Wrestling nostalgia is a powerful force. It fuels the chants, the merchandise, the “remember when” debates, and the endless YouTube rabbit holes. But it can also be blinding. Especially when it stops fans from seeing what’s unfolding in front of them—in real time, in full color, and with real emotion. That’s the challenge facing AEW in 2025. For too many fans, the conversation is still centered around the past: who left, what went wrong, what could have been. But while eyes have been glued to the rearview mirror, AEW has quietly, steadily, and sometimes defiantly, rebuilt its foundation and charted a new course.
This company is no longer an upstart, nor is it a punchline. It’s a wrestling promotion that has weathered storms, grown from its scars, and committed to a long-term vision. And it’s time that vision gets the respect it deserves.
MJF Didn’t Just Stay—He Planted His Flag
If there was ever a moment that should have shifted the conversation around AEW’s long-term viability, it was MJF re-signing. For months, even years, the whispers were constant: Maxwell Jacob Friedman was WWE-bound. That he had outgrown AEW. That the real money and real spotlight would eventually draw him away.
Instead, he stayed. No dramatic shoot promo. No over-the-top exit. Just a calm, calculated commitment to the company that made him a star. And that matters.
MJF isn’t just a loudmouth anymore—he’s a locker room leader. He’s someone who elevated the AEW World Championship, brought credibility to the main event scene, and proved he could wrestle any style, any opponent, and still make it feel like must-see television. Now, with a new chapter ahead, he’s not chasing headlines. He’s building legacy.
Evolution, Not Exodus
Yes, AEW has seen turnover. Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, Jade Cargill, Ricky Starks, Brian Pillman Jr., Ethan Page, and the Lucha Bros have all moved on to WWE in some form. But this wasn’t a collapse. This wasn’t WCW 2000. This was the natural evolution of a wrestling ecosystem finally returning to a territory-style rhythm.
In the old days, wrestlers moved. They left promotions, refreshed characters, and returned even stronger. AEW, like any viable promotion, has now embraced that cycle. And what it’s gotten in return is a stronger, hungrier, and more focused locker room.
In their place, AEW has showcased stars who have elevated the product. Will Ospreay is not only living up to his hype—he’s helping redefine what a global star in AEW can look like. Swerve Strickland is having a world title run that oozes confidence and creativity. Kyle Fletcher has stepped out of Aussie Open’s shadow and grown into a single’s star worth investing in. Ricochet is no longer just a highlight reel—he’s a full character. And Jetspeed, the electric duo of Mike Bailey and Kevin Knight, are leading a tag team revival with fast-paced matches and undeniable chemistry.
This isn’t the result of panic. It’s the result of planning.
Factions That Have Purpose, Not Just T-Shirts
AEW has always leaned into factions. Sometimes, that worked—The Inner Circle, The Elite. Other times, they felt like merchandise machines. But in 2025, factions feel more deliberate, more focused.
The Death Riders are a clinic in how to build long-term toughness. With Jon Moxley mentoring Wheeler Yuta, Daniel Garcia, Claudio Castagnoli, and Marina Shafir, the group embodies violence with discipline. They aren’t just beating people—they’re grinding them down, psychologically and physically. Every member has a defined role, and together, they make AEW’s mid-card feel dangerous again.
The Hurt Syndicate, featuring Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin, and MVP, bring something else entirely—urgency. With decades of experience, physical dominance, and elite-level mic work, this group brings a main-event presence to AEW’s faction scene. MVP’s guidance, Shelton’s versatility, and Lashley’s aura of legitimacy have made the Hurt Syndicate one of the most intimidating and effective units in the company. Their promos feel real. Their presence feels earned. And their mission is clear: dominate, not entertain. That kind of intensity is rare, and it’s refreshing.
Tag Team Wrestling, Reignited
AEW made its name on tag team wrestling. Then, for a while, that fire dimmed. But in 2025, it’s burning bright again.
The Acclaimed are on the verge of a full-circle moment. After Billy Gunn’s absence and some scattered singles work, the slow reunion of Max Caster and Anthony Bowens feels natural, not forced. Their charisma never left. Their connection to the crowd remains unmatched.
