Professional wrestling isn’t easing into the new year. 

AEW got a running start by bringing Dynamite Fight for the Fallen to Asheville, North Carolina and the Mother of All Simulcasts with the show streaming on Max in addition to TBS. We saw the in-ring return of Adam Copeland, who is now going by his preferred name, Cope, as he has his sights set on AEW World Champion Jon Moxley. That would bring us another, massive first-time matchup and considering the star power of both men, a huge PPV main event down the road.

But why stop there? What else could happen in 2025 for AEW? While I’ll have plenty of predictions, I’ll also share some outstanding questions that should be answered in the next 12 months. 

AEW Bold Predictions for 2025

Daniel Garcia wins the Continental Classic

In the inaugural Continental Classic, Garcia learned the grind of a grueling, round-robin tournament, eventually earning his sole victory on the final day. He took that experience, coupled with his newly-won TNT Championship, into this year’s C2 and immediately made a statement, earning a draw with Continental Champion, Kazuchika Okada.

Garcia was alive heading into his last match, but he came up just short of the semifinals after losing to Kyle Fletcher. You can see it in his matches, you can hear it in his words, you can feel it from the crowd. Garcia knows he belongs amongst the best. He’ll say that confidently. And he no longer needs to dance to hype up the fans. They are with him because he won’t let them down.

The evolution of Daniel Garcia will bring him to C2 glory in 2025.

Toni Storm vs. Mercedes Mone Happens for the First Time

The question of “Who is Toni Storm?” seems to garner a different answer whenever you ask it. These days, the former three-time AEW Women’s Champion seems blissfully unaware of how her third reign ended at the hands of Mariah May at All In last August. Since returning to AEW at Full Gear, Storm has taken the identity of a rookie eager for opportunity and appreciative of the chance to prove why she belongs where the best wrestle. Why? What happened to Toni Storm?

So far, Storm has navigated a dangerous women’s division with skill and a seemingly endless amount of positive energy. But what if she runs into the wrong person? What if Toni tries her rookie routine with Mercedes Mone on a day when the C.E.O. is jet lagged from her world travels as both the TBS and NJPW Strong Women’s Championship? 

We’ve never been privileged enough to see Storm and Mone ever mix it up in one-on-one competition at any point in their respective careers, so maybe instead of pointing Storm back at May and the AEW Women’s Championship, it’s Toni Time for the TBS Title?

The Death Riders Add to Their Ranks

I’d like to amend a famous statement to sum up what some in the AEW locker room might be considering…

If you’re tired of getting beat up, join them.

At this point, nearly the entire roster has felt the wrath of The Death Riders along with countless security, random bystanders, and backstage personnel. If you needed to jumpstart your career, would you be willing to accept the message of AEW World Champion Jon Moxley and potentially be on the winning side of history? 

There’s precedent for this. Think of how many WCW roster members made the jump to the nWo in the early stages of their dominance? Why get embarrassed and beat up by the cool bad guys when you can stand alongside them with strength in numbers?

Even if you don’t want to go back that far, just look at how Wheeler Yuta wound up in the Death Riders. He was forced to watch his mentor Bryan Danielson get suffocated only for him to carry out the same heinous act on Danielson to cement his allegiance to the group. Could another young, impressionable wrestler get lured by Moxley’s musings? 

Another Stardom Wrestler Bursts onto the Scene

The saga of Toni Storm and Mariah May may have ended in a bloody breakup and the crowning of a new champion, but along the way, we were treated to an extended visit from Stardom’s Mina Shirakawa. She quickly won over a brand new fanbase and the chants of “We Want Mina” became commonplace whenever her presence was missed. It certainly feels like Shirakawa will have a second home in AEW and should always be welcome with open arms.

Can another Stardom athlete win over the hearts of AEW fans? The one I have in mind doesn’t want your adulation. Instead she’ll spread her version of H.A.T.E. to demand your respect. It’s time to get familiar with Thekla. The Idol Killer has been more than happy to disrespect the honor of Stardom, which has resulted in both fines and suspensions. 

Heading into WrestleKingdom/WrestleDynasty weekend, Thekla and ROH Women’s Champion Athena tagged together to defeat Shirakawa and Tay Melo. Could the door be open for Thekla to stomp her way into AEW?

Darby Allin Wins the AEW Championship

Back in October, I wrote about five challengers for Jon Moxley’s AEW Championship, culminating with Darby Allin winning the title after failed attempts from Orange Cassidy, Adam Cole, Mark Briscoe, and Adam Copeland. So far, OC has failed in two opportunities and Cope seems to be on a collision course with the leader of the Death Riders. Unfortunately, Cope wasn’t around to save Allin from getting thrown down a massive flight of steps. With Allin seemingly out of action, there will be opportunities for others to wrestle the title away from Moxley. 

Maybe that will happen before Allin gets his chance, but it would be a shame if Allin didn’t get another crack at Moxley. It’s the right way for him to climb the mountain.

Christian Cage Wins the AEW Championship

And who would love to knock Darby right from the top of the wrestling world? The Patriarch himself, Christian Cage.

Owning a guaranteed title shot whenever you want is a gold ticket for anyone, but in the hands of a conniving, manipulative mastermind like Cage, it’s not a matter of if, it’s when he wants to become champion.

Could he pick the bones of someone who does his dirty work? Would he care who he pinned to become champion? What does AEW look like with a new father?

Mariah May’s AEW Women’s Championship Reign Hits One Year

With seven title defenses since winning the AEW Women’s Championship from Toni Storm in August, May has proven she’s no understudy. In fact, she is operating at a level that has no peers in her mind. And she may be right. 

The confidence oozes out of everything she does, and she believes every word of her ego-driven narrative because she can back it up. The Woman from Hell will reign for a long time.

Questions that Need Answers

What is the Undisputed Kingdom Capable Of?

Can MJF be a Movie Star AND AEW Champion?

Will MVP’s Recruitment Bring More Members to The Hurt Syndicate?

Is Kenny Omega All the Way Back to the Best Bout Machine?

Will Hangman Page Find Any Inner Peace?

When Will Harley Cameron’s Puppet Earl Wrestle His First Match?

Until next time, when I’m back to talk about wrestling even more…

You can see Matt as a host and analyst on AEW’s social channels. Matt is also one of the hosts of Busted Open Radio on Sirius/XM. He is regularly featured as a streamer for Bleacher Report’s pro wrestling content.