The final AEW show of 2025 and the fallout edition from last weekend’s Worlds End has arrived with tonight’s live New Year’s Smash edition of AEW Dynamite from Omaha, Nebraska.
After regaining the AEW World title after a two-year break, MJF will appear to address his title win and what’s next for him.
Following a tag team match at the Zero Hour pre-show at Worlds End, AEW National Champion Ricochet will defend against “Jungle” Jack Perry.
After she was pinned in the AEW Women’s Tag Team title match Saturday, TBS Champion Mercedes Mone will put up the title against Willow Nightingale in an attempt to get revenge.
New AEW Continental Champion Jon Moxley will face Josh Alexander in a title eliminator.
Our live coverage kicks off at 8 pm Eastern.
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AEW Dynamite: New Year’s Smash comes on the air with Excalibur welcoming us alongside Tony Schiavone as they run down the card before we go to a highlight video of this past weekend’s Worlds End PPV ending with the visual of MJF holding the AEW World Title high in the air. We go backstage to a car pulling up and MJF, rocking a fur coat, steps out with a huge smile on his face. His coat is taken off at the door by a woman (fairly certain indy wrestler Izzy B) and he walks right to the ring to pyro, red carpet in the ring and a title covered up.
MJF’s Title Celebration Presents Challengers Aplenty
MJF said Swerve Strickland is the franchise, Samoa Joe is the Samoan Submission Machine, Hangman Page is the main character, that’s cute, he’s MJF, the World Champion. F the Big 3, it’s just me (he tosses the AEW World Title to the floor) and the Triple B. MJF uncovers his Big Burberry Belt and tells the fans to settle down, daddy has the mic. Fans said MJF were supposed to take it easy on their favorites, but if you’re dumb enough to think you’re on the level of the Devil, you either step up or get stepped on. MJF is a stallion, done slow trotting around so the donkeys in the back can keep up. From now on, it’s a sprint and no one is going to catch him, as he’ll go down the greatest of all time. His name is Maxwell Jacob Friedman, I’m better than you and you know it.
Kenny Omega appears on the big screen from his home saying he’s sorry to interrupt. Omega said MJF made him feel like the old Kenny Omega is reaching the end of his career more than the beginning, which is a stone he hates leaving unturned. What if, he can become AEW World Champion once again? What if they meet in the ring today? It wouldn’t be MJF vs. The Cleaner, Best Bout Machine or Belt Collector. Omega isn’t collecting belts; he’s going for one. Whether it’s next week or he has to claw his way to a title shot, MJF is going to be seeing a lot more of Omega, who must bid you adieu, goodbye and goodnight…bang!
MJF said the dumb schmuck fans chant his name, but Omega wasn’t man enough to come out and say it to his face. Hangman Adam Page & Swerve Strickland’s music hit respectively and they’re shown in different areas of the fans. They head to ringside, but are held back by security. MJF told them to relax, he’s a professional wrestler, who believes wins and losses matter, meaning they’re both losers. If you start winning matches, talk to Tony Khan and he’ll whip both their asses like he did at Worlds End. MJF quickly scurried away as Page & Strickland broke free and beat the hell out of the security, using the chain before hitting a double powerbomb and assisted Buckshot into a House Call.
Page took the mic and said when he gets ahold of MJF, he’s going to strangle him with his ugly ass belt. Strickland said MJF better pray Page gets to him before he does, the hunt is on and may the worst men win. Samoa Joe & The Opps are on the big screen saying they deserve nothing, Joe deserves to be the #1 Contender. He has the answer for the obstacles in his way, Page & Strickland had the audacity to put their hands on HOOK, the greatest second-generation wrestler in history and he’s ordered HOOK to choke them out on sight. Hobbs is coming for Strickland, while HOOK is targeting Page, next week. Page said it’s new year, same dumbass and begs Joe to send him HOOK. Strickland said No Holds Barred Lights Out next week.
-Renee Paquette is backstage with The Conglomeration & Roderick Strong. Mark Briscoe said they’re rolling heading into 2026 and after tonight, they’ll have the TBS Title with Willow Nightingale winning it from Mercedes Mone. Briscoe wouldn’t be surprised if Ted Turner wants to conglomerate. The Word of the Day is asphyxiation as just like Worlds End, the Death Riders will be choking on deez nuts. Timeless Toni Storm saunters in and Cassidy kisses her hand, until Mina Shirakawa comes in upset, telling Cassidy to keep his hands out of his pockets. Storm reminds her this isn’t sexual, as she had Luther hand her an orange, which she takes a bite out of and strolls off, with Briscoe following them, asking for a bite. Strong yells Renee’s name and said he wants no part of this and walks off.
