For the first time in Major League Baseball history, a big-league ballpark hosted a professional wrestling show right after the final out. AEW and the Minnesota Twins teamed up for “Brawl in the Ballpark,” building a full wrestling ring inside Target Field’s Gate 34 area and running a 75-minute postgame card for anyone who stuck around after the Twins hosted the Los Angeles Angels on July 10.
How a Wrestling Ring Ended Up at a Twins Game
AEW and the Twins announced the crossover back in May, and admission to the Brawl was free with any ticket to that night’s game. Fans could also upgrade to packages that came with an exclusive Twins/AEW lucha mask hat, and one tier even included a reserved seat on the Truly On Deck patio with an aerial view of the ring.
“We’re excited to partner with AEW to bring a one-of-a-kind night to Target Field on July 10,” said Twins Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer Sean Moore. “This collaboration is part of our ongoing efforts to create memorable, fan-first experiences that give people even more reasons to enjoy a visit to our ballpark.”
AEW CEO, GM, and Head of Creative Tony Khan was just as enthusiastic about the venue. “The event will mark another unforgettable night of All Elite Wrestling action in an incredible location,” he said, “and we look forward to showcasing AEW to all Minnesota Twins fans.”
What Actually Happened at Gate 34
Once the Twins-Angels game wrapped, stars from AEW and ROH took over. The five-match card delivered exactly the kind of chaos you’d hope for from a wrestling show built inside a baseball stadium:
Orange Cassidy defeated Wheeler Yuta. Dante Martin, Darius Martin, and Komander defeated Action Andretti, HOOK, and Anthony Bowens. Julia Hart defeated Hyan. Brian Cage defeated Serpentico. And The Hurt Syndicate (Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin) closed the show by defeating Shane Taylor Promotions (Lee Moriarty and Shane Taylor).
A Ballpark Show With No TV Cameras
Unlike most AEW programming, Brawl in the Ballpark wasn’t televised or streamed anywhere. It existed purely for the fans who stayed in their seats, which only added to the novelty for the people who were actually there.
It’s also the latest example of AEW taking its product outside of traditional arenas this year, following Double or Nothing at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens and the outdoor Beach Break edition of Dynamite at Florida’s BayCare Sound amphitheater earlier this month. Fans who made it out to Target Field were quick to share the scene on social media.
It’s a genuinely fun, genuinely strange crossover: a Major League ballpark hosting a wrestling show is the kind of thing that sounds like a joke until a company actually does it. AEW and the Twins pulled it off, and if the reaction from Minneapolis is any indication, “Brawl in the Ballpark” won’t be a one-time thing.
