AEW delivered a packed and eventful September To Remember special on September 17, 2025, airing a three-hour hybrid episode of Dynamite and Collision from Canada Life Place in London, Ontario. As the final big stop before the highly anticipated All Out pay-per-view this Saturday, the show featured crucial title eliminators, hard-hitting matches, contract signings, and intense promos. While the event thrilled fans with standout moments, it also had its share of pacing issues and questionable booking choices. Here’s a rundown of three things we loved and three we hated about AEW September To Remember, sourced from Wrestling Inc., Wrestling Headlines, Fightful, WrestleView, and the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

What We Loved

1. High-Stakes Unified Title Eliminator: The Beast Mortos vs. Mascara Dorada
One of the night’s high points came from the final qualifying match for the upcoming AEW Unified Championship triple threat at All Out involving The Beast Mortos and the charismatic Mascara Dorada. The bout was a dynamic showcase of athleticism, culminating in Mascara Dorada securing the victory and joining Kazuchika Okada and Konosuke Takeshita for the title match. The crowd inside the arena responded with electric energy as Dorada’s innovative offense, including a breathtaking crossbody off the top rope onto Okada during the segment, highlighted AEW’s commitment to thrilling in-ring action[2][3][4].

2. Toni Storm’s Intense Promo and Title Segment
Toni Storm cemented her character as a fierce and passionate Women’s World Champion with a fiery promo that blended bravado and grit. Storm reminded fans of her tumultuous title reign, declaring she has risked everything and vowing to fight to the last breath for her championship. Her willingness to put it “all on the line” left fans captivated and primed for her upcoming title defense in AEW’s stacked women’s division. This emotional moment generated significant buzz on social media and podcasts following the event and reiterated AEW’s strong women’s wrestling identity[3][4][2].

3. Tag Team Title Ladder Match Qualifiers
The three qualifying matches for the All Out World Tag Team Championship Ladder Match provided exciting, fast-paced tagging action. Teams like The Young Bucks, Top Flight, and JetSpeed showcased their teamwork and high-flying maneuvers. The Young Bucks battled fiercely against The Gunns, while Top Flight overcame Josh Alexander & Hechicero to earn their spot. The ladder match promises to be a show-stealing contest, and fans appreciated the quality build from these intense qualifiers[4][5].

What We Hated

1. Overlong and Bloated Show Pacing
Although the three-hour format allowed for more wrestling content, many viewers and critics noted the show’s pacing felt sluggish at times, leading to energy dips, especially during transitional segments and mid-card matches. Wrestling Inc. and Wrestling Headlines pointed out that while there were quality matches, too many longer promos and repeated in-ring confrontations diluted the overall momentum. This is a recurring AEW issue when extended specials stack too many angles into one show, which detracts from match impact and viewer engagement[2][1].

2. Thekla’s Booking and No Holds Barred Match Outcome
Thekla’s No Holds Barred match against Queen Aminata failed to impress many fans and analysts. Thekla had a rough introduction to the AEW audience and, despite some improvement, her recent storylines have been uneven. The match outcome and booking decisions left observers confused about AEW’s plans for her character. Additionally, the overbooking with interference from factions like The Triangle of Madness seemed to undermine the match’s potential[1][2].

3. Build to MJF vs. Briscoe Feud and TNT Title Match
While the MJF vs. Mark Briscoe feud is one of AEW’s more talked-about storylines, the segment where MJF was shown pleading with Tony Khan to back out of the TNT title match fell flat in execution. Fans expected a more emotionally charged and coherent storyline but were met with dialogue that felt forced and artificial. The tension was palpable in theory but not fully realized in the onscreen booking, dampening the anticipated payoff ahead of All Out[1][2].

Backstage Insights and What’s Next

According to a WWE insider who closely monitors AEW, the company is eager to capitalize on the momentum from September To Remember by pushing the Unified Championship match as the marquee bout for All Out, emphasizing the cross-promotional intrigue with NJPW stars Kazuchika Okada and Konosuke Takeshita. The source said, “AEW wants to deliver a historic triple threat that can elevate all three men to another level and truly unify the brand’s world titles”[4][5].

Sources close to the AEW locker room also revealed mixed reactions to the extended show format backstage. While some wrestlers appreciated the opportunity to showcase their skills on a longer program, others felt fatigue set in, which impacted performance quality. Fightful’s recent podcast interview with Tony Schiavone indicated AEW plans to tighten future special episode pacing to avoid the “bloated” feeling fans highlighted after this event[2][4].

Fans and critics alike are eagerly waiting to see how AEW handles the fallout from this event on Saturday’s All Out pay-per-view, especially with major storylines hinging on Hangman Page vs. Kyle Fletcher, the continuation of Toni Storm’s title reign, and whether Jon Moxley can topple a formidable foe like Roderick Strong for momentum[4][6].

Final Thoughts

AEW September To Remember 2025 was a rollercoaster offering moments of brilliance alongside some notable missteps. The combination of high-stakes matches, passionate promos, and big faction plays made it a must-watch for wrestling fans. However, the show’s pacing and certain booking decisions left room for improvement as AEW looks toward its next chapter. With All Out just days away, the excitement and stakes could not be higher for the promotion’s future.

For continuing updates on AEW and all wrestling news, keep an eye on WWE.com, Fightful, Wrestling Observer Newsletter, and leading wrestling podcasts for in-depth analysis and interviews.