Jurassic Express, if they reunite, will be doing so with more depth than ever. Jack Perry’s exile has created space for a redemption arc. Luchasaurus has finally stepped out of Christian Cage’s shadow and become a monster again. Bringing them back together could re-anchor the division emotionally.
FTR continues to be a standard-bearer for tag team wrestling in AEW. Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler represent not only technical excellence, but a respect for tradition that’s missing from most modern tag teams. Their presence, both in and out of the ring, continues to elevate the division.
And then there’s Jetspeed. Fast. Innovative. Sharp. They’ve raised the standard for what tag team wrestling in AEW should look like in 2025.
Veteran Presence and Leadership
AEW’s locker room isn’t just fueled by youthful ambition—it’s grounded by experienced leaders.
Adam Copeland has brought stability and perspective. His matches deliver, but it’s his backstage presence—mentorship, storytelling advice, leadership—that’s been invaluable. Likewise, Christian Cage continues to do some of the best character work of his entire career. His influence over Luchasaurus and Nick Wayne, and the way he’s weaponized “dad jokes” into one of AEW’s most compelling heel runs, shows how valuable long-term psychology still is in wrestling.
These aren’t nostalgia hires—they’re architects.
The Women’s Division: Finding Its Voice, and Keeping It
The AEW women’s division took its time to get going. Too much time, to be fair. But now, the foundation is set—and it’s strong.
Mercedes Moné is the anchor. Her name brings credibility. Her matches bring expectations. Her presence brings gravity.
Willow Nightingale might be the heart of the company. She’s pure energy, but also layered with vulnerability and toughness. Her feud with Julia Hart was one of AEW’s most emotionally grounded rivalries. Hart, Skye Blue, Kris Statlander, and Deonna Purrazzo have all carved out unique lanes. Add in the potential return of Thunder Rosa, and this division is no longer the weakest link—it’s part of the show’s core.
Hangman Page: AEW’s Most Underrated Story
No wrestler in AEW represents the emotional heartbeat of the promotion quite like Hangman Adam Page. His journey—from self-doubt and heartbreak to world champion and back to self-discovery—has been the most layered, nuanced story in modern wrestling.
In 2025, Hangman’s estrangement from The Elite has forced him to confront who he really is, away from titles and factions. Each promo feels personal. Every match carries emotional weight. His story is no longer about anxiety. It’s about redemption. Reflection. Recovery.
In a company full of rising stars and exciting newcomers, Hangman’s ongoing arc is a reminder that wrestling can still feel intimate—and deeply human.
AEW Isn’t WWE. And That’s the Point.
Fans comparing AEW to WWE are missing the plot. AEW was never trying to be WWE. It was built as a response to WWE. Built for the fans who love long matches, unpredictability, crowd connection, and wrestlers being themselves on the mic.
Smaller venues don’t mean failure—they mean intimacy. Loose segments aren’t sloppiness—they’re authenticity. AEW isn’t here to entertain in the polished, produced way WWE does. AEW exists to feel real.
Tony Khan has made mistakes. But he’s also stayed true to a core vision: let wrestlers wrestle. Let promos breathe. Let stories play out organically. Not everything lands. But when it does? It sticks.
The Current Roster Is as Strong as Ever
If you’re still judging AEW based on who left, you’re not paying attention to who’s still here—and thriving:
- MJF
- Swerve Strickland
- Will Ospreay
- Hangman Page
- Ricochet
- Kyle Fletcher
- Hook
- Jetspeed
- The Acclaimed
- FTR
- Mercedes Moné
- Willow Nightingale
- The Hurt Syndicate
- The Death Riders
- Adam Copeland
- Christian Cage
This is not a depleted roster. It’s a deep one.
Stop Watching the Rearview
AEW’s past built the foundation. The Cody years. The Punk era. The initial buzz. That all mattered. But the future—this current chapter—is what will define the company.
AEW isn’t coasting on nostalgia. It’s grinding toward something new. That’s harder. It’s less sexy. But it’s also more authentic. What you’re seeing now is a company that’s matured, adapted, and focused. And that deserves attention.
Because while WWE may be bigger and older, AEW is still alive in the way wrestling should be.
It’s time fans let go of the past.
Because AEW’s present?
It’s real. It’s compelling. It’s still elite.
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