The onslaught of AEW Continental Classic tournament matches this weekend will continue on Saturday’s AEW Collision as Kazuchika Okada will take on Kyle Fletcher in Blue league action.
Thus far in the tournament, Okada (seen above) went to a draw with Daniel Garcia and will face former Ring of Honor World Champion Mark Briscoe on Friday’s Rampage (being taped Wednesday). Conversely, Fletcher is coming off last Saturday’s win over The Beast Mortos and Wednesday’s victory over Shelton Benjamin.
It will be their second-ever singles meeting following their first: a September 2024 Dynamite bout where Okada successfully defended the Continental title.
The new addition joins the previously announced Classic bouts that include Garcia vs. Briscoe in the Blue league, and Darby Allin vs. Komander in Gold league action.
Here’s the current lineup for Saturday in Columbus, Ohio:
Continental Classic Blue league: Kazuchika Okada vs. Kyle Fletcher
Continental Classic Gold league: Komander vs. Darby Allin
Continental Classic Blue league: Daniel Garcia vs. Mark Briscoe
International Women’s Cup qualifier: Willow Nightingale vs. Serena Deeb
After just one match, Juice Robinson is out of this year’s AEW Continental Classic due to a possible broken foot and a replacement has been already named.
Taking his place is Komander who, according to Tony Khan on X, “will join the field as (the) Gold League first alternate, + the upcoming schedule will be adjusted accordingly.”
In both men’s tournament debuts, Robinson took a loss to Will Ospreay last Wednesday in a match taped for last Saturday’s Collision. He was seen on crutches at this past weekend’s WrestleCade and as of Monday, he did not have the results back from an X-ray.
Assuming he simply takes the rest of Robinson’s matches, Komander will face Ricochet, Brody King, Claudio Castagnoli and Darby Allin in the weeks ahead.
The winner of both the Gold and Blue league will square off against the other league’s runner-up at this month’s Worlds End pay-per-view. The winners of those matches will face off in the Classic finals that night with the ultimate winner taking home the AEW Continental title.
If you’re here, you’re ready for the Sunday edition of Wrestling Observer Live, available via audio or YouTube below.
As you probably know, WWE Survivor Series is in the books as are the two WarGames matches. I break down the entire show including the next chapter in The Bloodline saga, the Punk vs. Reigns dynamic, both cage matches, and our new United States Champion.
One point: while the women’s WarGames match might not have been the best, IYO SKY continues to be the best modern-day performer in these matches right now.
Plus, I talk updates on Kenny Omega, the latest AEW Continental Classic standings, and more!
A pair of high-profile Continental Classic matches are official for the Winter is Coming edition of AEW Dynamite, set for Wednesday, December 11th in Kansas City, Missouri.
After defeating Juice Robinson in his Classic debut Saturday on Collision, Will Ospreay will return for his second tournament match against Claudio Castagnoli in Gold league action. It will be their second-ever singles encounter with the first coming this past April which Ospreay won.
Castagnoli is coming off a Classic win over Ricochet this past Wednesday and is set to take on King this Wednesday as both men look to go 2-0.
The other Gold league match will see the aforementioned King take on Ricochet for the first time ever. The high flyer is not scheduled for this Wednesday or Saturday as of now.
The new additions joins the already announced AEW Women’s World title match between champion Mariah May and challenger Mina Shirakawa in addition to MJF vs. the Dynamite Diamond battle royal winner.
Here’s the current lineup for December 11th:
Continental Classic Gold league: Will Ospreay vs. Claudio Castagnoli
Continental Classic Gold league: Brody King vs. Ricochet
AEW Women’s World Champion Mariah May defends against Mina Shirakawa
Dave Meltzer and I are back with a free Friday episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, talking about all the big news from today’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
Three wrestlers picked up points on Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite as the 2024 Continental Classic kicked off in Chicago.
In the opener, Shelton Benjamin defeated Mark Briscoe in his Classic debut to earn three Blue league points. Briscoe, in his second tournament, also lost in his opening match last year and picked up just one win overall by defeating Jay Lethal.
Later in the show, Claudio Castagnoli pinned Ricochet to pick up three points in a Gold league opener. Castagnoli is in his second Classic and also won his first bout last year while this is the first Classic for Ricochet.
In the main event, Brody King defeated old rival Darby Allin in a Gold league match to earn three points. King had a hot start in last year’s tournament, winning his first two matches. This is Allin’s first Classic.
The second-ever AEW Continental Classic has already undergone a big change in how the winner of the tournament will be determined.
Announced during Wednesday’s Dynamite as the tournament kicked off in Chicago, the winner will be still be determined at the company’s final pay-per-view of the year: Worlds End on Saturday, December 28th from Orlando, Florida.
However, it will not simply be the winners of the Blue and Gold league squaring off as what happened last year.
Instead, at the PPV, the Gold league winner will take on the runner-up of the Blue league while the Blue league winner will face the runner up of the Gold league. The winners of those matches will then square off in the finals later that night with the tournament winner taking home the Continental title.
The tournament began during Wednesday’s Dynamite with three matches and will continue on Saturday’s Collision.
Eddie Kingston won last year’s tournament to become the Continental Crown champion, becoming the inaugural Continental Champion to go with the ROH World title and NJPW Strong title.
The Full Gear fallout edition of AEW Dynamite returns to Chicago with a Ring of Honor World title match plus the kickoff to the Continental Classic.
In just their second career singles meeting, Chris Jericho and Tomohiro Ishii will square off with Jericho’s ROH title on the line. The previous match between the two was also on a Thanksgiving Eve edition of Dynamite in November 2022.
The second-ever Continental Classic kicks off with Darby Allin vs. Brody King and Ricochet vs. Claudio Castagnoli in the Gold league, and Mark Briscoe vs. Shelton Benjamin in the Blue league.
In the kickoff to the AEW qualifier portion of the Wrestle Dynasty International Women’s Cup, Queen Aminata takes on Jamie Hayter.
The follow-up from Full Gear will start to play out after Jon Moxley retained the AEW World Championship with a victory over Orange Cassidy in last Saturday’s PPV main event, followed by a chaotic scene.
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AEW Dynamite comes on the air with a November Rain recap video from Full Gear, ending with Darby Allin outside the arena, bloody and stumbling out of the car he ran into The Death Riders truck, saying it’ll be hard for Jon Moxley to kill AEW, when he’s the one who dies first.
Excalibur welcomes us alongside Tony Schiavone & Nigel McGuinness and says there will be some changes to the format of the Continental Classic this year, as everyone is barred from ringside and there is a 20-minute time limit. Similar to last year, 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw. We’re told the Gold League winner will face the Blue League runner-up and Blue League winner faces the Gold League runner-up at World’s End, as well as the Continental Classic Finals. So, both winners will be competing twice that night.
The Hurt Syndicate make their way to the ring, as MVP has an official announcement for the audience. Seeing as they’re in Chicago, it’s fitting to say he’s standing between two of the finest ever to grace a wrestling ring and compares Shelton Benjamin to Walter Payton and Bobby Lashley to Michael Jordan. The crowd chants for MVP, but he said it’s not about him, it’s about The Syndicate and lessons they teach. When he offers you his business card, it’s giving you a golden ticket. If you turn them down and are arrogant like Swerve Strickland, as they throw to highlights of Lashley defeating Strickland at Full Gear. MVP said Strickland isn’t the most dangerous man in AEW, Lashley is, the walking Armageddon. Their mission statement is to take championship titles and leverage them to more money and power. They are the merchants of misery and tonight, Benjamin will show you what they’re capable of. They’re the best in the industry at hurting people.
Shelton Benjamin defeated Mark Briscoe in the Continental Classic Blue League
(These two hadn’t faced each other since the Worlds Greatest Tag Team & Briscoes feuded in Ring of Honor, so it’s nice to see them pick up where they left off. This will be a running trend to say this for the entire C2, but this was a very good match to kick off the tournament. Benjamin has looked awfully impressive since coming to AEW and there’s not many better than Briscoe to make his opponent look good. I’m hopeful Briscoe gets more wins this year than he did last year, but tonight, it was important to make Benjamin look strong and he did just that.)
