Will Chris Jericho be the next Casualty of War(dlow)?

The Dark Order looks to make an impact, The Elite keeps their momentum going, and Chris Jericho takes on Mr. Mayhem, all tonight on AEW Dynamite!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Six Man Tag: The Elite VS Dante Martin & The Sydal Brothers; The Elite wins.
• Darby Allin w/ Sting VS Danny Garcia w/ 2.0; Allin wins.
• Six Man Tag: Orange Cassidy, Chuck Taylor & Wheeler Yuta VS The Hardy Family Office; The HFO wins.
• Nyla Rose w/ Vickie Guerrero VS Kris Statlander w/ Orange Cassidy; Statlander wins.
• Impact World Tag Team Championships: The Good Brothers VS The Dark Order; The Good Brothers win and retain the titles.
• The Fourth Labour of Jericho: Chris Jericho VS Wardlow w/ MJF; Jericho wins and advances to the Fifth and Final Labour.

PLAY BY PLAY

AEW mourns the loss of “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton.

MJF speaks.

“Christopher. I’ve already beaten you twice and you’ve never beaten me. You’re ego can’t handle that, can it, bud? That’s why week in and week out, you chase redemption with reckless abandonment. Throughout these labors, you’ve put yourself through more physical and emotional turmoil than any other man has ever had to bear. But holy s*it, has it made for some great television!” But c’mon, Chris, even MJF is starting to feel bad for you. You’ve been through so much and are now so close to the goal, the match with MJF… Only to be stopped at an arm’s length from the finish line, by the most dangerous, most volatile, fastest, strongest big man this sport has EVER seen, Wardlow.

But look, Jericho. MJF wants to throw a little scenario out. Let’s just say “Hercules” by grace of the Greek gods vanquishes the “titan” and we do get Jericho VS MJF. After all Jericho’s been through, he finds out that MJF is still better than you, and he knows it. Wardlow adds, “I’m definitely gonna beat him.” Like how he beat Cody in that cage match? This time, get the job done. MJF leaves his apple in Wardlow’s hand before leaving, and he doesn’t see Wardlow crush the apple while glaring at MJF. Will the Salt of the Earth have to be careful he isn’t also a Casualty of Wardlow?

Six Man Tag: The Elite VS Dante Martin & The Sydal Brothers!

Kenny Omega & The Young Bucks are still feeling good after they dunked on Hangman Page at Fight for the Fallen and after they did him dirty again at Homecoming. But there is always a #1 contender, and CHRISTIAN CAGE is waiting at All Out! Will the Belt Collecting Best Bout Machine use Matt, Mike and Angel Dorado as warm-ups for the coming match with Captain Charisma?

The trios sort out, Omega gets in Dante’s face but the ref keeps him back. Instead, Matt Jackson and Matt Sydal start. Omega is still barking in the ring but the ref gets him to stand on the corner. Sydal and Jackson circle, tie up, go around, and Jackson cravats. Sydal handsprings through the snapmare, Sydal fireman’s carries Jackson, but Jackson kips up to throat chop Sydal! Fans boo as Jackson scoops and SLAMS Sydal, then swivels them hips! Fans boo, those aren’t good hips. Jackson says, “One more?” He scoops but Sydal springs and arm-drags to sweep a leg and STANDING MARIPOSA! Fans fire up for Sydal but Omega is livid already!

Tag to Mike Sydal, he climbs, Matt Sydal gets Matt Jackson stretched out for DOUBLE STOMPS! Mike wrenches but Matt (Jackson) pulls hair! Jackson puts Mike in a corner, whips corner to corner but Mike goes up and over then handsprings to arm-drag Jackson around! Mike keeps hold of the arm, steps over, hammerlock to La Magistrol, TWO! Jackson escapes but Mike drags him to the corner. Tag to Dante and he wrenches Matt (Jackson). But Matt pokes eyes! Tag to Nick Jackson and he headlocks. Nick grinds, Dante powers out but Nick runs Dante over.  ick gloats, things speed up, Dante hurdles and dropkicks Nick down!

Nick scrambles and tags in Matt. Matt runs in, but Dante dodges and goes UP to RANA Matt out! But Omega gets in to CLOBBER Dante! Omega says HE is the champ, which is true, but the Sydals both get in. Omega blocks double kicks but gets DOUBLE ENZIGURIS! The Sydals and Dante coordinate, build speed, and TRIPLE BASEBALL SLIDE! Then they handspring and slingshot feint, to then have the Sydals give Dante a BOOST into the TRIPLE CROSSBODY! Fans are thunderous already as Dante goes up! BIG Crossbody, cover, TWO! Tag to Mike and he gets Matt (Jackson) up. Matt swings but Mike ducks and does the splits!

Mike sweeps the legs to then jump over, and then STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Mike gets Matt up but Matt JAWBREAKERS! Tag to Omega and fans boo loudly, but still cheer, too. Mike dropkicks but Omega swats it away! Omega soaks up all the cheers and jeers then SLAPS Mike around! Omega reels Mike in, gets him up but Mike slips free to ROCK Omega! Mike runs but into Nick’s cheap shot! Omega comes back to PIE FACE BULLDOG! Omega tags Nick and Nick DECKS Dante and ROCKS Matt Sydal! Omega gets one stomp in before Nick stomps away on Mike. Nick paces about then KICKS Mike down!

Nick drags Mike up and bumps him up off Omega’s boot! Nick drags Mike back out to scoop and SLAM! Tag to Omega, he scrapes his soles on Mike’s face! Omega runs to then flash elbow drop! Cover, TWO! Omega gets Mike up to bump off both Bucks’ boots. Tag to Matt, he throws hands on Mike over and over and stomps away but the ref pulls him away. Fans boo as Jackson taunts Sydal. Cutler sprays down Omega, Omega tags back in. Omega clubs Mike, drags him up and tells Pittsburgh to hush. They boo instead, but Omega CHOPS Mike off his feet! Omega has Mike’s legs, looks around as if looking for approval, but fans boo instead.

Dante and Sydal get angry, the ref keeps them back, and Omega digs his heel into Mike’s groin! The Bucks get in, Nick rolls Mike so Matt can wheelbarrow lift, and Omega adds double CHOPS before Nick slingshots and FACEBUSTERS! The wheelbarrow stays up, KOTARO KRUSHER COMBO! The Bucks blast Dante and Sydal while Omega covers Mike, TWO!! Mike is frustrating The Elite, but Nick tags in. Nick tags Matt, the Bucks get Mike up, double back suplex but he lands on his feet to DECK Omega! Mike dodges Matt Jackson, goes MATRIX to dodge Nick, and hot tags Matt Sydal! Sydal fires off kicks on the Bucks, dodges Omega and WHEEL KICKS him!

