A look at the results of the April 5 episode of AEW Rampage.
While it’s WrestleMania weekend in the United States, AEW takes its action north of the border to London, Ontario, Canada for another edition of Rampage. It squares off with the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony.
A packed ROH Supercard of Honor preceded Rampage, and a chaotic episode of Dynamite earlier this week also saw Samoa Joe and Swerve Strickland sign the contract to make their AEW World Championship match official. So how will AEW’s Friday show continue the momentum?
Rampage has a stacked lineup with four matches on the card. Malakai Black of House of Block is in action, as well as Roderick Strong taking on a local talent. Additionally, Serena Deeb tries to show why she’s the “Professor” of AEW. And to close out the night, a Four-Way Elimination match pits some of the company’s best up-and-coming talent
Let’s see what this hour of action has in store.
AEW Rampage results from London, Ontario:
Malakai Black def. Christopher Daniels by pinfall
Roderick Strong introduces the first-ever Roderick Strong International Challenge; he interviews London Lightning, a hometown wrestler; Strong criticizes London’s name and asks him what his chances are in this match; London says his mother is cheering him on from the couch, and his odds of winning are better than Strong’s
Roderick Strong def. London Lightning by submission in an Eliminator match
Layla Hirsch says while she’s been wrestling in Ring of Honor the past year, she’s back in AEW to prove why she’s legit; she challenges Julia Hart to an Open House Rules match for next week
Serena Deeb def. Trish Adora by submission
Julia Hart accepts Layla Hirsch’s challenge and warns her that the House always win
Saraya says she’s been nothing but great to Ruby Soho; Zak Knight says he promises to take absolutely everything from Angelo Parker next week
Daniel Garcia def. Action Andretti, Komander and Bryan Keith in a Four-Way Elimination Match
A look at the results from the March 15 episode of AEW Rampage.
With Dynasty not slated until April 21, AEW has time to kill in-between major events. Thus far, they’ve used their time well, featuring a raucous match between Will Ospreay and Kyle Fletcher on Dynamite, Bryan Danielson’s challenging Ospreay to a bout at Dynasty, and the clash between Samoa Joe and Wardlow for the AEW World Championship. Don’t forget about Mercedes Moné’s AEW debut either.
The Mar. 15 episode of Rampage offers AEW another opportunity to shine. Despite lacking high stakes, the card still features intriguing matches highlighting the roster’s top young talent, including Konosuke Takeshita’s first match since his barnburner with Ospreay at Revolution.
With that said, let’s dive in and see what Rampage has in store from the TD Garden in Boston.
AEW Rampage results from Boston
Orange Cassidy and Trent Beretta def. The Dark Order (Evil Uno and John Silver) by pinfall
A video package showcases The Righteous, who have mostly been absent since losing an ROH World Tag Team Championship to MJF in 2023
Saraya says her brother, Zack Knight, wants a fight; Knight fights a few guys backstage in a cartoonish rage until Angelo Parker steps up to brawl
Toni Storm presents her and Mariah May to the crowd; Storm says they’re performing a “very special” tag team match and calls out Deonna Purrazzo
Toni Storm and Mariah May def. Little Mean Kathleen and Kayla Sparks by pinfall; Purrazzo interrupts after the match and brings out Thunder Rosa as her tag partner, and they chase Storm and May from the ring; Purrazzo says she’ll see them next week
A video package showcases Queen Aminata, one of AEW’s rising stars
Konosuke Takeshita def. Komander by pinfall in a great match worthy of closing the show
A vignette showcases Serena Deeb, who says she will become champion
The Undisputed Kingdom (Roderick Strong, Mike Bennett and Matt Taven) def. Top Flight (Dante and Darius Martin) and Action Andretti by pinfall
A look at the results from the post-Revolution episode of AEW Rampage.
It’s Friday night, and as usual, you know what that means. AEW Rampage presents the latest episode of Rampage, following another newsmaking Dynamite and a particularly eventful week, highlighted by Sting’s retirement match at Revolution.
The March 8 edition of Rampage is mostly wall-to-wall in-ring action, with minimal two backstage segments highlighting the ongoing feud between Ruby Soho and Saraya.
In featured matches, Orange Cassidy and Trent Beretta take on Kip Sabian and Butcher, and Julia Hart defends the AEW TBS Championship in an Open House Rules match. The question remains: who will step up to answer the challenge?
In the main event, Private Party, Top Flight, and Bryan Keith and Komander compete in a high-flying match, vying to potentially compete in the AEW Tag Team Championship Tournament.
