All Elite Wrestling closed out its calendar year with a monumental night at Worlds End 2025, emanating from the electric NOW Arena in Chicago, Illinois, on December 27th. The final pay-per-view of the year lived up to its name, signifying not just an ending, but a definitive turning point for the promotion, as two of its most prestigious championships found new homes and a grueling tournament concluded with an unexpected hero. The atmosphere was palpable, a testament to the passionate Chicago faithful who witnessed a night of high-stakes competition, shocking betrayals, and the triumphant rise of both a calculating opportunist and a battle-hardened veteran who earned the affection of the masses. This event will undoubtedly be remembered as a pivotal moment, reshaping the landscape of AEW heading into the new year, with fresh champions and compelling narratives poised to dominate the weekly programming.
The crowning jewel of the evening, the AEW World Championship main event, saw Maxwell Jacob Friedman reclaim the coveted gold in a thrilling four-way encounter against formidable challengers Samoa Joe, "Hangman" Adam Page, and Swerve Strickland. From the moment the bell rang, the bout was a masterclass in multi-man dynamics, a relentless sprint that left spectators breathless. Each competitor brought a unique element to the fray, creating a compelling tapestry of power, aerial prowess, technical precision, and pure grit. The pace was ferocious, a constant barrage of high-impact maneuvers and near-falls that kept the outcome shrouded in uncertainty until the very last second. Early in the contest, the ring briefly cleared for an explosive exchange between Page and Strickland, a rivalry that has defined a significant portion of AEW’s recent history. The "Hangman" emerged victorious in that particular skirmish, connecting with his signature Buckshot Lariat, only for the imposing Samoa Joe to heroically break up the ensuing pinfall attempt, preserving his championship reign, at least momentarily.
The chaotic nature of the contest was further amplified by the opportunistic interference of The Opps, who stormed the ring at a crucial juncture, attempting to tip the scales in favor of their leader, Swerve Strickland, as he prepared to unleash his devastating House Call kick on Samoa Joe. Their efforts, however, were thwarted by the swift intervention of officials, who managed to restore order. Despite this brief disruption, the four-way action quickly resumed its intense rhythm. A powerful Musclebuster from Samoa Joe nearly ended Page’s night, but the resilient cowboy miraculously kicked out at two, showcasing his incredible fortitude. As the match approached its crescendo, the combatants exchanged a series of high-stakes maneuvers. Swerve delivered a spectacular flying stomp to break Joe’s Coquina Clutch on Page, demonstrating the fragmented alliances and self-preservation instincts at play. The climax was a whirlwind of strategic strikes and desperate gambits. Swerve hoisted Joe for a corner powerbomb, then ascended the ropes, eyeing his finishing stomp. But the ever-present opportunist, MJF, saw his opening, shoving Swerve from the top turnbuckle. Page then unleashed two consecutive Buckshot Lariats on Joe, a feat that would fell most men, yet the champion remained on his feet. As Page wound up for a third, MJF, with characteristic cunning, shunted Joe out of the path, delivering a low blow to the unsuspecting "Hangman." Seizing the fleeting moment of vulnerability, Friedman executed his Heatseeker piledriver on the dazed Samoa Joe, securing the pinfall and once again ascending to the pinnacle of All Elite Wrestling as its World Champion. The victory, while underhanded, perfectly encapsulated MJF’s persona, demonstrating his unparalleled ability to manipulate circumstances and exploit weaknesses, even in the most high-pressure situations.
Before the main event’s climactic conclusion, Worlds End unfolded with the highly anticipated finals of the Continental Classic, a tournament designed to crown a new champion through a grueling round-robin format culminating in a single-elimination playoff. The journey of Jon Moxley through this tournament was nothing short of a revelation. Initially, many pundits and fans had written off Moxley’s chances, with some even hoping for his early exit to fuel internal dissension within his faction, the Death Riders. However, by the time the dust settled, Moxley stood tall as the inaugural Continental Champion, his victory met with an outpouring of support from the Chicago crowd – a stark contrast to the divisive reactions he often elicited earlier in his career.
