The All Elite Wrestling Continental Classic participants were revealed for the 2024 Tournament today, one day after AEW Full Gear 2024.
Last year, the inaugural C2 was won by Eddie Kingston, which made him the new AEW Continental Champion. Kingston had also put up his ROH World Championship and NJPW Strong Openweight Championship to the winner.
Last year there were some people who had some real confusion over how something like a pro wrestling round robin works so I’ll try to explain it for those who genuinely don’t understand. I was a bit mean last year but that’s because I didn’t believe some of these people were genuinely confused.
Do you fucking morons think teams eliminated from playoff contention in pro sports just decline the rest of their games? https://t.co/dSsvXKsTlC
— Aaron – GrapPro.com (@AaronWrotkowski) December 7, 2023
The tournament is not a one and done tournament. Instead it’s like how in pro team sports you play a certain mount of games. For the C2, it’s two “Leagues” of six wrestlers.
Each wrestler in the leagues will wrestle five matches against other opponents in the league. So for example, Eddie Kingston of the Blue League had to wrestle Bryan Danielson, Andrade El Idolo, Claudio Castagnoli, Brody King, and Daniel Garcia.
Once every wrestler has had their five matches, the two best wrestlers from each League will wrestle each other. The winner of that match goes on to World’s End to determine the winner of the Continental Classic and the new AEW Continental Champion.
Last year we did have a wrinkle as Jon Moxley, Jay White, and Swerve Strickland were in a dead heat tie for the final two spots of the Gold League. This meant their match had to be a three way match to determine who went to the final.
Each win is three points. Each draw is one point. Zero points to a loss. Ties in the standings are broken on a head-to-head record between the wrestlers. Matches are a 20 minute time limit with no wrestlers or managers at ringside and interference is strictly forbidden. AEW has threatened suspension and point losses for intentional interference.
I made suggestions for Continental Classic Choices back in September.
As announced tonight here are the 12 participants of the 2024 AEW Continental Classic:
Kazuchika Okada – Blue League
AEW Continental Champion
First Continental Classic Tournament
Four time NJPW G1 Climax Winner
It only makes sense that if Kazuchika Okada is in All Elite Wrestling he leads the class for his first Continental Classic in AEW. His four wins in the G1 Climax are second only to Masahiro Chono, whom Okada made sure to slander in his build up for the Continental Classic.
Kazuchika Okada special video package narrated by Jim Ross with footage from NJPW, how he can break Masahiro Chono's record of 5 tournament victories. 4 G1s and now C2.
— Drainmaker 🌧️ 💵 (@DrainBamager) November 7, 2024
AEW REBUILDING OKADA FOR THE CONTINENTAL CLASSIC AFTER DEPARTURE OF YOUNG BUCKS. pic.twitter.com/OZrLCwiyTa
Okada has taken AEW pretty easy in his first year in the company. He has essentially played the role of a wrestling god who considers all of this beneath him. He defeated Eddie Kingston for the AEW Continental Championship just 14 days after officially signing with All Elite Wrestling, one of the fastest debuts to a title reign in company history.
For anyone expecting a motivated, fired up, pure wrestler Okada? They’ve instead had a laughing jokester who enjoys hanging out with Mercedes Moné and calling everyone a bitch. It was almost like AEW saying they spent the money they offered Jade Cargill on Okada so they decided to give him her catchphrase.
Okada really hasn’t been his money’s worth in AEW yet, though he has had a few very good wrestling matches. It feels like Okada has been coasting instead proving he’s All Elite. This Continental Classic could be the change of that narrative.
It could also be Okada breezing by everyone, going undefeated, and winning his 5th round robin of his career to match Masahiro Chono. It’ll be interesting to see if anyone actually slaps the face of God and wakes him up.
Will Ospreay – Gold League
First Continental Classic Tournament
Participated in G1 Climax 29, 30, 32 (lost in final to Okada), and 33
Winner of the 2016 Best of the Super Juniors and Finalist of the 2017 Best of the Super Juniors
Much like Okada, the moment Will Ospreay signed to All Elite Wrestling it just made sense he’d be in the first Continental Classic he could be in.
Unlike Okada, Ospreay has been one of the most consistent and high achieving wrestlers in the company, with several match of the year contenders and incredible bouts over the year. Ospreay cares about his reputation, and cares about being perceived as the best wrestler in the world.
Ospreay’s best success against Kazuchika Okada has actually been in the G1 Climax, where Ospreay defeated Okada in 30 and 33. It was the win at G1 Climax 30 that helped Ospreay be established as a legitimate heavyweight contender and future star in both New Japan Pro Wrestling and all of pro wrestling.