Matt Sydal gets Matt Jackson for a fisherman BUSTER! Cover, Nick breaks it! Sydal blocks Nick’s Superkick, hands it to Nick’s brother, then DOUBLE RANAS the Bucks! Fans fire up as Sydal keeps moving, to tilt-o-whirl SLAM Jackson down, to the COBRA CROSSFACE! Nick gets in and stomps Sydal but he refuses to let go! Dante gets in and throws Nick out. Mike gets in to add on a MUTA LOCK! Matt Jackson endures double submissions, but Omega gets in to scrape Mike off and SNAP DRAGON SUPLEX him down! Then he dodges Matt Sydal to SNAP DRAGON! Omega fires up but fans are divided. Dante jumps in, Omega dodges and SNAP-

DANTE LANDS ON HIS FEET?! And then uses ropes to flip up and over Omega, to ENZIGURI! Dante goes to the corner and fans are electric! Hot tag to Dante! Dante runs in to rally on the Bucks! Dante rains down fists in the corner then leaps up over Nick! Dante dropkicks Nick into Matt to then DIVE onto Omega! Dante is fired up and the fans are right there with him! Dante gets Omega up but Omega shoves him. Dante slips up and in, boots Omega, then runs again to go up and LEAP to RANA Omega into barriers! Triangle jump QUEBRADA! Cover, TWO!!! So close and yet so far!! But Dante keeps his cool as fans are volcanic!

“THIS IS AWESOME!” as Dante goes to a corner and climbs. Dantre leaps before Nick can get him, but Nick follows to SHINING WIZARD in the corner! But Mike ROUNDHOUSES! Matt Jackson DDT’s Mike, Matt Sydal KNEES Matt Jackson! Omega V-TRIGGERS Sydal and is fired up again! Omega tags in now, storms over to Dante, and he drags Dante up for a fisherman, AOI SHOUDO USHIRGOROSHI! Fans boo hard as ever but Omega doesn’t care. Omega aims, BANG, and V-TRIGGER! Omega drags Dante back up to Electric Chair and ONE WINGED AN- WHAT!? Dante handsprings out! And PELES Omega back!

Omega staggers, but comes back to V-TRIGGER! Omega gets Dante up and underhooks, but Dante sips out of Tiger Driver to schoolboy, TWO!!! Dante gets Omega for a backslide but Omega rolls through to V-TRIGGER AGAIN! Omega gets Dante up, Electric Chair lifts, the Bucks SUPERKICK the Sydals as Omega hits ONE WINGED ANGEL!!!  But that’s not enough?! The Bucks have Dante up, Omega adds in, B T V E (Being the VERY Elite) TRIGGER!! Cover, The Elite win!!

Winners: The Elite, by pinfall

As much speed, agility and heart Dante and the Sydals have, it was just not enough to outdo whatever makes The Elite The Elite! Don Callis finally joins his boys ringside, and Tony Schiavone joins them all for a post-match interview. Schiavone feels Dante didn’t deserve all he got, but then Callis snatches the mic. “Pittsburgh, you’ve never seen a winning team like The Elite before!” It is great to be out here with the greatest tag team- Wait, here comes CHRISTIAN! Callis says, “Look! It’s Christian Cage the Stanford Stooge. Hey, buddy, I know you’re not that bright, but even you can count! There’s ten of us, and only one of you!” But Omega, the Bucks, Cutler, Michael Nakazawa and Callis make six. Oh wait, Omega’s four belts…

Jurassic Express helps change those odds! Jungle Boy, Luchasaurus and Marko Stunt are the #1 contenders to the tag team titles, so they have business with the Bucks! This tense standoff continue, after the break!

AEW returns as Christian and Jurassic Express are in the ring.

Schiavone is presiding over this meeting of champions and contenders, but then Callis snatches the mic from him again… Callis tells the contenders that he knows what we all know. Christian gets his AEW World Championship match at All Out, September 5th, in Chicago. Naturally hearing “Chicago,” fans chant “CM PUNK! CM PUNK!” Callis ignores that to tell Christian that he and Omega are actually very happy about this news. Christian is one hell of a wrestler, and a hell of a ring general. Christian also has one of the best finishers he’s ever seen. In fact, Omega can’t wait to kick out of it.

So Callis isn’t sure why Christian is here when the match is still three weeks away. Unless, is Christian nervous? Well don’t be, because Kenny Omega is going to make sure that Christian FINALLY has that 5 star match he’s always wanted. So go back to sitting on the bench and wait your turn, Christian. Or did you think they were going to give him the match in Pittsburgh?! What a joke! Christian asks if Callis is finished, “you carney piece o’ s*it!” Fans like that one! Christian apologizes, he takes that back. What he should’ve said, since we’re in Pittsburgh, is, “Are you finished, you carney jagoff?” Fans REALLY like that one!

The Bucks shield Callis’ ears from the fans repeating “JAGOFF! JAGOFF!” at him. But Christian continues to say that he talked to Tony Khan, and he was also with Impact executive, Scott Demore. The conversation the three of them had has it locked in: All Out, Omega VS Christian for “the biggest prize in this sport, the most important championship in this sport, the AEW World Championship!” But unless Christian is counting wrong, Omega has more than one world championship.

And in that conversation with Scott and Tony, Omega WILL be wrestling in Pittsburgh, this Friday, the Rampage premiere, and the very first match in Rampage history! It will be Omega VS Christian, for the IMPACT World Championship!! The fans go nuts! Omega is furious with Callis and Christian, but the music plays Christian off! Omega shouts, “You don’t do this to me! You don’t talk to me like this!” He may be angry now, but just wait until he’s on Rampage!

But hold on, someone calls for music to stop. Jungle Boy says he complete forgot. He and Luchasaurus also talked to Tony Khan, and they learned they also have a pretty big match coming up. Tony said that next week on Dynamite, Jurassic Express is facing the Bucks for the AEW WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS! T-Minus 7 days until Houston feels out of this world! But hold on again, Omega is still ranting and furious! He wants to ask if the fans are singing along with Tarzan Boy, “OooOOOooOoOoh oh oh ooOOH,” or saying “NooOOOooOOo, no no NooOO” ??

Is Omega asking that for real or…? Well Omega wants out of here, and the Elite follow with him. Will gold be moving around all over the place this next week?

Malakai Black speaks.

Starting in Dutch, then moving to English, he asks, “Am I really the bad guy in this story? It’s only because I sense doubt from a lot of you.” Malakai made good on everything he said he’d do: he promised it would be quick, short, and violent, and it was. But the narrative has flip-flopped in society, to where “he who speaks the truth is labeled the fool.” There is no room for fools, for second guessing or doubt in the House of Black. They’re both lonely men, Malakai and Cody. But Cody is lonely because he surrounds himself with peopled, Malakai is alone because he chose to be.

And while they’re on the subject of Cody, it seems Cody has one foot in the grave. Malakai wants Cody to let him know when he wants help getting the rest of his body in there. As for the rest of AEW, Malakai wants them to know that when he appears before them, he will make them “feel so desolate and alone, the only ones you’ll have left to talk to are the shadows. Then you will truly, truly understand that the volume of your voice is so low… You’ll realize you’ve been arguing with God.” Ominous and powerful worlds from an ominous and powerful man, but will, or rather can, Cody rise back up from the darkness?

