Does Josh Woods have the goods to take on Samoa Joe?

Before AEW heads for the Grand Slam, Rampage has gold on the line! Samoa Joe defends his ROH World TV Championship against “The Technical Beast,” Josh Woods!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Matt Hardy VS Darby Allin; Darby wins.
• Penelope Ford w/ Kip Sabian VS Willow Nightingale; Ford wins.
• Ethan Page VS Danhausen; Ethan wins.
• ROH World Television Championship: Samoa Joe VS Josh Woods w/ Mark Sterling & Tony Nese; Joe wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Matt Hardy VS Darby Allin!

When it comes to going to the extreme in the ring, you can bet a member of the OG Team Extreme knows what that’s like. But Matt’s been up and down lately, can he DELETE Darby? Or will Darby show Hardy just how far “extreme” has evolved?

The bell rings and fans rally up as the two shake hands. Hardy and Darby circle, tie up, and Hardy pushes Darby back. Darby wrenches to a wristlock but Hardy powers through to wrench back. Hardy RAMS shoulders with Darby, then RAMS him again. Darby gets around, headlocks, and hits a takeover. Hardy keeps his shoulders up, fights to his feet, wrenches through and hits an ELBOW BREAKER! And again, and again, shouting “DELETE! DELETE!” each time! Hardy wrenches to a wristlock but Darby rolls, slips through and headlocks. Hardy lifts Darby up but Darby hits a flying headlock takeover!

Fans rally, Hardy fights up, throws body shots, and Hardy back suplexes. Darby lands on his feet but Hardy runs him over! Fans rally and duel and Darby stands up. Hardy says, “You, DELETE! DELETE!” Darby slips around to crucifix takedown! TWO!! Darby keeps moving, he dumps Hardy out then slingshots. Hardy moves, Darby lands on the apron and slingshots back in, then DIVES into a haymaker! Hardy CLUBS Darby, drags him out, but Darby RAMS Hardy into steel steps! Fans fire up while both men are down. Hardy flounders but Darby stands up. The ref checks Hardy but he’s somehow okay to continue.

Darby puts Hardy in the ring and fans rally up. Darby sees Hardy’s on the apron, so he goes up top! Shout out to Jeff, APRON SWANTON but Matt moves! Darby eats nothing but apron edge and he flops to the floor! Hardy grits his teeth as he goes out and fetches Darby. Hardy CLUBS away on Darby against the apron, going after that banged up back. Hardy then lifts Darby to POST BOMB him!! Fans are thunderous while Hardy still shakes out the cobwebs. Hardy drags Darby into the corner to bend him against the post! The ref counts, Hardy lets off and stalks Darby in the ring while AEW goes picture in picture.

Hardy drags Darby up, puts him in a corner, and RAMS into the lumbar! And again! Hardy whips Darby corner to corner hard, and Darby falls to the mat. Hardy throws up the V1, then steadies himself. Hardy drags Darby up again, whips him corner to corner even harder, and Darby again bounces off buckles. Hardy applauds himself and then drags Darby up again. Hardy whips Darby hard again, and Darby ends up sideways in the corner! Hardy says “DELETE! DELETE!” while Darby writhes. Hardy gets Darby’s legs, and YANKS him into a POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Darby is tough as nails and Rampage returns to single picture.

Hardy drags Darby up to CLUB him in the lower back! And again! Darby elbows back and fans rally. Darby ducks, elbows again, then goes up and over. Hardy hits buckles, Darby hobbles but runs, and springboards! But Hardy catches the Coffin Splash into a waistlock! But Darby trips Hardy and has the leg! Hardy boots Darby away, but Darby jackknifes! TWO, Darby hurries to a corner. Hardy runs in but into BOOTS! Darby runs, returns and COFFIN SPLASHES! That was double-edged but Darby doesn’t care! He just hits another COFFIN SPLASH! Fans rally while both Hardy and Darby drop to their knees.

