 Kyle Fletcher def. "Jungle" Jack Perry in a Continental Classic Gold League MatchI actually enjoyed this more than Perry's match with Pac in the main event of Dynamite. This had the benefit of starting the show, not to mention Fletcher has been on a hell of a roll in this tournament and has been having some kickass matches. They worked well together and Fletcher winning was the right call as he advances to the semifinals. Meanwhile, Perry getting renewed focus in singles competition has been refreshing. IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Konosuke Takeshita def. Mascara Dorada in a Continental Classic Blue League Match (Non-Title)Dorada was never going to win this whole thing or even make it to the semifinals, so this was more about him playing spoiler and attempting to prevent Takeshita from winning. Of course, he failed, but it was a nice match, nonetheless. I appreciated that this didn't for almost the full time limit because the outcome was predictable. Instead, they went almost 11 minutes and that was suitable. Roderick Strong def. CMLL World Heavyweight Champion Claudio Castagnoli in a Continental Classic Blue League MatchI understood Dorada beating Castagnoli earlier in the Continental Classic because he's a CMLL talent and can eventually challenge for that title. Strong beating Castagnoli was just odd, let alone in a matter of minutes. I get that Strong beating Castagnoli prevented Castagnoli from advancing, but you could have accomplished that with a count-out win as well. Oh well. The match itself was well wrestled, as you'd expect from them. Pac vs. Kevin Knight in a Continental Classic Gold League Match Ended in a Time-Limit DrawI'd argue that Knight has broken out more than anyone else during as Continental Classic, especially considering he picked up an upset over Kazuchika Okada on Collision last week. I get why he didn't win here, but at least he didn't lose, either. The time-limit draw was the perfect finish for this. The match was great prior to that point and I'd be be down for an eventual rematch. Darby Allin Attacked Gabe KiddDespite being excellent from what I've seen of him, Kidd appears so infrequently on AEW TV that it's difficult to get invested in whatever he's involved in. That said, he and Allin have history from when Allin was feuding with The Death Riders, so although it's a logical addition to the Worlds End card, it feels rushed and the timing is random (and yes, I'm aware Kidd attacked Allin in a backstage segment on Dynamite). On the bright side, I'm glad Allin is already back after being sidelined with an injury a few weeks ago. AEW Women's World Tag Team Champions Babes of Wrath def. Maya World and Hyan (Non-Title)World and Hyan have been utilized a lot as enhancement talent on AEW TV and ROH TV since Nixon Newell and Miranda Alize walked out of that Collision taping last month. Good for them. They're a talented tandem, but I'm not sure why they had to score so much offense against the champs before Mercedes Mone and Athena fight for the AEW Women's World Tag Team Championship at Worlds End in two days. Babes of Wrath continuing to get mic time is a positive, but I can't say I was a fan of their post-match promo here. Jon Moxley def. Orange Cassidy in a Continental Classic Blue League MatchThese two are obviously very familiar with each other from the wars they've had with each other over the AEW International Championship and the AEW World Championship over the last two years. This was the usual quality contest with them, though I don't think it would have hurt Cassidy at all if Moxley just won decisively. With this win, Moxley will face Kyle Fletcher in the Continental Classic semifinals at Worlds End. AEW Unified Champion Kazuchika Okada def. "Speedball" Mike Bailey in a Continental Classic Gold League Match (Non-Title)This was on par with their terrific match from earlier in the year. Bailey scored a ton of offense, so despite eating defeat, he was made to look strong here. This was the correct choice for the main event spot. Takeshita emerged and confronted Okada to close the show as them facing each other in the semifinals of the Continental Classic is now confirmed for Saturday night. Finally! Overall ShowI don't know that it was necessary for Collision to be two-and-a-half hours long on Christmas night, but I guess it was because they wanted to get in the last of the Continental Classic first-round matches. Plus, I'm sure the "sickos" aren't complaining. In all seriousness, this was a thumbs-up show with plenty of above-average action, matches being made official for Worlds End and an electric atmosphere in New York City's Hammerstein Ballroom. Merry Christmas!
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