On December 28, 2024, All Elite Wrestling (AEW) capped off the year with its highly anticipated AEW Worlds End pay-per-view, held at the Addition Financial Arena in Orlando, Florida. Fans flocked to witness high-stakes matches featuring world-class talent, culminating the AEW Continental Classic tournament and setting the stage for the promotions to creatively compete with WWE.
This year saw AEW and WWE hold events simultaneously within the same city, generating excitement among wrestling fans. AEW President Tony Khan expressed his enthusiasm about the double-header, stating, "It’s great for the city of Orlando with two major pro wrestling events happening on the same night. There were thousands and thousands of fans at both shows." Khan commended the support from fans, highlighting the strength of professional wrestling overall. "This arena has been a tremendous host, and for us and the community, it was great to have such amazing support from the fans," he added.
The star-studded lineup for AEW Worlds End included multiple championship bouts and eagerly awaited matchups. The night was primed to end with a bang, showcasing the AEW roster's premier talents. Tensions were high as fans watched eager to see how various storylines would reach their climax.
The main event featured the AEW World Championship Four-Way Match, where Jon Moxley defended his title against Adam Page, Jay White, and Orange Cassidy. This match marked Moxley's first title defense since briefly retaining his championship title at AEW Full Gear on November 23, 2024. The previous confrontations leading up to the match saw plenty of physical exchanges and verbal sparring between the contenders, building anticipation.
Before the match even began, Moxley and his comrades from The Death Riders, including Wheeler Yuta and PAC, secured their victory over Page and Cassidy during the “AEW Dynamite” Holiday Bash special, amplifying the stakes for the championship bout.
Another key highlight of the pay-per-view was the Continental Classic Finals. Kazuchika Okada faced off against Will Ospreay for the prestigious title. Their intense rivalry reached new heights, as both competitors aimed for the ultimate victory. Okada secured his place by defeating Ricochet and emerged victorious against Ospreay. After the grueling bout, Okada showed respect to his opponent by offering his hand, which Ospreay chose not to shake.
The event was replete with thrilling matches, with the AEW Women’s World Championship being defended by Mariah May against Thunder Rosa. The two wrestlers clashed during an intense Tijuana Street Fight, filled with chaos and creative weaponry. Rosa, who had not fought for the title since defeating Toni Storm back at AEW Dynasty, aimed for redemption but fell short, with May retaining her championship after putting Rosa through tables and dumping thumbtacks onto her during the match.
Mercedes Moné also defended her TBS Championship against Kris Statlander. The high-flying moves, explosive strikes, and nail-biting near falls captured fans' attention, with Moné managing to hold onto her title.
The AEW Worlds End event promised and delivered many unforgettable matches, yet it ended with MJF defending his Dynamite Diamond Ring against former partner Adam Cole. Cole entered the match with fervor, having previously triumphed over rivals to earn his championship opportunity. The duality of friendship and rivalry manifested through their encounters, adding depth to their clash. MJF employed various tactics, including low blows and misdirection, to win the match and retain his ring, albeit with seemingly heavy repercussions.
Fans also witnessed other notable matches, such as Konosuke Takeshita defending his AEW International Championship against Powerhouse Hobbs, which concluded with Takeshita maintaining his title. Leila Grey and Jeff Jarrett also competed on the pre-show, thrilling the audience with their competitive meat.
With the conclusion of AEW Worlds End, the promotion set the stage for its transition to the AEW on MAX era. The stacked card and the culmination of so many rivalries created the perfect showdown to round out the year, and the balance between competition from WWE only highlights just how vibrant the wrestling scene is currently. One cannot help but speculate on what is next for AEW as it moves forward toward new horizons.
For fans who missed the event, AEW Worlds End was made available across various platforms, including PPV options via TrillerTV, PPV.com, and even YouTube. Select venues, including Dave & Buster's, provided screening options for those wishing to enjoy the spectacle with fellow fans.
This event showed how strong the professional wrestling community is, uniting fans across multiple promotions and highlighting the competitive spirit within the industry. The blend of excitement, fierce rivalries, and compelling storytelling at AEW Worlds End 2024 promises to keep fans on the edge of their seats as they anticipate what's next for their favorite wrestlers.