Live Coverage: AEW Worlds End Comes to the NOW Arena
Wrestling Inc. brings you comprehensive, live coverage of AEW Worlds End, held tonight at the NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. As the calendar closes on 2025, fans pack the arena for a show built around a high-stakes four-way AEW World Championship bout and the dramatic culmination of the Continental Classic. Here are the key moments and outcomes from an event that delivered drama, resilience, and big title implications before a global audience.
AEW World Championship: Four-Way Showdown
The main event featured a high-octane four-way for the AEW World Championship, a match type that raises the stakes and amplifies the drama. Samoa Joe, the reigning champion and a centerpiece of The Opps, entered with the weight of a long title reign and a dangerous combination of strength and precision. His challengers brought a mix of speed, power, and cunning, turning the bout into a chess match with near-falls and all-time-style counters.
From bell to bell, the action progressed with near-submissions, explosive strikes, and dramatic kickouts that had the crowd alternately on their feet and at the edge of their seats. The pace was relentless, with each wrestler meeting Joe with a bold gameplan designed to keep the title within reach. Joe demonstrated why he has remained a formidable force in the division, weathering bursts of offense and responding with pinpoint offense of his own that reminded fans why he’s considered one of the sport’s elite performers.
When the final sequence arrived, the arena’s energy surged as the contenders traded signature moves, countered finishers, and two-to-three-count near falls that kept the outcome uncertain until the last moment. In the end, Samoa Joe maintained the AEW World Championship in a hard-fought four-way victory, keeping the belt under The Opps’ banner and signaling that the champion’s run may stretch further into the new year. The outcome sparked immediate reactions on social media and left title challengers plotting fresh routes toward a rematch or alternate paths to gold.
Continental Classic: Semifinals and Finals
One of the night’s other major draws was the Continental Classic, which has evolved into a defining tournament for AEW’s mid-card and emerging main-event talent. The semifinals delivered a pair of battles that mixed technical wrestling with hard-hitting storytelling, producing moments of surprise and the undeniable sense that the next generation of top contenders is ready to escalate the company’s landscape.
Two standout performances advanced to the finals, with each semifinal telling a different tale—the first showcasing grit and endurance, the second highlighting speed and precision under pressure. The atmosphere inside the NOW Arena reflected the anticipation of a fresh face stepping into the spotlight or a seasoned veteran cementing their strategic advantage as the stakes climbed toward the finals.
The Continental Classic Finals arrived with a clean, decisive finish that crowned a new winner, setting up meaningful title opportunities and dynamic rivalries heading into 2026. The victor’s momentum is now a key storyline for AEW’s winter programming, as rivalries build toward future pay-per-views and television showcases. For fans, the finals provided a rewarding payoff—an underdog or breakout star stepping into a more prominent role while veterans in the mix reaffirm their relevance through strategic, in-ring excellence.
What It Means for AEW Going Forward
With Samoa Joe’s title defense successful and the Continental Classic producing a compelling new champion, Worlds End leaves AEW positioned for intriguing narratives as the calendar turns. The championship picture remains vibrant, with potential rematches, cross-promotional opportunities, and fresh rivalries that could define the company’s trajectory in 2026. Outside the title fray, the tournament’s winner enters a field ripe for immediate program-building, giving AEW a strong springboard to capitalize on momentum created by an exciting year-end event.
Fan Reactions and Takeaways
Fans left the venue with plenty to discuss—moments of resilience, surprise turnarounds, and the sense that the company is balancing established stars with rising talents. The blend of a world-title multi-man match and a high-stakes tournament final delivered the kind of drama that keeps audiences engaged and talking long after the lights go down.
Upcoming Schedule
AEW’s calendar for early 2026 is shaping up as a proving ground for new contenders and fresh feuds. Look for follow-up matches, rematches, and continued coverage as the company builds on the momentum from Worlds End and pushes toward its next major event.