Darby brings Hardy out, whips, but Hardy reverses. Darby goes up and over but gets caught in a SIDE EFFECT! Cover, TWO! Hardy frowns but he drags Darby up again. Hardy clinches for another SIDE EFFECT! Fans fire up as Hardy calls his shot! Hardy wants Darby to stand up so he can “DELETE! DELETE! DELETE!” Darby slowly rises, Hardy reels him in, but no Twist of Fate! Backslide, TWO!! Darby hurries but Hardy kicks low! Suplex, but Darby slips through and turns things around, SCORPION DEATH DROP! A shout out to Sting saves Darby but both men are down. The standing count climbs and Darby sits up at 5 of 10.

Darby puts Hardy in a drop zone and hurries for a corner. Darby climbs up slowly, and Hardy CLUBS his back! And again! And again! Hardy has Darby in a crucifix lift! B T BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Hardy is furious but he climbs up a corner. Hardy MOONSAULTS but FLOPS as Darby moves! Hardy flounders, Darby hops on, CODE RED! Cover, TWO!! Hardy survives but Darby figure fours for the LAST SUPPER! Cover, Darby wins!!

Winner: Darby Allin, by pinfall

The figure four cradle may not be “extreme,” but Hardy losing to that shows just how hard he and Darby went! They fist bump to show respect, will Darby continue to push the limits until he’s got gold again?

But wait! The lights go out! And when they return, Julia Hart and Brody King are in the ring!! Julia is laughing maniacally, because the monstrous Brody CLOBBERS Hardy!! Julia hurries to get a mic for Brody, and Brody shouts, “DARBY! STING! Get your asses out here!” Fans fire up as he calls out the Relentless Icons! Darby returns, and Sting is with him! Brody says, “You think this is over? You think that just because you cut the head off the snake, there’s not plenty of venom left in the veins? Next week, Arthur Ashe, Grand Slam, Darby & Sting VS The House of Black, NO DISQUALIFICATION! Accept it, NOW!”

Well speaking of going to extremes, Brody puts Hardy in a SLEEPER! Hardy stands on the apron, until Julia sweeps his legs out! Hardy suffers a HANGMAN’S SLEEPER while Darby and Sting furiously storm down the ramp! The lights go out, and when they come back up, Brody and Julia are gone. Will Darby and Sting have no choice but to go after what is left of The House to end this once and for all?

Eddie Kingston speaks.

“Me and you, Sammy, Queens, New York, man. You may think I don’t like you or don’t respect you because of the things you say, or because you’re so in love with Twitter, and the only reason why you’re in this great sport is to be famous, you don’t care. Nah, Sammy, it’s not because any of that. No, man. I don’t like you and I don’t respect you because inside, when I look in your eyes, I see nothing but a horrible, rotten human being. You make me sick, that’s why I’m gonna beat the piss outta you in Queens!” Finally, the Mad King will take on the Spanish God when the Grand Slam is on a Rampage!

BREAKING NEWS for the TWO HOUR Grand Slam Rampage!

There will be a Grand Slam Golden Ticket Battle Royal, the winner gets an AEW World Championship title match at a set date and time in the near future! Who will rise above the rest to have themselves a huge opportunity on the horizon?

Claudio Castagnoli is here!

The Swiss Superman is still ROH World Champion, and is accompanied by Wheeler Yuta, the former ROH Pure Champion. Tony Schiavone meets them both in the ring and he notes that was a great match just last week against Dax Harwood. Claudio thanks Schiavone for that. “This championship represents honor. While this logo, the Blackpool Combat Club, that’s the new symbol of excellence.” Fans cheer that on in agreement. Claudio says the BCC is a team, a family, and they make each other better. Unfortunately, Yuta did lose the ROH Pure Championship to Daniel Garcia.

But that is alright. The best lessons in life are learned when you lose. Claudio knows Yuta will get back up and win back that ROH Pure title. And last Friday on Rampage, Claudio defended his ROH World title in one of the hardest matches he’s ever had, against one of the toughest opponents he’s ever faced in Dax. Fans cheer that, too. Claudio says next week will be a great week for the BCC. Two members of the BCC in Bryan Danielson and Jon Moxley will fight for the AEW World Championship. Is Claudio surprised? Honestly, no. Because as much as BCC likes to fight other people, iron sharpens iron, and if they have to fight one of their own, they will do so to guarantee that BCC will have TWO WORLD CHAMPIONS!