The Continental Classic semifinals kicked off the pay-per-view, delivering two compelling contests, albeit with finishes that sparked considerable debate. The first saw a dream match between Konosuke Takeshita and Kazuchika Okada, a collision of styles and international prestige that lived up to its billing in terms of in-ring action. The two combatants engaged in a sophisticated chess match, trading intricate counters, reversals, and brutal striking exchanges that had the crowd on the edge of their seats, oscillating between cheers for Takeshita’s offense and jeers when Okada gained the upper hand. The momentum swung wildly, a testament to the high-level athleticism and strategic thinking on display. However, the conclusion left a sour taste for many. In a move that underscored his villainous turn, Okada resorted to underhanded tactics, producing a screwdriver he had concealed in his trunks. As he executed his signature Rainmaker dance, effectively obstructing the referee’s view, he used the illicit weapon on Takeshita, securing the victory. The evidence was then swiftly discarded under the ring as Okada made his exit, leaving a bewildered Takeshita and a questioning audience in his wake.
The controversial finish sparked immediate speculation, particularly regarding Don Callis, who was on commentary for the match. Callis, the self-proclaimed "Alpha" of the Callis Family, had been a mentor figure to Takeshita. His reaction to Okada’s victory, celebrating with the winner rather than showing concern for his protégé, suggested a selfish allegiance to success rather than loyalty, potentially signaling a long-awaited turning point for Takeshita, who had been struggling to find his footing as a fan favorite. This "ScrewdriverGate" storyline, as it quickly became known, added a layer of intrigue that carried into the second semifinal.
Jon Moxley’s semifinal clash against Kyle Fletcher was a testament to his unparalleled resilience. Fletcher, the younger and seemingly fresher competitor, relentlessly targeted Moxley’s ailing ankle, a vulnerability that had plagued him throughout the grueling tournament. Moxley’s dramatic rope break to escape a dangerous ankle lock electrified the crowd, galvanizing their support for the "Death Rider." The match was a brutal exchange of wills, with both men kicking out of each other’s most devastating maneuvers – Fletcher surviving the Paradigm Shift and Death Rider, and Moxley enduring a Brainbuster. In a desperate attempt to gain an unfair advantage, Fletcher frantically searched for the screwdriver that Okada had discarded under the ring, ripping off turnbuckle pads in his futile quest. This momentary lapse in focus proved costly. Moxley, tapping into deep reserves of fortitude, capitalized on Fletcher’s distraction, seizing him in a chokehold. The referee, recognizing Fletcher’s unconscious state, waved off the contest, awarding Moxley the victory by technical submission. The Chicago faithful erupted in a resounding ovation, fully embracing Moxley as their unlikely hero. The lingering questions surrounding the screwdriver – whether Fletcher was aware of its presence, if Okada had deliberately stolen his ally’s intended weapon, or if Callis was orchestrating a deeper conspiracy – added a compelling layer of mystery that promised further developments on future AEW programming.
The stage was thus set for a compelling Continental Classic final: the nefarious Kazuchika Okada, fueled by his underhanded victory, against the resilient and now beloved Jon Moxley. Pre-match promos expertly built the narrative, painting Okada as the villain and Moxley as the embodiment of fighting spirit. Don Callis, still seething from a past scar inflicted by Moxley, vowed revenge, while Moxley articulated his profound passion for professional wrestling and the honor of tournament combat. In the final, Okada systematically attacked Moxley’s injured leg with dragon screws and cloverleaf submissions, a calculated strategy that visibly hobbled the "Death Rider," reducing him to a limping, Frankenstein-esque figure. Yet, Moxley’s indomitable spirit shone through, surprising Okada with a sudden Gotch piledriver. The match descended into a furious exchange of high-impact finishers. Moxley incredibly kicked out of a low blow and Okada’s signature Rainmaker lariat, demonstrating his superhuman toughness. Not to be outdone, Okada shockingly kicked out of a Paradigm Shift at one, igniting the arena. Moxley, however, maintained his relentless pressure, following up with a curb stomp and a final, decisive Death Rider, securing the pinfall and the AEW Continental Championship. In a moment of genuine emotion, Moxley cemented his newfound status as a fan favorite, dedicating his hard-fought victory to his fellow competitors and the passionate wrestling community that had rallied behind him. His journey from a ruthless world champion to a tapped-out challenger and now a champion of the people, leading his Death Riders with renewed purpose and earning the respect of the audience, was a testament to a brilliantly executed long-term character arc.
