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Tarot & Postcards: Predictions & Ratings for AEW: All Out Toronto (2025)

Thomas Welbourn
Sep 20
4 min read

AEW & NJPW Promotional artwork for AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door London — AEW Promotional artwork for AEW All Out Toronto

Welcome to our second Tarots & Postcards. This is where we share our predictions for upcoming AEW PPVs (hopefully some other promotions further down the line), and then we'll update readers afterwards with our thoughts and ratings of the matches. Before our predictions for the PPV, we have shared our predictions for the AEW Saturday Tailgate Brawl. So before this all starts, let's get ready and watch the event and see how close our predictions are.

AEW Promotional artwork for AEW Saturday Tailgate Brawl

AEW & NJPW Promotional Image for the AEW Unified Championship: (C)Kazuchika Okada VS Swerve Strickland — **AEW Saturday Tailgate Brawl Promotional Image for the 8-Woman Tornado Tailgate Brawl:** Willow Nightingale, Mina Shirakawa, Harley Cameron, & Queen Aminata VS Julia Hart, Skye Blue, Megan Bayne, & Penelope Ford

8-WOMAN TORNADO TAILGATE BRAWL

WILLOW NIGHTINGALE, MINA SHIRAKAWA, HARLEY CAMERON, & QUEEN AMINATA VS JULIA HART, SKYE BLUE, MEGAN BAYNE, & PENELOPE FORD

Thomas' Predictions:

Winner: Team Nightingale

Preferred Winner: Team Madness

Bryan's Predictions:

Winner: Team Madness

Preferred Winner: Team Madness

Outcome: (TBC)

Thomas' Ranking: TBC

Bryan's Ranking: TBC

SINGLES MATCH

DANIEL GARCIA VS SHIBATA

Thomas' Predictions:

Winner: Garcia

Preferred Winner: Shibata

Bryan's Predictions:

Winner: Shibata

Preferred Winner: Shibata

Outcome: (TBC)

Thomas' Ranking: TBC

Bryan's Ranking: TBC

TAG TEAM MATCH

SAMOA JOE & POWERHOUSE HOBBS VS THE WORKHORSEMEN

Thomas' Predictions:

Winner: The Opps

Preferred Winner: The Workhorsemen

Bryan's Predictions:

Winner: The Opps

Preferred Winner: The Workhorsemen

Outcome: (TBC)

Thomas' Ranking: TBC

Bryan's Ranking: TBC

AEW Promotional artwork for AEW All Out Toronto

TRIOS MATCH

THE HURT SYNDICATE VS RICOCHET & GOA

Thomas' Predictions:

Winner: The Hurt Syndicate

Preferred Winner: The Hurt Syndicate.... I Guess

Bryan's Predictions:

Winner: The Hurt Syndicate

Preferred Winner: N/A

Outcome: (TBC)

Thomas' Ranking: TBC

Bryan's Ranking: TBC

SINGLES MATCH

EDDIE KINGSTON VS BIG BILL

Thomas' Predictions:

Winner: Eddie Kingston

Preferred Winner: Big Bill

Bryan's Predictions:

Winner: Eddie Kingston (please not be)

Preferred Winner: Big Bill (it really should be)

Outcome: (TBC)

Thomas' Ranking: TBC

Bryan's Ranking: TBC

AEW & NJPW Promotional Image for the AEW World Tag Team Championship 3-Way: (C)Hurt Syndicate VS FTR VS Brodido — **AEW Promotional Image for AEW All Out Toronto Tag Team Match:** Cage & Cope VS FTR

TAG TEAM MATCH

CAGE & COPE VS FTR

Thomas' Predictions:

Winner: Cage & Cope.... I wanted this

Preferred Winner: Cage & Cope

Bryan's Predictions:

Winner: Cage & Cope

Preferred Winner: Cage & Cope

Outcome: (TBC)

Thomas' Ranking: TBC

Bryan's Ranking: TBC

AEW & NJPW Promotional Image for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: (C)Zack Sabre JR. VS Nigel McGuinness — **AEW Promotional Image for AEW All Out Toronto TBS Championship:** (C)Mercedes Mone VS Riho

