Backstage Note on Tonight’s AEW Dynamite New Year’s Smash Episode

AEW is going all-in on the final Dynamite of 2025, and despite airing on New Year’s Eve, the company wants fans to know this episode is anything but filler.

According to Fightful Select, AEW has made it clear that tonight’s New Year’s Smash special is being treated as a major episode, even if it falls on December 31.

“It was clarified to us that tonight would not be a ‘throwaway’ Dynamite just because it’s New Year’s Eve,” Fightful reported.

That backstage note comes as no surprise, given how stacked the lineup is coming off the fallout of Worlds End. With championship matches, a huge eliminator bout, and the return of AEW World Champion MJF, tonight’s show is shaping up to be a must-see close to 2025.

Here’s what fans can expect:

• AEW World Champion MJF appears live after regaining the title in a huge four-way at Worlds End.
• TBS Championship Match: Mercedes Moné defends against Willow Nightingale in a grudge rematch.
• AEW National Championship: Ricochet puts the title on the line against Jack Perry.
• AEW Continental Eliminator Match: Jon Moxley faces Josh Alexander, where a 20-minute time-limit draw or a win gets Alexander a future title shot.

AEW clearly isn’t phoning it in just because the calendar’s turning. Instead, they’re giving fans one more loaded card before heading into 2026.

AEW Dynamite airs at 8 PM ET on TBS and streams on MAX. The event takes place live from Liberty First Credit Union Arena in Omaha, Nebraska.

As a reminder, Ringside News will be providing live play-by-play coverage of tonight’s show over in our AEW Dynamite coverage hub. Also keep checking back with Ringside News for more updates, because there could be several before the big show.

Do you think AEW is doing the right thing by going big on New Year’s Eve? What match are you most hyped for? Drop your predictions and reactions in the comment!