The path to AEW World’s End continues with the Continental Championship Tournament, along with a build to a stop along the way which we fondly know as Winter is Coming.
AEW Men’s World Champion and World Trios Champion Samoa Joe goes face-to-face with challenger, Eddie Kingston
Joe runs down the crowd, runs down the locker room, being an absolute jerk to anyone who isn’t named Samoa Joe. He says Eddie was used, a fool played by The Opps, that Hook was merely a plant to learn about how the bums eat a “the third place table.” However, Eddie didn’t balk at all, and completely laced into Joe. Calling the former ROH World Champion a sellout and shadow of the man he used to be. He gets right to the point in typical Mad King fashion, telling the champ if he doesn’t bring “the ROH legend” next week, Eddie will eat Joe alive.
While highly unlikely Eddie will win the AEW Men’s World Championship next week, it’s fairly clear there will be some believable moments where Eddie could win.
Okada defeats PAC in a C2 match
A wild match with PAC being completely dominant over Okada. Great storytelling with Okada’s facial expressions of frustration and irritability at being unable to gain advantag over PAC. I thought this could believably go to a draw, however Okada was able to use his veteran ring awareness to counter PAC’s Brutalizer submission into a pinfall for the victory.
PAC and Okada have insanely great chemistry. No more needs to be said.
Kyle Fletcher defeats Kevin Knight in a C2 matchup
After his shocker of a win last week, Kevin Knight became underdog no more. It 100% looked believable for him to defeat Fletcher, and it almost happened. He hit yet another Coast-to-Coast missile dropkick, but failed to hit the UFO Splash, and fell prey to the brainbuster. Knight and Fletcher put on a fantastic matchup. Knight hit one of the most beautiful dropkicks ever witnessed.
After the match, Don Callis called out the Young Bucks. Taunting with the bags of money which bring out the Jackson brothers who are overwhelmed by the members of the Don Callis Family. However, the appearance of Jurassic Express and Kenny Omega drives them off.
Calling it for the second time, Anarchy in the Arena match incoming.
The Timeless Love Bombs defeated MegaProblems to advance to the finals of the AEW Women’s World Tag Team Tournament
Fun and wild. A tamer version of Blood and Guts if you can believe it. Crazy with lots of plunder and close calls. Despite Bayne and Shafir having the strength and power advantage, Storm and Shirakawa used their ferocious resilience, refusing to stay down. When it appeared as though Shafir had the win in hand, Santa arrived with a gift! The distraction allows Storm to strike from behind, pulling out a special shoe which she clobbers Shafir, wrapping her up in the Large Package in the thumbtacks for the pinfall.
We’ve got two mega-popular babyface teams in the finals of the tournament. Fans will rejoice and fans will be disappointed next week. Either way, it’s going to be a fantastic tournament final between four women very deserving of the inaugural championships.
The Opps defeated the Dark Order
Prior to their match, “Hangman” Adam Page ran into them in the hallway. Alex Reynolds demanded Page not get involved, this was their chance back on Dynamite to do something significant, like potentially becoming contenders to the AEW World Trios Championships.
Unfortunately, the Dark Order didn’t stand a chance whatsoever. Soft squash perhaps. Page charged the ring afterwards but Hook ran away while Shibata and Hobbs along with random indy guys prevented Page from pursuing
Hangman vs. Hook is coming. Not a match I expected, but definitely curious how it will play out. Really bummed how Dark Order has become an afterthought. They were one of the stables which helped carry tag team and trios wrestling through the tough times of the pandemic. Sadly, after the passing of Brodie Lee, the stable began to falter. I still remain steadfast they should have been the inaugural trios titleholders. They were, and still are the most deserving of those championships.
At least they get better time on Ring of Honor.
A few backstage promos took place, one with Jamie Hayter and AEW Women’s World Champion Kris Statlander calling out the Sisters of Sin. However, the promo ended with Hayter eyeballing the championship.
FTR call out the Bang Bang Gang and put down their chances of victory. Dax’s promo cutting skills are top level.
Mercedes Mone refuses to acknowledge her loss at Full Gear, also putting down her challenger, Red Velvet at the upcoming ROH Final Battle event.
Claudio Castagnoli defeated Jon Moxley in the main event of Dynamite in a Continental Classic bracket match
Fantastic closer. With multiple losses and one recent victory, Moxley comes out looking more babyface in opposition to a man who has become more menacing and more intimidating in recent months in Castagnoli. Throughout the match Mox and Claudio seemed to trade strike, but gradually Claudio would overpower Mox. Later on Mox would get busted open, which appeared to gain lots of sympathy points with the live crowd. Ultimately, Claudio purely overpowered Mox with a charging European Uppercut to seal the victory. Post match, Claudio stood triumphant while Mox sat dejected at ringside.
This tournament might be the most storytelling tournament yet. So many partners and teams having to face off, some of whom seem to be more than happy to face off, others seem unsettled, while others may use to their advantage. I have no idea who is going to come out on top, but I believe the victor will win more than a championship, but huge push into 2026.
