Kazuchika Okada Makes Promise As AEW Continental Classic Begins

Kazuchika Okada is a man on a mission.

In 2024, Kazuchika Okada beat Will Ospreay in the finals at Worlds End to win the Continental Classic. This saw him walk away with the Continental Championship that he later solidified with the International Title after beating Kenny Omega.

Despite being billed as the Unified Champion, Okada has now given up the Continental Championship ahead of the 2025 tournament.

With victory 12 months ago, Okada became the first man to win the Continental Classic and NJPW’s G1 Climax, but in 2025, Konosuke Takeshita could make history as the first man to win both tournaments in the same year.

Kazuchika Okada Unmoved By Defeat

Heading into the 2025 edition of the tournament, one of the biggest storylines has been centred around the tension between Okada and his Don Callis Family teammate Konosuke Takeshita. Meanwhile, Kyle Fletcher was also left less than impressed at Full Gear after feeling hung out to dry as he lost the TNT Championship.

All of this added huge intrigue to night one, where Okada squared off against Fletcher.

When all was said and done, it was Fletcher who grabbed the win, but Okada isn’t ready to panic just yet.

In an AEW digital exclusive, Okada paid tribute to Fletcher before reiterating his desire to prove that he’s the best tournament wrestler in history.

“I lost that match because Kyle, I know he’s a great wrestler. That’s why I want Protokada with him. But the Continental Classic has just begun. I’m gonna show you who is the greatest tournament wrestler of all time.”

Elsewhere in the tournament on Dynamite, Kevin Knight beat Darby Allin, Jon Moxley beat Máscara Dorada, and Claudio Castagnoli saw off Orange Cassidy.