AEW Rampage
Episode 1
#AEWRampage
Original Air Date: August 13, 2021
Event Date: August 13, 2021
(aired live on TNT & the FITE app)
City: Pittsburgh, PA
Venue: Petersen Events Center
Commentary: Excalibur, Mark Henry, Taz, Chris Jericho
Ring Announcer: Dasha Gonzalez
Intro Video
Match 1
Impact World Title Match
Christian Cage vs Kenny Omega (AAA Mega, AEW World, Impact World Champ) w/ Don Callis
(referee: Brian Hebner)
Result: Christian Cage wins via pinfall after the Kill Switch on a steel chair and becomes the 53rd Impact World Champion
Time: 14:27
Match Thoughts
Great match! Christian tried to start strong, but Omega shut down Christian’s early offense. Omega dominated the match during a commercial break, but Omega was going at a slower pace which allowed Christian to mount a strong comeback after a couple of minutes. Christian got on a roll, but Omega began hitting some brutal strikes and suplexes that seemed to kill all of Christian’s momentum. Christian wouldn’t stay down though, so Omega called for some late-match shenanigans from the Young Bucks who came out to ringside. That led to a great finish in this, the historic first match of AEW Rampage.
Backstage
Mark Henry is backstage with Christian Cage (who is with Luchasaurus and Jungle Boy, with Orange Cassidy hanging out behind them). Christian says Kenny Omega is one of the toughest guys he’s ever been in the ring with. It’s going to be nearly impossible to take the AEW World Title from Omega, but after tonight’s match, Christian is in Omega’s head.
Video
Fuego Del Sol’s match tonight means everything to him and to his family.
Match 2
TNT Title Match
Fuego Del Sol vs Miro (TNT Champ)
(referee: Bryce Remsburg; stipulation: If Fuego Del Sol wins, he earns a full-time AEW contract.)
Result: Miro wins via submission with Game Over and retains the title in his sixth defense
Time: 2:02
Match Thoughts
This was a lot of fun. Fuego Del Sol wisely attacked Miro before the bell when Miro wasn’t looking, hitting him with a tornado DDT. Excalibur mentioned that it became clear that Miro is susceptible to the tornado DDT in his recent match against Lee Johnson, and Fuego Del Sol obviously did his homework. The match was short, but it was quite exciting as Fuego Del Sol hit multiple tornado DDTs and looked for any way to get the win (including by count-out).
Ring Area
After the match, Miro takes the contract Fuego Del Sol could have won and rips it in half.
After a commercial break, Miro is gone, but Fuego Del Sol is still in the ring. Fuego Del Sol is distraught, but Sammy Guevara comes out with Tony Khan. Khan hands Guevara a microphone and a clipboard, and Sammy heads to the ring. Sammy says Fuego might have lost, but sometimes there is victory in defeat. Fuego loses a lot, but the people love him. People in the back love Fuego too, and Tony Khan asked Sammy, as Fuego’s best friend, to be the person to tell Fuego Del Sol that he is officially “All Elite.” Sammy hands Fuego an AEW contract, and everyone is happy.
Video
Next week, will Darby Allin be the “best in the world” when he takes part in AEW Rampage: The First Dance at the United Center in Chicago?
Backstage
In a three-way split screen, Mark Henry talks with Britt Baker and Red Velvet. Red Velvet plans to ruin Britt Baker’s night again, just like she did when she attacked Baker on Dynamite. Baker says Red Velvet didn’t ruin her night. Pittsburgh is Baker’s city, and she’s leaving tonight with her title.
Match 3
AEW Women’s World Title Match
Red Velvet vs Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D. (AEW Women’s Champ) w/ Rebel
(referee: Paul Turner)
Result: Britt Baker wins via submission with Lockjaw and retains the title in her second defense
Time: 10:34
Match Thoughts
Very good match. Red Velvet made a good opponent for Baker in Baker’s hometown. Velvet put up a nice fight, and her size and agility helped make many of Baker’s more brutal moves look quite devastating (especially an ushi garoshi partway through the match). Baker’s biggest trouble came when Red Velvet began to attack Baker’s injured right wrist, but Red Velvet made the horrible mistake of trying to go for Lockjaw herself. That signaled the beginning of the end for Velvet’s chances tonight. This was a fun main event though.
Ring Area
After the match, Britt Baker continues to attack Red Velvet. Kris Statlander, who was watching the match from the front row, runs into the ring and attacks Baker. After a few seconds, Jamie Hayter runs in and attacks Kris Statlander. With Statlander down, Hayter sets up Red Velvet over the AEW Women’s Title belt so Baker can hit Velvet with a curb stomp. Hayter and Baker then high five as the show ends.
Show Impressions
This was a great debut for Rampage. Three big matches, and very little in the way of downtime. Of course not every show can be this important, but it definitely made me want to keep tuning in to the show.
Match of the Night
Christian Cage vs Kenny Omega
Great action, and a big surprise.