Briscoe had a stare-down with Lashley, as he & MVP were heading to the back and is a match I really want to see in the near future. Seemingly we had a Code of Honor, but Benjamin tried to pull Briscoe in, who quickly threw a chop and dive to the outside. Briscoe tried to fire up the crowd, but the delay led to an overhead suplex by Benjamin, who drove Briscoe into the steps and wanted a count-out. Briscoe recovered, brought Benjamin back outside and hit a somersault dive landing on his feet. Briscoe went up top, as Benjamin sprung to his feet, scaled the ropes and hit a superplex as things went to commercial.
Benjamin remained in control when things returned, until Briscoe started no-selling and firing up. Palm strikes backed up Benjamin, allowing Briscoe to fire off chops and rolling Death Valley Driver. Up top again, Briscoe successfully hits the Froggy Bow, but clutched his own ribs in the process. Benjamin rolled outside, but Briscoe hit another elbow from the apron. Back inside, Briscoe wanted a third, but Benjmain got the knees up and hit a series of German suplexes before Briscoe put on the brakes with an enzugiri. Benjamin avoided Jay Driller and hit the rewind kick, followed by the step-up corner knee and monster thrust kick for two. Benjamin hit another flush before hitting the T-Bone Suplex for the victory. Post match, Lashley & MVP came to the ring to celebrate with Benjamin, who is on the board first in the Continental Classic tournament.
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-Tony Schiavone welcomes TBS Champion Mercedes Mone to the stage, as balloons are set on the entrance. Mone comes out with Kamille, still with her arm in a sling, as she demands Chicago say hello to their C.E.O. Schiavone said Mone turned the wrestling world on it’s head after her victory at Full Gear with Kris Statlander and said many consider it the women’s Match of the Year. Mone said it feels good and Statlander proved she’s one of the best, but Mone proved she’s the greatest TBS Champion of all time. Mone said since Kamille can’t get anything right, (she was about to fire her) when Kamille took the mic and demanded she shut up. She questioned if Mone is stupid or dumb and said Mone can’t fire her, she quits. Kamille stormed out and Mone had a temper-tantrum as the crowd chanted “You Deserve It.” This whole falling out has felt super rushed and pretty underwhelming, but the crowd did react to Kamille finally standing up for herself.
-Video package of Big Boom AJ, Big Justice & The Rizzler defeating QT Marshall on Zero Hour at Full Gear and the social media traction it received.
Chris Jericho (w/Big Bill & Bryan Keith) defeated Tomohiro Ishii to retain the ROH World Title
(I enjoyed the closing moments the most in this, as the Judas Effects that Jericho was able to connect with were some of the most violent of his career. Their first match was filled with chops galore and this was similar, just with slaps to the face. I think they overdid it with them, as the crowd weren’t as wild as they were for their first encounter. Regardless, Jericho retains and I’m not sure who he’s on track to face come Final Battle. They should build that story up on ROH TV a while.)
Bill joined commentary and presented Schiavone with a sapling tree he hopes can grow over time, as the quizzical look on Schiavone’s face was hysterical. The match begins and similar to their last match, was nothing but chops. Jericho hit a big boot, but Ishii bounced back with a lariat as Bill made a Devin Hester reference on commentary, while making tree references that McGuinness said was very insightful. Both men fought to the apron where Jericho spiked Ishii with a DDT on the apron, which, despite not having a neck, still had to be painful. Back in the ring, Jericho opted to start a slap battle, which did nothing but wake Ishii up. Jericho is bleeding from the mouth, as things went to commercial with the slap exchange continuing throughout.
Back from break, the slaps continued, but they went up the ropes and Jericho hit a superplex, which Ishii popped right up from. The slaps pick back up until finally Jericho hit a release German suplex. Jericho wanted a Judas Effect, but Ishii threw a lariat at the same time and both collapsed. Both up slow, but Jericho hit a fireman’s carry slam into the Lionsault for two. Judas Effect landed flush, then a Code Breaker, but Ishii kicked out at one, stumbled to his feet and kicked away from the Walls of Jericho, hitting a charging tackling headbutt for two. Sliding D avoided by Jericho, but Ishii managed a Code Breaker and wild lariat for two of his own. Ishii wanted the Sliding D, but Jericho hit two more Judas Effects right on the button to get the win. He fell onto Ishii with his own shoulders down as well, but it wasn’t really noticed by referee Aubrey, who awarded the match to Jericho.
-Renee Paquette is backstage with Swerve Strickland & Prince Nana who said rebuilding is something they do very well. He’s never been hit by anyone as hard as Lashley when Max Caster strolls by with a smile. Strickland asked him what’s so funny and Caster said Chicago is where he pinned Strickland to win the AEW Tag Team Titles. Caster called himself the Best Wrestler Alive and brought up Strickland’s house fire, as Strickland snapped, threw Caster against the wall and punted him in the ribs, as Nana had to usher Strickland away. For AEW always having security close by, there was none for Caster getting his ass kicked.
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-Tony Schiavone introduces Hangman Adam Page to the ring, as Excalibur tells us Orange Cassidy is not medically cleared following his match with Jon Moxley at Full Gear, as well as the chemicals being poured onto him by Moxley & Wheeler Yuta in the post-match.
Schiavone brings up Page losing to Jay White, attacking Christopher Daniels, then helping Christian Cage nearly securing a World Title match, all at Full Gear. Page said if Daniels ever gets in his way again, he won’t get back up. Page also said he kept up his end of the deal at Full Gear and would’ve been home for Thanksgiving the AEW World Champion, but Christian Cage failed. It should’ve never been Swerve’s, Danielson or Moxley’s, as that World Title has always been his.
Switchblade Jay White asked Page what happened in his match with White at Wrestle Dream and Full Gear, which was two loses. If anyone deserves a shot at the AEW World Title, it should be White, not Page. If Page wants another reminder, he’ll happily give him that chance. PAC appeared behind White, swept the leg and chucked him into the barricade, as Wheeler Yuta hit the ring and attacked Page. White unintentionally made the save, cleared the ring of PAC & Yuta, but Page dropped him. Marina Shafir blasted Page with the briefcase holding the AEW World Title, as White recovered and teased a Blade Runner on Shafir, but Jon Moxley showed up and choked White out, until Shafir hit a Judo throw and applied her Mother’s Milk submission, as White went out. The Death Riders put the boots on White, picked him up, as PAC cracked him with the briefcase as well, leaving White laying.
-As Claudio Castagnoli made his entrance through the crowd for the upcoming match, a video package featuring The Death Riders riding in the desert is shown as a plug for the World’s End PPV in December.
Claudio Castagnoli defeated Ricochet in the Continental Classic Gold League
(The match itself I thought was good, but the bald chants, though pretty darn funny, seemed to distract both guys. The finish seemed flat, but it was the same way Castagnoli put away Darby Allin last week, so it’ll take a little bit to get a standard lariat over as a finisher, no matter how hard you throw it. That said, the second week in a row, Castagnoli looked like a beast and hopefully has a strong run in this Continental Classic.)
Castagnoli enjoyed the advantage early with the power game, as he ate one hurricanrana from Ricochet, but blocked the second attempt. He tried a choke slam, but Ricochet managed his hurricanrana, as Castagnoli regrouped outside as Ricochet did the Spiderman flip and pose. Castagnoli caught a dive and dropped Ricochet throat first on the barricade. After firing off an uppercut, Castagnoli pressed Ricochet into the ring, but took too long to regroup, as Ricochet hit a dive. A springboard attempt back inside was thwarted, as Castagnoli knocked out the ropes and gained control into break. The crowd seems to have been coming up with chants for both guys being bald and it lasted throughout the commercial break. Yes, this included Bald Forever and Baldy Sh*t.
When things returned, Ricochet hit a dive through the ropes and went up top back inside, looked for a dive, but Castagnoli caught him into a back breaker and big boot for two. Castagnoli wanted a pop-up uppercut, but Ricochet stood on his chest, backflipped out into a round the world head scissors and another dive over the top to the floor. Back inside, a springboard clothesline connects, followed by a Lionsault for a near fall. Ricochet tried a springboard off the second rope, but Castagnoli hit an uppercut in mid-air for two. Sharpshooter transitioned into the Crossface by Castagnoli, who wanted a Ricola Bomb, but Ricochet rolled through for two.
Castagnoli chucked Ricochet to the floor and into the barricade, as he wanted a countout, but Ricochet broke the count. Castagnoli hit the big-time lariat and got the win.
