AEW C2 2026

[tiger_rick]

Was gonna write who I'd have in the C2 in the other thread but I thought this would be a fun standalone. Who would be your two blocks and who is making the semis and the final.

For info, here are the previous results so you know who has/hasn't been in it. 

Spoiler

I think what's most relevant is that Claudio has been in every year so I'd imagine he will again. Plus Mox as defending champion unless they do something with that.

My Block A would be Jon Moxley and Bandido, who would qualify for the semis, plus Kyle O'Reilly, Ricochet, Kevin Knight and Hook.

And Block B would be Jay White and Ilja Dragunov, who qualify, and Claudio Castagnoli, Mark Davis, Tomasso Ciampa and John Silver.

I know John Silver isn't making it but he would if I was booking.

Semis for mine would be Dragunov over Bandido. I considered both of these to win it but on balance, I think I'd strike while Dragunov is hot.

Moxley would beat White in the other semi, before putting over Dragunov in the final. I think that creates a really hot thing and an AEW title challenger for early 2027 in Dragunov.

What's your C2 blocks, winners and aims?

[BomberPat]

The big question for me is whether Jon Moxley makes it out of this one with the title. It's a really hard time to be booking him to drop the belt, but I think the C2 has more significant stakes if it's not just the Jon Moxley Show again. I don't think you need to explicitly continue the story of him dealing with grief, but maybe losing in the C2 could give him the crisis of confidence to move on to new things.

I'm not sure about blocks, but I would go with a field of Jon Moxley, Ilja Dragunov, Tomasso Ciampa, Kevin Knight, Mark Davis, Konosuke Takeshita, Speedball Mike Bailey and Ricochet, with the remaining numbers worked out based on who is involved in other stories and other title pictures - it would be fun to have Swerve and Hangman in there, though it would mean the Trios Titles being put on the backburner for the duration, which I wouldn't be happy about.

While I think it would be a downgrade in the usual match quality, I wonder if we see Adam Copeland enter it, given it will probably be his last opportunity to do so, and they could have him do an "old gunslinger's last stand" run for him. Maybe get Samoa Joe in there. It would be nice to have some NJPW or CMLL representation to vary things up, though other than maybe Hechicero I don't see it happening. Claudio is probably in again, maybe Gabe Kidd and Jay White, so there can be some Death Riders/Dogs/Bang Bang Gang tension.

I agree that Ilja winning feels like the right move now. When he signed, my first thought was to stick him the C2 and let him build up people's investment in him by just letting him have great matches, and figure out a long-term plan once the tournament's over. But striking while the iron's hot is definitely the move, and I think he's a guy they could have take the title from Moxley without it feeling like a downer, because they'd just beat the shit out of each other and shake hands afterwards.

[RedTwoster]

I reckon the original plan would have been to move the belt from Moxley to another Death Rider - either PAC or Gabe Kidd. I don't think it was accidental that PAC was the final person in shot at the end of every Moxley promo. I also wonder, if Sheamus is going to join AEW, if he might look to establish himself right away by taking part in this to immediately show the AEW audience exactly what he's about. 

Dragunov in the CC does make sense, but I'd still like to see a focus on the Death Riders, albeit in a different context. I'd like to see Moxley and Daniel Garcia in the same group, with the final group stage match lined up so that only one of them can progress to the next stage. I'd like to see Garcia progress - and go on to win the whole thing in a hugely emotional moment. 

I've tried to put together brackets, but it's so fucking hard. I feel like Adam Copeland probably will be in there, but there are so many people I'd like to see involved. It feels like the right time for Nick Wayne to get his chance in something like this, and Bandido is always great value. I'd like to see one or both of the New Level and I'd also like to see Bandido and Brody King. Then you have someone like Mistico, who would be a fun inclusion. Kevin Knight has had one hell of a year, so you'd probably want to include him and Hangman Page feels like a good shout given that he's out of the world title picture for the time being. Then there's Fletcher, Samoa Joe, Tommaso Ciampa, Orange Cassidy, Speedball, Darby, Jack Perry, Gabe Kidd, Jay White, Takeshita, Swerve, Okada, Claudio and even Jeff fucking Jarrett! 