It’s all part of a fun way to start a full weekend of AEW action. Let’s dive into the results from the Mar. 8 episode of Rampage:
Orange Cassidy and Trent Beretta def. Kip Sabian and Butcher by pinfall
A video package showcases The Infantry (Shawn Dean and Carlie Bravo)
Ruby Soho says Angelo Parker is “really hurt” after last week’s attack from Saraya’s brother; Soho blames herself and says she hates Saraya, calling her “ugly” and a “bad person”
Julia Hart (c) def. Robyn Renegade by submission in an Open House Rules match to retain the AEW TBS Championship
Saraya, Zac Knight and Harley Cameron interrupt Renee Paquette recording a video backstage; Saraya calls Ruby “pure filth” and teases what she’ll do next to Angelo after injuring him last week; An angry Knight then viciously attacks someone watching them
Penta El Zero Miedo def. Action Andretti by pinfall
A video package showcases Titan, who will face Chris Jericho tomorrow on Collision
Top Flight def. Private Party and Komander and Bryan Keith by pinfall
A look at the results from the Feb. 23 episode of AEW Rampage.
Pro wrestling fans are in for a whirlwind of in-ring action over 12 hours from Friday night to early Saturday morning, with WWE SmackDown starting at 8 p.m. ET, AEW Rampage at 10 p.m. ET, and Elimination Chamber at 5 a.m. ET. It’s all the matches fans can handle, and the excitement continues with Collision returning to its regular Saturday evening timeslot, as well.
AEW’s first of two weekend shows showcases notable names in a high-flying three-way tag team match, your executive vice presidents in action, and a surprising main event matchup that no one saw coming just 48 hours ago. With that, let’s dive into the action.
Bryan Keith, Komander and Penta El Zero Miedo def. Action Andretti and Top Flight (Dante and Darius Martin) and Matt Sydal and Private Party (Isiah Kassidy and Marq Quen) by pinfall
Saraya tells Renee Paquette she doesn’t care about Ruby Soho, and Harley Cameron tries cooling her down; Saraya says her brother, “Zodiac” Zach Knight is All Elite and introduces him as he walks into the frame
The Young Bucks def. Jonny Lyons and Cappuccino Jones by pinfall; Matthew and Nicholas Jackson win with the “Tony Khan Driver,” formerly known as the “Meltzer Driver”
Nicholas tells the referee they’ll fine him the next time he calls him “Nick”; Nicholas calls Tony Schiavone into the ring to “clear the air” from last week and they apologize; Matthew gifts Schiavone a $25 Amazon gift card and apologizes that they can’t remove Darby Allin and Sting’s blood stains out of their white suits; Matthew says they’ll pin Sting and retire him at Revolution
Tony Schiavone welcomes Sammy Guevara to the ring; Guevara says he has a mix of emotions from wrestling his childhood hero, Jeff Hardy, to Powerhouse Hobbs putting him through a table; Guevara challenges Hobbs, but Don Callis acknowledges Guevara and says he wanted him in the Don Callis Family; However, Callis calls Guevara weak; Hobbs attacks Guevara from behind and they fight in and out of the ring, leaving the latter man laying in the middle of the ring
Skye Blue says she deserved to defeat Willow Nightingale last week; Julia Hart says they’ll have their comeuppance against Nightingale, Kris Statlander and Stokely Hathaway
Mariah May def. Anna Jay by pinfall
Ruby Soho says her date with Angelo Parker went well; Parker calls it “incredible”; Soho says it’s weird Saraya wants her brother to hook up with her; Soho says Saraya actually needs her and she’s the sad one; Parker and Soho leave for another date
Roderick Strong def. Jake Hager by pinfall; Orange Cassidy comes to ringside mid-match to support Hager and takes out Matt Taven and Mike Bennett; Cassidy throws a bucket hat into the ring that Hager puts on, but Bennett and Taven cause a distraction that lets Strong take advantage and win
After Swerve Strickland and Hangman Adam Page won again, they’ll fight for a title shot next week on AEW Dynamite.
What wrestling fan doesn’t love them some mystery opponent? We’d say none, which is why the Dealer’s Choice matches on tonight’s episode of AEW Dynamite from New Orleans should be a lot of fun.
In fairness, Swerve Strickland already took some of the surprise away by revealing he’s going to send fellow Mogul Embassy member Toa Liona to fight Hangman Adam Page. A perfectly defensible selection, that, given that Liona is a beast who should benefit from the additional spotlight.
But Hangman hasn’t revealed his choice to be Swerve’s opponent, and that has us hoping that everyone’s favorite cowboy really gets creative. And yes, that actually means Tony Khan getting creative, but let’s not lose ourselves in the space between kayfabe and real life.
Strickland and Page are having the kind of long-term feud that just satisfies that place in a wrestling fan’s heart, because even when they branch off and do other things, they can’t seem to help but cross paths again. Long may it continue.