-Renee Paquette is backstage with Kyle Fletcher & Don Callis, as she asks about Fletcher’s biggest win of his career. Callis said they destroyed Will Ospreay because that’s what people do to get ahead in this business. They proved what Callis has said all along, that Fletcher is better than Will Ospreay and they’re just getting started. Fletcher said they made it certain that he’s better than Ospreay in every single way and tells people to tune in on Collision, as the Continental Classic belongs to the Proto-Star.
-Adam Cole came out with The Kingdom and said he’s sick and tired of playing this game with MJF, who keeps ducking him because he’s a little bitch. After what MJF did to Roderick Strong, he swears on his mother he’ll beat Max within an inch of his life. Kyle O’Reilly then stormed to the ring and said with all due respect, Cole fought Max and it didn’t work out, so let him fight MJF. O’Reilly was going to call MJF out, when Cole cut him off and said what O’Reilly said to him last week stuck, he can’t let his friends fight his battles for him, he has to fight MJF. O’Reilly said it’s not for Cole, it’s for Roddy.
MJF is shown on the big screen playing a piano and declined the challenge by both O’Reilly & Cole and said he’s more focused on the Dynamite Dozen Battle Royal next week. MJF says he’ll play them out and plays his theme song on the piano. Cole then enters the Battle Royal, as O’Reilly is the second with both arguing until he left Cole, Taven & Bennett.
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-Excalibur runs over the Internation Women’s Cup 4-Way taking place at Wrestle Dynasty, as the upcoming match will be one of the Semifinal’s for AEW, as Willow Nightingale vs. Serena Deeb will be the other AEW Semifinal taking place December 7th on Collision. The Finals will occur at Winter Is Coming December 12th with the winner advancing to Wrestle Dynasty and representing AEW in the 4-Way. The winner of which, will receive a title shot in any of the participating promotions. Ring of Honor will have Athena vs. Red Velvet vs. Billie Starkz vs. Leyla Hirsch at a future date, while CMLL have announced Zeuxis vs. Sanely vs. Persephone vs. Reyna Isis on their December 13th show. No word at the moment who the Stardom competitors will be.
Jamie Hayter defeated Queen Aminata in an International Women’s Cup Qualifier Semifinal
(To say this was hard hitting is an understatement, as these two beat the hell out of each other. Aminata crushes it most of the time she gets a chance on TV and this was no different. I wish she’d get pushed more, which, hopefully down the line, as they shouldn’t have had Hayter lose this early in her return. This win advances Hayter to the Finals and will face the winner of Serena Deeb & Willow Nightingale.)
Hayter tried grounding Aminata in the opening moments, but Aminata spun out into a hip toss. Hayter up first and fired off a forearm before driving Aminata into the corner repeatedly, as a series of chops followed. Aminata turned the tables and the two start lighting each other up with loud chops and forearms. Hayter reversed a corner whip and drove Aminata into the corner with a suplex as things went to commercial.
When things returned, both ladies continued slugging it out, cutting one another off until they trade near falls. Aminata blocked a lariat into a snap suplex, as Hayter stumbled into the ropes, allowing Aminata to hit her charging kick that leveled Hayter to the floor. Back inside, Aminata wanted a slam, Hayter slid out, tried a big boot, but Aminata caught it and hit a face buster. Aminata up top, as she wanted a double stomp, rolled through, as Hayter connected on a Hayt-Breaker, but as she went for Hayter-ade, Aminata got a roll-up for two. Both ladies scramble around for pin attempts until Hayter sank in a choke, which Aminata rolled out of for two. Hayter up first for a big boot and Hayter-ade that wiped Aminata out for the win.
Post match, the lights went out until a spotlight appeared on stage. Hayter was left alone in the ring, wondering where Julia Hart was, knowing she was behind the mind games, but Hayter’s music started playing again and nothing else happened.
-Renee Paquette is backstage sitting with Mina Shirakawa and asked about her heartbreak from Mariah May at Full Gear. Shirakawa said she knew this day would come, as if Mariah could do this to Toni Storm, she could do it to her as well. This is unfortunately the real Mariah May, selfish, who has to kill anyone who gets close to her. If that’s the real Mariah, then it’s time to introduce her to the real Mina. May charges in and busts a bottle over Shirakawa’s head and beats her down with the AEW Women’s Title before telling her she wants Mina. We’re then told it will be Mariah May vs. Mina Shirakawa in two weeks at Winter is Coming for the AEW Women’s Title.
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Brody King defeated Darby Allin in the Continental Classic Gold League
(The story here was the damage that Allin chose to do to himself at Full Gear was his own demise, as King controlled almost all of this one, aside from the hope spots towards the end. King got his revenge on Allin from their Wrestle Dream battle and I liked the visual of King almost standing up for his rival when Castagnoli tried to do damage in the post-match. King & Castagnoli should be excellent next week.)
Allin is ribs are heavily bandaged up from t-boning his car into The Death Riders truck to conclude Full Gear. His knee is also wrapped, as Allin offered a handshake to King, who almost seemed to reluctantly accept. King blocked a kick and backflipped Allin to the mat before connecting on running sentons for a near fall. It was all King, who kept chopping the hell out of Allin, who fell from the top to the floor as things went to break, as Allin hasn’t gotten off any offense yet.
It was all King annihilating Allin during break, until King missed a senton charge into the barricade, letting Allin recover at least briefly. Allin wanted a Coffin Drop, but his legs were swept out, tied to the Tree of Woe, as King hit his corner cannonball for two. King looked for a superplex, but Allin bit the hands and head, connecting on an Avalanche Code Red for a near fall. King rolled outside where he was immediately met with a charging Allin dive and top rope Coffin Drop. Allin connected on another one on the downed King, as he went for another back inside, but King caught him in a rear naked choke. Allin rolled through for two, but King was right back into trapping him in the choke. King released the hold and destroyed Allin with a Gonzo Bomb to get the win.
Post match, King left the ring, as Claudio Castagnoli showed up with a chair, but King returned and had a stare-down with Castagnoli, as we’re told they will face one another next week in the Gold League.
Continental Classic Gold League Standings
3 Points: Claudio Castagnoli, Brody King
0 Points: Ricochet, Will Ospreay, Juice Robinson, Darby Allin
Continental Classic Blue League Standings
3 Points: Shelton Benjamin
0 Points: Mark Briscoe, Kazuchika Okada, The Beast Mortos, Kyle Fletcher, Daniel Garcia
AEW Collision 11/30/24 (special start time 4pm ET/3pm CT/1pm PT)
Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada vs. TNT Champion Daniel Garcia in the Continental Classic Blue League
Will Ospreay vs. Juice Robinson in the Continental Classic Gold League
Kyle Fletcher vs. The Beast Mortos in the Continental Classic Blue League
Hangman Adam Page vs. Wheeler Yuta
AEW Rampage 11/30/24 (immediately following Collision)
Thunder Rosa vs. Harleygram (Harley Cameron in a Hologram mask)
Hechicero vs. Komander
The Beast Mortos vs. Serpentico
Katsuyori Shibata, Atlantis Jr. & Mascara Dorada vs. Top Flight & Action Andretti
AEW Dynamite 12/4/24
Dynamite Dozen Battle Royal (MJF, Adam Cole & Kyle O’Reilly announced competitors so far)
PAC vs. Switchblade Jay White
Brody King vs. Claudio Castagnoli in the Continental Classic Gold League
Saturday’s AEW Collision will be headlined by Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada vs. new TNT Champion Daniel Garcia in their first match of this year’s Continental Classic tournament.
Garcia, who struggled in last year’s tournament, is coming off the biggest win of his career at Saturday’s Full Gear with his title win over Jack Perry. This will be Okada’s first Continental Classic tournament — one where he has to put his title on the line.
This will be their first-ever singles match and will be part of the Blue league.
Collision, which will be taped Wednesday after Dynamite, will air at 4 PM Eastern on Saturday to avoid going directly head-to-head with WWE Survivor Series.
Three tournament matches are also on tap for Wednesday’s Dynamite as Shelton Benjamin will face Mark Briscoe in Blue league action while Claudio Castagnoli vs. Ricochet, and Darby Allin vs. Brody King headline Gold league action.
Here’s the current card for Saturday’s show from Chicago:
AEW Continental Classic Blue League: Kazuchika Okada vs. Daniel Garcia
The full list of participants for this year’s Continental Classic tournament have been revealed.
