The time is here, All Elite Wrestling’s third annual continental classic tournament is taking place and heading into the competition, the narrative is captivating as ever. With several storylines interwoven, tensions heightening in factions on the roster, championships on the line, and perhaps the most stacked field to date, this tournament will be one for the books.
The Continental Classic is an annual round-robin tournament held towards the end of every year since 2023. Beginning after Full Gear, the Continental Classic runs about one month before concluding at World’s End where the finals take place. In the tournament there are two leagues, the gold league and the blue league, six competitors each. Matches in the Continental Classic are contested under continental rules, for each bout there is a 20 minute time limit, and everyone is barred from ringside most crucially. With the tournament being scored off of a points-based system, the goal is to aim for the most points in your league (in five matches) before the semifinals. Three points for a win, zero if you lose, and if the match happens to reach a time limit draw, both wrestlers are awarded one point. Whoever achieves the most points by the semifinals moves on to Worlds End to compete for the Continental Championship live on Pay Per View.
The Gold League
Kazuchika Okada: Winner of the 2024 continental classic and current holder of the continental championship since March of 2024, the “Rainmaker” Kazuchika Okada is without a doubt a strong contender and a favorite in this year’s tournament. Okada, known as the greatest tournament wrestler of all time, if not, one of the greatest of this generation, has held many world championships since his pro wrestling debut in 2004. After his induction into the Don Callis Family earlier this year, Okada has held an iron clad grip over the championship and has been shown to be one of the best that AEW has to offer But with the continental championship put on the line for his second C2, and cracks appearing in the Don Callis Family. Can Kazuchika Okada, the greatest tournament wrestler of all time, emerge triumphant once again?
Height: 6 ft 3 in
Weight: 236 lb
Age: 38 years
Hometown: Aichi, Japan
Signature: The money clip
Finisher: Rainmaker
Fun Facts:
- Headlined New Japan Pro Wrestling’s biggest show of the year “Wrestle Kingdom” eight times
- In June of 2018 at NJPW Dominion, Kenny Omega and Kazuchika Okada competed in a two out of three falls match that lasted 70 minutes and was not only marked the conclusion of Okada’s 720 day reign of the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship reign, but was a bout that changed the world. This was the fourth match of their legendary, high-stakes series.
- Kazuchika Okada is the first Japanese wrestler to ever rank #1 in Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s top 500
(All Elite Wrestling)
Mike Bailey: Entering his first Continental Classic, “Speedball” Mike Bailey is a recent signing to AEW and has wrestled across the world in revered promotions such as Impact wrestling, Maple Leaf Pro and DDT. Specializing in taekwondo (4th degree black belt) and strong-style wrestling, Mike Bailey has had a spectacular showing so far this year both as a singles star and as one half of “JetSpeed” alongside Kevin Knight. However, behind his cheerful, positive attitude, Mike Bailey has shown he has no problem with kicking the head off of anyone who gets in his way, and has proven himself to be a dangerous asset on the AEW roster thus far.
Height: 5 ft 8 in
Weight: 174 lb
Age: 35
Hometown: Laval, Quebec, Canada
Signature: Corner cyclone kick
Finisher: Time adventure, double knee press
Fun Facts:
- In 2016, Mike Bailey had a VISA issue which led to a five year ban from the US, this motivated him to dominate in other countries and return as a bigger personality
- Mike Bailey’s finishing move the time adventure, is an homage to the final episode of the beloved animated television show Adventure Time
- Contrary to popular belief, Mike Bailey, was given the nickname Speedball, not because of the powerful drug combination but because early in his career, a writer in Montreal named Michael Ryan described his in ring style as “bouncing around the ring like a speedball.” Referring to the piece of boxing equipment
Kyle Fletcher: In the midst of perhaps his biggest year to date, the “Protostar” Kyle Fletcher is entering his second Continental Classic. After recently losing the TNT Championship at Full Gear in a no disqualification match against Mark Briscoe, he is searching for redemption in form of the continental championship. Having found great success in last year’s Continental Classic making it to the semifinals, general of the Don Callis family Kyle Fletcher made a clear promise to make everyone in the tournament “say…my…full…name.”