Ospreay just recently suffered a bitter loss to former friend Kyle Fletcher, which I’m sure he’d love to avenge at some point in the Continental Classic. Ospreay has to be one of the favourites to win this, and I’m sure he’d love to beat Kazuchika Okada and Kyle Fletcher to accomplish it.
The Beast Mortos – Blue League
First Continental Classic Tournament
The Beast Mortos was one of my main choices in the Continental Classic Choices as someone who could absolutely use the Continental Classic to get out of his current reputation as a guy who has fantastic and impressive performances against anyone but always finds himself with his shoulders down on the mat.
To be honest? I wouldn’t be surprised if Mortos loses four matches in this, but I think he’s the perfect guy to get a win against Daniel Garcia and turn that into a TNT Championship shot later on. That’s why you put someone like Daniel Garcia in this match. Set up a title match later with someone who beats him.
Wrestling’s favourite lawyer might eat a few losses, but I expect in the end? He ends up one of the most impressive performers in the round robin.
Claudio Castagnoli – Gold League
Second Continental Classic Tournament (2-2-1)
Claudio participated last year in the Continental Classic, whose draw against Bryan Danielson at the Collison: Holiday Bash ended up preventing Claudio from moving into the second spot in the playoffs. Had he finished Danielson he would have had to face him again. Instead he had to watch as Eddie Kingston, his eternal rival, crawl to the playoffs, beat Danielson, and beat Eddie Kingston.
A lot has changed since that Continental Classic. While Claudio is still loyal to Jon Moxley, the Blackpool Combat Club and Bryan Danielson are no more. Now a Death Rider, Claudio will expect to be the right hand man of Moxley in ensuring victory for the Death Riders and keeping the promotion in check.
I expect Claudio to be one of the favourites of the C2 as the representative of the Death Riders and should vy for one of coveted playoff spots. He doesn’t want history to repeat itself.
Daniel Garcia – Blue League
Second Continental Classic Tournament(1-4)
Garcia will be returning to the C2 as TNT Champion, having recently defeated Jack Perry for the championship. The C2 was a big moment for him, as despite losing his first three matches, he pulled out a win against Brody King. Had King won that match, he had the tiebreaker against Eddie Kingston and would have faced Bryan Danielson in the semi final.
I’ve seen a lot of people question why they would put Garcia in this as TNT Champion as it could hurt the championship if the holder is losing matches in the C2. Even I thought about this at first but remembered that champions have often participated in the G1 Climax. This is a round robin outside of the championship titles. It’s like saying Connor McDavid shouldn’t participate in the Winter Olympics for Team Canada because if they lose it might hurt the Edmonton Oilers.
Essentially, if you pin Garcia in the C2? Expect a TNT Championship shot out of it. Much better way to build a match than the usual tag team title pinfalls or just saying hey you guys title shot. Even though the TNT Championship is rarely a title about contenders and more about open challenges.
I expect Garcia to have a better run than he had last year, but I don’t see him as a favourite in this.
Darby Allin – Gold League
First Continental Classic Tournament
It’s very exciting to see Darby Allin here. Darby will in an ironic twist be taking the spot of Jon Moxley from last year as a major AEW star in this tournament. He doesn’t need this but this is perfect for him to get back on track.
Darby Allin needs to climb the mountain in AEW to eventually defeat Jon Moxley to become AEW Men’s World Champion, so what’s he doing fighting in a round robin for the AEW Continental Championship? This gives him ample opportunity to get revenge against Claudio and prove that he’s World Championship material.
Darby has some big wins against Hangman Adam Page and Brody King but he’s also taken losses to Jon Moxley and Claudio Castagnoli. He needs some wins under his belt, and needs to remind the pro wrestling world why he’s not just a crazy daredevil or risk taker. He’s legitimately one of the best professional wrestlers alive today. Pound for pound? Darby is one of the best.
I consider him a favourite in this tournament, but I could also see his lifestyle and penchant for throwing his body at anything that comes his way could be his downfall in this as well.
Mark Briscoe – Blue League
Second Continental Classic Tournament (1-4)
When Eddie Kingston took his injury against Gabe Kidd and was out for the year I knew there would be a void needing to be filled in AEW. Someone who could be the People’s Champion. Sure you had guys like Orange Cassidy and Will Ospreay getting big reactions, but what about that Blue Collar champion of the people?
Mark Briscoe ended up filling that role perfectly. His singles run in AEW has been an unexpected treat despite the sad circumstances it came out to be but I’m glad he’s having this run for his family and his career.
