All Elite Wrestling presents its signature winter show Revolution this Sunday at The Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California (this is the Staples Center for those who remember). AEW has been red hot with their television programming thanks to Tony Khan’s new attitude towards creative and the push of younger talent.
In the first AEW predictions panel of 2025, Pop Break’s Editor-in-Chief is joined by the longest tenured Pop Break senior writer Michael Dworkis — who also reviews AEW Dynamite on a weekly basis.
AEW World Title Match: Jon Moxley © vs. “The Rated R Superstar” Cope
Mike’s Thoughts: I believe like many, feel the Death Riders have run its course and should ride off into the sunset. At first I thought this turn for moxley’s character was interesting about trying to toughen up the company, but after a while the promos fell flat, repetitive and nothing ever felt as though it was progressing. With Cope as challenger, they have presented a believable scenario where he could defeat Moxley. One could offer the criticism that once again an “old guy” has to hold the AEW Championship. There are too many factors at play, Jay White, Christian Cage, and I imagine all members of the Death Riders will return. It could come down to a chaotic brawl and in the fray the inevitable happens. All because I want a certain New Yorker to come back and be the hero AEW deserves.
Prediction: Moxley retains
Bill’s Thoughts: This is the hardest match to predict and it has the most to overcome. This build has been a tumultuous one that has finally course corrected (although likely a bit too late). There’s also matches throughout the card that have more juice and heat behind it and will likely be more violent (see Storm/May, Fletcher/Ospreay, Swerve/Ricochet), so from a match perspective it’s gonna be tough to present something different. I have a feeling they’ll try really hard to make this stand out and it’ll be a bit over-stuffed.
Prediction-wise, common sense says Moxley retains here as Cope has gone through all of The Deathriders looking like an absolute destroyer. There are theories out there that Christian Cage will immediately cash in on the winner of this match and be the new champion. Don’t love that option. So, here’s what’s should happen — we have Mox retain and then either Swerve or Ospreay goes for the belt and ultimately winning at Double or Nothing.
Prediction: Moxley retains
AEW Women’s World Title Match — Hollywood Ending Match: “Timeless” Toni Storm © vs. Mariah May
Mike’s Thoughts: Holy Primus of Cybertron. I really never want these two to stop feuding. never, ever, ever. The promos have been to near perfection. they’re wrestling matches have been one Broadway show after another. The constant character Evolution for both women has been nothing like I’ve seen in years. Toni Storm might have developed the best female wrestling character in history. Mariah May is right there with her, slowly devolving into her stage puppet. I never want this to end, but I believe at evolution the curtain will finally fall.
Prediction: “And Still…” Toni Storm
Bill’s Thoughts: The smart move would have this main event and Mox/Cope open the show. First, because this has the better story. Second, this will not suffer from the other blood feuds. This is the best storyline AEW has done. Period. Both these women have gone on such a journey. They work wonderfully together and this will be one for the absolutel ages.
Prediction: “And Still…” Toni Storm
AEW World Tag Title Match: The Hurt Syndicate (Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin) © vs. “The Youngest Men Alive” The Outrunners
Mike’s Thoughts: I recall fondly as my father took me to the Brendan Byrne Arena back in the eighties and I first got a glimpse of The Outrunners. They were taking on Buddy Rose and Doug Summers, and at another show, I believe they squared off against The Fabulous Ones to a time limit draw. Truth Magnum and Turbo Floyd have worked really hard to earn this championship opportunity. However, they’re going up against two extremely tough guys. Bobby Lashley is immensely powerful and an intimidating figure. Shelton Benjamin, is the underrated and under-appreciated workhorse of professional wrestling. I sing his praises every time he’s featured on television, and this will be no different. This is a guy who could be world champion material. He tells his story in the ring like many technical greats before him such as Dean Malenko, Eddie Guerrero, aren’t Anderson, and Curt Hennig.
Prediction: The Hurt Syndicate (but I want to be wrong)
Bill’s Thoughts: I love The Outrunners, but unless The Murder Machines distract The Hurt Syndicate, there’s no way “The Youngest Men Alive” win the gold … and let’s face it, they probably shouldn’t win here. The distraction finish would be “just desserts” for The Hurt Syndicate, but it’d also be kind of a lame result. The Hurt Syndicate should be a dominant force and look strong. People are really into them, and they should continue the momentum they have, and that this tag division needs.
Prediction: The Hurt Syndicate
Hangman Adam Page vs. Maxwell Jacob Friedman
Mike’s Thoughts: Remember the bloodbath between Swerve and Hangman? This is going to be right up there, potentially to be a match of the year candidate. The build for this has been phenomenal, I love the storytelling. MJF, the venomous heel complaining how the millennial cowboy got a free pass despite all the Sinister and evil acts he has committed in the past year. Page Week after week warrants Friedman not to continue to antagonize the fiery monster from within. Hangman has always been good in a wrestling match, a brawl, and an all-out fight. MJF promises that he will revert to his old tricks and multiply it exponentially. We nearly saw it on Dynamite so I have an uneasy feeling this one may end in fire both figuratively and literally. I don’t see this being a one and done, and I imagine this feud will continue.
Prediction: MJF
Bill’s Thoughts: Hot take. There will be no winner in this match. This will go to a Double DQ or a no-contest. These two are going to be uncontrollable and they will need to continue this feud and end it in the only way it can — Texas. Death. Of course, this will take place at Double or Nothing.
