & The Bucks were doubted from day one, were told that their plans and ideas were nothing but an impossible dream, but the dream is coming true. They repeatedly said that “September 1st we will put 10,000 people in the Sears Centre.” NJPW hasn’t done it, ROH hasn’t done it, Impact hasn’t done it and hell, WWE is having issues consistently selling out. I have nothing but praise for all involved here, it’s a complete success when in many ways it shouldn’t have been. All In went from a joke to a dream to a concept and then to reality. Cody & The Bucks were doubted and laughed at and told that what they had planned was impossible. And now they have made the dream come true, and will likely be laughing all the way to the bank.

This proves that on some level, whether it’s only once a year, that if you take a chance and try to offer something different, it can succeed. I certainly had my doubts, but they did it. They had an idea, they ran with it, they made it happen and they sold out with barely anything announced based on a concept and goodwill. At the end of the day, I think that this is a great day for wrestlers, for fans, and for the wrestling business.

– End Scene.

– Thanks for reading.

“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia!”