AEW Dynamite: Bash at the Beach Results, Grades, and Analysis

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PAC (0-0) vs. Darby Allin (0-0)

PAC and Allin started the match very fast, trying to one up each other. It finally ended when Allin hit a shotgun dropkick on PAC, but PAC responded with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker on Allin. Darby hit another shotgun dropkick on PAC that sent him into the corner, and Allin hit a dive that sent PAC into the guardrail. PAC rolled into the ring and back out, but Allin responded with another dive that sent PAC into the guardrail.

Allin went for a hurricanrana to the floor, but PAC caught him and slammed him headfirst into the steps. That was brutal. PAC moved the stairs and pulled Darby onto the top of the steps before powerbombing Allin onto the stairs. That was even more brutal. Allin’s arm and back was bleeding after this, so either the guardrail, the floor, or the stairs cut him up.

PAC locked on a massive crossface submission, but then threw Allin into the guardrail on the floor again. PAC hit a huge missile dropkick that sent Darby crashing into the opposite corner, and PAC got a 2 count. PAC picked up Darby and put him on the top turnbuckle with a fireman’s carry, but Darby reversed it into a Crucifix Bomb.

PAC rolled to the outside, so Allin hit a Coffin Drop to the floor onto PAC! This is insane. Allin hit a flipping stunner in the ring and a Code Red for a 2 count. Allin went for a baseball slide, but PAC pulled the apron back and caught Darby in it before hitting a high kick. PAC killed Allin with a lariat for a 2 count.

PAC and Allin exchanged a series of pinfall attempts that ended with PAC hitting a Liger Bomb on PAC, which Allin kicked out of. Tony screamed that Allin’s neck was broken. All 3 commentators were heavily into this match, which I love. PAC then hit a series of headbutts in the corner and hit the Black Arrow on Allin for the 3 count.

Result: PAC (1-0)

Rating: ****1/2 (4.5 stars)

This was an excellent main event. Darby Allin has proven to be one of the best young stars in the company, and PAC is showing everyone how great he is as a main event draw. Tony Schiavone was at ringside with PAC, and PAC insisted that Moxley wouldn’t be able to compete next week, so he’s the number one contender, and that he was coming for Chris Jericho.

Jon Moxley was being loaded into ambulance, but he walked out towards the ring with an eye patch on, to a huge pop from the crowd. Moxley said that he didn’t care if he was blind, no eyes, or half dead, because that tile shot belongs to him. The crowd was super into this, and Moxley actually felt like Stone Cold Steve Austin here. The comparisons actually feel apt in this case, as he reacted exactly as Austin would. This was phenomenal. Give me more of this stuff. I love it. AEW has shown that they know how to book Moxley, and it’s been a delight to see him used to his best ability.

Show Rating: **** (4 stars)

This was an excellent episode of AEW Dynamite that furthered all the big stories in AEW right now. Hangman Page’s eventual heel turn, Cody & MJF, Moxley & Jericho, PAC & Moxley for next week, Guevara’s increased arrogance, and even the Dark Order. The Dark Order is specifically targeting The Elite and all their friends, and that voice, the more I listen to it, sounds exactly like Raven. If it is Raven, that is super exciting, and it makes this angle something I can really get invested in because Raven is awesome, even as just a mouthpiece.

AEW has been building long term stories, as we are seeing with how everything is playing out with PAC and Moxley. PAC lost a match due to Moxley abandoning him in the ring, and then they both went to a draw. Next week we finally get the payoff as both men face off again, and the winner because the #1 contender to the AEW World Championship. I loved this episode of AEW Dynamite. While last week felt off, this week felt right back on track for the most part.

AEW provided us with great action, lots of storyline development, and build intrigue for next week. In the end, this is all we can ask for in a wrestling show. AEW is in this for the long term, and coming off the news that they signed a new TV deal with TNT, I am very excited for AEW’s future, both in the immediate and years down the road. AEW is building something slowly, and they are clearly listening to the criticisms brought to them. They have answered many of them. I am excited for next week’s AEW Dynamite.