Prediction: No-Contest
Winner Becomes #1 Contender for the AEW World Title: Swerve Strickland w/Prince Nana vs. Ricochet
Mike’s Thoughts: Another match which could get bloody. I imagine the scissors will get involved somehow and New Jack will be smiling down on the ring. Ricochet’s character transformation has been and will continue to be talked about — going from cocky baby face to arrogant heel seemed like a natural progression. Swerve, normally controls his anger and unleashes it on his terms seems to have lost the ability to do so. There’s a lot riding on the line and while I do have a prediction this one is too close to call. Win or lose both wrestlers are going to continue main eventing.
Prediction: Swerve Strickland
Bill’s Thoughts: This is not a slam dunk…at all. Prince Nana giving Swerve an ultimatum (can’t rule a turn from him). Ricochet’s white hot heel run. The looming specter of Samantha Irvin coming in to help her dude out. Ricochet has a real shot at winning this match. The sticking point here is the #1 Contendership. Ricochet vs. Mox (if he retains) doesn’t work. Even Cope vs. Ricochet wouldn’t be the best program. It might work, but something doesn’t sit right there. So, I think this goes to Swerve. He and Mox going for the title will be tremendous business.
Prediction: Swerve Strickland
TBS Title Match: “The CEO” Mercedes Mone © vs. Momo Watanabe
Mike’s Thoughts: This will be a great match, for those who have not seen Watanabe will be blown away on Sunday. Unfortunately, being branded as a TBS championship match, so the prediction becomes an easy one. Had they gone with a RevPro or NJPW championship my prediction would have been different. It also seems that Billie Starkz might get involved somehow.
Prediction: “And Still…” Mercedes Mone
Bill’s Thoughts: Sleeper Match of the Evening. Momo’s lack of mainstream recognition will likely be changed once the match ends. Mone has been on a tear with this title and has been delivering in the ring at a level we have not seen from her since pre-injury. This match is likely going to serve as a bridge for a Mone vs. Billie Starkz match which will eventually leads to Mercedes vs. Athena.
Prediction: “And Still…” Mercedes Mone
International Title Match: “The Alpha” Konosuke Takeshita vs. Kenny Omega
Mike’s Thoughts: It seems as though Revolution 2025 may host a lot of potential match of the year candidates and this is at the top of the list. The feud has been brewing for a year since Kenny was put on the shelf. Takeshita’s rise not only in AEW but through all of professional wrestling has truly been meteoric. He is going to be a megastar wherever he goes. Predicting a winner is very difficult. Kenny is established and doesn’t need Windsor losses at this point in his career. Takeshita, however, would benefit from another solid victory over Omega and retain the championship. I wonder what would happen if the championship does change hands, what would be next for The Alpha?
Prediction: “And New…” Kenny Omega
Bill’s Thoughts: This one is going to be an all-timer. These two have had two matches that were no less than classics, so this rubber match should be the stuff of legend. Takeshita winning here would be the final nail in the coffin for this rivalry, which is not what’s needed. He does need the win here. He’s been back for only a month or so, and he needs a signature victory. Takeshita on the other hand has had those big Ws and I think a loss here allows him to head back to New Japan for a run. Also, Kenny winning will lead to something from the next match.
Prediction: “And New…” Kenny Omega
Continental Title Match: “The Rainmaker” Kazuchika Okada vs. Brody King
Mike’s Thoughts: Okada and Buddy Matthews had an incredible match. Okada having a match with big bad Brody King could be equally as incredible or surpass it. Brody King has been hugely over with fans for a long time now and it would be a damn shame if he didn’t come away with the gold at revolution. I’m going to put potential rumors aside for this as I would hope AEW does something shocking. It just seems silly to have two men with incredible potential be pushed on television to go off on their own yet come away empty-handed when big opportunities are presented. Give the fans what they want!
Prediction: “And NEW…” Brody King
Bill’s Thoughts: As a longtime Brody King fan, it’d be awesome for him to the win title. However, I believe AEW is going to consolidate the Continental and International Titles … so we’re finally going to get Omega vs. Okada in AEW … at All In Texas.
Prediction: “And Still…” Okada
Zero Hour Match:
Johnny TV & MxM Collection vs. Big Boom AJ, Orange Cassidy & Mark Briscoe
Mike’s Thoughts: This will be a fun opener for those who tune in and for the fans who get to the arena early. I’m not expecting anything more than some comedy spots and some fun wrestling action. Although come to think of it I wouldn’t mind seeing Gabe Kidd make a surprise appearance to confront Mark Briscoe.
Prediction: AJ, OC, and Mark Briscoe
Johnny TV & MxM Collection vs. Big Boom AJ, Orange Cassidy & Mark Briscoe
Bill’s Thoughts: This match is designed for two reasons. First, getting Big Boom AJ on the show as he’s a terrific promotion machine for AEW. Second, it’s to set up the impending invasion of The War Dogs (Gabe Kidd, Clark Connors … maybe David Finlay and Drilla Moloney too). What better way to do it than having them beat the hell out of three very over babyfaces. Oh, and a good reason for Eddie Kingston to return.
Prediction: AJ, OC, and Mark Briscoe
