There are so many ways and levels to breaking out. There are stages, like rungs on a ladder or tiers on a cake. Different metaphorical glass ceilings to shatter.
Other types of metallic rings hang from the rafters at different heights. All deserve some appreciation.
Whether you care about the long-term marathon or just about the sprint that will be the next twelve months, plenty in the AEW locker room seems primed and ready to make the most of 2025.
So, like when I looked at a range of overlooked wrestlers in 2024,
I’m going to take a broad look at who in 2025 will break away from the pack. Let’s consider who will rise to the next tier in various divisions, card positions, and spots. I’ve likely missed a few, so tell me who in the comments.
Breakout Faction – Bang Bang Gang
When Bullet Club Gold formed, it seemed like another splinter group of a faction past its prime. I still remember voices saying Jay White was dead on arrival. At the time, Juice Robinson was a bland jobber to the stars. But over time, Robinson’s scenery-chewing persona bubbled and erupted onto Collision.
Likewise, The Gunns, who still do not get enough credit for their development, added their own brand of loud and obnoxious energy to the mix.
It worked. As a collective before All In last year, the group clicked. Solo, Jay White continues to go strong. Sooner or later, when reunited with his faction mates and they raise their guns together, the group has the potential to dominate.
As foils to The Death Riders, the group’s fun-soaked energy and complimentary characters could make them front-runners to take the AEW trios championships (as I predicted last year).
Collectively, their chemistry and ability to engage the crowd as faces could, if harnessed well, recreate the level of fan engagement that The Acclaimed mastered in 2022.
Midcard – The Acclaimed (Split)
As an act in 2024, The Acclaimed is a useful example of something AEW could learn from in 2025: cut bait and end a storyline/team when fans stop caring. However, the current teased split has ignited interest in both men’s futures.
Like a lot of fans, I soured on Max Caster in 2024. His raps and disses became mundane. His trolling/Edgelord social media behavior is off-putting.
But, yo, listen… As a character, Caster has the potential to be a truly despicable heel. Something AEW is lacking.
Especially, as a deluded one who continues to proclaim himself “the best wrestler alive” despite being squashed. Already, teases with The Hurt Business and a similar character adopted by Ricochet provide varied potential avenues for Caster.
Solo, tag-teaming, faction member, or a combination of all the above as the year goes on, there’s potential for Caster to become renewed and fresh again.
As for the five-tool player, fans have been looking forward to Anthony Bowens standing by himself. The current Hurt Business tie-in could see Bowens become a member and turn heel.
Or his natural fire and energy could see Bowens become a beloved midcard act. Like Caster, there are so many options.
Both men will have room in early 2025 to see what they can do.
Tag Team – The Outrunners
Not long ago, The Young Bucks in an interview revealed their pitch for a shock title loss last year via a squash match to The Outrunners.
It didn’t happen, dampening my and others’ hopes for The Outrunners to dethrone The Young Bucks. However, given the slow-burn attention the 80s tandem has received over the past few months, it suggests plans are in the works.
The Outrunners are running hot. That is despite a shaky win-and-loss record at the end of 2024 and being beaten down by The Death Riders at the end of the 1st Collision of the year.
Yet to focus on that would ignore the jet-ski-loving duos’ increasing presence, the care taken with their retro presentation, and how fans are loving and engaging with the team.
AEW loves a slow-burn build. The payoffs are often worth it. I know that and others want a teased feud with FTR to provide a breakthrough moment. Either way, 2025 will be a banner year for the masters of the meat spin.
Women’s Division – Queen Aminata
Queen Aminata stood out last year throughout her sporadic appearances on AEW programming while continuing to refine her craft on ROH.
The first-ever African-born woman to sign with a major wrestling company had a year comparable to Willow Nightingale’s 2023.
Like Nightingale, Aminata was positioned against the big players of the women’s division to take losses, while getting herself over with her hard-hitting offense. Memorable moments were seeded. This foundation set Nightingale up for 2024 to be her breakout year.
Aminata’s breakout may happen on ROH rather than AEW depending on whether AEW increases the spotlight on its women’s division. Regardless, Aminata is likely, wherever she is given the chance, to break out. You can learn more about Aminata in Chinyere Okafor’s profile here.
Wildcards
As stated, there’s potential for so many breakouts. Some will be unexpected. Here are my picks for two men and women who could surprise everyone.
Tay Melo’s return at Stardom’s New Year’s Dream saw the Brazilian impress. After almost two years out of the ring where Melo has prioritized raising her daughter, Melo didn’t look out of place.
If Melo returns full or part-time to AEW or ROH she will force her way back into conversation.
When Private Party’s AEW World Tag Team Championship reign ends, Isiah Kassidy before Marq Quen has the experience to break through first. Always Kassidy has surprised me. During the Pandemic, Kassidy’s match against Chris Jericho got over the idea Kassidy could be a future singles star.
I was not a fan of Brother Zay with Matt Hardy. However, I’d be lying if Kassidy’s array of strange noises didn’t pop me. There’s confidence in the microphone and in-ring that could help connect the crowd with this high-flyer in the long term.
Into the Main Event – Darby Allin
Revisiting the idea of a slow build, there is a risk of waiting too long with Darby Allin. There are risks with The Death Riders storyline stagnating—also the possibility of AEW’s love of foreshadowing the AEW World Championship lineage resulting in diminishing returns.
Something I discussed with What if Jon Moxley Lost the AEW World Championship at Worlds End?
Yet each time I worry about how long until the pay-off, Darby’s performance makes me trust the process. Each performance on the road brings out more in him.
Being cheated by Claudio Castagnoli allows Allin to steal a huge victory over Will Ospreay in the best TV match of the year. The pieces are falling into place. Allin remains the perfect individual to stop The Death Riders.
2025 could be the year Allin plants his flag on AEW and Everest.
More From LWOS Pro Wrestling
Header photo – AEW – Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world. As well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world. You can catch AEW Dynamite on Wednesday nights at 8 PM ET on TBS. AEW Rampage airs on TNT at 10 PM EST every Friday night. AEW Collision airs Saturday at 8pm Eastern on TNT. More AEW content available on their YouTube.
