The final AEW Dynamite of 2025, dubbed New Year’s Smash, emanated from the Liberty First Credit Union Arena in Omaha, Nebraska, closing out a tumultuous year for All Elite Wrestling with a night of high stakes, dramatic title changes, and pivotal storyline developments. As the calendar pages prepared to turn, the professional wrestling landscape was irrevocably altered, particularly within the women’s division, where a monumental shift occurred that sent ripples throughout the industry. Beyond the historic main event, champions defended their gold, contenders staked their claims, and a sense of aggressive anticipation for the year ahead permeated the atmosphere, ensuring that 2026 would begin with a bang.
The most talked-about moment, undeniably, was the shocking dethroning of "The CEO" Mercedes Moné, who lost her coveted TBS Championship to the ever-resilient Willow Nightingale. This wasn’t merely a title switch; it was a seismic event that recalibrated the expectations surrounding Moné’s highly anticipated run in AEW. Mercedes, who had only recently amassed an impressive collection of championships, including the CMLL Women’s World Title and the AEW Women’s World Tag Team Championship alongside her partner, seemingly saw the TBS title as the cornerstone of her self-proclaimed "belt collector" persona. Many within the wrestling community had predicted this particular piece of hardware would be the last to fall, a symbol of her dominance within the domestic AEW women’s landscape. Yet, against all conventional wisdom and the formidable aura she projects, Willow Nightingale, riding a wave of popular support and undeniable momentum, seized the opportunity presented to her.
Their rivalry had simmered and then boiled over in the weeks prior. At the preceding Worlds End pay-per-view, Willow had managed to pin Moné during a multi-person tag team encounter, a rare and significant blemish on Mercedes’ record. Following that upset, Moné, with her characteristic blend of confidence and condescension, openly invited Nightingale to challenge her for the TBS Championship, daring the fan-favorite to prove that her Worlds End victory was no fluke. It was a challenge issued with an air of absolute certainty, a calculated risk by Moné who perhaps underestimated the depth of Nightingale’s resolve and the genuine affection she garners from the AEW faithful. This invitation, extended with such assuredness, would ultimately prove to be Moné’s undoing.
The championship contest itself was a brutal, physical affair, befitting the intense personal history between the two competitors. From the opening bell, both women engaged in a hard-hitting exchange, showcasing their contrasting styles. Moné, precise and often ruthless, sought to dismantle Nightingale with calculated strikes and submissions, while Willow responded with an unyielding, power-based offense. The action spilled outside the confines of the ring, where Nightingale capitalized on her strength, driving Moné into the ringside barricade with a thunderous pounce that sent a jolt through the crowd. Back in the squared circle, Nightingale continued her assault with a series of aggressive cannonball splashes, seemingly relentless in her pursuit of victory. Moné, however, is a seasoned champion and adept at inflicting pain, consistently finding ways to counter and regain control, attempting to wear down her opponent. A gutwrench powerbomb from Willow nearly secured the win, but Moné, with an almost desperate scramble, managed to get her foot on the rope, forcing a break in the pinfall and prolonging the dramatic encounter.
A particularly harrowing moment saw Nightingale attempt to deliver her signature Doctor Bomb finisher onto the unforgiving commentary table, a move that would have undoubtedly ended the contest. However, Moné, demonstrating her incredible ring awareness and agility, countered the maneuver, turning the tables on Willow and instead suplexing her onto the hard surface. This sequence left Nightingale reeling, barely managing to beat the referee’s ten-count to re-enter the ring, a testament to her tenacity. Mercedes, sensing an opening, immediately transitioned into her dreaded Statement Maker submission hold, cinching it in with all her might. The arena held its breath, but Willow, displaying incredible fortitude and a refusal to yield, managed to roll through the hold, reversing the position and gaining control. A rapid-fire exchange of reversals and counters ensued, a dizzying display of defensive grappling and offensive attempts, until Nightingale, summoning a final burst of adrenaline, hoisted Moné onto her shoulders and delivered her definitive powerbomb, securing the three-count and, with it, the TBS Championship. The roar from the Omaha crowd was deafening, a mixture of shock and elation, as Willow Nightingale celebrated her second reign as TBS Champion, a remarkable achievement that also solidified her status as a double champion, holding the AEW Women’s World Tag Team Championship concurrently. The image of Willow embracing her long-time friend and mentor, Kris Statlander, in the aftermath of her victory, provided a poignant capstone to an already emotional moment, symbolizing a full-circle journey for the beloved babyface.
