The title is also the prize of the promotion's Continental Classic (C2), an annual round-robin tournament that begins at the end of November and culminates at the Worlds Endpay-per-view event in late December. The incumbent champion at the time of the tournament is automatically entered and defends the title in the C2. Eddie Kingston became the first-ever Continental Champion after winning the inaugural tournament in December 2023.
Eddie Kingston became the inaugural Continental Champion by defeating Jon Moxley in the final of the C2 at Worlds End.[4] Kingston was also declared the American Triple Crown Champion (also referred to as the Continental Crown) upon winning the Continental Championship, as he simultaneously held the ROH World Championship of sister American promotion Ring of Honor (ROH) and the Strong Openweight Championship of the American branch of partner promotion New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). By being part of the Triple Crown Championship, the Continental Championship was recognized by AEW, ROH, and NJPW, allowing it to be defended in all three promotions.[3][5]
On the March 20, 2024, episode of Dynamite, the championship was defended for the first time by itself, where Kazuchika Okada defeated Kingston to win the title. This in turn separated the Continental Championship from the Triple Crown. Tony Khan then clarified the rules of the championship. Title matches are held under Continental Rules, which are the same rules of the C2 in which no one is allowed at ringside, outside interference is strictly prohibited, and matches have a 20-minute time limit. He also re-clarified that whoever is champion coming out of November's Full Gear PPV, they would automatically be entered into the C2 and would defend the title in the tournament.[6]
At Dynamite: Fyter Fest on June 4, 2025, reigning champion Okada confronted AEW International ChampionKenny Omega to set up a Winner Takes All match for All In on July 12.[7] A week later during the contract signing at Dynamite: Summer Blockbuster, Tony Schiavone announced that the winner would also unify the International and Continental titles as the AEW Unified Championship.[8] During the All In: Texas media call just a few days prior to the event on July 8, Tony Khan clarified that neither the Continental or International Championships would be retired and that their lineages would still be intact along with a new lineage for the Unified Championship, and the champion has the option to carry around all three belts.[9] At All In, Okada defeated Omega to become the Unified Champion.[10] Okada defended the three belts as one between All In and the 2025 Continental Classic. The tournament itself was only for the Continental Championship, meaning if Okada lost, he would also have to vacate the Unified Championship.[11] In the final of the Continental Classic at Worlds End on December 27, 2025, Okada lost to Jon Moxley, thus ending the unification and forcing Okada to relinquish the Unified Championship.[12]
As of December29, 2025, there have been three reigns. Eddie Kingston was the inaugural champion, which was the shortest reign at 81 days. Kazuchika Okada has the longest reign at 647 days, which is also the longest reign of any AEW championship, surpassing the record held by Jade Cargill at the time with her 508-day reign with the AEW TBS Championship.[13] Kingston is also the oldest champion at 42 years old, while Okada is the youngest at 37.
The current champion is Jon Moxley, who is in his first reign. He won the title by defeating Kazuchika Okada in the final of the 2025 Continental Classic at Worlds End on December 27, 2025. This also ended the title's unification with the AEW International Championship, rendering the AEW Unified Championship inactive.[14]
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