The Continental Classic is Relentless!

Darby Allin took a lot of damage from Brody King in his first Continental Classic match, but he’s back to try again! Will Darby get on the board? Or will Komander redeem himself from Rampage?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Darby Allin VS Komander; Darby wins.
• WrestleDynasty International Women’s Cup Qualifier Tournament: Willow Nightingale VS Serena Deeb; Willow wins and advances to face Jamie Hayter in the AEW Finals.
• AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Kazuchika Okada VS Kyle Fletcher; Kyle wins.
• The Beast Mortos VS Aaron Solo; Mortos wins.
• Mina Shirakawa VS Emi Sakura; Mina wins.
• AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Daniel Garcia VS Mark Briscoe; Briscoe wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Darby Allin VS Komander!

Both the Relentless One and the Commander of the Skies are without points, despite putting up a fight in their first matches. Someone will finally get on the board, but who ends up stuck at the back of the pack?

The bell rings and the fans rally up as we’re on the clock. Darby and Komander shake hands and the two tie up. Darby slips around to waistlock, then he spins Komander to a headlock and takeover. Cover, ONE, but Darby holds onto Komander. Komander fights up, powers up but can’t power out as Darby holds on tight. Komander powers Darby to a corner, fires body shots, then wrenches to whip. Darby reverses, Komander goes up and over, then Komander arm-drags! But Darby has the headlock right back! The fans cheer while Komander fights up. Darby grinds the hold, but Komander powers up and out.

Komander runs up, Darby sidesteps and FLYING ARM-DRAGS, but Komander handsprings though! Things keep moving, Komander sunset flips but Darby rolls it to a sunset, TWO! Darby hurries to clamp on with a chinlock! The fans cheer as Komander endures and fights to his feet. Darby hits another headlock takeover, but Komander headscissors. Darby rolls Komander, rolls back, and has a TEXAS CLOVERLEAF right away! Komander crawls forward and grabs the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Darby lets go. Komander goes to the apron but Darby runs up, only for Komander to GAMANGIRI!

Komander goes up, tightrope walks, and ARABIAN PRESS ARM-DRAGS, but Darby counters to WRING Komander out! Darby rolls into a LA MAGISTROL, TWO! Darby clearly watched Rampage last night, and he makes sure to keep Komander grounded with another chinlock. Komander fights up so Darby throws him out! Darby builds speed but Komander DUMPS Darby! Then ASAI MOONSAULTS! Direct hit and the fans fire up! Komander hurries to put Darby back in the ring, and the fans rally behind Komander. Komander aims from the corner, runs corner to corner, and goes up, up and PHOENIX SPLASH! Cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up as Darby survives, but Komander clamps on a chinlock. Komander grinds Darby down, but Darby fights up to fire body shots. Darby runs, but Komander SUPERKICKS him out! Komander goes to the apron, then runs up to the corner! CROSSBODY! Down goes Darby and Komander goes to the apron again, CIELITO- NO, Darby dodges! Darby then SHOVSES Komander into the steel steps! Darby grabs a chair, but he sets it up to make Komander take a seat. Darby fires hands, then he rolls into the ring. Darby has a wild grin and he builds speed, to DIVE! But he only gets chair!!

The fans lose their minds while both men are down, and Collision goes picture in picture.

The ref checks Darby as Darby clutches his lower back. Darby is somehow still okay to continue, so Komander shoves him into the ring. Cover, TWO!! Darby proves he’s still in this so Komander stalks him to ropes. Komander stomps Darby, clamps on, but Darby has the ROPEBREAK! Komander steps back, then he drags Darby from the ropes. Komander drops an elbow on the leg! Komander stalks Darby to a corner, stomps him around, then brings him up. Komander CHOPS, then reels Darby in for a PANCAKE BRIDGE! TWO, and Darby flounders away. Komander stays cool and he stalks Darby again. Komander drops an elbow on the leg!

Komander stomps Darby, eggs him on, then CLUBS Darby back down. Komander kicks Darby out of the ring, then goes back to the apron. Komander jumps down to STOMP Darby on the back! Darby writhes while Collision returns to single picture, and fans boo Komander! Komander ignores that to whip Darby, only for Darby to reverse! Komander hits railing hard! Darby runs up, but Komander dodges and Darby hits railing hard! Then Komander GAMANGIRIS! The fans fire up for “A E DUB! A E DUB!” while Komander puts Darby in the ring. Cover, TWO! The fans rally while Darby writhes.

Komander grows frustrated but he aims from a corner. Komander runs up, Darby dodges, both men turn around, and heads collide! Both men fall back, and the ref starts a standing count. The fans rally and Komander shakes out the stars. Darby and Komander both stand at 5 of 10, then Darby fires shots! Komander gives those back, but Darby SLAPS Komander! Darby then blocks a kick, flips Komander, then fires hands! Darby RAMS Komander, runs and hops on, CODE RED! Cover, TWO!! Komander survives and the fans declare “This is Awesome!” Darby hobbles is way to a corner, then climbs up.

Komander hurries to ROCK Darby first! Komander climbs, gives a short headbutt, then stands Darby up. Darby resists the superplex and fires body shots! Darby SHOVES Komander, Komander backflips through! Komander is right back up top, SUPER SPANISH FLY!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!! Darby survives by fingertips but the fans fire up with Komander! Komander goes to the apron, he slingshots, but Darby trips him up! Darby CLUBS and CLAWS Komander’s back! Darby then goes to the corner, climbs up, and GUILLOTINE COFFIN DROPS!! Komander flops to the floor, Darby builds speed! Darby DIVES, direct hit at the railing!

The fans are thunderous as Darby hurries to get Komander up and in! Cover, TWO! The fans rally as Darby grits his teeth. Darby drags Komander up to whip corner to corner, then he runs in, but Komander KNEES Him away! Then POISON-RANA! Darby flops to the apron but Komander goes after him! APRON MONKEY FLIP!! Darby hits knees first then flops to the floor! Komander DIVES! Direct hit at the ramp again! Komander puts Darby in, goes up, and the fans cheer on the tightrope walk! CIELITO- NO, Darby dodges! Darby catches a kick, drags Komander down and around, LAST SUPPER! DARBY WINS!

Winner: Darby Allin, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Komander earns 0)

The Relentless One gets his points and can finally keep pace with the league! But will he be ready for his Holiday Bash against Will Ospreay?

Backstage interview with The Don Callis Family.

Renee Paquette is with Don Callis himself, as well as The Alpha, Konosuke Takeshita. Things have been booming for the Family, but what is next after that big win on Ricochet at Full Gear? Callis says Renee needs to use more superlatives for Konosuke. Booming? This is domination! But then Will Hobbs steps in! Callis says hey, Powerhouse, welcome back! Hobbs stops Callis and tells him to back up. It seems Callis forgot Hobbs’ email, phone number, address, didn’t even think to check on him at all. Right? Right. So let’s keep this short and sweet: Hobbs wants what Konosuke has. Hobbs wants to be AEW International Champion!

Callis says hey, what is going on here? They have history! Hobbs is going to step to Konosuke? Duh. Well, okay, yeah, Callis admits Hobbs deserves a shot. Hobbs deserves better than what he’s been getting. But see, with all these international bookings coming up, Callis & Konosuke are going to Japan, to Portugal, all over. Callis will talk with his people, they’ll get back to Hobbs. Callis has Konosuke get going and says see ya later, but Hobbs grabs Callis’ arm! Hobbs tells Callis he better get back to him. Callis promises! Callis follows his Alpha out, but will Konosuke even come back from NJPW WrestleDynasty with a belt?

WrestleDynasty International Women’s Cup Qualifier Tournament: Willow Nightingale VS Serena Deeb!

Speaking of WrestleDynasty, the best women from around the wrestling world are fighting to be part of that inaugural card and this inaugural Women’s Cup! But with Jamie Hayter waiting in the wings, will it be the Babe with the Power or the Professor of Professional Wrestling that joins her for Winter is Coming?

The bell rings and the fans rally behind Willow. Deeb and Willow circle, tie up, and Deeb wrenches an arm to wristlock. Willow spins, slips around and waistlocks. Deeb fights the lift but Willow still SLAMS her down! Deeb floats out to facelock but Willow slips out to facelock back. The fans rally for Willow more as she wrenches, but Deeb rolls, rolls back, then spins to wrench and wrench. Deeb wrangles Willow with a wristlock but Willow headscissors. Deeb kips free, the two go again, and Deeb headlocks. Willow powers up and out, Deeb RAMS her, but Willow rebounds to CLOBBER Deeb! The fans fire up and Willow shimmies, shakes, and flexes!

