It’s a golden Friday night in Charleston!

On one night, AEW Rampage has the World Tag Team titles, the FTW title, and a match in the World Trios Championship tournament’s opening round!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• AEW World Tag Team Championships: Swerve In Our Glory VS Private Party; Swerve In Our Glory wins and retains the titles.
• FTW Championship: Hook VS Zack Clayton; Hook wins and retains the title.
• Buddy Matthews w/ Julia Hart VS Serpentico; Buddy wins.
• Penelope Ford VS Athena; Athena wins.
• AEW World Trios Championships Tournament, Opening Round: Best Friends VS The Trustbusters; Best Friends win and advance.

PLAY BY PLAY

Claudio Castagnoli is here!

The ROH World Champion is accompanied by the ROH Pure Champion, Wheeler Yuta, and they go to the ring together. They shake Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat’s hand then Claudio says it is great to stand in front of the fans as their ROH World Champion! But Claudio has to be honest, it feels even better tonight, because he is in front of one of his idols, one of the men who trained him, the legend that is Ricky Steamboat! Fans cheer and chant for “Ricky! Ricky!” Claudio continues to say that the only thing he feels odd about is being here in street clothes. He has to be honest, he feels much more comfortable in ring gear, defending his title,

So he’s gonna issue an open challenge! Next week on Rampage, anyone who wants to step up for this title, now is your chance! “I will!” It’s DUSTIN RHODES! The Natural says he’ll challenge Claudio. They have a long history, they’ve gone to war together. A lot of hard fought battles. And for 34 years, Dustin has dreamt of standing where Claudio is, holding a world heavyweight championship. Fans applaud that, and Dustin says they had a lot in common until recently. They both weren’t world champions. Claudio chased it forever, and now he’s got it. This is a dream of Dustin’s. If Claudio accepts his challenge, Dustin will give the best of The Natural we’ve ever seen!

Claudio says the two of them do have a lot in common. Every time someone comes up to Dustin and says he should’ve been world champion. Every time someone comes up to Dustin and says Dustin deserved this or that title, it nags at him, it burns at him, and it keeps him going. Because it kept Claudio going! That’s why Dustin is still here, that is why Dustin is having his best run right here in AEW! Fans cheer that, and Claudio says that when he looks in Dustin’s eyes, he still sees that same fire he’s had for over 40 years. And don’t think that just because Claudio is holding the title now means he lost his fire!

If Dustin wants his chance, and he promises to bring his A Game, then Dustin’s on! Fans cheer as Dustin tells Claudio, “In front of God and the world, and the best AEW fans, I give you my word, and I’ll see you next week in Cleveland.” And there you have it! Swiss Superman VS The Natural, for the ROH World Championship! Will Dustin finally get his one? Or will Claudio give it his all to keep it?

Backstage interview with Ruby Soho & Ortiz.

Lexi Nair says based on recent events, it’s safe to say these two have unfinished business with Sammy Guevara & Tay Melo. Yeah, you can call it that. But what it really is, is that Ruby and Ortiz have been chomping at the bit to get their hands on SamTay! From Ruby’s hand to Ortiz’s hair, they’ve wanted to get at those two for months! And they saw what SamTay did with “the kids” last week. That was cute, really. But try it against some dogs who have been around the block! Ortiz says next week, tomorrow, last night, five years, six months, 20 seconds, or even NOW if SamTay were here! Let’s fight, let’s fight, let’s fight!! Will Soho & Ortiz tear away the AAA World Mixed Tag Team titles from the newlyweds on Rampage in Cleveland?

AEW World Tag Team Championships: Swerve In Our Glory VS Private Party!

Speaking of titles, Keith Lee & Swerve Strickland were waiting for a top five ranked team to step up to challenge them. Marq Quen & Isiah Kassidy made this challenge while they were #6, but they’ve since moved up in the world, so it’s A-OK by the book now! Will Quen & Kassidy bring it back to the days when they were busting brackets and shocking the world? Or will they have no choice but to admit this is whose house? LIMITLESS HOUSE!

