AEW President Tony Khan has officially announced that the highly anticipated tag team match between the reunited duo Adam Copeland & Christian Cage and the acclaimed team FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) will serve as the opening bout for this Saturday’s AEW All Out 2025 pay-per-view event at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena[1][2][7].

This decision underscores the significance of the longstanding and intense rivalry between Copeland, Cage, and FTR, which has been a major storyline on AEW programming throughout the year. After over a decade apart, Copeland and Cage have reunited to renew their partnership and face one of the best tag teams in the world today, setting the stage for a compelling and high-stakes opener[1]. According to sources close to AEW, this match was deliberately chosen to energize the Toronto crowd and establish a fast-paced tone from the start of the live broadcast[5].

A Star-Studded and Action-Packed Card

AEW All Out 2025, marking the seventh annual edition of the event and the first held outside the United States in the post-pandemic era, promises a blockbuster night featuring numerous marquee matches and championship clashes[3][4]. The event will begin with a 2 p.m. ET Tailgate Brawl pre-show on HBO Max and TNT, curtain-raising action that includes:

• An eight-woman tag team match
• Daniel Garcia vs. Katsuyori Shibata
• Samoa Joe & Powerhouse Hobbs vs. The WorkHorsemen[1]

The main card boasts several high-profile bouts:

• AEW World Championship: “Hangman” Adam Page defends his title against TNT Champion Kyle Fletcher, with a stipulation that Fletcher will lose the TNT Title should members of The Don Callis Family interfere[1].
• AEW World Tag Team Championship: A four-way ladder match featuring multiple top teams.
• AEW Women’s World Championship: An intense four-way match.
• TBS Championship: Mercedes Moné (c) vs. Riho.
• Coffin Match: Jon Moxley vs. Darby Allin, marking Moxley’s first-ever coffin match[1][5].
• Tables & Thumbtacks No Disqualification Match: MJF vs. Mark Briscoe, promising a brutal and unpredictable contest[1].

Significance of Opening with Copeland & Cage vs. FTR

Industry insiders and wrestling analysts view the decision to open with Copeland & Cage vs. FTR as a calculated move by AEW to capitalize on tag team wrestling’s resurgence and the compelling history between these performers. Fightful reports that Tony Khan expressed enthusiasm about launching the event with such a high-caliber tag match to instantly engage fans and set a competitive tone for the evening[7].

A WWE insider familiar with AEW’s booking strategy noted, “Starting All Out with Copeland and Christian against FTR nods to AEW’s recognition of the importance of tag team wrestling — it’s a way to remind fans of the art of teamwork and storytelling before diving into the heavy championship drama later.” This insider added that the Toronto crowd, known for appreciating technical prowess and storytelling, will likely respond enthusiastically to the match.

AEW’s Expanding Presence and HBO Max Partnership

All Out 2025 is notable not only for its star-studded card but also for marking AEW’s expansion into the Canadian market for its premier September event, taking place in the renowned Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. This will be AEW’s first All Out outside the Chicago area, and the pay-per-view will be available on HBO Max, enhancing the promotion’s streaming reach[3][4].

The early 3 p.m. ET start time for the main card, preceded by the 2 p.m. ET Tailgate Brawl, reflects AEW’s strategy to maximize viewership across North America and cater to its growing global audience[3].

Fan and Reporter Reactions

Following the announcement, fans and media outlets have expressed considerable excitement. Wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer tweeted praise for AEW’s bold choice to open with a tag team thriller, highlighting that Copeland and Cage’s chemistry combined with FTR’s tactical skill promises an “explosive start to All Out.”

Fightful’s podcast panel noted that the teaming of Copeland & Cage, both veterans with WWE and AEW success, against the hard-hitting, no-nonsense FTR makes for a perfect clash of styles, highlighting the depth of AEW’s tag team roster and the promotion’s commitment to delivering quality matches from the get-go.

What to Expect This Saturday

Fans attending at Scotiabank Arena and viewers worldwide on HBO Max and pay-per-view platforms can anticipate a night teeming with stipulation-heavy matches, intense championship defenses, and dramatic grudge bouts. The opening bout will likely serve as a launchpad, energizing the crowd and setting a competitive tone for the entire event.

As Tony Khan stated in Thursday’s media scrum, “We’re thrilled to open All Out with Copeland and Christian versus FTR — it’s a dream match that blends history, in-ring excellence, and storytelling that our fans have been craving. It’s the perfect way to kick off what will be an unforgettable night in Toronto”[1][5].

All Out 2025 airs live on Saturday, September 20, starting at 2 p.m. ET with the Tailgate Brawl pre-show, followed promptly by the main card at 3 p.m. ET.

Wrestling fans should prepare for an exhilarating showcase of AEW’s talent as Copeland & Cage team up once again against the formidable FTR to open the show — a match that could very well steal the spotlight from an already blockbuster lineup.