AEW going All Out in Chicago suburbs
By Mike Pankow
June 30, 2021
All Elite Wrestling is returning to where the seeds of the promotion were planted nearly three years ago.
NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates, a Northwest Chicago suburb will host three AEW events in early September, capped by the third annual All Out pay-per-view event on Sunday, Sept. 5.
Current AEW World Champion Kenny Omega during his match against Pac at All Out 2019 at the NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates, Ill. (Photo by Mike Pankow)
AEW also announced Wednesday a live Dynamite episode for Wednesday, Sept. 1 and a live Rampage episode for Friday, Sept. 3. Tickets will go sale for all three events on Friday, July 9 at 10 a.m. Central time at http://AEWtix.com.
AEW President Tony Khan has an affinity for the Chicago area as he grew up in Champaign and graduated from the University of Illinois. He would frequently visit the Chicago area and understands the passion of Chicago’s rabid wrestling fans.
Chicago-area wrestling fans fondly remember the All In event, which took place during the summer of 2018, featuring Cody Rhodes, The Young Bucks, Kenny Omega, Hangman Adam Page and Chris Jericho, who all became top stars in AEW once the company was officially a few months later.
The first edition of All Out, at the then-Sears Centre Arena on Aug. 31, 2019, crowned the first AEW World Champion when Jericho defeated Page in the main event with the Judas Effect back elbow. Pac also defeated Omega and The Lucha Bros beat the Young Bucks in a ladder match. The show was held in conjunction with Starrcast III, a mega wrestling convention organization by pro wrestling podcast guru Conrad Thompson.
Chicago also hosted Revolution at Wintrust Arena on Feb. 29, 2020, in one of the last live events before the coronavirus pandemic wreaked havoc on the United States and resulted in major shutdowns. Jon Moxley defeated Jericho to win the AEW Championship in the main event of that show, which also featured the Pro Wrestling Illustrated Match of the Year between Omega and Page against The Young Bucks in a 30-minute classic tag team bout. AEW also had a major presence at C2E2, which was held at McCormick Place in Chicago’s South Loop.
Catch Windy City Slam editor Mike Pankow talking local and national pro wrestling every week with Chicago-area wrestling guests on Windy City Slam Podcast, part of the Broadcast Basement On-Demand Radio Network. Episodes drop early Tuesday morning wherever you download podcasts or at https://windycityslam.podbean.com/.
We are looking for guests to appear on future episodes of the Windy City Slam Podcast! Please contact Mike at mikepankow@windycityslam.com, message him on Facebook or DM him on Twitter.
