AEW Rampage
Episode 8
#AEWRampage
Original Air Date: October 1, 2021
Event Date: September 29, 2021
(aired on TNT)
City: Rochester, NY
Venue: Blue Cross Arena
Commentary: Excalibur, Taz, Ricky Starks (2, 3)
Ring Announcer: Justin Roberts
Intro Video
Match 1
“American Dragon” Bryan Danielson vs Nick Jackson w/ Matt Jackson, Brandon Cutler
(referee: Rick Knox)
Result: Bryan Danielson wins via submission with Cattle Mutilation
Time: 15:35
Match Thoughts
Great match. Danielson was fast and brutal, and Nick Jackson did his best to avoid direct confrontations while striking in quick bursts (and by getting help from Matt and Brandon at ringside). Nick Jackson was able to string together some good offense, and he stood up well to Danielson’s technical prowess, but ultimately this was another superb showing for Danielson in a return to what he does best.
Ring Area
After the match, Adam Cole and Kenny Omega run out to join their Elite teammates. After a few seconds, Christian Cage, Jungle Boy, and Luchasaurus come out as well, evening the odds a bit. A brawl breaks out. Omega leaves the ring as The Elite get beat up. Adam Cole is put in the Snare Trap by Jungle Boy, and Bryan Danielson invites Omega into the ring. Omega rushes in, only to be caught in Danielson’s LaBelle Lock. Cole and Omega both tap out before being released.
Backstage
Powerhouse Hobbs (with Hook) introduces a video message from Ricky Starks to Brian Cage.
Video
Ricky Starks says he won’t be put out by a “cornball” like Brian Cage.
Video
CM Punk feels like he’s settling into AEW, and he’s going to be a big target very quickly in AEW. CM Punk wants to fight the best.
Match 2
Jade Cargill w/ Mark Sterling vs Nyla Rose w/Vickie Guerrero vs Thunder Rosa
(referee: Paul Turner)
Result: Jade Cargill pins Thunder Rosa after a series of chair shots
Time: 5:31 (with 1 commercial break)
Match Thoughts
Good match. With no rules and with three people in the match, this was up for grabs for anyone. Rosa dominated most of the match, and she did most of the work beating people down. Jade Cargill took some ugly moves from both Nyla and Rosa, but Cargill also stayed out of a lot the action as the match went on. That set Jade up for a push towards the end of the match, and Mark Sterling helped guide her to a strong finish.
Video
Malakai Black hopes the blackness of the mist he sprayed in Cody’s face consumes him. In the meantime, there are plenty of tolls that need to be collected in AEW.
Video
Sammy Guevara addresses his first challenger for the TNT Title, Bobby Fish.
Backstage
Via split screen, Mark Henry speaks with Matt Hardy, Jack Evans, and Orange Cassidy prior their main event match.
Match 3
Hair vs Hair Match
“Freshly Squeezed” Orange Cassidy vs Jack Evans w/ Matt Hardy
(referee: Bryce Remsburg)
Result: Orange Cassidy wins via pinfall with the Orange Punch
Time: 8:56
Match Thoughts
Very good match. Jack Evans tried to start the match with a bunch of kicks, but Orange Cassidy casually avoided all of them. Cassidy then hit Evans with some “kicks” of his own. After a while though, Evans started to build some very good high-flying offense. Cassidy was in trouble for a while, and as he started to mount a comeback, Matt Hardy brought out members of the Hardy Family Office. Before the HFO could make it to the ring, Chuck Taylor, Wheeler Yuta, Kris Statlander, and Dark Order came out to block the ringside area. Evans was distracted by all of this, leading to a fun finish.
Ring Area
After the match, Matt Hardy sends Angelico to help Jack Evans. Angelico is quickly beat up by everyone at ringside. Matt decides to not help Jack, saying it’s only a haircut. In the ring, Cassidy, Yuta, and Taylor take turns cutting Jack’s hair. Dark Order enters the ring after Jack leaves. With -1 in the center of the ring, Dark Order and Best Friends give the people what they want in a giant group hug.
Show Impressions
This was a very good show. The three matches were quite different and all entertaining.
Match of the Night
Bryan Danielson vs Nick Jackson
This had the best wrestling, though the main event might have been the most fun match of the night.