Beyond that, we’ll see the first ever singles match between Jon Moxley and Jeff Hardy. And Deonna Purrazzo will take on her toughest foe since joining AEW, Taya Valkyrie. “Timeless” Toni Storm will once again be on guest commentary, which is pretty close to guaranteed entertainment value.
So yeah, looks like a decent enough two hours. Let’s run it all down as it happens.
AEW Dynamite results from New Orleans:
(please scroll down for full details on any match or segment in bold)
Jon Moxley def. Jeff Hardy by submission
After the match, Mistico and the other three CMLL wrestlers who were watching the opening match attack Moxley after the bell, but Matt Sydal, Daddy Magic and Cool Hand Ang eventually come to the rescue and drive the luchadores off
Hangman Adam Page def. Toa Liona by pinfall
Nicholas Jackson fines a staffer for not using the Young Bucks’ full names, and Matthew apologizes but still expects the fine to be paid by end of day
That's Matthew Jackson and Nicholas Jackson to you.
Wardlow def. Komander; after the match, Orange Cassidy and Best Friends come to prevent Roderick Strong and The Kingdom from administering a post-match beating, and the heels want no part of a scuffle tonight
Tony Schiavone mediates a sitdown interview with Big Bill and Ricky Starks on one side and Darby Allin and Sting on the other; Starks seems upset that Sting got his first ever AEW victory over him, and Ricky and Darby start yelling at each other while Sting wonders if Bill is a killer like other big men he’s fought; Starks throws a drink on Darby, who has to be restrained by The Icon
#AEW World Tag Team Champions Ricky Starks and Big Bill sit down with Sting and Darby Allin, and things get heated quickly!
Chris Jericho def. Kyle Fletcher by pinfall; Konosuke Takeshita appears on the stage afterward to taunt Jericho
Deonna Purrazzo explains the meanings behind her tattoos, including the identical ink she and Toni Storm got, wondering if it means the same thing to Timeless Toni
The Bang Bang Scissor Gang does some good natured guns up and scissoring along with Rock Card Juiceboard
The first official meeting of the Bang Bang Scissor Gang is called to order on Dynamite!
Deonna Purrazzo def. Taya Valkyrie by submission with Toni Storm watching closely from the commentary desk
Allin is being interviewed by Renee Paquette when the Young Bucks stop by to propose becoming a trio with Darby, but jokes aside, they also accuse him of ducking them
Darby Allin is heated after a recent altercation with Ricky Starks and Big Bill, but gets interrupted by Nicholas & Matthew Jackson!
AEW World Champion Samoa Joe joins the announcers for the main event
Swerve Strickland def. Rob Van Dam by pinfall in a Hardcore match that also sees Brian Cage and Hook briefly get involved
Hangman comes down to mock congratulate Swerve, noting that both of them are likely to top the rankings when they come out tonight before vowing to never let Strickland become world champion; Swerve yells back that he has two victories over Page and says Hangman is obsessed with the idea that he can’t win … but Page says it took the whole Mogul Embassy to beat him, and Strickland says they can fight one more time before he leaves this feud behind him to focus on the AEW World Championship
Lee South
Jon Moxley vs Jeff Hardy
New Orleans, LA
AEW Dynamite
January 31, 2024
Jon Moxley grinds out a victory over Jeff Hardy
Hardy wastes no time taking to the air, diving onto Moxley from the apron. The announce team suggests the rules for this one are “lax,” so they can do some extreme stuff without fear of DQ and probably won’t be counted out either. Moxley takes flight with a tope suicida, not something he always does.
Back in the ring, Moxley stomps on Hardy’s left arm. Jeff gets flipped over with a suplex of sorts and has to kick out of the ensuing cover.
Mox goes right to a submission attempt, scissoring Hardy’s neck with his legs. Their battle eventually goes back outside the ring, where Moxley end up over the barricade among the CMLL talent that is here for tonight’s show. A right hand from Mox smashes Hardy in mid-flight right as the side-by-side pics arrive.
Th full picture returns to find Hardy running through a bunch of offense, leading to a near fall Tony Schiavone believes Jeff will need to keep Mox on the mat, but he doesn’t and pays for it as he takes a piledriver.
Moxley wants another piledriver on the apron, but Hardy counters with a Twist of Fate. He follows with the Whisper in the Wind, and he’s back up top but met by Moxley, who treats him to a superplex.
They both rise to trade right hands until Hardy’s Twist of Fate attempt is countered with a cutter. Jeff comes right back with a Russian leg sweep, then uses a legdrop right into a pinning predicament that comes oh so close to winning it.
Hardy connects on another Twist of Fate but finds no one home for the Swanton Bomb. Moxley drops to the mat and locks on his bulldog choke, and Hardy eventually goes to sleep.
