Quick Read
- MJF reclaimed the AEW World Championship, winning a four-way main event.
- Jon Moxley won the Continental Classic, defeating Kazuchika Okada in the finals.
- Kris Statlander retained her AEW Women’s World Title against Jamie Hayter.
- FTR and Babes of Wrath held onto their tag team championships.
- Darby Allin defeated Gabe Kidd; Toni Storm’s team won the Mixed Nuts Mayhem match.
As the curtain fell on 2025, All Elite Wrestling (AEW) returned to the Now Arena in Hoffman Estates, Illinois for its final pay-per-view of the year: Worlds End. The event, streaming globally and available via HBO Max, Amazon, and other platforms, promised high stakes, chaos, and a reset for the company heading into 2026. But did it deliver? Let’s dive into the predictions, outcomes, and the stories that emerged from a night where everything felt up for grabs.
For weeks, wrestling analysts and fans speculated about who would walk out with gold, who would shock the crowd, and which wrestlers would use this stage to define their year. The card was stacked: 11 matches, including six title bouts and the finals of the Continental Classic tournament—a concept that, as noted by ProWrestling.net, injected a fresh, sports-like energy into AEW’s storytelling.
AEW World Championship: MJF’s Redemption Arc
The main event saw Samoa Joe defend his title in a four-way against Hangman Page, Swerve Strickland, and the returning Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF). Most predictions, including those from Cageside Seats and Don Murphy of ProWrestling.net, leaned towards MJF reclaiming the championship—a year after losing it at the same event. The match itself was a wild ride. MJF, initially sidelined, watched as Page and Strickland reignited their rivalry, nearly allowing Joe to retain. But in a moment of opportunism—classic MJF—he swooped in as Hangman finished Joe with two Buckshot Lariats, stealing the win and setting up AEW’s new year with fresh intrigue. As Fightful and Yahoo Sports highlighted, this marked MJF’s full-circle moment: losing the title at Worlds End 2023, and regaining it in 2025.
Continental Classic: Moxley’s Marathon & Okada’s Downfall
The Continental Classic tournament was the heart of the night, with both semifinals and the final held back-to-back. On one side, Kazuchika Okada and Konosuke Takeshita finally clashed—a dream match that ended with Okada cheating to secure victory, using a screwdriver in a finish that left some fans cold. On the other, breakout star Kyle Fletcher faced Jon Moxley in a Match of the Year contender. Fletcher’s desperation led him to seek out the same screwdriver, only to be thwarted, allowing Moxley to advance.
The final delivered: Moxley, battered but unbroken, defeated Okada to claim the Unified Continental Championship. The journey, as described by Sports Yahoo, was cinematic—Moxley wrestled twice in one night, suffered losses and setbacks throughout the year, and ultimately emerged as AEW’s heart and soul. His resilience and ability to connect with the crowd cemented him as MVP of the night.
Women’s Division: Statlander Stays on Top
Kris Statlander defended her AEW Women’s World Championship against Jamie Hayter in a physical, emotionally charged contest. Despite Hayter’s intensity, Statlander outlasted her challenger, securing victory after a heated sequence that saw tempers flare and finishers exchanged. The outcome, predicted by most experts including ProWrestling.net, kept Statlander at the forefront of the division, awaiting a truly monumental challenger.
Tag Team Titles: FTR and Babes of Wrath Hold the Line
In the men’s tag division, FTR (Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler) faced The Bang Bang Gang in a Chicago Street Fight. Predictions were nearly unanimous: FTR would retain, especially with Adam Copeland’s looming return. The match delivered classic street fight chaos, but FTR’s experience and grit kept them champions.
The women’s tag titles saw Willow Nightingale and Harley Cameron—the Babes of Wrath—defend against Mercedes Moné and Athena. Despite Moné’s star power and Athena’s momentum, the Babes held firm, with the story focusing on the uneasy alliance of the challengers. Most experts, including Don Murphy, called for a champions’ win, and AEW delivered just that.
Darby Allin vs. Gabe Kidd: Grit Over Glamour
Darby Allin’s match with Gabe Kidd was a physical war. Predictions were split, but most saw Allin as the likely victor given his AEW contract status and Kidd’s sporadic appearances. Allin ultimately overcame Kidd, reminding fans why he remains one of AEW’s most compelling underdogs.
Mixed Nuts Mayhem & Undercard Surprises
The “Mixed Nuts Mayhem” match—Toni Storm, Orange Cassidy, Mark Briscoe, and Roderick Strong vs. Marina Shafir, Claudio Castagnoli, PAC, and Wheeler Yuta—was a crowd-pleaser. The babyface team, led by Storm’s star power, took the win, delivering memorable moments and balancing the night’s intensity with fun.
Elsewhere, the Sisters of Sin dispatched Hyan & Maya World, and Julia Hart & Skye Blue scored a pre-show victory. These undercard matches helped round out a night that never lost its momentum.
What Does Worlds End Mean for AEW’s Future?
As AEW closes out 2025, Worlds End acts as both a statement and a springboard. The results reset major storylines: MJF returns to the top, Moxley’s redemption arc peaks, and Statlander’s reign continues. The company’s willingness to blend athleticism with narrative—especially through the Continental Classic—signals a focus on meaningful, sport-like competition in 2026.
Fans and critics alike gave the show high marks, with polls on ProWrestling.net and Cageside Seats reflecting strong approval. The MVP was Jon Moxley, whose journey back to the top exemplified AEW’s ability to craft compelling long-term stories. As the company heads into a new year, anticipation is high for how these threads will evolve—and whether AEW can keep pushing boundaries in a crowded wrestling landscape.
AEW Worlds End 2025 proved that in pro wrestling, endings are just new beginnings. With MJF and Moxley leading the charge, and a roster full of hungry contenders, AEW enters 2026 with momentum, questions, and the promise of more unforgettable moments to come.