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and the first title match of the night begins!

Keith starts against Kassidy and fans sing, “Oh~ Bask in His Glory~!” Kassidy steps up to Keith and talks trash right to his face. Keith puts Kassidy in a corner, then TOSSES him! But Kassidy lands on his feet! Kassidy wags his finger then fires body shots and haymakers! Keith shoves Kassidy, Kassidy dodges and fires off more shots! Kassidy throws hands but Keith CLUBS him then GRIZZLY MAGNUMS! Kassidy falls, reaches out to Quen, but Keith drags him away! Kassidy tags Swerve and Keith stands Kassidy right up in the corner! Keith CHOPS Kassidy, Swerve taunts Quen then UPPERCUTS Kassidy!

Swerve snapmares Kassidy and goes up, but Kassidy UPPERCUTS first! Kassidy runs, but Swerve follows. Swerve hops over the dropdown to drag Kassidy up and suplex. Quen springboards in, but Swerve ducks and Quen crashes down! Quen flops out of the ring, Swerve suplexes but Kassidy RANAS! Swerve tumbles out, Kassidy builds speed to TORNILLO! Direct hit and even Keith is impressed as Rampage goes picture in picture.

Private Party regroups and Kassidy fires hands on Swerve. Kassidy puts Swerve in, tags Quen, and Quen goes up. Kassidy clinches Swerve for Quen to DOUBLE STOMP down! Quen taunts Keith but hurries back to Swerve. Quen RAMS into Swerve, and RAMS him in again. Quen lets off to swagger, and Kassidy gets a shot in! Quen knees Swerve low, whips him to ropes, and DROPKICKS him down! Kassidy encourages the fans to get loud but chances are they’re booing. Quen stands Swerve up, throws body shots on him, then tags Kassidy. Quen RAMS into Swerve, Kassidy taunts Keith and runs in, do-si-dos with Quen, but Swerve puts Kassidy on the apron!

Swerve blocks a kick from Quen to fire off haymakers, but Quen gives them back. Quen puts Swerve up top as Rampage returns to single picture. Quen fires forearms, he tags Kassidy in and Kassidy ENZIGURIS Swerve! Quen taunts Keith by stealing his Limitless Pose, then Quen runs, INTO KILL STOMPS! Swerve dodges Kassidy and hot tags Keith! Keith CLOBBERS Kassidy over and over, then OVERHEAD Belly2Belly suplexes Kassidy without even falling over! Keith SPLASHES Quen, TOSSES him, then SPLASHES Kassidy to TOSS him! Kassidy can’t land outta that one, and fans fire up! Keith runs to LARIAT! Cover, TWO!!

Kassidy survives and fans rally up! Keith looms over Kassidy and he drags Kassidy from the corner. Keith spins Kassidy but Kassidy DRAGON WHIPS! Tag to Quen, he springboards in, but into a POUNCE! Quen bounces off ropes, and Keith covers, TWO!! Private Party survives again but Swerve says they can end this. Keith tags Swerve and fans chant along, “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” Swerve aims, runs in, HOUSE CALL! Cover, TWO?!!? Quen survives and shocks Swerve! Fans rally up while Quen twitches, and Swerve drags him back. Swerve half nelsons, lifts, JML DRIVER!! Cover, NOW Swerve In Our Glory wins!

Winners: Swerve In Our Glory, by pinfall (still AEW World Tag Team Champions)

The first defense is in the books, but Private Party gave them a fight. Keith shows his respect to Kassidy & Quen with a fist bump each, but will Andrade El Idolo be far from pleased with this?

Backstage interview with The Factory.

