While the sports entertainment world turned its attention to the debut premium live event in the WWE/ESPN historic partnership, “WrestlePalooza,” the sickos were tuned into AEW’s seventh annual “All Out” pay-per-view.
The show emanated from the Scotiabank Arena (f.k.a. Air Canada Centre) in Toronto. The card itself couldn’t have cast AEW in any more stark contrast from its competitor. Compared to “WrestlePalooza”’s meager offering of five matches, “All Out” boasted a whopping 10 — including five title defenses, a coffin match, and a table ‘n’ tacks match. It also featured the reunion of Adam Copeland & Christian Cage, f.k.a. Edge & Christian in the WWE, in their hometown of Toronto; to face the former 10-time world tag team champions, FTR.
ICYMI
- AEW ‘Dynamite’ review | Underwhelming lead-in to ‘All Out’ pay-per-view
- AEW ‘All Out’ preview | Five title matches, plus FTR-Adam Copeland/Christian Cage
Like all AEW pay-per-views, fans were forced to tune in for the long haul. The show began at 3 p.m. ET, and clocked in at nearly five hours, ending right around 8 p.m. ET. The longest match was the main event, featuring the AEW Men’s World Champion, “Hangman” Adam Page, and the “Protostar,” Kyle Fletcher. The match lasted nearly 38 minutes, testing the champion’s physical and mental fortitude.
There’s a fine line between giving fans their money’s worth and suffering from delusions of grandeur. In professional wrestling, less is always more. It’s easy to compare AEW pay-per-views to Quentin Tarantino films of the 2010’s. Since his longtime collaborator Sally Menke’s passing in 2010, Tarantino’s films have lacked the precision of “Reservoir Dogs” or “Pulp Fiction.” That doesn’t mean “Django Unchained” or “Once Upon a Time In … Hollywood” aren’t terrific films, but they don’t live up to the specter of “Inglorious Basterds,” Menke’s final effort as Tarantino’s editor.
Historically, AEW pay-per-views have cost $50 — drastically different from the WWE’s premium live event model. “All Out” was the first pay-per-view available on HBO Max, for a discounted $40. Needless to say, it’s easy to understand why AEW has adopted a more bang-for-your-buck approach. Volume doesn’t necessarily equate to value, though. There’s artistic integrity in the editorial process. Kyle Fletcher didn’t need 38 minutes to prove that he’s ready for the world stage. The fatal-fourway ladder match for the AEW World Tag Team Championship didn’t need a 24-minute runtime right before the main event, either.
The audience didn’t help matters, either. They cheered more for Adam Copeland’s use of John Cena’s Five-Knuckle Shuffle and Attitude Adjustment than an exchange in the main event where Fletcher used Will Ospreay’s Hidden Blade and Page countered with Swerve Strickland’s Big Pressure. In most instances, they just seemed disinterested — which is a shame, because some of these performances were terrific.
Aside from the in-ring action, the highlight of the evening was the return of Jack Perry, who confronted The Young Bucks shortly after the aforementioned ladder match. Perry was then joined by Luchasaurus, reuniting as the Jurassic Express — complete with their theme, “Tarzan Boy,” by Baltimora. Jack Perry’s and Luchasaurus’ singles runs were largely disappointing, so this was a terrific course correction from Tony Khan.
Adam Copeland & Christian Cage vs. FTR
“All Out” kicked off with its featured attraction. On paper, this was a veritable dream match. The reality was far more sobering. There are brilliant glimmers of hope in this match though, that shine through with clarity and confidence. After all, FTR are the modern masters of the southern tag.
Copeland and Cage played the hits, exchanging finishing maneuvers and even using a pair of John Cena’s signature moves. Even Beth Copeland (f.k.a. Beth Phoenix in WWE) made her debut during this match, neutralizing Stokely Hathaway. The summation of their effort was tarnished by a disappointing coda, with Copeland absorbing a Spike Piledriver and two Shatter Machines, and still finding the wherewithal to kick out and still score the pinfall.
Afterwards, a timely distraction from the Matriarchy helped FTR handcuff Copeland to the ropes. The duo then proceeded to deliver a Spike Piledriver to Beth Copeland—setting the stage for a rematch down the road.
Rating: ***½
Eddie Kingston vs. Big Bill
Everything about Eddie Kingston’s return felt off-kilter. For months, fans have feverishly waited for the “Mad King” to return and confront his former friend, Jon Moxley. Instead, he was unceremoniously challenged on Saturday Night “Collision” by fellow New Yorker, Big Bill.
Still, Kingston exudes authenticity. It’s his currency. So, it was only apropos that this felt like a fight. It wasn’t without its hitches, though. Particularly the ending, which the announcers described as a “glancing blow,” despite Kingston’s spinning backfist totally missing its mark.
Rating: ***
MATCH OF THE NIGHT: MJF vs. Mark Briscoe
This was marvelous. MJF and Mark Briscoe have been at odds for months now, dating back to a promo where Briscoe claimed Friedman had a “small kosher pickle.” While I wasn’t pleased when MJF invoked the name of Mark’s late brother, Jay Briscoe, it did offer more than fuel to the fire. It was an accelerant.