Beyond the two major championship stories, Worlds End delivered a stacked card of diverse and engaging contests. The AEW Women’s World Championship saw Kris Statlander successfully defend her title against a determined Jamie Hayter in a hard-hitting affair. This power showdown escalated in intensity, with both competitors unleashing massive maneuvers, including avalanche exploder suplexes from Hayter and an avalanche Michinoku Driver from Statlander. The match evolved into a brutal striking battle, with Hayter even borrowing Statlander’s Saturday Night Fever finisher, though it wasn’t enough to secure the win. The exhausted combatants rose to their feet for a final, desperate charge, Hayter connecting with a thunderous lariat. However, Statlander, demonstrating her champion’s resolve, reversed Hayter’s fireman’s carry attempt into her own Saturday Night Fever, retaining the championship. The match was lauded for its escalating drama and the sheer physicality of the two women. A puzzling moment occurred post-match when Statlander spit in Hayter’s face, a gesture typically reserved for villains, leaving many to wonder if it was a foreshadowing of a future character shift.
The "Mixed Nuts Mayhem" tornado tag team match provided a much-needed cooldown after the intense championship action, delivering chaotic fun. The eclectic team of Mark Briscoe, Orange Cassidy, Roderick Strong, and Toni Storm squared off against Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, Daniel Garcia, and Marina Shafir. The tornado rules allowed for continuous action, including humorous moments like Storm and Cassidy’s impromptu dance sequence to set up offense. While intergender action was permitted, it largely involved men teasing aggression towards women, who then countered effectively. However, the match did feature some memorable intergender exchanges, notably Claudio Castagnoli delivering his signature giant swing to Toni Storm, and a stiff striking exchange between real-life couple Marina Shafir and Roderick Strong. The finish was a feel-good moment, as Cassidy’s Superman Punch set up Storm’s running hip attack on Wheeler Yuta, who was then fed to Mark Briscoe for a decisive Jay Driller, securing the victory. The widespread disdain for Yuta among the fanbase ensured a massive pop for the winning team, making this a highly replayable guilty pleasure match.
Darby Allin’s clash with Gabe Kidd was a wild, unpredictable "car crash" of a match, in the most complimentary sense of the term. Allin’s unique entrance package, a surreal short film featuring a decomposing bunny and his solitary meditation, set a distinct tone for his daredevil performance. Both competitors absorbed tremendous punishment, throwing their bodies around with reckless abandon. Allin showcased his signature high-risk offense with a Code Red, an inside Coffin Drop, and a breathtaking Coffin Drop to the outside. Back in the ring, he paid homage to his mentor, Sting, with a Scorpion Death Drop followed by a Scorpion Deathlock. Throughout the contest, Allin sold the effects of hard headshots, appearing light-headed at crucial moments. This subtle selling added drama, particularly when he nearly secured victory with the Deathlock but momentarily lost his grip due to disorientation. Kidd capitalized on this, delivering a massive lariat and a piledriver, only for Allin to kick out at two. Kidd then locked in a choke, but Allin, with a burst of adrenaline, rolled the position over the top, trapping Kidd on the mat for a surprise three-count and the victory. Kidd, a relatively lesser-known commodity, left a strong impression with his brutal style and compelling character, while Allin once again delivered the high-octane, risk-taking performance his fans adore.
The AEW Women’s World Tag Team Championship was on the line as the Babes of Wrath successfully defended against the formidable duo of Mercedes Moné and Athena. The match built to a frantic crescendo of finisher exchanges. Harley Cameron landed her signature move on Athena, only for Mercedes to immediately hit her own finisher on Harley. Willow Nightingale then attempted her finisher, but Moné countered with hers, only for Willow to counter the counter with a quick roll-up, securing the pinfall and the retention for the Babes of Wrath. While a solid contest overall, elevated by Willow’s powerhouse performance and timely interventions, the real story unfolded after the bell. Mercedes Moné, visibly distraught and in shock from being pinned yet again, reacted with furious frustration. She was seen arguing heatedly with Athena on the apron, then proceeded backstage to unleash her anger, destroying her locker room. The "CEO" eventually composed herself, emerging to issue a direct challenge to Willow Nightingale for a singles match on an upcoming episode of Dynamite, further fueling the captivating narrative of Moné’s increasingly unhinged quest for dominance.