Timeless Toni Storm, Orange Cassidy & Roderick Strong vs. Death Riders (CMLL Champion Claudio Castagnoli, Daniel Garcia & Marina Shafir) in a New Year’s Eve Tornado Trios Match
(This was another round of Mixed Nuts Mayhem from the PPV, this time with the heels getting their win back. Lots of different stories could branch off from this and I’m genuinely interested in seeing where they go. These past two matches have been a lot of fun, as they’ve done the intergender work really well.)
Brawl right at the bell, as Storm hit a Thesz Press on Shafir and shotgun dropkick to follow, as the men brawl around ringside. Ten corner punches by Storm, who poses, but was sent outside by Castagnoli. Strong lit up Castagnoli with chops and a perfect dropkick before unleashing ten corner punches of his own. Garcia tackles Strong to the corner and gets in nine punches before mocking the crowd. Cassidy takes Garcia to the corner, winds up and hits one punch to a huge reaction until Shafir applies a Full Nelson. Hands in the pockets for Cassidy, who slid out into a roll-up on Shafir for two, who pops up and hits a strike, allowing Garcia to deliver a release German. Cassidy ate the locomotion corner strikes into a double big boot like what happened at Worlds End as things go to commercial.
Back from break, all three Death Riders were working over Strong in the corner, as Garcia & Castagnoli held Shafir for some chops, he broke free, teased a backbreaker, but she was saved and hit a Judo Throw on Strong. Dodging a corner charge, Strong dropped Castagnoli with a dive outside, as Storm & Cassidy side-stepped a charging Garcia & Shafir and wound up in a tango position, spinning each other into strikes on the Death Riders until Castagnoli ran into a double hip toss. Storm signaled for the Giant Swing, but Garcia booted her in the face. Cassidy flew in with Orange Punch, but turned into Mother’s Milk from Shafir. Strong pulled her off and dropped Shafir with a backbreaker. Castagnoli laid out Strong, rolled through a top rope cross body from Cassidy, who countered into Stundog Millionaire. Sweet Cheek Music from Storm, spinning DDT by Cassidy as Castagnoli took the official. The distraction allowed Wheeler Yuta to hang up Cassidy on the top rope, leading to a massive uppercut from Castagnoli, who got the pin.
Death Riders celebrated ringside, as Shafir flipped off their opponents with Castagnoli staring down Storm, who was checking on Cassidy. Mina Shirakawa & Luther came in and tried to turn Storm’s attention away, as Strong slowly offered a hand to help Cassidy up.
Match Result: Death Riders defeated Timeless Toni Storm, Orange Cassidy & Roderick Strong when Castagnoli pinned Cassidy
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-Video package on Ultimo Mone’s title victories over the course of the last year. Every era Mercedes Mone enter gets defined and promotion she wrestles in gets elevated. No longer chasing history, Mone is the history, the blueprint, the ceiling. AEW is where she showed the world who she is, she’s not just money, she’s the CEO of women’s wrestling, the greatest TBS Champion of all time.
ROH World Champion Bandido vs. ROH Tag Team Champion The Beast Mortos
(Very good showcase for Bandido ahead of his World Title match on Dynamite in a few weeks. Mortos is always a great opponent and I wish we got to see him more consistently on AEW programming, especially Dynamite. While he doesn’t have many wins, he’s one of the most consistently entertaining guys on the roster.)
We’re immediately reminded that Bandido will be facing MJF for the AEW World Title in 2 weeks at Maximum Carnage. Both men show off their athleticism early, with Mortos swiping away at a handshake. Bandido used his entrance cape to play bull fighter, as Mortos misses charges, but not the headbutt to put a stop to the shenanigans. Mortos stomps on the cape and connects with a Tornillo through the ropes outside. Back inside, both trade up/overs, arm drags and pin attempts before we get a stalemate. Bandido dodged a corner charge, sending Mortos outside, giving Bandido a chance to put his cape on and hit a huge cross body off the top into break.