AEW gave details of the tournament on a Selection Special stream that aired on Sunday. It will kick off this Wednesday on Dynamite and will conclude at AEW’s next pay-per-view, Worlds End, on December 28 in Orlando. Similar to last year, the twelve wrestlers will be divided into two groups, the Blue League and the Gold League. The winners of both leagues will meet at Worlds End.
This year’s entrants include:
Blue League
AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada
Kyle Fletcher
TNT Champion Daniel Garcia
The Beast Mortos
Mark Briscoe
Shelton Benjamin
Gold League
Will Ospreay
Juice Robinson
Brody King
Ricochet
AEW Trios Champion Claudio Castagnoli
Darby Allin
Each match in the Continental Classic will be held under a 20-minute time limit, with everyone banned from ringside. A win is three points, a draw will earn both wrestlers one point, and a loss is zero points.
Eddie Kingston won the inaugural Continental Classic last year, defeating Bryan Danielson in the finals. His win briefly unified the AEW Continental, ROH World, and New Japan Strong titles.
The second-ever AEW Continental Classic will have its participants revealed on “Selection Sunday.”
Tony Schiavone made the announcement during Saturday’s AEW Full Gear, but did not provide any details on how the names will actually be announced. Last year’s inaugural tournament featured a YouTube selection special with Eddie Kingston, Schiavone and Tony Khan.
The tournament begins this Wednesday on Dynamite from Chicago, Illinois, and will likely continue on Collision which is also being taped that night.
No participants have been announced other than reigning Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada who will put his title on the line in the tournament.
Assuming the format is the same as last year, it’s a round robin tournament with 12 wrestlers split between two “leagues.” Each competitor will have five individual matches in their league as they look to earn points (three for a win, one for a draw) to win their league with each winner facing off in the finals. Like last year, the tournament winner is expected to be crowned at December’s Worlds End.
The life of Joe Koff and how his influence on the current wrestling scene is so underplayed. From being a childhood fan of Bruno Sammartino, heading the production on the original Battle of the Belts series, saving ROH at least twice, and providing a place where many of today’s biggest stars were able to make a living while building resumes that led them to the top in WWE and essentially the building blocks of the formation of AEW, and the success of All In. We look at his life and career both in and out of the wrestling business.
Bryan Danielson retires from full-time wrestling, his future and how this played out on WrestleDream.
A look at WrestleDream, the business of the show, the rundown and polls.
More details on the AEW television deal, what it does and doesn’t cover, prospects for other deals, the economics, attempting to rebuild attendance at shows, the Mexico deal, international prospects going forward and more.
Zack Sabre Jr. wins IWGP title while Hiroshi Tanahahashi provides a retirement countdown. Plus a look at the future NJPW lineups, Tokyo Dome prospects and King of Pro Wrestling coverage.
The Gegard Mousasi lawsuit and the latest attempt to get a court to rule on the independent contractor vs. employee status.
The most detailed look at the ratings of all the wrestling shows, placings for the night and week, competition, year-by-year comparisons and more.
When did star ratings for wrestling matches begin? The answer will surprise you.
Santo draws the biggest indie crowd of the year.
Jimmy Jacobs leaves AEW.
Bob Ryder and the birth of TNA.
International TV ratings.
Ticket sales for upcoming WWE & AEW shows.
Fighters depositions in Cung Le lawsuit.
UFC TV rights news.
Major UFC stars say they want to come out of retirement.
How much WWE & UFC are expected to produce this year in revenue.
New WWE project with Netflix.
Update on Netflix ratings for the two wrestling shows.
This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter Back Issue
Joining the “cornball wave” of making “a song to promote a fist fight,” Ethan Page released a diss track on Trick Williams ahead of their NXT Championship match at Halloween Havoc.
Rhodes said he’s been “blown away” by NXT’s run on The CW Network so far:
As a talent in the current main roster as we might say, NXT can be kind of intimidating, because it’s not really a developmental anymore. It’s almost a grooming ground for these monsters who are going to come up and eventually stand across the ring from you – and they’ve been trained by Shawn Michaels. We’re definitely preparing the next generation of superstars and wrestlers. And their run on The CW with NXT, I’ve been blown away. Really special stuff.
David Bixenspan has a story for Rolling Stone covering the new lawsuit filed against WWE, Vince McMahon & Linda McMahon concerning the 1980s “Ring Boy” scandal.
thirty-seven years old.. this past year, i struggled to even look at myself in the mirror, not recognizing the woman staring back. sleepless nights, hormones all over the place, keeping a tiny human alive and thriving.. so much has changed. there have been good days, bad days, and so many blurry days in between. a once confident woman, now completely lost. who am i? why don’t i recognize myself? will i ever get back to who i was? the truth is, no. i won’t. because i’m a different person now. i’m a mother. we don’t talk enough about the struggles new moms face, because we have no choice but to show up and keep going. i’ve put myself last, putting everyone else’s needs first, but i’m realizing that’s no good for anyone. lately, i’ve been making it a priority to take care of myself so i can show up as the best mom, wife, and woman i can be. for the first time in over a year, i’m starting to emerge from the fog and step into this new version of me. i’m proud of who i am and the sacrifices i’ve made for my family. i’m not the person i was before i had my son, but i’m an even better version of myself—and i’m learning to love her. to all the moms out there in the postpartum fog, take a moment to recognize how far you’ve come. you’re a superwoman. give yourself grace during this time of transformation, and trust that you’ll find yourself again.
In an interview with Foundation Radio, Mark Briscoe said he’s hoping to be an entrant in the 2024 Continental Classic. Briscoe noted that the tournament will begin next month:
Season is coming up. Thanksgiving Eve, that’s the start of the Continental Classic. And, you know, with [Kazuchika] Okada being the current Continental Champion, he’s the focal point. He’s the target, you know what I mean? But I feel like the Continental Classic last year, in a way, in my singles career – it was almost like a coming out party. I got the chance to wrestle four guys in my block. And it was just like, I don’t think anybody knew what I could do in singles competition. And I didn’t really make out too well in the wins and the losses, but I learned.
Adam Cole spoke to TV Insider about the passing of former ROH Chief Operating Officer Joe Koff:
I’m thankful I got to attend Joe Koff’s service, which just happened. Joe Koff was incredibly important to me. He was an unbelievable man, an unbelievable businessman. He was one of the first people to really support me and have my back and he gave me quite a bit of confidence when it came to wrestling. Having a belief in myself. Joe was so unbelievable to so many of us at Ring of Honor. He helped so many talents and so many different people. This was either from the business mindset or just bringing encouragement. He was awesome to the talent. Joe Koff was someone who, even when I didn’t work for Ring of Honor for years, would still text me congratulations. Whether it was my debut in NXT or debut in AEW or being part of the first [AEW] All In with MJF. Joe Koff went out of his way to reach out and say how proud he was of me. That meant the world. I think the world of him and grateful I could have been even a small part of that man’s life.
Cole was asked about Dynamite & NXT going head-to-head on November 6 (with NXT being moved to Wednesday that week due to election coverage):
I think it’s very exciting. I feel any time there is any kind of competition within pro wrestling, it has been nothing but a positive. When there is only one show in town, it can only do so much. I think when there are situations where people can challenge each other or go up against each other, it brings out the best in both places. It’s nothing but a good thing. It’s good for the wrestlers and fans alike.
MLW announced that Bad Dude Tito will defend his National Openweight Championship against Matthew Justice in a Falls Count Anywhere match at Lucha Apocalypto in Cicero, Illinois on Saturday, November 9.
With the “modern” AEW Triple Crown now just a memory after Eddie Kingston’s loss to Kazuchika Okada Wednesday, AEW head Tony Khan explained how the Continental title will work in relation to the annual Continental Classic tournament.
In an interview that debuted prior to Dynamite, Khan said that whoever holds the title after November’s annual Full Gear pay-per-view will get an automatic spot in the Classic. However, the titleholder will have to win the tournament final at December’s Worlds End PPV in order to keep their championship.
Okada won the Continental title Wednesday by defeating Kingston to become the second-ever titleholder.
Khan also reiterated that the rules around the Continental title will remain the same: no interference and no one allowed at ringside.
Kingston won both the inaugural title and round robin tournament at this past December’s Worlds End by defeating Jon Moxley in the final. Kingston put both his Ring of Honor World title and the men’s NJPW Strong Openweight title up going into the tournament, thus winning what Khan called the Continental Crown.