Lee South
Adam Page vs Toa Liona
New Orleans, LA
AEW Dynamite
January 31, 2024
Hangman Adam Page pulls off an AEW first, pinning Toa Liona
Page notes during a quick pre-match promo shown during his entrance that Liona has never been pinned or submitted in AEW. Did not know that. Early on, Hangman is able to stay one step ahead of the bigger man, at least until Liona can slow the pace.
Two springboard lariats aren’t sufficient to knock Liona off the apron, though he has no such trouble hurling Page over the top rope and out to the floor. Liona hits a diving cross body to the floor, looking very confident.
Liona sits on Page’s chest back in the ring, good for a near fall. A series of right hands from Hangman leads to Liona chucking him back out to the floor as boos rain down.
After more commercials, it’s not looking much better for Page until he’s able to get Liona to miss and land hard on his back. Hangman steps on the gas, leading to a high cross body off the top for a near fall.
Page tries but can’t get Liona hoisted for the Deadeye. A thrust kick comes back and leads to a near fall for Liona.
What will it take to get Liona off his feet? Three lariats finally do the trick. This time Page is able to get the Deadeye on target too, but Liona pops right back up for a headbutt.
A discus lariat smashes Page back down, and though he’s able to kick out again, he takes a senton on the apron right after that. Liona tries and misses on a moonsault, but Hangman doesn’t miss his off the top rope.
The Buckshot looks like it’s next, but even though Liona evades it and hits a Samoan drop, Page is able to roll up his shoulders and hold on for a pin.
Lee South
Deonna Purrazzo vs Taya Valkyrie
New Orleans, LA
AEW Dynamite
January 31, 2024
Deonna Purrazzo keeps rolling by tapping out Taya Valkyrie
AEW Women’s World Champion Taya Valkyrie joins the announcers for this one, claiming she has no knowledge of the matching tattoos that Purrazzo has been talking about. The Virtuosa gets off to a strong start, controlling Valkyrie with a variety of holds until a leg sweep tilts the momentum.
Purrazzo goes hard into the steps on the outside, giving Valkyrie a chance to do some making out with Johnny TV as commercials slide in. They battle back to the ring during the half-break, with Purrazzo using knees and kicks to set up a Russian leg sweep. A pump kick leads to the second of two quick two counts.
Valkyrie’s Blue Thunder Bomb gets her a two count right back. A sliding lariat makes Purrazzo kick out again as Storm mugs for the camera.
A baseball slide drop kick is on target for Purrazzo, who ends up flinging Valkyrie into the champ. Back in the ring, Deonna gets both of Taya’s arms pulled up behind her while sitting on Valkyrie’s back, and that’s enough to get the submission.
Lee South
Swerve Strickland vs Rob Van Dam
New Orleans, LA
AEW Dynamite
January 31, 2024
Swerve Strickland outdoes Rob Van Dam in his own game: a Hardcore match
Hangman Page appears on the screen after RVD heads to the ring to reveal one more twist: Dealer’s Choice means they get to pick the match, not just the opponent, so this is a Hardcore match.
Van Dam wastes no time putting chairs to good use once the bell rings thanks to that stipulation. He sends Strickland into and over the ringside barricade, and the fans are already happily chanting “we want tables.”
After some picture-in-picture, Swerve has taken control, using a chair to assist him. He sets that across one corner but ends up getting an Irish whip right into it.
Rolling Thunder is on target by RVD, and he picks up another chair to use for a Van Terminator in the corner. A cover follows but Swerve kicks out at two.
Van Dam wants a monkey flip but sees it countered into a sitout powerbomb onto the chair, somehow managing to kick out. Brian Cage arrives to lend a hand to Swerve, but he’s neutralized by a chair-wielding Hook. They fight out of the ring and up the ramp.
RVD is distracted but manages to counter into a pinning predicament and a near fall. Strickland comes right back with a near fall of his own, and now it’s reaching “what will it take to win it?” territory as the crowd calls for tables again.
There is one set up on one side of the ring, but the two combatants fight to a chair on the opposite side. RVD takes a Swerve Stomp and falls back into the steps.
With Van Dam rolled into the ring, Strickland climbs up top but takes a thrown chair to the face and crashes down from the top rope through the table. Rob tries to follow with a Five Star Frog Splash but finds no one home and eats a chair to the face before kicking out at two.
Both men head to the top rope again, though Van Dam is knocked to the mat. He flips Strickland the double bird but takes a Swerve Stomp, and that’s it for the legend as Swerve is victorious.
See how Komander earned a title shot against Orange Cassidy this week on AEW Rampage.
AEW returned on Friday night after a heavily storyline-driven episode of Dynamite. The quest for the next contender to Samoa Joe’s AEW World Championship progressed, including Adam Copeland’s latest “Cope Open” against Minoru Suzuki and a subsequent callout to Christian Cage.