TBS CHAMPIONSHIP

MERCEDES MONE (CHAMPION) VS RIHO

Thomas' Predictions:

Winner: Mone

Preferred Winner: Mone

Bryan's Predictions:

Winner: Mone

Preferred Winner: Riho

Outcome: (TBC)

Thomas' Ranking: TBC

Bryan's Ranking: TBC

AEW & NJPW Promotional Image for the TBS Championship 4-Way: (C)Mercedes Mone VS Persephone VS Bozilla VS Alex Windsor — **AEW Promotional Image for AEW All Out Toronto Tables N' Tacks:** Mark Briscoe VS MJF

TABLES N' TACKS

MARK BRISCOE VS MJF

Thomas' Predictions:

Winner: MJF

Preferred Winner: MJF... Surprisingly tough choice

Bryan's Predictions:

Winner: MJF

Preferred Winner: MJF (He's my boy)

Outcome: (TBC)

Thomas' Ranking: TBC

Bryan's Ranking: TBC

AEW & NJPW Promotional Image for the TNT Championship: (C) Kyle Fletcher VS Hiromu Takahashi — **AEW Promotional Image for AEW All Out Toronto AEW World Tag Team Championship 4-Way Ladder Match:** (C)Brodido VS Young Bucks VS Jetspeed VS Hechicero & Josh Alexander

AEW WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP 4-WAY LADDER MATCH

BRODIDO (CHAMPION) VS YOUNG BUCKS VS JETSPEED VS HECHICERO & JOSH ALEXANDER

Thomas' Predictions:

Winner: Brodido

Preferred Winner: Jetspeed

Bryan's Predictions:

Winner:Brodido

Preferred Winner: Brodido (or Jetspeed)

Outcome: (TBC)

Thomas' Ranking: TBC

Bryan's Ranking: TBC

AEW & NJPW Promotional Image for Tag Team Match: Adam Copeland & Christian Cage VS Kip Sabian & Killswitch — **AEW Promotional Image for AEW All Out Toronto Coffin Match:** Jon Moxley VS Darby Allin

COFFIN MATCH

JON MOXLEY VS DARBY ALLIN

Thomas' Predictions:

Winner: Darby

Preferred Winner: Mox

Bryan's Predictions:

Winner: Darby

Preferred Winner: Mox

Outcome: (TBC)

Thomas' Ranking: TBC

Bryan's Ranking: TBC

AEW & NJPW Promotional Image for a Lights Out Steel Cage Match: Death Riders, Gabe Kidd & Young Bucks VS Darby Allin, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Will Ospreay, Kenny Oemga, & Kota Ibushi — **AEW Promotional Image for AEW All Out Toronto AEW Unified Championship 3-Way:** (C)Kazuchika Okada VS Konosuke Takeshita VS Mascara Dorada

AEW UNIFIED CHAMPIONSHIP 3-WAY

KAZUCHIKA OKADA (CHAMPION) VS KONOSUKE TAKESHITA VS MASCARA DORADA

Thomas' Predictions:

Winner: Okada

Preferred Winner: Takeshita

Bryan's Predictions:

Winner: Takeshita

Preferred Winner: Mascara Dorada

Outcome: (TBC)

Thomas' Ranking: TBC

Bryan's Ranking: TBC

AEW & NJPW Promotional Image forAEW Women's World Championship: (C)"Timeless" Toni Storm VS Athena — **AEW Promotional Image for AEW All Out Toronto AEW Women's World Championship 4-Way:** (C)"Timeless" Toni Storm VS Jamie Hayter VS Kris Statlander VS Thekla

AEW WOMEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 4-WAY

"TIMELESS" TONI STORM (CHAMPION) VS JAMIE HAYTER VS KRIS STATLANDER VS THEKLA

Thomas' Predictions:

Winner: Toni Storm

Preferred Winner: Statlander!!!!