Kingston will defend the ROH title against Mark Briscoe at next month’s Supercard of Honor while Okada is expected to defend the Continental title against PAC at next month’s AEW Dynasty PPV.
New York native Eddie Kingston became the winner of both the first-ever AEW Continental Classic and the first-ever Continental Crown championship at Saturday’s Worlds End on Long Island, New York.
Kingston, winner of the Blue League portion of the tournament, pinned Jon Moxley, winner of the Gold League portion, following a spinning backfist that concluded a striking exchange between the two.
HE DID IT! Eddie Kingston is the FIRST EVER #AEWContinentalClassic winner and the FIRST #AEW Continental Champion!
The Continental Crown Championship is what AEW is hailing as the “modern” triple crown, made up of the new AEW Continental Championship, the NJPW Strong Openweight Championship, and the Ring of Honor World title.
Kingston went into the tournament as both the ROH and NJPW titleholder, offering to put both titles up on the line in the tournament.
Kingston earned his way into the final with a win over Bryan Danielson while Moxley defeated both Swerve Strickland and Jay White in a three-way.
Your #AEWContinental Classic Winner and modern day Triple Crown holder, EDDIE KINGSTON!
Tonight’s AEW Worlds End pay-per-view features a World title defense, plus the finals of the Continental Classic tournament.
MJF will defend the AEW World Championship against Samoa Joe. MJF’s title reign has stretched for over 400 days, but he is battling hip and shoulder injuries and faces a tough test in Joe.
The Continental Classic tournament will also conclude on the show, as Jon Moxley faces Eddie Kingston in the finals to crown a Triple Crown Champion. The winner will be the AEW Continental Champion, the ROH World Champion, plus the NJPW Strong Openweight Champion.
Three more title matches are also set.
Christian Cage defends the TNT title against Adam Copeland in a no-DQ match, Toni Storm defends the Women’s World title against Riho, plus TBS Champion Julia Hart defends against Abadon.
Swerve Strickland vs. Keith Lee, plus Miro vs. Andrade El Idolo are the other featured singles bouts on the show.
Bryan Danielson, Claudio Castagnoli, Daniel Garcia & Mark Briscoe vs. Jay White, Rush, Brody King & Jay Lethal in an eight-man tag is also scheduled.
Chris Jericho, Sammy Guevara, Sting & Darby Allin face Big Bill, Ricky Starks, Powerhouse Hobbs & Kyle Fletcher in another eight-man tag.
Kris Statlander vs. Willow Nightingale, a 20-man battle royale for a future TNT title shot, plus Hook defending the FTW title against Wheeler Yuta are set for the Zero Hour pre-show.
Zero Hour
The WrestleAunts, Renee Paquette & RJ City welcome us to Zero Hour and run down the card for this evening. Due to an injury, we’re told that Keith Lee is unable to compete tonight, so his Naturally Limitless partner, Dustin Rhodes, will be taking his place against Swerve Strickland.
Paquette announced Jeff Jarrett to the panel and he wishes everyone a Slappy New Year. Jarrett has known Samoa Joe for a long time and wasn’t surprised by Joe turning on MJF this past Wednesday. MJF is anything but focused on his AEW World Title and guarantees the landscape will change tonight. When talking about the Continental Classic, Jarrett said it was very fitting that the Finals come down to Jon Moxley & Eddie Kingston, who Jarrett called a bum.
Excalibur, Taz, Nigel McGuinness & Stokely Hathaway are on commentary for our opening contest.
Willow Nightingale defeated Kris Statlander
(The late arriving crowd got into the match in the second half and the only downfall was the ending, which took a few tries to get to work correctly. These two ladies had a hard hitting match and this is the first time Statlander has lost back to back singles matches in her AEW run.)
An even back and forth to start, as Nightingale hit a bodyslam a running low cross body for a near fall. Statlander responded with a leg sweep and handstand leg drop, until Nightingale leapt off the second with a cross body for two. Statlander was sent to the floor, as Nightingale followed with a somersault senton off the apron. Back inside, Nightingale tried a Doctor Bomb, but Statlander fought it off with a forearm and somersault senton of her own. Statlander kept Nightingale grounded with a body scissors and Cobra Clutch until Nightingale fought free with a cartwheel into an enzugiri. Statlander dodged a high boot into a back suplex, but both ladies collided into the double down.
Nightingale struck first with a series of offense in the corner before a spinebuster connected for two. Both ladies traded Three Amiga attempts, with each able to hit two of the three multiple times before both just collapsed. Statlander was up first and hit a front face suplex, lifting Nightingale in an electric chair position and dropped Nightingale face first. Statlander was slow to follow, which allowed Nightingale to connect with the Pounce, corner cannonball and Death Valley Driver for a near fall. Statlander ducked a lariat and really had to fight for a Blue Thunder Bomb and scissors kick. Statlander signaled for the 450 on the top, but Nightingale cut her off with a powerbomb on the apron. Back inside, Nightingale hit a shotgun dropkick off the second, but Statlander again kicked out. Statlander tried Saturday Night Fever, but Nightingale rolled out, hit a glancing enzugiri, but Statlander answered with a discus lariat, only to miss a 450 Splash. Nightingale turned Statlander inside out with a lariat and tried a Doctor Bomb, but couldn’t hit it all the way after two attempts. The camera cut to Hathaway on commentary as Nightingale tried and successfully hit the Doctor Bomb on the third try to get the win. Hathaway said he hasn’t been this disappointed since they cancelled Martin.
-A video package of Serena Deeb is shown in a straightjacket saying she’s been studying the women’s division since her time off. She escaped the straightjacket and was shown training as well. The Woman of 1,000 Holds, The Professor of Professional Wrestling is ready to return.
Killswitch won the 20 Man Battle Royale for a shot at the TNT Title Anytime, Anywhere last eliminating Trent Beretta
(Pretty much your standard battle royale, as some of the local guys got hometown pops before getting eliminated, resulting in boos from the crowd. The two giants being trapped under tables to start just meant they got to rest for half the match, as the winner made the most sense out of everyone involved. Killswitch now gets a TNT Title match whenever he wants.)
Other participants included Danhausen, Lance Archer, Rocky Romero, The Butcher, The Blade, Action Andretti, Darius Martin, Christopher Daniels, Matt Menard, Bryan Keith, Kip Sabian, John Silver, Alex Reynolds, Angelo Parker, Lee Johnson, Johnny TV, Dalton Castle & Serpentico
Multiple guys trapped Lane Archer & Killswitch under tables ringside before everyone else spilled into the ring. Danhausen cursed Serpentico, who was quickly dumped by Beretta. Castle tried to get his hands on Johnny TV, but was eliminated by Sabian rather quickly, disappointing the crowd and continuing Castle’s downward spiral. Romero launched Danhausen into Johnny TV on the apron to eliminate him. Johnson was eliminated by Parker, who was then sent packing by the Dark Order after a Wombo Combo by Silver & Reynolds. Sabian, Butcher & Blade triple teamed and eliminated Reynolds, as Silver fought them all off to get a hometown pop before being dumped by The Butcher. Keith hit an enzugiri on the apron to eliminate Sabian, as Danhausen was about to curse him, until Butcher & Blade put a stop to it, eliminating Keith in the process.
Archer rose from the tables and cleaned house, dumping Menard and Daniels. Beretta, Romero & Danhausen tried to triple team the big man, but Archer was fresh, so he hit a Blackout over the top on Romero. Andretti slammed a bottle of water, which I guess is his thing now and hit a double team pop up hurricanrana with Martin on Archer. Killswitch is finally in and collided with Archer before dumping out Andretti & Martin. The Butcher & Blade were tossed next, as the final 4 are Archer, Killswitch, Danhausen & Beretta, as it was Danhausen who was seved from Blackout by Beretta. After a groin punch, both Beretta & Danhausen eliminated Archer before doing a Best Friends hug. Beretta turned on Danhausen and dumped him before delivering multiple charging knees to Killswitch. Beretta low bridged Killswitch to the apron, but ran into the clutches, pulled over the top and clobbered by the big man to allow Killswitch to win the match and the open TNT Title contract.
HOOK defeated Wheeler Yuta to retain the FTW Title under FTW Rules
(These two had a fun match, with the weapons being kept to trash cans, lids and then the finish with the hockey stick. It’s probably for the best, as we have a No DQ on tap tonight. The crowd popped big for HOOK’s victory here.)