“Alright, alright, alright,” Jericho says on stage. Fans taunt him with “You Tapped Out!” but Jericho repeats Claudio saying the BCC is the symbol of excellence. Has he forgotten about the Jericho Appreciation Society? Fans are torn on that one. Jericho will say this. He’s been watching Claudio week in and week out, and yes, Jericho is a seven-time world champion who should be competing for the AEW World Championship at Grand Slam, but he’s not. And it’s not because he tapped out! Claudio says that’s exactly why! “You! Tapped! Out!” Fans echo that but Jericho tells them to shut up. He wishes he was in Albany, Georgia instead.

Jericho repeats that he is a seven-time world champion. Think about that illustrious career. Jericho’s been a champion in WWF, WWE, WCW, the first-ever AEW World Champion, but guess what? Not only is Jericho the Best Wrestler Ever, and the Best Sports Entertainer Ever, the #BWEBSEE, the one place Jericho has never been world champion in is ROH! And seven isn’t enough for Jericho, man! He wants ocho! That means eight! So that’s why, and look at him when he’s talking to you, Claudio boy. That’s why Jericho is challenging Claudio for the ROH World Heavyweight Championship this Wednesday in New York City, where Jericho was born, in Arthur Ashe for AEW Grand Slam!

Claudio was hoping this would happen. He’s been waiting for this moment a long, long, long, long time! Jericho, you’re on! “But know this: I’m gonna beat the HELL out of you!” The Swiss Superman takes on The Wizard, who will be THE ROH World Champion on perhaps the biggest night of Dynamite ever?

Backstage interview with Jade Cargill & The Baddies.

Lexi Nair is with the still undefeated AEW TBS Champion, as well as Kiera Hogan & Leila Grey, and Jade has reigned for nearly nine months. In those nine months, she’s run through the entire locker room. What is next for Jade? Kiera has Lexi stop there. Honestly, all this winning is getting boring! Leila agrees, who is even left? Jade says out of the supposedly “greatest women’s locker room in the world,” no one is left. It is a clean slate. And Jade isn’t running a circus so she got rid of the “PR clown,” Stokely Hathaway. Jade will continue the streak and do things her way, because as we all know, Jade IS #ThatBitch.

But then Diamante walks in and has Lexi move aside. Jade, for real, if you wanted competition, all she had to do was ask. If Jade’s bored, how ’bout Diamante gives her something to play with? As a matter of fact, how about next week in NYC, Diamante comes up. And she ain’t coming alone, cuz she knows the real baddest bitch, the OG Badass from the 305! See you there, Mami! Who let Diamante know where they were? But is the Cuban Diamond going to break under the pressure Jade brings?

Penelope Ford w/ Kip Sabian VS Willow Nightingale!

Speaking of bad, Ms. Superbad is in action again, looking to get back up those rankings. Will Ford win this to get on the other side of a title situation? Or will she be weeping after her run-in with Willow?

The bell rings and Ford circles with Willow. They tie up, Ford knees low, then ROCKS Willow with forearms. Willow shoves Ford but Ford pie faces then shoves Willow. Willow runs Ford over on the rebound! Willow says neener neener then flexes on Ford. Willow runs, Ford stays low but Willow drops down to get a headlock! Ford fights up to her feet, they go around and Ford waistlocks, but Willow pries the hold open. Willow makes Ford wave hi to everyone, but Ford pulls hair! Ford puts Willow on the ropes, the ref counts and Ford lets off. Ford kicks low, whips Willow to ropes but Willow blocks the hip toss to a roll and cover, TWO!

