Who are Costco Guys? Viral airplane boom skit triggers A.J. arrest rumors online

A video has circulated online showing the Costco Guys, comprising the father-son duo A.J. and Big Justice, on an airplane and reportedly getting arrested for saying their viral catchphrase, “BOOM!”, seemingly scaring fellow passengers.

A.J. and Big Justice became an internet sensation in March 2024 after their Costco reviews became trending online. At the warehouse store, they were seen giving items “BOOM!” or “DOOM!” tags, indicating approval and disapproval, respectively. Since then, they have been known by the nickname “Costco Guys.”

The recent viral clip, first shared by vlogger, streamer, and YouTuber David Dobrik on TikTok and Instagram, showed him sitting on a flight, filming a video, and telling his followers that he was flying to Hawaii, which was delayed. Seconds later, he came across the Costco Guys, who appeared to recognize David and confirmed they, too, were headed to Hawaii.

Subsequently, the father-son duo was heard saying:

“Hawaii gets five big booms. Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom!”

However, co-passengers appeared to be panic-stricken, with many saying, “You can’t say that,” before uniformed SWAT officers entered the aisle of the airplane and took A.J. into their custody, while both Big Justice and David tried to stop them and clarify that they were just joking.

However, the viral video is most likely fake and was seemingly part of a skit, like the ones they often upload on social media.

According to a September 2023 article by Business Insider, social media influencers and comedians often hire sets that resemble the inside of an airplane and stage a performance. The telltale signs that such videos are fabricated include neon blue lighting inside a flight, among others.

Moreover, the Costo Guys posted a video on their TikTok account alluding to the arrest being staged.

All you need to know about the Costco Guys

According to Primetimer, Andrew Befumo, or A.J., is a professional wrestler who is originally from Colts Neck, New Jersey, but is now based in Boca Raton, Florida. His original ring name was “The American Powerchild Eric Justice” when he began in the 1990s wrestling across New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. However, he changed it to Big Boom! A.J. in November 2024 while fighting against Q.T. Marshall in the All-Elite Wrestling (AEW) League.

The 49-year-old has been making family vlogs called “All Befumo’d Up!” on YouTube since 2015, featuring his son Eric Justice Befumo or Big Justice, 12 (named after his former ring name/ alter ego). A.J.’s wife, Mama Justice, and their daughter, Ashley, also appeared in the videos.

In the spring of 2024, Andrew and Eric went viral after their Costco “BOOM!” and “DOOM!” reviews, thus earning them the nickname, Costco Guys. Since then, they have reviewed all kinds of stuff, from a Chicken Bake to a Double Chunk Chocolate Cookie.

Notably, the catchphrase “BOOM!” dates back to A.J.’s middle school, where he used to say it every time he hit a home run. It continued during his high school football days, all the way to his professional wrestling matches.

In an interview with Tubefilter last year, Andrew said:

"The thing is, we learned somewhere along the way what our audience wants, and we give it to them every day. We call it the Boom. It's happiness, it's laughter, it's positivity, and we call it the Boom. It's really been great. It's been very rewarding."

Later, during his appearance on the wrestling video podcast, I Still Call It A Lariat, A.J. shared that his inspiration behind “BOOM!” or “DOOM!” also came from watching content creator Reed Parish, who rates food on social media. Costco Guys later teamed up with Parish to review a burger joint called BurgerFi.

The internet fame also earned the Costco Guys brand deals, endorsements, and collaborations with fellow influencers, such as TikTokers Christian “The Rizzler” Joseph, Jerseyy Joe, and Cousin Angelo. They have also organized giveaways for their fans. Notably, the father-son duo appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in October 2024.

Trending

Costco Guys have also released songs, including the debut track, We Bring the Boom, and Always Gonna Boom! with Jelly House and The Rizzler. A.J. is also a mortgage lender and runs a TikTok channel called Mortgage Muscles dedicated to his business. Meanwhile, Big Justice is a baseball player and actively participates in the Boca Raton Little League.

According to Rolling Stone, the Costco Guys are on “very, very good terms” with the Costco brand. However, whether Costco sponsors the father-son duo or whether they have a financial contract remains undisclosed.

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