Yuta ran down Long Island before the match began and was drowned out by the New York Islanders horn as HOOK made his entrance wearing Islanders colors. HOOK lit up Yuta with corner strikes, and wanted to duck a Yuta chop, but Yuta caught HOOK right in the face with the chop instead. Yuta brought out a few weapons, but HOOK took the fight to the stage with a Northern Lights. Yuta scrambled to ringside and decked HOOK with a trash can lid before opting to trash talk Taz, knocking his beverage over in the process. Yuta kept HOOK grounded until HOOK fought back with a suplex and series of clotheslines. Yuta rolled through REDRUM as both men traded German suplexes until a slugfest ensued into the double down.
Yuta bit at HOOK and hit a fisherman’s suplex with a bridge for two. A trash can shot led to HOOK blocking a knee into an overhead suplex into the corner where a trash can was set up. HOOK sank in REDRUM, but Yuta piggy backed and drove HOOK onto the trash can. Yuta is bleeding from the head as he planted HOOK with a DDT on a stop sign for two. HOOK rolled to the floor, allowing Yuta to grab a 2×4, as HOOK emerged with a hockey stick and swept the leg of Yuta before busting the stick over Yuta’s back. With a piece of the stick, HOOK applied REDRUM and got the submission win.
AEW World’s End 2023
“It’s Saturday Night, you know what that means.” Excalibur welcomed us alongside Taz & Nigel McGuinness, who were joined by Daddy Magic Matt Menard for our opening All Star 8 Man Tag.
Bryan Danielson, Claudio Castagnoli, Daniel Garcia & Mark Briscoe defeated Switchblade Jay White, Brody King, Rush & Jay Lethal
(A hell of a party match opener, with Garcia gaining respect from the Blackpool Combat Club and getting the big win for his team. The crowd just wanted Garcia to do his dance and they were rewarded as a result.)
McGuinness is really pouring on the insults on Danielson before the match even began. The more this happens, the more I think a match between the two will happen before Danielson wraps up his full time career. Rush & Castagnoli had a fast opening sequence, with Rush nearly hitting a dive, but Castagnoli sprinted back in the ring for a face off. Briscoe & Lethal picked up where they left off with a nice back and forth, loud series of chops included. White & Danielson came in for their first interaction with White immediately trapped in a LeBell Lock, getting the ropes and Danielson reminds Rick Knox he has until 5. Chops in bunches by White, but Danielson answered with kicks and chops of his own before delivering a corner hurricanrana. Danielson went for a home run Yes Kick, but Garcia stole the tag, as payback for Danielson cutting off Garcia’s dance during the entrances.
Garcia & King tagged in and King immediately planted Garcia with a Black Hole Slam for two. King got into Menard’s face ringside, with White egging the big man on, as the crowd had loud Daddy Magic chants. Back inside, Rush mocked Garcia’s dance as Garcia found himself isolated. Finally able to get free, Briscoe made the hot tag and cleaned house. Danielson flew to the floor to take out Rush, as Castagnoli lit up King with uppercuts, while Briscoe hit a Blockbuster to the floor followed by a Cactus Jack elbow on Rush. Back inside, Briscoe hit a massive Fisherman’s Bomb on White for two. White spun out of a Jay Driller, but White hit an Exploder over the top to the floor where Lethal & King got in their shots. Lethal connected on a superplex, but White rolled out of a Gonzo Bomb by King to tag in Castagnoli, as the two big men of the match went at it in a striking war.
My stream died for about a minute, as when it returned, Castagnoli was giving King a giant swing and Danielson hit the Tyson Kidd-esque dropkick mid revolution. The match broke down and picked up a lightning quick pace with Lethal hitting a Lethal Combination on Garcia followed by a Figure Four as everyone brawled ringside. Briscoe came flying in with a Froggy Bow to save his partner, as everyone took turns hitting their home run signature shots until Garcia was left with King and hit a stalling Saito Suplex. Lethal tried to cut off Garcia, who pulled out the legs and got a roll up for the win. Garcia did his dance for the crowd and Menard joined in on commentary. Lethal was being talked to by Sonjay Dutt post match, as more seeds are planted for dissention in that group.
Miro submitted Andrade El Idolo (w/CJ Perry)
(With the rumors of Andrade finishing up tonight with AEW and expected back in WWE as soon as a few days, it made the most sense for Miro to get the win here and also end the partnership of Andrade & Perry. I assume this story could’ve gone longer, but if Andrade is leaving, there’s no reason to keep Perry & Miro apart any longer. They should’ve been together from the start.)
After being hospitalized recently, it’s good to see Perry back, as she looks great. Miro attacked right at the bell, before Andrade could even get his jacket off. Andrade fought back and wanted a dive, but Miro put a stop to that. Back inside, Miro escaped a Figure Four and pulled Andrade into an overhead throw. Miro yelled at Perry if this is what she wanted and she yelled right back at her husband. Miro connected on a spinning side slam before taking the fight to Andrade ringside into the barricade. Perry yelled at Andrade to fight back, but Miro dumped him on the announce table. Rough night for commentators trying to protect their drinks so far. Andrade responded by launching Miro over the table, landing right on his head. Back inside, Miro fought back in the corner and hit a superplex for the reset.
Perry screamed for both men to get up, as they did, starting their slugfest, as Andrade’s chops echoed loud in the arena. Andrade caught Miro’s leg in the ropes and hit a dragon screw before a cross body off the top led to a flying forearm. Miro bailed from the corner charge, but rolled right in position for Andrade to hit a moonsault to the floor. Andrade hugged Perry, as Miro avoided the first moonsault back inside, but not the follow up, which got Andrade two. Miro battled back and flattened Andrade before sinking in Game Over, but Andrade got the ropes. Miro turned his attention too long to his wife, as Andrade went back after the leg and hit the spinning back elbow flush for a close two.
Andrade locked in the Figure Four, but couldn’t bridge to the Eight. Miro briefly reversed and got the Figure Eight, as Miro grabbed the ref. This allowed Perry to pull the arms out from Andrade, as he asks why, allowing Miro to clock him with a superkick for two. Miro applied Game Over in the middle of the ring and got the submission. Perry smiled at her husband, who didn’t seem to know what to think of his wife siding with him.
Timeless Toni Storm (w/Luther) defeated Riho to retain the AEW Women’s Title
(Storm controlled so much of this match I thought it was going to be a complete squash, but once Luther got ejected, Riho was able to make a comeback. Despite getting a few near falls and taking the fight to the champion, Storm was able to avoid the offense and retain the title. The crowd was loudly behind Storm and her character.)
After taking an early bodyslam, Riho bridged out of a pin and tried a bodyslam of her own, but couldn’t get Storm down, so opted for a dropkick and running bulldog. Storm went to the floor, where Riho tried a cross body onto Luther, who caught and passed her to Storm, hitting a bodyslam ringside. Back inside, Storm got her black and white close up before keeping Riho grounded for an extended period. Riho tried to use her speed, but Storm’s power was too much and hit a sitout choke bomb for two. Storm repeatedly stepped on the lower back before posing for the crowd. While sitting on Luther’s shoulders, Storm launched Riho to the floor off the apron. Riho broke the count, robbing Storm of her close up, as Storm sank in a Texas Cloverleaf. Luther pulled the ropes back from Riho and got ejected as a result.
This was enough for Riho to mount her comeback with forearms, head scissors and Tiger Feint Kick. To the top, Riho hit the cross body and finally got enough of a bodyslam for two. Storm again rolled to the floor, but Luther wasn’t there to save her from a diving Riho. Storm went to the apron and Riho met her with a diving double stomp before a Dragon Suplex back inside connected for two. Riho missed the corner charge, but Storm whiffed on Sweet Cheek Music as well, only to successfully hit Storm Zero for a close near fall. Riho nearly stole the pin with a roll up, but took too long to go to the second rope and Storm pulled the legs out for a bad landing. Storm hit an over the back DDT and got the victory. Post match, Mariah May appeared with a bucket of roses to shower over Storm to celebrate.
-Lexy Nair is backstage with Dante Martin, who said he’s been doing good, but not great. Getting injured put a stop to his momentum in AEW. Orange Cassidy walks in and Martin immediately accepted the International Title match against Cassidy for Wednesday on Dynamite.
(Take nothing away from Rhodes, who is as tough as they come, but with Strickland being a potential World Title contender in 2024, I’m not sure this match needed to go as long as it did. Especially with how this match started with the use of the cinderblock, which still baffles me the medical staff allowed this match to just happen. Strickland got a dominating win and I assume when Keith Lee is cleared, we’ll finally get the match, now over a year in the making.)