Willow runs, Deeb stays low, but Willow avoids the armd-rag to Oklahoma Roll! TWO, and Deeb jackknife bridges! ONE, and Willow rolls to bring Deeb up! Deeb fights free to kick low and tuck the arms. But Willow backdrops free! Deeb sunset flips, but Willow stays up! HIP- NO, Deeb avoids the hip drop and rolls Willow into a ghost pin! TWO, and Willow brings Deeb up to FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Willow still smiles. The fans fire up and Willow has Deeb in the corner. Willow fires LARIAT after LARIAT, and goes all the way to nine! Then Willow runs up, but has to block a boot!

Deeb breaks free and KICKS Willow! Deeb goes out, baits Willow in, and catches her for a HOTSHOT NECKBREAKER! Willow staggers away while Deeb soaks up the heat. Deeb then RAMS into Willow, slides under and BOOTS Willow out of the ring! Willow tumbles to the floor, Deeb soaks up more heat, and Collision goes picture in picture.

Willow clutches her back while Deeb taunts the fans here in Columbus, Ohio. Willow rolls in but Deeb is right on her. Deeb UPPERCUTS Willow, bumps her off buckles, but Willow blocks the whip! Deeb kicks and stomps away, then UPPERCUTS Willow again. Deeb whips corner to corner successfully, then runs up to LARIAT! Willow flops down, Deeb pushes her to a cover, TWO! Deeb keeps on Willow with an elbow drop on the leg! Deeb then rolls Willow over and has the SEATED SURFBOARD! Willow endures as Deeb rocks the boat! Deeb then lets go of legs to reel Willow into a CAMEL CLUTCH! Willow endures, even as Deeb fishhooks her!

The ref reprimands but this is clearly a shot at The DMD. Willow SLAPS at Deeb, but Deeb smothers her! The ref reprimands so Deeb lets go, steps through, and traps one arm while pulling the other! Willow endures this modified Ground Cobra Twist while Collision goes to break!

Collision returns and Willow fights out of an Iron Octopus! SIDEWALK SLAM! The fans fire up while both women are down! Willow rolls away to the far side, both women rise, and then Willow runs up! Deeb swings, Willow dodges, and Willow LARIATS! And LARIATS! The fans fire up with Willow and she runs in, BODY BLOCK and LARIAT in a corner! Then a snapmare and BOOT! The fans fire up and Willow whips Deeb for a SPINEBUSTER! High stack, TWO! Deeb survives but Willow has the fans behind her! Willow hauls Deeb up, gut wrenches, but Deeb fights it! Willow CLUBS Deeb, but Deeb slips under!

Deeb CHOPS, then CHOPS again! The fans “WOO~!” and Deeb LARIATS! Willow stays up so Deeb runs, LARIAT! Willow is still up, Deeb gets frustrated, and runs again. Deeb ducks ‘n’ dodges to LEAPING LARIAT! The fans boo but Deeb full nelsons! Willow breaks free, Deeb shoves her! SNAP GERMAN! But Willow is on her feet! Deeb hurries to hammerlock and PEPSI TWIST! Cover, TWO! Willow survives and the fans rally up while Deeb snarls. Deeb stands and she brings Willow in! Deeb tucks the arms, but Willow powers up and lifts Deeb! Willow pops Deeb around, OKLAHOMA STAMPEDE! Cover, TWO!

Deeb survives but Willow just huffs ‘n’ puffs and storms around! Deeb goes to the corner, Willow runs in, but Deeb dodges! CANNONBALL hits buckles! Willow clutches her back but Deeb is right on the legs! DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Willow falls, Deeb reels her back in! Deeb tucks the arms, lifts, DEEB-TOX!! Cover, TWO!! Willow survives and Deeb is beside herself! The fans fire up again as Willow rises up! Deeb drags Willow up, reels her in, but Willow wrenches out. Deeb dodges, dodges again, but Willow hits the POUNCE! PERIOD! The straps come down and the fans fire up! Willow gut wrenches, BABE WITH THE POWER BOMB!! Cover, Willow wins!

Winner: Willow Nightingale, by pinfall (advances to Collision: Winter is Coming)

And now the AEW Finals are set! Jamie Hayter or Willow Nightingale, who survives next week’s Collision to head for the Tokyo Dome?

Backstage interview with Thunder Rosa.

Renee is now with La Mera Mera and brings up how Rosa’s keeping a close eye on Mariah May and Mina Shirakawa. Yes, let’s do the math: the last time Rosa was in the ring with Mariah May, Rosa won; last time Rosa was in the ring with Mina Shirakawa, Rosa won. So therefore, she is 2-0 against them, so Rosa is pretty sure she deserves the next shot at the AEW Women’s World Championship, regardless of who wins. And yes, Mina is an excellent wrestler, it would be an honor for Rosa to face her again. As for Mariah, well, Rosa brings out a looong list, and though it’s all Espanol, it’s all bad. The point is, it will be so much fun to beat Mariah until she cries!

Winter is Coming and the title match can go either way, but one thing that won’t change is that Rosa is La Mera Mera! Women’s Wrestling in AEW is alive and well! And as long as the fans believe in Rosa, she’ll scratch, claw, and fight until she gets the title back! So tell this to everyone: Good luck, you’re gonna need it. Rosa heads out, all fired up, but who will she look to burn after Mariah and Mina have it out?

The Death Riders are here!

Jon Moxley, Marina Shafir, Pac & Wheeler Yuta make their way through the GalaxyCon crowd to go right to the ring. Moxley grabs a mic and paces around. “People wanna talk? Then let’s talk, Ohio. Let’s talk about people who don’t wanna be AEW World Champion. And there’s a lot of them. There’s not a single soul in this building that wants to be AEW World Champion. They think they do, they say they do, but they don’t.” The fans chant for “Freshly Squeezed!” but Moxley says no, “they are not ready to make the sacrifices necessary. They are not ready to shoulder the weight. They are not willing to put themselves in harm’s way.

“Yeah, they wanna hold the belt and shine it up real nice, hold it up over their head and take pictures with it. They wanna strap it around their waists, but quite frankly, none of them deserve tot even lay eyes on the AEW World Championship, and it is MY responsibility to make sure that they don’t!” Is that why it’s been in the briefcase this whole time? Moxley says he’s talking about guys like Switchblade Jay White. Jay White is one hell of a competitor, one hell of a wrestler, and Moxley has a lot of respect for him. But Jay White is a child! Jay White doesn’t know the first thing about what it takes to be world champion!

The fans boo, but Moxley says Hangman Adam Page is self-destructive, miserable and insecure. He’ll probably take himself out of the game before he even sniffs another world championship! The fans cheer for #CowboyS*it, but Moxley says none of these guys really want it. And then there’s Orange Cassidy. “We found out at Full Gear exactly who Orange Cassidy was. He was not the guy. His peers hoped that he was, but he was not ‘The One.’ He was not the one foretold of in the prophecy. He did NOT have what it takes to get the job done! My only regret is that I let Orange Cassidy leave New Jersey with his skull intact!”

The fans boo and call BS, but Moxley tells Cassidy one last time, and he’ll tell the world one time so they better listen! “In a business full of pretend, full of talk, full of a bunch of talk and no action, I MEAN WHAT I SAY, and I don’t bluff.” If Cassidy pisses Moxley off one more time, Moxley takes him off the board for good. Well here comes Cassidy! Cassidy walks to the ring and Moxley already has a headache. Cassidy rolls into the ring, right past Pac, and then looks at the briefcase in Marina’s hands. Cassidy then looks Moxley up and down, then he brings out a mic from inside the jacket.

The fans cheer Cassidy on, and he says, “I can live without ever being the AEW World Champion. But see, what I can’t live with is you as the AEW World Champion. So I’m going to do whatever it takes, I’m never going to stop, until you are not the AEW World Champion.” The fans cheer that! Cassidy says the only way he stops is if Moxley kills him. Cassidy then throws his mic down at Moxley, then throws his sunglasses! And then his jacket! And his shirt! Cassidy eggs The Death Riders on, but it’s Marina who SMACKS him down with the briefcase! And then the gang all stomps away on him!

The fans boo, but Moxley rains down fists! Moxley CLAWS Cassidy’s eyes, then has Pac drag Cassidy up. Pac TOSSES Cassidy out, then Yuta goes out to tell him this is what he gets! Yuta and Pac drag Cassidy from ramp to the side of the stage! And then to the back? Moxley & Marina follow, where are The Death Riders taking Cassidy?

FTR speaks!

The #TopGuys are backstage as Cash Wheeler says, “So it’s funny, because for the better part of ten years, we’ve done everything we could to go down in history as the best. We have fought to be the most decorated, fought to go down in history as THE best tag team to ever do this. And then, a few months ago, Hurricane Helene hit North Carolina, and it’s not about wrestling anymore, it’s not about tag team gold anymore. Now, we fight for the fallen.” Dax Harwood says on Wednesday, January 1st, it is a monumental day for AEW. The first time ever, on TBS and streaming for HBO Max, it will be AEW Dynamite: Fight for the Fallen!

