5 Biggest Takeaways from AEW’s Beach Break (January 26th, 2022)
I like to keep things as positive as possible.
I like WWE.
I like AEW.
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It was a very odd choice to book a Beach Break in Cleveland during the month of January. And if you needed any proof of that, just take a look at the pre-taped promo from Ricky Starks and Will Hobbs… there was a foot of snow on the ground. But nonetheless, the show must go on and what a show it was. We had stories unfolding, stories continuing and one hell of a spot fest to kick off the show. Added to all of that, Jade Cargill is hand picking her opponents for the TBS Title and her next challenger will be a one eyed Julia Hart(much to the dismay of Griff Garrison). Adam Cole and Orange Cassidy closed the show in what could be described as somewhat of a dud lights out match that saw Orange Cassidy go over and we also learned that the Adam Page versus Lance Archer AEW title match will now be a Texas Deathmatch in 2 weeks.
So without further to do, let’s jump right into the 5 Biggest Takeaways from AEW’s Beach Break!
#5: Young *ucks
The Young Bucks didn’t have a match last night and were only on the show for a mere 15 seconds, how could they possibly be included in a takeaways article? We have had two different tag team champions in AEW since the Young Bucks. What do they both have in common? Neither one of them were heavily featured on Dynamite, the flagship show. Now, before you hit me with the “well the Young Bucks are far more over” nonsense, let me stop you. Yes, they are. But how can we expect any team to reach new heights when they are heavily featured on the one hour, pre taped show on Friday night that is pulling in half the viewers? The tag team division in AEW is loaded with talent and should be a mainstay on the main show, it wouldn’t be hard to do. The Bucks were on television for 30+ minutes a night during their run, so to think they can’t have other teams have matches instead of 2 minute backstage segments on Dynamite every week is absurd.
PUSH THE TAG TEAM DIVISION!!!
#4: Inner Circle No More?
Santana and Ortiz made a statement last night. They were done playing second fiddle and were out to remind the world that they don’t need Chris Jericho to do what they do best. In a six man tag against Daniel Garcia and 2point0(RULES!), Santana and Ortiz played a little game of “don’t tag in Chris” for the entire match as they did all the work. Towards the end, a visibly frustrated Jericho jumped down from the apron and just observed. Once the numbers game started to catch up, Chris pulled one member of 2point0 out and hit the other with a Judas Effect to give a little bit of help, allowing Santana to pick up the win. Jericho left, giving the bird to Pride & Powerful on his way up the ramp triggering the tag team to invite Chris into the ring. This partnership seems to have reached it’s end and all I can say is, it’s about damn time.
The dysfunction with the #InnerCircle is becoming clearer by the minute here…#AEWDynamite: #BeachBreak LIVE on @TBSNetwork right now! pic.twitter.com/3KPTui7fjG
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) January 27, 2022
Couple that with the fact that Jake Hager is hardly around anymore and Sammy Guevara has been doing his own thing for a couple months now and it looks like the Inner Circle has finally collapsed on Judas and he will be left to walk the lonely path through AEW from this moment on.
#3: Redemption
Sammy Guevara’s first run as TNT Champion was very lackluster in comparison to the man he took it from. It seemed as if there was no direction and he just wasn’t able to find his groove with the title. Losing to Cody Rhodes didn’t make much sense to some but I think after winning it back last, it gives him a hard reset. A chance at redeeming that first run and doing something special this time around.
What a cutter by Sammy!!
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) January 27, 2022
It’s #CodyRhodes vs. @SammyGuevara on #AEWDynamite: #BeachBreak LIVE on @TBSNetwork right now! pic.twitter.com/zZTvPpbXsy
Sammy has all the tools to be a top star in AEW and elevate his status into the main event with this run. He has to come across as a champion this time around though and not a guy that just so happens to have a title. He will need better booking this time around and a feud that will show just how hungry he is to remain a champion as opposed to just going through match after match. Luckily for all of us, they teased Scorpio Sky during the ladder match and he should make for a perfect challenger/feud for Sammy Guevara to kickstart his second run as TNT Champion.
#2: Danhausen is All Elite!
Very Nice! Very Evil! The Danhausen has come to AEW and in his first appearance, managed to curse that Adam Cole fella.
It was a very nice surprise to see Danhausen drug from underneath the ring last night as Adam Cole pulled a chair out. With Danhausen on the other end of the chair, he jumped to his feet and immediately put the curse on Adam Cole. This is why Adam Cole would end up losing his match to Cassidy just 10 minutes later. It will be very interesting to see how they will utilize this character. He is very different from anything the world of professional wrestling has seen before and can be very useful in providing many entertaining segments moving forward, something I believe AEW should be working on.
https://twitter.com/AEW/status/1486530869368086529?t=O8nkdq9z45036zRT6qPUQQ&s=19
It will be interesting to know what it took to bring Danhausen in. Did Tony drop off a boat load of cash? A PT Cruiser? A BLIMP!? Or maybe Tony gave up all of the above as he knows how valuable Danhausen will be.
#1: MJF versus CM Punk
I keep seeing a lot of the casual fans ask, “what good story does AEW have going right now?” If you’re asking that, you can either tune into the show or open your eyes because MJF and CM Punk are giving us a damn near masterpiece of a story right before our eyes. We have been waiting for someone to ignite the fire inside, and that is what MJF did. We all love it when the story blurs the line between reality and fiction, and that is exactly what we have been getting with the promos between these two. We all want a big buildup for a match that will give us a nice payoff at the end and if you look back at these two, they have yet to get their hands on each other. Even during the 6 man tag team these two were involved in, they never got their hands on each other. MJF played the chicken shit heel to perfection as he ran for his life to avoid CM Punk. If you don’t want to see Max get his ass kicked at this point, you just haven’t been paying attention.
It is set! @The_MJF vs. @CMPunk in Chicago next week!#AEWDynamite: #BeachBreak is LIVE on @TBSNetwork right now! pic.twitter.com/xwkEy7ws6T
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) January 27, 2022
If you couple this story in with the growing tension between MJF and Wardlow that will surely reach its boiling point during this clash in Chicago, you have what we call “perfect storytelling.” And in case you didn’t catch that last part, MJF challenged Punk in CHICAGO of all places. This chicken shit, cocky son of a bitch is playing this role to perfection and as the young talent, it is crazy to think that it is Max that is giving CM Punk the rub here. Punk’s run was pedestrian up until he stepped up to MJF and the only complaint I have about this entire program is that it will more than likely be over next week and we can’t have more of it.
If you missed the show and need a complete recap, check out the Dynamite Recap below from Drip King.
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