Willow facelocks to drag Ford down to a cradle, TWO! Willow waistlocks, Ford bucks the O’Conner Roll but Willow blocks the kick! Ford hops back to the ropes and Willow lets off cleanly. Fans rally for Willow, she dodges Ford’s cheap shot and CHOPS! Ford is stinging, and Willow scoops to SLAM her! Fans fire up with Willow and she runs to SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up with Willow more and she brings Ford up. Willow waistlocks but Ford throws elbows. Willow ripcords, whips and goes parallel, but Ford avoids the Pounce! Willow flounders to ropes and Ford runs in to SHOTGUN her down!

Willow goes to the apron but Ford triangle jumps and KNEE DROPS! Ford tosses her hair and then drags Willow off the apron. Ford SMACKS Willow off the apron and AEW goes picture in picture.

Ford stalks Willow, smacks her off the apron again, then refreshes the ring count. Willow hits back but Ford whips and POSTS her! Ford drags Willow up while Kip slowly applauds in his seat at ringside. Ford puts Willow back in the ring, sees her go to a corner, and goes to the opposite. Ford handsprings corner to corner to back elbow! Ford then LICKS Willow! Willow shoves Ford away but Ford BOOTS her down! Cover, TWO! Ford is frustrated and Kip… seems about the same. Ford brings Willow up but Willow throws body shots. Willow then turns things around on Ford for a NECKBREAKER!

Willow runs to SENTON but FLOPS as Ford moves! Ford hammers away on Willow, lets off to clamp on a chinlock, and she leans on the hold. Willow endures, fights up, but Ford throws her into ropes! Ford CHOKES Willow, the ref counts as Ford thrashes, but Ford still lets off at 4. Ford KICKS Willow in the side, then turns her around to HOTSHOT with the ropes! Cover, TWO! Ford is even more frustrated now but she covers again, TWO! Ford is starting to lose her cool but Kip is stoic just like before. Ford clamps on with a motorcycle stretch but Willow endures as Rampage goes to break.

Rampage returns and Willow back body blocks, clotheslines, then snapmares Ford! To then BOOT her down! Fans fire up with Willow and she has Ford on the ropes. Willow whips Ford and hits a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Ford survives and Kip finally reacts. Kip applauds to cheer Ford on, but Willow fireman’s carries. Ford fights free and she shoves Willow to ropes. Ford goes Matrix to dodge Willow, then springs up for the STUNNER! Cover, TWO!! Willow survives and Ford is beside herself! Fans rally up, Ford goes to a corner and climbs up. Jericho declares Penelope Ford the Sports Entertainer of the Week while fans rally for Willow.

Willow stands, Ford leaps but Willow gets under! Willow comes back to POUNCE Ford into ropes! Fans fire up as the straps come down! Willow grins as she storms after Ford, but Ford BOOTS her! Ford reels Willow in but Willow turns the clinch into a backslide! TWO!! Ford BOOTS Willow and reels her in, leg sweep FACEBUSTER! Ford gets the legs, Indian Deathlock to the MUTA LOCK!! Willow taps, Ford wins!

Winner: Penelope Ford, by submission

The Nightingale of New York could not stop the Superbad comeback tour! Will Ford rise up until she is finally a contender?

Backstage interview with Hangman Page & The Dark Order.

Lexi Nair says there’s huge news for Rampage next week with the Grand Slam Golden Ticket Battle Royal! One man wins a shot at the AEW World title. Hangman says before all that, he wants to apologize to the Dark Order. Hangman screwed up in the Trios Tournament finals, he cost them the titles. But Reynolds says they get it. It was an accident, but it’s in the past. Now, they all get a chance at the world title! Every man for himself, may the best man win. John Silver says he’ll feel like he’s in a chocolate factory with that golden ticket! Oh, so he thinks he’s gonna get it? Wait, in walks Jose the Assistant, as well as El Toro Blanco, Rush.