Bryan's Predictions:

Winner: Toni Storm (with big package)

Preferred Winner: Thekla (anyone but Toni)

Outcome: (TBC)

Thomas' Ranking: TBC

Bryan's Ranking: TBC

AEW & NJPW Promotional Image for the AEW World Championship: (Hangman Adam Page VS MJF) — **AEW Promotional Image for AEW All Out Toronto AEW World Championship:** (C)Hangman Adam Page VS Kyle Fletcher

AEW MEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

HANGMAN ADAM PAGE (CHAMPION) VS KYLE FLETCHER

Thomas' Predictions:

Winner: Hangman!!!!

Preferred Winner: Also Hangman!!!!

Bryan's Predictions:

Winner: Hangman

Preferred Winner: Hangman

Outcome: (TBC)

Thomas' Ranking: TBC

Bryan's Ranking: TBC

Thomas' Miscellaneous Picks

Predicted Favourite Match: AEW Unified Championship 3-Way

Actual Favourite Match: TBC

Predicted Match That Surprises: TBS Championship

Actual Match That Surprised: TBC

Predicted Surprise Interference: Jack Perry (Ladder Match)

Actual Surprise Interference: TBC

Predicted MVP: Kris Statlander

Actual MVP: TBC

Predicted Biggest Pop: Cage & Cope.

Actual Biggest Pop: TBC

Bryan's Miscellaneous Picks

Predicted Favourite Match: Tag Team Championship 4-Way Ladder Match

Actual Favourite Match: TBC

Predicted Surprise Interference: Pac (Coffin Match)

Actual Surprise Interference: TBC

Predicted MVP: Jetspeed (tag team, I know it's 2 people)

Actual MVP: TBC

Predicted Biggest Pop: Cage & Cope

Actual Biggest Pop: TBC

Tarot & Postcards: Predictions & Ratings for AEW & NJPW Forbidden Door London

Thomas Welbourn
Aug 24
4 min read

Updated: Aug 30

This piece is now updated after the event to include outcomes, our rankings, and Zero Hour.

Welcome to our first-ever Tarots & Postcards. This is where we will share our predictions for upcoming AEW PPVs (hopefully some other promotions further down the line), and then we'll update readers afterwards with our thoughts and ratings of the matches. Unfortunately, as of writing this, nothing has been announced for the pre-show, so we may add those for the Postcards.

When this first went up, the matches of Zero Hour hadn't yet been announced. This meant we couldn't play fortune-tellers with our Tarot deck. But we have now watched and are not about to ignore them. Here are the outcomes and rankings.

AEW WORLD TRIOS CHAMPIONSHIP

THE OPPS (CHAMPIONS) VS BULLET CLUB WAR DOGS

Outcome: The Opps

Thomas' Ranking: 2.5/5

Bryan's Ranking: 2.5/5

TRIOS MATCH

MICHAEL OKU & JETSPEED VS RICOCHET & GOA

Outcome: Ricochet & GoA

Thomas' Ranking: 3/5

Bryan's Ranking: 3/5

ALL STAR 8-WOMAN TAG

TRIANGLE OF MADNESS & MEGAN BAYNE VS WILLOW NIGHTINGALE, KRIS STATLANDER, HARLEY CAMERON, & QUEEN AMINATA

Outcome: Triangle of Madness & Megan Bayne

Thomas' Ranking: 3.5/5

Bryan's Ranking: 3.5/5

ALL STAR 8-MAN TAG

CRU & HECHICERO & JOSH ALEXANDER VS PARAGON & YUYA UEMURA & EL DESPERADO

Outcome: Paragon & Yuya Uemura & El Desperado

Thomas' Ranking: 3/5

Bryan's Ranking: 2.75/5

Heads up: These matches are not in the order they played out, as the order wasn't known at the time of putting this together. However, you will see how our predictions stacked against what actually happened on the PPV. Enjoy.

AEW UNIFIED CHAMPIONSHIP

KAZUCHIKA OKADA (CHAMPION) VS SWERVE STRICKLAND

Thomas' Predictions:

Winner: Okada

Preferred Winner: Also, Okada

Bryan's Predictions:

Winner: Swerve

Preferred Winner: Okada

Outcome: Kazuchika Okada

Thomas' Ranking: 3.5/5

Bryan's Ranking: 3/5

AEW WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP 3-WAY MATCH

HURT SYNDICATE (CHAMPIONS) VS FTR VS BRODIDO

Thomas' Predictions:

Winner: Hurt Syndicate

Preferred Winner: FTR (Leading to a Cope and Christian match)

Bryan's Predictions:

Winner: Hurt Syndicate

Preferred Winner: Brodido

Outcome: Brodido

Thomas' Ranking: 2.5/5

Bryan's Ranking: 3/5

IWGP WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

ZACK SABRE JR. (CHAMPION) VS NIGEL MCGUINNESS

Thomas' Predictions:

Winner: Zack Sabre Jr.

