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After a successful outing with Full Gear last month, AEW has turned its focus to its next major pay-per-view, World's End 2025, which will be the final PLE of the year, scheduled for December 27. What made Full Gear special was that it featured multiple title changes, including Samoa Joe becoming the new world champion. At the same time, Mark Briscoe dethroned Kyle Fletcher to become the new TNT champion. In addition to this, Ricochet became the inaugural AEW National Champion.
The Jacksonville-based promotion currently has eight active championships, which will soon increase to nine after the company crowns the inaugural Women's Tag Team Champions next week at Dynamite: Winter is Coming. The flagship show will also feature the Samoan Submission Machine defending his world title against Eddie Kingston.
It can be expected that Tony Khan is planning more title changes that could happen at World's End. However, some champions must retain their titles at least until 2026. Let's take a look at three stars.
#3. Kris Statlander, AEW Women's World Champion
Kris Statlander is the current women's world champion. she won the title in a thrilling four-way match at All Out in September, defeating then-champion Toni Storm, Jamie Hayter and Thekla. Since then, the biggest alien in the galaxy has defended her title twice: once against the “Timeless” star at WrestleDream and most recently against Mercedes Mone at Full Gear.
Putting the Women's World Title on Statlander has been one of AEW's most refreshing creative ideas recently, and her work as champion has received critical acclaim. Tony Khan must ensure that the The biggest alien in the galaxy continues to hold the top women's wrestling title in her promotion until 2026 and beyond.
#2. Kazuchika Okada, AEW Unified Champion
Kazuchika Okada is the Unified Champion since AEW All In, held in July. The Rainmaker unified the continental and international titles at the pay-per-view by defeating Kenny Omega in one of the highlight championship matches of the night. However, Okada has only successfully defended his title twice: once against Swerve Strickland at Forbidden Door in August, and once in a three-way match against Máscara Dorada and Konosuke Takeshita.
That being said, Okada is currently defending his continental title in the ongoing Continental Classic tournament, but the Japanese star is expected to finally emerge victorious to ensure the international and continental titles remain united.
Tony Khan needs to make sure the Rainmaker retains the title until at least early 2026 as he is one of the best in the business and capable of further legitimizing the unified title.
#1. Samoa Joe, AEW World Champion
Samoa Joe shocked the wrestling world when he dethroned Hangman Page in a steel cage match at Full Gear 2025 to become the new world champion for the second time in his decorated career. He is now set for his first title defense against Eddie Kingston at Dynamite: Winter is Coming next Wednesday.
At 46, Samoa Joe is likely in one of his last runs with the company's top title, if not his last. So Tony Khan should make this one memorable, and he can do it by keeping Joe's title at least until the revolution of 2026, which is scheduled for March of that year The Samoan Submission Machine is among the best in the world, whether it's in-ring skills or on the microphone. If he has given him a respectable run with the title, Joe would elevate it further and add more prestige.
Meanwhile, the Jacksonville-based promotion could use that time to find the perfect successor who Joe could pass the title to and start the next world title chapter in the most effective way.
Edited by Karan Raj
