Arena: Arthur Ashe Stadium

City: Queens, NY

Last Week’s Rating: 1.175,000 overall; 0.39 in 18-49 demo

Big night tonight. The rating should clear the million mark for the fifth week running. More importantly, will MJF ‘cash in’? I say he shouldn’t. The idea of him threatening to take the belt to WWE isn’t a bad storyline per se, but it is at the moment. That belt needs stability. It shouldn’t change hands between now and February.

It’s Wednesday night, it’s Dynamite. Let’s go.

Excalibur welcomed us, along with Taz, Tony & Ian Riccaboni, and you know what that means! ROH up first. Bobby Cruise again on announcing duty.

Chris Jericho vs Claudio Castagnoli, ROH World Title

Backstory: Jericho challenged Claudio for the title of the only company whose belt he’s never held

The crowd belted out Judas as Jericho emerged, holding up eight fingers, the crowd making it clear this wasn’t your usual few thousand people in the house.

Cary Silkin was there to watch, Aubrey on the call, first ever female to ref an ROH World Title match.

Crowd absolutely hyped as Jericho used the code of honor to take a cheapshot, Claudio drilling him with a flurry of uppercuts, whipping him corner to corner, following him in with running uppercuts, hoisting him up top in a gorilla press and dropping him ‘yambag’ first onto the ropes, as Taz would, and did, say.

Continuing the blistering start, Claudio pursued the BeeWeeBeeCee (BWBC) to the outside, where Jericho used Silkin as a shield to take a cheapshot at Castagnoli, hurling chops, sending CC back inside but caught with yet another uppercut as he attacked off the top for a dodo-rare one count.

An exchange in the middle saw Castagnoli land on the apron but blast the BWBC with another uppercut mid-springboard. Fighting on the apron, a rake of the eyes ended with Jericho suplexing CC all the way to the ringside mats. The crowd loved it; I kinda wish he wouldn’t take those bumps at his age.

Break time.

Rocked by a defensive boot to the face as we returned, Jericho fought back, hurling more chops with Claudio perched up top: shots to the face, top rope hurracanrana. Or not. Claudio converting it to a powerbomb from the top only for Jericho to counter back into a hurracanrana in mid-flight. Jericho then ran at Castagnoli but was caught with the pancake/uppercut combo for a close 2. Hammer and anvils followed – love that the BCC have a thing they all do.

Leaping double-foot stomp for another two slaps of the mat from CC, then the sharpshooter, Jericho slap-bang in the middle but finally grasping the bottom rope. Jericho went for a low blow but had his foot caught, Ricola Bomb for another close count.

Claudio well on top but Jericho refusing to be put away.

Next it was Claudio’s turn to be caught mid-springboard – Codebreaker! – another 2. Getting to his feet, Jericho swept the Swiss into the Walls, despite Castagnoli fighting, grasping at the neck, shots to the face, pulling himself up out of the hold, shots to the jaw.

Big Swing time. Crowd again loved it.

Jericho slingshotted into the buckle, another uppercut as he rebounded, another count of two. Jericho reached for Floyd, Claudio blocked it, went for another Ricola Bomb only to be flung over Jericho’s shoulder, kind-of into Aubrey, allowing Jericho to hit a low blow, then the Judas Effect. The Ocho! New champ.

Does this mean ROH has a TV deal coming?

The JAS out to celebrate, Garcia looking less than impressed at his mentor cheating again.

The vast majority of this was excellent. One or two parts were slightly off, Jericho maybe a little gassed by the frantic pace of the contest.

WINNER: Chris Jericho

Swerve in our Glory vs the Acclaimed

Backstory: Acclaimed lost at All Out in a belter, this is their second shot

Very heavy boos for Swerve as he emerged, along with Fabolous. Lee certainly wasn’t booed but the crowd were very clear on who they were there to cheer: the Acclaimed accompanied by DJ Whooooo Kiiiiiiiiid.

‘Ohhhhhh Scissor Me Daddy!’ the chant from the crowd as the Big Fella and Bowens started us off. Lee with the size advantage, Bowens getting nowhere, Lee striking with a running hurracanrana. Crowd went wild for that.

Perplexed, Bowens tagged in Caster.

