The feeling has not been restored in AEW.
If All Out Toronto proved anything to the AEW fanbase, it is that the feeling we so desperately wanted restored, the one that was lost during a muffin-fueled rage at All Out 2023, was actually not the feeling we needed.
The current vibe, culture and creative direction that courses through AEW — whether on television, pay-per-view and even social — has transcended the “feeling” so many were clamoring about. This AEW is not a replica of that glorious run from the Jacksonville and post-lockdown days.
No, this is much more, and … much better.
AEW has gotten it out of their heads that their weekly television needs to resemble New Japan’s “Road to Shows” from the heyday of The Bullet Club rather than Monday Night RAW from 2018.
Tony Khan is currently in his bag when it comes to signing quality talent that get the assignment, and then deploying on a consistent basis.
The creative influences of WCW, Mid South, CMLL, New Japan, and most importantly ECW are more apparent than ever. And it’s not just the hard-hitting in-ring nor the blood and violence — it’s the character connection with the crowd. The AEW faithful are completely invested in so many of the wrestlers — not just because they’re great wrestlers, but because they’re fully fleshed out characters that speak to the fanbase on an emotional level. The heels are hated. The faces are beloved. And there’s one woman who is absolutely, “Timeless.”
All of this was evidenced at All Out Toronto — a show that was overshadowed (on paper) by the absence of Will Ospreay, Kenny Omega and Swerve Strickland, a move in start time and of course, counter-programming from the WWE in the form of Wrestlepalooza. Yet, by the end of the marathon show — none of that mattered. AEW was able to produce an excellently wrestled, crowd-pleasing show that created one wildly beguiling storyline (so what’s the deal Bryan Danielson), strengthened two major heel factions, and displayed the huge depth they have on their roster.
Let’s look at the five big takeaways for AEW from All In Toronto…
1. AEW is Not Letting Counterprogramming Phase Them:Â In 2025, AEW has not let the WWE phase them, at least publicly and this is the best thing to happen to AEW.
For far too long, WWE lived rent free in AEW’s mind. To be fair, they needed to take shots at the Fed because they needed to establish themselves as an alternative that was giving to deliver something different from The E. Cody smashing the throne, CM Punk’s “buy one get PPV” comments, etc. were done to show how rebellious AEW could be — evoking memories of the original ECW. But then things got weird. “The Bidding War of 2024,” the release of the Wembley footage and the talent-hoarding sullied the vibes of AEW and made them feel more “little brother” than an alternative.
This year, for whatever reason (maybe that massive new TV deal), they’ve refocused on AEW and AEW alone. Sure, there’s been rumblings of “dual contracts” for CMLL talent to prevent them from going to AAA, but that’s smart business not getting gotten either. By not selling the WWE and their multiple attempts at counter-programming, AEW not only looks better to their fanbase (who mostly don’t care about WWE), but also they’re focusing on making themselves better, not countering the other company. This also has made WWE look extremely petty (a historic trait of the company since the ’80s) this shifting the perception that AEW lives rent free in their heads … and let’s face it, if you read anything online about WWE these days … It’s kinda true.
2. AEW’s Greatest Strength is its Depth: AEW has rarely existed without a number of high level talent on the shelf. However, at this point in time, they’re able to survive (and thrive) in the face of major talent not being available. This show was the first PPV in forever where both Swerve Strickland and Will Ospreay were not featured, and let’s face facts — these two men are a huge reason for the course correction within AEW.
However, AEW was able to leverage its deep bench and put new faces like Kyle Fletcher in the main event, and he did excellent work. They were able to use Konsuke Takeshita in a match that was a high profile feature with major ramifications. They’ve taken 2025 signings like JetSpeed and Josh Alexander, who’ve been the steadiest of producers, and put them in a big-time ladder match (which may be one of the better ladder matches in company history). The Gates of Agony got put over as killers. And ol’ reliable Mark Briscoe was finally given his big moment.
They also brought back talent off the injured list and placed them into relevant storylines instead of using them for cheap pops. You want eyes on the show — bring back The Mad King. You want a feel good moment — reunite Jurassic Express. You want a shocker — have PAC return and have him wearing clothes! (Or you know, have Beth Copeland debut).
