One word.
One.
Word.
KENTAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!
The main event of AEW Dynamite’s Beach Break saw Kenny Omega and The Good Brothers defeat the trio of Jon Moxley, PAC, and Rey Fenix in an outstanding show, cleanly I should add, but topped by the sudden arrival in a Bullet Club shirt, KENTA, who blindsides Moxley after the match. He will challenge Moxley for the IWGP United States Championship in the near future.
Forbidden door, now open?
Broken record, yes I am. It’s a great time to be a wrestling fan. AEW is pulling off what might have once been unthinkable, pairing with other major promotions to give fans a wide variety of talent to showcase on their program. Impact, NWA, and it just might happen soon, NJPW.
This is not a criticism of WWE. I’m sure someone will misinterpret my praise for AEW as hate for WWE because it seems to be the go-to for individuals who appear to retain inner anger without an outlet. WWE chooses their route and AEW has chosen theirs.
Tonight’s episode of AEW, Beach Break, once more shows the minds behind the curtains are giving wrestling fans something to talk about. Beach Break will be talked about for the next few weeks as shell-shocking and sending Twitter into a frenzy with speculation (CM PuNk return CONFIRMd).
More details revealed about the Women’s Eliminator Tournament. Matches will take place in both the United States, and JAPAN! Featuring a number of Joshi wrestlers and familiar faces such as Aja Kong, Yuka Sakazaki, Emi Sakura, are joined by stars Ryo Mizunami, Mei Surgua, Veny, Rin Kadokura, and Maki Itoh. On the American side of the brackets, former AEW Women’s Champion Riho is joined by NWA Women’s Champion Serena Deeb, Dr. Britt Baker, Tay Conti, Thunder Rosa, Nyla Rose, Ana Jay, and Leyla Hirsch.
Beach Break kicks off with the Tag Team Battle Royal, ultimately won by Chris Jericho and MJF. Highlights include John Silver eliminating Hager, Top Flight and The Acclaimed getting attention, but ultimately the feud between MJF and new BTE Champion Sammy Guevara boiled over with Sammy nearly superkicking the Salt of the Earth. MJF did get eliminated, however Jericho appeared to accidentally eliminate Guevara before eliminating Darius Martin for the win.
Later on backstage, Jericho and MJF want to celebrate, but Sammy isn’t having it. MJF suggests Jericho go to talk to him. Suddenly, MJF has Wardlow kick out the cameraman as he opts to “have a chat” with the other members of the Inner Circle.
AEW succeeds in superb fashion in the long-game. The feuds an story arcs in AEW are comparable to WCW and ECW days of building tension and character development over months in order maximize the big payoff at the end.
Darby Allin and Sting in-promo: Interrupted by Team Taz, promising they will “be watching closely” the TNT Championship match between Allin and challenger Joey Janela. However comments made by Ricky Starks earns ire from The Icon who has a great closer: “You don’t see an icon anymore? Maybe you need to come get a closer look.”
The promos alone are building to what should be an epic confrontation. The animosity between Taz and Allin has been present for months, and now with Sting in the mix, the tension is boiling over.
Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D. defeated Thunder Rosa
Not a clean win, this feud will continue. Thanks to an assist by Reba/Rebel/Reby/Reva, Baker sent Rosa into an exposed turnbuckle, KOing her and winning via Lockjaw, but with no actual submission. Rosa sold the knockout perfectly, lying, unmoving, after the match was over, waiting for medical personnel to take her from the ring.
Baker and Rosa put on a clinic. Pun intended. Rosa is one of the best female wrestlers in the world and Baker is climbing closer and closer to joining the club. Given she has fully embraced her evil nature and nailing the biting promos, keeping her at this level will put her up there in time.
I would have preferred a clean win, by either party, but the dirty finish ensures this feud is not over yet.
Hangman Page and Matt Hardy defeated Chaos Project
Probably on the low end of tonight’s show, but still a good match. This furthers the story of “Big Money Matt” trying to manipulate Hangman into joining his stable. Hangman, hitting the Buckshot Lariat is initially confused by Matt tagging in and pinning Serpentico, but dismisses it in celebration of the win. Hardy’s consistent need to be the victor will likely continue to be his spot as this moves forward.
