AEW's main event story isn't quite working

All Elite Wrestling is kicking off the first episode of AEW Dynamite of 2025 with a big six-man match as the main event. Adam Copeland with FTR will take on the Death Riders. It’s the next step in the main feud as Jon Moxley and his crew attempt to mold AEW into their own image. The moment this match was announced at the end of AEW Worlds End, there was a reaction of raised eyebrows as to whether this was the right step to take and if this is another sign that the overall angle just isn’t working.

When Moxley put Bryan Danielson out to pasture at AEW WrestleDream, the angle kicked off with a distinct level of “fear” as the main idea. The booking direction did a great job of establishing Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Marina Shafir, PAC, and Wheeler Yuta as a dangerous group, dead set to decimate anyone who stood up to them. However, that momentum has widely faded as fans continue to question the “why” or wonder what this angle is leading to.

Moxley was initially hinting at a potential mastermind-like figure supporting his plans to overthrow AEW. That led to some thinking Shane McMahon would be involved, but that language has since been dropped.

There still hasn’t been a clear indication around what Moxley is looking to achieve. Who exactly is he looking to stamp out of AEW? Does holding the championship mean he’s “won?”

There are even more questions on the AEW side of the equation. Copeland and FTR are standing up as some big protectors of the promotion, but none of them represent the foundation of All Elite Wrestling. None of them are “AEW Originals” as one would say. So why are they so quick to stand up for the company?

AEW has done this a few times already, but building a big angle around the promotion being a main character doesn’t always have the impact as expected. In fact, none have truly captured the interest that existed during the NWO angle in WCW years ago. The stories that have the biggest impact are those that are structured around the characters. AEW has featured several successful examples, so why continue to lean on the idea that AEW as a company is the main character, is a question that needs to be worked out in the new year.

Jon Moxley is a vital performer to AEW’s success and he makes the best of every moment he’s given the ball. There’s work that needs to be done if this main event angle is going to be turned around because right now, it’s not working.