Preferred Winner: Nigel McGuinness, give him a short run as a champ.

Bryan's Predictions:

Winner: Zack Sabre Jr. (via submission)

Preferred Winner: Nigel McGuinness

Outcome: Zack Sabre Jr.

Thomas' Ranking: 4/5

Bryan's Ranking: 4.25/5

TBS CHAMPIONSHIP 4-WAY

MERCEDES MONE (CHAMPION) VS PERSEPHONE VS BOZILLA VS ALEX WINDSOR

Thomas' Predictions:

Winner: Mercedes Mone (9 Belts?)

Preferred Winner: Persephone (A stand out in matches seen prior to this)

Bryan's Predictions:

Winner: Mercedes Mone

Preferred Winner: Persephone

Outcome: Mercedes Mone

Thomas' Ranking: 4/5

Bryan's Ranking: 4/5

TNT CHAMPIONSHIP

KYLE FLETCHER (CHAMPION) VS HIROMU TAKAHASHI

Thomas' Predictions:

Winner: Kyle Fletcher

Preferred Winner: Hiromu Takahashi, why not have this guy have a title reign at AEW?

Bryan's Predictions:

Winner: Kyle Fletcher

Preferred Winner: Hiromu Takahashi

Outcome: Kyle Fletcher

Thomas' Ranking: 3/5

Bryan's Ranking: 3.5/5

TAG TEAM MATCH

ADAM COPELAND & CHRISTIAN CAGE VS KIP SABIAN & KILLSWITCH

Thomas' Predictions:

Winner: Adam Copeland & Christian Cage

Preferred Winner: Kip Sabian & Killswitch

Bryan's Predictions:

Winner: Cope & Cage

Preferred Winner: Kip Sabian & Killswitch

Outcome: Adam Copeland & Christian Cage

Thomas' Ranking: 3.5/5

Bryan's Ranking: 3/5

LIGHTS OUT STEEL CAGE MATCH

DEATH RIDERS, GABE KIDD, & YOUNG BUCKS VS DARBY ALLIN, HIROSHI TANAHASHI, WILL OSPREAY, KENNY OMEGA & KOTA IBUSHI

Thomas' Predictions:

Winner: Team Darby

Preferred Winner: Team Darby

Bryan's Predictions:

Winner: Team Mox

Preferred Winner: Team Darby

Outcome: Team Darby

Thomas' Ranking: 4/5

Bryan's Ranking: 4.25/5

AEW WOMEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

"TIMELESS" TONI STORM (CHAMPION) VS ATHENA

Thomas' Predictions:

Winner: Toni Storm

Preferred Winner: Athena

Bryan's Predictions:

Winner: Toni Storm (with big package)

Preferred Winner: Athena

Outcome: Toni Storm

Thomas' Ranking: 3/5

Bryan's Ranking: 3/5

AEW MEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

HANGMAN ADAM PAGE (CHAMPION) VS MJF

TITLE CAN CHANGE HANDS ON DQ AND COUNT OUT

Thomas' Predictions:

Winner: Hangman

Preferred Winner: Also Hangman

Bryan's Predictions:

Winner: Hangman

Preferred Winner: MJF

Outcome: Hangman Adam Page

Thomas' Ranking: 4.5/5

Bryan's Ranking: 4.5/5

Thomas' Miscellaneous Picks

Predicted Favourite Match: Hangman VS MJF

Actual Favourite Match: Hangman VS MJF

Predicted Match That Surprises: Kyle Fletcher VS Hiromu Takahashi

Actual Match That Surprised: TBS Championship

Predicted Surprise Interference: Mark Briscoe (Men's World Championship)

Actual Surprise Interference: Mark Briscoe (Men's World Championship)

Predicted MVP: Persephone

Actual MVP: Athena

Predicted Biggest Pop: Zack Sabre Jr.