Anthony Ogogo’s in the back as QT Marshall and Aaron Solo play dominos while Nick Comoroto, Cole Karter and… Uh, whoever that guy in the bandana is, are all playing cards. Lexi Nair doesn’t understand what this is all about, but after what “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs had to say on Dynamite, are they at all worried what’s in store for them? QT says hopefully, Hobbs has good luck, because QT just won dominos! HAHA! But then speaking of, Hobbs barges in and FLIPS THE TABLE!! Whoa, whoa, whoa! Hold on, hold on! Everyone relax.

Hobbs says QT promised to “take care of that whiny ass b*tch,” Ricky Starks. Where Hobbs is from, your word is your bond. QT says of course! Nothing means more to him in this world than his word. Hand to God, The Factory will take care of Starks. Yes, last week didn’t work out as planned, but QT promises that his word IS his bond. Aight. Hobbs leaves, snatching away their snacks! Will QT do as he promises? Or will Hobbs have to wreck them and Ricky on his own?

FTW Championship: Hook VS Zack Clayton!

The Cold-Hearted Handsome Devil is always ready for a fight, and that’s why he’s FTW Champion now. But The Reality promises to give Hook a reality check and bring this title home to New Jersey! Will Clayton make his dream become a reality? Or will he be the one having to face the truth that you never want them to #SendHook?

But as Clayton makes his entrance, he has a mic to introduce himself. He’s an entertainment superstar, and certainly the biggest star here tonight in the disgusting wasteland that is West Virginia. “It’s a shame, really, that I have to win the FTW Championship here tonight in this cesspool!” Fans boo as Clayton gets in the ring and says he WILL win the title, and he will bring it home to a state that people actually respect in New Jersey! But Hook makes his entrance and fans cheer. The introductions are made, the title is raised, and we see if Clayton just ends up another victim!

Clayton talks trash, shoves Hook, but swings into REDRUM!!! Body scissors are on, Clayton is OUT! HOOK WINS!!

Winner: Hook, by submission (still FTW Champion)

Well, guess it’s back to Jersey Shore for Clayton. Hook gets his belt and gets out of the ring, will he just keep exciting the fans while putting wrestlers to sleep?

The Jericho Appreciation Society speaks.

That is to say, Matthew Menard & Angelo Parker speak. And Daddy Magic congratulates Hook on his win tonight. Hell of a win. Cool Hand Ange says it was downright impressive. But Hook walks around in a way that rubs them the wrong way. Hook thinks he’s a real tough guy, huh? Real cute. But y’know what it looks like to Menard? It looks like Hook wants a taste! He carries around the FTW Championship, but Parker wants to talk about that. That title is really rich in pro-wrestling history, right? Right. But what if it was held by a sports entertainer? What if? Is that Parker and/or Menard making a challenge? What will Hook have to say to that?

Backstage interview with Billy Gunn.

Lexi Nair says we all saw the betrayal of Austin & Colten Gunn on Dynamite, and Billy says, “It seems like the Ass Boys finally decided to put on their big boy pants. The problem is, they put their big boy pants on at the wrong time, and with the wrong person.” Billy’s sons have “called down the thunder,” and now they’ve got it! By them putting their hands on their own father, they’ve opened the door for him to spank their asses! Next week, on Dynamite, Billy’s bringing some friends: The Acclaimed! “EVERYONE loves The Acclaimed!” Will Anthony Bowens & Max Caster help Daddy Ass destroy his own flesh and blood?

Buddy Matthews w/ Julia Hart VS Serpentico!

With Hook tearing Clayton apart so fast, this standby match is now added to Rampage! Will the House of Black’s Aussie Juggernaut steamroll his opponent just as quickly as the FTW Champion?

The bell rings and Buddy SHOTGUNS Serpentico into the corner! Then he goes up top, only for Serpentico to slither out of the ring! Buddy hops down to the apron, to PENALTY KICK Serpentico down! Fans fire up as Buddy RAMS Serpentico into railing, then puts him back in the ring. Serpentico staggers to a corner, he BOOTS back, then hops up! Buddy frowns and catches the rana! Buddy makes it a BUCKLE BOMB, and then POP-UP KNEE! Then the pump handle, MURPHY’S LAW! Cover, Buddy wins!