Meanwhile, Rampage featured its own developments, such as the “Freshly Squeezed 4-Way” match for the No. 1 contender to Orange Cassidy’s AEW International Championship and the ongoing story involving Ruby Soho, Saraya and Harley Cameron. Multiple angles unfolded in Savannah, Georgia, creating another chaotic hour of AEW programming:
AEW Rampage results:
Jon Moxley def. Lee Moriarty by submission, drawing “this is awesome” chants in a lengthy match showcasing Moriarty’s in-ring prowess; Shane Taylor thwarts Moxley’s show of respect after the match as he and Moriarty beat down the Blackpool Combat Club member
As Anna Jay gets interviewed backstage, Angelo Parker tells her that he believes he knows who is responsible for everything and questions if Anna was behind Harley Cameron’s kiss; Anna slaps Parker and says she is tired of having everyone’s back when no one supports her in return
Konosuke Takeshita def. Christopher Daniels by pinfall within minutes; Don Callis says after the match his family is taking everything from Chris Jericho and challenges the Fozzy singer to face Takeshita in two weeks on Dynamite; however, Kyle Fletcher intervenes, claiming his right to a shot; Callis agrees and says Fletcher will face Jericho next week, while Jericho battles Takeshita the following week
Backstage, Renee Paquette announces Top Flight vs. Private Party for next week; Action Andretti says he’ll be in Top Flight’s corner next week to make sure nothing crazy happens
Anna Jay def. Ruby Soho by submission
In a backstage interview, Eddie Kingston tells Renee Paquette he has no respect for Bryan Danielson; Kingston then challenges Willie Mack to a non-title match on Collision, but if Mack wins, he earns a chance at the AEW Continental Championship
Komander def. The Butcher, El Hijo del Vikingo and Kip Sabian to become the No. 1 contender to Orange Cassidy’s AEW Intercontinental Championship
Samoa Joe is still the champ after AEW Dynamite, but more than one challenger is lurking in the wings.
We have arrived at The Moment. Wrestling has lots of those, and in fact it’s generally a bummer when we go a week without one. But the one we’re talking about has been the subject of much chatter over the past week, and it’s here and in front of us tonight at AEW Dynamite in North Charleston.
Samoa Joe will make his first defense of the AEW World Championship he won from MJF at Worlds End, and he’ll do it against Hook. Joe, of course, has been in many spots like this over a well decorated career. Hook has not.
There’s no denying that Hook is a bright prospect for the future, maybe one of AEW’s best. He’s a stud athlete, able to pull off impressive offense, and he’s improving at selling. He isn’t the greatest on the mic yet, but he’s getting more comfortable there and AEW has played into his silent tough guy persona in a helpful way.
As Hook himself pointed out this week, there’s no pressure on him. There’s basically nothing to lose (his FTW title isn’t even on the line) and everything to gain. No one expects him to win, so this is a classic opportunity to look good in a heroic losing effort, assuming Joe doesn’t just steamroll him.
For AEW, though, the stakes are a little higher. If this match isn’t good, it gives ammo to those who don’t feel Hook “deserved” a world championship match, even if they came at it from a different direction.
We think it’s going to be really good, and AEW is presenting it without commercial interruption, which is nice. Let’s see how this plays out.
AEW Dynamite results from North Charleston:
(please scroll down for full details on any match or segment in bold)
Samoa Joe is shown entering the building earlier tonight, as is Hook
Christian Cage def. Dustin Rhodes by pinfall to retain the TNT Championship
Swerve Strickland says he came out of the Continental Classic as the man everyone was talking about, so he’ll certainly be keeping a close eye on the world title match tonight, and he doesn’t fear Hangman Adam Page chasing that title at the same time as he’s already beaten Page twice
Swerve Strickland has his eyes on the #AEW World Championship!
Renee Paquette talks to Chris Jericho about the tag team title loss he and Sammy Guevara suffered on Collision, but he points the blame squarely at the interfering Don Callis Family; Matt Sydal stops by and challenges Jericho to a match to get him back on his game, which Jericho accepts though with a warning that he has a lot of pent up aggression to get out
Orange Cassidy and Trent Beretta def. Komander and Penta El Zero Miedo by pinfall
After the match, Roderick Strong and The Kingdom confront them, with Strong warning that he’s coming for Cassidy’s International Championship and Orange Cassidy proposing a title match right now; Strong says Cassidy will have to wait until Revolution so that Orange has to live with the idea that he’s keeping the title warm for him
Roderick Strong is officially challenging #AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy for the title at #AEWRevolution on March 3rd!
Paquette gets a word with Hangman Adam Page, who says he’s not only going to win the AEW World Championship in 2024, he’ll make it his own; Hangman also suggests he isn’t thinking about Swerve at all since he isn’t the champ
"Hangman" Adam Page wants #AEW World Championship gold around his waist!
