As 2025 draws to a close, All Elite Wrestling sends its weekly flagship program into the new year with one of the most consequential editions of AEW Dynamite: New Year’s Smash in recent memory. Coming off the electric aftermath of the Worlds End pay-per-view — where MJF reclaimed the AEW World Championship in a dramatic Fatal Four-Way and Jon Moxley captured the Continental Classic Tournament — this Wednesday’s Dynamite (live from the Liberty First Credit Union Arena in Omaha, Nebraska) is stacked with high-stakes championship bouts, pivotal eliminator clashes, and a major live promo from the new world champion himself. With the calendar about to turn and AEW’s next major events on the horizon, tonight’s show promises to not just close out 2025 but to set the creative tone for the first quarter of 2026.
Here is everything announced for tonight’s show
Here’s the confirmed lineup and top segments scheduled for AEW Dynamite: New Year’s Smash (December 31, 2025):
Championship Matches
TBS Championship
- Mercedes Moné (c) vs. Willow Nightingale
One of the most anticipated rematches of the year, this TBS Title bout has layers of personal rivalry and competitive stakes. Nightingale pinned Moné at Worlds End, setting up her return shot — and Moné is fired up to regain momentum in 2026.
AEW National Championship
- Ricochet (c) vs. Jack Perry
Ricochet’s status as National Champion faces a serious challenge from Jack Perry, who scored momentum by pinning Ricochet recently and is eager to prove himself as a titular threat.
Eliminator Match
AEW Continental Championship Eliminator
- Jon Moxley vs. Josh Alexander
Following his Continental Classic Tournament victory at Worlds End, Moxley’s next test comes in this Eliminator bout. The unique rules stipulate that if Alexander defeats Moxley or even lasts the entire 20-minute time limit, he earns a future AEW Continental Championship opportunity — and there’s a no outside interference clause in this match.
Promo Segment
AEW World Champion MJF Appears Live
- Fresh off winning back the AEW World Championship, MJF will address the AEW Universe in his first Dynamite appearance as the reigning champion. Expect confrontation, championship declaration, and likely the first seeds of his early 2026 title run.
Location
- Liberty First Credit Union Arena — Omaha, Nebraska
AEW rings in the final night of the year from this arena, marking a special New Year’s Eve edition of Dynamite with a big-ticket feel and major implications for 2026.
Match & Storyline Analysis: What to Watch Tonight
MJF World Championship Promo — Establishing the Era
The single most buzzed-about moment of the night will be MJF’s live promo segment. After defeating Samoa Joe, Hangman Page, and Swerve Strickland at Worlds End to become a two-time AEW World Champion, MJF enters Dynamite not only as a focal figure but with a chip on his shoulder about his place atop the roster. Early reports specifically note that MJF has been publicly demanding a travel bonus for having to work on New Year’s Eve — a heel tactic that reinforces his entitled, braggadocious character while subtly setting up friction with management and potential challengers.
This segment is pivotal for narrative direction: will MJF issue open challengers? Will he double down on heel heat by antagonizing the crowd? Or will he signal a long-term title vision that propels his reign into early 2026? His words tonight could shape AEW’s world title picture for weeks to come.
TBS Title: A Renewed Rivalry Between Moné and Nightingale
Mercedes Moné and Willow Nightingale have one of the most compelling rivalries on the AEW roster. Their history includes Moné’s original TBS Championship win, guests clashes in recent weeks, and a high-quality contest at Worlds End where Nightingale achieved the pinfall over the champion — setting up tonight’s championship contest.
This isn’t just a rematch — it’s a momentum battle. Willow has momentum from her win and is vying for her first TBS Title, while Moné’s narrative arc involves her refusal to let a loss define her. Their clash promises intensity, pacing, and athletic storytelling that underscores why the women’s division has been one of AEW’s strongest and most consistent.
National Title Collision: Ricochet vs. Jack Perry
Ricochet’s reign as AEW National Champion has been defined by athletic prowess and high-octane offense. Jack Perry has been on the rise, and his opportunity tonight is predicated on a near-pin over Ricochet at Worlds End — a classic momentum-based challenger narrative.
This match is not only about championship retention but also about establishing the National Title as a platform for emerging top-tier singles competitors. If Ricochet retains, it solidifies his standing as one of the division’s pillars; if Perry wins, it signals a shift and potentially new directions — especially if friction between the two continues beyond this match.
Continental Championship Eliminator: Moxley vs. Alexander
The addition of Jon Moxley vs. Josh Alexander in a Continental Championship Eliminator offers both physicality and narrative intrigue. Moxley recently captured the Continental Classic crown and the associated title at Worlds End, punctuating a strong late-2025 run. Alexander is equally compelling as a challenger — his only path to the Continental Title is through this stipulation.
Two critical story elements make this match especially interesting:
- The Eliminator Stipulation: Alexander doesn’t need a pinfall win alone — surviving the 20-minute time limit is enough for future title contention, which alters strategic pacing.
- No Outside Interference: This rule ensures the contest is purely competitive, removing faction chaos from the equation and spotlighting wrestling ability and tactics.
Expect a hard-hitting, methodical contest with back-and-forth momentum and psychological storytelling reflecting each wrestler’s identity.
Broader Context — Fallout from Worlds End
Everything on tonight’s card directly ties back to December 27’s Worlds End event, where key story arcs either culminated or pivoted:
- MJF’s world title reclamation reshaped the main event scene and cast a long shadow over Dynamite’s direction.
- Moxley’s Continental Classic victory and title acquisition have him poised as a featured singles figure who blends veteran credibility with visceral crowd response.
- Nightingale’s win over Moné at Worlds End set the stage for tonight’s TBS showdown, while Ricochet’s recent interactions with Jack Perry elevate the National Title picture.
Collectively, these threads inform Dynamite’s narrative imperatives: title legitimacy, momentum for new challengers, and character development for AEW’s top performers.
Final Take
AEW Dynamite: New Year’s Smash is more than a year-end TV special — it’s a narrative crossroads. It bridges Worlds End’s major pay-per-view fallout with AEW’s early 2026 roadmap, including Dynamite episodes, Collision, and future live events. With multiple title matches carrying distinct implications, a marquee promo from AEW’s top champion, and a stocked eliminator bout that could reshape the Continental division, tonight’s Dynamite is must-watch television for fans invested in AEW’s evolving landscape.
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