The upcoming special Saturday night edition of AEW Dynamite will play host to a battle between the Present and the Future for one of the most, if not, the most prestigious world championships in the business today. Jungle Boy is probably one of the most popular stars AEW has currently. His good looks, connection with the fans, and ability to deliver in the ring are what endeared him to the AEW fanbase since its inception. And there’s not a doubt in anyone’s mind that in due time, the keys to the castle will ultimately be handed to him one day.
But for now, as we speak, The “Best Bout Machine” Kenny Omega is the man in All Elite Wrestling. His close confidant Don Callis refers to him as “The God of Pro Wrestling” and everyone that dare stand in his way is just another mortal in the path of an almighty waiting to get struck down. The last time AEW held a Dynamite on a Saturday night, the company crowned a new TNT Champion in Mr. Brodie Lee. Will another title change hands on the second-ever Saturday night Dynamite? Here’s a look at how the challenger and the champion got here and why this is going to be one hell of a match.
The Challenger: Jungle Boy
It’s quite rare for a 24-year old just breaking into the big time to capture the hearts, minds, and, adoration of every fan in a building, But Jungle Boy has done that and so much more. It’s as if only yesterday Jungle Boy was winning the Wrestling Observer Newsletter 2019 “Rookie of the Year” award. Fast forward two years later, he is on the cusp of being the AEW World Champion. The journey for this underdog was not easy in the slightest. It was not until January of 2020 on an episode of AEW: Dark did Jungle Boy notch his first win in AEW.
But this man did not let up one bit. He kept on grinding away. The then-AEW World Champion Chris Jericho even laid out a challenge and stated that Jungle Boy couldn’t even last 10 whole minutes in the ring with him. But, the kid was good and he got through, earning a draw with the then-champion Jericho. Jungle Boy kept showing up, night in and night out. As his wins grew so did his fanbase. Every time “Tarzan Boy” by Baltimora hits, the crowd absolutely goes bananas for Jungle Boy and no reception was louder than at the recent edition of Double or Nothing.
Jungle Boy entered himself in the “Casino Battle Royale”. Wherein the winner of the 21-man elimination matchup earns a shot at the AEW World Championship. Jungle Boy outlasted 20 other men to secure a date with destiny. The young superstar last eliminated a legendary competitor in Christian Cage. Both fought valiantly up to the bitter end but Jungle Boy was not going down easy and proved to be too much for the savvy veteran. The crowd exploded and was very much elated when the last man standing in the ring was their hero Jungle Boy.
After the match was done, he celebrated with the people and his Jurassic Express teammates Marko Stunt and Luchasaurus. Jungle Boy was on top of the world and the moment was capped off by being congratulated and having the seal of approval of the very man he just beat in Christian Cage.
The Champion: Kenny Omega
Since the day Kenny Omega won the AEW World Championship back at “Winter is Coming” he has been virtually unstoppable. Aligning himself with Don Callis might be the best decision he has ever made, depending on who you ask. Kenny has defeated everyone that stood in his path, albeit enforcing some very underhanded tactics. He went through hell and back against Jon Moxley at Revolution in a brutal “Exploding Barbed Wire Deathmatch”. And at the recent 2021 edition of Double or Nothing, he outlasted both PAC and Orange Cassidy in a three-way match with a big assist from Callis.
Kenny is riding high as AEW World Champion as well as being the AAA Mega Champion, a title he has held since October 2019. He didn’t stop at that he also went to IMPACT Wrestling and ravaged the promotion to capture the IMPACT World Championship as well as the TNA World Heavyweight Championship. The “Belt Collector” as he is known, added to his already growing collection after defeating Rich Swann.
Omega basically holds four world championships which is an impressive feat not many can lay claim to doing. Kenny Omega genuinely feels it in his blood and guts that he is unbeatable. That nobody will ever be quite on his level. But as they say, don’t hate the player, hate the game. And Kenny Omega is practically the best and most cunning player of the game as time and time again he escapes with all four of his championship still firmly around his waist and shoulders. This brings us to this Saturday night.
The Ultimate Showdown: Kenny Omega vs. Jungle Boy for the AEW World Championship
Don Callis and Kenny Omega firmly believe that All Elite Wrestling is out to get them. That a “conspiracy” is in the works to dethrone Omega as the promotion’s top champion. Jungle Boy winning the Casino Battle Royale is another one of those plots to remove Omega as champion according to Callis. Which many feel that it’s a delusion that the champion and “The Invisible Hand” created for themselves. In order to justify their “win by any means necessary” tactics.
Kenny Omega, a few weeks ago, would call out Jungle Boy. He said that Jungle Boy has everything going for him. The skills, the body, and, star power to become one of the biggest stars this industry has ever seen. Kenny said he respected Jungle Boy because the up-and-comer reminds him of himself, a young Kenny Omega. The champion could not say anything bad about his challenger but he did say one thing.
Omega would state that he is the greatest professional wrestler alive today because he had guts that Jungle Boy did not have. Jungle Boy took exception and said that Omega talked too much as they got into a brawl weeks ahead of their scheduled bout. Jungle Boy almost locked in the Snare Trap on the unsuspecting champion before The Young Bucks hit the ring and Jungle Boy knew he had to pick his spots.
The challenger almost got the champion’s number and the following week, Omega was not happy at all. He said Jungle Boy humiliated and embarrassed him. Jungle Boy tarnished the aura of Omega according to the champion. Omega challenged Jungle Boy to a fistfight backstage but, it was just a ploy for MT Nakazawa to hit Jungle Boy from behind so Omega could get the upper hand. He wouldn’t have the advantage for long as Jungle Boy would turn the tables. Causing the champion to hightail it, regroup, and prepare for this week’s big-time main event.
This is one of the most exciting matches in recent memory that will take place on AEW Dynamite, in front of a packed live audience. Jungle Boy is one of the quickest and most athletically gifted athletes on the AEW roster today. His unorthodox style and unpredictability in the ring could do him wonders if he catches the champion off guard. But give credit where credit is due. Kenny Omega is the holder of four world titles right and that’s not just because of dumb luck. He is one of the greatest professionals we have ever seen in the last ten years. And when it’s all said and done probably ever. Omega rises to the occasion whenever necessary, which is a commonality both he and Jungle Boy share. Something’s got to give. Saturday Night Dynamite. Kenny Omega versus Jungle Boy for the AEW World Championship. You do not want to miss this.
Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world. You can catch AEW Dynamite Wednesday nights at 8 PM ET on TNT and AEW Dark: Elevation (Monday nights) and AEW: Dark (Tuesday nights) at 7 PM ET on YouTube.
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