Winner: Buddy Matthews, by pinfall

Not quite as quick but definitely as dominant! SNAKEMAN stood no chance, will The Dark Order stand a chance in the AEW World Trios Championship tournament?

WAIT! MIRO is here!! Fans fire up as The Redeemer storms out on stage, holding onto Malakai Black’s mask! Buddy rushes the ramp and brawls with Miro! Miro knees low, RAMS Buddy into steel steps, then he rips his shirt off and roars! Miro puts Buddy in the ring but Julia stares him down. Miro gets in, Buddy fires off but Miro CLOBBERS him! And then SPLASHES in the corner, to fire off haymakers! Miro stomps Buddy down and Julia scowls. Miro lets off and fans are fired up again! Miro has a wild look in his eye, and he shouts at Buddy, “Where are the Pagans?!” He wants the rest of the House of Black, but Buddy SLAPS him instead!

BEST KICK from Miro!! Buddy tumbles out of the ring and Julia goes to his side. Will the Redeemer wreck the entire House of Black all on his own?

Backstage interview with Britt Baker, Jamie Hayter & Rebel.

Britt cuts Lexi Nair off to say that they are disappointed to find out they are not needed for All Out. That’s because neither of them are #1 contenders to the AEW Women’s World- Rebel, take over! Rebel snatches the mic and shoos Lexi. Britt says Lexi’s right, though. But if they’re not fighting for the title, then there is nothing Britt would love more than to sit back and watch the “sh*tstorm” that is about to unfold for #ThunderStorm. Britt can’t think of a more toxic tag team in all of pro-wrestling. Because Britt, Jamie & Rebel are definitely not toxic people. Britt tells Rosa that she knows lightning can’t strike twice and she can’t beat Toni twice.

But come to think of it, is Toni’s mind right? She lost her title match to Rosa, and instead of getting back in line and gunning her down again, she buddied up with her. Make it make sense! But regardless, Britt and friends will be watching and waiting. Yours Truly, Dr. Britt Baker, DMD.

Penelope Ford VS Athena!

The Superbad Girl is back in action, ready to climb back up the ranks in AEW! But in her way is the Fallen Goddess who has made herself into a Baddie Hunter! Who wins here to head forward on the path to gold?

The bell rings and Ford ties up with Athena. Ford headlocks, Athena powers up and out, but Ford runs Athena over! Athena kips up and offers Ford a free shot. Ford swings but Athena dodges and then dodges again. Athena mocks Ford then arm-drags her into an armlock! Fans fire up for Athena and she brings Ford up. Ford knees low, whip Athena to a corner, then runs in to clothesline! Ford runs side to side but Athena KNEES her down! Athena brings Ford around, whips but Ford reverses. Ford handsprings in to back – NO, Athena waistlocks! Ford elbows free, runs again and wheelbarrows, victory roll sends Athena into ropes!

Ford runs side to side to DROPKICK Athena down! Box wearing Kip Sabian applauds his Superbad wife, and she goes up and STOMPS Athena on the apron! Fans boo but Ford smacks Athena off the apron, and again, as Rampage goes picture in picture.

Ford smacks Athena off the apron again, then calms down. Ford puts Athena in the ring, takes her time getting back in the ring, and she brings Athena up to CLUB her on the back. Ford CLUBS Athena more, whips her to ropes, and she CLOBBERS Athena on the return! Athena checks her face but Ford talks some trash. Ford brings her up but Athena throws body shots. Ford KNEES Low, BOOTS Athena down, then stalks her to a corner. Ford stomps Athena more, digs her boot in, but lets off as the ref counts. Ford soaks up the heat, then handsprings corner to corner, to hit the back elbow! Ford talks more trash, and LICKS Athena!