The Women’s Division, while it still needs more matches on TV, also continues to over-deliver. Mercedes Mone is on a goddess-tier run right now as she does not miss on PPV (and TV for that matter). The four-way match could’ve gone another 5-10 minutes, but the result of Kris Statlander finally getting the title and being the first woman to ever hold the TBS and Women’s World Title is both a celebration of someone who has been with the company since the jump, but also paying off for the fans that the homegrown talent can and will be a focus of the company (something AEW lost sight of for a few years).
3. Hangman is Sting:Â Hangman Adam Page is AEW’s version of Sting. While The Stinger never talked at length about his love of plants, nor ever rode a horse named “Hunter Horse Helmsley” to the ring — the parallels are there. Hangman, today, like Sting throughout his WCW is the emotional hero of AEW.
He’s not the wrestling god like Kenny Omega, nor is he the promo machine that MJF is much like Sting wasn’t the wrestler Ric Flair was, nor the promo someone like Roddy Piper was. However, the crowd always adored Sting, much like they adore Hangman. The AEW crowd lives and dies with everything Hangman is doing right now, and he’s light years better than he was than his first title run (which is saying something) and this was evident when he and Kyle Fletcher had the crowd losing their minds after nearly five hours of wrestling. Not only did he keep the crowd in hands, but he made sure to make Kyle Fletcher (the future of AEW, no doubt) look like an absolute (proto) star.
4. No Lucha Brothers, No Problem:Â The loss of Pentagon and Rey Fenix in AEW was a big one. These two were some of the most consistent performers on the roster — delivering hugely entertaining matches whether it be in single or tag form. Their rivalry with The Young Bucks is one of the great tag rivalries of the past decade (if not the century). So when they left for WWE there was a lucha void be filled. To complicate matters, Vikingo, who AEW obviously wanted on their roster was scooped up by WWE. Then the next guys up — Komander and Hologram — were bitten by the injury bug.
Thankfully, AEW’s relationship with CMLL and the return of Bandido after a near two year absence have not only helped fill the shoes of the Lucha Brothers, they’ve surpassed them on the card. The import of Hecichero and Mascara Dorada have been godsends to AEW. Hecichero has been one of the clutch go-to guys for AEW. Put him with anyone and you’re getting a good math. Mascara Dorada proved at All Out that he is a must-watch competitor. His work with Takeshita and Okada was spectacular. This wasn’t a carry job by two of the best in the business right now, this was a man who had his moment, and is now a must-see attraction for AEW.
Then there’s Bandido. His return is reminiscent of when NY Yankees GM Brian Cashman would comment about the return of an injured player and how it was equivalent of getting a star at the trade deadline. This is exactly what Bandido has been. After his feud with Chris Jericho (which was better than you remember), he’s been on a tear — killing it in Ring of Honor as the world champion (run don’t walk to see his matches with Takeshita and Hechicero), and as tag champion with based god Brody King. If Hangman is AEW’s Sting then Bandido is their Rey Mysterio — the ever lovable babyface and wrestling machine that you can’t help but drop your jaw at every time he does something. Now if he can only get Brody King to do the Macarena.
5. The Death Riders Storyline is Better Than Ever: A year ago we got our first glances of The Death Riders, and let’s face it — it’s not always been a pleasant ride. Frankly, in late 2024 and early 2025, it was not good at all. However, once Hangman got involved, and the group went from indestructible to human, things have gotten so much better. Post, Hangman’s title win, it felt like the group would disband, but it only got stronger, and their story has gotten to a point it’s never been before — must-see.
Jon Moxley is wrestling his face off, and has re-ascended to the level of Ace in AEW after some much-maligned title defenses. Wheeler Yuta has become a huge heat machine. The addition of Daniel Garcia is the perfect move for his struggling career. Marina Shafir’s aura grows by the day. And Claudio … still the man. The re-addition of PAC and the alliance with Gabe Kidd only bolster the group’s profile. But now, we have a homicidal Darby Allin, and a conflicted Bryan Danielson involved in all this?
We’re already signed up. Let’s go.
