Fight for your right to scissor finger!

Mark Sterling stole The Acclaimed’s scissors, all in a ploy to get a match! Will Max Caster & Anthony Bowens lose it all? Or will they make Smart Mark pay for trademark trolling them?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• AEW Tag Team Championships, Titles VS Trademark: The Acclaimed w/ Billy Gunn VS The Varsity Athletes w/ Mark Sterling; The Acclaimed win, retain the titles and win back the scissoring trademark.
• FTW Championship: Hook VS Ari Daivari; Hook wins and retains the title.
• Penelope Ford Leila Grey VS Willow Nightingale; Willow wins.
• AEW All-Atlantic Championship Triple Threat: Orange Cassidy VS Rush VS Preston Vance; Cassidy wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

AEW mourns the loss of Brian “Mongo” Muster.

AEW’s lead video engineer unexpectedly passed away earlier this week. “In addition to being an exceptional colleague, Brian was a dedicated father, fiancé, and friend. Many of those closest to Brian are part of our production team, and we appreciate their hard work every night, but tonight especially. Thank you, Brian. You will be missed.”

AEW Tag Team Championships, Titles VS Trademark: The Acclaimed VS The Varsity Athletes w/ Mark Sterling!

AEW had Title Tuesday for Dynamite, but we’re kicking off Title Fight Friday in Jacksonville with the homegrown product! But Shart- er, Smart Mark Sterling is holding a trademark technicality over them like the weasel he is! Max Caster has a rap to respond! “Acclaimed on the mic, we don’t care what you say! We ’bout to win like we won the reins on Tuesday! We’ll leave y’all with a concave chest. Y’all’ll get de-platformed like Kanye West! And y’all stole a trademark, cuz every week you put the ratings in the graveyard! You guys try be us. Smart Mark, we’re all gonna stomp you in the nuts!” Bowens gets the mic to say, “JEEEE-ACKSONVIIIIILE~! The Acclaimed… have arrived!”

But then Mark stops Bowens from the scissoring! Because everyone knows that Sterling has the trademark! The fans will get what they really want, even though they don’t deserve it. “SCISSOR ME, DADDY NE-” The Acclaimed attack from behind! Sterling scrambles away in his stupid magenta scissor suit, and it’s time to fight for our right to scissor finger!

Bowens fires off on Woods, Caster has Nese, fans are fired up but the ref tells them to get this to 1v1! The Acclaimed whip The Varsity Athletes, but Nese & Woods reverse, only for Caster & Bowens to throw them both out! Fans fire up and Caster throws up the two fingers, only for Sterling to remind him of the trademark. Bowens swings on Sterling but Nese & Woods attack from behind now! The Varsity Athletes throw The Acclaimed out now, and then Nese & Woods put up the fingers, to SCISSOR! Fans boo, that’s not the scissoring they want! The Acclaimed attack back again and Caster clotheslines Nese out!

Bowens bumps Woods off buckles then tags in Caster. Fans taunt the Varsity Athletes, “You Can’t Scissor!” Caster whips Bowens and Bowens forearms Woods! Bowens goes side to side while Caster back elbows, and Bowens returns to forearm smash again! Bowens whips Woods into a POWERSLAM from Caster! Fans fire up, Caster drags Woods up to whip. Caster then back drops Woods! Fans sing, “OH~ Scissor Me, Daddy~!” Caster wrenches Woods’ arm, but Woods wrenches back to then waistlock, spin and wrench. Caster wrenches back, Woods pushes him to ropes, and even puts him between ropes. The ref counts, but Woods YANKS Caster into the ropes!

Daddy Ass is there to check on Caster, but Woods goes out and shoves Billy aside. Fans boo but Woods runs away as Billy rushes at him! Sterling complains about Billy but then Billy uses that to trip Woods up! The ref looks at Billy, Billy shouts at Sterling, but the ref EJECTS Daddy Ass! Fans boo, Sterling screws The Acclaimed with legality again! Woods DECKS Bowens, Nese fires off on Caster and fans shout BS! Woods hits a NECKBREAKER, then covers, TWO!

