Dynamite: A Continental Classic Christmas treat

Greetings and salutations! Merry Christmas to those who celebrate. AEW Dynamite on 34th Street airs tonight with five Continental Classic matches scheduled for the show that will determine the Semi-Finals for AEW World’s End this Saturday. Toni Storm vs. Taya Valkyrie is also on the card along with an ROH TV title match seeing new champion Kommander defend against Claudio Castagnoli. So with this the, final Dynamite before Worlds End this weekend, let’s get straight to the action.

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Will Ospreay vs Brody King

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This is a classic Big man versus Little Man match with Ospreay using his speed to try to take down the Brute that is Brody King. King is choking Ospreay out, but Ospreay fights back until King hits a reverse Fisherman’s Suplex. King is looking for a Powerbomb, but Ospreay squirms his way out and sends King to ringside. Ospreay hits a Sky Twister and takes the action back to the ring.

Ospreay is looking to end things and he reverses a Stormbreaker. The two swuare off again in the middle of the ring as they trade blows. King sets up Ospreay on the top rope and chops Ospreay so hard that it sends him all the way to ringside. Ospreay fights back, and hits a Styles Clash for a 2-count. Ospreay goes for a Hidden Blade, but King ducks it and hits a huge Lariat for a close pin of his own. Ospreay finally hits a two Hidden Blade’s and a Stormbreaker for the win.

WINNER: Will Ospreay

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The Hurt Syndicate are banned from the building.

Before he takes on Kazuchika Okada in #AEWContinentalClassic Blue League action – Shelton Benjamin & the rest of the Hurt Syndicate receive unfortunate news.

Watch #AEWDynamite on TBS!@ReneePaquette | @Sheltyb803 | @fightbobby | @The305MVP | @facdaniels pic.twitter.com/cpK3vHFFlu

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) December 26, 2024

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Continental Classic Tournament Match: Ricochet vs Darby Allin

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Darby and Ricochet go back and forth and even trade pinfalls until Darby sends Ricochet to ringside. Ricochet with a kick to the back of the head, and then he sets up a table and puts Darby on it. Ricochet climbs to the top rope and hits a 630 Senton through the table and Allin. Back in the ring, Ricochet with a Springboard double stomp. Allin starts to move much slower. Ricochet sets up Allin on the top rope, but Allin literally claws his way out and hits an Avalanche Code Red, followed by a regular Code Red.

Allin now seeing an opening climbs to the top looking for a Coffin Drop, but Ricochet rolls away. Allin locks in a Fujiwara Armbar until Ricochet goes for a rope break, but Allin stops this and instead locks in a Double Armbar. This time Ricochet gets a toe on the rope to break the hold. As the time limit draws closer, Allin hits a Scorpion Death Drop but the match iis over as the 20-minutes are up.

Time Limit Draw

Ricochet is Semi-Finals bound and celebrates a bit.

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As both men come out, for the next match, Allin says a sweet little nothing to Kommander….

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ROH TV Championship Match: Komander (c) vs Claudio Castagnoli

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Castagnoli with several high impact moves, but also tries to stretch Kommander. Castagnoli with a Backbreaker and then sits Kommander at the top rope only for him to hit a Military Press Gutbuster from the top rope. Kommander mounts a comeback until Castagnoli hits a double stomp for a 2-count. Kommander sends Castagnoli to ringside, but Castagnoli again responds fast as he slams on the apron.

Back in the ring, Castagnoli with an Uppercut but Kommander blocks it and hits a Facebuster. Kommander climbs to the top rope but Castagnoli catches up with him and knocks him down. Komander gets tossed at ringside again and this time he goes under the ring and finds brass knuckles in Darby’s jacket which was left from the previous match. The ref is not looking and Kommander hits Castagnoli with them to secure the win.

WINNER: Kommander

After the match, The Deathriders attack Kommander but out comes Jay White and Orange Cassidy for the save. Moxley grabs his briefcase and takes the two men out. Hangman Adam Page is out and has a stare off with Moxley.

