AEW All In set a new benchmark on Saturday night by running a six-hour pay-per-view event, making it the longest major professional wrestling PPV ever recorded. This extensive runtime surpassed the previous record held by WWE’s WrestleMania 35, a five-hour-and-20-minute show. The length of All In did not include its two-hour pre-show, further adding to the event’s overall duration. The focus keyword, Longest WrestleMania PPV Record, relates directly to how AEW overtook that WWE milestone.
WrestleMania 35 is remembered for dragging on excessively, which led WWE to shift to a two-night WrestleMania format starting in 2020, after WrestleMania 36. Meanwhile, All In’s extended runtime seemed more tolerable to viewers, mainly due to high-quality storytelling and a compelling main event. The Texas Deathmatch between Jon Moxley and Hangman Page was widely praised for its near-perfect wrestling narrative and emotionally satisfying conclusion. This approach stood in stark contrast to the less well-received main event of WrestleMania 35.
The Strategy Behind All In’s Unprecedented Length
AEW’s decision to stretch All In to six hours was reportedly strategic, according to Wrestling Observer Radio. The promotion aimed to counterprogram against WWE’s Saturday Night’s Main Event by starting early and extending its show to maintain viewer attention throughout the evening. This tactic forced the audience to stay engaged with AEW’s programming rather than switching over to WWE’s offerings.
WWE’s parent company, TKO, is said to plan ongoing counterprogramming efforts against major AEW events, as demonstrated by their simultaneous scheduling of All In and NXT Great American Bash. Although specific ratings have not been disclosed, early indications suggest WWE’s strategy did not significantly diminish AEW’s audience. The overwhelmingly positive reception of All In, combined with the pay-per-view purchase model, likely discouraged many fans from switching channels.
Adam Cole’s emotional health-related speech during the event also stood out among the matches, adding a personal and sincere moment that resonated with fans. Such moments contributed to the overall favorable feedback despite the long runtime.
Implications for the Wrestling Industry
By breaking the Longest WrestleMania PPV Record, AEW has demonstrated its growing influence and willingness to challenge WWE’s dominance in professional wrestling. The success of All In’s marathon show may encourage AEW to continue producing extended events and further solidify its competitive position. For WWE, the response to this challenge could shape future programming decisions, including the continuation of counterprogramming strategies to retain viewers.
The event also highlights evolving fan preferences, as AEW’s ability to keep audiences engaged over an extended period contrasts with the mixed reaction to WWE’s previous marathon shows. Going forward, the rivalry between these promotions is likely to intensify, resulting in more innovative and boldly scheduled wrestling events.