Speaking of Cody, Rhodes to the Top is almost ready!

TNT gives us a special look at the reality show about AEW, Cody and Brandi Rhodes, and everything in between, “like you’ve never seen before!” Cody and Brandi are willing to share, will you be there to watch?

Miro speaks.

“As a hot and humble man, I live to serve my vengeful God, and please my perfect wife over and over.” So when Lee Johnson challenged him last week for the TNT Championship, Miro was “called to forgive.” And after he beat the HELL out of Johnson, he did forgive. The ret of the locker room is afraid! Despite what they say in interviews, backstage, to themselves, about how much they love AEW and would die for it, “here’s your chance.” AEW tried tricks to make Johnson a contender, now they are offering someone a contract, only if they defeat Miro. Fuego Del Sol, you are striving for Rampage. Miro will cleanse with pain, for this is the word of The Redeemer.

Darby Allin w/ Sting VS Danny Garcia w/ 2.0!

While the Relentless One has the Icon, #RedDeath has Matt Lee and Jeff Parker! Garcia and 2.0 warned Darby and “Stinger” about this, but will they be the ones needing to heed their words?

The bell rings and fans fire up as Darby stares Garcia down. They circle, approach, tie up and are in a deadlock. Fans cheer as Garcia gets Darby to a corner but the ref counts. Garcia is aggressive even in the ropebreak but Darby doesn’t flinch. Garcia pats Darby on the cheek, but Darby keeps cool. They circle again, tie up, Darby gets around, full nelsons, spins Garcia to a hammerlock, then snapmare then run him over with a shoulder. Cover, TWO! Darby headlocks, Garcia fights up, fights out, but Darby grinds Garcia down. Garcia fights up again, chinbars then back suplexes, but Darby lands on his feet. Garcia runs Darby over, cover, TWO!

Garcia clamps onto an armlock and bends fingers back as fans rally. Darby fights up, Garcia grinds him down, but Darby fights up. Darby rolls, Garcia wrangles him back down. Fans rally for Darby as he gets up and chinbars to push Garcia off the armlock. Darby then gets around, waistlock to O’Conner Roll, TWO! Jackknife on the rebound, TWO as Garcia bridges! Spin, backslide, TWO! Garcia gets legs, Darby scrambles and gets ropes. The ref counts, Garcia lets off but with a kick. Fans boo that chippy shot and Darby shoves Garcia. Garcia rushes into a drop toehold! FUJIWARA but Garcia gets rope. Darby lets off and fans cheer the standoff.

Darby and Garcia reset, tie up, Darby wrenches and hammerlocks but Garcia reaches back for a headlock. Garcia pulls nose while Matt Lee distracts the ref! Darby gets to ropes but Jeff Parker trips him up! Sting backs Matt down but Garcia gets Darby up to TOSS him shoulders first into buckles! The Red Death glares at the cameras before going to cover Darby. TWO, and AEW goes picture in picture!

Garcia clamps onto the arm, wrenches the arm, pulls on the arm, digs his knuckles into the shoulder, then stomps the arm! Darby drags himself to a corner, Garcia gets Darby to his feet and ROCKS him with a forearm! Garcia fireman’s carries to throw Darby down, then has an omoplata SNAP! Garcia’s innovation is torturing Darby, as is the hammerlocks and knee drop. Garcia gets Darby up, suplexes but Darby blocks. Darby hooks legs, throws body shots, then snap suplexes Garcia first! Cover, TWO! Garcia gets to the apron, Darby hurries over but Garcia HOTSHOTS him down! The Red Death takes over again as AEW goes to break!

AEW returns as Garcia CLUBS Darby’s bad arm in a corner. Garcia uppercuts the arm, Darby claws at Garcia but Garcia CLUBS the arm again. Garcia whips corner into corner, runs in and CHOPS! Fans “WOO~” but Garcia whips Darby corner to corner again. Darby dodges and Garcia’s dropkick hits buckles! Darby goes up now that Garcia is down, but 2.0 barks at him! Garcia trips Darby up! Fans boo 2.0, the ref reprimands them, and they back off. Garcia drags Darby back with a hammerlock BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up as Garcia has Darby’s arm and gives some Danielson-esque stomps. Garcia then leg hooks Darby’s arms for a GROUND MOTORCYLE STRETCH!

Darby endures, Garcia stomps away on Darby’s head, but Darby gets a ropebreak with the toe of his shoe! The ref counts, Garcia lets off at 4, and fans boo Garcia as he stalks Darby. Garcia CHOPS Darby on the back and Darby snarls! Darby choke grips to SLAP, SLAP and SLAP Garcia! But Garcia clubs, UPPERCUTS, and suplexes, only for Darby to slip out! Darby ducks, dodges, springboards, INTO A REAR NAKED CHOKE! Darby rolls back to a cover, TWO! Sunset flip but Darby rolls through to roll Garcia and THROWBACK STUNNER!! Darby goes up, fans are thunderous, COFFIN DROP! Cover, Darby wins!

Winner: Darby Allin, by pinfall

The Relentless One survived Red Death, but now 2.0 mug him! Sting fights them off and fights them up the ramp! Then Darby TACKLES Parker! Darby rains down hands, Sting gets Lee up to snap suplex him on the ramp! Fans are fired up again as Sting helps Parker up. To PUNCH him! And DECK him! Darby and Sting circle like sharks and that makes 2.0 scramble away! Will any and all wrestlers coming to AEW have to worry about these two?

Death Triangle speaks.

For once, all three men (four with Alex Abrahantes nearby) are here at once, and Rey Fenix asks Penta and Pac, “Did you see all the things Andrade is trying to do?” They need to do something back! They are DEATH TRIANGLE! Penta says he wants Andrade first! And as Penta tells Andrade in Spanish what’s coming for him, Abrahantes stops him before he goes a little too far. Abrahantes then starts to translate Penta’s words, but Pac speaks up, saying he has this. Penta, Fenix, you don’t need to worry about Andrade, let The Bastard focus on him. The Lucha Brothers just need to focus on getting those AEW World Tag Team Championships!

Pac knows they’re undeniably the best, and they deserve gold! As for El Idolo, Pac says, “The reality is this: we don’t know ya, we don’t like ya, and we certainly don’t know why you’re apparently obsessed with Death Triangle. But that. Stops. Now.” And if Andrade has a problem, anywhere and anytime, “come and have a go if you think you’re hard enough. I’m easy to find.”

Six Man Tag: Orange Cassidy, Chuck Taylor & Wheeler Yuta VS The Hardy Family Office!

Freshly Squeezed, the Kentucky Gentlemen and even The Decoder have been hoping to get at Big Money Matt this whole time, and now they have a chance. But when it’s a #HardyParty, will even the Best Friends & Friends have a bad time?