Mortos gained control during commercial and played to the crowd, allowing Bandido to get a flash roll-up for two. Deja-Deja-Vu from Bandido left Mortos reeling, as he ate a thrust kick, allowing Bandido to head up top for a big Frog Splash. Mortos answered with his running Crucifix Bomb and pop-up Samoan Drop for two. Bandido slides out of a fireman’s carry, looks for X-Knee, but couldn’t get the big man up, allowing Mortos to hit a Torture Rack backbreaker and discus lariat for a close near fall. Another lariat turned Bandido inside out, as Mortos went for a corkscrew Moonsault, but missed. Bandido threw a pump kick and somehow managed to get Mortos up into X-Knee and 21-Plex for the win.
Match Result: Bandido defeated The Beast Mortos
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-Renee Paquette is backstage with Brodido and asks if this win against Mortos gives Bandido the momentum heading into Maximum Carnage. After a fired-up promo in Spanish by Bandido, Brody King said Bandido is the Most Wanted, everyone is gunning for him and in 2 weeks, he’ll have an even bigger target. Once Bandido wins the AEW World Title and becomes Bandido 2-Belts again, King is getting the first shot. Until then, King has some business to handle.
Brody King vs. Lee Johnson
Johnson flew over the top with a dive during King’s entrance and that only pissed off King, who demolished Johnson with chops and being chucked into the barricade. Inside the ring, the match officially begins, as Johnson got up boots in the corner, hit a thrust kick, charged, only to be turned inside out with a massive King lariat. Crowd starts barking, as a huge cannonball in the corner led to the Gonzo Bomb for the quick win.
Match Result: Brody King defeated Lee Johnson
-Video of Darby Allin talking about going to hell with Gabe Kidd at Worlds End. He’s not numb to the pain, he’s more aware of it than anyone, knowing what it gives him. He wishes he could relay the beauty that pain gives him. In 2025, he stood atop of Mount Everest, in 2026, he wants to stand atop of AEW, but not before he can defeat all the Death Riders, which he’s done, except one, PAC. He doesn’t know when or where, but he needs to get that win.
Continental Champion Jon Moxley vs. Josh Alexander in a Continental Title Eliminator Match
(It feels like not that long ago Moxley was trying to drown Darby Allin on PPV, now the AEW crowd loves him. This C2 has done such a great job in building Moxley as a babyface, even though the rest of his crew are still heels. These past few months of him tapping out make the fans heavily invested in his matches that much more, as regardless the opponent, when he’s trapped in a submission, they’re biting. Alexander was an excellent first opponent in this reign for Moxley, who, as we saw in the post-match, will be having plenty of Eliminator matches during this run, one that will thankfully have no interference.)
Don Callis gave last minute instructions to Alexander before going backstage (no one allowed ringside), as we’re told with Continental Rules, if the match goes to a 20-minute time limit, that’s just as good as win for Alexander, as he’d earn a title shot. Renee Paquette is ringside and said 2026 is Death Riders vs. The World, but recently it feels like Death Riders vs. Don Callis Family and Alexander told her earlier that he’s bringing the title home to The Family. As Moxley came over the barricade to ringside, he was wincing big time, selling the bad leg from Worlds End. Alexander attacked at the bell and wrenches at the mouth of Moxley, as we’re reminded of the broken tooth suffered at the PPV. Chop battle ensues, which only amps up Moxley, who switched to punches. Alexander shot a single leg after being flipped off and targeted the bad wheel. Moxley went to the eyes until he was backdropped over the top to the floor, leaving him clutching his leg.
It was all Alexander during break, but when things returned, Moxley scurried into a Rear Naked Choke briefly, but Alexander slid out into an Ankle Lock. Moxley really teases a tap, but makes the ropes, rolling to the apron. Alexander out with him, as they trade suplex and piledriver attempts until Alexander slipped behind, chopped the back and leads to a strike exchange until Moxley’s leg got kicked out and Alexander hit a Strongest Slam on the apron at the 10-minute call. Back inside, Alexander missed a moonsault, as Moxley missed Paradigm Shift, so we got more trading of strikes that again saw Alexander dropkick out the leg. Moxley fired off a desperation Cutter for two, then sank in a Bulldog Choke, which Alexander countered into a back suplex. Moxley popped up and delivered a backdrop driver of his own, as he turned Alexander inside out with a lariat into the double down.