Jose says the sad story of The Dark Order is one we’ve heard before. They help the Cowboy, the Cowboy takes the big chance, and then fails. Understand, Preston Vance, you have to make yourself a star around here. That’s what Andrade El Idolo is trying to do for you! Rush says he will eliminate all their asses! And Hangman… Uh, it was in Spanish, no one is here to translate. But no one likes the LFI so who cares. Will we see some serious #CowboySh*t in that battle royal? Or will Rush y Andrade make sure the next #1 contender is tranquilo?

Ethan Page w/ Stokely Hathaway VS Danhausen!

Speaking of contenders, pretty much everyone in “The Firm” declared their intentions to take a title for their own. All Ego says he will become the King of the Atlantic, but he must first clear out AEW’s court jester! Will Ethan be next in line after we see PAC VS Orange Cassidy? Or will the Very Nice, Very Evil friend of the Best Friends put a CURSE on Ethan instead?

The bell rings and Ethan “applauds” for Danhausen while fans cheer. Danhausen powers up and Ethan says don’t do it. Danhausen… mocks Ethan’s cheeky smile! Ethan is even more annoyed, but he rushes into a waistlock! Ethan bucks the O’Conner Roll and BOOTS Danhausen down! Ethan rains down fists but the ref reprimands about the closed fists. Ethan lets off and argues with the ref, then mocks the curse! “Ohhh… KISS MY ASS!” Ethan drags Danhausen up but Danhausen SLAPS him! Ethan runs in to run Danhausen over! Ethan then drags Danhausen up, reels him in, gut wrenches to the crucifix, EGO’S EDGE! Cover, Ethan wins!

Winner: Ethan Page, by pinfall

Ethan smiles again, and Stokely even gets in the ring. “Ohhh… LOSER~!” Will All Ego be the curse that haunts whoever is All-Atlantic Champion after the Grand Slam?

Ricky Starks speaks.

“There’s no more talking. That’s it, Hobbs. I don’t have to do anymore talking. I admit that you did what you set out to do. You put QT and the Factory in my way, and you got me thrown off my trail. Yes, that is fine. But what I’m letting you know right now is that you have my full, undivided attention. And you need to think about all the people that you love in your life before you decide to go up against me again. And that’s why I’m letting you know right now, I will see you personally in New York City.” Starks is absolutely focused on payback, but will the Powerhouse make sure to absolutely WRECK Ricky this time?

Mark Henry interviews tonight’s main eventers!

The World’s Strongest Man says tonight, Josh Woods is facing Samoa Joe for the ROH World Television Championship. Both men have been ROH Pure Champions before, so what is going through Woods’s mind. Woods says it is not every day you get to stand across from someone who influenced your style. But Joe says he’s a fighting champion, and that’s what he’ll get tonight! Mark Sterling says that was well said. And he tells us that tonight, Woods will prove to be a fighting champion himself. Just like Woods proves that week after week, grinding in the AEW ranks. Meanwhile, where’s Joe been? On vacation?

Sterling was talking with Nese and Woods, and they think that after Woods wins the title, Joe can go on an extended vacation. Joe says, “Vacations? You talk of vacations. You don’t even acknowledge my generosity. That’s not a vacation, that’s a reprieve for people like you. Josh Woods, when you and I get into that ring, we’re gonna come to a very clear and concise understanding about who the ROH World Television Champion is. And Sterling, if you’re still around after I’m done with him, maybe you and I can come to an… agreement.” Sterling says if Joe touches him, he sues! Mark Henry says it looks like there’s been enough talk. It’s time for the main event!

ROH World Television Championship: Samoa Joe VS Josh Woods w/ Mark Sterling & Tony Nese!

The Samoan Submission Machine wasn’t away on vacation, he was putting in the work to make sure he was razor sharp when he returned. But will he be able to cut down the Technical Beast? Or will Woods prove he still has the goods to be a champion?

The introductions are made by Bobby Cruise, the belt is raised, and we see who has what it takes to be the face of ROH TV!

