The AEW star initially set to participate in this year’s AEW Continental Classic had to be replaced due to an injury. The 2025 Continental Classic kicked off on tonight’s AEW Dynamite with four matches split between the Gold and Blue Leagues.
In the Blue League’s opening match, Jon Moxley took on Mascara Dorada, the leader of the Death Riders, aiming to recover after consecutive submission defeats to Kyle O’Reilly at AEW Blood & Guts and AEW Full Gear. Contrary to previous outcomes, Moxley secured a submission victory this time, leaving Dorada incapacitated with a Dulce choke.
Prior to the match, commentator Excalibur revealed that Kyle O’Reilly, Moxley’s opponent at Full Gear, was also slated to compete in the Continental Classic but had to withdraw due to an injury sustained in a post-match assault on Dorada last Saturday. Filling O’Reilly’s spot in the C2 Blue League is his Conglomerate teammate Roderick Strong, who will begin his tournament journey tomorrow on AEW Collision’s Thanksgiving Special, facing Konosuke Takeshita of the Don Callis Family.
In another Blue League bout, Claudio Castagnoli triumphed over Orange Cassidy during Dynamite, setting up a showdown against his teammate Jon Moxley on the December 3 episode. Meanwhile, in the Gold League, Kyle Fletcher achieved a significant victory against the reigning champion Kazuchika Okada, followed by Kevin Knight’s win over Darby Allin later in the evening.
Further updates on Kyle O’Reilly’s condition will be shared as they come in.
Fan Take: This update is crucial for AEW fans because it affects the tournament lineup and could shift the competition’s dynamics, showcasing fresh rivalries and unexpected outcomes. The injury replacements might pave the way for new stars to emerge, keeping the sport exciting and unpredictable.