The trios sort out and Hardy starts against Cassidy. Fans are fired up already as Hardy is talking trash on Cassidy. Cassidy just puts his hands up, brings them back down, but Hardy “DELETES” Cassidy putting his hands in his pockets. Cassidy tries again, DELETE. DELETE! DELETE! Cassidy grabs Hardy’s delete hand and wrenches it, into Cassidy’s pocket! Wait, what? Hardy swings on Cassidy but Cassidy rolls him up! TWO, and Cassidy comes back, into a SIDE EFFECT! Cover, TWO! Hardy goes to a corner, hops up and fans boo as he plays it up. But Cassidy rolls away. Slowly, but away. Hardy runs corner to corner but Cassidy dodges and Hardy hits buckles!

Cassidy goes up slowly, then thinks again and goes to the bottom rope, and mocks Hardy’s finger guns, to FALLING SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Hardy hits back, headlocks, tags Marq Quen and Quen clubs Cassidy. Tag to Isiah Kassidy, Private Party double whips, then set up, PARTY IN MO- Nope! Cassidy dodges and Kassidy hits buckles, then Cassidy shoves Quen out of the ring. Cassidy tags Yuta, then shows off some hidden agility! Kassidy covers up and squeals, but Cassidy unleashes the SHIN KICKS! Cassidy fires up the crowd, sets up as a step stool, and it’s WHEELER IN MOTION! Then Chuck is in, he ripcords to SOLE FOOD!

Wheeler gets Kassidy for a modified BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Wheeler keeps on Kassidy as fans rally up. He whips Kassidy but Kassidy reverses and Quen gets a cheap shot in. Quen ducks the retaliation, Kassidy runs in but Yuta dodges! Private Party start up and hit SILLY STRING! Kassidy hits Cassidy and Chuck, covers Yuta, TWO! Kassidy gets Yuta up and snap suplexes as AEW goes picture in picture.

Kassidy covers, TWO! Kassidy keeps on Yuta, tags Quen, and they throw Yuta out. Quen mugs Yuta, throws him into railing, then knees him against the apron. Quen bumps Yuta off the apron again, and again, then clubs away on him! The Blade and Bunny taunt Yuta as Quen drags him into the ring. Quen stomps Yuta, puts him in the corner, rams his shoulder in, and Hardy messes with Yuta’s hair. Hardy tags in, he and Quen mug Yuta, and Hardy rams his shoulder in now. Tag to Kassidy and they mug Yuta before Kassidy drags Yuta around by his hair. Kassidy mocks, “Him? Him?!” Kassidy shoves Yuta down, covers, ONE! Kassidy clamps on with a chinlock and grinds Yuta.

Yuta fights up, fights back, fans fire up and he gets free. But Kassidy reels him in for a back suplex! Kassidy grinds, tags Hardy, then Hardy tags Quen. Private Party whip Yuta and double elbow him down, for a TRIPLE COMBO: Hardy Fist Drop, Quen STANDING MOONSAULT, Kassidy SOMERSAULT SENTON! Cover, TWO!! Yuta survives that Hardy Party party mix, but Quen bumps him off buckles. Tag to Kassidy, they mug and stomp Yuta, but the ref counts. Kassidy lets off to “talk” to the ref, distracting him from seeing Quen put Yuta in a SLEEPER! Quen lets go before the ref sees, and then Kassidy tags Quen in.

AEW returns to single picture, Private Party double whip Yuta to the corner. Quen swings on Best Friends, then runs at Yuta. Yuta elbow shim away, BOOTS Kassidy, then hops up to DOUBLE MISSILE DROPKICK! Fans fire up while Yuta and Private Party are down! Bunny gets mad so Hardy gets in to distract the ref! The ref doesn’t see Bunny pull Cassidy down from the apron! But Kris Statlander gets in her face about it! Fans fire up as these two argue, but here comes NYLA ROSE! She POUNCES Kris down, because their match is later! Then Jack Evans DECKS Cassidy! Fans boo as the ref misses all of this!

Private Party gets Yuta up, they aim for the corner, but Yuta slips out of the lift! Hot tag to Chuckie T! Fans fire up as Chuck rallies on HFO! BOOT for Quen, spin around for Kassidy, and shove into Quen! Then Chuck DIVES out onto The Blade and Angelico! Chuck hurries back in but Kassidy kicks him. Kassidy runs, Chuck pops him up, SQUEALING Flapjack! Pop-up POWEROBMB onto Kassidy for Quen! Chuck gets Quen up again, for a SPINNING LIGER BOMB! Cover, but Hardy breaks it! Fans boo but Cassidy gets in, dodges and tilt-o-whirls for a DDT! Fans fire up as Cassidy DIVES onto Hardy! Chuck aims at Quen, runs in at the corner, and clotheslines!

Yuta tags in, Chuck gets Quen around for an UREANGE! Yuta is up, FLYING SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Quen keeps the HFO in this but Yuta keeps his cool. Fans rally up, Yuta stands Quen to whip. Quen holds ropes, boots Yta away, then DECKS Chuck! But Quen runs into a waistlock, fights around, and Kassidy tags in. Quen elbows free then PELES! Yuta falls out of the ring, but rewinds back in! Waistlock, GERMAN for Quen! Cover, but not only is Quen not the legal man, Kassidy SWANTONS it apart! Cover on Yuta, TWO!! Private Party can’t believe this isn’t over and they’re getting mad! Kassidy storms in after Yuta and gets him up to the top rope.

Tag to Quen, Kassidy climbs, and Quen joins in. But Chuck drags Kassidy down, Hardy drags Chuck out, Hardy throws Chuck over railing! Yuta shoves Quen away to stop the superplex, but Quen comes back to RANA, GIN ‘N’ JUICE!! Cover, but CASSIDY breaks it! Cassidy dodges Kassidy to ORANGE PUNCH! Cassidy sees Jack barking, swings at him, but Hardy throws Quen INTO Cassidy like a Spear! Hardy sees Yuta get up, kick and TWIST OF FATE! Cover, the HFO wins!!

Winners: The Hardy Family Office, by pinfall

This really was the entire HFO’s win, because Blade, the Hybrid2, Bunny, and even people outside of the office were beating up on the Best Friends & Friends! Is there any stopping this conglomerate?

Backstage interview with Andrade El Idolo & Chavo Guerrero Jr.

Dasha welcomes them both and speaks to the “harsh words” from Death Triangle. Andrade chuckles but tells Pac, “You are very ungrateful.” Chavo repeats, “You are very ungrateful!” All El Idolo has shown is respect, in the forms of first class air travel, limousine service and champagne, and this is the thanks he gets? Pac, be careful what you wish for. Chavo speaks up again and says, “What if you teach Pac who the boss is at All Out?” Oy, El Idolo IS the boss. Yes, and while El Idolo knows that, and while Chavo knows that, Pac will find out at All Out! Chavo grins and Andrade glares, will The Bastard be ready for this lesson?

AEW looks closer still at FTR VS Proud ‘n’ Powerful.