The Code of Honor is upheld, though barely. Fans rally for Joe as he and Woods circle. They feel things out, tie up, and Joe pushes Woods back. Woods turns things around but Joe turns it back around. They’re on the ropes and the ref calls for the ropebreak so Joe lets off, only for Woods to get in his face. Joe pushes Woods back and the two reset. They tie up, Woods wrenches an arm and waistlocks. Joe pries the hold, Woods clamps on for a cobra twist but Joe fights that to put Woods in a corner. The ref counts the ropebreak again, and Joe lets off. Woods grins but Joe stays serious as the two reset again.

Fans continue to rally for Joe, he and Woods tie up. Joe has a headlock but Woods shifts to hook a leg on the inside. Woods brings Joe down for a headlock, and also traps an arm. Joe fights up, Woods spins him but Joe cravats! Woods endures, slips free and ROLLING ELBOWS! Joe snarls to ROCK Woods! Woods grins as he looses his wrist tape. Woods ROCKS Joe, Joe ROCKS Woods, repeat! Fans rally as the forearms go back and forth, harder and harder! Woods fires a flurry, but then Joe JABS and JABS and JABS! But Woods blocks the headbutt to clinch and fire off knees! Woods whips, Joe reverses but Woods holds on to HOTSHOT Joe!

Sterling hurries over to Woods to check on him, even though Joe got the worst of that. The ref is busy with Sterling, allowing Nese to HOTSHOT Joe now! Woods hurries to cover, ONE!! Woods clamps onto Joe’s arm and AEW goes picture in picture.

Joe endures as Woods grinds the arm. Woods shifts around to get a double wristlock but Joe still endures. Woods changes it up to a hammerlock, and then he half nelsons the other arm! Woods pushes Joe onto his side to crank both arms at the same time! Joe throws knees, Woods gets a cover, ONE!! Woods clamps on with a cobra clutch! Joe endures, Woods changes to a half straitjacket, but Joe fights up. Fans rally while Woods leans on the hold, and Joe powers up to throw body shots. Joe JABS and JABS and JABS but Woods KNEES low. Woods runs, but into a shoulder tackle! Joe goes to a corner to catch his breath while Woods is down.

Woods CLOBBERS Joe in the corner! Woods pulls the bad arm against the ropes! The ref counts, Woods lets off, and he taunts the crowd while Joe sputters. Woods stands Joe up for a quick arm-drag and a top wristlock! Woods uses a leg to hold onto that while going for more. Joe endures, fights the hold, pulls Woods’ ear, and gets free! Joe HEADBUTTS Woods, snapmares him, and CHOPS him on the back! Then KICKS him in the chest! Joe runs but Woods catches the elbow drop into an ARMBAR! Joe clasps hands, kicks around but Woods stomps at him. Woods claws at the grip, pulls on the arm, but Joe holds tight!

Woods and Joe struggle as Rampage returns to single picture. Fans rally as Joe moves around and he stacks Woods! TWO, and Woods BOOTS Joe’s arm! Woods wrenches reels Joe in, hammerlocks and throws body shots! Woods runs, but into Joe’s SLEEPER! Fans fire up as Woods flails! Woods tries to pry the hold open, but Joe shifts arms to use the good arm! But Woods still wants after the bad arm and he hits an ELBOW BREAKER! Then a wrench and SAIDO! Cover, TWO!! Woods and his team can’t believe it but this is why Joe’s a champion. Woods stands Joe up to wrench again, but Joe ROCKS Woods with a forearm! And a CHOP!

Joe catches his breath, runs, but Woods jumps up! ATOMIC DROP counter, then a BOOT! And SENTON! Cover, TWO! Woods proves why he’s been champion before, and Sterling coaches him up. Joe drags Woods up, but Woods fires off uppercuts on the bad arm! Woods whips Joe to a corner, Joe reverses and POWERSLAMS on the return! Cover, TWO! Sterling is freaking out but Nese rallies the fans. Joe drags Woods up, puts him in a corner, and he hoists Woods up top. Nese distracts the ref so that he doesn’t see Sterling anchor Woods’s foot! Joe SLAPS Woods, then he glares at Sterling. Sterling backs away, Woods rolls Joe up! TWO!!