An emotional Mark Briscoe discusses the passing of his brother Jay a year ago and the amazing recovery of his niece, who he says doctors felt may never walk again; a tribute video to Jay Briscoe is shown afterward
Paquette talks to the Young Bucks, who now want to be called Nicholas and Matthew Jackson, and Matthew reacts angrily to all the false rumors swirling around them; they also say they’ll have to say goodbye to Sting and everybody like him since the idea behind AEW was to change the world, and they walk away from the interview as they have a meeting to attend
Renee Paquette has a sit down interview with the Young Bucks on #AEW Dynamite.
Bullet Club Gold (Jay White and The Gunns) def. Brian Cage and Gates of Agony by pinfall to become the new ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Champions
Adam Cole says Wardlow will go down as the most dominant AEW wrestler of all time and will continue to run through the competition until he acquires the world title
Adam Cole has big plans for Wardlow and the Undisputed Kingdom!
Deonna Purrazzo def. Anna Jay by submission; after the match, Paquette talks to the Virtuosa, who says that while Toni Storm has changed, so has she, but that earns an angry rebuke from the champ and they throw a show back and forth at each other
Does #AEW Women's World Champion "Timeless" Toni Storm accept Deonna Purrazzo's challenge?
Private Party def. Top Flight by pinfall, albeit with a little shortcut taken by the victors
A video package shows highlights of Darby Allin and Sting
Samoa Joe def. Hook by submission to retain the AEW World Championship
After the bell, Hook remains defiant, asking Joe if that’s all he’s got; Joe hits another Muscle Buster but ends up heading for the hills as Hangman Page hustles to the ring to check on Hook even as Swerve and Prince Nana are shown watching from the crowd
#AEW World Champion Samoa Joe smelled the blood in the water, but “Hangman” Adam Page makes the save!
Christian Cage fends off a very game Dustin Rhodes
The fans have no problem booing and chanting “Christian sucks” as a greeting for the champ. Cage stays away from a direct confrontation with Rhodes in the early going, forcing referee Aubrey Edwards to call for several breaks in the corner or ropes.
After kicking out of an early cover, Cage lures Rhodes into the corner, but The Natural drags the champ out to the floor and batters him over to the announce table. Christian’s knees taste the steel steps, which also make a good launching pad for a leaping clothesline.
They battle over in the corner, where Cage gets the best of it before delivering a cross body from the top rope to the floor. After some side-by-side ads, the champ tries a dive from the top rope into the ring, but he crashes and burns when Rhodes rolls away.
On their knees, the two combatants trade slaps and right hands. Rhodes is up for a Manhattan Drop before hurling Cage from one corner to another and dropping Christian down for a near fall.
Cage is catapulted into the top turnbuckle and ends up legs spread, but he frees himself before his globes can suffer. You know what we mean.
Rhodes earns another near fall and pounds the mat to get the fans clapping. But Cage gets him in-between the ropes and stands on his back, then prevents a tope with a well-timed right hand.
Cage’s Frog Splash is on target, and he hooks the leg only to see his foe kick out at two. Christian’s title belt is thrown in and occupies Edwards, giving Wayne a chance to assist with a roll-up that nearly gets the three count.
Rhodes fights Cage back into a corner, and Christian is set up for the Golden Globes again … or the Unnatural Kick we suppose it’s called in AEW. A big superplex is followed by Cross Rhodes, and Cage barely kicks out in time.
Both Wayne and Killswitch get involved, though Wayne pays for it by taking a Destroyer on the floor. But Rhodes turns and is laid out by a spear, and the Killswitch ends … no it doesn’t! The fans come to life again after the kickout by Dustin.
A second Killswitch also finds the mark, however, and The Natural is down for the count this time as Cage retains.
Image credit: All Elite Wrestling
Deonna Purrazzo makes Anna Jay submit
Toni Storm is on guest commentary and immediately mistakes Ian Riccaboni for a clean-shaven Tony Schiavone: “You look great!”
The AEW Women’s World Champion is asked about Purrazzo and is still somewhat dismissive even as she bosses the early action. Anna rallies for a two count right before picture-in-picture.
Deonna is back in command after we return to full picture, using a Russian leg sweep to set up a submission attempt but then trading two counts with Anna. Jay hits a backstabber and grabs another near fall.
Purrazzo avoids the Queenslayer and tries for a cross armbreaker, forcing her foe to work for a rope break. They trade shots until Purrazzo catches Anna coming in and applies the Venus de Milo, and Anna doesn’t last long before she submits.
Image credit: All Elite Wrestling
Hook survives but Samoa Joe retains
The challenger stays poised over the top turnbuckle and doesn’t even look at the champ during ring intros, and he explodes out of the gate when the bell rings. Joe weathers the storm and sends Hook to the floor, where the two men trade furious shots.
