AEW Star Surrenders Title On Dynamite

There was a surprise on AEW Dynamite as it was revealed that one champion had surrendered their title.

The first-ever Continental Classic was held in 2023 and culminated in Eddie Kingston facing off with Jon Moxley at Worlds End in the final. Kingston won that tournament to win the Continental Crown and become the first-ever AEW Continental Champion.

He eventually lost that title to Kazuchika Okada, who held the gold into the 2024 edition of the Continental Classic. The Rainmaker won the tournament with a victory over Will Ospreay to add to his four G1 Climax victories in New Japan Pro Wrestling.

Okada has been the reigning AEW Unified Champion after he brought together the International and Continental titles at All In Texas with a win over Kenny Omega. But on the Thanksgiving Eve edition of Dynamite, that all changed.

Kazuchika Okada Gives Up AEW Title

Kazuchika Okada kicked off the Continental Classic with his Don Callis Family partner, Kyle Fletcher. Excalibur revealed on commentary that Okada had surrendered his Continental Championship, as it will be awarded to the winner of the tournament.

Okada couldn’t move any closer to reclaiming his crown as he was caught in a roll-up by Fletcher, who pinned him to earn the three points.

Whatever happens in the Continental Classic, Okada already knows he’ll be part of one of the biggest matches of 2026. The Rainmaker will be Hiroshi Tanahashi’s final opponent at Wrestle Kingdom on January 4th in a sold out Tokyo Dome.