This Book Is All Elite: The Inside Story of All Elite Wrestling

by Keith Elliot Greenberg

Score a front-row seat for the thrilling story of the icons and iconoclasts that revolutionized professional wrestling, packed with exclusive interviews and explosive action shots of your favorite stars.

The year is 2019. It is the dawn of All Elite Wrestling . . . and you know what that means.

It means that a group of hungry, innovative wrestlers are about to revolutionize professional wrestling under the visionary eye of Tony Khan. It means pulse-pounding, death-defying, high-flying action. It means that the world of the squared circle will never be the same.

Jam-packed with dazzling photography and written with exclusive access to the cast and crew of AEW, this definitive history dives deep into the innovative storytelling, inclusive ethos, and passionate fanbase which propelled the company to compete with industry giants. From the triumphant final run of the icon Sting alongside his firebrand protégé Darby Allin, to the madcap melee of the first Stadium Stampede, to AEW’s record-breaking Wembley Stadium debut, the epic moments that defined the first five years of All Elite Wrestling are all here.

Whether you’re a die-hard AEW supporter or curious about the company’s revolutionary impact, This Book Is All Elite offers an in-depth look at how the promotion nobody saw coming changed the world of professional wrestling forever.

Genres: Nonfiction, Sports, Audiobook

224 pages, Hardcover

Published November 4, 2025

About the author

Keith Elliot Greenberg is a New York Times bestselling author and producer for America's Most Wanted. In addition to producing programs for VH1, 48 Hours, MSNBC Investigates, the History Channel, and Court TV, among others, Greenberg has authored more than thirty nonfiction books and written for such outlets as Maxim, The Village Voice, The New York Observer, USA Today, Playboy.com, and US Weekly."

Reviews

[Kristine · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a book for AEW fans, you will see lots of pictures and fun tidbits. They highlight a lot of wrestlers including two that are no longer with the company.

Yes it’s supposed to be a fun book for fans that focus on the good. There’s no drama only fun. You want to listen to drama go listen to a podcaster. If you just want to have a fun read, learn some AEW history and see fun pictures then this is the book for you.

[Sheldon · Rating 1 out of 5]

There's definitely a good book to be written about the history of AEW, this fluff piece is not it. I'm sure the physical book has some nice pictures but I listen to more in depth, longer wrestling podcasts than this brief audiobook. Really nothing new here.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

All Elite Wrestling put out an official book looking back at its first five years of existence, you know what that means. This Book is All Elite: The Inside Story of All Elite Wrestling by Keith Elliot Greenberg & All Elite Wrestling reveals how the wrestling promotion began and developed over its first five years through interviews with cast and crew along with a dazzling number of photographs to reveal moments in the ring and backstage.

When it debut on TNT in October 2019, All Elite Wrestling (AEW) broke the near two-decade monopoly that had existed since the demise of World Championship Wrestling (WCW) yet as explained in the book it took more than a billionaire wanting to start his own promotion, it needed the right circumstances in the industry and media connections to get on a well-known platform. Through 218 pages, Greenberg chronicles how AEW came about but how it developed and rose to meet challenges, most notably the pandemic in front of no crowds, during its first five years of existence through quotes from talent and crew as well as detailing what transpired from 2018 to the end of 2024. Save for the last few pages, the book is chronological with the only deviation being Greenberg’s decision to end the book with AEW’s biggest moment, All In 2023 in front of over 81000 attendees in Wembley Stadium. While not directly addressing some of the more controversial moments—the assaults by one individual against coworkers on multiple occasions—of the promotion, the unaddressed reasons for some individuals leaving or being away are telling. While the page is over 200 pages long, its coffee table format means that images take up more space than words and so while a chronicle, it’s not in-depth. Overall, it can be said the book is meant for the promotion’s fans than for a general audience, which frankly is what AEW is known for, adhering to and focusing on keeping its core audience.

This Book is All Elite chronicles through interviews, retelling, and photographs the journey of All Elite Wrestling from idea to a year’s long airing weekly television show.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this, especially the photographs. I thought this was a novel though so was disappointed by that. I wish AEW was not involved with the project, although I really want to watch AEW now (so it achieved its goal). (3.5 ⭐️)

[Steve · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not worth spending money on. Didn’t initially realize it was a coffee table book because I was reading on an ebook format, but nothing inside is really worth spending the $30 they’re charging for the physical. There’s definitely room for a more in-depth story about how the company came about, or backstage thoughts and stories about things, but this wasn’t it. A few nice photos of backstage moments, but majority of even that content can probably be replicated from TV stills.