The implications of Moné’s defeat are far-reaching. Her "belt collector" gimmick, while still impressive with the CMLL title in her possession, now feels less absolute without the TBS championship as its domestic anchor. The question now looms large: how will Mercedes Moné, a competitor whose identity is so deeply intertwined with holding gold, respond to this setback? Her narrative moving forward will be one of reclamation, a quest to regain her lost prestige, adding a fascinating new layer to her already complex character. For Willow Nightingale, this victory is a coronation, cementing her as a top-tier talent and a legitimate main event player in AEW, further validating the years of hard work and dedication that have endeared her to fans.
Beyond the main event’s thunderclap, the show meticulously advanced several other crucial storylines, most notably surrounding the AEW World Champion, MJF. "The Devil" himself graced the ring, not just to gloat, but to unveil a new iteration of his "Triple B" championship, a belt redesigned to his opulent specifications. In a promo dripping with his characteristic arrogance, MJF dismissed the entire roster as inferior, positioning himself as the undisputed pinnacle of professional wrestling. This self-aggrandizing display, however, was quickly met with challenges from all corners. Kenny Omega, appearing via video message, injected a fresh and intriguing dynamic into the world title picture, questioning whether he still possessed the prowess to claim the top prize at this stage of his legendary career. Omega’s declaration immediately positioned him as a compelling, veteran challenger, offering a clash of styles and philosophies that promised to be must-see television.
The physical challenges to MJF’s reign quickly followed. "Hangman" Adam Page and Swerve Strickland, both former world champions and formidable contenders, stormed the ring, their intentions clear. MJF, ever the manipulator, quickly defused the direct confrontation, asserting that wins and losses mattered and that they would need to earn another opportunity, a stark reminder of their recent defeats. Before physical violence could erupt between the challengers, MJF cleverly exited, leaving Page and Swerve to vent their frustrations on innocent security personnel. This chaotic scene prompted a response from Samoa Joe, who, from a backstage vantage point, announced a blockbuster Lights Out match for the following week, pitting his formidable allies Will Hobbs and Hook against the volatile duo of Hangman Page and Swerve Strickland. This unexpected development created an immediate, high-stakes encounter, adding further layers of intrigue to the world title landscape without directly involving MJF. Later in the broadcast, MJF was seen engaging in a cordial, if not slightly condescending, conversation with Bandido, officially confirming that the masked sensation, having won the prestigious Dynamite Diamond Ring, would be his next challenger in two weeks’ time. The world champion picture, therefore, is a crowded and captivating tapestry of legends, former champions, and rising stars, all vying for supremacy.
The AEW Continental Championship also saw its first official defense, albeit in an eliminator match, as the reigning champion Jon Moxley squared off against the formidable "Walking Weapon" Josh Alexander. This highly anticipated encounter promised a clash of two of professional wrestling’s most intense and technically proficient competitors. Alexander, known for his relentless, submission-based attack, focused his strategy on Moxley’s previously injured ankle, a pre-existing weakness that the challenger ruthlessly exploited. Throughout the early stages of the contest, Alexander systematically worked over the joint, attempting to incapacitate the champion. Moxley, demonstrating his incredible pain tolerance and tenacity, was pushed to his limits, nearly tapping out to a grueling ankle lock, but managed to drag himself to the ropes to force a break. The match escalated from a calculated limb-targeting clinic to an explosive exchange of suplexes and power moves in its latter half. Ultimately, Moxley, drawing upon his signature resilience, rallied, transitioning into a chokehold and delivering a series of brutal elbow strikes before reapplying the submission. Alexander, unable to withstand the pressure, was forced to tap, preserving Moxley’s championship reign. The post-match scene immediately introduced Moxley’s next challenge, as the decorated veteran Shelton Benjamin appeared on the stage, setting the stage for another intriguing contest.
Backstage, the Death Riders faction, comprising Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, and Daniel Garcia, reinforced their collective ethos. Despite Moxley’s recent fan-favorite triumph in the Continental Classic, the group’s promo maintained a defiant, heelish tone, emphasizing their readiness to confront all challengers and establish themselves as the true masters of their craft. Yuta, in particular, issued a direct challenge to Darby Allin, asserting that Darby would have to go through him to earn another crack at PAC, further intensifying the internal dynamics of the group and setting up potential future rivalries. This intricate balance of Moxley’s individual popularity and the Death Riders’ collective antagonistic stance creates a fascinating narrative, especially given the Continental Championship’s rules, which prohibit outside interference in its defenses.
