The AEW Continental Classic continues to give the best wrestling around

The December 25 edition of AEW Dynamite brought gifts in the form of excellent professional wrestling. This was anchored by the Continental Classic, which has quickly become a pillar of what makes AEW special. This episode, and both editions of the tournament continue to be an example of AEW elevating what fans expect to see in great in-ring action.

“Dynamite on 34th Street” featured some banger matches in the Continental Classic. Will Ospreay defeated Brody King. Darby Allin and Ricochet went to a time-limit draw. Kyle Fletcher defeated Daniel Garcia. Komander defeated Claudio Castagnoli, and Kazuchika Okada defeated Shelton Benjamin. It was four matches, each with different stakes tied to the tournament and the angles the wrestlers are involved in as individuals. Just like in 2023, the Continental Classic continues to show strong storytelling through the tournament format.

This presentation of professional wrestling is where AEW stands out. If anyone wants to prove that this is the company “where the best wrestle” just point to what fans have seen the last two years. And there’s more to come at World’s End on December 28. Ospreay and Fletcher are having a highly anticipated rematch, while Okada and Ricochet are battling on the other side of the bracket. And the winners will compete later in the evening. Those three matches alone could power a PPV for any wrestling organization, and here fans are getting them all in the same night.

Is everything perfect with the C2? Absolutely not. For example, this tournament doesn’t need a championship. The first edition felt like a way to get a singles title on Eddie Kingston, and now that Okada has the title it doesn’t make him feel any more “special” than he already is as one of the best in the world.

Then, there’s the issue with why the women’s division hasn’t had the opportunity to get a tournament of their own. AEW has a stacked women’s roster who could easily fill out a bracket and put on matches on par with their male peers. Will that opportunity ever come? There’s no telling with how the division is booked today, but it is a change that would elevate the tournament in a positive way.

The “Match of the Year” race can never be decided before December comes and goes. The reason is because the Continental Classic is going to bring out the best wrestlers in AEW. Every night they put on a show and this year’s tournament is more of the same. This is why fans continue to watch All Elite Wrestling.