[Tom Franken · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was an incredibly disappointing read. Keith Elliot Greenberg is a fantastic writer (Too Sweet is great) and I love All Elite Wrestling, but this is a fluff piece with little insight or detail.

To give this book credit, I will say that I enjoyed the first few chapters. I think they did a good job describing the machinations behind the scenes that led to AEW’s creation. I started losing interest by the time I got to the pandemic portion of the book. That’s when they started breezing through the timeline while mentioning things that happened on certain shows, using the bare minimum of details and uninteresting half quotes from wrestlers. Any time a wrestler did say something interesting, it seemed like they couldn’t elaborate because we had to move on to list the next thing that happened. The Kenny Omega-Hangman Page storyline is named as being one of the greatest in AEW history, but if I hadn’t watched it myself, I’d have no clue what their story was.

One of the other frustrating aspects of the book is this ridiculous thing that happens in some wrestling books. Obviously, pro wrestling is predetermined. The fans that are the audience for this book know this. AEW tends to cater (for better or worse) towards the fan that is more interested in the inner workings of the wrestling business. Despite this, the book takes a half-ass stance of alluding to wrestling being scripted, but a lot of kayfabe is upheld. This stance takes away most of the insight that could make the book interesting. It takes away any potential conflict as well. A pro wrestling book without any conflict is insane. Who is this book even for?

Despite its relatively short existence, AEW is a pivotal figure in the history of pro wrestling. It has such a vibrant history with moments that are glorious and messy. The true story of All Elite Wrestling is begging to be told. If you’re looking for that story, don’t read this book.

[Matthew Gilliland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Caveat: I have been a fan since the first year.

This book is a massive nostalgia hit and remember when, but in the best ways. It felt like leafing through my old high school annual. It felt comfortable and homely, like a warm blanket on a rainy winter day.

There is nothing ground breaking or surprising in this book, especially if you are a fan of this company, which I suspect this book was written for.

The opening pre-company section did have info that I didn't know about the formation and who all was involved and how. Honestly, I had thought I knew all of it and was pleased to learn more.

The rest of the book has very little behind the scenes other than who coached who for certain events or some backstage comments or thoughts.

The cover is amazing and really captures the feel of the early company. Plus the 3d textures of the belt are pleasing to run your hands over. It is very nice touch.

My only real complaint might be a formatting error. There is a section about Britt Baker and Thunder Rosa's Lights Out Match, pg 111, but it is positioned by pictures of men and not a single picture of them as it describes it as an "Eventful, Impactful, Rarity and Important match for women's wrestling and the company." Pg 117 might have pictures from that match, but there is nothing clearly tagging or explaining that they are connected. Instead the section is about Britt and Shida, which is flanked by a nice face off between those 2.

I will shelve this book and in a few years pull it back out and eat those Member-berries again with a smile.

[Andy H. Murray · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very high-level overview of AEW's formation and rise, starting with Tony Khan's fandom and ending at the first Wembley show. You can put it away in a few hours. It absolutely flies through AEW's story and rarely spends more than a couple of paragraphs on any topic.

It is full of excellent photography. Gorgeous, full-page images everywhere. This means that the word count is super low. It's a coffee table book. AEW completionists should grab it. If you've been following intently from day one, however, you aren't going to learn anything new.

Keep in mind too that it is an official product. You aren't going to find anything on Brawl Out here. It almost reads like a WWE documentary in that sense, just not as loose with the truth.

[SuperDemonBoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you've been following the bts stuff since AEW's inception, you'll find very little here that you don't already know.
Off the top of my head, I can think of one quick anecdote and one particular photograph that took me by surprise.

It's a solid summary of the early years of this amazing company, but I'd recommend this coffee table book less to diehard fans (unless you're a collector/completionist type), and more to newer fans who want to catch up with the major bullet points.