I'd love to see The Bucks in there at some point - that would be interesting - but I don't think this is the year in which we'll see that. 

I can't come up with brackets I feel completely satisfied with...but I'm really excited for this year's CC, it's yet to disappoint.

[Tennessee Moltisanti]

Going to need Bandido to get to the finals, the guy is incredible. He's my daughter's favourite wrestler, she's 3 btw. And she asked me a few weeks ago "why do they say Ospreay, Ospreay so much?" I said, "because he's the best wrestler in the world"

She replied, very astutely, "no he isn't, Bandido is"

And I think I got schooled by a toddler because I was losing my shit over what Bandido was doing in the trios title match at Wrestledream.

[Kamran]

You've covered most of the names I was thinking of except for one - I know he's mainly on ROH but I'd love to see Lee Moriarty get involved.

 

 

 

 

[andrew "the ref" coyne]

I was thinking earlier, even if it was for a one off for the tournament, Sheamus would be fantastic for this.

Build one of your leagues around hard hitting "dream" matches you'd like to see him in. Sheamus vs Brody and Samoa Joe has to be up there. 

[HarmonicGenerator]

As a start… as with everything in AEW at the moment, I can’t help but think “this would be better with PAC.” Thought it with Clockwork Carnage, thought it with the Death Riders angle on this week’s Dynamite, and I think it with the CC. He’s so missed.

Some great suggestions in this thread though. If I had to make a line-up…

Jon Moxley obviously has to be in it, and for the “been in all of them” factor I’d want Claudio Castagnoli there too. Maybe have them face each other in the semis and have Claudio win.

Bandido and Ilja Dragunov have both been mentioned and they might be my other semi-final. Whoever wins that one, I think I’d have as my overall winner.

Really like @Kamran’s suggestion of Lee Moriarty. I think I’d avoid either of New Level as I’d want them doing tag team stuff, but thinking of tag team guys … can you imagine how good Alex Shelley might be in the CC? Yes please. And both he and Moriarty do the Border City Stretch so that’s a built in interest.

Mark Davis was the person who inspired this thread and a good CC showing could make him. He might be my only DCF pick, as anyone else I’d want there would probably have to get to the semis or further - and I’ve picked those guys already. You probably need someone from the Dogs or Bang Bang Gang included, I’d say Jay White but I don’t know if he could get through a CC unscathed. Maybe David Finlay. Likewise, United Empire probably need someone, and if Andrade’s likely getting his World Title shot around this time, Speedball Mike Bailey is maybe best bet.

Nick Wayne has also been mentioned and would be a good ‘not quite there yet’ in the line of Garcia or Briscoe previously. If Tommaso Ciampa keeps up his ‘I want titles’ stuff then it feels like he’s got to enter.

That leaves me with one more spot, and I’m going with a wildcard here - Toa Liona. A bit out of nowhere but he’s always great value, and would bring something a bit different to the tournament. Toa vs Davis? Toa vs Dragunov? Toa vs Claudio? Would watch, would watch, would watch.

Splitting them into leagues:

Blue

Moxley, Dragunov, Davis, Toa, Wayne, Finlay

Gold

Claudio, Bandido, Ciampa, Shelley, Moriarty, Speedball

Then as mentioned, the semis are Moxley vs Claudio and Dragunov vs Bandido. Winner of the latter beats Claudio in the final, I’d be happy with either.

 

Would be better with PAC though.

Edited October 23 by HarmonicGenerator

[The King of Old School]

Yeah i agree with the consensus that Dragunov seems a good choice for the winner this year.

Also forgive me for this, but I'd quite like Jericho to enter as a bit of a reset should he lose the overall feud to Wayne, maybe have them in separate groups as a bit of challenge to each other to see who does better in this kind of scenario. Still think he's good for a 10 minute TV match and I think the group I have put him in would lead to some good matches.

