1 week Ago By Doc-Chris Mueller
WWE and All Elite Wrestling are often seen as direct competitors by fans, but in many ways, 2024 saw the two companies veer in different directions. WWE has grown in many ways since being acquired by TKO, and a big part of that growth has seen the company becoming more mainstream again. Celebrities and athletes appear more frequently, and WWE has created a lot of strategic partnerships to grow its business.
AEW, on the other hand, has embraced the pro wrestling side of the business and continued to cater to the more hardcore audience that pays attention to multiple promotions. Working with CMLL and New Japan Pro-Wrestling has allowed AEW to have co-branded events and feature numerous stars from outside the company. Fans of indie wrestling are especially delighted whenever one of their favorites gets a spot on AEW television, even if they are being used as a jobber.
With the new year comes a new 12-month roadmap for each company. While unforeseen circumstances always need to be taken into account, planning ahead allows for more cohesive storytelling, and that means management in both companies have likely picked who will be headlining most of their shows next year. Let's take a look at who is most likely going to rule their respective promotions in 2025.
Ever since his first match as an official AEW wrestler, Will Ospreay has been one of its most exciting and consistent performers. Every bout The Aerial Assassin has makes live crowds go wild and social media light up with people remarking on his incredible agility and precision. Ospreay's run as the international champion helped him get his feet wet and establish himself as one of AEW's best, so now it's time for him to focus on a bigger prize.
If the 31-year-old doesn't end up winning the Continental Classic to become the new continental champion, it's highly likely he will move into the world title picture in early 2025. His popularity is undeniable, and AEW clearly sees Ospreay as a priority based on how he's been booked. It would be shocking if he wasn't the world champion by the end of next year.
Roman Reigns has ruled over WWE with a gloved fist for the better part of the past five years, and he doesn't seem to be slowing down anytime soon. The Bloodline story has become one of the main focuses across all WWE programming, especially since The Original Tribal Chief returned in August. Even without a title around his waist, Reigns is one of the biggest stars and draws in the company.
Unless he suffers an injury or something else puts him on the shelf for an extended period of time, there is a good chance we see him in the main event of WrestleMania 41 in some capacity. With Sami Zayn and The Usos by his side again, Reigns is going to try to regain his place at the top of the ladder by reclaiming the Undisputed WWE Championship at some point. First, though, he needs to ensure Solo Sikoa's new Bloodline is dealt with, and that means at least one or two more premium live event matches before we move on to The OTC's next challenge.
After more than three months away from the ring, Toni Storm returned to AEW on Wednesday's Winter is Coming episode of Dynamite, but it wasn't the Timeless version we've grown accustomed to. Instead, Storm donned her old gear and used her original music, which means the Hollywood starlet character may be done. And while it was one of the best gimmicks in wrestling, ending it before it lost its luster may have been a wise choice.
The pop she got when she appeared on Wednesday showed that the AEW crowd has not forgotten about her or lost any of its love for her. As one of the most recognizable and popular stars in the company, Storm is almost guaranteed to be back in the spotlight for a while. Even if she doesn't regain the title from Mariah May, she is going to have a great 2025 and be one of AEW's most valuable talents.
While no official announcement has been made regarding Becky Lynch signing a new deal with WWE, it seems unlikely she is going to end up anywhere else. During a media event for Raw's move to Netflix in January, The Man made an appearance, sparking many rumors but giving no official word on her status. If and when she does return, she is going to be back in the spotlight immediately.
She's too popular and too good for WWE not to push her straightaway. A return at the Royal Rumble is always a good bet, but she or WWE might not be ready to make that commitment yet. Waiting until as far as WrestleMania 41 could even be an option.
Lynch surprised a lot of people when she allowed her contract to expire, but she has never shied away from doing things her own way. Once she's ready to be back in the ring, it's going to be a great day for the WWE Universe. Ever since Jon Moxley signed on the dotted line and joined AEW in 2019, he has been one of its top stars.
And that doesn't seem likely to change in 2025. The leader of The Death Riders is not only the current men's world champion, but he is also the only person on the roster to have won it four times. CM Punk is the only other multi-time world champion in the company's history, so Moxley stands out as the most successful wrestler by a large margin on the current roster Mox is heading into 2025 with a loyal crew by his side and a vision for what he wants AEW to be, but he has also gained a long list of enemies, so his reign could come to an end at any time.
It's going to be interesting to see what happens at Worlds End on December 28 when he has to face three people who hate his guts. . With John Cena making 2025 his final year as an active WWE competitor, there is a good chance management gives him a big farewell tour.
That means he is going to be in some high-profile matches against some new and familiar opponents, but there is one question everyone is asking: Will Cena break the record for world title reigns by winning his 17th championship? Right now, Cody Rhodes and Gunther hold the two top prizes in the men's division, so they are both possible opponents for The Leader of the Cenation at some point in the coming year if they can hold onto their gold. Whether Cena wins another world title or not, there is no denying the legacy he is going to leave when he hangs up his boots for good. Willow Nightingale has won over the hearts of AEW fans by being both a shining light of positivity and a great in-ring competitor who can pounce an opponent clear across the ring.
The AEW women's division is very diverse, but the 30-year-old still manages to stand out from the pack due to her personality and unmatched power. Her matches with the likes of Mercedes Mone and Kris Statlander were lauded, and her runs with the TBS, NJPW Strong and CMLL women's titles proved AEW isn't the only company that sees something in her. It often feels like being a heel is the easier path in pro wrestling because your character can do so many different things to get ahead, so being a successful babyface for an extended period of time is even more impressive in today's climate.
Nightingale is a gifted performer who appeals to all demographics. If AEW ever lets her go, it would be a huge lapse in judgment. Ever since it was announced that she had signed with the company, WWE has gone to great lengths to make Jade Cargill look like a huge star.
The Storm and Bianca Belair have had a good run as a tag team, but for her to reach her true potential, she will need to go off on her own eventually. While the 32-year-old only has a few years of experience as a wrestler, her athleticism has allowed her to adapt quickly. When you add in her superhero physique and undeniable charisma, you have the recipe for a top star.
If WWE wants to thrust Cargill into the world title scene soon, a Royal Rumble win would be a great way to do it. AEW has invested a lot of time, money and effort into MJF, so expecting him to be anything less than a top star in 2025 is foolish. At the age of just 28, Maxwell Jacob Friedman has already established himself as one of the best heels in the business in addition to having the longest single reign as a world champion in AEW.
His five straight Dynamite Diamond Ring wins could become six at Worlds End, and if it does, he will be back in the hunt for the world title almost immediately. But even if he doesn't have a belt, MJF is a valuable asset who can be used in a variety of ways. His tag team with Adam Cole produced some great television, and he's even proved he can get over as a babyface if needed.
MJF is a multi-talented star who will be considered one of the best to ever do it if he continues to improve and grow at this rate. As soon as Cody Rhodes returned to WWE in 2022, the company pushed him as a top star. There is no way that is going to stop now.
Not only is he the current undisputed champion and likely to remain so until at least WrestleMania 41, but he also dethroned Reigns after a legendary run as the champion. Rhodes was even booked to defeat Brock Lesnar, which is something only a handful of people have done in the last decade. The American Nightmare is a great representative for WWE outside the ring, too.
He is always great at charity events and media appearances, so keeping him as one of the company's spokesmen would be smart. These 10 men and women are poised to rule over WWE and AEW in 2025, but there's room for more. Who do you think will be a top star next year?.
