Welcome to the week four review of the AEW Continental Classic 2024 on GrapPro.
You can find all content on the Continental Classic from GrapPro here.
Learn more about the participants of the 2024 Continental Classic here.
Week One Review
Week Two Review
Week Three Review
Week Four Review
The matches for the final night of the Continental Classic before the playoffs at World’s End 2024 are:
Dynamite on 34th Street
Gold League
Will Ospreay defeats Brody King
Darby Allin and Ricochet go to a draw
Komander defeats Claudio Castagnoli
Blue League
Kazuchika Okada defeats Shelton Benjmain
Kyle Fletcher defeats Daniel Garcia
Final Results
Kyle Fletcher 4-1
Kazuchika Okada 3-1-1
Mark Briscoe 3-2
Daniel Garcia 2-2-1
Shelton Benjamin 2–3
The Beast Mortos 0-5
Ricochet 3-1-1
Will Ospreay 3-2
Claudio Castagnoli 3-2
Darby Allin 2–2-1
Brody King 2-3
Komander 1-4
Blue League Overview
AEW is seriously investing in the development and success of Kyle Fletcher. At only 25 years of age he not only defeated League favourite and current AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada, but he also was the Blue League champion, joining Bryan Danielson as the only winners of the Blue League.
Kazuchika Okada looked better and better as the Continental Classic went on, as well as built fan support from the AEW audience. Instead of being the God King bigger than everyone he seems to now be enjoying the support from the AEW crowds who don’t want to boo him as much now he isn’t hanging out with The Elite every week.
Mark Briscoe might have missed making the playoffs but he has nothing to feel bad about. His win over Daniel Garcia could mean a TNT Championship shot in the future, and he was one of my favourite competitors in the Continental Classic this year. With Eddie Kingston out, Mark Briscoe is the current People’s Champion of AEW.
Daniel Garcia was able to improve upon his 1-4 record last year in the Continental Classic but I doubt he’s happy dropping victories to Kyle Fletcher and Mark Briscoe, as well as the draw to Okada. The TNT Championship wasn’t on the line, but I’m sure Briscoe and Fletcher will be wanting title shots in the near future.
Shelton Benjamin did extremely well, far better than I expected him to, and absolutely rose to the occasion of the Continental Classic. I very much enjoyed all of his matches this year and wouldn’t be against seeing him enter in 2025.
Poor The Beast Mortos. He went 0-5 which means I doubt he returns next year but he has nothing to be ashamed of about his performances. He was absolutely fantastic and proved he could go toe to toe with some of the best in the business. I would love to see AEW take Beast Mortos more serious next year, or let him dominate in Ring of Honor.
Gold League Overview
In an absolute shocker, the winner of the Gold League ended up Ricochet. What felt like Ospreay and Darby’s League to win, it turned out Ricochet wasn’t going to let his first year in AEW slow down at any point. Ricochet is embracing being the villain now, with all of the accusations of him being corny and annoying now being front and centre of his character. He’s like a combination of Drake and that bald kickboxer everyone hates (I won’t bother looking up his name you know who I’m talking about) and that’s looking to be the winning formula for Ricochet. Ricochet joins Jon Moxley as the only winners of the Gold League.
Will Ospreay did make it as the runner-up, thanks to a win against Brody King at Dynamite on 34th Street. Ospreay’s matches were of course sensational, with his match with Darby Allin being one of the best wrestling matches on cable TV in 2024. Ospreay and Darby look to be forming some sort of alliance against the Death Riders which will be interesting in 2025.
Speaking of the Death Riders, Claudio Castagnoli got upset by Komander, costing him a shot at the Continental Classic playoffs. This is the second time Claudio choked on the final match, as he lost last year to Eddie Kingston in his final matchup. Now he drops to Komander, who was a fill-in for Juice Robinson. Thats really got to sting for Claudio.
In another unfortunate final match, Darby Allin went to a draw against Ricochet, which keeps him out of the playoffs with only seven points. Darby will have to set his sights on a different mountain to climb. He at least leaves proving to everyone he can equal absolutely anyone in the ring.
Brody King once again started strong but couldn’t break the barrier as he once again finishes with a 2-3 record like last year. I do hope AEW now goes forward with him as a singles guy in the company. Break him away from the House of Black. It would be really cool if he joins the army that Darby Allin is building along with Will Ospreay.
It was unfortunate that Juice Robinson had to bow out of the Continental Classic as he had a fantastic match with Will Ospreay before getting injured. Replacing him was Komander, who proved he’s more than just a guy to get pinned. His big win on Claudio Castagnoli comes off the back of him winning the ROH World Television Championship at Final Battle 2024. Komander is ending his year much stronger than he started it. He can be proud of what he did here.
