All Elite Wrestling Makes California Debut with Critically Acclaimed Pay-Per-View
On March 5, 2023, All Elite Wrestling (AEW) delivered a landmark evening of professional wrestling with its annual Revolution pay-per-view, hosted for the first time in California at the Chase Center in San Francisco. With a packed crowd and high-stakes matches, AEW Revolution 2023 showcased the promotion’s signature mix of athleticism, storytelling, and innovation, earning widespread praise from fans and critics alike.
The event featured nine matches, blending technical wrestling, brutal stipulations, and dramatic title bouts. The main event, a 60-minute Iron Man match between AEW World Champion MJF and Bryan Danielson, cemented the show’s legacy as one of AEW’s most ambitious and emotionally resonant productions to date.
Main Event: MJF vs. Bryan Danielson – A Classic Iron Man Encounter
The headline bout saw Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF) defend the AEW World Championship against wrestling veteran Bryan Danielson in a 60-minute Iron Man match—a format where the wrestler with the most falls at the end of an hour wins.
The match was a grueling display of technical precision, endurance, and psychology. With the score tied at 3–3 as time expired, AEW President Tony Khan ordered sudden death overtime. In the final minutes, MJF used an oxygen tank as a weapon while the referee was distracted, securing the decisive fall and winning 4–3 to retain his title.
The match received immediate acclaim as one of the best Iron Man matches in modern wrestling history, elevating MJF’s reputation as a world-class performer and storyteller, while further solidifying Danielson’s legacy as one of the greatest technical wrestlers of all time.
Other Major Highlights
“Hangman” Adam Page vs. Jon Moxley – Texas Death Match
A violent and emotionally intense contest, the Texas Death Match between Hangman Page and Jon Moxley was a showcase of brutality and psychological warfare. With barbed wire, chairs, and chains in play, the match pushed both competitors to their physical limits.
Page emerged victorious by hanging Moxley over the top rope with a chain, forcing him to submit—a poetic and symbolic win that signaled a turning point in Page’s character arc and reasserted him as one of AEW’s top stars.
The House of Black Wins AEW World Trios Championship
The faction House of Black (Malakai Black, Brody King, and Buddy Matthews) defeated The Elite (Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks) to capture the AEW World Trios Championship. The match was a high-speed, hard-hitting bout that featured stunning sequences, intricate teamwork, and a thunderous crowd reaction.
This victory marked a major milestone for House of Black, who have long been celebrated for their dark mystique and in-ring talent but had not yet held championship gold in AEW.
Other Notable Results
- Wardlow defeated Samoa Joe to win the TNT Championship, showcasing his power and momentum as a rising singles star.
- Jamie Hayter retained the AEW Women’s World Championship in a fast-paced triple threat match against Saraya and Ruby Soho.
- The Gunns retained the AEW World Tag Team Championship, though the post-match surprise debut of FTR (Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler) drew a huge ovation and signaled renewed competition in the tag division.
Critical and Fan Reception
AEW Revolution 2023 was lauded for its compelling booking, match quality, and the emotional stakes of its marquee bouts. The Iron Man main event, in particular, was described by multiple outlets as an instant classic, while the variety of match styles kept the show dynamic and engaging throughout its runtime.
Social media buzzed with fan reactions, praising AEW’s commitment to long-term storytelling and athletic excellence. Many called the show a strong contender for Event of the Year.
AEW’s Expanding Legacy
With Revolution 2023, AEW not only delivered an unforgettable pay-per-view but also made a bold statement about its creative confidence and growing national footprint. The company’s first major event in California was a commercial and critical success, reflecting AEW’s expansion into new markets and continued appeal to both hardcore wrestling fans and casual viewers.
As AEW heads toward its next marquee events—Double or Nothing and Forbidden Door—the momentum from Revolution sets the stage for another impactful year of innovation and excellence in professional wrestling.
Source:
Wikipedia – AEW Revolution (2023)