AEW has a new World Champion, and it is a familiar name at the top of the mountain.
On Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite: Beach Break from Clearwater, Florida, Kenny Omega defeated MJF to capture the AEW World Championship. The victory carried enormous stakes, as Omega had agreed to a stipulation that would have barred him from ever challenging for the title again had he lost. Recapping the show on Busted Open Radio, Tommy Dreamer could not stop raving about the main event.
“That main event, seriously, it’s why I love pro wrestling. Two guys going at it, big fight feel, the bad guy was the bad guy, the good guy was the good guy, both guys injured, battered, beaten, bruising, and they continue for the fight of the championship,” Dreamer said, comparing the bout to classics like Ric Flair versus Terry Funk.
Dreamer detailed a dramatic finish full of near-falls and callbacks to Omega’s storied career. He pointed to one kickout in particular as a masterclass in babyface fire.
“He didn’t lazily kick out, he kicks out with his last dying effort, where his career for something he’s wanted his whole life is on the line,” Dreamer said.
According to Dreamer, MJF resorted to his usual tactics down the stretch, but it was not enough. After Omega showed compassion rather than blasting MJF with the title, the champion landed a low blow and a title shot, only for Omega to kick out and rally. Will Ospreay also appeared to counter MJF’s cheating before Omega sealed the win with the One Winged Angel.
The result sets up a marquee title clash down the line. Ospreay, who earned a title shot by winning the Owen Cup, is now positioned to challenge Omega at All In: London, though Dreamer noted AEW’s graphic listed him as the contender “for now,” with a major show in Montreal on the horizon first.
For Dreamer, the entire match was a testament to the sport.
“If you did not love what those two guys did, that was a love letter to pro wrestling, man,” Dreamer said. “It really and truly was.”
