How a pandemic forced a major wrestling event to change its home and protocols
In short: The 2020 All Out professional wrestling event became a turning point for All Elite Wrestling. Originally scheduled for the Chicago area, the COVID-19 pandemic forced a relocation to Florida. The show is remembered for its mixed reception and a frightening in-ring accident that permanently changed the company's safety standards.
All Out 2020 was the second annual pay-per-view event produced by All Elite Wrestling. It was originally slated for the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, but the COVID-19 pandemic intervened. On March 9, 2020, Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker declared a state of emergency, eventually banning large gatherings. Consequently, the event moved to Daily's Place in Jacksonville, Florida, where AEW had been hosting shows since March. It marked the first AEW pay-per-view to feature a live ticketed audience since February, though attendance was capped at 15% capacity.
The event featured eleven matches, including a main event where Jon Moxley retained the AEW World Championship against MJF. However, the show faced significant criticism following a match between Matt Hardy and Sammy Guevara. During a spot involving a scissor lift, Hardy fell and struck his head on the concrete floor, appearing to lose consciousness. Although the match was briefly paused, it was allowed to continue after medical clearance. This incident sparked intense scrutiny regarding athlete safety and the decision-making process during live broadcasts.
In response to the backlash, AEW implemented new safety protocols. Referees were granted the authority to use two-way communication to summon medical staff and stop matches immediately if a performer was injured. This procedure was later utilized in October 2020 during a match between Abadon and Taynara Conti, and again in October 2022 when Adam Page was injured during a bout with Jon Moxley. These changes marked a significant shift in how the promotion managed potential in-ring emergencies, prioritizing medical intervention over the continuation of scripted contests.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: All Out (2020)
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