Back in the ring, Joe runs over the challenger with a running back elbow as the fans chant his name. Hook gets punched back into a corner and takes more of a beating out in the middle of the ring. He finally gets some momentum back with a leaping shot off the apron, but Joe responds with a uranage off the announce table. Ouch.
Hook gets powerbombed on the apron as well, and the ringside doctor checks on him while Taz takes his headset off too. The challenger slowly rises as the ref makes his count, but Hook beats the count and returns to the ring.
Joe quickly treats Hook to a powerslam, which is good only for two. The announcers are putting over Hook’s never say die attitude, which he displays again by kicking out after a Death Valley Driver.
Out of the corner, Joe delivers a Muscle Buster, and this time Hook kicks out at one. A flying clothesline turns into three by Hook, who peppers Joe with body shots and gets the big man up for a t-bone suplex but can’t make the cover.
Joe blocks Redrum and applies the Coquina Clutch. Hook tries to sink in his fingertips to break the hold, but he’s unsuccessful and eventually put to sleep. Joe retains, but Hook gave it his all.
Sting said farewell to Charlotte and the House of Black got the last laugh on FTR on AEW Collision.
The sad thing about a legend saying goodbye over an extended period of time is that every time they compete, it’s the last time somewhere. That’s the glass half empty view. The glass half full version is that it allows fans in many different places to say goodbye when the show comes to them, which is the case for AEW Collision tonight in Charlotte.
It’s a city that has no lack of history with Sting, of course, but with Revolution and his retirement match coming up in just a few months, this will be the Icon’s last stop in the Queen City. He should get a heck of a reaction as a result, and it’s very cool that he’s in action alongside Darby Allin tonight.
There’s other fun stuff planned, including a title defense by Eddie Kingston and some words from Adam Copeland. Not a bad way to spend a snowy/rainy winter Saturday evening, so on to the action.
AEW Collision results from Charlotte:
Ric Flair comes out ahead of this match, to the delight of the North Carolina crowd (and the dismay of many other, probably)
Darby Allin and Sting def. The Workhorsemen by pinfall
A hype video is shown for the Darby Allin and Sting match against The Don Callis Family on Dynamite
Eddie Kingston def. Trent Beretta by pinfall to retain the AEW Continental Crown Championship
Tony Schiavone asks Kris Statlander and Willow Nightingale (and Boots) about Stokely Hathaway, but Willow quickly pivots to both of them getting off to a good start to 2024
Willow Nightingale and Kris Statlander are looking to continue their winning ways all throughout 2024!
The Undisputed Kingdom (Matt Taven and Mike Bennett) def. Bryan Keith and Komander by pinfall in a Proving Ground match
Renee Paquette talks to Jay White and The Gunns, who quickly get a visit from The Acclaimed and Daddy Ass; Anthony Bowens plays mediator and suggests that big factions are the way to go, and Austin Gunn admits to Paquette that “it makes sense”
The Undisputed Kingdom might be creating strange alliances when it comes to Bullet Club Gold.
Adam Copeland responds to Christian Cage’s assertion that he should get to the back of the line and been handed all of his opportunities, but Copeland says when it comes down to it, he just works harder; Adam does say he will earn his title shot starting tonight and makes an open challenge, answered by Griff Garrison and a slap to the face, and we’ve got a referee in there so let’s go …
Adam Copeland def. Griff Garrison by submission; Cole Karter tries to ambush Copeland after the match but gets a spear for his efforts
Flair puts over Sting and Allin taking on Konosuke Takeshita and Powerhouse Hobbs next week on Dynamite, and Sting treats us to a “retro promo” for the match as well
#TheIcon Sting and Darby Allin are hyped up going into their HUGE tag match this Wednesday on #AEWDynamite:Homecoming against The Don Callis Family!
Serena Deeb warns everyone once again that the professor of pro wrestling is ready to return
Prior to his match, Claudio Castagnoli says he’ll fight Hangman Adam Page on the upcoming episode of Dynamite
Claudio Castagnoli def. Andrew Everett by pinfall
Lexy Nair checks in with Ricky Starks and Big Bill ahead of Ricky’s match with Sammy Guevara on Dynamite, and Bill says they’ll defend their titles at Battle of the Belts against Guevara and Chris Jericho
FTR def. House of Black (Buddy Matthews and Malakai Black) by pinfall; Daniel Garcia comes down with a chair to prevent Brody King from interfering, but House of Black gets some payback on Garcia and FTR during a post-match assault
More developments in the ongoing Kris Statlander-Stokely Hathaway saga also unfolded on AEW Rampage.
While some people question the need for ROH when it is a sub-brand of AEW these days, here’s an even more pertinent question for tonight’s episode of AEW Rampage: Does there need to be a ROH Pure Championship?