Athena shoves Ford away but Ford BOOTS her down! Cover, TWO! Ford is annoyed but she stalks Athena. Athena UPPERCUTS back! And fires forearms! Athena fireman’s carries but Ford fights off to CLUB Athena! Athena gets around, rolls Ford up, TWO! Ford scrambles after Athena but Athena SUPERKICKS her away! Athena runs, Ford goes Matrix to dodge and hit a STUNNER, and Rampage goes to break!

Rampage returns as Athena SHOTGUNS Ford into railing, right in front of Box Kip! Athena drags Ford up, has no idea what to make of Box Kip, and she puts Ford in the ring. Athena climbs up the corner as Ford slowly rises, O FACE!! Cover, Athena wins!

Winner: Athena, by pinfall

Ford’s return loses momentum already, but wait! The Baddies creep in from the crowd! Keira Hogan CLOBBERS Athena from behind! Leila Grey rains down fists, Kiera joins in, but fans boo as they drag Athena up. Jade Cargill makes her way out, and Stokely Hathaway holds the TBS Championship for her, then hands her a sledgehammer! Jade sees Athena’s wings, and SMASHES them! And again! And again! Kiera & Leila make Athena watch, and then Jade heads to the ring! Athena powers up and drives the Baddies into each other! Athena DECKS Leila, fires off on Kiera, but Jade gets in! HAMMER SHOT to the stomach!

Jade stands over Athena as she hands the hammer to Stokely and gets the belt back. Jade makes Athena look at the belt, because this is as close as Athena will get to it. Will #ThatBitch do anything and everything she can to keep the Fallen Goddess down?

AEW looks at the grudge between Ricky Starks and Will Hobbs.

Absolute Ricky Starks says, “You sure had a lot to say, didn’t you, Hobbs?” Hobbs said on Dynamite how Starks said he’s okay with losing, but how Hobbs isn’t. Hobbs said his one job in Team Taz was to keep Starks the champion, but Starks screwed that up. And Hobbs said he doesn’t just break backs, he breaks necks. Starks says he’s got plenty to say back this Wednesday on Dynamite. Just what will Starks tell the world now?

Mark Henry talks with tonight’s main eventers!

The second match in the World Trios Championship Tournament sees Orange Cassidy & Best Friends take on Ari Daivari & The Trustbusters. But Ari cuts Mark off to say tonight will be a walk in the park for his team. To be honest, Cassidy isn’t looking too good after Sonny Kiss kicked him right in those tiny tangerines. But that was last week, let’s focus on this week and how the Trustbusters are getting one step closer to becoming the first-ever AEW World Trios Champions! But Trent says The Trustbusters are barely even a team, so they’re not gonna win.

Chuck Taylor says they wanna come down here and kick Cassidy in the dick. Three years ago in Charleston, they had a trios match, and Best Friends won! They’ll do it again tonight. Since 2019, Best Friends has been waiting for something like this, and these belts were made for them! Well, there’s been enough talk- Mark, hold on. That’s Cassidy’s line. No, it’s not…! Oh, right, sorry. Again, there’s been enough talk. It’s time for the main event! Will Best Friends prove those titles will be Freshly Squeezed? Or will Daivari Dinero’s investments pay off?

AEW World Trios Championships Tournament, Opening Round: Best Friends VS The Trustbusters!

The trios sort out and the Kentucky Gentleman starts against Daivari. They circle, Slim J distracts Chuck and Daivari attacks! Daivari knocks Chuck down, stomps away at the ropes, then tags in J. They double whip, Chuck ducks to shove Ari into J, then gives Ari SOLE FOOD! Tag to Trent but J ROCKS Chuck! J rakes Trent’s eyes! The ref reprimands, J lets off and climbs up to throw hands! But Chuck CLUBS J, reels him into a crucifix! Chuck uses that to feed J to Trent’s POWERBOMB! Cover, Ari breaks it! Chuck whips but Daivari reverses to put Chuck in a corner. SEXY CHUCKIE KNEE! Trent then SHOTGUN KNEES Daivari down!