Woods hurries up to V-TRIGGER!! Woods fireman’s carries Joe?! For a SWINGING KNEE!! Cover, TWO!?! Joe survives and no one can believe it! Fans fire up for Joe but Sterling tells Woods to get Joe up! Woods stands Joe up, fireman’s carries, but Joe CLUBS Woods. Woods RAMS Joe into a corner, RAMS into him again, then runs in, into the URENAGE!! Nese gets on the apron so Joe DECKS him! Joe puts Woods up top, tucks him, and brings him out, MUSCLE BUSTER!!! Cover, Joe wins!!

Winner: Samoa Joe, by pinfall (still ROH World Television Champion)

The Technical Beast was double tough, and even had double the help, but that just shows how much tougher Samoa Joe is! Wait! Nese attacks Joe from behind! The Premier Athlete is a sore loser on behalf of his teammate! He and Woods mug Joe, there’s no Code of Honor here! Sterling even throws off his jacket and grabs the title. But here comes WARDLOW!! The War Dog still doesn’t like Smart Mark, and while Nese & Woods run for it, Joe anchors Sterling’s foot! Sterling is about to taste karma! Wardlow gets Sterling, Joe keeps Woods back, but Nese manages to drag Sterling to safety! Fans boo but Wardlow says it was that close.

Fans cheer for “WARD~LOW!” as he and Joe come face to face. For now, the TNT and TV champions clink belts in a sign of respect. And wow, this just in from Tony Khan via Excalibur: The AEW TNT and ROH World TV Champions are teaming up for Grand Slam Rampage! They’ll be taking on the #PremierBeasts, Nese & Woods to finally settle things! Will the champions’ powers combined completely pulverize Sterling’s stable?

My Thoughts:

A great episode of Rampage as the “go-home” to the big Grand Slam week AEW’s got planned. A two hour Rampage next week is pretty wild, but it’ll have some great stuff to really move stories forward. The battle royal will be a lot of fun, and who knows who wins that, but I do like that they’ll use it to move things along in Dark Order VS LFI/AFO. Claudio had a good promo with Jericho, and their ROH World Championship match is going to be great stuff. That’s a hard one to call, though. Claudio and Jericho are both great, and it would be pretty historic for Jericho to add another company’s world title to his list. But at the same time, Claudio’s been on such a great run, it’d be a shame if he didn’t get to do more.

Darby VS Hardy was a great opener, and I figured Darby would win. But what a great move for the House of Black to make a move. Brody King is stepping up as the new leader, he and Buddy VS Sting & Darby under No Disqualifications is going to be an awesome match. But with The House losing at All Out, and this being No DQ, this has to go their way now to keep the feud going. Kingston had a great promo to call out Sammy, and it seems we will finally get that grudge match. Starks had a good promo, but it makes me chuckle that he says he’s done with talking and yet he’s having to say all this anyway. Hobbs VS Starks Round 2 will be great, but I have a feeling Starks wins to then push this to a tiebreaker at Full Gear.

I figured Ethan was going to win against Danhausen and that is what happened, so you can bet Ethan shows up at the end of the All-Atlantic Championship match next week. I still feel like the logical move for story is Ethan VS Cassidy because Cassidy is practically the poster child for comedic gimmick in AEW. Good match from Ford VS Willow, and I figured Ford would win since she’s got that return push going. And good promo from Diamante and the Baddies. Jade VS Diamante is going to be great stuff, but I have a feeling that since Diamante, even with someone watching her back, is going to lose because there are two Baddies on Jade’s side.

And of course, great interview promo to set up the main event, and then an awesome main event. Woods is a great wrestler, Joe is a great wrestler and talker, and Joe of course wins, even with Nese and Sterling hanging around. Wardlow helping Joe out was good stuff, since they have common enemies in Sterling’s stable. That tag match is going to be good stuff but I would think Wardlow and Joe win there, too. Who knows where either champion goes after that, but maybe there will be a surprise waiting, like Sterling getting a third client or some other familiar enemy coming for one of the champions.

My Score: 8.5/10