All Elite Wrestling has taken legal steps to solidify the branding of its premier end-of-year tournament. On January 2, 2026, the company filed trademarks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for both “Continental Classic” and its widely used abbreviation, “C2”.
The filings, which were submitted just days after the conclusion of the 2025 tournament, cover a broad range of entertainment services. The descriptions listed in the application include “Entertainment in the nature of wrestling contests,” “Entertainment services in the nature of live professional wrestling performances,” and “Entertainment services, namely, production and distribution of ongoing television programs in the field of professional wrestling.” This move ensures that AEW holds exclusive rights to the tournament’s name and its popular shorthand for future merchandise, video games, and media distribution.
The Continental Classic has rapidly become a cornerstone of the AEW calendar since its inception. Typically running from November through December, the round-robin tournament features two blocks of six wrestlers competing in a grueling schedule that tests endurance and technical skill. The format rewards the top scorers with a spot in the semi-finals and finals, culminating at the Worlds End pay-per-view. By trademarking “C2,” AEW is officially embracing the nickname adopted by fans and commentators almost immediately after the tournament launched, signaling a commitment to the brand identity that the audience helped create.
The tournament recently wrapped up its third iteration at Worlds End on December 27, 2025. In the finals, Jon Moxley defeated Kazuchika Okada in a hard-hitting contest to capture the AEW Continental Championship. Moxley’s victory adds his name to a prestigious list of winners that includes Eddie Kingston, who won the inaugural tournament in 2023, and Kazuchika Okada, who claimed the trophy in 2024. The high stakes and consistent match quality have made the C2 one of the most anticipated periods of the wrestling year, often drawing comparisons to NJPW’s G1 Climax for its sports-based presentation.
With the trademarks now filed, AEW is poised to continue building the legacy of the Continental Classic well into the future. The 2025 edition was widely praised for its storytelling and in-ring action, further establishing the tournament as a critical vehicle for elevating talent and creating new stars. As the company moves into 2026, the “C2” branding is likely to become even more prominent in marketing materials, potentially leading to specific merchandise lines or themed events centered around the grueling competition.