Height: 6 ft 3 in
Weight: 240 lb
Age: 26
Hometown: Sydney, Australia
Signature: Elevated liger bomb
Finisher: Sheer drop brainbuster, top turnbuckle brainbuster
Fun Facts:
- Began his wrestling career at age 14, trained by Madison Eagles, Robbie Eagles and Travis Banks
- After Kyle’s heel turn in 2024, he shaved his head in the middle of the ring which marked a huge turning point in his career and began his meteoric rise as a top prospect in AEW
- Kyle Fletcher is one of only three wrestlers that has ever pinned Kazuchika Okada in his time on the AEW roster
Kevin Knight: Known as “The Jet” for a reason, Kevin Knight is renowned for his high-flying form of wrestling in addition to his specialty in tag team wrestling across New Japan. Since his recent signing to All Elite Wrestling earlier this year, Kevin Knight at his young age has had great success against the wide variety of talent that is the AEW roster both in singles action, and while partnering up with the many friends he has made in this short time. While being in a tag team with his partner Mike Bailey as JetSpeed, Kevin Knight has shown time after time that he can hang with bigger names, and that he is the future of All Elite Wrestling. With the Continental Classic, this will be his opportunity to show the world what he has to offer, look out above.
Height: 6 ft
Weight: 200 lb
Age: 28
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Signature: Coast to coast
Finisher: UFO splash
Fun Facts:
- Ranked 159 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2025
- Trained by Katsuyori Shibata, Kevin Knight was the first black graduate of the New Japan Pro Wrestling LA Dojo,
- Immediately after signing with AEW, Kevin Knight joined the Owen Hart tournament as a replacement for Jay White, he would then go on to face Will Ospreay at AEW Dynasty 2025
PAC: Recently coming back from injury in perhaps the best shape of his career, one of the inaugural signees of All Elite Wrestling, “The Bastard” PAC; is known for his fast paced, ruthless, and innovative style of wrestling. Serving as the foundation of the Death Riders, a feared alliance in AEW, PAC is looking to compete in the Continental classic for the purpose of not only winning the continental championship, but so he can continue to prove himself as a force to be reckoned with.
Height: 5 ft 8 in
Weight: 217 lb
Age: 39
Hometown: Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Signature: Running lariat
Finisher: Black arrow, brutalizer
Fun Facts:
- In NXT, PAC (then known as Adrian Neville) was the first ever wrestler to hold the NXT Championship, and NXT Tag Team Championship alongside Oliver Grey
- Forbidden Door 2023, PAC became the inaugural All-Atlantic champion in a four way tournament final against Clark Connors, Miro, and Malakai Black. PAC would go on to hold the championship for 108 days
- At age 16 PAC began his wrestling career wrestling across different backyard promotions in Gateshead and Middlesbrough
Darby Allin: Entering his second Continental Classic since last year when he came up short of making it to the semi-finals (2-2-1), Darby Allin is a prominent wrestler in AEW and one of the four pillars of the company. Known for his reckless, fast paced method of wrestling, Darby Allin isn’t exactly coming into the C2 unscathed. For the past year, Darby Allin has made it his top mission to topple the Death Riders, and while coming out victorious in an I quit match against Jon Moxley, playing a key role in ending Jon Moxley’s title reign, and tormenting the Death Riders week by week, Darby has so far been successful in this quest, at the price of his own body. Heading into the Continental Classic, Darby Allin was thrown by PAC off a stage onto a table on fire (resulting in second degree burns all over his torso), then promptly faced him two weeks later at Full Gear culminating in a painful loss at the hands of PAC. Now in the Continental Classic, will Darby Allin continue fighting until he accomplishes his mission of taking down the Death Riders and winning the Continental Classic? Or will Darby’s dangerous lifestyle catch up to him and suppress him from reaching his full potential?
