Starrcast & All In taking over the Windy City
By Mike Pankow
August 27, 2018
Chicago wrestling fans have been starving for a WrestleMania-like experience for over a decade.
With No “Big 4” WWE events occurring in the Chicago area since WrestleMania 22 weekend in 2006, Chicago is in for a huge treat this weekend in the Northwest Suburbs.
All In, conceived by Cody (aka Cody Rhodes) and The Young Bucks, takes place Saturday night at Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates. With tickets for the 10,000-seat arena selling out in about 30 minutes, it is the biggest independent wrestling show in recent memory in the United States.
In addition to loaded card, featuring Cody, the Young Bucks, “The Villain” Marty Scurll, Kaz Okada, Rey Mysterio, Nick Aldis and Kenny Omega, there is the phenomenon known as Starrcast.
Starrcast, the brainchild of master podcast emcee Conrad Thompson, is a four-day convention surrounding All In Weekend, similar to shows like WrestleCon or WrestleMania Axxess. Starrcast takes place at the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg near Woodfield Mall just off I-290.
About 150 wrestlers, including All In participants, independent stars, and legends from every major promotion, will be appearing at the convention.
There are panels and shows of all sorts, including a roast of Bruce Prichard, who portrayed the Brother Love character, was a former creative member in WWE and IMPACT Wrestling and host of the popular Something to Wrestling With Bruce Prichard podcast. There are specialized meet and greets and experiences with many different superstars. There will be a vendor room and a common area where many of the wrestling guests will be signing autographs and offering photo opportunities.
An extra added bonus is a live episode of Sirius XM Fight Nation’s Busted Open Radio at the Hyatt, which is free to all. Dave Lagreca and Bully Ray (aka Bubba Ray Dudley) host the show, which runs from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m. Several guests are expected for the show.
STARRCAST primer
When: Thursday, August 30-Sunday, September 2. Thursday starting at 5 p.m., Friday at 10 a.m., Saturday at 9 a.m., Sunday at 10 a.m.
Where: Hyatt Regency, 1800 E. Golf Rd., Schaumburg, Ill., 60173
Streaming of special events: FITE TV
For more ticket information and schedules: http://www.starrcast.com/
ALL IN CARD
Zero Hour
When & where: Saturday, September 1, Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates, Ill., 60192
Time, TV: 5 p.m. WGN America
Matches:
Jay & Mark Briscoe vs. SoCal Uncensored (Frankie Kazarian and Scorpio Sky)
Over Budget Battle Royale: Jordynne Grace, Moose, Rocky Romero, Colt Cabana, Ethan Page, Brian Cage, Billy Gunn, Jimmy Jacobs, Marko Stunt, Brandon Cutler, Punishment Martinez with more likely to be added
Main show
When & where: Saturday, September 1, Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates, Ill., 60192
Time, TV/streaming: 6 p.m. Pay-per-view, ROH Honor Club, FITE TV
Matches:
NWA Championship: Nick Aldis (c) vs. Cody
ROH Championship: Jay Lethal (c) vs. Winner of Over Budget Battle Royale
Kazuchika Okada vs. Marty Scurll
Kenny Omega vs. Pentagon Jr.
Adam Page vs. Joey Janela
Rey Mysterio, Fenix & Bandido vs. The Young Bucks (Nick & Matt Jackson) & Kota Ibushi
Christopher Daniels vs. Stephen Amell
Tessa Blanchard vs. Chelsea Green vs. Madison Rayne vs. Britt Baker
"The American Nightmare" Cody (aka Cody Rhodes), along with The Young Bucks conceived the idea of All In. (Photo by Mike Pankow)
Bandido, right, taking down AR Fox at PROGRESS Wrestling's Chicago show on August 11, will team up with Rey Mysterio and Fenix to face The Young Bucks and Kota Ibushi in a six-man tag team match at All In. (Photo by Mike Pankow)