The Wedding of Kip Sabian and Penelope Ford
The highlight for me was The Sinister Minister, Father James Mitchell conducting the ceremony, breaking numerous fourth-walls “and sliding in some dirty innuendos, and “kayfabing all others.” Brilliant. Second, Miro’s interruption of the “if anyone wishes to object…” trying to avoid any further clichés reminiscent of some past weddings. Overall, went without a hitch until Miro’s paranoia got the best of him wondering what the giant box was. Chuckie is adamant it is a gift, ultimately destroyed by Miro. Turns out, empty box. But as Chuckie was on the outside, he handcuffed Miro’s ankle to the ropes while no one was paying attention. Out of the cake pops Orange Cassidy to ruin the ending.
This was fun, avoiding most clichés, until the very end. These will never be great segments, but the end was OK in my book.
“MurderHawk” Lance Archer defeated Eddie Kingston in a Lumberjack match
I’m not a fan of the mounting losses, but I remind myself Kingston is probably the one advocating to put over his opponents. This was a brawl from start to finish, involving both the faces and heels around the ring. Archer impressively took flight mid-match, while Kingston came back later with a textbook Exploder Suplex. Interference by Bunny was effective, allowing Kingston to backhand Archer, but was unable to secure a win. Things get crazy when Jake “The Snake” Roberts takes out Angelico and as tables are set up in the ring, Bear Country bulldozes The Blade right through. Brawls go nuts, until Archer takes Kingston off the turnbuckle with the Blackout slam for the victory.
A little vague if this feud is over, or whether it will go on in another form.
The Beach Break Main Event: Kenny Omega and The Good Brothers defeated PAC, Rey Fenix, and Jon Moxley
Pay-Per-View main event. Best line of the night with Schiavone stating “greatest main event” and Don Callis snarky reply of “you’re welcome.” Brilliant commentary compliments brilliant wrestling. Both teams had their dominating moments, hot tags, and hotter action. A number of various suplexes appeared to be neck-shattering, but I wouldn’t have expected any less. Omega and Good Brothers showed their cohesiveness with a number of double-and-triple-team maneuvers. PAC breaking up a pinfall with a crushing 450 started the beginning of the end as finishers were delivered, however PAC escaped from the One-Winged Angel, but Fenix would fall to the Magic Killer for the clean pinfally victory.
A match where a full-arena would have lost their minds, but here at home, I imagine many joined me in sitting at the edge of the seat, ready to leap.
If that wasn’t enough, the fight continued even after the match, but with the spectacular “never would have seen it coming” moment of KENTA attacking Mox after the match, opening his jacket to display his Go2Sleep Bullet Club variant t-shirt.
As Jim Ross always says “Business, is about to pick up.”
For AEW, business continues to pick up and as of tonight, skyrocket like Reddit users going to town on GameStop.
If this is it, if this is the beginning of a working relationship with New Japan Pro Wrestling, then 2021 is going to be the year AEW dominates the wrestling industry. Not by itself, but by opening their doors to promotions all over.
Would WWE ever open up to working with AEW? Time will tell on that one, but for now, AEW has the NWA and Impact Wrestling working together, and there is no big invasion or mass influx. But slow, methodical build. Baby steps, leading to what I imagine will eventually be a big dash.
I don’t mind the small steps, and neither should any fan. Fans should want a methodical build with a bigger payoff. Let’s take this slow, Good Brothers first, and have some small appearance by AEW wrestlers on Impact and vice versa. Maybe one day there will be more involvement with NWA beyond the Women’s Championship. Same with NJPW, start with KENTA for a while, and then someone else show up in a few months. If it’s rushed too quickly, the novelty will dry. Keep us glued to the television, and carefully lay the foundation for long-lasting relationships and developments.
Hell, I’d be fine if nothing happened until 2022.