Height: 5 ft 8 in
Weight: 175 lb
Age: 32
Hometown: Seattle, Washington
Signature: Code red
Finisher: Coffin drop
Fun Facts:
- At 5 years old, Darby Allin’s uncle died in a car crash which he was in the car for, while surviving with injuries, this trauma inspired his signature face paint which symbolizes being half dead half alive and survivors guilt
- For years, Darby had lived intentionally homeless because it builds extreme discipline, a strong work ethic, and prevents laziness
- Darby Allin is a professional skateboarder, partnering up with people like Tony Hawk, the cast of Jackass, and many others, Darby incorporates skateboarding into his identity.
- Darby holds the world record for highest elevated kickflip at 20,958 feet, he achieved this while climbing Mount Everest earlier this year
The Blue League
Jon Moxley: Entering his second Continental Classic since 2023, Jon Moxley is taking on the tournament as the battle tested leader of a dangerous faction in AEW known as the Death Riders (Formerly known as the Blackpool Combat Club). Driven by a philosophy of violence and proving that his group represents the epitome of professional wrestling, Jon Moxley and the Death riders ruled over All Elite Wrestling with an iron fist after Moxley captured the AEW world championship from Bryan Danielson at AEW WrestleDream in October of 2024. Holding the title hostage for a dominant 273 days, Moxley’s reign of terror was ended at All In Texas in July to “Hangman” Adam Page in a Texas death match after being choked out with a chain. At this time, the faction’s self proclaimed “hostile takeover” was declared over, and cracks in the Death Riders were beginning to show. Since All In, Jon Moxley has struggled to recover from this significant loss, suffering quite a few losses mainly by submission. Jon Moxley’s facade as an invincible, charismatic leader is being put into question, however, Moxley is known to be at his most dangerous when his back is against the wall, and with the Continental Classic, this might be Jon Moxley’s last chance to fight for redemption and keep face. Is this breakdown in the Death Riders fictitious like Jon Moxley claims? Or are the Death Riders beginning to lose faith in the heart and soul of AEW? Only time will tell.
Height: 6 ft
Weight: 225 lb
Age: 40
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Signature: Hammer and anvil elbows, curb stomp
Finisher: Death Rider, paradigm shift, bulldog choke
Fun Facts:
- During his most recent reign as AEW Champion, the belt was kept locked in a briefcase and guarded by Marina Shafir
- Has over 2,000 recorded matches in his pro wrestling career
- Grand slam champion in WWE, has won at least one of every championship at the time
(All Elite Wrestling)
Claudio Castagnoli: To Claudio Castagnoli the C2 is a tradition all too familiar. Entering his third tournament, the “emissary of violence,” and “lynchpin” of the Death Riders Claudio Castagnoli is known for his unique mix of brute strength and technical wrestling when he’s in the ring. This year around, Claudio’s main goal is to overcome his past mistakes in the tournament and make it to the finals, all the while showing no mercy against those in his league. With Claudio’s experience in the Continental classic on how to pace himself and orchestrate within the rules, he has the assets to go far in this tournament. As the old saying goes, good things come to those who wait, will this be the case for Claudio Castagnoli.
Height: 6 ft 5 in
Weight: 232 lb
Age: 44
Hometown: Lucerne, Switzerland
Signature: Giant swing, ricola bomb, sharpshooter
Finisher: European uppercut, neutralizer
Fun Facts:
- Over the course of his wrestling career, Claudio has learned to speak five different languages
- Won the first ever Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania 30 in 2014
- Has been in seven different tag teams, with known wrestlers like Sheamus, Tyson Kidd, and most remarkably, Chris Hero
(All Elite Wrestling)
Konosuke Takeshita: Coming off his massive achievement of winning the G1 Climax and later capturing the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship against New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Zack Sabre Jr, tournament wrestling is not unknown for the “Alpha” Konosuke Takeshita. Takeshita is a rising star in AEW, NJPW, and has established himself as an international star known for his explosive nature combining power, speed, freak athleticism, technical prowess, and lethal striking. Competing in the Continental Classic as part of the Don Callis Family stable, there has been a noticeable friction in the past several months between current continental champion Kazuchika Okada and Konosuke Takeshita, hinting at a potential family war. In the Continental Classic, Takeshita certainly has his work cut out for him, in order for Takeshita to have a chance of making it to Worlds End to vie for the continental championship, he will have to make it through a stacked blue league.
