5 Big Storylines to Watch After Full Gear 2025

AEW Full Gear 2025 wasn’t just a pay-per-view — it was a crossroads. With unexpected betrayals, emotional reunions, and major title shakes, the event has set up at least five seismic story arcs going forward. Here’s a detailed breakdown — and why each one matters:

1. Samoa Joe and HOOK’s New Regime

At Full Gear, Samoa Joe captured the AEW World Championship in a steel cage match against “Hangman” Adam Page — but the win came with an explosive twist: HOOK betrayed Page, helping Joe win and revealing his true allegiance at the worst possible moment for Page. 

• Why it matters: This isn’t just a title change — it’s a full re-alignment. HOOK’s betrayal gives Joe a built-in lieutenant with credibility and fire.
• What could come next: Expect stable-based storytelling. Joe, HOOK, and possibly other Opps Dojo members may form a dominant heel faction. This opens up potential feuds with Page, Swerve (see below), and other top faces who won’t accept Joe’s reign unchallenged.

2. The Elite Reunites — Young Bucks Choose Brotherhood Over Cash

One of the most electric moments of Full Gear came during the $1,000,000 Trios Match. The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson) teamed with Josh Alexander against Kenny Omega and Jurassic Express for a massive payday. 

When Alexander and Don Callis’ Family attacked Omega after the match, the Bucks made a stunning decision: they abandoned the duffel bags of money, ran back to the ring, and turned on the Callis Family to rescue their long-time ally. 

The moment reached its emotional peak when Omega, visibly shaken, first swatted away their hands — before finally embracing the brothers in a hug. According to multiple outlets, this signaled a full reformation of The Elite. 

• Why it matters: The Elite are foundational to AEW’s identity. Their reunion restores a core brand element and adds emotional weight to everything going forward.
• Potential directions:
  
  • Faction War: Expect a serious conflict between The Elite and the Don Callis Family. The Bucks’ defection weakens Callis’ grip and could lead to a multi-week stable feud.
  • Title Applications: Could this reunited Elite team for trios gold? Or will Omega and the Bucks target tag or singles titles together?
  • Legacy & Redemption: The money-match storyline was about more than cash — it’s about pride, loyalty, and legacy. The Bucks’ choice signals a return to their roots, and AEW can play long-term with themes of regret and resurrection.

3. Swerve Strickland’s Emotional Return

Swerve Strickland returned in a dramatic way immediately after Samoa Joe’s title win. He cleared the ring of Joe’s henchmen, stood side-by-side with Page, and stared down Joe and HOOK. 

• Why it matters: Swerve’s return is more than a cameo — it’s a statement. His timing suggests he will be heavily involved in Joe’s new reign, either as a rival or as Page’s new partner in resistance.
• What to watch:
  
  • Will Swerve challenge Joe for the title?
  • Could Page and Swerve form a tag team / alliance?
  • How will Swerve’s return influence the power dynamic between Joe, HOOK, and any new stablemates?

4. Ricochet’s National Championship Era Begins

Ricochet won the inaugural AEW National Championship by pinning Kevin Knight in the high-stakes Casino Gauntlet. 

• Why it matters: This new title isn’t just a throwaway — it establishes a meaningful mid-card championship with prestige. AEW can now lean into this belt to showcase rising stars and deliver weekly stakes.
• What to watch:
  
  • Who will challenge Ricochet next? AEW can build fresh feuds without overloading the world title scene.
  • How often will the National Title be defended on major shows vs. TV?
  • Will Ricochet’s reign serve as a springboard for him or others to move into the main event picture?

5. FTR’s Tag Title Reclamation & New Tag Power Hierarchy

FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) recaptured the AEW World Tag Team Championships at Full Gear. 

• Why it matters: FTR are not just veterans — they are master tag psychologists. Their win restores their dominance and re-legitimizes the tag division around in-ring fundamentals, timing, and experience.
• What to watch:
  
  • Who challenges FTR next? Will AEW book rematches with Brodido or elevate newer teams to contend?
  • Will FTR’s leadership help build a deeper, more compelling tag division?
  • Could there be a storyline where FTR mentors younger teams, or even enters into faction dynamics (like with The Elite or other groups)?

Big-Picture Implications & Why These Storylines Matter

1. Narrative Reset + Long-Term Investment
   Full Gear wasn’t just about short-term titles; AEW invested in legacy storytelling — stabilizing the World Title picture, reuniting its founding faction, and launching a brand-new championship. These storylines have the potential to feed into 2026 rather than fizzle out.
2. Factional Depth = TV Gold
   With Joe’s new regime, The Elite reformed, and powerful challengers emerging, AEW has the ingredients for faction warfare, contractual rivalry, and long-form storytelling across Dynamite, Rampage, and pay-per-views.
3. Emotional Resonance Meets Athletic Stakes
   The Elite reunion is not just a wrestling moment — it’s a deeply emotional story of loyalty, regret, and return. Meanwhile, Ricochet’s National Title and FTR’s tag win provide tangible stakes, giving newer and established stars something to fight for.
4. Booking Flexibility & Roster Utility
   AEW now has multiple “endgame” pieces: Joe as champion, Swerve as potential challenger, Elite as a stable, and mid-card + tag champions to elevate weekly TV. This flexibility is crucial for a promotion that wants both big moments and sustainable weekly story arcs.

Conclusion

The reformation of The Elite may be the most consequential storyline emerging from Full Gear 2025. It’s not just about money or nostalgia — it’s about legacy, identity, and the future collision of alliances. When combined with Joe’s ruthless new regime, Swerve’s return, Ricochet’s rise, and FTR’s tag dominance, AEW has laid the narrative foundation for a major chapter in its history. The real question now: how will AEW capitalize on these threads? And which of these storylines will define the promotion in the months to come?

Make sure to subscribe to our Late Night Crew Wrestling YouTube Channel. Follow @yorkjavon, @kspowerwheels & @LateNightCrewYT on X.