Who couldn’t do much more with Lee until finally countering the biel into an armdrag mid-stream, Swerve in angrily to break-up the Scissor as the break beckoned.

Caster was stranded in the corner as we returned, fighting out, powerslam to Strickland then hauling Lee up for a quick suplex/brainbuster as the crowd again exploded. Bowens back in, running wild, back body drop to Swerve, thrust-kick dropping Lee, the crowd hot.

Until Swerve spoiled their fun again, the champs looking for the double-team Swerve Stomp, Bowens fighting out, grabbing a quick 2 count, hurling Swerve to the outside but then meeting Lee’s noggin and plummeting to the mat.

As the Big Fella sized up the biel all the way to the ramp, Bowens landing hard, Caster not faring any better, planted in the middle as he ran in to help. The Big Guy heading up top, missing with the moonsault, both he and Caster down, the latter trying to psyche himself up with Bowens still out of it. Bringing Swerve to the apron with the boombox, blasting Lee with it after Castor ducked.

Blockbuster from Bowens, Castor looking for the Mic Drop but seemingly injuring his knee as he landed, flattening the crowd. Bowens grabbed a 2, Caster finally back in, Swerve drilling Caster with a leaping spinkick, Caster responding with a back suplex, hobbling his way to the top, Swerve striking before he got there. What seemed like a screw-up followed as they set up a double team pounce, acombo powerbomb sufficed instead, Castor kicking out at 2.

Swerve with a ridiciculous 450 legdrop to the outside, wiping out the Acclaimed, going face to face with Billy Gunn, being dragged away by his partner. Allowing Bowens to hit an elbow, Famasser on the outside with the ref distracted, Swerve sent in, the Arrival, the Mic Drop…

New Champs.

This was disappointing. Messy and lacking fluidity, despite a number of very cool spots. They probably tried to do a bit too much. And the sequence where Caster ‘hurt his knee’ was strange in retrospect, taking the crowd out of it and disjointing the match.

Not that the crowd cared: confetti and celebrations as Swerve stared in disbelief.

WINNER: The Acclaimed

FTR with Lexi. Cash congratulated the new champs but they’ve been no1 contenders since April and they want a shot. The Ass Boys interrupted with a series of F-T-Are you…? jokes. FTR didn’t seem to care too much. Weird segment. Should’ve just left it with the challenge.

Yuta joined Tony on the ramp to give his thoughts on the World Title match later, barely getting a word out before MJF interrupted, again coming out to a rapturous response. ‘Questionable Queens, the Devil has arrived!’ Loud MJF chant. He called them his ‘Devil Worshippers’.

Max said Yuta would never receive a response like he just had, this crowd would drink his spit (one guy liked that a little too much) and let him sleep with their wives, if only they weren’t ugly. Yuta insulted MJF, the crowd booed heavily.

MJF called them the Blackpool Cuckold Club, said Yuta could still get advice from Danielson about how to get injured or ask Regal ‘how to pop pills’. Yuta finally snapped, belting him with a slap, MJF finally turning the crowd as he shoved the biggest babyface in the company – Tony Schiavone – on his ass. Only for Morrisey to attack, allowing MJF to drill Yuta with the ring.

MJF was very good here and the crowd loved him; otherwise this was an awful segment. They seem determined to fight the crowd and it made Yuta look stupid.

Diamante revealed that her surprise for Rampage is Trina??? Which was my first thought on Friday after that description but I couldn’t believe they actually thought she was relevant in 2022.

Pac vs Orange Cassidy, AEW All-Atlantic Title

Backstory: The two feuded years ago, recently renewed the rivalry & Orange attacked Pac last week

Excalibur reminded us that Cassidy has never beaten Pac. I fancied Orange to win here, but surely they won’t do three changes in a row?

Amidst the usual antics, Orange flung his shades at Pac, incensing the Brit who ran in and was caught in two quick pinfall attempts before ducking outside to avoid an early Orange Punch. Even hesitating to get back in as Cassidy found his pockets.

The kicks were next, Pac beckoning him to bring it, which Cassidy did with a dropkick but Pac exploded with a violent one of his own, then stomping away in the corner, choking Cassidy with his boot on the apron, working his way outside, drilling Cassidy face-first against the apron before flinging him into the ringpost, Cassidy catching it more with his shoulder than his face.