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Kazuchika Okada vs Shelton Benjamin

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Both Okada and Benjamin have their moments in the match until Okada heads to the top rope and hits a big elbow drop. Benjamin comes right back, but Okada again takes control. Okada is looking for a Rainmaker, but Benjamin counters it. The two trade some more moves until Okada hits two German Suplexes before looking for the Rainmaker agian. Benjamin has it well scouted as he moves away from it and hits a German Suplex.

Benjamin hits a Shining Wizard in the corner, but Okada comes right back with an Exploder Suplex. Benjamin hits a flatliner, but it’s not enough to end the match. Benjamin is in control and looks for an Exploder, but Okada counters with as Rainmaker and Benjamin can’t evade this one as he falls to Okada in this match. With the win, Okada is Semi-Finals bound.

WINNER: Kazuchika Okada

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Swerve Strickland says that 2025 will be his comeback year but Ricochet shows up and tries to brag about how great he’s been since arriving in AEW. Swerve isn’t too happy and tells Ricochet that he will embarrass him.

Ricochet decided to interrupt the former #AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland 👀

Watch #AEWDynamite on TBS!@ReneePaquette | @KingRicochet | @swerveconfident | @PrinceKingNana pic.twitter.com/dwIwEczAuE

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) December 26, 2024

Chris Jericho does another his New York Minute that felt like 120 of them.

#ROH World Champion Chris Jericho presents another 'New York Minute' as he has one more gift to give in the form of a match this Friday at #AEWRampage!

Watch #AEWDynamite on TBS!@IAmJericho | @TheCaZXL | @bountykeith pic.twitter.com/xJfi1jAz1i

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) December 26, 2024

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Toni Storm vs Taya Valkyrie

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Valkyrie with her veteran presence overtakes the newcomer Storm through the match. Storm manages to fight and claw her way in the match, until Valkyrie rolls up Storm for a nearfall. Valkyrie with a simple trip and then hits a huge Clothesline. Storm comes right back and hits a Lou Thesz Press on Valkyrie.

Valkyrie is in the corner and Storm hits a running hip attack on her. Storm is looking to end things and looks for a Storm Zero, but Valkyrie fights out and the two trade a few slaps. Taya ends the stalemate with a Spear, but Storm uses her brains and rolls up Valkyrie in a Small Package for the cheeky win.

WINNER: Toni Storm

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Continental Classic Match: Daniel Garcia vs Kyle Fletcher

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Fletcher is in firm control and hits a Powerbomb to Garcia on the apron. Fletcher with a boot choke, but Garcia comes back with a bunch of stiff punches. Fletcher is back in control and looks for Brainbuster, but Garcia squrims out and sends Fletcher to riingside. Back in the ring, Garcia hits a Hangman Neckbreaker for a 2-count. Fletcher comes back from blocking a Neckbreaker and hits a Dragon Suplex. Garcia locks in a Guillotine Choke. Fletcher turns the tables and hits a Sitout Powerbomb for a nearfall. Garcia tries for a Scorpion Deathlock but Fletcher fights out. The referee is distracted and Fletcher hits a low blow and a Brainbuster for a nearfall.

Kyle Fletcher vs Daniel Garcia at AEW Dynamite, at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York, New York, taped on Sunday, December 22, and airing on Wednesday, December 25, 2024. Photo by George Tahinos, georgetahinos.smugmug.comFletcher gets control back and place Garcia on the top rope, but Garcia fights back and hits a Superplex. Garcia with several chops on Fletcher, but Fletcher hits a Thrust Kick to stop Garcia’s momentum. Garcia comes right back and locks in a Dragontamer, but Fletcher fights out and hits a V-Trigger. After a roll up attempt from Garcia, Fletcher hits a clothesline followed by a Yakuza Kick and ends things off with a Top Rope Turnbuckle Brainbuster.

WINNER: Kyle Fletcher

After the match, Will Ospreay comes out and eyes Fletcher down from the ring to end the show.

 

TOP PHOTO: Ricochet pounds on Darby Allin at AEW Dynamite, at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York, New York, taped on Sunday, December 22, and airing on Wednesday, December 25, 2024. Photo by George Tahinos, georgetahinos.smugmug.com