The AEW National Championship also hung in the balance as the flamboyant champion Ricochet defended against the ever-scheming Jack Perry. This contest was heavily influenced by the ongoing saga involving Ricochet’s new allies, the Gates of Agony (GOA). Prior to the match, the GOA launched a brutal assault on Luchasaurus, Perry’s monstrous associate, effectively removing the "Dinosaur" from ringside as Toa Liona carried him backstage. This left Perry at a significant disadvantage, facing not just Ricochet but also the looming threat of Bishop Kaun at ringside. The match itself was a spectacle of high-flying maneuvers and intricate counter-wrestling. Perry, showcasing his evolving skill set, nearly secured the victory after a breathtaking flying DDT, followed by setting up for a running knee strike. However, the numbers game proved decisive, as Kaun grabbed Perry’s foot, creating a crucial distraction that allowed Ricochet to recover and deliver his devastating Spirit Gun finisher for the win. The post-match events further fueled the animosity: Liona returned with a battered Luchasaurus, only for Ricochet to blast Perry with a second Spirit Gun, while the Gates of Agony mercilessly assaulted Luchasaurus with a steel chair. Ricochet’s championship reign has clearly taken a darker, more opportunistic turn, embracing a heel persona that utilizes interference to maintain his gold. The feud with Jurassic Express is far from over, with the narrative suggesting that the duo of Perry and Luchasaurus will need to find a third man to even the odds against Ricochet and the formidable Gates of Agony.
The card also featured a chaotic Mixed Tornado Trios match, pitting the eclectic team of Claudio Castagnoli, Daniel Garcia, and Marina Shafir against the equally colorful trio of Orange Cassidy, Roderick Strong, and "Timeless" Toni Storm. This contest, carrying over the quirky energy established in previous weeks, was a delightful blend of high-octane action and comedic moments. The death Riders’ serious demeanor contrasted sharply with the comedic antics of Cassidy and Storm, who once again showcased their synchronized, dancing offense. Claudio, in a display of brute strength, military-pressed Cassidy and carried him up the steel steps before slamming him back into the ring, a moment that underscored the power disparity. The comedic highlight, however, came from Toni Storm’s repeated, yet thwarted, attempts to execute a giant swing on Claudio, constantly interrupted by other competitors, much to the amusement of the audience. The match’s conclusion saw Cassidy land a stunner on Claudio, followed by a running hip attack from Storm. Just as Cassidy prepared to unleash his Superman punch, Wheeler Yuta provided a crucial distraction, allowing Claudio to deliver a European uppercut and pin Cassidy. The surrounding narrative involving "Timeless" Toni Storm, her Conglomeration, and the palpable jealousy of Mina Shirakawa towards Storm’s camaraderie with Cassidy added another layer of intrigue, hinting at potential future developments within the women’s tag team division or even mixed tag scenarios.
In other singles action, Bandido delivered a captivating lucha libre showcase against the imposing Beast Mortos. The match was a display of agility, innovation, and raw power from Bandido, who utilized his signature cape in a clever "olé" moment before ultimately putting down the heavyweight Mortos with a combination of his X Knee and the breathtaking 21 Plex. This victory served as a powerful momentum builder for Bandido, perfectly hyping his upcoming AEW World Championship challenge against MJF in two weeks. Following the match, Brody King, a force of nature himself, confronted Bandido, offering his congratulations and securing a verbal agreement that should Bandido dethrone MJF, King would be next in line for a world title opportunity. King later had his own dominant performance, quickly dispatching Lee Johnson with a thunderous Gonzo Bomb after Johnson had a brief, aggressive flurry of offense. Brody King’s continued presentation as an unstoppable wrecking machine suggests that major opportunities undoubtedly await him in the near future.
Amidst the high-octane action, several brief but impactful notes further shaped the landscape of AEW. Darby Allin, still driven by an insatiable desire to settle old scores, made it clear that his feud with the Death Riders was far from over, specifically targeting PAC for another decisive encounter. Meanwhile, in a moment of unexpected levity, Thekla, with her unique "friendly spider" persona, humorously volunteered to take Kris Statlander’s spot as a world champion, showcasing her quirky charm despite her reputation for being "toxic."
As the final moments of New Year’s Smash faded, the overriding sentiment was one of dynamic change and burgeoning excitement for the year to come. The dethroning of Mercedes Moné sent a clear message that no championship reign is safe, while MJF’s crowded field of challengers promised a compelling start to his 2026. The Continental and National Championship scenes are alive with personal vendettas and shifting allegiances, and the broader roster is teeming with talent poised for breakout moments. Omaha witnessed a show that not only closed out a chapter but unequivocally began writing the next, setting a formidable tone for the challenges, triumphs, and surprises that await All Elite Wrestling in the new year.