But even more than that, it is a big day for FTR as they spearhead the event coming to Ashville, North Carolina, to save people, save lives, raise money and raise awareness. And perhaps most importantly, FTR is building a… Oh, what’s going on? OH, the Death Riders are dragging Cassidy through here! Marina fights off security and staff, and Moxley has another bottle of cleaning solution! He says he’s gonna make this one count! Pac & Yuta hold Cassidy’s arms back while Marina holds Cassidy’s mouth open! Yuta has a funnel! Moxley says this time, Cassidy will get the message! But FTR saves Cassidy!

Cash & Dax dare the Death Riders to do something with them around, wielding steel pipes! Moxley has his team stand down, and he says they’ll learn the lesson, too. The Death Riders retreat, but will they find a way to take the Top Guys out?

AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Kazuchika Okada VS Kyle Fletcher!

The Rainmaker has 4 points with his one win and one time limit draw, but the Aussie Arrow is at a full six points from his 2-0 streak! Will the Protostar beat THE Continental Champion to have a definitive lead in Blue League? Or is this where Okada starts making his comeback?

The bell rings and the fans rally for “O-KA-DA! O-KA-DA!” Kyle and Okada circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Okada shifts to a waistlock but Kyle pries the hold open to wrench and wristlock. Okada rolls, trips Kyle, and has a toehold. Kyle claws at Okada’s face, then uses a leg to hook him into an ARMBAR! Okada clasps hands, rolls to stack Kyle, TWO! The two reset and the fans cheer the opening exchange. Okada and Kyle circle, feel things out, and knuckle lock. Kyle then kicks, wrenches and ELBOW BREAKERS! Kyle spins Okada to snapmare and chinlock. The fans boo but Kyle grinds the hold and leans on Okada.

Okada fights up, pries at the hold, and the fans rally. Okada rolls to bring Kyle down into a headlock! Kyle endures, fights up, and pulls hair to put Okada on the ropes! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Kyle lets go at 4. But then he snatches the headlock! Okada powers up and fires body shots. Kyle holds tight as Okada goes to power out! Kyle thrashes Okada around but the fans boo more. Okada powers up again and puts Kyle on ropes. The ref counts, Kyle lets go and Okada slowly backs away. The fans cheer and the two men reset. Okada and Kyle knuckle lock again and have a proper Test of Strength!

The fans rally as Kyle puts Okada on ropes, and Kyle lets off slowly. Kyle fakes the chop to pat Okada on the shoulders. Okada brushes off Kyle copying him and the two tie up collar ‘n’ elbow. Okada puts Kyle on ropes, and then he slowly lets off. Okada fakes the chop, pats Kyle on the shoulders, then actually fires a forearm! The fans fire up but the ref reprimands as Okada fires more shots! Okada whips but Kyle reverses to scoop and SLAM! Okada grimaces while Kyle flexes, and the fans boo the Protostar. Kyle stomps Okada around, then has Okada on ropes. Kyle whips Okada, but Okada reverses and BOOTS!

The fans fire up while Kyle flounders to a corner. Okada storms up, throws a heavy elbow, then snapmares Kyle at the ropes. Okada runs side to side to BASEMENT DROPKICK! Kyle tumbles out and Okada pursues. Okada reels Kyle in, DDT to the floor! The fans rally up and Okada puts Kyle in the ring. Okada takes a moment since he has plenty of time, but then Kyle bails out the side! The fans boo but Okada pursues again. Okada drags Kyle up to UPPERCUT! Okada follows Kyle to the railing, then UPPERCUTS again! Okada puts Kyle in while the fans cheer him on. But Kyle snatches Okada in the ropes! DRAPING DDT!

Kyle strikes like a Viper but the fans boo even more! Kyle snarls paces around, and he soaks up the heat while Collision goes picture in picture.

Kyle takes his time stalking Okada, then drags him up. Kyle winds up to ROCK Okada! And then CHOP! Okada staggers to a corner but Kyle is right on him. Kyle traps the arms, and CHOPS Okada again! Kyle soaks up the heat while Okada leans against ropes. Kyle storms up, winds up, but then he CLAWS Okada’s eyes! Kyle stops as the ref counts so he can taunt the fans. Kyle mockingly pats Okada on the head, then runs up to KICK him down! Okada writhes and Kyle grimaces. Kyle covers his ears so he can ignore the fans taunting him. But then Okada gets up to fire off forearms! Kyle knees low, snapmares, and has a chinlock!

Okada endures as Kyle grinds him down. Okada fights up even as Kyle leans on him, and Okada fires body shots! Kyle KNEES low again! Okada drops to his knees, but Kyle KICKS him down! Kyle kneels for a cocky cover, TWO! Kyle clamps right back on with a chinlock! Collision returns to single picture as the fans rally up again. Okada fights up, fires body shots, then ROCKS Kyle with a forearm! Okada runs, but into a CALF KICK! Okada flops over and Kyle soaks up more heat from the fans. Kyle says it is done now, but fans chant, “You Still Suck!” Kyle stands Okada up, and Okada ROCKS Kyle! And ROCKS him again

Kyle fires a forearm in return, and then fires another! The fans boo but Okada shakes his head. The fans fire up as Okada fires forearm after forearm, then an UPPERCUT! Kyle kicks low! Kyle whips, Okada ducks ‘n’ dodges, then speed sup to ELBOW Kyle down! The fans fire up while Kyle flounders to a corner! Okada rises and he has a clenched jaw! Okada runs to ELBOW Kyle! Kick and DDT! Kyle sputters, Okada covers, TWO! Okada stays calm and he brings Kyle back up. Kyle breaks free, Okada catches his arm, MONEY CLIP! Kyle flails, reaches out, but he’s already really red! The fans rally up and chant “TAP! TAP! TAP!”

Kyle fights, reaches out, but Okada pulls him back! Kyle CLAWS Okada’s eyes! Kyle arm-drags free, but Okada comes back! Only for Kyle to catch him, SNAP HALF ‘N’ HALF! Okada flounders and Kyle snarls. Kyle fires himself up and he storms over to Okada. Okada slowly rises, Kyle takes aim and runs, but Okada FLAPJACKS! The fans fire up while both men are down! Okada rolls away to a corner, and he grits his teeth as he rises back up. Kyle is in the other corner, but he comes running in! Okada pops Kyle up, Alabama Lift and REVERSE NECKBREAKER! The fans fire up and Okada brings Kyle to his feet!

Okada scoops and SLAMS Kyle, then goes up the corner! MACHO ELBOW! The fans fire up more, and Okada brings out the Rainmaker MIDDLE FINGER! Okada brings Kyle up, ripcords, but Kyle ducks the lariat! So Okada DROPKICKS! But Kyle flounders out of the ring! The fans boo but Okada is just as frustrated. A ring count starts but Okada goes out after Kyle. Okada drags Kyle up and then gut wrenches! The fans fire up but Kyle fights free! Kyle half nelsons, HALF ‘N’ HALF to the floor!! Kyle rolls in at 6 of 10 but Okada is still dazed! Okada is at 8 of 10, but he springs to life to get in at 9.5! But Kyle’s right on him! LAST RIDE!! Cover, TWO!!!

The fans are thunderous and Kyle is furious that Okada survives! Kyle scowls as Okada goes to a corner. Kyle runs corner to corner, but Okada BOOTS first! Kyle flounders but comes back, into a KNEE! Kyle sputters, but he grabs at Okada. Kyle whips, runs up, and he forearm SMASHES Okada! Kyle takes another swing, but Okada blocks to spin and DISCUS LARIAT! Okada roars, and he brings Kyle back up! Ripcord and RAIN- NO, Kyle dodges to HAYMAKER! Okada BOOTS! Kyle SUPERKCIKS! Okada rebounds to SHOTGUN! Kyle is right up, swings, but Okada shoves him at the ref! Kyle avoids a collision, but Okada gets him again!

Okada ripcords, Kyle grabs at the ref! The ref cowers in the corner, Kyle blocks a kick to LOW BLOW Okada!! Maybe Okada was going for that, too, but it costs him! Kyle suplexes and BRAINBUSTERS!! Cover, KYLE WINS!!

Winner: Kyle Fletcher, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Okada earns 0)

The Aussie Arrow uses another cheap tactic to win, but in the end, he still dominates Blue League with NINE POINTS! Will no one be able to stop the Protostar from heading for Worlds End?

The Beast Mortos VS Aaron Solo!

With Claudio Castagnoli not here, there is no Continental Classic action for the menacing minotaur, who desperate needs points to stay in the running. Will he simply stay hot by taking out The Most Talented?

