Top 10 AEW Wrestlers Who Defined 2025
AEW's Best from 2025
10. Samoa Joe
Samoa Joe continued to defy time in 2025, proving that experience and presence still matter in modern wrestling. As the driving force behind The Opps alongside Katsuyori Shibata, Powerhouse Hobbs, and HOOK, Joe helped turn the faction into a dominant force. The group thrived both as intimidating fan favorites and later as a ruthless heel unit, carrying the AEW World Trios Championship division. Joe also made waves in singles competition, executing a heel turn that led to his second AEW World Championship reign. His promos remained sharp, his aura unmatched, and his in-ring work stayed well above expectations for a veteran at this stage of his career.
9. Jon Moxley
Jon Moxley’s 2025 was uneven early on, with a sluggish start that failed to inspire much momentum. However, the back half of the year completely changed the narrative. Once he dropped the AEW World Championship, Moxley leaned into a layered character arc centered on loss of control and declining confidence. That shift resulted in some of his most compelling storytelling to date. He tapped out in major matches, showed visible fear and frustration, and became increasingly desperate. Alongside that character evolution, his in-ring performances soared, producing standout matches against Adam Page, Darby Allin, Mike Bailey, Roderick Strong, Daniel Garcia, and Kyle O’Reilly. By year’s end, Moxley had become a crucial pillar of AEW’s men’s division.
8. The Young Bucks
The Young Bucks returned partway through 2025 following a lengthy hiatus and quickly re-established themselves as one of AEW’s most reliable acts. Their heel “broke Bucks” personas added a comedic edge to their presentation, resulting in some of the funniest segments on AEW television all year. In the ring, Matt and Nick Jackson delivered at their usual elite standard. They consistently produced strong matches against teams and pairings like JetSpeed, Brodido, The Don Callis Family, Jurassic Express, and combinations involving Will Ospreay and Swerve Strickland. Their blend of humor, experience, and match quality made 2025 one of their strongest years in recent memory.
7. Toni Storm
Toni Storm remained a cornerstone of AEW’s women’s division throughout 2025. Holding the AEW Women’s World Championship for much of the year, she brought consistency and credibility to the title while helping elevate nearly every opponent she faced. Storm was involved in several standout matches, including high-profile bouts against Mariah May, Mercedes Moné, Megan Bayne, and Kris Statlander. Her feud with May, in particular, stood out as the best women’s rivalry of the year. Alongside her in-ring work, Storm’s character continued to evolve, remaining one of the most entertaining and distinct personas in all of professional wrestling.
6. Mark Briscoe
Mark Briscoe’s 2025 run was defined by heart, resilience, and crowd connection. Few wrestlers embodied the underdog spirit as naturally as Briscoe, and fans rallied behind him throughout the year. His journey included intense feuds against Ricochet, MJF, and Kyle Fletcher, all delivered back-to-back in a demanding stretch that showcased his toughness. That momentum ultimately led to Briscoe capturing the TNT Championship, a moment that felt fully earned. His work against MJF and later involvement with The Death Riders further proved his versatility. By the end of 2025, Briscoe looked like a believable future AEW World Championship contender heading into 2026.
5. Willow Nightingale
No one in AEW’s women’s division was more consistently beloved by crowds in 2025 than Willow Nightingale. Her infectious energy and growing confidence translated into major opportunities, particularly during her involvement with The Death Riders storyline over the summer. Willow shined in mixed tag team matches and delivered a standout performance at Double Or Nothing during Anarchy in the Arena, where she more than held her own in chaos-heavy conditions. She carried that momentum into the women’s tag division, becoming one half of the inaugural AEW Women’s World Tag Team Champions alongside Harley Cameron. Her rise felt organic and well-earned.
4. “Hangman” Adam Page
Adam Page entered 2025 consumed by anger and bitterness, but through careful storytelling, he once again evolved into AEW’s top babyface. His internal struggle, combined with his refusal to back down from The Death Riders, created one of the promotion’s most compelling arcs of the year. That journey culminated at All In, where Page captured the AEW World Championship, solidifying his return to the top of the company. Between the ropes, Page remained in peak form, delivering high-quality matches while anchoring AEW’s main event scene with authenticity and emotional depth.
3. Kyle Fletcher
Kyle Fletcher’s 2025 firmly established him as more than just a rising prospect. His growth in character presentation, confidence on the microphone, and overall polish transformed him into a legitimate top-tier performer. As TNT Champion, Fletcher delivered consistently strong defenses and standout matches, particularly during feuds with Adam Page and Mark Briscoe. His in-ring performances matched his improved presence, making it clear that Fletcher is not a star of the future — he is already a key part of AEW’s present and immediate future.
2. Mercedes Moné
Mercedes Moné spent 2025 proving her critics wrong through sheer output and performance quality. Holding the TBS Championship throughout the entire year, she also competed globally, collecting up to 13 championships across various promotions. Her in-ring work remained elite, with standout matches against Toni Storm, Alex Windsor, Athena, Kris Statlander, Red Velvet, Persephone, and Jamie Hayter, among others. Despite persistent criticism, Moné consistently delivered at a high level, making her one of AEW’s most valuable and productive performers of the year.
1. Bandido
No wrestler matched Bandido’s level of consistency and excellence in 2025. Holding the ROH World Championship while also reigning as AEW World Tag Team Champion alongside Brody King, Bandido produced match-of-the-year contenders across both singles and tag team competition. His athleticism, creativity, and ability to connect with audiences made him stand out in every setting. Whether defending titles or stealing the show on major cards, Bandido cemented himself as AEW’s top performer of the year — and arguably the best wrestler in the world in 2025.
