In a bold strategic move, AEW plans to host a “huge show” in the United States aimed at counterprogramming WWE’s WrestleMania 43, which will be held in Saudi Arabia this year. This was disclosed during AEW’s recent media call for All Out 2025, where AEW President and CEO Tony Khan also unveiled the opening match for the highly anticipated pay-per-view event taking place on September 20, 2025, at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena[2][5].

AEW Sets Stage to Challenge WrestleMania’s Global Event

Sources close to AEW confirm that this large-scale American event is designed explicitly to offer wrestling fans an alternative on the same weekend as WWE’s international spectacle. This further intensifies the growing rivalry between AEW and WWE, as both companies seek to dominate the professional wrestling market and global audience[2].

According to Fightful and Wrestling Headlines, Tony Khan highlighted the significance of this upcoming AEW event, emphasizing its scale and intent to rival WWE’s marquee show in Saudi Arabia, marking a rare country-hosted WrestleMania that promises global media attention[1][2]. Though specifics of the US show remain under wraps, insider reports suggest AEW is pulling out all stops with star-studded talent and compelling storylines[2].

All Out 2025 Opening Match Announced: FTR vs. Adam Copeland & Christian Cage

The kickoff match for All Out 2025 was officially confirmed by Tony Khan during the media call: a high-profile tag team bout featuring the legendary duo FTR (Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler) taking on the formidable team of Adam Copeland (formerly WWE’s Edge) and Christian Cage[1][2][5].

This match carries heavy historical weight, considering Copeland and Christian Cage’s previous partnerships and rivalries. After an offseason where Copeland and FTR have been involved in complex narratives—including heel turns and reunions—this bout promises to be a dynamic blend of wrestling styles and storytelling[3].

Star-Powered Card Highlighted with Championship Bouts and Special Matches

The confirmed full lineup for All Out 2025 underscores AEW’s intent to deliver a stacked card with six championships on the line, multiple specialty matches, and top wrestling talent across various divisions[2][4].

Key match highlights include:

• Ricochet & GOA vs. The Hurt Syndicate: A six-man tag involving Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin, and MVP.

• Coffin Match: Darby Allin vs. Jon Moxley in Moxley’s first-ever coffin match, a chilling stipulation adding intrigue to their ongoing feud.

• AEW Women’s Championship Four-Way: Toni Storm defends against Jamie Hayter, Thekla, and Kris Statlander, spotlighting AEW’s deep women’s division.

• AEW World Championship: ‘Hangman’ Adam Page faces Kyle Fletcher in a defend-or-die scenario.

• AEW TBS Championship: Mercedes Moné defends against Riho, promising a high-speed, high-impact contest.

• Tables N Thumbtacks Match: Mark Briscoe vs. MJF, blending hardcore elements with intense personal rivalry.

• AEW Tag Team Championships Ladder Match: Brodido (Brody King and Bandido) defend their titles against the Young Bucks, JetSpeed, and the Don Callis Family in what many expect to be a show-stealing ladder match.

• AEW Unified Championship: Kazuchika Okada battles Konosuke Takeshita and Máscara Dorada in a triple threat scene that integrates AEW’s expanding international talent.

• Tornado Tailgate Brawl and Other Feuds: Featuring top names such as Harley Cameron, Willow Nightingale, Daniel Garcia, and Samoa Joe, bringing variety and excitement from tag teams to singles competition[2][4].

Backstage Insights on AEW’s Bold Counter to WrestleMania 43

According to a WWE insider with deep connections in the industry, AEW’s decision to orchestrate a “huge show” stateside during WrestleMania 43 weekend is a calculated effort to cultivate their fanbase and disrupt WWE’s international expansion narrative. “Tony Khan is known for thinking big and wrestling smart. Putting this show on the same weekend is a clear message that AEW isn’t just following WWE—they’re ready to lead,” the source explained.

Fightful notes that this move is also a testament to AEW’s confidence in their talent pool and storytelling capabilities to draw viewers away from WWE’s traditionally dominant WrestleMania events[2]. Similarly, podcasts like Wrestling Observer Radio expect this rivalry to escalate further with both brands increasingly scheduling marquee events head-to-head.

Historical Context: Adam Copeland and FTR Storylines Elevate All Out’s Opening

Adam Copeland, having re-established himself in AEW after a storied WWE career, was previously aligned with FTR as part of the faction Rated-FTR in early 2025 before a dramatic split led to the current intense feud[3]. Their upcoming tag match is steeped in months of storyline development involving betrayals and alliances, promising fans a narrative-rich clash to set the tone for the entire show.

Christian Cage’s reunion with Copeland after over a decade adds another layer of nostalgia and excitement, as the duo aims to recapture past chemistry and prove their dominance against FTR’s ruthless efficiency[3][5].

Expect AEW to Dial Up the Excitement Beyond All Out

Industry insiders speculate that AEW’s “huge show” stateside, speculated to occur around the same time as WrestleMania 43, could feature additional surprises meant to pull WWE fans and neutral viewers alike. Sources suggest that AEW may debut new talent or surprise appearances, continuing their pattern of unpredictability that has differentiated them in recent years[2].

The company’s aggressive scheduling and stacked pay-per-view cards reflect Tony Khan’s ambitions to establish AEW as a true rival wrestling powerhouse on par with WWE’s global reach.

With All Out 2025 poised to deliver blockbuster wrestling action starting with FTR versus Adam Copeland & Christian Cage, and AEW gearing up for a high-impact countershow to WrestleMania 43, wrestling fans are in for an electrifying fall season. As the two top promotions battle for supremacy on and off the ring, the evolving landscape promises fresh storylines, thrilling matches, and unprecedented competition in pro wrestling’s golden era.

Reported by Perplexity Wrestling News, September 18, 2025 — Sources: AEW media call, Fightful, WWE.com, 411Mania, Ringside News