Blue - Moxley, Bandido, Ciampa, Davis, Garcia, Wayne

Gold - Dragunov, Claudio, Ricochet, White, Knight, Jericho

Semi's - Moxley vs Claudio & Dragunov vs Ciampa

Final - Moxley vs Dragunov

Winner - Dragunov

[LaGoosh]

The C2 is the best thing in wrestling, no doubt about it. Especially the Christmas shows they do at the Hammerstein to finish the league matches which I would confidently argue are some of the absolute best episodes of wrestling telly ever.

My fantasy booking would be:

Gold League

1. Konosuke Takeshita

2. Kyle Fletcher 

3. Kevin Knight 

4. Ilja Dragunov 

5. Tommaso Ciampa 

6. Bandido 

This league would have the ongoing story of the DCF drama/tension between Takeshita, Fletcher and Knight but would mainly be focused on sick as hell matches by the future main eventers. Ciampa is in it because he can have great matches but also eat pins relatively comfortably without losing face. Fletcher and Dragunov to top the league. 

Blue League

1. Jon Moxley 

2. Hangman Page 

3. Darby Allin 

4. Orange Cassidy 

5. Swerve Strickland 

6. Eddie Kingston

This league would be more story based wwith alot of history between so many of them to draw on. Moxley would be crumbling from both physical and emotional pressure throughout and having to face multiple former enemies who have previously defeated him. Darby wants redemption after having to drop out early last year due to injury. Cassidy is in it to re-establish himself as a singles wrestler. Swerve and Hangman are top stars who want to add winning the C2 to their accomplishments but also to stop the other from winning. And finally Eddie Kingston - the former winner who has fallen so far since. Maybe this is his last chance to prove himself. Moxley and Hangman to get through. 

Then in the semis I'd run Mox vs Dragunov, Hangman vs Kyle. Then Moxley vs Fletcher as the finals with the Protostar finally getting his big victory.

Whatever they end up doing though the roster is so strong I have complete faith. There's a thousand permutations they can do that'll be excellent. Just no Roderick Strong this year, please!

Edited October 23 by LaGoosh

[textonly]

I'm really looking forward to this. Even though it's something I was desperate to see in a major US promotion for years, the C2 has so far coincided with my first and only ever lapsed period as a wrestling fan. In the three years between the first Wembley All In and the most recent one, I watched maybe five matches, while keeping only vaguely abreast of what was going on (who the main champs were in WWE and AEW, catching the odd viral promo etc). But since All In this year I've been back on the AEW train wholeheartedly, so this will be my first C2. I have a couple of questions though...

Firstly, how much does it dominate television? Is there still plenty of time for other feuds and stories outside of it? I presume there's plenty of space allowed for the World, TNT and Tag title stuff? So in fantasy booking you'd leave most of the champs and immediate contenders out of the C2?

Secondly, how do the guys who lose a lot tend to come out of this thing? Has it ever badly cooled someone?

[LaGoosh]

14 minutes ago, textonly said:

Firstly, how much does it dominate television? Is there still plenty of time for other feuds and stories outside of it? I presume there's plenty of space allowed for the World, TNT and Tag title stuff? So in fantasy booking you'd leave most of the champs and immediate contenders out of the C2?

Secondly, how do the guys who lose a lot tend to come out of this thing? Has it ever badly cooled someone?

1) typically 3 singles matches per episode. Still space for other stuff. Pretty sure the TNT Champion has been in it previously. 

2) they've all been so well booked that it's never cooled anyone down no matter how much they lose. Daniel Garcia lost all but one match the first year and came out of it even more over. Everyone comes out either in a better or the same position as when they went in. It's never hurt anyone. 

[Lorne Malvo]

I don't know if it 'cooled' him in the grand scheme of things as I already thought he was shite, but Jay Lethal being the designated loser in the first C2 seemed to indicate that Tony Khan finally realised he was cack. 

Easy to forget now but Jay Lethal got the big PPV on-stage debut when he first came in!

[RedTwoster]

5 hours ago, LaGoosh said:

And finally Eddie Kingston - the former winner who has fallen so far since.