The crowd are loudly behind Moxley, who hits an Elbow Suicida, working through the pain of the bad leg. Alexander swept the leg out on the opposite side of the ring and posted the leg before sinking in the Figure Four on the post. Alexander had to let it go, as he hit a huge diving knee drop to the leg back inside. While wrenching the ankle, Moxley raked the eyes and pulled Alexander into a choke before firing off Anvil elbows, knocking Alexander’s head gear off, as a Rear Naked Choke was applied and Alexander passed out.
Post-match, MVP & Shelton Benjamin walk to the entrance aisle and stare down Moxley, as we’re reminded how close Benjamin was to advancing to the C2 Semis last year. Moxley briefly stares back before hobbling over the barricade through the crowd.
Match Result: Jon Moxley defeated Josh Alexander
-Triangle of Madness are backstage talking about Sisters of Sin winning at Worlds End. Thekla said Kris Statlander spat in her friends face at the PPV and loved it. She’s not buying Statlander’s cosmic act and tells them to let her take her place, they’ll make the title real toxic.
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Ricochet (w/G.O.A.) vs. Jungle Jack Perry (w/Luchasaurus) for the AEW National Title
(While I liked the match, the constant interference hampered this and didn’t let it reach another gear. The post-match is the bigger story, as, similar to Worlds End, Luchasaurus didn’t do much of anything and I had figured he was legit injured prior to the show. This felt like an angle to write him off for a while, which is unfortunate, as it doesn’t feel like Jurassic Express have been back as a team all that long. It does look like Perry might be riding solo again.)
Toa Liona & Luchasaurus had an early face-off ringside, as a fast series opened things in the ring, with Ricochet pulling Perry down by his hair. Perry tried to return the favor, but it obviously didn’t work due to the baldness, so Perry pulled on the beard, sent Ricochet outside and connected on a dive. Bishop Kaun tripped up Perry, allowing Luchasuaurus to go at him but Liona attacked from behind. The distraction gave Ricochet a chance to send Perry outside and hit a dive, posing with The Demand heading to break.
Ricochet controlled during commercial, but Perry connected on a flying elbow. We’re told Liona attacked Luchasaurus and took him backstage, similar to what happened during Zero Hour Worlds End last weekend. Perry vaulted over Ricochet in the corner and hit a suplex, leading to a leaping DDT attempt, which was countered into the Northern Lights and suplex into a standing Shooting Star for a Ricochet near fall. Ricochet wanted Vertigo, Perry floated over, O’Connor Roll got two, series of switches led to the Perry comeback lariat for a close near fall of his own. Perry signaled for the Sacrifice Knee, but Ricochet rolled to the apron, hanging Perry up on the top. Ricochet was backdropped to the floor, giving Perry a chance to hit a baseball slide cazadora bulldog. Perry hopped a charging Kaun, threw a thrust kick, but the delay allowed Ricochet to crotch Perry in the corner. Perry fought free, Ricochet backflipped out, but ate a diving Perry DDT for two. Perry signaled for the Sacrifice Knee, Ricochet took the ref, allowing Kaun to trip up Perry, giving Ricochet a chance to hit the Spirit Gun for the win.
Post-match, Liona carried Luchasaurus back out to the stage and continuously slammed a guard rail onto him. Placing it over his arm, Kaun delivered repeated chair shots to it, as Ricochet hit another Spirit Gun on Perry as The Demand stood over Luchasaurus. Liona & Kaun laid out security guards, slamming them onto the railing and Luchasaurus’ arm.
Match Result: Ricochet defeated Jungle Jack Perry to retain the AEW National Title
-Death Riders are backstage and Moxley said Shelton Benjamin and the people who hurt people, you don’t have to come out to look at him like he feels some kind of way, he’s easy to find. They’re setting the standard, masters of the craft, as Wheeler Yuta said Darby Allin had revisionist history, as if he wants to get to PAC, you go through him. Garcia said it doesn’t matter who you are, it’s Death Riders vs. The World in 2026.
-Harley Cameron is helping Willow Nightingale train and said this is the last match of 2025. Nightingale said it’s been 584 days since she lost the TBS Title and her opportunity to regain her title is finally here, she’s ending the year with a bang.
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-Renee Paquette is backstage with MJF, asking what he feels to have all these contenders locked in on his AEW World Title. MJF said Paquette is silly, he’s about to make his first title reign look short in comparison. Brodido walks in and Brody King says Bandido will make that Triple B, Bandido’s Big Belt. They do their handshake and leave, which MJF said was cute and asked what Paquette was smiling about?