Ortiz starts with, “Every time we face adversity, we face it head-on. We’re hungrier than ever! If you two have the cajones to step back in the ring with us, I guarantee you, the outcome is gonna be different.” Santana says, “At the first sign of trouble, y’all decide to grab y’all’s ball and go home. Y’know what we’re taught where we’re from? You get a scar, you give your blood, you wrap that s*it up and keep it pushin’ to finish the match!” They are coming for blood over and over and over! FTR better show up and show out, cuz Santana & Ortiz are here, and they ain’t going nowhere.

Nyla Rose w/ Vickie Guerrero VS Kris Statlander w/ Orange Cassidy!

The Native Beast truly blindside the Galaxy’s Greatest Alien earlier tonight, firing the first shot in this rematch from Revolution. But speaking of revolutions, those always come back around. Will Statlander make sure what Nyla did to her comes back around in the ring?

But then Nyla CLOBBERS Statlander the second she’s in the ring! The ref has the bell ring to get this on record, and Nyla drags Kris up to scoop, but Kris slips out and things speed up. Kris dodges Nyla to ram shoulders, but neither falls! Kris kicks, kicks and ROUNDHOUSES! Vickie is furious as Kris runs, but Nyla goes goes the other way to POUNCE Kris to the ropes! Fans boo as Nyla chokes Kris on ropes. The ref counts, Nyla lets off, and Vickie laughs at Kris’ pain. Nyla drags Kris up but Kris throws hands. Nyla CLUBS Kris down, Kris hits back. Vickie gets angrier as the brawling continues. Kris ROCKS Nyla, runs, but Nula reels her in for a GERMAN SUPLEX!

Fans boo but Nyla keeps going, only for Kris to dump her out! Kris builds speed to slide, but Nyla jumps over! Kris yanks Nyla off the apron, Nyla gets caught in the apron skirt while smacking off the edge! Kris goes up, and does the APRON PENDULUM MOONSAULT! Direct hit, Vickie is furious, but Kris gets Nyla into the ring. Kris gives thumbs up to Cassidy but Vickie gets in Cassidy’s face. They “argue,” she SHRIEKS, and Nyla APRON CHOKE SLAMS Kris down! Nyla drags Kris in, covers, TWO!! Vickie is still shrill as Nyla gets Kris up to hang her out to dry. Nyla goes to a corner, climbs up, but Kris handstands out of the situation! Only for Nyla to hop down and SPEAR her down!

Nyla gets Kris up, rams her into the corner, then pie faces her. Nyla puts Kris up top, climbs up, but Kris slips out! Kris carries Nyla in a POWERBOMB! Fans fire up for Kris as she climbs up top! Vickie shouts to Nyla, but Kris hits the AREA 451 SPLASH!! Cover, KRIS WINS!!

Winner: Kris Statlander, by pinfall

Revolution and earlier tonight have been avenged! Will the Galaxy’s Greatest Alien soon find herself becoming the Galaxy’s Greatest Women’s Champion?

The Young Bucks speak.

Matt & Nick are still amped up, “Look who it is! CACAW!” It’s the greatest tag team of all time, the Young Bucks. Cutler is like a silent hype man behind them as Matt says, “Last week, the EVP’s, the Extremely VIOLENT People, struck again. Bye-bye, Hangman. Aw, man, so sad.” And then earlier tonight, in that Six Man Tag, the Elite showed the world why they’re elite. And for the past few months to a YEAR now, they have dominated and shown the entire AEW Tag Division that the Bucks are the GOATS and there ain’t nobody in their league. Next week, it’ll be as easy as a lay-up! Nick goes for one, but gets denied by Luchasaurus!

JB has the ball, Luchasaurus screens Matt hard, and JB takes it to the hole! Luchasaurus tops it off with, “Not in my house!” The Bucks are stunned, claim foul, Cutler agrees but they tell him to shut it. But will they get the calls they want when Dynamite is in Houston?

Red Velvet speaks.

“How do I feel about Dr. Britt Baker being AEW Women’s Champion? There’s a little bit of a mutual respect for what she’s doing. She’s grinding, she’s starting a new era, and she’s making sure that everyone knows her name, so I cannot be upset with that. But I can’t say I’m too happy about it her being at the top.” Britt rubbed it in that she beat Velvet in under three minutes, but Velvet says when she first got here, she had to prove herself. “Nobody knew who Red Velvet was. So I knew I had to show what I had to get up in the ranks.” Getting in there with anyone and everyone and not being afraid is what helped Velvet get up into the top five and show the world who she is and what she does in the ring.

The case has been made, the title match is coming, at the AEW Rampage debut in #Brittsburgh! Will Velvet go on a Rampage and take the title from the Dentist? Speaking of…

Tony Schiavone introduces Britt Baker!

The Terrible Towels are whipping around as Britt walks out in front of her hometown crowd in the Pittsburgh colors and with plenty of pyro. Britt joins Schiavone in the ring as fans chant “D M D! D M D!” Friday, on TNT and in this very same building, the AEW Women’s World Championship will be on the line against a young lady who’s on the rise in Velvet. Britt says she really can’t comment on Velvet’s rise, because it wouldn’t be fair. Britt can’t relate, she’s always been at the top of AEW. She’s always been the face of the division, and the Baddest B*tch on the Block!

But Velvet’s fearlessness, she can relate to. Because Britt wasn’t afraid to step up when this company “desperately” needed a new Women’s Champion. A new era! Britt wasn’t afraid to step up when this city needed a champion. Pitt agrees with Britt, and she says she bleeds black ‘n’ gold, but it’s obvious that this has been a difficult year for all of us. So Pittsburgh, PA, she presents to you “hope.” The fans LOVE that! “Speaking of hope… Red, you might’ve had a glimmer of it, if you were wrestling me in any other city. But not Pittsburgh! Not here, not #Brittsburgh!”

If Velvet wanted to swim with the sharks, Britt’s gonna drag her to the deep end! This Friday, for the DEBUT of AEW Rampage. Britt VS Velvet in the main event! So, Schiavone, how about we practice. “And still, your AEW Women’s World Champion… Dr. Britt Baker,” and Pitt finishes it off, “D! M! D!” But here comes Velvet! They brawl in the ring and Pittsburgh boos the challenger! Referees drag Velvet off but she and Britt still want to fight now! They still have to wait, but will we see on Friday, Britt Baker proving this isn’t just Steel Country, this is GOLD country? Or will Velvet have her #JustDesserts when she gets her first taste of the title?

AEW looks closer at Ricky Starks VS Brian Cage.

The Absolute FTW Champion tells The Machine, “It’s like we keep missing each other, like two ships passing each other in the night.” Cage says Starks is confusing “missing” for “running.” But Starks says Cage can find him, next week in the best place Starks could ever be: the spotlight on Dynamite! And it’ll be them 1v1, man to man. No Hook, no Taz, no Will Hobbs. Well unfortunately for Ricky, Cage knows when he’s lying! It’s cuz Starks’ lips are moving. If Starks wants Cage face to face, man to man, then that’s not fair at all for Starks. Cage isn’t a man, he’s a MACHINE! Will this be an absolute scrap when these two finally meet in a match?

