AEW Rampage
Episode 23
#AEWRampage
Original Air Date: January 14, 2022
Event Date: January 12, 2022
(aired on TNT)
City: Raleigh, NC
Venue: PNC Arena
Commentary: Excalibur, Taz, Ricky Starks, Chris Jericho
Ring Announcer: Justin Roberts
Match 1
Adam Cole w/ Britt Baker, reDRagon, Young Bucks, Brandon Cutler vs Trent Beretta w/ Chuck Taylor, Orange Cassidy, Wheeler Yuta, Kris Statlander
(referee: Bryce Remsburg)
Result: Adam Cole wins via pinfall after The Boom (and a low blow)
Time: 11:35
Match Thoughts
Very good match. Cole was overconfident, and Beretta capitalized by hitting Cole with many strong moves throughout the match. Beretta’s neck was an issue for much of the match, and Cole did his best to focus on that. Beretta managed to hit many counters to Cole’s moves though, and it took shenanigans to set up what felt like an inevitable finish.
Video
Thunder Rosa and Mercedes Martinez are headed to war.
Match 2
“The Chairman” Shawn Spears w/ Wardlow vs Andrew Everett
(referee: Aubrey Edwards)
Result: Shawn Spears wins via pinfall after C4
Time: 0:53
Match Thoughts
Squash. Everett ran to the corner, tried a springboard move, and landed in position for Spears’ C4.
Ring Area
After the match, Shawn Spears gets on the mic and says he is the guy who Max sends to send a message. He also makes a threat towards CM Punk. He says Punk can’t hang anymore. Seven years off is seven years too long, and Spears will expose “Punky” next week on Dynamite.
Video
The Acclaimed are featured in a music video addressing Darby Allin and Sting, “Goth Phase.”
Match 3
Kris Statlander & Leyla Hirsch & Red Velvet vs Penelope Ford & The Bunny & Nyla Rose w/ Vickie Guerrero
(referee: Rick Knox)
Result: The Bunny pins Leyla Hirsch with a small package
Time: 8:12
Match Thoughts
This was okay. There was some awkwardness in the beginning, but it kind of made sense since the whole story of the match was the lack of communication and teamwork between Hirsch and Statlander. Overall though, kind of a forgettable match. Although, Statlander’s attempt at a spider crab submission on Penelope Ford was interesting.
Backstage
We join Ethan Page, Scorpio Sky, and Dan Lambert backstage. Page offers sarcastic congratulations to Sammy Guevara for becoming the interim AEW TV Champion. Page says Cody’s absence, the reason there is an interim title in the first place, is because Page beat up Cody so much that he’s staying away. Scorpio Sky says he hasn’t lost a singles match in 310 days, but the only people getting TNT Title matches are people not even equipped to carry his bags. Sky says he will be champ soon.
Ring Area
From the commentary table, Ricky Starks goes off on Jay Lethal. Lethal comes out to the stage. Lethal says the stuff going on between Dante Martin and Team Taz makes him sick. He also says not many people are in line to challenge Starks for the FTW Title because no one really cares about a non-sanctioned championship. But, the FTW Title means a lot to Starks, and for that reason Lethal challenges Starks for the belt. Lethal then insults Starks and Taz, causing a commotion as Starks stands up at the commentary table. Referees come out and diffuse the situation before any brawl happens.
Backstage
Mark Henry moderates a split-screen interview between tonight’s main event competitors, Dark Order and Jurassic Express. Dark Order says they are ready to take the AEW Tag Titles from Jurassic Express. John Silver and Alex Reynolds play kazoos, which Christian totally doesn’t find funny.
Match 4
AEW Tag Team Title Match
Dark Order’s John Silver & Alex Reynolds w/ Alan Angels, Preston Vance, Evil Uno, Anna Jay, Stu Grayson vs Jungle Boy & Luchasaurus (AEW Tag Champs) w/ Christian Cage
(referee: Paul Turner)
Result: Luchasaurus pins Alex Reynolds after a double-team cutter and retain the AEW Tag Titles in their first defense
Time: 12:37
Match Thoughts
Very good match. Dark Order had the better teamwork throughout. Jurassic Express wasn’t bad at their own teamwork, Dark Order just has their tandem moves and sequences so crisp they look nearly effortless. Dark Order dominated much of the match as Jungle Boy got beat up, but Luchasaurus got into the action more as the match went on, slowly turning the advantage into the champs’ favor. This was a fun first title defense for Jurassic Express, but I get a little sad when I think that Dark Order will continually be passed over for the titles even though they are a great team.
Show Impressions
This was a good show, more the beginning and ending segments rather than the middle portion of the show.
Match of the Night
Dark Order vs Jurassic Express
Two great teams in a very fun match.