As another reviewer pointed out, it's mostly the feel-good stuff and a few tragic stories which are mentioned in here. Don't approach salivating for dirtsheet info.

Still, it was good reading quotes from a wide assortment of the huge roster, and it was a quick read.

[Karin Baxter · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 / 5, rounded down for GR.
Having gotten really into professional wrestling in 2025, I stumbled across AEW almost by accident. But what a pleasant accident it was. When I heard there was a new book, promising to give fans 'the inside story', I was so excited to hear what this would include.

While 'This Book is All Elite' is certainly interesting, there isn't really any depth. To any of it. After the initial explanation about how AEW was formed, the book devolves into discussions about some of their highest profile / most popular historical matches. But if you've seen those matches, the book unfortunately doesn't add a huge amount to the narrative.

I enjoyed it enough, even if it felt like something was missing. Though I can't confidently say that others would agree with me.

[D.J. Desmond · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it. It’s something I was alive for as an adult and it happened 6 years ago, so I didn’t learn much but I did respect how comprehensive and concise this was all presented. It’s just cool that all these things went the right way at the right time, and to answer the question “who started AEW?” It really takes a whole book to explain. 100 things led to this company being born, and now we see competition in a previously monopolized art form. That’s the magic of AEW’s existence. VKM can suck a turd til he turns into the piece of shit he is. The book doesn’t mention him I just needed to write that somewhere

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore AEW. It in somepart got me through the pandemic and I now watch with my son both wrestling fans. This book is a delightful easy reading history of a fledgling challenenger wrestling brand. It doesnt over reach, it simply tells the story. Sure it will be through rose tinted glasses but as a fan for me that is more than acceptable. I wanted a well written beautifully presented snapshot of what aew wanted to be, what it did and what it has become and this book delivers that. If you want exhaustive detail, scandal or gossip this isnt for you. If you want to smile and embrace aew this is for you.

[Tony Laplume · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciate the fact that this account of AEW’s first five years went out of its way to celebrate rather than exhume the history. Speculation suggested it would, for instance, give “the true story” of Cody Rhodes’s participation and exit from the promotion, or possibly even rehash CM Punk’s dramatic departure. But it’s a love letter, pure and simple, a reminder after all these years, and scores of wrestling books dedicated to tearing apart events rather than merely enjoying the results, very much in the spirit of what AEW has been trying so hard to accomplish.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was okay, I think for it being such a new book and focusing so much on former stars like Cody Rhodes, cm pink, Chris Jericho was a bit boring and I wish there was more for the women’s division, seemed like they just put little sections of them here and there and I thought the photos were just put in spots and not really where they should have been with the writing. Definitely could have been a actual book and not a coffee table book which is what I would categorize it as, but was still informative.

[Shannon Boreham · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love AEW but was a bit disappointed I this fluff piece. Nothing much new to be found here and some massive parts completely glossed over.
a shame too as it's a fascinating story that deserves to be told in depth

[Joseph Aguirre · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very brief, great way to skip the first couple years and be caught up on the best mainstream North American pro wrestling available.

Would have preferred more reporting we haven’t heard or analysis. Some of the quotes in here are GREAT

[George Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good enough read but definitely not essential reading for a long time AEW fan. There wasn't a lot I learned from it. Probably best for someone that's just gotten into the promotion.
it had a lot of great photos though.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's about what I expected, and I enjoyed it for what it was. My only complaint is I wish there'd been a photo index with credits and captions, even though I'm a fan there were some shots where I wasn't sure who I was looking at.

[Robby · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is good but it does not give much new information for fans. If you know nothing about the first few years of AEW it is really good and informative and would probably make you want to watch the big matches discussed in the book.

[Mike · Rating 1 out of 5]

Way too many photos out of context, glaring omissions, and egregious typos “performed in front of a roaring”

Obviously roaring crowd but how do you miss that?

New title “this book is wcw Thunder”

[Esther Mackley · Rating 4 out of 5]

'The plan was always to change professional wrestling, and no matter what happens in the next five years, ten years, fifty years, you'll never be able to deny that's what AEW did" -Bryan Danielson

[Adam Dombrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice little celebration of the first five years of AEW. Liked hearing the stories and the behind-the-scenes. The book jumping back- and-forth across the first five years was kind of an odd choice.