Tony Khan AEW title decision was at the center of this year’s Worlds End 2025, as MJF secured the All Elite Wrestling World Championship by pinning Samoa Joe instead of a leading star. According to veteran journalist Dave Meltzer, Khan purposely arranged for MJF not to defeat Hangman Adam Page directly for the title, maintaining the suspense and future possibilities within AEW’s championship storylines.
The outcome at Worlds End 2025 resulted from careful planning. While MJF captured the AEW World Title in a four-way match featuring Samoa Joe, Hangman Adam Page, and Swerve Strickland, it was Samoa Joe who took the fall. Notably, Hangman’s defeat to Samoa Joe at Full Gear 2025 had already set the stage, and speculation grew among fans regarding why Hangman dropped the title then if MJF was bound to become champion soon after.
Dave Meltzer commented on Wrestling Observer Radio that Tony Khan deliberately avoided having MJF defeat Hangman for the world championship, emphasizing instead that MJF claimed victory over Samoa Joe in the decisive moment. This approach allowed AEW to keep several major contenders—like Hangman, Swerve Strickland, and Jon Moxley—in the title conversation without suffering a loss to the new champion.
“Adam Page has 2 wins over MJF on PPV last year. They wanted to get the title on MJF without him beating Adam Page. Swerve didn’t get pinned and Adam Page didn’t get pinned and you have Moxley so they got challengers lined up for months.”
— Dave Meltzer, Wrestling Observer Radio
Next Steps for MJF’s Title Reign and Challenger Lineup
With MJF newly crowned as AEW World Champion, his first challenger has already emerged. On the latest episode of Dynamite, Bandido triumphed over Ricochet to capture the Dynamite Diamond Ring, earning a shot at the AEW World Championship. The upcoming match between MJF and Bandido is scheduled for Dynamite: Maximum Carnage on January 14, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona.
Besides his upcoming title defense, MJF has also been promoted for a featured segment on Dynamite: New Year’s Smash, where his next moves as champion may become clearer. The strategic booking ensures that main event contenders like Swerve, Hangman Adam Page, and Jon Moxley remain viable options for major matches in the months ahead.
The decision not to have Hangman take a pinfall protects AEW’s top stars, sustaining intrigue among the roster and maintaining strong interest in the championship scene. As the storyline progresses, fans can anticipate compelling matchups and new challengers vying for AEW’s most prestigious title.
"Adam Page has 2 wins over MJF on PPV last year. They wanted to get the title on MJF without him beating Adam Page. Swerve didn't get pinned and Adam Page didn't get pinned and you have Moxley so they got challengers lined up for months."
– Dave Meltzerhttps://t.co/xev9rndkxR pic.twitter.com/BVY9cIGE4V
— Wrestling Observer (@WONF4W) December 28, 2025