Impact World Tag Team Championships: The Good Brothers VS The Dark Order!

While Rampage has a big Impact World Championship match set, this will be the historic first time Impact Wrestling’s gold is featured in an AEW ring! As such, can Doc Gallows & Karl Anderson keep Evil Uno & Stu Grayson down? Or can the Dark Order make an impact on the multi-promotional landscape?

The introductions are made, but as the Good Brothers (and Brandon Cutler) take their time getting to the ring, Stu FLIES out onto them! Direct hit at the ramp with that tope conjilo, then Stu RAMPS Gallows into steps! Stu gets The Machine Gun into the ring, the bell rings to get this on record, and Uno fires off JAB after JAB and a CHOP! Bump off buckles, tag to Stu, and given last week’s disagreement about helping/not helping Hangman it seems only Colt Cabana is here ringside to cheer them on. Feed to Stu’s Atomic Drop and Uno adds a DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Fans rally for Dark Order as Stu drags Anderson back up and tags in Uno.

Uno and Stu have Anderson for a roll up, TWO! Uno drags Anderson up to throw hands, then he whips Anderson to the corner. Stu tags in, Stu whips Uno but Uno whips to send Stu in, into a BOOT! Stu is down, Anderson puts Uno on the apron, but Uno ROCKS Anderson! Uno bumps Anderson off buckles and Cabana cheers them on. Uno fires the crowd up but Cutler anchors his foot to yank him down! Fans boo but Cabana DECKS Cutler! Cutler clutches at his face mask! Cabana chases Cutler away, band here comes Frankie Kazarian! Kaz CLOBBERS Cutler! Anderson is furious seeing that, and at Kaz dragging cutler away!

Anderson refocuses as Gallows BOOTS Stu down! Gallows throws hands on Uno, fans boo, and Anderson soaks it all up as AEW goes picture in picture.

Gallows bumps Uno off apron, whips’ him into railing, then shoves him down! Gallows soaks up the heat as he goes back to the Good Brother corner. The ref starts the ring count, Stu checks on Uno, and Uno gets up at 5. Uno catches his breath and gets in at 8, but Anderson stomps away on him! The ref counts as Anderson stands on Uno’s face, but Anderson stops to bump him off buckles. Tag to Gallows, he brings Uno around and throws body shots! And an uppercut! Uno sits down, the ref reprimands Gallows, but Gallows just laughs it off. Gallows runs in to back elbow Uno down! Gallows pushes Uno around to then drop an elbow! Tag to Anderson and the Good Brothers mug Uno!

Anderson has Uno in a corner, he throws body shots now, then tags Gallows in. Snapmare for Uno, and Anderson digs at the mask! Gallows runs to BOOT Uno down! Cover, TWO! Gallows bumps Uno off buckles, throws big uppercuts, then tags in Anderson. Uno ROCKS Anderson, elbows Gallows, repeat! Anderson uppercuts, brings Uno around to whip him corner to corner hard, then talks trash. Anderson tells Stu something and Stu shouts back at Anderson. Anderson runs into the corner only for Uno to elbow him away! AEW returns to singles picture as Uno runs and RANAS Anderson! And then hurries to tag Stu!

Fans fire up as Stu ROCKS Anderson, but Gallows hurries to back Anderson up. Stu slingshots, steps over Anderson, and hits Gallows with a TORNADO DDT! Then he gets up, dodges Anderson and rallies with big forearms! Then gets Anderson for a BIG Urenage! Stu keeps going, LION TORNILLO!? Cover, Gallows breaks it! Gallows tags in, goes after Stu and fireman’s carries. Stu fights with elbows, slips off and brings Gallows into the torture rack?! But Gallows is too big and Stu falls down. Tag to Anderson, but the Good Brothers get a DOUBLE PELE! Hot tag to Uno! The Dark Order coordinate, Uno BOOTS Anderson into Stu’s KNEE, and then Anderson wobbles and sways!

Stu shouts, “GET OVER HERE!” and Uno kangaroo kicks Anderson into the OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Anderson lands on Gallows! Stu hurries up top as fans are thunderous again! Uno and Stu coordinate again, CANNONBALL 450 SPLASH IN STEREO~! Uno covers Anderson, TWO!! Anderson survives and everyone else is in shock! Fans rally up, Uno tags Stu and they coordinate again. Uno gets Anderson up, Gory Especial, Stu is up top. But Anderson slips out, shoves Uno and Stu leaps over into Gallows’ UPPERCUT! Gallows and Anderson get Stu up, but Uno stops the Magic Killer! Gallows ROCKS Uno, runs but Uno dumps him out!

Uno whips Stu to have him DIVE and take out Gallows! Anderson rushes Uno but gets caught for END OF DAYS! Uno fires up and the fans do, too! Uno and Stu coordinate again and Uno gets Anderson back up in the Gory Especial! Wait, Gallows threw in one of the title belts! The ref grabs it, that distracts him long enough for Gallows to TRIP Stu! Uno lets Anderson down to swipe at Gallows but he gets away, and then GUN STUN!! Gallows drags Stu of the corner, right into the MAGIC KILLER!! Cover, the Good Brothers win!!

Winners: The Good Brothers, by pinfall (still Impact World Tag Team Champions)

The Dark Order failed to make an impact on the Elite’s Impact Tag Team title reign, and it feels like they just keep losing! What will it take for Uno, Stu and the entire group to get back on the horse and ride with their heads held high again?

AEW hears from the NWA Women’s World Champion.

“I’m Kamille, the Brickhouse, and I would describe my style as hard-hitting and IDGAF.” She knows Leyla Hirsch is a shoot wrestler, great ground game, but one thing Kamille wants Leyla to know: she won’t get Kamille off her feet. Leyla is undoubtedly the underdog here, okay? “Oooh~, the forbidden door~. We’ve opened it, haven’t we?” August 28th, NWA EMPOWERR, the whole world will see Kamille beat Leyla. Kamille is confident, but will Leyla prove she’s so legit, Kamille will have to quit?

Tony Schiavone and The Factory are in the ring.

Finally, after putting it off for weeks, QT Marshall is here with Schiavone for the apology. Three weeks and this is finally the time. But QT snatches the mic to say that Schiavone has QT’s words twisted, just like everyone else here. QT said there was going to be an apology, not that he’d apologize. The last few weeks, Schiavone should apologize to QT! Fans boo but Aaron Solo tells them to shut up. QT says if we waited on Schiavone having an apology, we’d be here forever and no one has that kind of time. So QT will apologize to Schiavone. Not for the protein shake being poured on his head, no. But for what The Factory is about to Schiavone’s son, Chris, right now!

