At the New Year’s Smash episode of AEW Dynamite on December 31st, AEW National Champion Ricochet successfully defended his title against “Jungle” Jack Perry. The rivalry heated up after Perry secured a pinfall over Ricochet during the Zero Hour segment of the World’s End pay-per-view, giving Perry hope for a championship win in the final AEW event of 2025. Despite early interference from Gates of Agony and Luchasaurus, and a fiercely contested match with Perry mounting a strong comeback, Ricochet held on thanks to clever distraction tactics by Kaun, ultimately sealing the victory with his signature Spirit Gun. Post-match chaos ensued as Riona and Luchasaurus violently clashed backstage, escalating tensions between factions, while Ricochet reinforced his dominance by delivering a second Spirit Gun to Perry, ending the night with a strong statement as he heads into 2026 as AEW National Champion.
Fan Take: This victory solidifies Ricochet’s place as a top competitor in AEW, setting the stage for intense rivalries in the coming year. For fans, it promises thrilling storytelling and high-stakes matches, emphasizing the unpredictable and dynamic nature of AEW’s championship scene.
