AEW Rampage
Holiday Bash
Episode 20
#AEWRampage
Original Air Date: December 25, 2021
Event Date: December 22, 2021
(aired on TNT)
City: Greensboro, NC
Venue: Greensboro Coliseum
Commentary: Excalibur, Taz, Ricky Starks
Ring Announcer: Justin Roberts
Match 1
Jungle Boy w/ Luchasaurus, Christian vs Isiah Kassidy w/ Marq Quen, Jora Johl, Matt Hardy
(referee: Aubrey Edwards)
Result: Jungle Boy wins vis pinfall with the Snare Trap
Time: 8:55
Match Thoughts
Very good match. Fast-paced and fun. Even though the match was fought fairly evenly at first, it nearly always felt like Jungle Boy was in control. The Hardy Family Office tried to intervene at one point late in the match, but Christian and Luchasaurus shut them down immediately. ISiah Kassidy’s goal in this match was to injure Jungle Boy, but there weren’t many moments when it felt like Kassidy was actually trying to follow through on that plan. Jungle Boy came into the match with taped ribs which the commentators said were from over-training, so if anyone has hurt Jungle Boy, it’s Jungle Boy himself.
Ring Area
From the commentating table, Ricky Starks talks about his issues with Dante Martin.
Video
In a white room, Miro “The Redeemer” says he will return with no flaws, and he will becomes champion.
Match 2
Hook w/ Powerhouse Hobbs vs Bear Bronson
(referee: Bryce Remsburg)
Result: Hook wins via submission with Redrum
Time: 3:07
Match Thoughts
This was pretty fun. The crowd was solidly behind Hook before he even did anything, so this essentially ended up an an exhibition for Hook. Bronson fought back some, but Hook was in complete control, throwing Bronson with multiple suplexes and locking on submissions. Tony Nese was watching from the crowd, and he seemed mildly impressed.
Video
Eddie Kingston says he sort of respects Daniel Garcia for holding Kington’s trunks to get the victory on Rampage. Garcia (with 2point0) says he has all the data he needs on Kingston, and he might make Santana and Ortiz disappear when the trio of Garcia and 2point0 takes on Kingston, Santana, and Ortiz next week.
Match 3
Kris Statlander w/ Orange Cassidy vs Leyla Hirsch
(referee: Rick Knox)
Result: Kris Statlander wins via submission with a Spider Crab hold
Time: 6:25
Match Thoughts
Very good match. This started out friendly, but the aggressiveness of Hirsch brought out the aggressiveness in Statlander. Hirsch looked great tonight, and she hits a particularly effective sequence that put Statlander in trouble. Once Statlander got more serious though, she began to dominate her smaller opponent. Hirsch wasn’t happy with tonight’s result, and she refused to shake Statlander’s hand after the match.
Backstage
Via split-screen, Mark Henry speaks with Cody Rhodes about talk of him being halfway out the door, but Arn Anderson refuses to let Cody answer Henry’s question. Anderson says tonight is about the championship, and he gives Sammy Guevara a warning. Guevara says he’s pissed that people think this is a bigger match for him than for Rhodes. Guevara says Rhodes may have started AEW, but Guevara will be the one to carry it forward, just like he’s going to carry Cody tonight. Guevara tells Cody, “good luck, kid.”
Match 4
TNT Title Match
Cody Rhodes w/ Arn Anderson, Brock Anderson, Lee Johnson vs “Spanish God” Sammy Guevara (TNT Champ)
(referee: Paul Turner, title presenter: David Crockett)
Result: Cody Rhodes wins via pinfall after two Cross Rhodes and a Tiger Drive ’98, Cody Rhodes becomes the seventh TNT Champion with his third title reign
Time: 15:11
Match Thoughts
Very good match. Cody went for more grounded attacks while Guevara was much more flashy with his offense, but both men were on the attack right from the start. Guevara frustrated Rhodes early in the match, but after a while Cody regained his composure and started picking Guevara apart bit by bit. This all led to a very well done and somewhat surprising finish.
Ring Area
Dustin Rhodes, Brandi Rhodes, Brock Anderson, Shawn Dean, Lee Johnson, and Red Velvet come out to the ring as David Crockett presents the TNT title to Cody.
Show Impressions
There were some really good matches tonight. Plus, the main event made it a must-see show.
Match of the Night
Cody Rhodes vs Sammy Guevara
A really good match with a title change that feels really important.