What?! Comoroto drags Chris Schiavone from the front row into the ring! Chris wants to be a wrestler, is that right? Schiavone warns QT but QT says, “Don’t do what? Don’t do this?” GUT PUNCH! Comoroto holds Schiavone to make him watch! Fans boo as QT says Schiavone should’ve just apologized. Schiavone says he DOES apologize! For everything and anything! But then he still calls QT an SOB. Well apology not accepted! DIAMOND CUTTER for Chris!! But here comes PAUL WIGHT! Big Paul is a good friend and Schiavone’s Elevation commentary partner, he is NOT going to stand by and let this go any further!

Schiavone gets his son Chris to safety as Wight gets in the ring! Comoroto is big but Wight is a GIATN! So they feed SOLO to him! Wight choke grips Solo but just glares at QT as he GIANT CHOKE SLAMS Solow down! Will QT apologize or just stay away from the ring altogether?

BREAKING NEWS for next week’s Dynamite!

Houston’s own Sammy Guevera will be back in action in a grudge match with Shawn Spears! Plus, Sammy promises a major announcement to accompany his in-ring return. Will it be all good things from the Spanish God? Or will the Chair Man look to ruin it all?

Then, after the confrontation between them, Darby & Sting will team up against 2.0 in a TEXAS TORNADO TAG MATCH! No restraints on this one, will the Stinger strike in the Lonestar State?

The Fourth Labour of Jericho: Chris Jericho VS Wardlow w/ MJF!

The Demo God, Le Champion, the Painmaker defeated Shawn Spears, survived Nick Gage, and found away to fly against Juventud Guerrera. But now, MJF uses his biggest muscle of all in The Pinnacle’s peerless powerhouse! Will, or rather can, Jericho make it to the final chapter of this epic?

Jericho revels in Pittsburgh singing Judas to him, then Wardlow makes his entrance. MJF of course has to make his own separate entrance to one, soak his ego in the heat from the fans, and two, make a point that he is (supposedly) just an impartial ringside enforcer. The bell rings and fans are fired up for Jericho. Jericho fires off on Wardlow with haymakers! Wardlow tosses Jericho into a corner and fires off haymakers of his own! Wardlow RAMS into Jericho, stomps a mudhole in, but lets off as the ref counts. Fans boo Wardlow as he gets Jericho up to throw more hands. Wardlow whips Jericho corner to corner, then runs in, but into boots!

Jericho goes up the corner, leaps, and ax handles Wardlow! Wardlow staggers but into a CODE BREAKER! Cover, ONE!?! Jericho is shocked and Wardlow is grinning. Wardlow gets up and RAMS Jericho into a corner! And RAMS him more! Wardlow throws hands, then TOSSES Jericho across the way! Jericho clutches back while Wardlow stalks up behind him. MJF is “impartially” telling fans to shut their mouths, as Wardlow gets Jericho up for a suplex TOSS! Fans chant, “Wardlow Sucks! Wardlow Sucks!” Wardlow drags Jericho up and suplex TOSSES him again! MJF asks where the taunting is now as Wardlow clotheslines Jericho up and out of the ring!

Wardlow stalks Jericho on the outside, CLUBS him down, then bumps him off the apron. The ref starts a ring count, Wardlow CLUBS Jericho more, and Wardlow whips Jericho hard into railing! The ring count is now 5 of 10 but Wardlow just waves it off as he stomps Jericho. Wardlow CLUBS Jericho, puts him in, and then drags him back out, thereby refreshing the count! Wardlow ROCKS Jericho, grins and trophy lifts Jericho, rams him into the post then SLAMS him on the apron! Jericho staggers, Wardlow bearhugs him against the railing! Then he RAMS Jericho into a post! Wardlow drags Jericho up into the ring, MJF “impartially” claps for Mr. Mayhem.

Wardlow brings Jericho up, reels him in, and POWERBOMBS him right down! Wardlow drags Jericho up again, MJF “impartially” says “One more time!” and so Wardlow brings Jericho up again. Jericho tries to Rana but he’s not stronger than Wardlow! Wardlow brings Jericho up again, to BOMB him again!  Wardlow paces as AEW goes picture in picture.

Wardlow paces, taunts fans to keep chanting and then shouts back, “WHO SUCKS?!” Wardlow stalks Jericho to ropes, digs his knee into Jericho’s back but the ref counts. Wardlow stops at 4, then MJF “impartially” CHOKES Jericho on the ropes! Wardlow “apologizes” to the ref so MJF can just keep choking Jericho! MJF finally lets go and Wardlow reels Jericho back in. Wardlow lifts Jericho for a THIRD POWERBOMB! Wardlow looms over Jericho, drags him up, and reels him in again. A FOURTH POWERBOMB! Fitting as this is the fourth labour. Wardlow struts about, MJF talks trash to fans, and Wardlow stalks Jericho as he stirs.

Wardlow dares Jericho to stand, Jericho drags himself up by Wardlow’s straps, and Wardlow grins as he looks Jericho in the eyes. Wardlow DECKS Jericho, then taunts him to get back up. Jericho does and CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Wardlow just gets mad, pie faces and pushes Jericho around, then kicks low to reel Jericho in. Wardlow gets Jericho up for a FIFTH POWERBOMB! Wardlow soaks up the heat, MJF “impartially” says, “That’s right!” and AEW returns to single picture.

Wardlow drags Jericho back up but fans rally for Jericho. Wardlow reels Jericho in, gets him up for a SIXTH POWERBOMB! MJF pretends to cry to mock the Jericho fans here. Wardlow kicks Jericho around but Jericho pushes himself up. Wardlow slaps Jericho around and Jericho CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! But Wardlow shoves Jericho, catches his crossbody, and pops him up to a fireman’s carry! For the F10!! Jericho writhes but still gets up! MJF wants Wardlow to inflict MORE pain, and Wardlow gets Jericho up in a corner. Wardlow hoists Jericho up top, brings him out along the ropes, but Jericho sees the knee coming!

Jericho trips Wardlow for the WALLS OF JERICHO!! Fans are thunderous as Wardlow endures! Jericho makes sure Wardlow is facing away from the ropes, but then MJF RAKES Jericho’s eyes! Jericho lets the hold go as fans boo! MJF slithers into the ring, but the ref spots him! And EJECTS him! MJF was the only one who said MJF was a ringside enforcer, the ref still has the power to throw his ass out! And MJF is furious about it! Wardlow is, too, but he just goes back to Jericho. Jericho has Floyd the Baseball Bat! The ref is distracted by the irate MJF and security that is dragging him away, Jericho STRIKES Wardlow with Floyd! JUDAS EFFECT!! Cover, Jericho wins!!

