AEW President Tony Khan has meticulously planned the lead-up to All In: Texas in recent weeks, with many fans expecting this pay-per-view to be one of the promotion’s best shows yet. However, after the latest episode of Dynamite aired as the go-home show, concerns emerged over several booking decisions that could undermine the momentum, marking notable Tony Khan AEW All In mistakes.
Highlights and Upsets on the Last Night of Dynamite
The episode itself delivered a largely entertaining card, with the AEW World Tag Team Championship feud continuing to engage viewers. Samoa Joe displayed his trademark power while clashing with Wheeler Yuta, and the main event saw Death Riders and The Young Bucks triumph over a team including Hangman Page, Katsuyori Shibata, Will Ospreay, and Powerhouse Hobbs. These matches set the tone for All In: Texas night, but some overlooked details raised questions about the show’s booking.
Controversial Segment Tarnishes Build-Up to All In
Former AEW World Champion Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF) is a divisive figure whose recent interviews had been beneficial in promoting the pay-per-view. Yet, during the go-home show, a segment intended to hype the Casino Gauntlet match backfired when MJF engaged in a highly personal exchange with Mark Briscoe, involving references to Briscoe’s late brother, Jay. This move did not sit well with many fans, who criticized MJF and AEW on social media for this choice.
“Maxwell went extremely personal and brought in Mark’s late brother, Jay, during their segment. This didn’t sit well with many fans, and they have been calling out MJF on social media.” —Source
This incident risked casting the company in a negative light just before its biggest event of the year.
Casino Gauntlet Match Booking Misses an Opportunity to Elevate Talent
In a four-way contest on Dynamite, the Megasus defeated Thekla, Queen Aminata, and Tay Melo to secure the second spot in the upcoming Casino Gauntlet match, joining Kris Statlander, who had already claimed the first spot. While Megasus is a worthy contender, Thekla and Aminata—two promising stars who ultimately took the loss—could have been better protected to maintain their momentum within the promotion.
Both Thekla, nicknamed the Toxic Spider, and Queen Aminata suffered setbacks that night; Thekla took her first defeat in AEW. To balance this, the company will need to spotlight these wrestlers more prominently during the gauntlet match itself at All In: Texas to keep their trajectories intact.
Not All AEW Champions Present on Final Dynamite
As All In: Texas draws near, AEW’s marquee championship matches are highly anticipated. Champions including Jon Moxley, Toni Storm, and the Hurt Syndicate appeared to promote their upcoming bouts. However, several key titleholders were absent from the live show, including International Champion Kenny Omega, TNT Champion Adam Cole, and Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada. Their absence left a gap in the final face-offs fans expect before such a major event.
Kyle Fletcher, the challenger to Adam Cole’s TNT Title, secured an important victory on Dynamite, but without Cole physically present, the rivalry’s impact was diminished. Similarly, Omega and Okada, scheduled for a historic AEW Unified Championship match, missed the chance for a final confrontation ahead of the pay-per-view. The lack of in-person interactions might reduce the pay-off these rivalries warrant at All In.
Why These Booking Decisions Could Affect All In: Texas
Despite months of incredible build toward All In: Texas, Tony Khan’s decisions on the final Dynamite led to mixed results. Key moments that should have intensified fan investment were undercut by controversial segments, missed appearances from top stars, and matches that failed to fully protect rising talent. These missteps risk undermining the audience’s enthusiasm and the event’s overall impact.
With the pay-per-view just days away, how Tony Khan addresses these issues during All In will be crucial. The show remains one of the biggest in AEW’s calendar and has the potential to deliver memorable moments, but only if the remaining booking restores confidence among fans and showcases each storyline with maximum effect.
