The 2024 AEW Continental Classic has exploded back onto the scene, bringing round robin chaos to the Thanksgiving Eve edition of Dynamite. With 12 competitors battling for the coveted AEW Continental Championship, the stakes are high, the points are precious, and the suplexes are plentiful.
The night’s results painted a vivid picture of early dominance:
- Shelton Benjamin earned three points after a methodical dismantling of Mark Briscoe in a Blue League brawl.
- Claudio Castagnoli snatched three points in a Gold League bout, outmuscling Ricochet in a clash of strength vs. agility.
- Brody King topped the table after an unrelenting Gold League showdown against Darby Allin, closing the show with a Gonzo Bomb and a cold stare toward Castagnoli.
Match Highlights
Shelton Benjamin vs. Mark Briscoe (Blue League)
The night began with Benjamin showcasing his technical prowess against Briscoe’s grit. Despite battling through apparent rib damage from a daring elbow drop, Briscoe kept the crowd on the edge of their seats. However, Benjamin’s lethal combination of suplexes and a well-placed kick to the head set up a final belly-to-back suplex for the win.
Claudio Castagnoli vs. Ricochet (Gold League)
In the evening’s most evenly matched contest, Castagnoli absorbed a barrage of high-flying offense from Ricochet but stayed steady with his unshakable power. After teasing a count-out win and surviving a submission scare, Castagnoli sealed his victory with a lariat so devastating it might have been felt back in Switzerland.
Brody King vs. Darby Allin (Gold League)
The main event was less wrestling match and more straight-up war. A chaotic brawl even muted the commentary team’s microphones at one point (probably for everyone’s safety). Despite hitting King with two Coffin Drops on the outside, Allin couldn’t seal the deal. King countered a third Coffin Drop attempt with a brutal Gonzo Bomb, earning three points and setting the tone for the rest of the tournament.
Continental Classic Format Tweaks
This year, AEW is upping the ante: both semi-finals and the final will take place at Worlds End. The Blue League winner will face the Gold League’s runner-up, and vice versa, with the ultimate showdown closing the card. Until then, Kazuchika Okada remains AEW Continental Champion—even if the math takes him out of contention early.
With cast-iron matchups like Castagnoli vs. King set for next week, this year’s Continental Classic promises unforgettable action.