AEW World's End 2024 Predictions: Wardlow and Omega return

AEW will attempt to close 2024 on a high note with its second annual World's End pay-per-view on Saturday in Orlando, Florida. 2024 has been a mixed bag for the promotion, as they continue to battle declining television ratings and live attendance for their television programs.

On the other hand, 2024 has also been a huge success for the company. All Elite Wrestling scored a massive win when they signed a new television deal that ensures the promotion's financial well-being for the foreseeable future. With its financial future now secure, AEW needs to focus on creating compelling television that will get people talking and bring as many eyes as possible back onto the product. And a strong AEW World's End show would be an important step in the right direction.

Adam Cole vs MJF for the Dynamite Diamond Ring

The long-running feud between MJF and Adam Cole should finally conclude on Saturday when they do battle for the Dynamite Diamond Ring.

Adam Cole is heading into this contest very confident as he announced that Tony Khan had permitted him to have Matt Taven and Mike Bennett ringside with him. This means we will likely see Taven and Bennett turn on Cole, allowing MJF to retain his precious diamond ring.

However, a much more interesting scenario would be Wardlow returning and taking out Taven and Bennett allowing MJF to win the match. There was a time that Wardlow was insanely over with the fans and his return and reunion with MJF would create something that AEW currently needs more of, interesting storylines. Winner: MJF

Kyle Fletcher vs Will Ospreay in Semifinal Number One of the Continental Classic

Former best friends will lock horns again on Saturday night, this time with a trip to the Finals of the Continental Classic on the line as Will Ospreay and Kyle Fletcher go one-on-one. Ospreay and Fletcher had an outstanding match several weeks ago at Full Gear, however, a lot has changed for both competitors since then.

This match is a tale of two people with very different levels of momentum. Fletcher has been on a roll since defeating Ospreay clean at Full Gear. Meanwhile, in addition to the recent loss to Kyle Fletcher, Ospreay has also dropped matches to both Ricochet and Darby Allin in recent weeks.

This match could go either way. Will Ospreay is the best wrestler in the world and Kyle Fletcher is in the middle of a gigantic push. Let's give the nod to Ospreay in this one as a Continental Classic Finals matchup with Kazuchika Okada feels like the most exciting final of the four possibilities. Winner: Will Ospreay

Ricochet vs Kazuchika Okada in Semifinal Two of the Continental Classic

The second Continental Classic Semifinal pits Richochet against Kazuchika Okada. This match is much less intriguing than the Ospreay/Fletcher tilt and should be relatively predictable.

While Ricochet has started to gain some momentum in recent weeks, Okada is the defending Continental Champion. To have a final in this tournament without the defending champion just does not feel right. Not to mention that Ospreay and Okada just has a big match feel that no longer applies to Ospreay versus Ricochet due to them sharing a ring so often recently. Winner: Kazuchika Okada

Thunder Rosa vs Mariah May in a Tijuana Street Fight for the AEW Women's World Championship

If there has been one constant in the AEW Women's division over the past five years it has been that the women always put on a show in any sort of street fight. The next installment of this style of match will take place at AEW World's End when Mariah May defends her AEW Women's Title against Thunder Rosa in a Tijuana Street fight.

Since winning the AEW Women's Title from Toni Storm at AEW All In, Mariah May's title run has fallen a bit flat. Mariah has had some fun matches, but other than a title defense against Mina Shirakawa, May's run has been devoid of anything resembling a well-told story.

There is no reason for May to drop the AEW Women's Title here. The best thing for the women's division right now is to keep the title on Mariah May and then get her into a proper program with whoever her next challenger is, building up for an eventual rematch with Toni Storm. Winner: Mariah May

Powerhouse Hobbs vs Konosuke Takeshita for the International Title

Powerhouse Hobbs continues his onslaught on the Don Callis Family when he attempts to wrestle away the AEW International Title from former stablemate, Konosuke Takeshita.

Powerhouse Hobbs is undoubtedly a future singles champion in AEW and is deserving of a big push. Hobbs is extremely talented and has proven the ability to get over as a babyface or a heel. But as of right now, Konosuke Takeshita is simply on another level and should retain here. Most likely with some outside help from Don Callis or a member of the Don Callis Family so Hobbs is protected in defeat. Winner: Konosuke Takeshita

Kris Statlander vs Mercedes Mone for the TBS Championship

Fresh off their women's match of the year contender at AEW Full Gear, Mercedes Mone, and Kris Statlander will try to outdo themselves when they match up once again at AEW World's End.

Having Mone drop the TBS Championship to Statlander would not be the worst thing in the world. Statlander would be a deserving champion and AEW could always use Kamille to cost Mone the TBS Title, thereby protecting Mone in defeat. However, Mone was brought in to be THE star of the AEW women's division, so the smart bet is that she leaves AEW World's End the TBS Champion. Winner: Mercedes Mone

Will Ospreay vs Kazuchika Okada in the Finals of the Continental Classic

After securing semifinal victories earlier in the evening, Will Ospreay and Kazuchika Okada will clash in the Finals of the Continental Classic as Okada attempts to defend his title.

While it is plausible that Will Ospreay will beat Okada it makes more sense to keep the Continental Title on the current champion. The reason is that it will free up Ospreay to help Darby Allin and others battle Jon Moxley and the Death Riders moving forward. Having Ospreay as part of that storyline should help elevate it back to where it started. On top of that, Okada has the reputation of being the best tournament wrestler in the world. So to have him come up short in his first tournament in AEW seems short-sighted. Look for Will Ospreay to put over one more opponent to close out his 2024. Winner: Kazuchika Okada

Orange Cassidy vs Adam Page vs Jay White vs Jon Moxley for the AEW World Championship

In what should be the main event, Jon Moxley will put the AEW World Championship on the line on Saturday in a 4-way match against Orange Cassidy, "Hangman" Adam Page, and Jay White.

The odds are stacked mightily against Moxley in this match. The style of this match is chaotic, Moxley does not have to be pinned or submitted to lose his championship, and he will be in the ring with three of the best competitors that AEW has to offer. But despite all of that, this does not feel like a spot where Moxley's title run is in jeopardy.

The story of the three challengers not being on the same page has been well told over the past few weeks and it is almost guaranteed to rear its ugly head again at the worst possible time, allowing Moxley to retain his title.

The post-match will prove to be chaotic again, as appearances from Darby Allin and Christian Cage seem very likely. This will be the spot where Cage finally tries to cash in his contract for an AEW Title opportunity, but he will fail as the Death Riders will foil Christian's plan.

But instead of Moxley and the Death Riders standing tall to end the pay-per-view, the long-awaited return of Kenny Omega will be the final surprise of the night. Omega's return will breathe life into Darby Allin and the rest of those looking to take down Jon Moxley and this crew, even though Mox will leave AEW World's End with the AEW Title. Winner: Jon Moxley