AEW Continental title to be put up annually in Classic tournament

With the "modern" AEW Triple Crown now just a memory after Eddie Kingston's loss to Kazuchika Okada Wednesday, AEW head Tony Khan explained how the Continental title will work in relation to the annual Continental Classic tournament.

In an interview that debuted prior to Dynamite, Khan said that whoever holds the title after November's annual Full Gear pay-per-view will get an automatic spot in the Classic. However, the titleholder will have to win the tournament final at December's Worlds End PPV in order to keep their championship.

Okada won the Continental title Wednesday by defeating Kingston to become the second-ever titleholder.

Khan also reiterated that the rules around the Continental title will remain the same: no interference and no one allowed at ringside.

Kingston won both the inaugural title and round robin tournament at this past December's Worlds End by defeating Jon Moxley in the final. Kingston put both his Ring of Honor World title and the men's NJPW Strong Openweight title up going into the tournament, thus winning what Khan called the Continental Crown.

Kingston will defend the ROH title against Mark Briscoe at next month's Supercard of Honor while Okada is expected to defend the Continental title against PAC at next month's AEW Dynasty PPV.