The bell rings, Mortos rushes in but Solo dodges. Solo runs up to GAMANGIRI, then he fires off furious forearms! The ref counts, Mortos SHOVES Solo and CLOBBERS him! The fans fire up and Mortos SLAPS Solo! Mortos whips, then tilt-o-whirls Solo into a torture rack! Solo fights free to DREAMCAST KICK! Mortos stays on his feet, so Solo runs, but back into the tilt-o-whirl! BACKBREAKER DROP! And then a gut wrench into a POWER BREAKER!! Solo writhes and the fans fire up with Mortos! Mortos aims from a corner while Solo rises, DISCUS LARIAT!! Cover, Mortos wins!

Winner: The Beast Mortos, by pinfall

This may not have been the C2, but Mortos didn’t need back-up to solo Solo! Now Mortos must prepare for Winter is Coming! He takes on Kazuchika Okada next week on Collision!

Backstage interview with Top Flight Airlines.

Renee is now with Lio Rush, Action Andretti, Leila Grey & The Martin Brothers. She needs to talk the Dynamite Dozen Battle Royal from last Wednesday. There came a point where they were not all on the same page, what happened? Leila would like to know that herself! What was that move about? Leila is of course referring to Lio & Action being united in turning on Darius & Dante before the end. Leila says that was crazy out there! This is supposed to be a team, but perhaps Lio & Action don’t understand that. Leila gets annoyed when Lio & Action don’t say anything, so she calls out Action directly.

Action says yeah, okay, he and Lio took Darius & Dante outta the match. But it was a battle royal! If you aren’t aware, but that’s how it works! Every man for themselves! Darius says yeah, they are aware. But he and Dante were just confused why Lio went along for the ride. It’s interesting how they wore matching gear. Last time Darius checked, all four of them were a team! When did it suddenly become some combination of Action & Lio? Lio says it became a combination of them because Darius & Dante kept losing everything for them! So the way Lio sees it, he and Action are going to be chasing the tag titles, not Darius & Dante.

Dante says if that’s all this was about, they could’ve just said so. They didn’t need to go stepping on toes just to get there, stupid! Well, maybe it needed to happen. For what? Lio’s ego? Action asks who these “Minnesota Morons” are calling stupid! MORONS?! Leila shouts, “ENOUGH!” If they’re gonna fight, fine, just not back here. Action says it sounds like they’ll settle this in the ring. Lio & Action go one way, Darius & Dante the other, with Leila stuck in the middle. Which half of Top Flight will find themselves as the top team?

Mina Shirakawa VS Emi Sakura!

We know Thunder Rosa will be watching this Wednesday, because Winter is Coming. But will the Fighting Gravure Idol be bringing the heat to Dynamite? Or will a match with the Queen of Joshi turn into a trap game?

Actually, Mina spots Rosa watching from the audience here and now. Mina stares Rosa down but Rosa says to focus on Emi. And Emi proves her right because she attacks Mina from behind! Emi uses her robe to LASH Mina and the bell rings! Emi drags Mina up to laugh and TOSS her! Mina flounders, Emi drags Mina up by her hair and CHOPS! Emi laughs again, then CHOPS! And CHOPS! CHOPS! Emi whips Mina, but Mina comes back with a LARIAT! The fans fire up and Emi sits up in shock! Mina KICKS Emi in the back! Mina then KICKS Emi again, and again! Emi goes to ropes but Mina KICKS again!

Mina whips, Emi reverses to CLAW the arms! Emi then CHOPS, and CHOPS! Mina drops to a knee but Emi wrenches and CHOPS agian! Mina falls but Emi stands her up to CHOP again! Emi drags Mina up to CHOP again! But Mina ducks the next shot to spin and SOBAT! Mina runs, but Emi DOUBLE CHOPS her down! Cover, ONE as Mina goes Matrix! Mina does her shimmy and the fans cheer. Emi is annoyed and she storms up on Mina. Mina dodges, and she KICKS Emi down! The fans fire up but Emi sits back up. Mina brings Emi to her feet, but Emi SLAPS Mina down! Emi drags Mina up, to CHOP again!

The fans rally and Emi stands Mina up. Mina KICKS! And KICKS! But Emi blocks the next one, to BITE the foot! The ref reprimands, Emi lets Mina go, and then Emi wrenches, to BITE the hand! The ref reprimands, Emi stops, and the fans boo Emi while Collision goes picture in picture.

Emi drags Mina back up, CHOPS her again, then CHOPS her again! And again! Emi brings Mina around to bump her off buckles. Emi then CHOPS, CHOPS, and MACHINE GUN CHOPS! Emi winds up to CHOP one more time! Mina drops to her knees, but Emi storms up on him. Emi tucks the arms, lifts, and BUTTERFLY SUPLEXES! cover, TWO! Mina stays in this but Emi tucks Mina into the Paradise Lock! Emi sits on Mina to “sip tea,” then steps off to set Mina free. Emi taunts Mina, and Mina stands to fire forearms! There isn’t much behind those and Emi laughs. Emi taunts Mina, but Mina rises to KICK! That has something to it!

Emi KICKS Mina back, then BOOTS her in the face! And BOOTS, and BOOTS! Mina stands but Emi puts her in the corner. Emi puts Mina in ropes to bend her backwards! Mina endures, the ref reprimands, but Collision goes to break.

Collision returns and Emi has Mina down with a chinlock! Mina fights up as the fans rally. Mina RAMS Emi into buckles, then gets free. Mina goes corner to corner, but Emi DROPKICKS her first! Mina ends up back in a corner, but she dodges Emi! Mina steps in, goes up, and FLYING CHUCKS! Mina gets moving, another FLYING CHUCK! The fans fire up with Mina and she crawls to a cover, TWO! Emi pulls hair even! Mina is upset but she drags Emi up in a dragon sleeper! Emi fights the lift, and Mina just drops Emi down. Mina KICKS Emi, but Emi CHOPS and CHOPS! Emi dragon sleepers for a TWISTING NECKBREAKER!

The fans rally up while Emi huffs ‘n’ puffs. Emi says she is Our Highness, and she drags Mina up again. Emi underhooks and TIGER STALLING BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Mina survives and Emi is frustrated. The fans rally, Rosa watches intently, and Emi drags Mina up. Mina fires a flurry of palm strikes and a SLAP! Emi CHOPS, then LARIATS! Emi runs, but Mina is up! ROLLING ELBOW! Mina fires up and climbs a corner! Mina leaps to FLYING SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO!! Emi survives but Mina drags her up! Mina CLUBS away on Emi, then whips, but Emi uses the ref as a shield!

Mina puts on the brakes, Emi pushes the ref down but Mina avoids the cheap shot! Mina URAKENS Emi down! Then Mina uses the ref as a pommel horse to SPLASH onto Emi! The fans fire up and Mina goes up a corner! FLYING SLINGBLADE again! Mina covers this time, and Mina wins!

Winner: Mina Shirakawa, by pinfall

Mina locks eyes with Rosa and Rosa does commend this match. Mina even toasts herself with some champagne! But will Mina be toasting the defeat of The Glamour this Wednesday? Or will La Mera Mera be going after Mariah May?

AEW shares footage from after Rampage.

Renee had a backstage interview with both Mark Briscoe and Daniel Garcia, they just competed in the C2 that night but would have to turn around to face each other on Collision. The TNT Champion has 4 points, the Sussex County Chicken still has none. Mark’s been in this position before, how will he close the gap this time around? Mark says this time of year, many people go through a tough time. But Mark personally, two years in a row now, he starts with zero wins two rounds in on the Continental Classic. Sometimes, he sits around, gets down on himself, and thinks, “Man, I sure do suck at Continental Classics.”

But no, that ain’t the case! He just ain’t applying himself! What Mark has to do is simply apply himself, and that is what he plans to do! Danny G is Mark’s boy, no hard feelings, but Mark has to do it to him! Mark NEEDS this W. Garcia says yeah, no hard feelings. That’s what he respects about Mark. Mark stays positive, even in the hard times. When he gets knocked down, he gets back up. Unfortunately, the same goes for Garcia. Garcia has 4 points, and another win makes 7, and he could potentially lead Blue League. (We know now that no, he’ll just be a clear second place) Garcia says he’ll just have to knock Mark down.

Garcia says he’s gonna give Mark everything he’s got, so Mark better do the same. Mark says you already know. There is respect here in this match, but who will respectfully kick the other man’s ass to get those crucial 3 points?

AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Daniel Garcia VS Mark Briscoe!

The bell rings and the fans cheer as these two shake hands. Then they circle and tie up. Mark headlocks, but Garcia pries at the hold and wrenches out. Garcia headlocks but Mark powers out. Garcia sunset flips, Mark rolls through and has the headlock back. Garcia headscissors, Mark kips free, and the two have a standoff. The fans cheer and Garcia copies the crane stance. Mark and Garcia reset, tie up, and clinch, Garcia drop toeholds and then Oklahoma Rolls, TWO! Mark runs up but into a trip and ghost pin! TWO! Mark stands up, is maybe a little frustrated, but the fans cheer as the two shake hands again.