We say yes. There’s something cool about a title having its own specific set of rules in a day and age when there are so many championships overall with very little to distinguish between them in many cases.
It’s even good when a heel has it, like Wheeler Yuta does right now, because we get to see how rulebreakers operate within the confine of, well, rules.
Just something to think about while we dive into this AEW Rampage.
AEW Rampage results:
Mark Briscoe and The Hardys def. The Butcher, The Blade and Kip Sabian by pinfall
Renee Paquette asks Sammy Guevara about his singles match against Ricky Starks, who he praises as a great talent but says he isn’t better than the best, while Chris Jericho promises to make Uncle Joe cry if Big Bill interferes
Paquette speaks with Anna Jay ahead of her match against Hikaru Shida, and Anna says it’s time for this to be her year and that she needs to do this for herself; Harley Cameron stops by to say he wants to help everyone there, including Daddy Magic, Cool Hand Ang and Jake Hager, and she seems to say something suggestive to Coll Hand Ang
Stokely Hathaway does the ring intros for the next match, not sus at all, especially since she praises Kris Statlander and disses Willow Nightingale
Kris Statlander and Willow Nightingale def. Kennedi Hardcastle and Notorious Mimi
Private Party walks in on The Hardys’ convo with Paquette, which turns into something of a sarcastic show of respect
Hikaru Shida def. Anna Jay by pinfall
Sonjay Dutt gives a pep talk to Jay Lethal and Jeff Jarrett, but there’s a bit of dissension in the room (also Karen Jarrett hilariously points out that she’s been there for a while and the team has no name); Dutt and Karen end up having to play peacemaker when tempers flare
A Christian Cage highlight video (if you can call it that) is aired
Wheeler Yuta def. Komander by pinfall to retain the ROH Pure Championship
See how AEW Dynamite Holiday Bash set up a three-way dance in the Continental Classic for next week.
Welcome back my friends, to the show that never ends. We’re so glad you could attend, come inside, come inside … inside the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, that is, for an important night in the Continental Classic on AEW Dynamite.
The Gold League is down to its final matches for each man, and there’s plenty at stake (well, except for Mark Briscoe and Jay Lethal). It appears Jon Moxley and Swerve Strickland will advance to the semifinals, but Rush and Jay White can still throw a monkey wrench in things.
There’s big stuff going on in the women’s division too, as Riho and Saraya battle to see who gets a shot at Toni Storm’s AEW Women’s World Championship, and we’ll hear from MJF and Samoa Joe as well.
Let’s not waste any time. OKC, let’s start the show!
AEW Dynamite Holiday Bash results from Oklahoma City:
Swerve Strickland def. Rush by pinfall in a Continental Classic Gold League match ensuring he will be part of
The Continental Classic Blue League participants are shown doing short promos in advance of their final group matches
Chris Jericho discusses the news that Kenny Omega being out of action indefinitely, saying the most important thing is Kenny’s health but he’ll be ready to resume The Golden Jets when Omega is back
Mark Briscoe def. Jay Lethal by pinfall (with a Jay-Driller) in a Continental Classic Gold League match
Footage is shown of MJF’s induction into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame
A short Wardlow hype video is shown, as he’s still hunting MJF himself
Samoa Joe has more questions about the Devil, including some he’d like to ask to MJF, who in turn points out that the black-clad goons also didn’t lay a finger on Joe; their argument is interrupted by an attack from said goons, and the Devil appears on the big screen to challenge them for the ROH World Tag Team Championship next week … and they accept
Renee Paquette talks to Orange Cassidy and friends, and Rocky Romero ends up with a title shot against Orange Cassidy, surprising even himself
Riho def. Saraya by pinfall to earn a shot at “Timeless” Toni Storm and the AEW Women’s World Championship at Worlds End, with Storm doing some very entertaining guest commentary during the match; Ruby Soho is also shown watching closely on a backstage monitor, and Riho gets the best of Storm in a brief in-ring melee only to be hit by Mariah May wielding Toni’s title belt
Tony Schiavone reads a prepared statement from Christian Cage, who says he took Nick Wayne on a vacation and is returning on Collision to answer Adam Copeland’s Worlds End challenge
MJF and Joe bicker for a bit in the back before the champ finds a black mask outside the Mogul Embassy locker room, leading to a testy but awesome exchange between MJF and Swerve
Roderick Strong def. Komander by pinfall; afterward, Strong makes his latest plea to Joe that MJF is the Devil
A replay is shown of Thunder Rosa coming to Abadon’s aid on Collision, rolling into a preview of what’s in store for Collision this Saturday
Jay White def. Jon Moxley by pinfall in a Continental Classic Gold League match, meaning the Gold League semifinal will be a three-way match one week from tonight on Dynamite; after the match, Swerve came to the ramp to stare down the other two men