Pac headed to the top. Cassidy bailed but was walloped as Pac somersaulted over the ropes. Shotgun dropkick from the top as the Brit continued the assault into the break.

Still on top as we returned, the crowd still eerily quiet outside of Orange’s antics, Pac headed up top for the Black Arrow, Orange rolling away but caught and drilled with a German before the Brit headed back up. Cassidy then holding the legs up, playing possum as he grabbed a frustrated Pac into a two-count.

Managing to block a swinging ddt but caught with a Stundog Millionaire, the Brit was then drilled with a tope suicida, diving ddt, kip-up – the pace quickening as Cassidy landed the swinging ddt for a close two-count.

Cassidy got another two countering out of the Brutalizer, then hit an Orange Punch, Pac just about getting the ropes at 2.99, heading outside where he caught Cassidy with the ringside hammer as the ref was unsighted, then rolling Cassidy back inside for 1,2,3.

This was a bit strange. The crowd was dead, eating away at what was a good match. They didn’t care a lick about Pac and the finish was a letdown.

Ethan Page to win it in Toronto?

WINNER: Pac

Toni Storm vs Britt Baker vs Athena vs Serena Deeb, AEW Women’s Title

Backstory: Stems from a tag involving all four last week, Deeb pinned Toni after help from Britt & a chair

Nice responses for Britt and Toni, who squared off straight away, the faces dispatching the heels and going to work, Storm getting a two on Athena via backslide, Deeb trying to pin both at the same time, drop toe hold from Serena on Toni, before locking both in holds at the same time: Storm in a leglock, Athena in an abdominal stretch.

Britt back in with a crucifix pin, then a roll-up, both kicked out of quickly. Slingblade on Deeb, Toni attacking Britt, countering the neckbreaker, running shotgun dropkick, front-chancery throw, Toni to the top but caught by the heels, looking for a double superplex as Athena gave all three a powerbomb from the top.

The crowd have been absolutely silent for this so far.

Storm and Serena had the other girls in a sharpshooter as we returned, talking trash as they faced each other. Deeb was drilled with a German, Toni hip attack to Athena, Britt then blasted by Athena, Serena landing uppercuts to Baker, missing with a clothesline in the corner but then dropping Britt across the ropes before catching Storm with a swinging neckbreaker for 2.

Serenity Lock right in the middle. Crowd could not have cared less.

Britt thrust kick to break it up, Athena catching both her and Deeb, briefly rousing the crowd, dropping both, Britts face getting the worst of it as she was landed on. Crazy athletic sequence in the ropes between the faces culminating with Athena getting a 2, again briefly getting the crowd into it.

Storm then hit a tornado ddt (Stormado ddt?) off the ropes on Athena, Britt with another crucifix attempt, Storm countering back into a roll-up of her own for the victory.

Baker attacked straight after, beating down the champ with blood pouring from her face once again. Bringing Jamie Hayter out once more. But it was a… Swerve Bro! The pair laying in shots, Deeb joining them as they laid out the faces, ending with a Curb Stomp to Athena, then applying the glove, readying the Lockjaw.

Saraya! Huge pop. The heels bailed as the former Paige soaked up the crowd’s adulation. Assuming she’s healthy enough to wrestle, she’ll be a huge addition to the women’s division.

WINNER: Toni Storm

Another of those weird Darby videos ahead of their match with the HOB on Friday. He dragged a body bag around – on the train, in a cab – telling the cabbie he was heading to a funeral at Arthur Ashe.

Bryan Danielson vs Jon Moxley, AEW World Title

Backstory: BCC Boys won their respective semi’s

Regal joined on comms as Moxley made his way through an extremely appreciative crowd. Excalibur again talked about their overall records, Danielson having far the better of it but losing their most recent encounter.

Rapturous response for both as Justin made the introductions, the crowd maybe leaning slightly towards Bryan, MJF looking on from above, clutching the chip.

Cagey start, exchanging grapples and chops, down to the mat, up again, Danielson emerging on top, drilling Moxley in the back of the head until the latter grabbed a keylock to break loose.