AEW goes picture in picture as Nese soaks up the heat. Woods drags Caster up to bump him off buckles. Tag to Nese, Nese KICKS Caster, then whips him to ropes. Nese CLOBBERS Caster, then flexes on him. Woods swivels his hips, Nese mocks the scissor fingers, and then he kicks Caster. Caster throws body shots but Nese knees him into the corner. Tag to Woods and the Varsity Athletes mug Caster. Woods RAMS into Caster, then hits a SWINGING KNEE! The ref counts, Woods lets off, and Woods drags Caster up to ROCK him into the corner. Woods puts Caster up top, climbs up after him, but Caster throws body shots!

Caster HEADBUTTS Woods as Rampage returns to single picture! Woods staggers away, Caster CROSSBODIES! Direct hit but both men are down! Woods and Caster crawl for their corners, hot tags to Nese and Bowens! The Five Tool Player rallies on the Varsity Athletes with big hands and kicks! Bowens CLUBS away on Woods over and over, and fans fire up! Bowens kicks, KICKS and runs to LEAP FROG LEG DROP Nese! Cover, Woods KNEES it apart! Caster gets in but Woods fireman’s carries! T K O KNEE SMASH! Woods hurries over, tags in, and the Varsity Athletes double whip Bowens.

Woods runs in to forearm smash! Woods hoists Bowens up, Nese leaps over to SHORYUKEN! Nese then TOSSES Bowens to the JUMP KNEE from Woods! Tag to Nese, Woods drags Bowens up and Nese joins in, OLYMPIC NECKBREAKER! Cover, but Caster barrels in to break it!! Sterling is worried while fans are fired up. Caster roars, he fires off on Woods then fireman’s carries! LANDSLIDE! But Nese rolls Caster for a SOBAT! Bowens reels Nese in but Nese throat chops! Nese brings Bowens for a BULLDOG HOTSHOT with a PLANCHA for Caster! Nese takes out The Acclaimed in one go! Nese then hurries to shoulder Bowens and sunset flip!

Bowens rolls through to SHINING WIZARD in return! Woods runs in but Bowens ELBOWS, JABS, CHOPS and SUPERKICKS! Woods is down and fans fire up with Bowens! Tag to Caster, The Acclaimed get Nese up, THE ARRIVAL to the MIC DROP!! Cover, The Acclaimed win!

Winners: The Acclaimed, by pinfall (still AEW World Tag Team Champions)

Caster & Bowens retain the titles, but that’s not all! They get back the scissoring trademark! Wait, Sterling says no, that won’t change anything! He still has the official document! But Billy Gunn returns to grab Sterling and throw him into the ring! The Acclaimed bring Sterling around, to STOMP HIM IN THE NUTS!! Sterling is hurting, but that’s not all! Bowens goes up top, Caster & Billy hold Sterling open, SCISSOR ME TIMBERS!! And best of all, Billy rips up the document! Sterling has no trademark, THE ACCLAIMED SCISSOR FINGER~!! Will that teach Sterling not to troll trademarks?

Tony Schiavone has a sit-down talk with Jade Cargill.

The AEW TBS Champion wants her belt back, and she threatened to hijack all of Rampage to do it. Schiavone says that there is also the misfortune of Penelope Ford being unable to compete tonight, so one of The Baddies, Leila Grey, has been named as the replacement as a deal to placate Jade. Jade tells Schiavone to “cut the s*it,” because she is once again saving AEW’s precious Rampage. “As you all know, I am a professional, a woman of my word, unlike you, Tony Schiavone.” Jade set up Leila to whoop Willow Nightingale’s ass “and send her back to the indies where she belongs.”

Schiavone starts to say Jade will get her chance, and Jade says she better get her chance, to confront Nyla Rose in the ring tonight. Jade says she didn’t come here to save the show. This is a deal: Jade gives AEW Leila, and AEW gets Jade her belt back. PERIOD. Jade storms off, will AEW compel Nyla Rose to return the title to #ThatBitch?

Backstage interview with The Lucha Brothers, Eddie Kingston & Ortiz.

