AEW All In in London 2023: who are Aussie Open, ahead of defending their tag belts against MJF and Adam Cole?

It’s one more sleep until AEW makes their debut in the United Kingdom, and what a debut it is set to be. Latest figures from a number of wrestling news sites (dirtsheets to my fellow IWC members out there) showed that All In in London has sold around 78,000 tickets (credit: Wrestling Observer), and that Tony Khan’s company is on course to be the biggest wrestling event held in the UK.

There are also a lot of crossed fingers that the absence of wrestler Rey Fenix is the only absence to take place from the event. Fenix was injured in reality, leading to a change in the proposed “Stadium Stampede” match becoming a 5 v 5 encounter, with Blackpool Combat Club roping in the returning Pride & Powerful: Santana and Ortiz.

With Khan the owner not only of AEW but Ring of Honor (ROH), it means also there is room on the card for a chance to shine some well deserved attention on the hallowed independent promotion, as “Better Than You Bay Bay” - the team of MJF and Adam Cole - look to try and prize their titles away from Aussie Open - the team of Mark Davies and Kyle Fletcher - who also happen to be part of the “United Empire” stable from New Japan Pro Wrestling. Ask your wrestling friends if you’re not familiar with the “forbidden door” concept.

But wait, we hear you ask - you just wrote an article the other day explaining who MJF and Adam Cole (bay bay) is and that they are headlining the Wembley Stadium event? This is where the storylines between the two gets a little muddied…

You see, MJF and Adam Cole were forced to team up for a tag team tournament, where the winners of the tournament got a shot at the AEW World Tag Team Titles, held by FTR (who will be defending them against The Young Bucks). Though the two didn’t win, wrestling booking (storytelling - that “fake” part people yammer on about) dictated that one of the two would turn on the other, leading into a good vs evil battle between MJF and Cole over the title belt.

Instead, wrestling fans were treated to a summer of bromance, and the popularity and success of the team led to the pair earning a shot at the ROH Tag Team Titles. The caveat? They’d be attempting to win them at the very same show the pair will main event later that evening. We of course in the wrestling fandom are expecting some form of shenanigans leading to some form of tears before bedtime by the time the main event concludes.

Who are Aussie Open?

Aussie Open, hailing from Australia, have carved an impressive niche for themselves in the professional wrestling arena. The duo consists of Mark Davis and Kyle Fletcher, two wrestlers who embarked on individual journeys within the Australian independent wrestling circuit before fate brought them together in the United Kingdom in 2017.

Both Davis and Fletcher showcased their distinct talents on the Australian wrestling scene, with Davis making his wrestling debut in 2007 and Fletcher following suit in 2014. However, it was their convergence in the UK that ignited their combined potential. Under the name "The Aussie Assault," the pair initiated their partnership and soon rebranded as Aussie Open, signifying their readiness to conquer wrestling on a global scale.

The tag team's influence rippled across continents and notable promotions. Their performances resonated strongly in Europe, where they secured championship victories in organisations like Revolution Pro Wrestling (RevPro) and Westside Xtreme Wrestling (wXw) - where it would be rude not to remind you that Schadenfreude is not a cult (wink). This success earned them recognition beyond European shores, as they ventured into the revered New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW).

Within NJPW, Aussie Open's journey was nothing short of remarkable. As part of the United Empire stable, they showcased their prowess by clinching the IWGP Tag Team Championships. Their matches against established teams like Guerrillas of Destiny showcased their versatility and ability to thrive in diverse wrestling environments. Beyond the tag team realm, they even captured the inaugural Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships, underlining their exceptional adaptability.

Not content with conquering just one promotion, Aussie Open's journey extended to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where they became a part of Will Ospreay's United Empire faction. Their AEW tenure accentuated their skills, enhancing their reputation as dominant tag team competitors. Additionally, their impact reached Ring of Honor (ROH), where they secured the ROH World Tag Team Championships, cementing them as one of the premier tag teams in wrestling today.

How can I watch AEW All In at home in the UK?

AEW All In will be held on August 27 2023 at Wembley Stadium with DAZN broadcasting the PPV event in the United Kingdom for the fee of £16.99. For more information on how to sign up to DAZN you can visit their website.

It also looks like FITE will once again carry the PPV too, so for more information on how much to watch the show in your local region, visit the FITE website.