Strickland got the jump immediately when Rhodes tried to climb in the ring and slammed Rhodes into the post and barricade. A charging dropkick into the steps led to Nana pulling out a cinderblock and placing Rhodes’ ankle on it. Strickland debated it, only to smile and hit a Swerve Stomp, shattering the cinderblock. The doctors checked on Rhodes as loud Whose House chants rang out. Doctors and staff helped Rhodes up the ramp, but he turned around and made his way back to the ring. The ref just allowed this to happen, as the match officially began and Strickland hit a pump kick, mocking Keith Lee, saying this could’ve been him.
Rhodes fought off Strickland in the corner and managed a cross body for two, as Rhodes continued to mount a comeback with a Canadian Destroyer and powerslam for another near fall. Rhodes set up Strickland for the Unnatural Kick and hit it, as Nana had the referee. A Piledriver by Rhodes led to Cross Rhodes, spiking Strickland for two. Strickland kicked away from a Figure Four and hit the rolling Flatliner before sinking in a single leg crab transitioning to a Stretch Muffler. Rhodes got the ropes, as Strickland toyed too much and Rhodes was able to hype himself up, flipping off and spitting at Strickland. Multiple House Call kicks connected, as instead of giving the crowd one more time like they wanted, Strickland snapped the arm of Rhodes and hit the Swerve Stomp for the win.
Chris Jericho, Sting, Darby Allin & Sammy Guevara defeated Ricky Starks, Big Bill, Powerhouse Hobbs & Konosuke Takeshita (w/Don Callis)
(Another party match that took longer than the opener to kick into gear, but once it did, it was good stuff. With Jericho & Guevara getting the next Tag Title shot, it made sense for him to pin either Starks or Bill. For the few unaware, I’ll let you figure out why Jericho was getting booed by the Long Island crowd. They did not however, boo Sting, who got a loud reaction and Thank You Sting chants post match for his final match in New York. I absolutely need to point out superfan Vladimir sitting ringside and Sting made sure to hug both he & his pal, Charlie.)
Guevara tried to tell Takeshtia he didn’t need Don Callis, but the advice was ignored and was had a fast little opening sequence before Jericho made the tag to boos from the crowd. Le Sex Gods pose also got boos, as Starks tagged in, only to flip off Jericho before Hobbs made the tag and mowed down Jericho. Bill made the tag and flattened Jericho, who answered with an eye poke and chops. Allin made the tag to a nice ovation, as the pace quickened and had a nice back and forth with Takeshita for a few near falls. Takeshita tried Chaos Theory, but Allin flipped out into a shotgun dropkick and Code Red for two. Callis distracted Allin long enough for stop a Coffin Drop attempt, as Takeshita hit a wild Avalanche Helicopter Blue Thunder Bomb. Allin remained isolated before as Hobbs & Bill flung Allin clear across the ring like he was a sack of potatoes in an incredible spot.
Allin finally was able to escape the clutches of Takeshita and dive for a Sting hot tag, which the crowd went nuts for. A series of Stinger Splashes cleaned house with Bill getting crotched in the process. Dueling Splashes by Sting & Jericho until Bill ran through Sting like a truck. Starks lit up Sting in the corner before doing the rope walk clubbing blow. Sting tried a hot shot, but missed the ropes and Starks crashed to the mat. Guevara made the tag, tried a rolling cutter, but opted for one off the second for two. Bill used his power to hit a massive Boss Man Slam on Guevara, as Jericho flew in with a Code Breaker, which got boos.
Bill no sold the move and just poured down punches on Jericho, to cheers from the crowd. Jericho answered with a dropkick, but ran into a Hobbs spinebuster. A World’s Strongest Slam hit by Hobbs, who went for a second, but Allin flew in with a Coffin Splash and Scorpion Death Drop. Takeshita came in and dropped Allin right on his head before delivering a double German to Guevara & Allin. Takeshita tried a jumping knee on Sting, who ate the first one, but blocked a second with a Scorpion Death Lock. Don Callis jumped in with a baseball bat and chased off by Sting, as Jericho applied a Walls of Jericho on Hobbs. Sting again put the Death Lock on Takeshita, but Starks broke it up.
Sting wanted a Death Drop on Starks, but Bill came in with a big boot. Allin made the save and sent Bill to the floor where he met him with a fast dive. Guevara wanted a dive, but took too long and Starks flew in with a Spear for two, as did an Angels Wings. Starks wanted Roshambo, but Guevara escaped with a superkick and GTH. Guevara followed up with a Shooting Star Press to get the victory.
Julia Hart defeated Abadon to retain the TBS Title under House Rules
(The crowd didn’t know what to make of the spookyness of this one early on, but Abadon put up a solid fight. The numbers were too much to overcome, as Hart retained with help from her new running buddy.)
A reminder that House Rules means 20 counts on the floor, no rope breaks and DQ’s are enforced. However, the one stipulation the challenger chose was that biting is legal. This Is Spooky chants from the crowd, as Abadon fired off a cutter and series of corner lariats to follow. A Boss Man Slam got Abadon two before both traded mounting strikes, an exchange that Abadon won. Hart spun out of a spinning side slam into a crucifix for two, as both slowly crawled around into a face off, pie facing one another. Hart got a leg sweep and poured down right hands, as she sent Abadon to the floor repeatedly. After allowing Abadon back in the ring, Hart choked them in the ropes and reminded referee Aubrey there’s no rope breaks.
Abadon escaped and pulled Hart throat first into the ropes before Hart fired off a punch and wore Abadon down more until Abadon bit at the arm to break the submission. Abadon bit the arm again and ran wild with double knees in the corner, which was followed by a lungblower for two. Abadon was cut off in the ropes, as Hart connected on a superplex for two of her own. Hart had Hartless applied, as Abadon had to fight their way out of the submission and hit a swinging side slam followed by a running knee strike. Hart again cut Abadon off in the ropes, but they bit the head of Hart, who took the ref. Skye Blue appeared and shoved Abadon from the ropes, bailing under the ring, but Abadon was out after her. Abadon pulled Blue out and dropped her with a right hand and charging knee. Hart decked Abadon from behind and slammed them into the ring steps repeatedly before going back to the ring, connecting with the moonsault to retain the title.
Adam Copeland defeated Christian Cage (w/Nick & Mother Wayne) in a No DQ Match to win the TNT Title
(This was an absolute war and the story here was Copeland needs help if he wants to have any chance against Cage & The Patriarchy. He enjoyed his win for a few seconds before it all came crashing down. The spell that Cage has still over Killswitch set the stage for Cage to regain his title within minutes.)
Copeland attacked Cage on the ramp and sent him tumbling ringside. Copeland took a sip of a fans drink and it over his own head. Nigel McGuinness was trash talking Copeland, who told him to shut up and McGuinness quickly obliged, backing off. The crowd chanted TLC as Cage bailed to the floor again, but was sent knee first into the steps by Copeland. Cage escaped through the crowd, up the stairs until Nick Wayne attacked and got beat up as a result. Copeland disappeared briefly and showed up on top of an upper level section and dove off onto Cage & Wayne. Back to ringside they went, as Copeland walked the barricade and hit a diving clothesline. After 10 corner punches in the ring, Cage sidestepped a Spear and sent Copeland shoulder first into the post. Cage stomped down onto Copeland’s face placed on the steps, busting Copeland open in the process.
Cage decked Copeland with kendo stick shots, driving the corner down on the throat, as Wayne threw in multiple chairs. With a chair set up on Copeland’s neck, Cage locked in a Boston Crab sitting on the chair. Copeland escaped, as Wayne handed Cage a metal rod as he swung for the fences, Copeland ducked and took Cage down. Copeland got his revenge with kendo stick shots to the neck and back before applying a crossface. Cage nearly got the metal rod, but Copeland wrestled it away and choked him with it. Copeland let the hold go and opted for a ladder under the ring to a huge pop. Set up in the corner, Copeland hit a slingshot on the ladder to Cage’s face, but took too long to follow, as Cage hit a kendo stick shot low and reverse DDT.