This was billed as a table ‘n’ tacks match, a stipulation designed by Briscoe to maximize Friedman’s pain and suffering. The tables weren’t nearly as prevalent as the thumbtacks though, which managed to blanket the entire canvas. Every bump was exacerbated. Every conscious decision weighed risk and reward. Naturally, Briscoe threw caution to the wind, conjuring a performance that was folklorish.
AEW has reveled in plunder, in 2025. This match was one of its greatest triumphs.
Rating: ****½
The Hurt Syndicate vs. The Demand
I was pleasantly surprised by this match. MVP proved to be the perfect buffer for the nigh-invulnerable duo of Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin, who barely managed to survive a terrific control segment from Ricochet & The Gates of Agony — now rechristened as The Demand.
Once MVP found the hot tag in Lashley, this match marched towards its dramatic end. The Demand found a way to neutralize the former tag team champions outside and isolate MVP in the ring, scoring the victory.
Rating: ***½
Mercedes Moné [c] vs. Riho
Mercedes Moné managed to conjure yet another impressive title defense, this time against the inaugural AEW Women’s World Champion, Riho. Unfortunately, the crowd seemed rather unimpressed by the affair, which didn’t do either women any favors. Still, this was a triumphant return to Pay-Per-View for Riho, who hasn’t competed on a marquee show since “Worlds End” in 2023.
Rating: ***½
Kazuchika Okada [c] vs. Konosuke Takeshita vs. Mascara Dorada
In a match featuring Kazuchika Okada and Konosuke Takeshita, it’s hard to imagine that the star of the show was Mascara Dorada. However, the CMLL phenom’s star shined bright in Toronto, adding a fun wrinkle to Okada and Takeshita’s burgeoning rivalry. Dorada also acted as a buffer, giving Okada an opponent to pin without soundly defeating Takeshita.
Rating: ***¾
Darby Allin vs. Jon Moxley
This was the sort of grindhouse production that you’d expect of Darby Allin and Jon Moxley. This match is proof positive of my earlier conceit: AEW revels in plunder. This coffin match created glorious plunder.
Allin attacked Moxley while he was still walking to the ring, performing a Coffin Drop from a concourse. That spot established a tone and tenor for this match, and a breakneck pace that marched towards its climactic finale. Unfortunately, that finale was curtailed by the return of PAC—allowing Moxley to escape the jaws of defeat.
Afterwards, The Death Riders acted as Allin’s pallbearers, ushering his coffin out of the Scotiabank Arena.
Rating: ****¼
“Timeless” Toni Storm [c] vs. Thekla vs. Kris Statlander vs. Jamie Hayter
Since she adopted her “Timeless” persona, Toni Storm has vanquished all-comers. From Hikaru Shida and Thunder Rosa, to Mariah May, Mercedes Moné, and Athena: Storm has distinguished herself as the undisputed ace of the women’s division. Even she couldn’t overcome the seatbelt pin, courtesy of Kris Statlander.
From top to bottom, this was a strange affair. Just shy of 12 minutes, this was the second shortest affair of the day. It was also the only occasion where a title changed hands. Maybe that’s why the ending was so apropos. Statlander’s victory wasn’t definitive. In the midst of the action, she stole the pinfall with Wheeler Yuta’s patented seatbelt. The ending was just as shocking as the outcome. Nobody seemed more surprised than Storm, though.
Oftentimes, extraordinary matches suffer from ordinary endings. In this instance, an ordinary match was elevated thanks to an extraordinary ending.
Rating: ***¼
Brodido [c] vs. Young Bucks vs. Don Callis Family vs. JetSpeed
For the penultimate match, this was far too long. From the outset, the match itself demonstrated a clear lack of direction in the tag team division. Fortunately, Brodido won the day, proving that Brody King and Bandido’s earnest love for pro wrestling is more than the flavor of the season.
Rating: ***
“Hangman” Adam Page [c] vs. Kyle Fletcher
This was Kyle Fletcher’s first experience on the world stage, in the main event of one of the original-four pay-per-views. There was a conscious decision made, by both Tony Khan and “Hangman” Adam Page, to make Fletcher’s assumption apparent. The “Protostar” has become a full fledged superstar. Unfortunately, his opponent was the undisputed ace of All Elite Wrestling.
Still, at 38 minutes, the point may have been beaten over Page’s head (and neck)—to the champion’s dismay. Fletcher took Page to hell in back, suffocating him with speed, power, and youthful exuberance. In the process, he dispelled any disbelief in his preparedness.
To Page’s credit, the world champion absorbed the breadth of Fletcher’s arsenal and willed himself to victory — turning the tides with an Avalanche Deadeye onto an exposed turn buckle.
For now, the “Hangman” will live to fight another day.
Rating: ****¼
Final Verdict
Just shy of five hours, “All Out” may have overstayed its welcome. An anemic Toronto crowd certainly didn’t do it any favors, either. Still, the show was more than worth the price of admission, delivering one of the 10 or 15 best matches of the year in MJF vs. Mark Briscoe.
Rating: ***¾
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