AEW News Roundup: Fan-favorite star returns after 2 years' absence, MJF's next title defense confirmed, Saraya makes a pro wrestling appearance

Welcome to the latest edition of Sportskeeda Wrestling's AEW News & Rumor Roundup. Today, we are looking at stories involving top pro-wrestling stars, including MJF and Saraya, among others.

A popular star has finally returned to All Elite Wrestling after a 2-year absence. Meanwhile, MJF's next AEW World title defense has already been confirmed, and Saraya has made an appearance at a wrestling event. All this and more as we delve into the top news coming out of All Elite Wrestling today. So without further ado, let's get the roundup started.

#4. Ortiz returns to AEW at Worlds End after 2 years out

Ortiz made a surprise return to All Elite Wrestling at Worlds End 2025 in Chicago, marking his first appearance for the company since January 2024. The AEW original appeared during the Zero Hour pre-show, stepping in to assist longtime friend Eddie Kingston following the Mad King’s singles victory over Zack Gibson of the Grizzled Young Veterans. After the match, James Drake attacked Kingston from behind and attempted to choke him with a scarf.

Ortiz quickly intervened, using a piece of rope to whip Drake and force both members of the Grizzled Young Veterans into retreat. The moment marked the first on-screen reunion between Ortiz and Kingston in the Jacksonville-based promotion following Ortiz’s extended absence and the earlier split of Santana and Ortiz as a team. Ortiz had been sidelined due to injury and personal circumstances, and his return suggests he may now be aligned with Kingston in the ongoing rivalry against the Grizzled Young Veterans.

#3. AJ Styles refuses to sign the AEW World Title offered by a fan

During a recent WWE Holiday Tour stop in Tampa, Florida, AJ Styles drew attention after declining to sign a replica AEW World Championship belt presented by a fan. The Phenomenal one, who currently co-holds the WWE World Tag Team Championship with Dragon Lee, explained that he could not sign the belt because of his loyalty to WWE and its brand. While Styles declined the autograph request, he still acknowledged his connections within the wrestling industry. He offered a shoutout to Matthew and Nicholas Jackson, his longtime real-life friends who are currently part of AEW.

Meanwhile, Styles has previously stated that he plans to retire from professional wrestling in 2026, and it seems he intends to carry it out while remaining with WWE.

#2. MJF is set to defend the World title against Bandido next

MJF emerged from Worlds End 2025 as a two-time AEW World Champion after winning a high-stakes four-way match. In the closing moments of the bout, Friedman delivered a low blow to Hangman Page, then hit the Heat Seeker on Samoa Joe to secure the pinfall victory. The win marked Friedman’s return to the top of the AEW mountain and capped a dramatic championship contest.

Following the event, the Jacksonville-based promotion officially confirmed MJF’s first title defense as champion. He is scheduled to defend the World Championship on the January 14 edition of Dynamite: Maximum Carnage in Phoenix, Arizona. His challenger will be reigning ROH World Champion Bandido, who earned the opportunity by winning the Dynamite Diamond Ring. Bandido defeated Ricochet to secure the ring, becoming the first wrestler since 2019, other than MJF, to win the accolade.

#1. Saraya finally appears at the Insane Wrestling Revolution event

Saraya made her first pro wrestling appearance since stepping away from Tony Khan's promotion in March 2025 by appearing at an Insane Wrestling Revolution event. The former AEW Women’s World Champion surprised fans by using her old WWE entrance theme, “Stars in the Night,” which immediately sparked renewed speculation about a potential return to the Stamford-based promotion, where she previously competed under the name Paige.

Although Saraya has largely focused on non-wrestling projects over the past year, she provided clarity regarding her plans. In a recent interview with the Toronto Sun, the Anti-Diva revealed that she intends to resume in-ring training in January 2026, to return to competition at a higher level than before.

"I’m gonna get into training in January and we’ll see where that takes me, you know. Because I feel like I do—if I was to ever come back, you know, not saying I am, but if I was to ever come back, I want to be at the top of my game and be wrestling better than I was wrestling back when I was in NXT, you know," she said.

Time will tell whether Saraya will appear on WWE programming in 2026.

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Edited by Karan Raj