Cage climbed the ladder, but also took too long, as Copeland cut him off, tried a superplex, but Cage countered into a sunset flip powerbomb. Cage got the ladder as far away from the ring as possible and decided to get the tables, with Wayne helping set them up. Cage wanted a suplex to the floor, but Copeland escaped, tried a Spear, but Wayne made the save. Copeland with an Impaler on the chair back in the ring, as he wanted a Con-Chair-To, but Wayne made the save allowing Cage to get a low blow for two. With a table set up in the corner, Copeland leap frogged a Spear attempt, launched a chair into the face of Cage and hit a Spear through the table, but Shayna Wayne pulled the ref to the floor during the count. Copeland slowly went after Shayna, as Nick decked Copeland with the TNT Title and a Wayne’s World on the floor. Copeland was sent back in the ring where Cage hit a Killswitch for two.
Cage pulled out lighter fluid with Nick and sprayed what Excalibur called a Homer Simpson-esque amount. Nick lit the table on fire, Cage told Copeland to go F himself, but Copeland dodged and fought off Nick, having to re-light the table and powerbomb Nick through it. Thankfully Nick just clipped the table, but enough of it. Back in the ring, Copeland avoided the belt shot by Cage, hit a low blow and Killswitch to get the pin and the title.
Christian Cage defeated Adam Copeland to regain the TNT Title
Copeland was celebrating with the TNT Title when Killswitch appeared from behind and leveled Copeland with a lariat, chokeslam and another through a chair. Killswitch was going to give his TNT Title contract he won from the Battle Royale to referee Paul Turner when Cage demanded the contract instead. Cage whispered something to Killswitch, who gave away the contract, which Cage signed and gave to the referee. The bell rang; Cage hit a Spear and regained the title. Cage, The Waynes & Killswitch celebrated up the ramp, as Copeland was left recovering in the ring with Excalibur saying this is the shortest TNT Title reign ever, questioning where Copeland goes from here?
Eddie Kingston defeated Jon Moxley in the Continental Classic Final to win the inaugural Triple Crown Title
(These two just love beating the crap out of one another and they delivered big time. Once it was clear this would be the Final, you knew both were going to leave it all out there and this was the Match of the Night. I hope we get a rematch sooner than later, as with this win, Kingston wins the Continental Classic, conquering the entire Blackpool Combat Club in the process, to lead to his biggest victory of his career. Excalibur told us that Kingston dedicated this match to the memory of wrestler Kurtis “Mad Kurt” Chapman.)
Bryan Danielson joined commentary and said there’s nowhere else he’d rather be if he wasn’t able to be in this actual match. Kingston is wearing Toshiaki Kawada inspired kick pads for this one, as a grappling exchange opened things off, with Kingston pulling guard and daring Moxley to fight. The feeling out process led to both exchanging snapmares and kicks to the back, which just pissed each other off, resulting in chops aplenty. Kingston fired off chops to the neck and an enzugiri sent Moxley to the floor, where a dive resulted in Kingston’s head smacking the barricade badly. Kingston shook it off, but was met with a German suplex from Moxley back inside. To the floor again, this time Moxley hit a Paradigm Shift before waiting for Kingston to beat the count. Danielson said he can’t believe he lost to this guy, as Kingston shook off the neck pain, back inside trying a chop, which Moxley blocked and the slow-mo showed how gnarly that looked to Kingston’s forearm. Moxley connected with a piledriver before sinking in a STF, which Kingston bit his way out of.
Both men traded chops and Kingston’s was so loud that it brought Moxley to his knees and made the crowd go crazy. This chop battle was insane, with both men taking turns flipping each other off in the process. Switching to lariats, Kingston hit an Exploder, which Moxley popped right up from, but stumbled briefly into a spinning backfist, only to have Kingston crumble. Both raised to their feet and Kingston unleashed machine gun chops, sweat bursting off from Moxley until a DDT followed, but took too long to capitalize, as Moxley hit a Cutter and King Kong Lariat. Moxley went for Death Rider, but Kingston countered into a Northern Lights Bomb for two, transitioning into a Bulldog Choke. Anvil elbows from Kingston poured down before going back to the Bulldog, which Moxley escaped out of into one of his own.
Kingston got the ropes and was able to hit another Northern Lights Bomb for two. Kingston wanted the powerbomb, but Moxley exploded out with a lariat for the double down. Moxley hit the lariat so hard that he’s clutching his own arm. Taz brought up how he once broke Sabu’s jaw and tore his own arm in the process delivering a lariat once. An exchange of headbutts on their knees was won by Moxley, who started a slap battle, which Kingston answered by firing off a wild backfist for the ages to crumble Moxley and get the pinfall. Referee Bryce presented the Triple Crown Title to Kingston, who held that, the ROH World and NJPW Strong Openweight Titles high in the air in a phenomenal match. Moxley hugged Kingston post match and gave the ring to his best friend. Kingston said “Mad Kurt, Rest in Peace.”
Samoa Joe defeated MJF (w/Adam Cole) to win the AEW World Title
(I don’t think I’m doing it justice when I said you could hear a pin drop at the finish of this. Maybe some saw Joe winning the title, but absolutely no one saw this ending the way that it did. The crowd was so loudly behind MJF from the start that even with the bad arm, Max still had a shot. Unfortunately, MJF is hurt and needs to heal up, so Joe winning the title here is probably for the best overall. The post match, we finally got the reveal of The Devil and his Henchmen and can thankfully put this who is it story to an end. I’m interested in seeing where this crew goes from here, as we’re off to the races for AEW in 2024 with a new World Champ and new heel stable ready to roll.)
The intro for MJF featured folks from Long Island painting MJF as the never say die babyface, saying that he is their scumbag. Before the official introductions, Adam Cole’s music hit and he came to the ring on crutches to corner his “best friend”. MJF was introduced as being from The Most Magical Place in the World, Long Island, New York.
After an early eye poke, MJF charged at Joe in the corner, but was planted with a Uranage right on the bad shoulder. Joe stomped away and trash talked the Long Island crowd before punting their hero repeatedly in the bad arm. Joe no sold a chop from the bad arm and hit his signature combo of an atomic drop, big boot and running senton to the arm. MJF escaped a Muscle Buster and low bridged Joe to get enough time to recover and get a few pin attempts. MJF took too long to go for the Kangaroo Kick, as Joe hit a slingshot over the top, but MJF tried to skin the cat and ate a charging Joe boot. Joe followed with a Tope and Death Valley Driver back inside for two. Rolling German and Dragon suplexes from Joe, who brought MJF to the apron and hit a violent Muscle Buster onto the edge of the ring. The expression on Adam Cole’s face is priceless at how horrified he was. MJF still managed to kick out back in the ring.
Joe wanted a proper Muscle Buster, but this time, MJF escaped and drove Joe head first repeatedly in the buckle. MJF bit Joe and wanted the Kangaroo Kick, but again, failed, as Joe kicked him out of mid air. Joe went to the second rope, but MJF cut him off and wanted a Death Valley Driver, but the legs gave out. MJF did connect flush on a double stomp to the arm before delivering a Heat Seeker for two. MJF wanted another, but this time, Joe avoided, so MJF rolled through and applied Salt of the Earth. Joe rolled through as well, getting an arm breaker of his own. MJF got the rope break, but Joe sank in the rear naked choke, MJF spun out and rammed Joe into referee Bryce. MJF cracked Joe with a low blow and this time followed up with a F5, but the referee took too long to recover and Joe kicked out.
MJF wanted Cole to give him the Dynamite Diamond Ring, but took too long to find it, as got the Coquina Clutch, which MJF nearly got the Bret/Piper Mania 8 kick out of the corner spot for a two count. Joe reapplied the choke and MJF faded, the ref dropping the arm three times and Joe wins the title. The crowd was speechless, no one realized the match was over, as Joe got up and celebrated with the realization finally hitting the crowd. Joe went to the back with the AEW World Title and the crowd started loud Bullsh*t chants.
Cole checked on MJF post match before four of The Devil’s Henchmen appeared ringside and held back Cole, who screamed for them to hit him with the chair instead of Max. Right as the Henchmen turned to hit Cole, the lights went out and when they came back on, Cole was seated in the chair with the Henchmen by his side. All four Henchmen revealed themselves to be Wardlow, Roderick Strong, and new ROH Tag Team Champions Matt Taven & Mike Bennett as MJF pleaded for an explanation from Cole, who watched as Wardlow laid out MJF with a powerbomb. Cole brought out The Devil’s mask and stood over the fallen MJF with his buddies to end the show.