Alex stands with them all and notes that Ortiz asked for this time. Ortiz says yes, because he says Eddie’s got a problem. He’s been losing it, he’s been outta control, and Ortiz wanted everyone here to talk with him because they all care about him. Penta El Zero Miedo tells his “best friend,” “I know you are one of the best wrestlers in the world, but calmate,” take it easy! Rey Fenix adds that he remembers the first time they met Eddie. They all have the same mentor, and Eddie is a superstar. Alex Abrahantes tells Eddie that he knows how much the Lucha Brothers care about him. They don’t want Eddie losing his temper and losing another job.

Fenix wants to say more, but then The Bastard, Pac, speaks up. “Listen to them, Eddie. They’re champions. Compose yourself. How did that work out for you at Grand Slam, huh? In your own backyard…” Eddie is upset with Pac, but Ortiz says he didn’t invite Pac. The intervention may not have gone smoothly, but will the Mad King learn to be less mad?

FTW Championship: Hook VS Ari Daivari w/ Jeeves Kay!

The champions keep showing up in Jacksonville as now the Cold-Hearted, Handsome Devil settles things with the arrogant Persian Lion. Daivari Dinero thinks he can just buy titles off those more deserving, but will he need all that money for hospital bills after this?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, as we’ll see if Daivari can put his money where his mouth is!

The bell rings but Daivari wants everyone to hold on. Daivari understands Hook didn’t wanna let Daivari buy the title. Maybe Hook’s not a check guy, maybe he doesn’t have a bank account and likes straight cash. Daivari gives Hook one last chance before kicking his ass and taking the belt. Take the money- Hook SLAPS the money away! Daivari scrambles to pick up the Benjamins, Hook picks Daivari up for an EXPLODER! Daivari bails out and Hook storms over, only for Daivari to trip him up and drag him out! Daivari brings Hook over but Hook blocks the bump to bump Daivari off the timekeeper’s table!

Daivari hurries into the ring, and Jeeves stands in Hook’s way! Hook gets around the butler but Daivari bumps Hook off buckles! Daivari fires off hands while fans rally for Hook. Daivari stomps a mudhole, he lets off at 4, and Daivari soaks up the heat. Jeeves cheers his boss on while Daivari puts Hook through ropes. Daivari hooks Hook up to CHOP! Daivari fires off haymakers, the ref counts, and Daivari lets off at 4, to BOOT Hook down! Fans boo but Jeeves slaps Hook with the cash! Daivari drags Hook up, puts him in a corner and he tells Hook he should’ve taken the money while he had the chance.

Hook blocks a punch to fire off body shots! Hook backs Daivari down, fires off in the other corner, but the ref backs Hook down. Hook storms up but into a BOOT! Daivari runs, into an STO! Hook rolls Daivari and hooks a leg for a FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Fans fire up with Hook, he stalks up on Daivari, but Jeeves distracts! O’Conner Roll, with tights! TWO!! Hook dodges Daivari and CLOBBERS Jeeves! But Daivari SUPERKICKS! Hook wobbles, Daivari reels him in, URENAGE! Cover, TWO!! Hook survives and Daivari is furious! Daivari slaps Hook around, brings him up, and wrenches to hammerlock. Hook ducks the lariat to whip Daivari to the apron!

Hook runs over, Daivari shoulders him away. Daivari swings, into the REDRUM!! Hook drags Daivari into the body scissors, Daivari taps! Hook wins!!

Winner: Hook, by submission

Hook holds on to make Daivari pay for his disrespect. Jeeves tries to wake Daivari up, but Hook gets him for REDRUM! Hook puts the butler to bed and stuffs the money in Jeeves’ mouth. Hook proved that he can’t be bought, but will anyone be able to prove Hook can be beat?

Backstage interview with The Firm.

Lexi Nair is with Stokely Hathaway, Ethan Page and Matt Hardy as she notes The Firm won control of the contracts of both Private Party and Matt Hardy. What is the Firm’s plan now? Hardy asks that, too! Why is he here? Where’s Private Party? Isiah Kassidy & Marq Quen are at the Stokely Hathaway Wrestling Academy so they can work on their fundamentals. Ethan says they can get the Hardy stink off them, too. So why is Hardy still here? Because he has a match. Tonight?! No, TV time is for people like Ethan. Hardy has a match on Elevation! Read your contract.