Actual Biggest Pop: Adam Copeland & Christian Cage

Bryan's Miscellaneous Picks

Predicted Favourite Match: Lights Out Steel Cage Match

Actual Favourite Match: Hangman VS MJF

Predicted Surprise Interference: Pac (Lights Out Match)

Actual Surprise Interference: Wardlow (AEW Unified Championship)

Predicted MVP: Will Ospreay

Actual MVP: Athena (she carried the match)

Predicted Biggest Pop: Cope & Cage

Actual Biggest Pop: Cope & Cage

Bryan Begins: My Origin Story

Bryan
Jul 29
3 min read

Originally featured in Cynic Critique: Zine Machine Issue #1, Bryan Begins is the origin story behind Resonance Ronin—a personal journey through film, life, and the search for what truly resonates beyond the noise. This piece lays the groundwork for the stories and voices you’ll find here in Scrolls and beyond.

My first movie experience was when I was five years old—Batman Forever.

I’d already been a Batman nut since I was two. I watched Burton’s 1989 Batman on a VHS taped off the TV. My mum had no idea how dark it was; she only knew Keaton from his funny roles, and Batman from the colourful ’66 show she grew up with. But I fell in love with it. I watched it every day.

By age three, I had to be shown how to use the VHS recorder so I could tape episodes of Batman: The Animated Series every weekend and rewatch them through the week. One Christmas, I was gifted Batman Returns on VHS (I still have those tapes). I watched those two films religiously.

So when the trailers hit TV for Batman Forever, I wouldn’t shut up about it. I was quoting it, reenacting scenes with my toys. I was obsessed.

One Friday evening during the summer holidays, my dad came home from work, we had tea, and then—surprise—we went out. My little brother, almost two, was dropped off at the grandparents. A short drive later, we were in a car park. Then we walked.

Two big doors. Posters at each side. One of them was Batman Forever.

It hit me—this was it. My first cinema trip.

We entered. Dim lighting. That warm, strange smell I’d later learn was popcorn. At the counter, I was handed a bucket of the stuff the size of my head. Lightweight, like magic for its size.

We went up a narrow, dimly lit staircase, where the smell of cigarettes still clung to the walls. Then down a long corridor to a numbered door—maybe 4. Let’s say 4. It’s a good number.

Red seats. Rows of them. A room filled with people, all facing curtains that glowed softly.

I sat between my parents, five rows from the front, centre. They explained:

“This is the new Batman film. You can’t talk during it, unless it’s for the toilet or if something’s scary.”

Still from Batman Forever, the film that ignited a lifelong cinematic obsession — Batman standing as both icon and origin story.

Then the curtains pulled back.

Adverts. Trailers I don’t remember. And then… the film.

I wish I could’ve seen my face. The screen felt incomprehensibly big. I was hooked—quiet, still, entranced. Even the cigarette smoke from the smoking section didn’t register.

I didn’t want it to end. I wanted to see it again—this time with my brother.

When I finally got the VHS at Christmas, it was one of the best days of my young life.

To this day, I still love that film. And Batman. And cinema. It’s all part of my DNA now. Without that passion, I don’t know who I’d be. It keeps me ticking. The magic of experiencing new stories, strange worlds, and unexpected emotions—it’s why I keep showing up.

The cinema I saw it in? The Majestic. And for me, it was majestic. It was the last of five cinemas in my town. Closed around 2004. Replaced by a multiplex. The old building was torn down, eventually replaced by flats or a care home—I'm not sure.

But when it still stood, I used to walk past it and smile. Remembering every moment it gave me.

Film. Fiction. That’s my religion. The cinema is my little church of escapism.

I just wish I’d kept all my tickets. I would’ve scrapbooked them. I really would’ve.

If you enjoyed this piece, explore more in Cynic Critique: Zine Machine, a digital zine available free, with optional donations via the https://ko-fi.com/bryfromcc/shop or the Zine tab on this site.

Thanks for joining me on this resonance-driven path.