I bloody miss Eddie Kingston. Now that it's clear his lack of visibility is a choice he has made himself, I'm optimistic that one day he'll feel ready to be in a more prominent position. 

Totally off topic, but Eddie Kingston vs MJF and Eddie Kingston vs Swerve Strickland are probably the biggest dream feuds AEW could possibly offer me.

[LaGoosh]

3 hours ago, LaGoosh said:

Daniel Garcia lost all but one match the first year and came out of it even more over

Just been reminiscing about how fucking brilliant this was.

Garcia, despondent and lost after the dissolution of the Jericho Appreciation Society, goes in to the tournament on a low. He's stuck doing The Dance he picked up in the JAS and it's costing him matches. Daddy Magic is constantly berating him for it. Garcia goes in with low confidence but seemingly feels compelled to still do The Dance as the only way he can feel appreciation from the crowd. He puts in good showings but keeps getting in his own way and getting lower and lower. He's cutting some of the best and most real and emotional promos I've seen. Then he goes up against Bryan Danielson who is in full confidence murder mode. Garcia actually starts to win but then at the moment he should be going for the kill does The Dance and Danielson brutally punishes him for it and stomps him almost to death. In the final match Garcia is against Big Bad Brody King but something happens.  King has Garcia beaten and our boy Danny does The Dance. This time it's not a stupid gimmick. He's reclaimed it and turned it into an act of defiance. Garcia finally starts to believe in himself. And the pop when he finally wins blows the fucking roof of the place. Unbelievable story.

 

 

Edited October 23 by LaGoosh

[Supremo]

Love the Continental Classic! It gives me the same Christmassy feeling as catching, “Home Alone 2,” on TV, hearing, “Fairytale of New York,” on the radio, or Samoa Joe having a transitional run as AEW World Heavyweight Champion.

I still hate that it’s fought for a belt that is otherwise defended in singles matches throughout the year. So stupid. It’d be so much better if the prize was a trophy, signalling some type of Title shot. The winner of the Continental Classic could fight for the World Title at Revolution, the same way the winner of the Owen Tournament now fights for the World Title at All In.

It feels less likely than ever to happen now that FTR and the Machine Guns are in the middle of their Best of Five series, but I would have loved a Tag Team Continental Classic off the back of all these new teams coming in.

Could’ve been a great opportunity to showcase how they have the best Tag Division in the world (not exactly hard compared to WWE, but still). The New Level, Machine Guns, FTR, Young Bucks, Fletcher and Knight, Darby and Borden, The Rascals, Brodido, Davis and Doyle, Austin and Colton Gunn. I’d have even signed Sheamus and reunited him with Claudio. Imagine the magic The Bucks could work with those two! Every time The Bucks try to retire Tony Khan brings in another team for them to deliver five stars with.

I’ll take the next best thing to a Tag Team Continental Classic and have Nick Jackson enter it as a singles. I think he’s the most underrated wrestler alive and would love to see him mix it up with the rest of the midcard in fun singles matches.

Ciampa and Andrade seem dead certs, both concluding what’s been miraculous years in AEW. I couldn’t give a shit about either of them twelve months ago. Now they’re staples of the upper-mid-card that I love watching. Ciampa especially is quietly stealing most pay per views he’s on!

If we’re talking using the Continental Classic to conclude a miraculous year, Kenny Omega remains the pie-in-the-sky, dream entrant. I think he’s wasting his time pissing about in New Japan though, so I assume he’s out of the picture.

It’s now or never for Adam Copeland. The most I’ve enjoyed him in AEW has been the fun exhibition matches in the Cope Open so I suspect I’d enjoy him in the Continental Classic, too. I’ve also decided I’d quite like him to turn heel this year, since that’s arguably his best role, so losing in the finals of this tournament could be the catalyst for that. Then in his anger he can turn heel on Will Ospreay and challenge for the World Title. Try and achieve what John Cena failed to do with his heel run at the end. Don’t give Cope the World Title though. Let’s not go crazy.

Edited Tuesday at 08:56 AM by Supremo