AEW Dynamite (12/31/25) – New Year’s Smash

AEW Worlds Ends delivered a mixture of expected and unexpected resolutions with new champions, surprise outcomes, but AEW Dynamite has the honor of closing the year with a huge bang.

Two big championship matches offer some last-minute, last-gasp drama before the clock strikes twelve. Besides hearing from the new AEW World Champion, MJF, we’re going to hear more from AEW’s other champions.

Including the new AEW Continental champion, Jon Moxley. Moxley’s post-Continental Classic words suggested that perhaps the Death Rider leader sees AEW differently. What Moxley has been fighting to save already existed.

Does this mean a betrayal by his stablemates is off the table? Are Moxley and company ignoring the Romper Stomper inspiration? Instead of choosing a happy ending over a less tragic route?

We’ll find out on New Year’s Eve when we’re likely to get an array of big moments to close out 2025.

TBS Championship Match

Willow Nightingale scored the pinfall victory over Mercedes Mone in the Babes of Wrath’s championship defense on Saturday night. Afterwards, an irate and defensive Mone has made the challenge to one half of the AEW Women’s Tag Team champions. Is it time for Ultimo Mone to lose the TBS Championship?

Or is it too early? Given how, within the last few months, she lost the ROH Women’s Television Championship to Red Velvet and then her RevPro Undisputed British Women’s Championship to Alex Windsor, maybe not. Adding salt to the wound, losing the latter also took away Mone’s Queen of Southside Championship. Her collection is smaller, but still impressive. This has been the story we as fans have been waiting for.

The ball is rolling. An arc has begun. Yet will it be Nightingale who will take back the TBS Championship and therefore become a double women’s champion? Many would agree that the Babe with the Power would deserve such a feat. Poetically, it would be justice. Mone defeated Nightingale for the championship over 597 days ago.

Or will Mone be able to retain by the skin of her teeth? Is this match to set up or lead to Mone circling back to a feud with Athena? Does Mone find a way to retain and reign for another day and another wrestler?

AEW National Championship

Ricochet, the inaugural AEW National champion, defends his title for the fourth time in less than two months. With defences in ROH and RevPro, this will be the new title’s first defense on Dynamite. It’s hard to deny this match has a bit of that legendary “The Feeling” about it, not just because it seems hard to call.

When Ricochet takes on Jungle Jack Perry, this is a contest between two of the best high-flyers of their generation. Perry scored a pinfall victory over The Demand leader on Saturday’s Zero Hour. Across singles competition and tag team action, Perry has had a point to prove.

No longer as self-conscious or a Scapegoat, Perry’s focus and crispness in the ring have reminded some fans why he was once considered a pillar. Perry has had the chance but never won singles gold in AEW. On New Year’s Eve, the former Jungle Boy gets his opportunity.

Expect the GOA to be ringside, but also Luchasauras, to provide some interest on the outside. Beyond the outcome, where will the result send each man? Is this a one-time occurrence or part of something bigger? This has just been considering the story, not even the incredible action and fluidity in the ring!

AEW Dynamite: New Year’s Smash 2025 Match Card: