As the calendar year of 2025 drew to a close, All Elite Wrestling delivered its final installment of Dynamite, aptly titled "New Year’s Smash," on December 31st. The broadcast, emanating from a raucous crowd eager to usher in a new year with professional wrestling spectacle, provided a mixed bag of moments that resonated with fans, sparking both elation and frustration. The show aimed to cap off a significant year for the promotion, marked by major championship changes, burgeoning feuds, and the continued evolution of its stacked roster. From the electrifying atmosphere to the strategic booking decisions, Dynamite’s year-end offering presented a microcosm of AEW’s strengths and occasional missteps, leaving viewers with plenty to dissect as they transitioned into 2026. The evening’s proceedings featured a high-stakes main event, a much-anticipated return to the spotlight for a prominent figure, and a series of segments designed to set the stage for the coming year’s battles.
One of the most talked-about moments of the night, and a significant point of contention for some, was the continued narrative surrounding Darby Allin. Following his arduous journey to the summit of Mount Everest, a feat he’s adept at weaving into nearly any conversation, Allin’s post-AEW All In: Texas trajectory seemed to point squarely back towards a confrontation with Jon Moxley and the imposing Death Riders. Indeed, his path saw him secure victories over key members of that faction, including Claudio Castagnoli and Daniel Garcia, and even a hard-fought win against Moxley himself. A potential showdown with PAC was even on the horizon, a bout that was ultimately sidelined by an injury and a carefully constructed points system within the Continental Classic. However, at the preceding event, Worlds End, Allin found himself engaged in a somewhat anticlimactic resolution to a loose end involving Gabe Kidd, a figure closely associated with the Death Riders. Many fans anticipated that 2026 would herald a fresh chapter for Allin. Instead, on the New Year’s Smash edition of Dynamite, he delivered a promo from a bleak, almost post-apocalyptic setting, declaring that he still harbored unfinished business with PAC. This sentiment was echoed later in the evening by Wheeler Yuta, who asserted that Allin had yet to face him one-on-one and would need to overcome the self-proclaimed "Most Unhinged Man in the Death Riders." While the desire for a complete narrative arc is understandable, and the eventual matches between Allin and PAC or Yuta are likely to be compelling, there comes a point where even the most ardent supporters must acknowledge that a storyline has run its course. Jon Moxley, the central figure in this saga, has moved on, garnering significant crowd support that rivals, if not surpasses, Allin’s. The other members of the Death Riders appear more preoccupied with Toni Storm, indicating a natural evolution of the group that Allin seems to be trailing, akin to an aggrieved ex-partner unable to accept a change. This prolonged fixation on the Death Riders, an angle that began in September 2024, feels increasingly stale in early 2026. While Allin did hint at aspirations for the AEW Men’s World Championship in the upcoming year, the division is already densely populated. The urgency for a revitalized direction for Allin is palpable, lest his formidable in-ring talent become overshadowed by a narrative that has outstayed its welcome.
Conversely, the AEW World Championship picture was painted with a broad and exciting brush, offering a wealth of potential challengers and compelling storylines that invigorated the division. The opening segment of Dynamite, featuring the newly crowned champion MJF, successfully navigated the delicate balance of introducing multiple contenders while still acknowledging lingering resentments and potential rematches. The introduction of Kenny Omega as a fresh challenger, alongside the ongoing narratives involving Samoa Joe, "Hangman" Adam Page, and Swerve Strickland, demonstrated AEW’s ability to create a dynamic and highly coveted championship landscape. This strategic approach effectively underscored the prestige of the AEW World Championship and firmly established MJF as a figure with a significant target on his back. Despite the initial, perhaps slightly chaotic, flurry of activity within the segment, its overall execution was engaging and accomplished a substantial amount in its allotted time. The innovative use of both jumbotron segments and live appearances effectively broke up the presentation, making it more digestible and impactful for the audience. This multi-faceted approach to building the championship scene provided a strong foundation for the year ahead, hinting at a period of intense competition and captivating rivalries.
However, amidst the excitement of the championship picture, a notable oversight occurred regarding Bandido, the reigning ROH World Champion. While the opening segment showcased a parade of challengers for MJF, the conspicuous absence of Bandido from the video packages and live confrontations felt like a deliberate dismissal. Commentary’s acknowledgment of Bandido’s upcoming ROH World Championship match against MJF, which came just moments before the champion’s address, further amplified this perceived snub. Although his title shot was confirmed later in the night, the initial lack of recognition felt disrespectful to a performer widely considered a top contender and a strong candidate for Wrestler of the Year. Bandido earned his shot at the AEW World Championship by winning the Dynamite Diamond Ring, a significant achievement as the first non-MJF recipient of this distinction. This victory, secured at "Dynamite: Maximum Carnage" earlier in the year, carried the stipulation of a championship match. The potential narrative of MJF facing off against another distinguished Dynamite Diamond Ring winner should have been a focal point, particularly given Bandido’s continued possession of the symbolic ring. While MJF’s passing of the ring might be analogous to a Super Bowl ring, its significance to Bandido’s claim should not be understated. A backstage interaction between Bandido, Brody King, and Renee Paquette briefly touched upon the championship aspirations, but it was King who had to interject to remind MJF of Bandido’s impending challenge. While the allure of feuding with larger names like Page, Strickland, Omega, and Joe is understandable, Bandido represented a compelling and unique challenger. AEW could have strategically positioned Bandido to win the ring without an immediate title shot, allowing him to patiently await his opportunity, thereby solidifying his claim and creating a more impactful build.
On a more positive note, Jon Moxley concluded his 2025 campaign in exceptional fashion. After a period where his reign as AEW Men’s World Champion faced some fan fatigue, Moxley’s character and in-ring presence experienced a significant resurgence. His transformation culminated in becoming the third-ever AEW Continental Champion and the victor of the 2025 Continental Classic, earning him considerable babyface momentum despite his often villainous persona. His first defense of the AEW Continental Championship on New Year’s Smash against Josh Alexander was nothing short of spectacular. Alexander, a consistent and reliable performer throughout 2025, proved to be an ideal opponent for Moxley’s first post-Worlds End defense, especially given Moxley’s recent physical struggles. Having been forced to "I Quit" by Darby Allin, unable to escape Kyle O’Reilly’s Ankle Lock, and having sustained significant damage to his ankle in his Worlds End matches against Kyle Fletcher and Kazuchika Okada, Moxley faced an opponent whose signature move is precisely the Ankle Lock. The narrative of the injured leg was central to the bout. Moxley’s slight stumble upon entering the ring, immediately followed by a limp, whether legitimate or a masterful display of selling, underscored the danger of his predicament. Alexander astutely targeted the compromised limb, employing powerful offensive maneuvers, including impactful strikes on the apron, that clearly took their toll on the champion. The addition of a small amount of blood on Alexander further amplified the brutal nature of the contest, transforming it into a genuine war. Moxley’s victory, secured by an elbow strike so forceful it dislodged Alexander’s headgear, provided a memorable visual and a decisive finish. This submission victory earned the match the distinction of being the standout contest of the night, and the anticipation for his upcoming bout against Shelton Benjamin only heightens the excitement for Moxley’s continued reign with the Continental Championship.
The inclusion of a brief squash match between Brody King and Lee Johnson on a night that featured significant championship developments and narrative advancements felt somewhat out of place. While enhancement matches serve a purpose in wrestling, the 52-second duration of this particular contest did little to elevate either competitor. With Bandido, King’s partner in the formidable tag team that warrants a championship run, preparing to challenge for the AEW World Championship, King’s participation in such a short bout seemed to serve minimal purpose for his singles prospects. For Lee Johnson, this marked his first AEW appearance in months, only to be featured in a fleeting singles match against a wrestler the company clearly views as a tag team asset. While acknowledging that enhancement talent must fulfill their role, Johnson’s consistent losses on AEW television suggest a need for a more impactful booking strategy. The rationale behind a match intentionally designed to be so brief, offering little in the way of narrative progression or meaningful competition for either participant, remains perplexing. One could speculate on the possibility of King developing a singles career, but this particular encounter did not contribute to that notion. It’s possible this writer is overlooking a subtle benefit, but the segment felt like a missed opportunity to showcase either talent more effectively or to advance a more significant storyline. Ultimately, this brief encounter felt largely inconsequential, a fleeting moment on a night filled with more substantial wrestling narratives.
In a moment that brought genuine joy and marked a significant milestone, Willow Nightingale recaptured the TBS Championship from Mercedes Mone. This victory not only signified Nightingale’s second reign with the title but also made her the first woman in AEW history to simultaneously hold two championships, having previously shared the AEW Women’s World Championship with Harley Cameron. The win served as a much-needed jolt of excitement, especially following a period where some wrestling shows, particularly those taped around the holiday season, seemed to be coasting. Nightingale’s triumph provided a refreshing start to the new year. The decision to headline Dynamite with the TBS Championship match between Nightingale and Mone foreshadowed a potential continuation of Mone’s recent struggles. Having already lost twice to the formidable duo of Nightingale and Cameron, Mone’s third consecutive defeat, this time for her coveted TBS Championship, was a shrewd booking decision. While Mone’s contributions to AEW in 2025 were substantial, it was indeed time for her reign as TBS Champion to conclude, and Nightingale was the ideal recipient of the gold. Mone’s impassioned backstage promo following her Worlds End loss, vowing retribution, underscored the intensity of this rivalry and indicated a significant downturn for the former champion. The significance of this particular title loss, compared to potential losses of independent championships she holds, was amplified. The match itself was a thrilling contest, serving as a perfect exclamation point to AEW’s final Dynamite broadcast of 2025. Nightingale, a beloved fan favorite, received a vociferous reaction from the Nebraska crowd, creating a truly electric atmosphere for the show’s conclusion. The appearance of AEW Women’s World Champion Kris Statlander to celebrate with Nightingale, her on-again, off-again friend, added another layer to the post-match festivities. While the initial hesitation from Nightingale before embracing Statlander and their subsequent reunion in the ring were points of intrigue, their burgeoning alliance promises to be more than just a fleeting moment, offering exciting possibilities for the women’s division in 2026.
