Tony Khan AEW Worlds End saw major moments light up the Now Arena in Illinois, including MJF’s triumph as the new AEW World Champion, but several controversial booking decisions have left fans and insiders questioning Khan’s strategic direction for All Elite Wrestling. As the smoke clears from the high-profile event, significant missteps are becoming focal points in ongoing discussions about the company’s future and its top talents.
AEW Worlds End Delivers Big Matches but Not Without Controversy
Worlds End 2025 was loaded with 13 action-packed matches spanning the main card and its Zero Hour pre-show, featuring wrestling stars ranging from Jon Moxley and Kazuchika Okada to up-and-comers like Kyle Fletcher and Swerve Strickland. Kris Statlander managed to hold onto her AEW Women’s World Championship after a heated battle with Jamie Hayter, adding to the night’s highlights. Despite these successes, concern has grown among fans and wrestlers alike over certain outcomes orchestrated by Tony Khan, with many worried that these choices might weaken AEW’s long-term storylines and undermine some of its premier talent.
Three Major Mistakes That Clouded AEW Worlds End 2025
While Worlds End 2025 brought excitement and buzz, three particular decisions by Tony Khan have sparked the most debate and criticism from within the AEW locker room and across the fanbase.
The Downfall of Death Riders’ Momentum
One of the most talked-about controversies of the night occurred when The Conglomeration, teaming up with Toni Storm and Roderick Strong, secured a win over the Death Riders. Despite a strong performance from all involved, the Death Riders took another tough loss, continuing a string of defeats that have dented their standing within AEW. This setback has hit the group’s credibility, as being brought down by a unit of unlikely allies weakens the intimidating image the Death Riders once projected.
The timing couldn’t have been worse for the Death Riders, who entered Worlds End during a crucial period. Their continued losses not only challenge the group’s future but also raise questions about Tony Khan’s booking strategy. Many within the wrestling world believe that maintaining the Death Riders’ winning momentum would have been a smarter move, setting them up for a stronger launch into 2026 and preserving the stable’s edge in the company’s narrative structure.
Crowning Jon Moxley as Continental Champion Draws Backlash
In a moment that generated significant fan buzz, Jon Moxley defeated Kazuchika Okada during the Continental Classic finals, securing the Continental Champion title. The win was celebrated, especially by Moxley’s supporters, but has come under scrutiny for its broader implications. Moxley, who had already established himself as a dominant heel and enjoyed considerable time as World Champion earlier in the year, did not need another title win to maintain relevance.
Rather than freshening up storylines, this booking choice is believed to have complicated ongoing narratives around the Death Riders, with Moxley’s victory nudging his character towards a subtle babyface turn. Fans and commentators have noted that AEW had been teasing the group’s internal collapse for some time, and giving Moxley this win has delayed an inevitable split, muddying faction dynamics in the short-term. With so many up-and-coming stars in need of breakout moments, many see this as a wasted opportunity to elevate new talent or propel the Death Riders’ storyline to a dramatic peak.
The Setback for Kyle Fletcher’s Ascension
One of the more puzzling missteps came during the Continental Classic semifinals, where Kyle Fletcher fell to Jon Moxley. Fletcher, entering Worlds End 2025 with impressive recent performances, seemed primed for a major push in AEW’s hierarchy. His earlier loss of the AEW TNT Championship to Mark Briscoe at Full Gear had raised expectations for a comeback or significant win to reestablish his trajectory. However, dropping another key match against a former World Champion halted his momentum and cast uncertainty on his creative direction within the company.
Particularly troubling for observers was that AEW Worlds End was positioned as the event to set the tone for 2026’s booking plan. By denying Fletcher a high-profile victory or even a finals appearance in the C2, the promotion limited his potential as a rising star in the mid-card scene. Observers believe that awarding Fletcher the Continental Championship would have not only boosted his status but also diversified the title landscape, instead of placing another accolade around Moxley’s waist.
Implications for AEW and What the Future Holds
As fallout from Tony Khan AEW Worlds End decisions continues to ripple throughout the wrestling community, the focus now shifts to how AEW will course-correct in 2026. Key figures such as Jon Moxley, Death Riders, Kyle Fletcher, and Toni Storm remain in the spotlight, but their stories have been complicated by these booking calls. The coming months will demonstrate whether Khan can balance fan expectations, talent development, and coherent storytelling to keep AEW competitive and compelling in a crowded wrestling landscape.
The winner of the 2025 #AEWContinentalClassic and NEW AEW Continental Champion @JonMoxley shares his passion with the world!
Watch #AEWWorldsEnd on HBO Max PPV pic.twitter.com/gKEmQTeY8J
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) December 28, 2025
