AEW President Tony Khan’s booking mistakes for AEW Summer Blockbuster 2025 could leave fans feeling let down, as key matches and star power may fall short on this anticipated four-hour episode. While excitement for All In is building, the lineup this week in Jacksonville features notable absences and decisions that have already stirred intense reactions from the wrestling community.
Concerns Over the Absence of Title Matches
Despite a strong track record with recent shows like Double or Nothing and an explosive weekly schedule, AEW’s Summer Blockbuster diverges from expectations by offering no championship bouts. The Summer Blockbuster card will see AEW World Tag Team Champions Hurt Syndicate and the Women’s World Champion Toni Storm in action, yet neither will defend their titles. This choice has drawn criticism from fans and observers who believe that a major television event requires title stakes to engage audiences fully and give the night a sense of importance, especially with so many star performers available.
Underwhelming Card Depth and Match Selection
Except for the highly anticipated clash between Swerve Strickland and Will Ospreay, the rest of the scheduled contests have been labeled as underwhelming. The upcoming matches do not appear to draw on AEW’s deepest pool of talent or leverage its most high-profile rivalries. Critics argue that Tony Khan should have included at least two more headline-caliber bouts, perhaps involving multiple main-event level stars in different segments, to enrich the viewing experience for both live and television audiences.
Missed Opportunities with Women’s Division and Mercedes Mone
The decision not to feature significant storylines in the AEW women’s division has stood out as another booking flaw. Although the TBS Champion—a top draw in the Jacksonville promotion—recently made headlines for her surprise EWA Women’s Title win at Prater Catchen in Vienna, she has not wrestled for AEW since Double or Nothing. Her only recent involvement was ringside last week, where she interacted with Toni Storm, setting up their All In encounter. This week, Storm will face Julia Hart, again in a non-title match, with Mercedes Mone participating solely as a commentator, rather than in the ring. Many fans are questioning why the CEO, widely considered a major asset, is not booked for in-ring action on such a marquee night.
MJF’s Return Could Have Carried More Weight
After a part-time schedule due to his film work, Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF), a former AEW World Champion and one of the most impactful heels in the company, returns to the ring after three months away. He will join Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin, both strong presences in The Hurt Syndicate, to take on Komander, Kevin Knight, and Mike Bailey. While each of these competitors holds respect as performers, some believe that MJF’s comeback should have been positioned against a marquee opponent or a more intense rivalry, which could have elevated the entire Summer Blockbuster card and set up momentum on the road to All In.
The Road Ahead for AEW After the Summer Blockbuster
With fans’ expectations raised by previous AEW successes and the looming spectacle of All In, Tony Khan’s booking choices for this week’s Summer Blockbuster have become a lightning rod for passionate debate within the wrestling world. The absence of championship matches and missed opportunities with major stars could leave the promotion struggling to sustain momentum in the critical weeks ahead. As the dust settles after Summer Blockbuster, many will watch closely to see how AEW adapts its strategy, leverages the drawing power of stars like MJF, Toni Storm, and Mercedes Mone, and builds on the foundation laid for upcoming major events in Jacksonville and beyond.