Fans fire up and Cassidy offers a hand. But Parker Boudreaux tags in and CLOBBERS Trent! Then Parker DECKS Cassidy, and he CLOBBERS Chuck so hard, he falls out with him! Parker lands on his feet, though, so that was impressive. Then Parker drags Chuck up to TOSS him into railing! Fans boo, Daivari whips Trent hard into railing! Trent tumbles up and over into the crowd! Daivari talks trash on Trent while Parker rains down fists on Chuck. Slim J RAMS Cassidy into railing, Daivari feeds Trent to Parker’s LARIAT! Daivari stomps Trent while Rampage goes picture in picture.

The ring count is climbing but Parker puts Trent in the ring at 6 of 10. Parker stalks Trent to a corner, throws heavy body shots, then whips Trent corner to corner hard! Trent tumbles up, tumbles back, and Parker CLOBBERS him! Parker hits a STANDING SPLASH, then he drags Trent back up to tag in J. J snapmares Trent to ENZIGURI, then cover, TWO! J drags Trent up, puts him on the ropes and CHOKES him! The ref counts, J lets off at 4, then he distracts the ref so Kiss can claw at Trent! J makes the ref check Chuck and Cassidy, and then he CHOKES Trent on the mat! The ref comes back and reprimands, so J lets off.

J drags Trent up, SMASHES his knee into Trent’s face, then sits Trent back up. Trent throws body shots, but J DECKS Trent! J drags Trent by his legs, tells the ref to check Cassidy again, and then he NUT PUNCHES Trent! Cover, TWO! J drags Trent back into a chinlock, and he throws crossface forearms! J facelocks Trent and brings him around, but Trent CHOPS and ROCKS J, then CHOPS again! J ROCKS Trent then rakes the eyes! J clinches Trent, Daivari tags in, and they mug Trent in the corner before Daivari hits a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Daivari clamps onto Trent and throws down elbows and knees!

Daivari clamps on a chinlock and he grinds Trent to the mat. Trent endures and fans rally up. Trent fights to his feet, throws body shots, but Daivari keeps him from the corner! Trent ROCKS Daivari, reaches out, and Rampage returns to single picture. Daivari still keeps Trent from his corner, so Trent ROCKS him again! And then he breaks free to ROLLING ELBOW! Daivari tags J and J runs to BLAST Chuck! Cassidy ducks J’s sucker punch, then stares him down. J taunts Cassidy by putting his hands in his pockets, but Trent uses that to hit a HALF ‘N’ HALF! Hot tag to Cassidy! Fans fire up and Cassidy “kicks” away on J.

Daivari rushes in but Cassidy dodges his haymaker to shove him away. Cassidy runs in but is put on the apron. Cassidy bumps Daivari off buckles, goes up top and leaps, to CROSSOBY J! Then he ducks ‘n’ dodges Daivari to tilt-o-whirl DDT! And kip up! Fans fire up and Cassidy puts his hands in his pockets! Parker storms in, and Cassidy eggs him on. Parker swings, Cassidy dodges, but Parker catches Cassidy in a choke grip! Parker whips Cassidy and CLOBBERS him! Best Friends get in to attack Parker! They double whip but Parker breaks the line to DOUBLE LARIAT the Best Friends! Parker SPLASHES Trent, then he SPLASHES Chuck!

Parker watches Chuck stagger, he puts him in the same corner as Trent, then runs in, only to get buckles! Chuck clotheslines, Trent clotheslines, and Best Friends give Cassidy a speed boost to TRIPLE DROPKICK! Parker falls out of the ring and fans fire up! Cassidy fetches J, whips, but J reverses to RUNNING CUTTER! ENZIGURI for Trent! J goes up top to SUPER TORNILLO the Best Friends down! J gets in, rips off his shirt and he drags Cassidy up! But Cassidy whips J to the corner! Daivari tag sin, J BOOTS Cassidy then hits a CORKSCREW ENZIGURI! Daivari is up top, LION SPLASH! Cover, Best Friends break it!

