The 2025 AEW Continental Classic tournament kicked off during the Thanksgiving Eve episode of “AEW Dynamite” in Nashville, Tennessee, delivering thrilling action across four high-stakes matches. Defending AEW Continental Champion and last year’s winner, Kazuchika Okada, faced off against Kyle Fletcher from the Don Callis family. Despite an initial camaraderie, the match quickly intensified with both competitors exchanging powerful moves and near falls. Fletcher ultimately clinched his second consecutive win over Okada with a surprise roll-up, earning three points and shaking up the tournament standings.
In the Gold League, Kevin Knight battled Darby Allin in a closely matched contest. Knight gained an early edge after an accidental entanglement with the ropes slowed Darby, and despite struggling with a knee injury, Knight kept an upper hand. The match was filled with dramatic moments, including Darby’s daring aerial attacks and Knight’s impressive DDT on the ramp. Knight secured an upset victory with a UFO Splash, giving him and Fletcher a tie atop the Gold League rankings, while Allin and Okada fight to catch up.
Turning to the Blue League, Jon Moxley aimed to bounce back against CMLL’s Mascara Dorada. Both wrestlers showcased their ground and aerial skills, with Moxley eventually overpowering Dorada using a mix of submissions and high-impact strikes, including a shooting star press and his signature Darth Choke, earning his first three tournament points. The main event featured Claudio Castagnoli and Orange Cassidy, where Castagnoli’s raw strength dominated early on, despite Cassidy’s resilient comeback attempts. In the climax, a missed Orange Punch cost Cassidy the match, with Castagnoli landing a decisive pop-up European uppercut to secure a win, propelling him and Moxley to the top of the Blue League.
Fan Take: This tournament is shaping up to be an electrifying showcase of talent and strategy, deeply engaging AEW fans with intense rivalries and unexpected outcomes. The evolving dynamics could redefine wrestler hierarchies and infuse fresh energy into AEW, promising exciting developments for the sport’s future.