Garcia and Mark reset, fans cheer on “Both These Guys!” The two tie up, Mark puts Garcia in a corner, but the ref counts. Mark lets off slowly, but then Garcia puts him in the corner! The ref counts again, Garcia lets off with a scuff from his forearm. Mark gets a bit riled up and the two reset. Garcia gives a playful pat on the butt, but Mark CHOPS him! Mark stares Garcia down, then stomps him! Mark brings Garcia up to CHOP! The fans fire up and Mark kicks low. Mark UPPERCUTS, then he brings Garcia around. Mark whips, Garcia reverses but Mark holds ropes. Mark ELBOWS Garcia and TOSSES him out!

The fans fire up as Mark builds speed, and Mark WRECKS Garcia with a dropkick! Mark gets back in, builds more speed, and he DIVES! Direct hit at the ramp and GalaxyCon is all fired up! Mark high-fives the fans, then he gives a nod to the Continental Championship. Mark drags Garcia up, UPPERCUTS again, then he hits an APRON BACK SUPLEX! Garcia writhes but Mark drags him down. The fans fire up and Mark climbs. BANG BANG, FOLEY- NO, Garcia gets in the ring! SLEEPER at the ropes! The ref counts, Garcia lets go and runs, to then BLAST Mark off the apron! Mark tumbles hard and the fans fire up again!

Garcia goes out after Mark, puts him against the apron, and he CHOPS! Then BOOTS! Garcia whips Mark hard into railing! The fans fire up and Garcia CLUBS away on Mark! Garcia refreshes the count, then storms after Mark. Mark CHOPS in return! Mark ROCKS Garcia, CHOPS him again, then whips him into railing! Mark BOOTS Garcia and Garcia takes a seat! Mark refreshes the count again and he runs up to BOOT Garcia! The fans fire up with Mark as he storms back up, but Garcia ROCKS Mark! Garcia makes Mark take a seat and he rains down fists! The fans count to nine, Garcia puts up his dukes, then he ROCKS Mark with the tenth!

The fans cheer as Garcia high-fives the front row. The dukes come up again, and he DANCES! Garcia then runs up to SHOTGUN Mark back down! The fans fire up again and Garcia revels in it while Collision goes picture in picture.

Garcia keeps the fans fired up, then he fetches Mark from around the corner. Garcia whips Mark hard into railing! Mark falls over but Garcia drags him back up. Garcia puts Mark in the ring, then stomps him down in a corner! The ref counts, but Garcia stands on Mark! Garcia steps off, runs side to side, and BOOT WASHES! Garcia scrubs Mark a couple extra times, then steps off. Mark stands up but Garcia fires body shots! Garcia whips but Mark sunset flips! Garcia rolls through, steps through, but Mark scrambles around! Mark fires shots from below, but Garcia drops back to have a FIGURE FOUR! Mark endures, Garcia kicks at him, and the two stand up.

Garcia and Mark storm up, and Mark CHOPS! Garcia sputters, but Mark CHOPS him again! Mark has Garcia and reels him in for a suplex! Cover, TWO! Garcia stays in this but Mark stays on him with a facelock. Garcia JAWBREAKERS free! Mark staggers to a corner, Garcia runs corner to corner, and Collision returns to single picture as Garcia LRAITS! Garcia whips corner to corner and LARIATS again! And then another whip, but Mark goes up to FLYING AX HANDLE! The fans fire up and Mark stands Garcia up. Mark gives Garcia a Mongolian Chop! Garcia goes to a corner, Mark Mongolian Chops again! Mark Mongolian Chops again!

Garcia goes to another corner, but Mark hoists him up top. Mark CHOPS Garcia, then fires up! The fans fire up and Mark climbs. Mark brings Garcia up but Garcia fights the suplex! Garcia fires body shots, some real fast hands, and then he RAMS Mark! M ark hops back, then returns to UPPERCUT! Garcia holds onto ropes to stay up, but Mark goes up after him! The fans fire up as Mark aims for the outside! Garcia fights with more body shots, but Mark ROCKS Garcia! Garcia ROCKS Mark, Mark ROCKS Garcia, repeat! The fans rally and both men DECK each other! They hit apron then floor and the fans fire up again!

Mark pounds the floor as he rises up, and a standing count begins as both men stir. Mark and Garcia drag themselves up with the apron skirt, and they both slide in at 5 of 10! The fans fire up as these two storm up and start throwing hands! Mark eggs Garcia on so Garcia ROCKS Mark! Mark comes back to ROCK Garcia! Garcia rebounds to ROCK Mark! Mark fires up and he ROCKS Garcia! The fans rally as these two get heated, but they still shake hands! They fire forearm after forearm and GalaxyCon is thunderous! Mark gets the edge, Garcia dodges the last one, and he CHOPS! Garcia fires a flurry in the corner!

Garcia backs off, runs up, but Mark dodges! Mark CHOPS, then ROCKS, then CHOPS again! Mark UPPERCUTS Garcia, then runs, but Garcia LARIATS! Mark flips inside-out and the fans fire up! “This is Awesome!” as Mark goes to a corner. Garcia runs up to LARIAT! Garcia whips corner to corner but Mark goes up and out! Mark ROCKS Garcia, then he YANKS Garcia to the floor! BANG BANG, FOLEY ELBOW!! The fans fire up and Mark drags Garcia into the ring. The fans fire up as Mark runs, LARIAT! Garcia is flipped inside-out now, and Mark crawls to a cover, TWO! Mark stays fired up and he runs up to LARIAT!

Mark reels Garcia in, EXPLODER! Garcia flounders away to a corner and Mark runs up, LARIAT! FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Mark doesn’t hesitate, h e fireman’s carries! But Garcia fights free! Garcia CLUBS Mark, reels him in, but Mark fights off the saido! Garcia shoves Mark away, but Mark fireman’s carries! ROLLING DEATH VALLEY, SLIDING LARIAT! Mark fires up and the fans are with him! Mark climbs but Garcia SMACKS Mark first! Garcia climbs up, but Mark fights off the superplex! Garcia goes to the very top, and he brings Mark up for a SUPER DUPER PLEX! AND ROLLS THROUGH! PILEDRIVER!!! Cover, TWO?!?!

The fans are thunderous as Mark survives! Garcia grits his teeth, he bumps Mark off buckles, and he CHOPS! Garcia puts Mark back up, climbs after him gain, and he reels Mark in! Mark fights the lift, and he UPPERCUTS! Garcia falls back, and Mark rises! FROGGY-BOW!! Cover, TWO!!! Garcia survives and the fans fire up again! Mark drags Garcia up and calls his shot! Underhooks and- NO, Garcia trips Mark, jackknife bridges, TWO!! Mark is free but Garcia runs up. Mark SLAPS Garcia! Garcia roars, ducks a shot, and then CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! The fans fire up as Garcia CHOPS again, then SAIDOS!!

Mark rises?!? The fans are thunderous and Garcia’s seen a ghost! But then he BOOTS Mark to a corner! Mark fights the saido by holding ropes, then he fires in RIDGE HANDS! Mark waistlocks, but Garcia fires elbows! So Mark has a COBRA CLUTCH, then torture rack! CUTTHROAT DRIVER!!! Cover, MARK WINS!!!

Winner: Mark Briscoe, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Garcia earns 0)

What a wild one! Mark said he needed the points, and he got those points! Mark and Garcia still show each other respect, and now we all move on to Winter is Coming! Garcia is still even with Okada at 4 points, so second place is still up for grabs! Who manages to move up and capture that semifinals spot for Worlds End?

My Thoughts:

A great Collision and great go-home to Winter is Coming. Very good promo from Rosa, and a very good hype package for Mariah VS Mina that I skipped, and a pretty good match from Mina VS Emi. It was a little clunky at first, and maybe that finish was also a little strange, but Mina was of course winning. Rosa wanting in on the world title scene, I would think Mariah retains so we get Mariah VS Rosa at Worlds End. Good promo from Top Flight, Dante & Darius VS Lio & Action will be really good stuff, and I think Lio & Action win to set themselves up as potential challengers to Private Party. They might even leave Top Flight to join Hurt Syndicate together, but maybe not.

Awesome match from Willow and Deeb, and Deeb wearing a shirt that says “Nobody Cares” and the arrow pointing up at herself, kinda taking Britt’s insult and owning it. Perhaps they still circle back to that feud just to help both women bide time.  Willow winning was the right move, and I would think Willow wins next week because Hayter and Julia Hart have their feud that’s building. Mortos destroying Aaron Solo just because was pretty great, but he’s of course losing to Okada at Winter is Coming.

