All Elite Wrestling is live tonight at 8/7c on TBS and HBO Max with their annual ‘Beach Break’ themed episode of AEW Dynamite from Clearwater, FL.
Kenny Omega Kicks Things Off
The show begins with a live cold open backstage, where Kenny Omega is interviewed ahead of his high stakes main event clash for the AEW World Championship later tonight against reigning title-holder MJF. He says there’s no way he’s losing.
He talks about the seriousness of the match considering the stipulation, which calls for him to never receive another world title shot if he loses. He mentions that considering all he’s been through to even be able to get in the ring again, there’s nothing that will stop him from becoming champion again.
Tommaso Ciampa vs. Jericho
The Sum 41 ‘You Wanted War’ theme for AEW Dynamite hits, as we shoot live inside the venue, which is decked out with beach stuff like an old WCW Bash at the Beach pay-per-view from the late-1990s. Tommaso Ciampa makes his way out for the opening contest.
“The Pyscho Killer” settles inside the squared circle as the commentators welcome us to the show. Fozzy’s ‘Judas in my Mind’ hits and out comes Chris Jericho, still being introduced by the ring announcer as simply, ‘Jericho.’ Ciampa runs up and the two brawl on the ramp.
They continue to fight as Jericho’s theme continues to play. Jericho gets the better of things early on, and plays to the crowd to sing along louder to his song. They oblige. The fight finally makes it down to ringside, where the bell sounds to get things officially started.
Jericho delivers some chops in the corner. Jericho chokes Ciampa over the middle rope and connects with a knee strike. Jericho goes for the Walls of Jericho, but Ciampa rolls to the floor so Jericho takes him down with a dive from the top. Jericho gets Ciampa back into the ring, but Ciampa catches him with a DDT.
Ciampa delivers a running knee strike and heads to the apron, but Jericho comes back and they exchange strikes. Jericho delivers a Death Valley Driver, follows with a chop, and then throws Ciampa into the ring steps. Jericho goes for a suplex from the steps, but Ciampa slams his head into the ring post.
He then slams his face-first into the steps. Jericho has been busted open, and Ciampa follows with right hands and stomps as the show heads to a commercial. When the show returns, they exchange chops and Jericho delivers a corner clothesline. Jericho puts Ciampa up top and delivers more right hands.
Ciampa counters and delivers an avalanche air raid crash for a two count. Ciampa delivers right hands, but Jericho trips him up and goes for the Walls. Ciampa kicks him away and goes for the Walls himself, but Jericho rolls him up for a two count. Jericho delivers a hurricanrana from the top.
He follows that up with a brain-buster for another two count. They exchange chops and Ciampa grabs a sand bucket, but Jericho hits the Codebreaker as sand gets in his face. Jericho goes for the cover, but Ciampa kicks out at two. Jericho delivers a bulldog and goes for the Lionsault, but Ciampa dodges it.
Ciampa lowers his knee pad and goes for a knee strike, but Jericho counters into the Walls. Ciampa grabs the referee, but she gets away. Ciampa throws sand in Jericho’s face and hits a knee for the win. Afterwards, Ciampa hits Jericho with a chair and is restrained when attempting to use a power drill on him.
Winner: Tommaso Ciampa
MJF & Will Ospreay Brawl
In a special interview area, also decked out with the outdoor beach vibe, Renee Paquette interviews Will Ospreay. Ospreay says he is pulling for Omega tonight, but he can’t look past MJF. Ospreay says hopefully Omega can find a way through MJF’s antics and they can face each other in the All In main event.
MJF walks up and says no to that. MJF says he doesn’t judge Ospreay for any of his antics, like begging Jon Moxley for more and his weird relationship with Omega. MJF says Ospreay and Omega are good wrestlers, but he is a star. MJF says after tonight, Omega is never going to be able to challenge for the title again.
He says he is then going to take great pleasure in breaking Ospreay’s neck at All In. Ospreay says MJF doesn’t even crack the top 50 best wrestlers and there are 14 year old girls in Japan who are better. Ospreay says MJF will never be a part of that conversation. The two brawl. MJF tells him Omega is a dead man and it’s his fault.
AEW International Championship
Konosuke Takeshita (c) vs. Kyle Fletcher
Now it’s time for the first title tilt of the evening, as following a quick pre-taped video featuring The Brawling Birds beating up people in a bar, the show returns to the ringside area for the scheduled AEW International Championship match that has been a while in the making.
Kyle Fletcher makes his way out accompanied by Don Callis. Callis heads over and joins Excalibur, Tony Schiavone and Taz on commentary for this match. The reigning and defending AEW International Champion Konosuke Takeshita also makes his way out. They lock up and Fletcher backs Takeshita into the ropes.
Fletcher doesn’t give a clean break, and then applies a wrist-lock. Takeshita counters into one of his own, but Fletcher comes right back with a side headlock. Takeshita counters into one of his own, and then they exchange quick strikes. Takeshita delivers the Takeshita-line and follows with an elbow strike in the corner.
Takeshita follows with right hands and follows with an uppercut. Fletcher delivers a shoulder tackle and kicks Takeshita to the floor before delivering another kick from the apron. Takeshita comes back with a right hand and goes for an elbow strike, but Fletcher ducks and Takeshtia connects with the ring post.
Fletcher works over Takeshita’s arm and slams him onto the apron. Fletcher delivers rights and lefts in the ring and continues to work over Takeshita’s arm. Takeshita comes back with a sleeper, but Fletcher coutners out and continues the work on Takeshita’s arm.
Fletcher runs the ropes, but Takeshita counters with an exploder suplex. Takeshita drops Fletcher with a dive over the top-rope out to the floor. On that note, the show shifts gears and settles into a mid-match commercial break as the action continues. When the show returns, we see this one still in progress.
