Jim Ross loved AEW All In 2026, and he doesn’t have much patience for wrestling fans going out of their way to tear the show apart.
During Grilling JR, Ross was discussing one criticism he does have of modern wrestling. He believes both WWE and AEW need to identify the wrestlers they want to turn into major stars and then consistently feature them every week instead of expecting someone to get hot without sustained television support. Ross first questioned who WWE currently has positioned as the wrestler fans absolutely cannot afford to miss. Ross then made it clear he believes AEW has the same problem.
“I don’t know who the rocket ship is tied to. I don’t know who that is on their roster that I can’t afford to miss.”
“Same thing, I’ll say the same thing about AEW. We got to get somebody hot, and that means weekly promotion somehow of their brand and treat it like a brand. Have vignettes, have interviews, have matches, and do it on a consistent basis for a considerable length of time.”
Ross said how long that push needs to last depends on how quickly a wrestler moves up the card and establishes themselves near the top.
“How long, JR? I don’t know. It depends on how fast said talents, for example, matriculate up the card and find their home at the top of the card and stay there a while.”
So Ross wasn’t claiming AEW is above criticism. He had just finished explaining an area where he believes the company needs to improve. What he doesn’t understand is fans watching All In and then searching for reasons to trash the entire show. That’s when Ross unloaded.
“Any wrestling fan that really picks apart All In, they’re trying too hard to be a jackoff.”
Ross believes some of that criticism comes from people looking for attention rather than simply reacting to what they watched. Ross then pointed to the actual wrestling and booking on the show, questioning how anyone who considers themselves a wrestling fan could completely dismiss what AEW delivered.
“They want attention and they’re starved for attention. They’re lonely.”
“I mean, how can you, if you’re a true wrestling fan, how can you delete, as Matt Hardy might say, how can you delete the work rate and the booking?”
He also pointed out that AEW gave the matches actual conclusions instead of leaning on non-finishes.
“They had finishes, winners and losers, did they not?”
Ross had already called All In the best pay-per-view or television broadcast AEW has produced since the company launched, so his reaction to the criticism isn’t exactly surprising. He praised the wrestling, production, entrances, booking and overall presentation while still acknowledging areas where AEW can improve.
Ross isn’t saying AEW deserves a free pass. He literally criticized the company’s approach to building stars in the same conversation. But when it comes to All In itself, JR thinks some fans are trying way too hard to find something to complain about after a show he believes delivered where it mattered.
Do you agree with Jim Ross that some wrestling fans are going out of their way to pick apart AEW All In, or do you think criticism of the show is fair game? Let us know what you think in the comments.
This transcript was produced exclusively for Ringside News from the original recording. Republishing the transcription in full is prohibited. When using excerpts, provide prominent credit and a link to this article.