AEW Dynamite on 34th Street
December 25, 2024
Will Ospreay punches his ticket to the playoffs with three points beating Brody King
Gotta start saying the crowd at Hammerstein sounded absolutely incredible. It sounded like 20,000 people instead of 2,000 people. I don’t know if AEW did any sweetening on the audio since this was taped a few days ago but the crowd sounded incredible.
Ospreay tried to get an upper hand by giving Brody King a drop toe hold into steel stairs on the outside but Brody King quickly hit Ospreay with a spinebuster onto the same stairs to show turnabout is fair play.
Brody stayed on offence for a large portion of the match until Ospreay took advantage and hit a Sky Twister to the outside then a springboard lariat to the inside. Ospreay then bit off more than he could chew and realized no matter how strong he is? He isn’t Brody King strong.
Brody licked his hand and chopped Ospreay perched on the top which was so hard it knocked Ospreay right out of the ring. Brody King did a running body splash into Ospreay on a chair into the guardrail which likely did damage to King as well. Brody hit a huge cannonball and went for a cover but only got two.
Ospreay was determined to prove he could match power with Brody King and finally got some success through kicks but Brody King chopped Will right out of the air. Ospreay then reversed a lariat into a Styles Clash, his first impact move in minutes.
Ospreay tried an Irish Whip Hidden Blade but only got a one count. A proper Hidden Blade to the back of the head got a two count. Ospreay then pulled off an impressive Stormbreaker for a three count to punch his ticket to the playoffs.
Darby Allin and Ricochet go to a draw, making Ricochet the Gold League Winner
Darby showed up with his midsection wrapped up, looking like a mini Diamond Dallas Page.
Gotta highlight Darby having quite possibly the best “opening exchange” since Bret “The Hitman” Hart where him holding onto a headlock and sliding on the mat looks so damn good.
Big “BALD” chants by Hammerstein as well as “WHY YOU BALD?” which is even funnier. Respect to Ricochet for catching and chucking this toilet paper to the top row.
It’s interesting the contrast between the two. Darby is small but is always thinking of ways to attack his opponent while Ricochet, now becoming a smarmy worm, plays more defence and passive, throwing Darby into barricades and pulling out a table from underneath.
The 630 senton onto a table was awesome, reminding me of Darby’s matches in the past with Sammy Guevara. Ricochet’s springboard stomp actually made sense to attack Darby’s wrapped up midsection unlike most uses of a stomp.
Darby tried to reverse Ricochet’s momentum with two Code Red’s the first being off the middle rope. Darby was slow to respond and couldn’t Coffin Drop due to Ricochet going to the outside. Ricochet using the ropes is again an example of his new coward persona.
Darby locked a Fujiwara Armbar as Justin Roberts said there’s only two minutes remaining. Darby turned it into a Venus De Milo but Ricochet made it to the ropes with one minute remaining. The crowd chanted for Darby as Ricochet got a jumping knee strike. Darby hits the Scorpion Death Drop but he’s too beat up to quickly capitalize. Darby got to the top rope with the 10 seconds but he couldn’t pin Ricochet in time.
Ricochet and Darby going to a draw means Ricochet wins the Gold League. Darby ends up eliminated.
Komander with the upset of the Continental Classic against Claudio Castagnoli to gain three points and prevent Claudio from moving forward
Before the match started, Darby Allin said something in secret to both Alex Abrahantes (dressed as Wolverine?) and Komander.
Komander tries to walk the ropes but Claudio grabs him up to slam him. The crowd definitely sounded like they knew how this match would go.
Claudio went to the middle rope and hit a Dean Malenko style gutbuster off the knee from a military press. Claudio maintained control of Komander all the way to the outside, avoiding a Poison Rana and slamming Komander’s face into the apron. Komander finally got some offence by focusing on Claudio’s leg and whipping Claudio into the corner post.
Komander woke the crowd up with a corner dive. Claudio tried a European only for Komander to lock a submission on Claudio.
After some Yambag City (missed you Taz) Claudio chucked Komander onto the top rope cable then kicked him out of the ring. Komander on the outside grabbed up Darby’s pink coat which ended up having the brass knuckles that Claudio used to defeat Darby on Collision. Komander used the knucks on Claudio, rope walk moonsault, and a shocking win for Komander.
The crowd was completely for the cheating and didn’t treat it like a heel move. This should be obvious but I’m sure someone is going to complain about it. The Death Riders immediately swarmed the ring to beat up Komander but his win in the Continental Classic over Claudio is secured. Claudio does not move on to the playoffs.
Kazuchika Okada makes the playoffs in the Blue League by defeating Shelton Benjamin
Shleton and Kazu begin with a handshake. The crowd chanting for Okada early on followed by a Let’s Go Shelton chant. Both men are supposed to be heels but the crowd respects them more than anything.
