Toronto is gearing up to host AEW All Out 2025 on September 20 at Scotiabank Arena. With the card shaping up, story arcs shifting, and fan interest rising, AEW finds itself in a moment of both consolidation and opportunity. From a shocking heel turn to intense stipulation matches, here’s where things stand—and what’s riding high.
“Danny … Why?!” — Daniel Garcia’s Fall into the Death Riders
On AEW Dynamite from Philadelphia (September 10), the wrestling world got one of its most talked-about turns in months. Daniel Garcia—long cast as a face, albeit a flawed and emotionally driven one—committed a vicious betrayal. Coming to Darby Allin’s aid at ringside turned bait, Garcia revealed himself as a masked attacker behind Allin’s back. He then delivered a chair-stomp, aligning himself fully with Jon Moxley and Marina Shafir as the newest member of the Death Riders. Cageside Seats+2SI+2
“Unthinkable but true: Daniel Garcia has aligned himself with the Death Riders!” reads AEW’s official post. Facebook
This heel turn is arguably Garcia’s biggest push yet in AEW. SI notes that this is not just a betrayal—it’s a repositioning. Garcia had previously faltered in matches due to errors; moments where his own mistakes cost him dearly. That built tension, hinting at this kind of fracture. Cageside Seats+1
The implications are significant: Darby Allin now must prepare for a Coffin Match with Jon Moxley at All Out, not just as a continued rivalry but as one where the Death Riders are more united and dangerous. Garcia’s inclusion lends new depth—and new stakes—to the feud. SI+2Cageside Seats+2
FTR vs. Cope & Christian: Tag Team Reunion Meets Tag Team Excellence
Another marquee match for All Out pits FTR (Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood) against the reunited pair of Adam Copeland and Christian Cage. Longtime fans will recognize the weight here: Christian and Copeland bring star power, name recognition, and a legacy of tag-team lore. FTR, by contrast, have built their reputation in AEW (and elsewhere) as perhaps the gold standard of tag teams—technical, credible, no flab.
This match isn’t just nostalgia; it’s a test. Can Copeland & Christian, after years of ups and downs, match the cohesion, intensity, and psychological warfare FTR bring every night? And what does a win (or loss) here do to either team’s momentum? It’s one of those “legacy vs. now” matches that AEW has done well in before. At All Out, it could define the tag division’s shape for months to come.
Hurt Syndicate: Pressure & Protection
The tandem of Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin, the Hurt Syndicate, have seen mixed fortunes. They’ve been booked in high-profile tag bouts, but some critics and insiders whisper that they’ve also been protected (or over-protected), especially in how losses are handled and how heat is kept. Whether this is because AEW sees them as reliable performers who shouldn’t be devalued, or because they’re being positioned for something bigger, remains to be seen.
What’s clear: their match at All Out will carry extra weight. If they deliver, address the criticisms, and possibly upset expectations, they could be elevated. If not—or if they’re again booked conservatively—it may reinforce the view that they are secondary in the tag hierarchy rather than contenders. AEW has invested in the Syndicate; what they do with that investment at All Out matters.
MJF vs. Mark Briscoe — Hardcore Politics
The match between MJF and Mark Briscoe is now set with a Tables & Thumbtacks stipulation. It’s extreme, and in many ways, a resume-builder for Briscoe, whose legacy includes hardcore, no-rules, bloody brawls. For MJF—who is as much about mind games, verbal mastery, and psychology as physicality—this is a new frontier. Can he endure (and perhaps control) a match where sharp implements and chaos are guaranteed?
Given all that MJF plays for—prestige, legacy, perception—this match could be a turning point. Win, and he adds a memorable, violent spectacle to his portfolio. Lose, and Briscoe not only takes the win, but something more emotional: vindication, street credibility in a wild environment. AEW’s decision to frontload a stipulation like this shows how deeply they want this feud to hit on more than just win-loss.
Ticket Sales & Show Growth: All Out & Full Gear
From the business side, AEW looks to be performing steadily, though not uniformly. Here’s what the data shows:
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As of September 12, for All Out 2025 (Toronto, Scotiabank Arena), 10,331 tickets have been distributed. The venue’s capacity is approximately 14,000 in its current configuration, so there’s room to grow. 411MANIA
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The get-in price on the secondary market is roughly US $31, with premium/front-row seats reaching as high as $857. 411MANIA
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Earlier in September, numbers were somewhat lower: around 9,846 tickets had been sold as of September 5. Still healthy, but it shows the acceleration in the final week leading up to the show. 411MANIA
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Looking ahead to Full Gear, scheduled for November 22 in Newark, New Jersey, about 6,015 tickets have been distributed thus far. 411MANIA
These numbers suggest a few things:
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AEW is nearing but not yet hitting full sell-outs for All Out. The hype around Garcia’s turn, the stipulations, and the legends involved (Christian, Copeland, etc.) may be fueling a late surge.
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Pricing is still accessible at the lower end, which helps fan engagement; the high-end seats are where AEW can cash in, but they also need strong match quality to justify those prices.
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Full Gear has the usual lag, given it’s further out, but early distribution suggests reasonable confidence in the market.
What’s Riding on All Out 2025
So, what will define success and failure for AEW this weekend?
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The Death Riders angle & Garcia’s credibility. If Garcia delivers, this becomes a landmark turn. If he stumbles (in promos or match quality), it may reverberate poorly, especially given how vocal fans are online about betrayal‐angles and paying attention to what’s “earned.”
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The balance between legacy and current stars in tag matches. FTR vs. Cope & Christian is a litmus test. AEW has long tried (with mixed success) to balance newer tag teams with legacy names. This match could tilt momentum either way.
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Hardcore spectacle vs. “safe” storytelling. MJF-Briscoe presents risk. Does AEW lean into the bloody, chaotic side and get rewarded (with fan buzz, possibly social media viral moments), or is this something that overreaches or underdelivers?
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Ticketing & fan energy. Late ticket sales will show whether the current card is compelling enough. Full Gear will also be watched as an indicator of how strong AEW can sustain momentum through the fall.
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Longer arcs: Allin vs. Moxley & the future of the Death Riders. With Garcia onboard, AEW has to carry forward the narrative in a way that pays off (not just with violence, but with stakes, character development, emotion). Darby Allin remains a sympathetic babyface, so his match with Moxley will be judged not just on moves but on storytelling.
What We Still Don’t Know (But Are Watching For)
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Official quotes from Tony Khan, Garcia, or Moxley about Garcia’s mindset, his reasons, and how long he expects the Death Riders alliance to last.
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Confirmed stipulations or tweaks beyond what’s public (e.g. whether there’ll be more hardcore rules added to matches like Cope & Christian vs. FTR or Hurt Syndicate’s match).
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Gate/gross revenue estimates post-All Out, and how much merch and media buzz drive the overall success.
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How AEW uses the fallout from All Out to bridge into Full Gear—both in storyline and business strategy.
If All Out 2025 hits its marks—emotionally, physically, business-wise—it could be more than just another card. It might be the pivot that defines AEW’s fall, sets up a strong end to the year, and defines what “legacy vs. new guard” really means in this era.
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