Then backing Danielson into the corner, both hurling chops, Danielson on top after more chops, a running leg lariat, a couple slaps to the face as he fired Moxley up. Back to the corner, Mox laying in shots but caught again with a running leg lariat after a reverse. Heavy palm strikes, reverberating through the arena, the crowd oohing loudly, yes! kicks dropping Moxley to the mat, the Dragon comfortably on top early.

One leg lariat too many: Moxley immediately targeting the spine with kicks, jumping stomp to the chest, bodyslam, Danielson though quickly back on top via a barrage of chops and kicks, perching Mox on the top, running dropkick sending Mox to the outside where the attack continued.

Back inside, Danielson landed a leaping shotgun dropkick off the top, Mox decidedly off his game, drilled with a German suplex on the apron as the ads arrived.

Strange crowd – they’re mostly silent but were big into that two count. For the best aprt of an hour, they’ve generally seemed into the entrances, pinfalls and big sequences but aren’t into most of the wrestling.

‘I have five!’ was the message as we returned, the Dragon still in control. No mention or selling of the ankle thus far. Maybe spoke too soon: Mox catching Danielson coming off the top with a powerbomb then immediately targeting said ankle. Then folding him up with brr-rew-tal leg-capture suplex.

A few boos for the back-rake with Danielson on the buckle, Mox looking for a superplex, BD escaping as he did last week, dropping Moxley face-first onto the buckle, straight back up for an avalanche belly-to-back, the cover interrupted due to BD grabbing his ankle, allowing Mox to transition into the LeBell Lock.

Danielson fighting out with more shots to the face, the pair fighting upside down with their legs locked, heads planted on the mat, Danielson applying the Cattle Mutilation, hammer and anvils, Moxley locking the triceps to escape but drilled in the head. Then responding with the King Kong Lariat but eating a back body drop from Danielson, then a busaiku knee for two slaps of the mat.

Moxley struggling to his knees, Yes! kicks ending when Mox managed to catch the ankle, brutal stomp to the face, Death Rider, 1, 2, thr – kickout!

Hands locked, exchanging elbow strikes, Danielson rolling through with the wrists captured, ready to kick Moxley’s head in but Mox again targeting the ankle, Danielson escaping again into the Triangle, both guys fighting frantically in and out of holds, finally landing in the LeBell Lock, the hand perched, ready to tap but somehow making it to the ropes.

Mox to the apron, diving knee off the top from BD but blasted immediately with a Death Rider on the stage, Danielson’s momentum taking him back into the ring where he somehow kicked out once more.

Bulldog Choke, right in the middle, nowhere to go, Danielson fading, finally fighting up, kicking off the buckle but crashing face-first, still in the Choke, all of Moxley’s weight on him, finally passing out in the hold.

As good as some of them were, every other match tonight had either a slip-up or a highly choreographed sequence which, if you’re easily taken out of the moment, might’ve spoilt it slightly. None of that here. This was a fight. This was two guys fighting desperately for control, for and against submission attempts until finally, one could take no more.

WINNER: Jeeeeeee-yoooon Moxxxxx-ley!

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Next Rampage (2hrs):

• Hook & Action Bronson vs 2.0
• Sammy Guevara vs Eddie Kingston
• Jade Cargill vs Diamante, TBS Title
• Hobbs vs Starks
• Rey Fenix vs Jungle Boy
• Darby & Sting vs HOB, no-DQ
• Golden Ticket Battle Royal for future AEW Title shot (Penta, Archer, Lethal in addition to the guys mentioned during the show)
• Wardlow & Samoa Joe vs Tony Nese & Josh Woods

Overall impressions

I didn’t actually enjoy this as much as last week. Perhaps it’s just from the recapper’s pov, but I was begging for a five-minute break. For something a little lighter to break up the pile of title matches.

That said, nights like tonight are exactly why AEW should stick with the four (or five) PPVs. They’re able to put genuinely competitive title bouts involving their biggest stars on free tv, culminating in a scorcher between perhaps the two biggest. Now can we get some of those on Rampage? Maybe? Please?

Check Out…

• Jericho vs Claudio
• Danielson vs Moxley

Thanks for reading.