Okada and Benjamin decided to make this a hard striking match instead of too many slams. A Tombstone attempt got reversed turning into an Ankle Lock, reminiscent to Benjamin’s old faction partner in Kurt Angle. Okada eventually reverses into the Money Clip but doesn’t get a tap.
Okada with the big elbow drop before getting in Rainmaker position, once again shooting the middle finger but making sure it’s targeted at Shelton more than the fans. After last weeks multiple German’s with release by various wrestlers, Okada decides to instead roll them only to get reversed into a high German release by Shelton.
Shelton drops Kazuchika with two more high German releases before doing a rising knee to the corner. Shelton went for the finish but Okada reversed into a small package. Okada then hit the dropkick and grabbed the wrist for a Rainmaker but Shelton reversed with a flatliner.
Shelton took too long to get Okada back up which gave Kazuchika Okada the opening to grab a wrist and hit the Rainmaker. Okada goes to the playoffs. Shelton Benjamin, despite a strong showing in the Continental Classic, has to depart. The two shake hands in the end again.
Kyle Fletcher defeats Daniel Garcia and wins the Blue League
Garcia dances in Kyle Fletcher’s face and Fletcher goes to the outside. Loved it.
The early match is all about establishing Fletcher’s advantage in power and focus. Garcia early on proved his wrestling acumen was higher but he didn’t have a focus like Fletcher and let his temper and doubts get to him.
Garcia tried to punch Fletcher out on the outside only to get powerbombed onto the ring apron.
As the two men run at each other with strikes, it’s clear that it was getting to Garcia that he wasn’t able to take Kyle Fletcher down until he did. Garcia was able to get out of a brainbuster attempt and then it was Fletcher’s first emotional decision in a running leg lariat that led to him falling out of the ring.
Fletcher was about to go for the Orton rope DDT only for Garcia to reverse into a rope Roll the Dice. Garcia this time gets a cobra clutch suplex followed by the corner kick but Garcia was able to get out of the brainbuster to lock a guillotine choke. Garcia then does the Guillotine into the ropes which was a terrible move and got him eating a brainbuster on the apron.
Kyle Fletcher then powered Garcia up with a Last Ride sitout powerbomb for two. Fletcher ends up hitting a low blow and brainbuster but Garcia kicks out in the nick of time.
Going to the top rope for the El Generico turnbuckle brainbuster, Garcia reverses it trying to go for the Guillotine choke which basically means he reverse DDT’s Fletcher. Both men go for the slug out which Garcia gets an advantage but Fletcher hits a big kick. Garcia keeps the advantage on the strikes but Fletcher then hits two hard thrust kicks.
Garcia hooks the Dragon Tamer but Garcia pulling back allowed Fletcher to grab Garcia’s skull to bash it into the mat. Fletcher then hits a brutal knee and Garcia tries the jacknife pin but only gets a two count this time. Fletcher then hits two big kicks and a turnbuckle brainbuster (Garcia almost fell out of the ring after the brainbuster) for Kyle Fletcher to win the Blue League.
Remember this win by Kyle Fletcher in 2025.
AEW World’s End Playoffs
Blue League Winner Kyle Fletcher versus Gold League Runner-Up Will Ospreay
The moment we saw that Fletcher and Ospreay were in opposite leagues we knew they’d be meeting each other at some point. Originally it felt like they’d meet in the final, but with the runner’s up switching leagues for their playoff matchup, it now worked to have Fletcher face Ospreay in the semi final.
Kyle Fletcher and Will Ospreay have faced each other twice in 2024, once on Dynamite on March 6 which was a win for Ospreay, and then at Full Gear as Fletcher stunned the world beating Ospreay on November 23. Ospreay is coming to not only avenge that loss but also get to the final. Fletcher is here to prove that win against Ospreay wasn’t a fluke. He’s the fastest young rising star in AEW for good reason.
Gold League Winner Ricochet versus Blue League Runner-Up Kazuchika Okada
Ricochet shocked everyone to win the Gold League but he ends up facing the current Continental Champion in Kazuchika Okada. The two men have never faced each other in one on one competition but did face off against each other in 2015 back in New Japan Pro Wrestling in trios matchups.
One has to wonder if this was Okada’s plan all along to slip into the playoffs but face a weaker Gold League winner in Ricochet instead of winning the Blue League and having to face NJPW rival Will Ospreay. Or that might be overthinking it. I doubt Okada was happy losing to Fletcher and would love to avenge his loss in the final if Kyle can get there.
As for Ricochet, he’s already proven a lot of people wrong just winning the Gold League. A loss here would be unfortunate, but it wouldn’t be his World’s End. As for Okada? Anything less than a win is a disappointment. He is the Continental Champion.
Check out our World’s End Predictions on December 28, 2024.
