The Definitive End: 5 Theories On How The Entire Walking Dead Universe Will Conclude

The question of "how will The Walking Dead end" has changed dramatically since the main series finale aired in November 2022. What once seemed like a straightforward conclusion for the flagship show has morphed into a sprawling, multi-series narrative that now defines the entire TWD Universe. As of today, December 11, 2025, the true, final ending remains a mystery, but the pieces—Rick Grimes, Michonne, Daryl Dixon, and the formidable Civic Republic Military (CRM)—are finally on the board, setting the stage for an epic, universe-shattering conclusion that will resolve decades of apocalyptic storytelling. The final chapter will not be about a single community's survival, but the fate of civilization itself.

The original series finale, "Rest in Peace," provided a sense of closure for the Alexandria/Commonwealth era, featuring a one-year time jump and the establishment of a new, relatively stable society under Governor Ezekiel. However, the final moments, showing Rick and Michonne separately pursuing their reunion, made it clear that the ultimate resolution for the entire world—and its most important characters—was being saved for the spin-offs. The entire franchise's conclusion will now hinge on the success or failure of the remaining heroes to dismantle the largest, most dangerous entity in the known world: the CRM.

The Creator’s Vision: Robert Kirkman's Profile and The Philosophy of The End

The philosophical core of The Walking Dead's conclusion is rooted in the vision of its creator, Robert Kirkman, who unexpectedly ended the original comic book series with Issue #193. Understanding his background is key to predicting the show's final fate.

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• Full Name: Robert Kirkman
• Born: November 30, 1978, in Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.
• Notable Works (Creator/Co-Creator): The Walking Dead (Comic and TV), Invincible (Comic and TV), Fear the Walking Dead (TV), Outcast (Comic and TV), Tech Jacket, Oblivion Song.
• Major Awards: Eisner Award (for *The Walking Dead*), Inkpot Award, Saturn Award for special Innovator Work in 2012.
• The End Philosophy: Kirkman has consistently stated that he views the zombie apocalypse as an ongoing, never-ending backdrop. The story's true focus is on humanity's ability to rebuild and the inherent dangers of human nature, suggesting the final ending will be a resolution for the characters and society, not necessarily the elimination of the walkers.

The Current State of the TWD Universe: Three Roads to the Conclusion

The main series' conclusion was merely a prologue to the grand finale. The entire *TWD Universe* is now comprised of three major spin-offs, each following a key character and setting up a potential convergence point. The ultimate answer to "how will The Walking Dead end" lies in the fate of these three narrative threads: *Dead City*, *Daryl Dixon*, and *The Ones Who Live* (TOWL).

1. The Ones Who Live: The CRM and the Final War for Civilization

The most crucial piece of the endgame puzzle is the CRM, or Civic Republic Military, the powerful, highly organized entity that abducted Rick Grimes. This organization represents the largest, most technologically advanced threat the survivors have ever faced, possessing helicopters, a massive hidden city (The Civic Republic), and a ruthless "greater good" philosophy that justifies mass murder.

The CRM's destruction is widely considered the most likely catalyst for the entire universe's final conclusion. Rick and Michonne's journey in *The Ones Who Live* is predicted to culminate not just in their personal reunion, but in engineering the downfall of the CRM from within. If the CRM falls, its resources, technology, and sheer size would be redistributed, fundamentally changing the balance of power across the continent and paving the way for a more stable, unified society. This would be the "happy ending" for the world, even if the zombies remain.

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2. Daryl Dixon and the Variant Walkers: The Biological Threat

Daryl Dixon's story, which takes him to France, introduces a new, terrifying element: the 'Variant Walkers' or 'Fast Zombies.' These walkers are stronger, faster, and more intelligent than the shamblers seen in the US. This new biological threat raises the stakes significantly, suggesting the apocalypse is evolving, not receding. The French scientists who may have created the virus, or are working on a cure, could be the key to the final, definitive end of the entire zombie threat.

A major theory suggests that Daryl's journey will eventually lead to the discovery of a biological solution, or at least a method to contain the more dangerous variants. This narrative arc provides a path to a true "cure" or eradication of the infection, a possibility the US shows have always avoided. If Daryl finds a way to fight the variants, that knowledge could be brought back to the US survivors, offering a final, definitive victory over the walkers themselves, rather than just the human threats.

The 5 Most Popular Theories for The Ultimate TWD Universe Ending

While the spin-offs are ongoing, fans and critics have coalesced around a few key theories for the ultimate conclusion of the *TWD Universe*. These predictions blend the comic's philosophy with the new elements introduced in the television shows, such as the CRM and the variant walkers.

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1. The CRM Downfall and the Grand Reunion (The Optimistic Ending)

This is the most anticipated and likely ending. Rick and Michonne expose and dismantle the CRM, freeing the Civic Republic to join the alliance of communities (Commonwealth, Alexandria, Hilltop, etc.). The final scene would feature a massive reunion of all surviving core characters—Rick, Michonne, Daryl, Carol, Maggie, Negan, and Judith—in a thriving, unified society. This ending would fulfill the promise of a "functioning society" that Kirkman set up in the comic's final issue, where the survivors' efforts finally pay off in a new, stable world.

2. The Bleak, Cyclical Ending (The Kirkman Philosophy)

Adhering strictly to Robert Kirkman's original vision, this theory suggests the universe will end not with a bang, but with a quiet, unsettling continuation. The CRM is defeated, but a new, smaller tyrannical group immediately rises in its place. The final scene would show the main heroes—now old or deceased—passing the torch to their children (Judith, RJ, Hershel), who are still fighting the same, seemingly endless war against both the dead and the living. This bleak ending emphasizes that the apocalypse is a permanent state, and the fight for humanity's soul is cyclical.

3. The Biological Solution (The Sci-Fi Ending)

The introduction of the French variant walkers and the scientific research within the CRM and *World Beyond* suggests a more sci-fi-oriented conclusion. The final series, potentially a new team-up show, would see the survivors successfully developing a cure or a large-scale bioweapon that targets the walkers, effectively ending the zombie threat for good. While this contradicts Kirkman's stated philosophy, it would provide the most satisfying emotional closure for a long-running television franchise.

4. The Comic Adaptation: The Trial of Negan and the Future

The comic's conclusion saw Rick Grimes killed and a massive time jump to a future where his daughter, Carl, lived in a world where Negan was an isolated, respected figure. While Rick is alive in the show, the ultimate conclusion could adapt the *spirit* of the comic's ending: a world so safe that the primary threat is no longer the walkers, but the moral dilemma of how to treat the old villains. The final moments could focus on the fate of Negan and Maggie's complex relationship, showing that human cooperation has finally triumphed over chaos.

5. The Coma Theory (The Controversial Ending)

A long-standing, though highly unlikely, fan theory suggests the entire series is a dream. The final scene would revert to the pilot episode, showing Rick Grimes waking up from his coma in the hospital, realizing the entire apocalypse was a hallucination caused by his injuries. This theory, which has been debunked by the creators but persists among fans, would provide a clean, but controversial, final twist that nullifies the entire 11+ season journey.

The Final Verdict: A Unified Universe Conclusion

Ultimately, the question of "how will The Walking Dead end" is not about a single show, but the unification of its scattered heroes. The most current and compelling evidence points to a massive, universe-spanning event where Rick, Michonne, and Daryl’s separate missions converge on the CRM. The CRM’s downfall will be the final human victory, allowing the various communities to finally link up and form the foundation of a new world government. The zombies will likely remain, a perpetual threat, but the survivors will have achieved a state of stability and peace, honoring the legacy of every character who fought to see the world restored.