Height: 6 ft 2 in
Weight: 231 lb
Age: 30
Hometown: Osaka, Japan
Signature: Blue thunder bomb
Finisher: Power drive knee, raging fire
Fun Facts:
- Konosuke Takeshita wrote his college graduation thesis about the german suplex, the essay was 20 pages long and he got an A
- On his 21st birthday, Konosuke Takeshita won the KO-D Openweight Championship at DDT Pro Wrestling, making him the youngest champion in the title’s history
- Konosuke Takeshita was given the moniker “The Alpha” by Don Callis after achieving two upset victories over Kenny Omega in 2023
Roderick Strong: Coming in as a replacement for his partner Kyle O’Reilly who suffered an undisclosed injury at full gear against Jon Moxley, Roderick Strong, also known as the “Messiah of the Backbreaker” is not one to sniff at despite his unforeseen admittance into the continental classic. Since his pro wrestling debut in 2000 Strong has wrestled across countless promotions across the independent scene, but made a name for himself on Ring of Honor and most notably thrived in NXT. Roderick Strong’s veteran status and lone-wolf perspective makes him a credible threat to everyone going against him in the blue league, this was made evident after he stated “I’m going to break all your fucking backs”.
Height: 5 ft 10 in
Weight: 200 lb
Age: 42
Hometown: Riverview, Florida
Signature: Jumping high knee, stronghold
Finisher: End of heartache
Fun Facts:
- Roderick Strong has been a part of about six wrestling factions, such as the Undisputed Era, Diamond Mine, Generation Next, and currently Paragon
- Married to Marina Shafir, wrestler on the AEW roster and present member of the Death Riders
- Started his pro wrestling career in 1994 at 12 years old
Máscara Dorada: Wrestling in the tournament as an International wrestler signed to CMLL (Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre). Máscara Dorada is known for his incredible speed, creative wrestling, and ability where he thrives the most, in the air. After an impressive showing at AEW All Out against Kazuchika Okada and Konosuke Takeshita in a triple threat match, the fans were enamored right from the getgo, and demand for him grew with each match. With the Continental Classic, he will be representing CMLL as one of their best.
Height: 5 ft 9 in
Weight: 189 lb
Age: 37
Hometown: Guadalajara, Mexico
Signature: N/A
Finisher: Shooting star press
Fun Facts:
- Began pro wrestling career in 2021 as a second generation wrestler after his father
- Former wrestler in WWE as Gran Metalik
- Máscara Dorada translates to “Golden Mask”
Orange Cassidy: Known by many for his unorthodox, laid back style of wrestling and distinctive underdog appearance, “freshly squeezed” Orange Cassidy, often called the mascot of AEW, is entering the prestigious Continental Classic as a member of the Conglomeration, a faction in All Elite Wrestling. After returning from a shoulder injury earlier this year, Cassidy’s primary goal in this tournament is to succeed in the tournament and win the continental championship, all while standing alongside the Conglomeration as the group continues to feud with the Don Callis Family. Seeming to be going into the tournament as the dark horse in his league, it will be interesting to watch how the king of sloth style handles this tournament over the course of its active season.
Height: 5 ft 10 in
Weight: whatever
Age: 41
Hometown: wherever
Signature: Lazy kicks
Finisher: Beach break, orange punch
- Before his pro wrestling career, Orange Cassidy was first a licensed architect in the state of New Jersey
- The Orange Cassidy persona was heavily inspired by Paul Rudd in Wet Hot American Summer, so much that his entrance music is “Jane” by Jefferson Starship
- Orange Cassidy defeated PAC in 2022 for the AEW International Championship where he would then go on to defend the title a record setting 31 times over the course of 326 days