Speaking of Okada, I am rather surprised he lost, but I suppose Kyle cheating him like he did Shelton Benjamin is fine. Well, “fine” in that it keeps Okada strong, but Kyle should really be building himself up a bit more. We got an awesome match Darby VS Komander, too, and I figured Darby was getting the win, but it’s still annoying that the rounds are all lopsided, not everyone having competed in the same amount of matches as the others. As such, it doesn’t sound like Darby’s competing again until December 18th, but Ospreay’s gonna be at Winter is Coming AND Holiday Bash.

But that aside, Garcia VS Briscoe was an awesome main event, and Briscoe winning was a big surprise. Maybe they’re making Blue League more about a race for second place, since we’ll be getting big semifinal matches at the start of Worlds End, and the tournament finals are later. I would think Okada gets the second spot in Blue League so he can at least “defend” his Continental Championship at the PPV. And with this win over Garcia, Mark and Garcia could have a rematch for the TNT Championship at Worlds End, too.

My Score: 8.8/10

Who gets over their rough star in the round robin?

The Continental Classic cannot be contained to just Dynamite and Collision! Rampage brings us even MORE C2 action as Komander tags in for Juice!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Kazuchika Okada VS Mark Briscoe; Okada wins.
• AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Daniel Garcia VS The Beast Mortos; Garcia wins.
• The Vendetta VS Ella Elizabeth & Freya States; The Vendetta wins.
• AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Ricochet VS Komander; Ricochet wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Kazuchika Okada VS Mark Briscoe!

The Rainmaker, THE Continental Champion, only has one point after he and Daniel Garcia went to a time limit draw! But that’s still a bit better than the Sussex County Chicken and his definitive loss. Will Mark #ManUp and get a huge win tonight? Or will Okada reestablish himself as the frontrunner of this tournament?

The bell rings and we’re on the clock. The fans rally up as Mark and Okada circle. They tie up, Okada powers Mark to ropes, and the ref counts. Okada lets off slowly, then fakes a cheap shot to pat Mark on the shoulders. Mark stays cool and the two tie up again. Mark puts Okada on ropes now, and he fakes a chop to then hit the crane stance! Okada smiles, but then he takes a swing! Mark dodges, CHOPS, and the fans fire up! Mark fires forearms, whips Okada to ropes but Okada reverses. Mark slides under and he CLOBBERS Okada! The fans fire up and Mark brings Okada up for a suplex! Cover, TWO!

Mark stays close to Okada and brings him up. Mark ROCKS Okada, ROCKS him again, then brings Okada around. Mark kicks low, runs, and he BOOTS Okada to the apron! Okada tumbles to the floor and Mark builds speed to WRECK Okada! The fans fire up and Mark goes to the apron! Okada slowly rises, and Mark runs in, only for Okada to walk away! Okada soaks up heat, but then Mark storms up on Okada for more haymakers! The fans fire up as Mark fires shots and sits Okada down in the corner. Mark fires hands, then backs up to run in. Okada drop toeholds Mark onto the chair! Fans lose their minds and Okada grins.

The ref checks Mark and Mark is okay to continue. The ref wants this in the ring so Okada gets up and rolls in. Mark crawls but the count is climbing. Okada goes back outside so that restarts the count, and he SMACKS Mark off the steel steps! Mark sputters but Okada brings him around. Okada POSTS Mark hard! Okada leaves Mark behind to refresh the count, then he puts Mark in the ring. Okada at least wants to win this himself, and he scuffs Mark. Okada stands Mark up, just to DDT him back down! Mark is busted open, and Okada digs his heel into the wound! The ref reprimands, Okada steps off, and Mark goes to a corner.

Okada storms up on Mark, and Mark fires hands! Okada doesn’t flinch so Mark fires more shots! Okada just fires a flurry of forearms in return! Okada then HEADBUTTS, but that was a little double-edged! Mark rises but Okada is right on him. Mark CHOPS, ROCKS and CHOPS on repeat! Mark knees low, runs, but Okada FLAPJACKS him! The fans fire up but Okada is still his smug self, and Rampage goes picture in picture.

Mark flounders to a corner, and Okada takes aim. Okada waits for Mark to stand, and he runs up to hit an ELBOW! Okada whips corner to corner and ELBOWS Mark again! Mark falls and Okada soaks up both cheers and jeers. Okada walks back over but Mark eggs Okada on! Okada fires forearms on Mark, but Mark still stands! Only for Okada to ROCK him! Mark falls back in the corner, but he stands again to fire forearms in return! Okada UPPERCUTS and Mark staggers back. Okada paces, Rampage returns to single picture, but Mark fires body shots and forearms! Okada KNEES Mark low, then CLUBS him!

Okada whips corner to corner but Mark goes up and out, only for Okada to BOOT him! Okada drags Mark up to the top rope, then climbs up after him. Mark fights the suplex and fires body shots! Mark fires forearms, then he UPPERCUTS Okada down! The fans fire up and Mark rises. Mark leaps but Okada gets under! Mark rolls, comes back, dodges and dodges, then goes Matrix! Mark fires SUMO PALM STRIKES, then he bumps Okada off buckles! Mark CHOPS, CHOPS and whips, but Okada reverses, only for Mark to FLYING FOREARM! The fans fire up as Mark rises, and he runs in to LARIAT at the corner!

Mark whips, Okada reverses, but Mark comes back! Mark clinches and EXPLODERS! The fans fire up with Mark while Okada crawls to a corner. Mark runs up, but Okada BOOTS him! Okada runs up, but into a LARIAT! The fans fire up as Mark hooks a leg, FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Okada survives but Mark stays fired up! Mark brings Okada up to fireman’s carry, but Okada CLAWS the eyes! The fans boo but Mark runs up. Okada pops Mark up to an Alabama Lift, and a REVERSE NECKBREAKER! The fans rally as Okada brings Mark up, scoops him and SLAMS him! Okada goes up the corner, MACHO ELBOW!

Okada has the fans all fired up, for the RAINAMKER MIDDLE FINGER! Okada drags Mark up, ripcords, but Mark fireman’s carries! ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! SLIDING LARIAT! Mark hurries up top, FROGGY-BOW!! Cover, TWO!! Okada survives and the fans can’t believe it! Mark rises up and he calls his shot! Mark brings Okada up, but Okada back drops! And he sits on the cover! TWO and Mark sunset flips it! TWO, and Okada gut wrenches! TOMBSTONE!! But Okada can’t make the cover! A standing count starts, both men stir, and they both sit up. They fire forearms from their knees, going back and forth!

Mark rises, Okada follows, and the forearms keep going! Mark fires a flurry! The fans fire up with Mark and he runs, but Okada DROPKICKS! Okada hurries to ripcord, RAIN- NO, Mark ducks, wrenches, and kicks! Underhooks, but Okada backdrops free again! But Mark is right up! Only for Okada to block the lariat! But Mark kicks low! Okada drops down to fight the lift! Mark stands Okada up to CHOP, and ROCK, and underhook! JAY- NO, Okada fights it again! Okada ducks a lariat to ripcord and RAINMAKER!! Cover, Okada wins!

Winner: Kazuchika Okada, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Briscoe earns 0)

And with that, THE Continental Champion has four points! The top two of each league will face off at Worlds End, can Okada secure his spot in the semifinals? Will Mark ever get on the board at this rate?

Chris Jericho speaks from commentary.

The Nueve says he enjoyed that opening match, and he knows there are more on the way, but he has something he has to do first. Jericho wants to speak on Matt Cardona so he’s gonna go to the ring to do it! As Excalibur explains, “The Complete” Matt Cardona surprised everyone last night on ROH TV to confront Jericho. Jericho has a mic and his hat, and he steps into the ring while bragging about said hat. It is very expensive to fit the quality that Jericho is used to. But he has to say as The King of New York, last night on ROH, he challenged anyone from New York to face him for the ROH World Championship.

Jericho was interrupted by Matt Cardona! The fans cheer that name and Jericho asks, “You like Matt Cardona?! I’ll tell you this, though: Nobody touches a man’s hat! Us native New Yorkers don’t stand for that, Cardona. And you’re lucky I didn’t punch you in the face and knock your teeth down your throat when you accosted me and assaulted me on ROH last night!” In fact, Cardona, if you were here right now, you’d have no idea what Jericho would do to you! But wait! Cardona IS here! It’s like deja vu from just last night as Cardona goes into the ring and fans chant, “Always Ready!” Cardona tells Jericho, them at Final Battle, he says he’s always ready and the people know it.