Chuck throws Daivari out, Trent drags J up and throws him out. But Parker drags Trent out to fireman’s carry! Chuck rushes in to kick Parker! And Chuck throws forearms on Parker, only for Parker to choke grip! Trent SPEARS Parker into railing! Parker stays up but doubled over, so Cassidy runs in to ORANGE PUNCH Parker over the railing! Fans are thunderous as Cassidy hurries into the ring. Daivari distracts the ref, Kiss trips Cassidy up! Back into those tangerines! Hot tag to J and J goes up, FLYING REVERSE DDT!! Cover, TWO!?!? Cassidy survives and J is shocked! Fans are thunderous as Cassidy flounders around.

J shouts to Parker but DANHAUSEN is there! Danhausen doesn’t want Kiss so Kiss steps aside. Danhausen CURSES J!! J doesn’t get it, but he turns around into a DOUBLE CHOKE SLAM from Best Friends! ORANGE PUNCH for Daivari! Best Friends drag J up, Cassidy climbs up on top! HAMMOCK SPLASH!! Cover, Best Friends win!!

Winners: Best Friends, by pinfall (advance to the next round)

Trustbusters just busted! With the House of Black taking on The Dark Order next week, who will Cassidy, Trent & Chuck face in the semifinals?

My Thoughts:

A great Rampage here, though I will say, it’s weird how they’ve nicknamed the brackets in the Trios tournament the “Dynamite bracket” and the “Rampage bracket.” I know that it’s meant to just let everyone know where/when the matches are happening, but it comes off as if they’re saying “these matches are good enough for Dynamite, while these are only good enough for Rampage.” That aside, we did get a great match out of Best Friends VS Trustbusters. I didn’t think it was going to be the main event, but I suppose it was still good enough for that. Of course Best Friends win, they’ve been speaking logic and truth in their promos, they’re definitely going to be finalists.

Especially after what we saw with Miro attacking Buddy Matthews. Of course Buddy beats Serpentico, but Miro beats him down and sends a message to the rest of the House. so expect Miro to cost the House a match in this tournament. Also, nice bit of “this match was on standby” after Hook just humiliates Zack Clayton. Clayton’s better off joining QT’s bootleg version of Tony D’Angelo’s Sopranos knockoff. And Hobbs getting in The Factory’s face was great stuff. Starks had a promo to hype up him talking on Dynamite, but that seemed like a waste of time. If he was challenging Hobbs to a match on Dynamite, that would be different. But a promo to hype a promo? C’mon, TK.

Good promo from Britt to taunt Thunder Rosa and Toni Storm, and I feel like her line about “Make it make sense” is a jab at Tony Khan for just doing stuff for the hell of it. Good match from Ford and Athena, and I thought the Baddies were going to attack her during the match, but an attack after the match makes just as much sense. Them smashing Athena’s robo wing backpack seemed like a cheap way to get heat, but whatever. Jade VS Athena definitely needs to happen for All Out, and maybe Athena gets allies to hold the Baddies back so that she has a chance. All Out would be the only place for Jade to lose the title, but I can’t be sure it happens.

Claudio has a great opening promo to issue an open challenge for his title, and Dustin Rhodes is honestly a great choice. Those two can have a great match for the ROH World title, but as great as Dustin is, I’m pretty sure Claudio retains. And a great tag team championship match from Keith & Swerve VS Private Party that could’ve easily been the main event tonight. Private Party looked great even in losing, but I figured the champs would retain. I wonder if Private Party will turn Face and rebel against Andrade. Private Party could have an awesome match against La Faccion Ingobernable, but chances are, they’ll lose that, too. But even in losing, that could make fans really get behind Private Party again and then Private Party can fight their way up to tag titles from somewhere.

My Score: 8.6/10