Harsh Realities From Rewatching AEW All Out 2025

All Out 2025 came one whole year ago when AEW took over the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on September 20. The show featured several notable moments and matches, with surprise appearances, shocking title changes, show-stealing matchups, and so much more.

When looking back across the events of the All Out 2025 PPV, not everything has necessarily aged well when looking back one year later. In fact, there are multiple harsh realities that fans must come to realize when winding back the clock to rewatch the All Out 2025 event, with hindsight dealing out some unfortunate hands for fans.

4

Eddie Kingston’s Dud AEW Return

• Eddie Kingston was out of the ring for over a year.
• He returned to face Big Cass at All Out 2025.
• The match was awful and Kingston’s year has been tough.

After over a year out of the ring through a devastating injury, fans were red hot in anticipation for Eddie Kingston‘s return to AEW programming. At All Out 2025 Kingston finally returned to face Big Cass in singles action, marking his first match since injury. Unfortunately for Kingston and his fans, things did not go entirely to plan. The match at All Out 2025 was a complete disaster with sloppy in-ring work, poor execution, missed moves, a lack of investment from fans and dull energy overall. It was very clear that Kingston had a lot of ring rust, and he needed time to get back to the competitor that he was over a year prior. Unfortunately for Kingston the year since has not been good to him, as his in-ring quality has remained lethargic, his energy has been subpar, and he is far from the competitor he once was. A harsh reality of going back to All Out 2025 is accepting that the anticipation and excitement prior to Kingston return was met with a competitor who was far from his peak years, with this awful injury derailing him substantially.

3

The Hurt Syndicate Has Fallen Off

• The Hurt Syndicate were over with AEW fans.
• They play the AEW World Tag Team Titles.
• They lost to The Demand at All Out 2025.

The trio of Bobby Lashley, MVP, and Shelton Benjamin were a very popular act in AEW in 2025, reigning as the AEW World Tag Team Champions. At All Out 2025, they were engulfed in a feud with The Demand, the faction led by Ricochet. The matches between these two trios always impressed and All Out 2025 was no different with a very fun display.

One whole year later, the Hurt Syndicate are essentially a non-factor on AEW programming. They are regulars on AEW Collision, squashing opponents and winning matches but doing nothing in terms of building momentum or getting involved in feuds, or getting anywhere near to championship gold again. Despite the popularity and veteran instincts of the Hurt Syndicate, Khan has taken a step back in using them in a prominent position which has seen them fall a long way since All Out 2025 one whole year ago. There have been some theories that the Hurt Syndicate are not open to losing as frequently on AEW programming, which has caused them to be left out of contention and without much investment from Khan in their booking.

2

The Kazuchika Okada Vs. Konosuke Takeshita Feud Lasted Too Long

• Okada defended the International Title at All Out against Takeshita & Mascara Dorada.
• The feud between these two carried on until All In 2026, one year later.
• AEW & Tony Khan dragged this feud for too long.

The bad blood between Kazuchika Okada & Konosuke Takeshita had been building for some time, and the first stop on their feud came at All Out 2025 in a show-stealer, also involving Mascara Dorada. Fans expected Okada & Takeshita to meet in singles action the next month… or the next… or the next. However, this feud dragged on for far too long. It is perfectly fine to have long-term builds, but there was not enough change or development on a week-to-week or month-to-month basis. Their first singles match came at Worlds End, though this was in the Continental Classic tournament, but the next wasn’t until Double Or Nothing 2026.

The rivalry finally settled at All In 2026 in a match also involving Kyle Fletcher. When all was said and done, this rivalry should’ve been a way shorter length of time. Rewatching All Out 2025 is only a harsh reminder that AEW didn’t finish things way sooner.

1

Kris Statlander’s Position Hasn’t Changed Since Winning The World Title

• Statlander shockingly won the AEW World Women’s Championship at All Out.
• This was All Out 2025’s best moment.
• Statlander’s booking since All Out has been lacklustre.

At the All Out 2025 PPV, Kris Statlander did the unthinkable by dethroning ‘Timeless’ Toni storm for the AEW world women’s championship in a fatal four-way match also including Tekla and Jamie hater. After years of chasing my opportunities and losses, she finally achieved the ultimate goal that she’d been pursuing in a EW ever since it’s inception. Fans were overjoyed when Statlander reigned supreme with AEW‘s biggest prize before embarking on a fun range that featured very strong showcases against names such as Mercedes Mone and others.

Although this seemingly spelt some change in the momentum and career of Statlander, everything after her loss of the gold has been pretty damn poor. Since her title loss, she dropped drastically down the card and back into the same position she’s been in for a very long period of time. One harsh reality of re-watching All Out 2025 is that Statlander’s role in AEW has not changed one bit. Her character still lacks any depth and substance, her booking is still inconsistent and she is no more or less popular than she was one year ago.