He didn’t fare too well last year in the Continental Classic, only pulling out a win against Jay Lethal. I don’t really know who he pulls out a win on this year. But he could absolutely play The Spoiler on someone like Kazuchika Okada, Shelton Benjamin, or Kyle Fletcher. Don’t underestimate Briscoe pulling a rabbit out of hit hat. Or, er, bandanna. There we go.
Brody King – Gold League
Second Continental Classic Tournament (2-3)
I’m very happy Brody King is back in the Continental Classic.
I pushed for it in my Continental Classic Choices and really hope All Elite Wrestling realizes that Brody King is not just one of the best big men they have on the roster but he provides a unique style that isn’t found from a lot of other guys in the company. He’s big, he’s powerful, he can move, and he can work.
To me? Brody King is the new Bam Bam Bigelow. And I sometimes worry he’s going to be underutilized like Bam Bam was in the 1990s.
I expect Brody to want revenge against Darby Allin in the Gold League after his loss at WrestleDream 2024. The biggest advantage he has in this? No cast on his arm.
Ricochet – Gold League
First Continental Classic Tournament
Participated in the 2016 Best of the Super Juniors (4-3)
Participated in the 2017 Best of the Super Juniors (4-3)
Ricochet entered All Elite Wrestling at just the right time to take part in the Continental Classic. I could see him replacing Andrade in this as a high profile name with a high flying background, though Andrade was a bit more rounded.
Ricochet did take part in the 2016 and 2017 Best of the Super Juniors for New Japan Pro Wrestling, going 4-3 both times. Both times as well Ricochet ended up losing his match to Will Ospreay, who won in 2016 and lost in the final of 2017.
I’m sure this will be just the place Ricochet would love to get his revenge against Ospreay on those losses, but aside from that I don’t see him doing much in this. I was very much unimpressed by his showing against Konosuke Takeshita at Full Gear 2024. If he truly wants bigger opportunities and to be able to prove he can carry a company on his back? He needs to have a spectacular showing here in the C2.
Shelton Benjamin – Blue League
First Continental Classic Tournament
Participated in G1 Climax 22, 23, and 24
Shelton Benjamin recently made his debut in All Elite Wrestling and will be joining the C2 for his first endeavor, but this isn’t his first ride in round robin.
Benjamin worked in New Japan Pro Wrestling in the early 2010s and worked three G1 Climax tournaments. In 2012 he went 4-4, with his biggest win against Satoshi Kojima. In 2013 he went 5-4, finishing in a six way tie for first. Tetsuya Naito ended up with a tie breaker against the other five contenders (his losses were to those who didn’t tie) to slip into the final. Benjamin’s final Climax in 2014 had him going 5-5 for a .500 record.
I expect Benjamin to be a strong competitor for this as well. He will probably win as much as he loses and prove to be trouble for anyone trying to break into the playoffs.
Juice Robinson – Gold League
First Continental Classic Tournament
Participated in G1 Climax 27, 28, 29, 30, 32
Juice Robinson of the Bang Bang Gang was suggested by me in my Continental Classic Choices so I’m glad he was included.
A veteran of the G1 Climax, he’s a perfect participant to have good to very good matches with absolutely anyone. He’s also one of the most entertaining wrestlers on the roster.
I suggested we needed more Juice Robinson in AEW and this is a great way for me to get it.
It’s time to Juice the Continental Classic.
Kyle Fletcher – Blue League
First Continental Classic Tournament
All hail King Kyle the Protostar.
Come on man. Pick one or the other. Are you now the King? Are you the Protostar? You can’t be mixing the two. Ah the young. Gotta want everything. Respect it.
Fletcher got to have a big statement win before the Continental Classic by defeating Will Ospreay at Full Gear 2024. He did it as clean as one could be, a real C2 type performance. I expect Fletcher plans to follow through and win some more after that victory.
Whether he has to get through Ospreay again or not, I do feel that AEW is serious about Kyle Fletcher being a player in the company at only 25-years-old, and if that’s the case he can’t be running with a losing record in this. I don’t know if they go all the way with him, but they will certainly keep him strong.
The Leagues
Blue League: Kazuchika Okada, The Beast Mortos, Daniel Garcia, Mark Briscoe, Shelton Benjamin, Kyle Fletcher
Gold League: Will Ospreay, Claudio Castagnoli, Darby Allin, Brody King, Ricochet, Juice Robinson
The Continental Classic begins this Wednesday on Thanksgiving Dynamite.
