Samoa Joe Retains AEW World Championship as New Women’s Tag Champions Crowned at Winter Is Coming
A technical issue disrupted the regularly scheduled live broadcast, but AEW fans were still treated to a night of compelling action at the 2025 edition of Winter Is Coming, headlined by a championship defense and the debut of a new tag team division. The event showcased fierce competition, surprising alliances, and set the stage for future rivalries within All Elite Wrestling.
Inaugural AEW Women’s World Tag Team Champions Crowned
The show kicked off with a historic match, as The Babes of Wrath – Harley Cameron and Willow Nightingale – faced “Timeless” Toni Storm and Mina Shirakawa in the finals of the AEW Women’s World Tag Title tournament. After a hard-fought contest, Cameron and Nightingale emerged victorious, with Cameron delivering a decisive Cross Rhodes and Nightingale following up with a Gutwrench Powerbomb on Shirakawa. This win marks a significant milestone for Harley Cameron, representing her first championship reign in AEW.
Okada Dominates in Gold League, Sparks Conflict with The Don Callis Family
In a C2 Gold League match, Kazuchika Okada, the AEW Unified Champion, defeated “Jungle” Jack Perry, who stepped in for the injured Darby Allin. Okada secured the win with his signature Rainmaker, adding three points to his tally and bringing his total to six, while Perry remains without a point in the tournament. The aftermath of the match saw Don Callis attempting to recruit Perry into The Don Callis Family, but his advances were thwarted by The Young Bucks and Luchasaurus. This intervention led to a challenge accepted by The Young Bucks, who will team with Kenny Omega against three members of The Don Callis Family for a staggering $1,000,000 prize at the AEW Holiday Bash in Manchester.
Chaotic Tag Team Action and Rising Tensions
Prior to a spirited tag team bout, Mark Briscoe engaged in a heated verbal exchange with Daniel Garcia and Wheeler Yuta, foreshadowing potential future conflicts. Following the exchange, Hangman Page and Swerve Strickland delivered a dominant performance against Powerhouse Hobbs and Katsuyori Shibata in a chaotic Tornado Tag Match. The match quickly spilled outside the ring, with action unfolding throughout the arena even before the opening bell. Strickland ultimately secured the victory with a House Call on Shibata.
Bailey Secures First Gold League Win
Another C2 Gold League match saw former TNT Champion Kyle Fletcher clash with Mike Bailey. Despite Fletcher’s early dominance, Bailey’s resilience proved crucial, as the barefoot competitor managed to secure a roll-up pin, earning his first three points in the tournament.
Samoa Joe Remains AEW World Champion
The main event of the evening featured AEW World Champion Samoa Joe defending his title against former Continental Champion Eddie Kingston. Kingston, who previously expressed his frustration with falling short in world title matches, put up a valiant fight against the champion. However, Joe ultimately prevailed, forcing Kingston to submit with the devastating Coquina Clutch and retaining his championship. A senior official stated that Joe’s victory solidifies his position as a dominant force in AEW.
The 2025 Winter Is Coming event delivered a night of compelling wrestling action, setting the stage for an exciting new year in All Elite Wrestling. The emergence of new champions, escalating rivalries, and high-stakes challenges promise to keep fans engaged and invested in the evolving landscape of professional wrestling.