AEW President and CEO Tony Khan has clarified the reasoning behind scheduling AEW All Out 2025 to start at an unusual early afternoon time of 3 PM ET. The move is primarily aimed at avoiding a direct broadcast conflict with WWE’s Wrestlepalooza event, which is set for the same evening. Khan emphasized that this decision was made with the fans in mind and to maximize live viewership and ratings for both promotions[2][3][5].
During a recent media conference call ahead of the event, Khan explained that shifting All Out to an afternoon slot was a strategic move to give wrestling fans the chance to watch both major wrestling programs on September 20 without overlap. This year’s All Out will take place in Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena, marking only the second AEW event held in Canada, and promises to be their biggest and most attended All Out ever, as well as the first AEW All Out broadcast on HBO Max pay-per-view[1][4].
This scheduling tactic is unusual but not without precedent in combatting direct competition from WWE. As reported by wrestling veteran Bill Apter on Sportskeeda’s “The Wrestling Time Machine,” live viewing ratings are crucial for televised wrestling success. Apter highlighted that despite many fans turning to later reruns, the industry’s key metric remains live viewers. Khan’s decision to start AEW All Out earlier helps maximize AEW’s live audience figures by avoiding head-to-head scheduling with WWE’s Wrestlepalooza. Apter also noted that in this ongoing “war” for viewers, AEW had outperformed WWE in previous metrics, making timing an especially important tool in the battle for ratings[1].
AEW’s card for All Out 2025 is stacked with high-profile matches designed to attract maximum fan interest during this new time slot. The event features a marquee title bout with AEW World Champion Hangman Page defending against TNT Champion Kyle Fletcher, whose rise in prominence has made him a compelling challenger[4]. Khan detailed that this early start time allows AEW to capitalize on prime afternoon viewership while respecting fans who want the chance to watch WWE’s Wrestlepalooza later in the evening[5][6].
Sources close to AEW indicate that this scheduling decision reflects an evolved understanding within AEW’s management about the modern wrestling fan’s viewing habits and desire to engage with multiple promotions without forced choices. Rather than risking diminished numbers through direct competition, AEW is opting to broaden its reach by offering an accessible timeslot[3].
Industry insiders and podcast commentators have praised Khan for this proactive approach, underlining AEW’s fan-centric philosophy and willingness to innovate in a crowded wrestling calendar. Fightful and WWE.com analysts have also picked up on the tactic as a signal of intelligent competition management between AEW and WWE, signaling that the promotional “war” is as much about smart scheduling as it is about the in-ring product[2][6].
In summary, the early 3 PM ET start time for AEW All Out 2025 on Saturday, September 20, is a carefully calculated move by Tony Khan to avoid direct conflict with WWE’s Wrestlepalooza, optimize live ratings, and enhance the viewing experience for fans. This decision underscores AEW’s commitment to growing its loyal fan base while strategically navigating the competitive wrestling landscape. According to WWE insiders and AEW sources, expect this type of scheduling flexibility to become more common as wrestling promotions adapt to evolving audience behaviors and television demands[1][2][3].
Fans eager for an action-packed wrestling weekend will now have the chance to witness arguably AEW’s biggest All Out ever in the afternoon, followed by WWE’s Wrestlepalooza in the evening—marking a rare occasion where both companies position themselves to capture maximum audience without overlap. Tony Khan’s media call has made it clear: this shift puts fans first while positioning AEW for continued growth and success on the big wrestling stage[4][5].