But it is more than just a catchphrase or gimmick, it is the way Cardona lives his life. He is always ready for any opportunity. Final Battle may be the biggest opportunity of Cardona’s career. But he’s not the same kid Jericho knew 15 years ago. Cardona has been busting his ass for the past five YEARS to reinvent himself! The fans cheer that! Cardona says Final Battle, Hammerstein Ballroom, in Cardona’s backyard, his turf, it doesn’t matter about proving anyone wrong, it is about proving himself right. And that is what’ll happen when Cardona beats Jericho for the ROH World Championship!

Jericho nervously speaks up, saying he wants to make something clear here. Jericho respects Cardona, he really does. Because Cardona has reinvented himself! He is a way bigger star here and now in 2024 than he ever was before! That is true! So much respect for that. But it’s funny to Jericho. Even after all Cardona’s accomplished and all that he’s done, he’s still just “Zack.” And then Jericho SLAPS Cardona! Cardona SMACKS Jericho! Cardona TACKLES Jericho and rains down fists! But here comes Bryan Keith! The Bad Apple gets in and saves Jericho, only for Cardona to fire hands on him! Jericho goes after Cardona, it’s 2v1!

The fans boo as The Learning Tree and his Branch beat down Cardona! Jericho brandishes the belt, and he LASHES Cardona with it! And LASHES him again! Jericho stands Cardona up and Keith wraps the Calgary Stampede belt around his fist, buckle out! BELT BUCKLE PUNCH!! The fans boo but Keith tells them to shut up! Jericho shows Cardona the ROH title belt, vowing it’ll never belong to him. But even after this beating, will Cardona still be ready for his Final Battle with The Nueve?

AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Daniel Garcia VS The Beast Mortos!

In parallel to Okada and Briscoe to open the night, the TNT Champion has one point but the menacing minotaur has none! Will Red Death make sure this win is definitive? Or will Mortos maul Garcia to make La Faccion Ingobernable proud?

The bell rings and the fans rally up. The two tie up, Mortos powers Garcia to a corner, but then Garcia avoids the lariat! Mortos storms back up, Garcia gets around and waistlocks. Mortos swings an elbow but Garcia ducks under to headlock. Mortos powers up and out and they RAM shoulders! Neither man falls, Mortos takes a swing, but Garcia catches that arm to wrench and wristlock. Mortos breaks free, Garcia dodges, and Mortos roars as he stares down with Garcia. The two tie up again, Mortos puts Garcia in the corner, then lets off as the ref pushes between them. But then Mortos SMACKS Garcia down!

The fans are torn as Garcia flops out to the apron and Mortos roars. Mortos drags Garcia back in, whips him corner to corner, then runs up. Garcia goes up and over, but Mortos blocks the hip toss! Garcia avoids the lariat to BOOT, but Mortos shakes it off! Garcia BOOTS again, but Mortos is still up! Garcia runs to dropkick the legs, then he runs to basement DROPKICK! The fans fire up with Garcia and he storms up on Mortos. Garcia brings Mortos up but Mortos fights the suplex! Mortos suplexes Garcia up and out of the ring! The fans are torn again while Garcia crawls to railing. Mortos goes out and runs in, but Garcia drop toeholds Mortos into the chair!

Garcia sits Mortos up, and then he rains down fists! The fans count to nine, Garcia puts up his dukes, and he ROCKS Mortos with TEN! The fans fire up as Garcia gets space, and he runs that full thirty feet, only for Mortos to CLOBBER him! Mortos puts Garcia in the ring, shoves him, and POP-UP SAMOAN DROPS! Mortos roars again while Rampage goes picture in picture.

The fans rally for Mortos while he drags Garcia up. Mortos SMACKS Garcia again and Garcia staggers to ropes. Mortos wraps Garcia’s arm around ropes and pulls! The ref reprimands and counts, but Mortos stops at 4. Mortos then fishhooks Garcia! The ref counts again, Mortos stops at 4 again, and then Mortos drags Garcia up. Mortos pump handles and lifts for a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Garcia kicks at Mortos but Mortos CLUBS him down! Mortos then grabs a leg and turns Garcia over for a HALF CRAB! And then a DRAGON SCREW! Garcia scrambles away but Mortos is right on him, SLEEPER in the ropes!

The ref counts, Mortos stops, and Garcia sputters while Mortos rallies the fans. Mortos runs up but Garcia BOOTS him! Garcia reels Mortos in, but Mortos fights the suplex! Mortos trips Garcia, then HEADBUTTS him in the gut! Cover, TWO! Garcia crawls away but he fires up as the fans cheer him on. Mortos stomps Garcia at the ropes, then puts him in a corner to SMACK him again! Mortos CHOKES Garcia, lets off as the ref reprimands, and Mortos CHOPS! Garcia staggers away while Rampage goes to break.

Rampage returns and Garcia works to suplex Mortos, but that’s a tall task! Mortos tries to suplex, Garcia fights, and then Garcia manages to suplex Mortos up and over! The fans fire up while both men are down, and Garcia pounds the mat. The fans rally and Garcia rises! Garcia runs corner to corner and LARIATS! And then he fires a flurry of forearms! Mortos just shoves Garcia! Garcia fires more forearms, then fires hands high and low and from all sides! Garcia has Mortos in the corner but the ref backs him off. Mortos runs up to grab Garcia by the neck! Garcia breaks free, ducks a lariat, and manages a SAIDO! Cover, TWO!

Mortos stays in this and Garcia snarls. Garcia aims at Mortos in a corner then runs up, but into a BOOT! Mortos hits the SLING-DOG! Garcia stands, but into a SLINGBLADE! And then a SOBAT, KNEE, and ELBOW! Snapmare, and NECK TWIST! Garcia still stands, but into a SNAP POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Garcia survives but Mortos huffs ‘n’ puffs. The fans rally up and Mortos goes to a corner. Mortos climbs!? Garcia runs up to CLUB him first! Garcia climbs and fires hands, then roars at Mortos! Garcia drags Mortos up to the very top! SUPER DUPER PLEX!! And a roll through to the cover, TWO!! Mortos just barely survives!

The fans fire up as Garcia drags Mortos up. The fans rally and Garcia runs, but into a scoop and SHOULDER BUSTER! Then DISCUS LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Garcia survives and the fans fire up again! Mortos is frustrated but the fans rally for “BEAST! BEAST!” Mortos climbs, and MARIPOSA LFOPS! Garcia ghost pins, TWO!! Mortos survives and SMACKS Garcia! Garcia CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! Garcia winds up, but Mortos HEADBUTTS! DISCUS- NO, Garcia trips Mortos to a jackknife bridge! GARCIA WINS!!

Winner: Daniel Garcia, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Mortos earns 0)

Mortos is shocked, but Garcia finds a way to snatch this victory! Garcia stays even with Okada, will they both have to fight that much harder to break away in Blue League?

The Vendetta VS Ella Elizabeth & Freya States!

Taya Valkyrie & Deonna Purrazzo openly offer the AEW roster help with their problems, but were rejected by Anna Jay. Will La Wera Loca & The Virtuosa use The Scream Queen & Freya The Slaya as an example to why that’s a bad idea?

The teams sort out, Taya starts against Ella, and she THROWS Ella right down! Taya rains down fists on Ella, then stops to stare Freya down. Taya drags Ella up to whip her to the corner. Taya runs up to ELBOW Ella, CHOP her, then tag Deonna. Deonna stomps away on Ella, then stops as the ref counts. Taya CHOKES Ella, Deonna ROCKS her, then Deonna short arm LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Ella survives but Deonna brings her up to fireman’s carry. Ella slips free and shoves Deonna, but Deonna uses that to BLAST Freya! Deonna BOOTS Ella’s lariat, then just BOOTS Ella! The fans cheer Deonna while she grins at Freya.

Deonna LARIATS Ella in the corner, sits her down, and tags in Taya. Deonna whips Taya in for METEORA to Ella! Deonna sucker punches Freya, Freya wants in, but the ref stops Freya. Taya stomps away on Ella, then drags her up. Tag to Deonna, then Taya CHOPS Ella! Feed to Deonna’s kick, and she reels Ella in, hoists her up, POWERBOMB!! Ella gets folded but Deonna isn’t done with her! Freya wants in, but Deonna runs up on her again! Freya stands her ground, but Taya YANKS Freya off the apron! Taya says do NOT talk to her boss like that! Freya doesn’t care and takes a swing, but gets a SPEAR for it!

Deonna nods, and she catches Ella to a SAYANAGI and FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Ella TAPS, The Vendetta wins!

Winners: The Vendetta, by submission

Deonna holds onto the arm a little longer, then finally lets go when she’s satisfied. Deonna & Taya stand tall, who in AEW will join them? And who will make sure to avoid them at all costs?

BREAKING NEWS for Collision!

On top of MORE Continental Classic action, such as Daniel Garcia VS Mark Briscoe, Komander VS Darby Allin, and Kazuchika Okada VS Kyle Fletcher, Mina Shirakawa will face Emi Sakura just days before the AEW Women’s World Championship match with Mariah May! Will the Queen of Joshi give the Fighting Gravure Idol quite the tune-up before Winter is Coming?

AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Ricochet VS Komander!

The One & Only could not overcome Claudio Castagnoli so he is 0-1, but the Commander of the Skies is stepping in for the injured Juice Robinson. Will Komander be the one to overcome the handicap he is facing? Or will Ricochet make the C2 #OuttaThisWorld?

The bell rings and per Continental Rules, Abrahantes must step away from ringside after escorting Komander out here. The fans rally up for Ricochet and Komander bows in respect to his world traveled opponent. The two tie up, Ricochet goes for an arm, slips around to the back, then wrenches to whip Komander to ropes. Komander rolls to stop, and he RAMS Ricochet. Things keep moving, Komander flips over the dropdown, but Ricochet kips up! Komander dodges a lariat but Ricochet denies the rana, and he handsprings over Komander’s back! The fans fire up for this opening exchange, but things keep moving!

Komander slips around Ricochet, shoves him, but Ricochet rolls over the drop down. Ricochet goes Matrix, kips up, then handsprings, but Komander dodges. Komander runs, Ricochet follows and Ricochet springboards! FLYING ARM-DRAG but Komander handsprings through! Ricochet kips up again and the fans fire up! Komander blocks a kick, spins Ricochet then blows past him. Komander ducks ‘n’ dodges to tilt-o-whirl and DEJA VU RANA! The fans fire up while Ricochet flounders to a corner! Komander runs up but into a BOOT! Ricochet runs up, Komander blocks, wrenches, knuckle locks and CHOPS!

Komander goes up and up, jumps around and around, but Ricochet BODY SHOTS to stop the combo! Ricochet then changes hands in the knuckle lock so he can go up and up, then FLYING KICK! Komander tumbles to the floor, and Ricochet builds speed! Ricochet DIVES, down goes Komander! The fans are thunderous and Ricochet hurries to get Komander in the ring. Ricochet springboards to FLYING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Komander stays in this but Ricochet stays focused, and Rampage goes picture in picture.

Ricochet stomps Komander again and again, then stands him up to CHOP! Komander falls back into the corner, Ricochet digs his boots in, but lets off as the ref counts. Ricochet stands Komander up, whips corner to corner hard, and Komander falls to the amt! Cover, ROPEBREAK! Ricochet stays cool and he brings Komander from the ropes. Ricochet drops a BIG elbow, then covers, ONE!! Komander is tougher than that but Ricochet says fine, be that way. Ricochet taunts Komander while stalking him, then he brings Komander up. Ricochet CLUBS Komander, then brings him up again. Ricochet scoops and SLAMS Komander down!

Ricochet looks side to side, and decides to be the most electrifying man in all of AEW! Ricochet runs side to side to hit the PEOPLE’S MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Komander survives but Ricochet says okay that’s fine. Ricochet clamps on to Komander with a chinlock, and digs a knee into Komander’s back. Komander endures, fires hands from below, then fights up to his feet. Komander fires body shots, then runs, but into an ELBOW! Ricochet shakes things off, and he comes back to KICK Komander in the back! Ricochet stomps Komander, stands him up, UPPERCUTS him, and Komander goes to ropes.

Ricochet storms up but Komander shoves him away. Ricochet ROCKS Komander, has him in a corner and CHOPS! Ricochet hears the fans saying something, and then shrugs and nods because they must be right. Ricochet goes back to Komander but Komander fires fast hands! Komander whips, Ricochet reverses, but Komander springboards, only for Ricochet to DROPKICK him outta the air! Cover, TWO!! Komander survives but Ricochet clamps on to throw down an elbow! Ricochet then has the arms for a motorcycle stretch, and Komander endures as Rampage returns to single picture. Fans rally, Komander fights up, but Ricochet shoves Komander.

Komander rebounds, into a forearm to the back! Ricochet grabs a leg but Komander has the ropes. Ricochet YANKS Komander back but Komander uses that to swing around and sunset flip! TWO, and both men stand! Ricochet blocks Komander’s boot but Komander dodges the haymaker! Komander comes back to kick, whip, but Ricochet reverses. Komander springboards to tilt-o-whirl RANA! Ricochet bails out, Komander builds speed, and Komander goes up, up, SALUTING MOONSAULT! Direct hit and the fans fire up again! The fans fist bump Komander and he hurries after Ricochet. Komander puts Ricochet in at 5 of 10, then goes to a corner.

Komander climbs, leaps, but Ricochet gets under! Komander keeps going, but Ricochet catches the Quebrada! Komander swings through but Ricochet also stops that! Ricochet powers up to NORTHERN LIGHTS, and bridge! ONE, but Ricochet rolls back to deadlift Komander into a BRAINBUSTER! Ricochet roars and the fans fire up! Ricochet RUNNING SHOOTING STARS! Cover, TWO! Komander stays in this but Ricochet brings him up. Ricochet reels Komander in, but Komander RAMS him into a corner! Komander hobbles, comes back, but Ricochet puts him up top! Then GAMANGIRI! Ricochet CHOPS Komander, then climbs up.

Ricochet has Komander on the very top, but Komander fights free! Komander kicks the legs out and Ricochet hits buckles! Komander HOTSHOTS Ricochet, then goes up! Komander tightrope walks, leaps, and ARABIAN PRESSES back to the apron so he can GAMANGIRI! Ricochet staggers, Komander springboards and FLYING SPIKE RANAS!! Cover, TWO!!! Ricochet survives and the fans are losing their minds! “This is Awesome!” as Komander rises up again! Ricochet stirs, Komander brings him up, but Ricochet suplexes! Komander slips free, ROCKS Ricochet, but Ricochet ROCKS Komander back! Komander ROCKS Ricochet again!

Ricochet UPPERCUTS! And ROCKS! Komander BOOTS! Komander then ducks a heel kick but Ricochet ducks a roundhouse! The HEEL KICK from Komander hits!! Komander hurries to a corner, runs corner to corner and goes up, up, and AWAY with the 450 SPLASH!! cover, TWO!!! Ricochet survives and the fans fire up! Komander is frustrated but he hurries to put Ricochet in the drop zone. Komander drops an elbow, then he goes up the corner! The fans fire up and Komander tightrope walks! CIELITO- NO, Ricochet goes to the apron! Komander lands on his feet, storms up on Ricochet, but Ricochet ROCKS him first!

Ricochet then brings Komander up and suplexes! APRON BRAINBUSTER!! Ricochet grits his teeth but he pushes Komander back into the ring, SPRINGBOARD 450 SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!?! Ricochet is shocked but he hurries to the corner. Ricochet runs up, AX KICK!! Then he reels Komander in for a lift, and fireman’s carry into a RUNNING DEATH VALLEY!! The fans fire up and Ricochet goes back to the corner. Ricochet locks ‘n’ loads, BANG with the SPIRIT GUN!! Cover, Ricochet wins!

Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Komander earns 0)

This match was indeed #OuttaThisWorld, and Ricochet finally has points on the board! Will Ricochet be able to make up some lost ground and take over the Gold League?

My Thoughts:

A great Rampage as they had the Continental Classic happen here and give Rampage something important going on, but there was still filler. I know it was a squash match and all, but no respect for The Vendetta or their opponents with how they got no entrances or introductions. That and Vendetta buried Ella & Freya cuz Freya didn’t even get in the match officially, she just got beat up on the outside. I still expect The Vendetta to be the ones that beat up Kamille on behalf of Mercedes Mone, and I could even see a Six Woman Tag of Mone, Deonna & Taya VS Kamille, Kris & Anna Jay to set up something big for the TBS Championship.

The other filler would’ve been Jericho’s promo to bring out Matt Cardona. It was certainly AEW admitting not enough of their fans watch ROH so they had to make sure the AEW audience understood Jericho VS Cardona for the ROH World Championship was happening at Final Battle. Still a good segment overall, but for a completionist like myself, it was redundant since I already knew about this from ROH. And I like the match of Mina Shirakawa VS Emi Sakura for Collision. Mina will get one more win before losing on Dynamite so that’s fine.

And of course, the Continental Classic matches were all great, even awesome, but with results I knew we’d be getting. Okada, Garcia and Ricochet were of course all winning, as the Continental and TNT Champions needed to get up, and Ricochet needed to rebound if he’s to be in the running over in Gold League. But I believe as happened last year, there are some guys who don’t have their second matches until others are on their third, and I think Darby Allin fell into that category. Darby’s second match is tomorrow for Collision, and while he’s facing Komander who is also on his second match, we have to remember Komander is coming in for Juice so Juice/Komander is already into the third round. Though sadly, it already feels like Komander is taking that big goose egg for Gold League.

My Score: 8.8/10