The December 31 episode of AEW Dynamite will serve as the final episode of the company’s programming for 2025.
Coming off the heels of AEW Worlds End 2025, there could be some notable surprises in the form of stars making their return on the New Year’s Smash special.
To put a bow on the year, these returns should cause some ripple effects throughout the entire company moving forward into 2026.
Here are eight potential returns on the final AEW Dynamite of 2025.
8. Ortiz
On the AEW Worlds End 2025 Zero Hour, Eddie Kingston defeated Zack Gibson in singles competition.
Post match, the Grizzled Young Veterans jumped Kingston in a two-on-one beatdown until Ortiz made his return to make the save.
Now that he is back for the first time since early 2024, Ortiz should get some shine on AEW television.
Ortiz showing up on the final AEW Dynamite of 2025 will set up his direction alongside “The Mad King” as a new duo for the tag team division heading into 2026.
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7. Adam Copeland & Christian Cage
At AEW All Out 2025, Adam Copeland and Christian Cage defeated FTR. Post match, Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler attacked and laid out Christian, as well as Adam’s wife Beth Copeland, while “The Rated R Superstar” was handcuffed to the ropes and forced to watch.
This has led to the legendary duo being sidelined and away from AEW television for the rest of 2025.
Since then, FTR has captured the AEW World Tag Team Championships after defeating Brodido back at Full Gear 2025.
With one more episode of AEW Dynamite this year, Copeland and Christian could choose to make their return and confront FTR to set up a big time title match to come in 2026.
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6. Andrade El Idolo
After being released from WWE in September 2025, Andrade El Idolo made his return to All Elite Wrestling on the AEW Dynamite: Sixth Anniversary just a few weeks later.
This led to WWE sending a cease and desist to prevent Andrade from appearing back on AEW TV, with a one-year non-compete clause said to be in place.
However, recent reports revealed that El Idolo is now free from that clause and is eligible to sign wherever he would like to.
Andrade El Idolo returning at AEW Dynamite: New Year’s Smash could see him reigniting his rivalry with Kenny Omega following his attack upon his surprise appearance back in October.
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5. Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D.
Back in November 2024, Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D. vanished from AEW television.
After being sidelined for over a year, Baker could be a huge surprise return for the New Year’s Smash special of AEW Dynamite.
Considering how much has changed for the company in the past 14 months, the former AEW Women’s World Champion making her return would be very interesting to see the new dynamics at play.
Whether it be reigniting her rivalry with Mercedes Moné and Timeless Toni Storm or staking a claim for championship gold, Baker could be a wonderful addition that brings a different feel than any other character featured in the AEW women’s division right now.
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4. Private Party (Isiah Kassidy & Marq Quen)
Another pair of AEW originals who have been away from the company for quite some time are Private Party.
Back in January 2025, Private Party lost the AEW World Tag Team Championships to Hurt Syndicate’s Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin.
Since losing the gold, Isiah Kassidy and Marq Quen have been absent from AEW programming with no signs of their return.
Despite reported interest from WWE, AEW would be wise to attempt to bring back Private Party to add to the mix of the tag team scene starting with a return at New Year’s Smash.
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3. Keith Lee
Ahead of AEW Worlds End in December 2023, Keith Lee was pulled from the card for the pay-per-view and has not been seen on the company’s television since then.
“The Limitless One” was viewed as a key free agent signing when she first joined the AEW roster back in 2022.
However, Lee being out for two years has affected how people view his future in the wrestling industry overall.
After revealing that he is healthy and ready to return on social media several months ago, Keith Lee could come back to become a major player for the company coming up in the new year.
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2. Kamille
Kamille is yet another AEW star who has been away from the company’s television for over a year now.
Signing with All Elite Wrestling in 2024, Kamille would eventually debut in July and quickly aligned herself with Mercedes Mone.
However, this partnership was short-lived with Mone firing Kamille as her bodyguard and the former NWA Women’s World Champion being written off of the company’s programming.
The AEW Dynamite: New Year’s Smash special could see the promotion bringing Kamille back to finally be presented as a solo star and introduce a dominant force to the women’s scene.
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1. Thunder Rosa
Following AEW All In: Texas 2025, it was revealed that Thunder Rosa would be away from the company’s programming to recover from some lingering injuries.
The former AEW Women’s World Champion has long been one of the most popular stars in the company and could be an added boost for the women’s division right now.
Considering the promotion recently introduced AEW Women’s World Tag Team Championships, it would make sense to bring back Rosa to add some depth to the scene.
Rosa returning at New Year’s Smash could present her with some new opportunities to get back in the mix for the AEW women’s scene and potentially position herself back in the title picture.
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