The Continental Classic tournament kicks off tonight on Thanksgiving Eve with AEW Unified Champion Kazuchika Okada already facing his most difficult opponent in the first round of the round robin portion of the competition. It’s Okada versus his fellow Don Callis Family member, Kyle Fletcher, with three points going to whoever wins. A lot of fans think this year’s Continental Classic will ultimately lead to a showdown between Okada and Konosuke Takeshita at Worlds End, but Fletcher can’t be slept on. He’s the former TNT champion who recently main evented All Out in a world title match where he took then-champ Hangman Page to his absolute limit. There’s also the fact that Fletcher gave Okada his only loss in last year’s tournament, of course.

Kazuchika started off last year’s C2 with a time limit draw against that loser Daniel Garcia, so it’s worth remembering that Okada and Fletcher may each walk away with one point tonight in the case of a tie. No outside interference is allowed in C2 matches, so Takeshita won’t be able to screw over Okada. Fletcher’s body just went through hardcore hell at Full Gear in a bloody fight against Mark Briscoe, so that may give Okada an advantage tonight. The others stars who join Okada and Fletcher in the Gold League are Speedball Bailey, Kevin Knight, Darby Allin, and PAC, with the two wrestlers who accumulate the most points qualifying for the semifinal round at Worlds End. I’d say that Okada and Fletcher are the favorites for those top two spots, so AEW is delivering one of the biggest Gold League matches ASAP in the tournament.