Kyle O’Reilly and Claudio Castagnoli advanced to the semifinals after submitting their opponents during the episode of AEW Collision at the Santander Arena in Reading, Pennsylvania, setting the stage for high-stakes matches ahead of All In: London.
Continental Cup Action Sets Up Semifinal Showdowns
Continental Cup Action Sets Up Semifinal Showdowns
The latest edition of AEW Collision brought pivotal tournament bouts to Pennsylvania, shaking up the brackets as the Continental Cup approaches its climax. In the opening contest, Conglomeration members Orange Cassidy and Kyle O’Reilly squared off in a match that could have truly gone either way. O’Reilly showed concern for his friend, but didn’t allow it to cost him the win, ultimately securing the victory by locking Cassidy in a grapevine ankle lock to score the victory via submission.
@KORCombat makes @OrangeCassidy tap to move on to the Semifinals in the Continental Challenge Cup! Watch #AEWCollision LIVE on TNT & HBO Max — All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) August 23, 2026
A backstage segment airs that took place after Wednesday night’s episode of Dynamite. Renee Paquette was in the trainer’s room with Nigel McGuinness. Will Ospreay came in to get ice for his back and the two men in their own way helped put things into perspective for each other heading into All In: London next weekend. Nigel gives an update on his ankle, @WillOspreay offers his praise, and Nigel is quick to share some insight of his own.
The tournament picture grew clearer as Claudio Castagnoli faced Daniel Garcia in the final match of this round of the Continental Cup. The match was originally set to be between Castagnoli and Eddie Kingston, but an injury forced Kingston out of the tournament, leading Daniel Garcia to step in for the injured Eddie Kingston to take on his fellow Death Rider member. Castagnoli utilized a Sharpshooter to win the match via submission, cementing his spot in the next round. Commentary noted that the winner of this match was never in doubt, and Garcia made the most of an opportunity he wasn’t supposed to be in.
Tournament Field and Backstage Previews for All In
Tournament Field and Backstage Previews for All In
With the latest victories recorded, it was announced that the semi-finals of the Continental Cup will see Kyle O’Reilly take on Nigel McGuinness while Jon Moxley takes on Claudio Castagnoli. Additionally, a video package airs for The Dogs, highlighting Gabe Kidd’s return to the company earlier this week on Dynamite, while another video package for Jungle Jack Perry airs where he challenges Swerve Strickland to a match this Wednesday on Dynamite.
The broadcast also bridges storylines from previous events, such as the Saturday, Aug. 15 edition of AEW Collision from Las Vegas. That earlier Las Vegas card featured Adam Page, Bandido, and Brody King defending their AEW World Trios Championship against The Lethal Twist (Jay Lethal, Blake Christian, and Lee Johnson) by pinfall to retain the titles. After that match, Ricochet walked onto the stage to say he was there to rain on Page and Brodido’s parade, before Toa Liona and Bishop Kaun came out to attack them. Last week’s episode also saw Hechicero, Nigel McGuinness, and Kyle O’Reilly advance to the next round of the Continental Cup, with Hechicero defeating Brian Cage by pinfall and Nigel McGuinness defeating Katsuyori Shibata by pinfall.
Squash Matches, Tag Team Brawls, and Impromptu Challenges
Squash Matches, Tag Team Brawls, and Impromptu Challenges
Division champions also made swift statements during the Reading card. AEW Women’s World Tag Team Champions Divine Dominion (Megan Bayne and Lena Kross) competed in a five-minute challenge against Erica Leigh and Tiara James. This was a complete squash match for the champions that lasted less than two minutes, utilizing their Two Birds, One Stone maneuver. During the segment, the champions declared, Birds, watch and learn!
Elsewhere on the Las Vegas card, The Rascalz (Dezmond Xavier, Zachary Wentz, and Myron Reed) and Lio Rush defeated Jeaux Braxton, Ice Williams, Frescomatic, and Watson by submission, while The Hurt Syndicate (Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin), Shane Taylor, and Lee Moriarty defeated Sonico, Willie Montana, RO Montana, and Jake Redondo by pinfall. Backstage segments featured Zayda Steel stating she’s been excited to face Mercedes Moné, who approached Steel and asked who she is, eventually hitting Steel and knocking her down after Steel said she’s lost all respect for Moné after she attacked Willow Nightingale.
Building Toward London as Injuries Shift the Landscape
Building Toward London as Injuries Shift the Landscape
Injuries and logistical adjustments continue to reshape the card as performers look toward All In: London next weekend. Commentary during the previous Las Vegas event noted that Nigel McGuinness suffered an injury against Katsuyori Shibata, though subsequent updates confirmed his continued participation in the Continental Cup alongside his backstage interaction with Will Ospreay regarding their physical conditioning.
As the roster converges on the final stretch before the London pay-per-view, tournament brackets and impromptu challenges are forcing competitors to adapt on short notice. The finalized semifinal pairings will determine who claims the Continental Cup advantage on the international stage.
