AEW Rampage (8-19-2022)

ROH World Champion Claudio Castagnoli and ROH Pure Champion Wheeler Yuta of the Blackpool Combat Club came to the ring to begin the show!

Claudio: “It’s great to stand here in front of you as your Ring of Honor World Champion. And it feels great to stand in front of one of my idols, Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat.

It feels weird because I’m standing in street clothes but I’d feel much more comfortable in ring gear defending this title. So I’m going to issue an open challenge for next week.”

Dustin Rhodes walked out: “I will! Claudio, you and I have a long history. For 34 years I have dreamt of standing where you are, holding the world heavyweight title.

“Wе had a lot in common until you got here. You chased that bеlt forever and now you’ve got it. This is a dream of mine. If you accept my challenge, I’ll give you the best “Natural’ Dustin Rhodes you’ve ever seen.”

Claudio: “I know it keeps you going. I know it’s the reason why you’ve had the best run in you right here in AEW. If you want a chance at my title, and you promise me you’ll bring your ‘A’ game, you’re on.”

Dustin Rhodes: “I give you my word. I will see you next week in Cleveland.”

Ruby Soho and Ortiz were backstage with Lexy Nair!

Ruby said they’ve wanted to get their hands on Sammy and Tay for months.

Ortiz: “Next week! Let’s do it! Let’s fight!”

AEW World Tag Team Title Match!

Swerve In Our Glory—Keith Lee & Swerve Strickland (c.)

vs.

Private Party—Isiah Kassidy & Marq Quen!

Keith Lee hurled Isiah half way across the ring but Isiah countered by landing on his feet! Isiah fired back with strikes but Keith hit him with chops!

Swerve tagged in but ate an elbow from Isiah. And then Isiah went over the top rope with a tornillo to Swerve! Private Party began to employ tandem offense on Swerve, working him over in the corner.

Keith Lee came in and steamrolled Isiah with a lariat! Marq Quen tagged in but Keith Lee quickly pounced on Quen for a near fall!

Swerve tagged in and blasted Quen with a kick to Quen’s head!

“Private Party, these kids will just not go down!” said Tony Schiavone.

Swerve finished of Quen with the JML Driver and then pinned him!

Backstage, QT Marshall and The Factory were playing cards and dominos.

Powerhouse Hobbs interrupted Lexy Nair’s interview. Hobbs flipped over the table, infuriated that Starks wasn’t taken out yet! QT gave Hobbs his word that the Factory would wipe out Ricky Starks next week!

FTW Title Match!

HOOK (c.) vs. “The Reality” Zack Clayton!

HOOK put Clayton in the RedRum and forced Clayton to submit right away!

“That kid doesn’t work by the hour, does he?!” said Jim Ross.

“Cool Hand” Angelo Parker and “Daddy Magic” Matt Menard of the Jericho Appreciation Society were backstage with words for HOOK!

Menard: “You walk around like a tough guy, HOOK.”

Parker: “What if HOOK’s title was held by a sports-entertainer? What if?”

House of Black’s Buddy Matthews (with Julia Hart) vs. Serpentico!

Buddy blasted Serpentico with a shotgun dropkick, wasting no time. Buddy followed up with a running kick and then whipped Serpentico into the steel guardrail. Serpentico went for the hurracanrana but Buddy countered with a powerbomb into the turnbuckles. Buddy Matthews used a pump handle slam and then planted Serpentico for the victory!

“The Redeemer” Miro walked onto the ramp holding Malakai Black’s mask. Buddy charged at Miro but Miro mauled Buddy in the ring!

“Where are the pagans?” asked Miro.

“That’s how he refers to the members of the House of Black,” said Excalibur.

Penelope Ford vs. Athena!

“Athena is undefeated here in AEW,” said Chris Jericho.

Penelope charged at Athena, but then Athena tackled Ford to the mat. Penelope came back with a splash in the corner. She tried for a cartwheel elbow but Athena had it scouted and blocked it. Penelope rallied back, spring boarding off the turnbuckles onto Athena on the ring apron!

Athena launched Penelope Ford into the barricade! Athena came off the top rope with his finisher and then pinned Penelope Ford!

“Athena maintains her momentum, and undefeated streak here in AEW,” said Excalibur.

After the match, the Baddies jumped in the ring and blindsided Athena!

TBS Champion Jade Cargill and Stokely Hathaway walked onto the ramp! Jade had a sledgehammer and destroyed Athena’s angel wings! Jade got into the ring and used the sledgehammer on Athena’s stomach while the Baddies watched on!

Main Event Time!

AEW Trios Title Tournament Quarter-Final Match!

The Best Friends—Chuck Taylor, Orange Cassidy, & Trent Beretta

vs.

The TrustBusters—Ari Daivari, Parker Boudreaux, & Slim J (with Sonny Kiss)!

Ari hit Chuck from behind and then tagged in Slim J. Taylor countered with sole food on Daivari. Trent tagged in but Chuck and Trent used tandem offense for a near fall on Slim J.

Parker ran in and wiped out the Best Friends!

“He’s throwing everyone around,” said Jericho.

Slim J. tagged in and mocked Orange Cassidy. “Freshly Squeezed” entered the ring and used his dynamic offense on Slim J. and Ari. Cassidy nailed Ari with a DDT and then called out Parker!

Parker dropped Orange Cassidy with clubbing blows! He used a double clothesline on Trent and Chuck! All three Best Friends used a triple dropkick on Parker!

Ari used a frog splash on Orange Cassidy! Parker pulled Trent out of the ring but Chuck made the save. Then Trent speared Parker and Orange connected with the Orange Punch on Parker, sending Parker over the barricade!

Sonny Kiss shoved Orange off the top turnbuckle! Slim J. hit a diving reverse DDT on Orange for a near fall!

“Orange Cassidy in serious trouble here,” said Excalibur.

Danhausen popped up from behind the guardrail and put the curse on Slim J.! Orange jumped off the shoulders of Trent and Chuck and then splashed Slim J., pinning him!

“Thumbs up for Orange Cassidy and the Best Friends as they advance in this tournament,” said Chris Jericho.

Catch AEW DYNAMITE on TBS next Wednesday live at 8/7ct from the Wolstein Center in Cleveland, OH featuring AEW World Champion CM Punk vs. AEW Interim World Champion Jon Moxley in a unification match!