In a brutal Chicago Street Fight for the AEW World Tag Team Championship, FTR retained their titles against the Bang Bang Gang. The match was a welcome change of pace, delivering entertaining brawling and intense drama. FTR strategically focused on damaging Juice Robinson’s knee, with Dax Harwood applying a figure-four leglock that sent Robinson into agonizing pain. Resourceful as ever, Juice managed to escape by spraying a fire extinguisher directly into Harwood’s face. Stokely Hathaway, ever the meddling manager, attempted to interfere on behalf of the challengers, tackling the referee to prevent a pinfall. His intervention, however, backfired spectacularly when Juice Robinson, in a moment of frustration, shoved him off the apron and through a table. In the end, FTR asserted their dominance, delivering two devastating spike piledrivers to Austin Gunn, the second one on top of the championship belt itself, to secure the pinfall and decisively close the chapter on this hard-fought rivalry. The match effectively showcased FTR’s resilience and brutality, providing a satisfying conclusion to a feud that had been expertly stretched out and consistently entertaining.
The "Zero Hour" pre-show provided a strong kickoff to the evening, featuring four engaging matches that served to build momentum for the main card and sow seeds for future storylines. The highly anticipated return of Ortiz, and Luchasaurus’s "injury" comeback, added unexpected twists to the proceedings.
In a spirited trios match, Jurassic Express and JetSpeed defeated the team of Ricochet, GOA, and Josh Alexander. The contest began with an intriguing twist as The Demand faction attacked Luchasaurus backstage on the ramp, with GOA carrying the monstrous dinosaur away, turning the match into a 4-on-3 disadvantage for Jurassic Express. However, the "one-armed dinosaur" made a dramatic, taped-up return later in the match, defiantly chokeslamming Ricochet with his good arm. Jack Perry ultimately secured the victory for his team with a running knee strike on Ricochet, leading to speculation that this result sets the stage for a future challenge from Perry for Ricochet’s AEW National Championship.
Bandido and Mascara Dorada showcased their incredible Lucha Libre prowess, defeating the Callis Family duo of Mark Davis and Rocky Romero. The match was a fantastic blend of high-flying athleticism from the luchadores and classic heel work from Romero and Davis, who excelled at drawing the ire of the crowd. The finish was a thrilling sequence, with Bandido landing an X-Knee on Romero, followed by a breathtaking shooting star press from Dorada. Bandido then assisted Dorada with a pop-up tornillo dive to the outside on Davis, before sealing the victory with his signature 21 Plex on Romero.
Eddie Kingston faced Zack Gibson in a gritty singles encounter. Kingston, channeling his signature ornery attitude, overcame outside interference from James Drake, Gibson’s Grizzled Young Veterans stablemate. Gibson initially controlled the match with a flying lungblower, but his mistake was disrespecting "The Mad King" with trash talk, igniting Kingston’s fiery comeback. Kingston ultimately secured the win with a DDT. The post-match events, however, were more significant, as the Grizzled Young Veterans attacked Kingston, choking him with their scarf. To the delight of the crowd, Ortiz made a surprise return, rushing to Kingston’s aid and chasing off the attackers. This unexpected reunion sparked excitement for a potential Kingston and Ortiz tag team or even a new trio, building on their past history.
Finally, the Sisters of Sin, Skye Blue and Julia Hart, defeated the team of Hyan and Maya World. Hyan and Maya World, traditionally enhancement talent, showed improved competitiveness and even matching gear, signaling a potential upgrade in their presentation. The Sisters of Sin ultimately handled business, with Skye Blue getting a hometown shine in Chicago. Blue hit her Code Blue on Maya World, but she wasn’t the legal opponent. Julia Hart then assisted Blue in a teamwork swinging slam on Hyan, securing the pinfall for the Sisters of Sin.
Beyond the in-ring action, a mysterious message from "Clon" briefly hacked the broadcast, declaring his impending arrival on AEW Collision, adding another layer of intrigue to the promotion’s future programming.
Worlds End 2025 proved to be an immensely entertaining spectacle, earning a solid B+ grade for its consistent pay-per-view quality matches and its ability to build significant momentum heading into the new year. Jon Moxley’s heroic journey to win the Continental Classic earned him the "Stud of the Show" accolades, a testament to his grit and determination. Meanwhile, the main event, the AEW World Championship four-way featuring MJF, Samoa Joe, Hangman Page, and Swerve Strickland, was rightly recognized as the "Match of the Night" for its fantastic flow of action and non-stop excitement. The event successfully closed out the year with a bang, establishing new champions and compelling storylines that promise to make All Elite Wrestling must-see television in the weeks and months to come. The question now remains: how will these new reigns unfold, and what further surprises does AEW have in store as the calendar turns?