Winner: Chris Jericho, by pinfall (advances to the Fifth and FINAL Labour)

Maxwell Jagoff- Er, Jacob Friedman is freaking out! All his planning, scheming, and effort might have just been for naught! Wait, Shawn Spears?! And he attacks Jericho from behind!! The Chair Man is still doing MJF’s dirty work, was this a Plan B?! But wait, here comes SAMMY! Sammy SPEARS Spears! His in-ring return is set for next week, but that doesn’t mean he can’t run out and beat the hell out of his bitter rival! But Wardlow gets back up to BOOT Sammy down! Sammy still fires off on Spears, so Wardlow throws Sammy away! MJF storms down the ramp, throws off his jacket, gets in the ring as Wardlow SPINEBUSTERS Sammy, and MJF drags Jericho around.

MJF puts on the SALT OF THE EARTH FUJIWARA ARMBAR! And drops elbows, and pulls off the elbow brace, and puts the FUJIWARA back on!! Spears and Wardlow stomp Sammy, Jericho TAPS to the armbar but it doesn’t matter here! But here comes JAKE HAGER! Rock Hard, Big Hurt, either way he’s mad as hell! MJF shouts, “WHOA WHOA WHOA WHOA WHOA!” Chris, you might have gotten to Labour Number 5, and the rematch with MJF, but Jericho still doesn’t know the stipulations! “Next week, I’m gonna take away something from you that you love, that you cherish. Something that has helped you win each and every single one of these labors thus far.”

MJF tells Jericho that next week, #NOJUDASEFFECT! No Judas the song, even! Jericho will come out to DEAD SILENCE so the SHMUCKS can’t sing along to that “crappy little song!” And if Jericho uses the Judas Effect in the match, MJF automatically wins! Now, forget the stipulation a moment and call him Mystic Max. “Cuz baby, I’m about to make a prediction for next week: You’re gonna find out that when it comes to me, you haven’t just met your match, you’ve met your successor! There’s a new king in town, and his name is MAXWELL! JACOB! FRIEDMAN!!”

Jericho’s best weapon is disallowed, but can he make this so-called king look more like a fool by once again overcoming the stacked deck?

My Thoughts:

This was a fired up and amazing episode for AEW! Though I suppose it was going to be, as it also acted as a “go-home” of sorts to the Rampage premiere. I had a feeling Rampage being one hour, an episode would have three matches, no more, no less. This debut episode is going to be a powerful first episode, but definitely building off a lot of the powerful, highly exciting action we got tonight. The opening Six Man was a lot of fun, because Dante and the Sydals all got to look great even in losing. This was proof that AEW sees big things in Dante, and that even the  veteran wrestlers see those things in Dante.

The following promo segment was great stuff, too. Christian Cage being set up as the All Out challenger was given with Fight for the Fallen and Hangman Page losing the World Title Eliminator 10 Man. But the twist of Omega defending the Impact title was great. Omega’s greed is coming back to bite him, and that is great for the fans! Then Miro had another hilarious yet intimidating promo to set up Fuego’s title opportunity that is also an AEW contract opportunity, a great match for a guy who has worked as hard as Fuego. I have a feeling that Fuego will still be offered the contract because of his valiant effort in fighting Miro.

Obviously Pittsburgh’s favorite segment was Britt Baker’s. And to be fair, it was a great segment. Heel or Face is clearly matter of perspective, even if she does Heel behavior. Velvet had a great promo beforehand and then their brawl was great. That match being the main event for Rampage is the perfect move on many levels, and Rampage could feel like a one hour sampler of an AEW PPV. But being that Britt is in her hometown, she is definitely winning this. AEW doesn’t do that “hometown hero loses because lol” thing, especially with this case where just THAT many fans are behind their hometown wrestler. I don’t think I’ve seen anything quite like the energy here tonight.

Allin VS Garcia was an awesome match, with both great technical skill and high speed action. 2.0 still carry over their hilarious personalities and attitudes from being Ever-Rise in WWE/NXT/205 Live, because that’s how it should be. Their match with Allin and Sting is going to be great stuff for both in-ring and character work, but surely Allin and Sting win that. We got great promos from Death Triangle and Team El Idolo, and it is more good character work that the Lucha Brothers wanted after Andrade but Pac is taking lead. It both does and doesn’t confirm Andrade’s claims that the Lucha Bros are working for Pac, since the brothers let Pac have his say.

Andrade VS PAC at All Out is going to be a great one, could steal the show if they go all out, and I have a feeling Chavo will help Andrade win. After all, it is the Guerrero way. Also wow Vickie turned up the shrew quality of her character up to a new level tonight. She played her part well in Kris VS Nyla but what a great win for Statlander here tonight. And of course that was after the other great Six Man, HFO VS Best Friends & Friends (that’s just my name for them by the way). I feel like Best Friends will need to reach out to even more “good friends” to help even the numbers with HFO for some massive, almost team battle royal match.

In fact, I’d love that to happen! HFO has 6, so BF&F would need three more, and I don’t know if Trent’s recovered from his surgery to be cleared. I would’ve said Jurassic Express but they also had a great part in that promo showdown with The Elite, as well as the backstage promo with the basketball. Someone needs to shut “GET DUNKED ON” before the Elite gives up the basketball gimmick, though, I really mean that. Kamille had a good promo calling out Leyla, Starks VS Cage had a very good vignette to hype their match, I wonder if the FTW Championship can be on Rampage’s second episode, just so it doesn’t have to worry about being crammed into what will surely be a stacked All Out card.

The Impact Tag title match was a lot of fun, and they did a great job making it look like Dark Order was close. This match and how it was only Cabana ringside were actually great details in this overall story for the group. They keep losing the “big ones,” Hangman keeps losing “the ones before the big ones,” and as much as Hangman said he needed time alone, I bet he and the Dark Order regroup, commiserate, and formulate a way to get everyone something as Dynamite enters Year 3. Malakai Black had a great promo to describe both Cody’s situation and his own, and I actually laughed at the juxtaposition with the reality show plug. Kinda proving Malakai’s point, Cody.

I figured QT’s apology thing was all a trap, and while I had stated I wished Gunn Club would come to Schiavone’s rescue, it is pretty cool that Paul “Formerly the Big Show” Wight was the one to step up. He’s got QT on the run, he should still have back-up in the form of the Gunn Club, they can have a Six Man with The Factory’s QT, Comoroto and Solo at least the All Out Buy-In. And of course, last but not least, the Fourth Labour of Jericho. MJF is a great Heel and he kept Pittsburgh riled up, and even Wardlow was showing he knows how to rile people up with both words and with just smug body language.

The match itself was a bit slow grinding but that was the point of it. Wardlow didn’t want MJF getting on him about failing, MJF wanted Jericho to suffer, but all of that bit them both in the butt. Jericho wins again, the brawling was great to hype up Sammy VS Spears, and “You Can’t Use Your Finisher(s)” is actually a smart move because of how cowardly it is. MJF is thinking the Judas Effect is Jericho’s only good move, when we all see Jericho still pulling out the Walls, the Lionsault, and the Code Breaker. Yes, those moves have been nerfed in favor of the Judas Effect being booked strong, but I would love if Jericho brought out something he literally hasn’t used in years to defeat MJF and just make him stew in it.

My Score: 9.4/10