Hold on to your seats, wrestling fans! Because just when you thought the AEW World Championship picture was set, BAM! MJF crashes the party, throwing a major wrench into the works. The December 17th, 2025, edition of AEW Dynamite's Holiday Bash from Manchester, England, was already packed with action, but this unexpected return has everyone buzzing. Let's dive into the results and break down what this all means for Worlds End.
AEW Holiday Bash: Match Results
Here's a quick rundown of the night's matches:
- Continental Classic Blue League: Jon Moxley defeated Roderick Strong via Death Rider in 18 minutes and 11 seconds. This was a brutal contest that saw Moxley effectively eliminate Strong from the tournament.
- Million Dollar Trios Match: The Elite (Kenny Omega & The Young Bucks) triumphed over the Don Callis Family (Kazuchika Okada, Konosuke Takeshita, & Hechicero) in 22 minutes and 32 seconds, with Omega sealing the deal with a One Winged Angel. The dissension between Okada and Takeshita was a major storyline element here.
- 8-Woman Tag Team Match: Mercedes Moné, Athena, Megan Bayne, & Marina Shafir defeated the Babes of Wrath & Timeless Love Bombs in a quick 9 minutes and 25 seconds, with Athena pinning Willow Nightingale after the "O-Face".
- Continental Classic Gold League: Pac overcame Kyle Fletcher with his signature Black Arrow in 14 minutes and 58 seconds. This match is highly recommended for its fast-paced action and athleticism.
- Dynamite Diamond Ring Battle Royale: Ricochet and Bandido were the final two, setting up a future clash for the coveted ring and a shot at the AEW World Championship.
- Continental Classic Blue League: Orange Cassidy managed to defeat Mascara Dorada with a roll-up in 11 minutes and 12 seconds, showcasing his resilience despite nursing a back injury.
- Jamie Hayter vs. Isla Dawn: Hayter defeated Dawn in 6 minutes and 50 seconds with the Hayterade, but the victory was short-lived as the Triangle of Madness attacked both women afterward.
- AEW World Tag Team Championship: FTR retained their titles against the Bang Bang Gang (Austin Gunn & Juice Robinson) in 14 minutes and 31 seconds, finishing the match with an Inverted Figure Four after a false finish spot.
Match Breakdown and Key Moments
Let's delve deeper into some of the standout moments from the show:
Moxley vs. Strong: The night kicked off with a hard-hitting battle between Jon Moxley and Roderick Strong in the Continental Classic Blue League. The commentators highlighted their history, noting that they were tied at 2-2 in previous encounters dating back to 2008, adding weight to the match. The match spilled into the crowd early, with referee Paul Turner showing some leniency. Moxley ultimately secured the win with a Death Rider, dashing Strong's hopes in the tournament. Following the match, Eddie Kingston issued a challenge on Collision, eager to showcase the lessons learned from his loss to Samoa Joe. What do you think, who will answer the Mad King's call?
Million Dollar Trios Match Mayhem: The Million Dollar Trios Match was a chaotic affair, fueled by the simmering tension between Kazuchika Okada and Konosuke Takeshita. Their inability to cooperate ultimately cost their team the match. The Elite capitalized on the discord, with Kenny Omega hitting the One Winged Angel for the win, assisted by The Young Bucks. Even after the bell, Okada and Takeshita continued to brawl, hinting at a potential future rivalry.
MJF's Shocking Return and World Title Ambitions: This is where things went completely off the rails! The contract signing between Samoa Joe, Hangman Adam Page, and Swerve Strickland for their Worlds End title match was interrupted by the shocking return of MJF. He cashed in his opportunity, turning the match into a four-way battle. MJF's reasoning? He wants to prove he's better than Hangman and his biggest rivals. He even took shots at Swerve, referencing his past and questioning his credibility. But here's where it gets controversial... Is MJF's return a sign of a desperate attempt to regain relevance, or is it a calculated move to dominate the AEW landscape once again? And does he truly have what it takes to defeat three top-tier competitors at Worlds End? This announcement definitely sparked a lot of debate, which has been a very hot topic on wrestling forums. What are your thoughts on MJF's promo?
Gold League Thriller: The Continental Classic Gold League match between Pac and Kyle Fletcher was a standout, earning a "Recommended" tag. The match was filled with high-flying maneuvers and hard-hitting strikes. Pac delivered an Avalanche Reverse Hurricanrana followed by the Black Arrow for the victory. With that win, the Gold League is now in a four-way tie, raising the stakes even higher as the tournament progresses. Who do you think will emerge from the Gold League?
Dynamite Diamond Ring Battle Royale Chaos: The Dynamite Diamond Ring Battle Royale was another exciting contest. The match featured several notable moments, including Max Caster and Anthony Bowens teaming up before Ricochet eliminated Caster. Ricochet went on to eliminate Bowens as well. The Demand attacked Brodido from behind before the match even started. Ultimately, it came down to Ricochet and Bandido. Who will win next week and get a future title shot?
Mercedes Moné and Athena Target Tag Titles: Mercedes Moné and Athena issued a challenge to the Babes of Wrath for the AEW Women's Tag Team Titles at Worlds End. Moné also announced that she will defend her British Championship on Collision. Can they capture the titles, adding more gold to their collection?
Hayter's Homecoming Interrupted: Jamie Hayter's match against Isla Dawn was a solid contest, but the aftermath was the real story. The Triangle of Madness launched a post-match attack, prompting Kris Statlander to make the save. However, Statlander was accidentally hit with a Hayterade, creating tension between the two allies. Is this the beginning of a feud between Hayter and Statlander, or will they be able to put this incident behind them?
Tag Team Title Chaos: The main event saw FTR defend their tag team titles against the Bang Bang Gang. The match featured a controversial near fall when Paul Turner counted three despite Dax Harwood's foot being on the rope. While the Bang Bang Gang celebrated, the match continued after the distraction. FTR ultimately retained their titles by forcing Juice Robinson to tap out to an Inverted Figure Four. Will the Bang Bang Gang get another shot at the titles, and how will they adjust their strategy?
Final Thoughts and Discussion
The AEW Holiday Bash was a night of exciting matches, shocking moments, and major implications for the future of AEW. MJF's return undoubtedly stole the show, setting the stage for a chaotic four-way match at Worlds End. The Continental Classic continued to deliver, with both the Blue and Gold League matches providing plenty of drama and excitement. With Worlds End just around the corner, what are your predictions? Will MJF regain his title? Who will win the Continental Classic? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
