The field for the AEW Continental Challenge Cup is down to four. The quarterfinals concluded on Collision (Aug. 22, 2026), and the semifinal matchups were revealed. The final four is going to rock.
First up was teammate versus teammate as Orange Cassidy wrestled Kyle O’Reilly. The Conglomeration mates competed with intensity, even though, there was room for silliness.
It was an interesting
chess match back and forth. Neither man gained an edge as they exchanged duels in mat work then suplexes then strikes. In the end, the ankle lock was the answer. O’Reilly found success with that hold, and he was persistent with it. O’Reilly snatched Cassidy’s leg out of a roll-up to crank the ankle lock for victory.
The Conglomeration wanted to win, but they didn’t want to hurt each other. That dynamic was far from the case in the other quarterfinal bout between Death Riders teammates. Claudio Castagnoli and Daniel Garcia (replacement for injured Eddie Kingston) went to war without hesitation.
Garcia impressed with his moxie. He had the gall to taunt Claudio by dancing. Garcia took his lumps, and he fought back just as hard. The youngster had success with the sleeper hold. At one point, Garcia wore Claudio down enough to execute the Neutralizer. Claudio was not going down from his own finisher.
Claudio had tricks of his own. He swung Garcia by one leg.
Garcia injured his ankle during the match, and Claudio focused his attack on that joint. In the end, Claudio surged for a huge powerbomb. He slapped on the Sharpshooter and cranked the ankle as well. Garcia tapped out.
AEW revealed the blind draw for the Continental Cup semifinal matches to take place on Dynamite in Glasgow.
- Kyle O’Reilly vs. Nigel McGuinness
- Jon Moxley vs. Claudio Castagnoli
That is interesting matchmaking. O’Reilly versus McGuinness is a smart move. Most assume Nigel will advance for the UK crowd to savor at All In in Wembley Stadium. If Nigel’s injury is serious enough to put his health in doubt for the PPV, then O’Reilly would be a good pivot. He has plenty of history with Moxley. Speaking of the man, Mox is the favorite in the other matchup as reigning continental champion. That doesn’t lessen the appeal of Death Riders colliding. Claudio won their previous singles encounter last year in the Continental Classic.
Share your reaction to the AEW Continental Cup semifinals. Who are you picking to advance to All In?