Mercedes Mone vs. AEW Women’s Tag Team Champion Willow Nightingale for the TBS Title
(Hell of a match to close the year for AEW, as I thought this turned into a PPV caliber main event. The downfall of Mone continues, as the crowd went absolutely nuts for a new champ and also the final shot of the female champs in the company celebrating was a nice touch to cap off 2025.)
Not as many extras holding up Mone’s titles as they once did, as commentary talk about how furious Mone has been due to recent losses. Mone pie-faces Nightingale pre-match, as Justin Roberts does big fight introductions. Bell sounds and Mone immediately hit a series of low dropkicks, sending Nightingale outside, smashing her into the LED board, forcing it to go out. Mone opted for her CEO dance and that delay allowed Nightingale to dodge a Meteora into the barricade and launched Mone into the railing with a Pounce and two count back inside.
Both ladies trade roll-ups until Mone tried Mone Maker, but Nightingale countered into a backslide for two, maintained wrist control, took Mone’s head off with a lariat for another near fall. Mone tried to fight back, missed cazadora, floated over, sending Nightingale to the corner and flipping off all the fans chanting her opponent’s name. Nightingale cartwheeled out of the corner, hit an overhand chop and shotgun dropkick off the middle rope. Big time cannonball in the corner, as Mone rolled outside, where Nightingale met her with another cannonball off the apron. Mone was returned to the ring, where she quickly dropkicked Nightingale’s legs out on the apron and followed with a Meteroa against the steps, controlling the action into commercial.
Back from break, Nightingale carried Mone out of the corner into a press slam into the double down. Series of lariats ramped up by Nightingale, who tried a Spinebuster, Mone escaped, charged, only to be launched with another Pounce. Death Valley Driver connected, but Mone kicked out at two. Backstabber staggers Nightingale, as Mone again charged, but ran into a Doctor Bomb by Nightingale, but Mone got the foot on the ropes. Nightingale went up top, but missed a big moonsault, giving Mone a chance to try a Frog Splash, but Nightingale got her knees up. They go to the apron, where Nightingale connected with a DVD right on the edge of the ring. Nightingale thew a lifeless Mone into the ring, where Mone again rolled to the outside. Nightingale went for another cannonball from the apron, only this time, no one was home and Nightingale went splat.
Mone hit two of the Three Amigos on the floor, all while ref Aubrey was counting, as Nightingale fought off a third, slamming Mone into the apron, breaking the count and clearing the commentary table. Nightingale brought Mone up onto it, as Mone begged off, as Nightingale wanted a Doctor Bomb, Mone got free and hit a third suplex on the table, which didn’t break. Aubrey puts the count on both, as Nightingale just broke it at nine. Both trade pin attempts, Anvil elbows from Mone, who switches to the Statement Maker. Nightingale powers to her feet, Mone tries Mone Maker, but is smashed into the corner repeatedly. Nightingale tried a Doctor Bomb, Mone tried Mone Maker, Nightingale got a roll-up for a close two. Both ladies up, Mone with a jackknife pin, Nightingale rolled through, hit the Doctor Bomb in the middle of the ring and got the win and the title.
Post-match, purple confetti pours down, as Harley Cameron runs out to celebrate, leaving Mone stunned. Orange Cassidy & JetSpeed come down and give Nightingale hugs, until Kris Statlander is shown in the ring. Crowd chant Hug It Out, as they hug and the camera zooms out, with Excalibur saying you’ve got to give the people what they want. Cassidy & JetSpeed roll outside, leading Nightingale, Statlander & Cameron celebrating in the ring to close 2025 for AEW.
Match Result: Willow Nightingale defeated Mercedes Mone to win the TBS Title
AEW Collision 1/3/26
- Shelton Benjamin vs. Scorpio Sky
- Darby Allin vs. Wheeler Yuta
- El Clon Debuts
- Timeless Love Bombs (Timeless Toni Storm & Mina Shirakawa) vs. Hyan & Maya World
AEW Dynamite 1/7/26
- Hangman Adam Page & Swerve Strickland vs. Powerhouse Hobbs & HOOK in a Lights Out Match
- Jon Moxley vs. Shelton Benjamin in a Continental Title Eliminator Match
