How Tony Khan and AEW Found Their Spark in 2025

All Elite Wrestling is back in the swing of things ahead of its biggest pay-per-view of the year, All In.

Next weekend, AEW will take over Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas to celebrate the seventh anniversary of the independent show that started it all.

It's an understatement to say a lot has changed since The Elite hosted the original All In in 2018 and inspired the creation of AEW the following year.

Nevertheless, it's great to see the spirit of the event alive and well as Tony Khan continues to take risks and create a healthy alternative for pro wrestling fans.

All In Texas will mark the first AEW PPV to take place at an Major League Baseball stadium following its foray into the international market.

The upcoming event is also already on pace to set a new record for the largest gate for a non-WWE wrestling show in North America. It's the perfect way to solidify the company's return to form in 2025.

A Strong Year for All Elite Wrestling

AEW went on a hot streak in the first half of the year, starting with Wrestle Dynasty in January.

The cross-promotional show with New Japan Pro-Wrestling, Ring of Honor and CMLL produced an early contender for match of the year: Kenny Omega vs. Gabe Kidd.

Grand Slam: Australia was also a huge success for Khan, with the third-largest gate in company history. Even more, it was an excellent showcase of in-ring action from bell to bell, which is what the brand does best.

Omega and Will Ospreay delivered a banger in the opening match against Kyle Fletcher and Konosuke Takeshita, and the Brisbane Brawl exceeded expectations. In the main event, Toni Storm became the first four-time AEW women's world champion following the second chapter in her acclaimed feud with Mariah May.

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Dynamite isn't perfect, but the overall quality of the weekly programming has also improved. The flagship series is much closer to what viewers initially enjoyed, and Collision is finding its groove as a second helping of its unique approach to pro wrestling.

However, AEW's PPVs are the best presentation of its top-notch matches and in-ring storytelling. The company has put on a stretch of tremendous shows in 2025, despite valid criticisms of The Death Riders storyline earlier this year.

Dynasty was the weakest of the lot, but it still boasted year-end highlights such as the star-studded Triple Threat match for the International Championship.

Revolution has become the most consistent AEW PPV, with memorable encounters such as The Hollywood Ending or Ospreay and Fletcher's incredible steel cage match.

Longtime fans believe this year's Double or Nothing surpassed All Out 2021 as the company's greatest event ever. The men's Owen Hart Foundation Tournament finals topped our list of the best matches of the year and positioned "Hangman" Adam Page as the man to dethrone Jon Moxley and lead AEW forward as one of its preeminent success stories.

Changing Tides After A Tumultuous Period

Earlier this year, we acknowledged the growing shift in perception between AEW and WWE, but the overall buzz around the company has changed for the better this year. Khan noted this as well during his appearance on the Battleground Podcast.

It has been a much-needed revival after two turbulent years, where backstage controversies dominated AEW coverage. Fans can finally focus on the product, and the creative output has rewarded their patience.

This year has also allowed president and head booker Khan to capitalize on the roster he has assembled over the last year. AEW made several major acquisitions, like Ospreay, Kazuchika Okada and Mercedes Moné, and Omega returned in time to contribute to its resurgence.

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As such, it doesn't seem like there has been an overreliance on surprise debuts or a need to coast on its early momentum. With the new broadcast deal and simulcasts on Max, Dynamite has grown into a consistently entertaining TV show over 300 episodes, and the brand is finding its stalwarts.

AEW is no longer a promotion vying to prove it has staying power; it's an established alternative, with success on its own merits. Counterculture will always be a part of its identity, but it has truly carved out its niche in a crowded industry.