Now Hardy sees what this is: he’s being put in his place as the “uncultured” Matt Hardy. Matt starts rapping? “I got some contract from some punks the other day. I opened and read it, it said was suckers. They wanted me for The Firm or whatever, picture me givin’ a damn, I said NEVER!” Stokely is speechless and leaves. Ethan follows and Hardy smiles and waves as he says, “See you Monday.” Just what is going to happen now that Hardy is under the thumb of The Firm?

Leila Grey w/ Kiera Hogan VS Willow Nightingale!

Instead of Mrs. Superbad, we get a Baddie! But will Leila make Jade proud by purging the ever positive powerhouse from AEW? Or will Willow upset #ThatBitch with a big win in Jacksonville?

The bell rings and Willow circles with Leila. They approach but Leila dodges to strut around. Fans rally for Willow and she circles with Leila again. They approach again, Leila dodges again, but Willow comes right up behind her to waistlock! Willow lifts and SLAMS Leila, then floats to a facelock. Leila fights up, stomps a foot and powers Willow to a corner. Leila throws body shots but the ref counts. Leila digs her boot in, Willow pushes it away, but Leila ROCKS Willow with a right! Leila digs her boot in again but Willow pushes it back down. Leila whips corner to corner, Willow handsprings and comes back to waistlock!

Willow shoves Leila to run her over on the return! Fans fire up as Willow flexes! Leila gets to the apron, Willow drags her up, but Leila HOTSHOTS her away! Leila hurries in but Willow gets around to short arm LARIAT! Willow drags Leila up for another short arm LARIAT! And then again, but Leila throws an elbow! Willow just roars at her! Willow scoops and SLAMS Leila down! Fans fire up more and Willow taunts Kiera. Leila bails out, Willow gives chase, but Kiera grabs at Willow’s foot! Willow kicks Kiera away, and now Willow swings on her. Kiera dodges to SUPERKICK! The ref was busy with Leila and Keira gets away with it as Rampage goes picture in picture.

Leila goes out to fire forearms on Willow. Willow throws body shots, Leila CLUBS Willow, and Leila bumps Willow off the apron. Willow stumbles, Leila drags her up and CLUBS her against the apron. Leila refreshes the count and puts Willow in the ring. Leila takes her time returning and Willow throws body shots. Leila CLUBS Willow, t hen runs to SHOTGUN Willow down! Leila keeps moving to BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Willow is powering up! Leila drags Willow up but Willow throws body shots. Leila CLUBS Willow down again, reels her in, but Willow throws more body shots. Willow turns things around for a NECKBREAKER!

Willow runs but Leila avoids the SENTON! Both women are down and Leila hurries after Willow. Leila stomps away, then she clamps onto Willow with a chinlock. Leila stretches Willow back but Willow endures and fights up. Leila becomes a backpack, and Willow RAMS her into a corner! Willow is free, and she throws more body shots as Rampage goes to break.

Rampage returns and both women are down. Willow crawls over to Leila, drags her around and throws forearms. Willow whips Leila to a corner, runs in and back body blocks! Then turns around to LARIAT! Willow snapmares and BOOTS Leila! Fans fire up, Willow whips Leila to ropes and hits a SPINEBUSTER! High stack, TWO! Willow keeps focus and fans rally up. Willow drags Leila up and reels her in to a fireman’s carry. Leila fights free, and RUSSIAN LEG SWEEPS! Willow flounders to a corner and Leila runs in to SHINING WIZARD! Leila headlocks but no bulldog, BACK SUPLEX! Willow and Kiera start arguing, Leila rolls Willow up! ONE!!

Leila staggers, Willow shoves her into Kiera! Willow and Leila scrap, Willow ROUNDHOUSES Leila down! Willow hauls Leila up, gut wrenches for the DOCTOR BOMB! Cover, Willow wins!

Winner: Willow Nightingale, by pinfall

Well, Jade’s going to be disappointed that her girls couldn’t get it done. Will Willow prove she’s worth of another title opportunity down the line?

Schiavone interviews Willow in the ring about this unexpected change in the match. Give it up for Willow as she is officially ALL ELITE! Fans fire up for the graphic and the news! Willow hugs Schiavone, but here comes #ThatBitch! Jade storms her way out to the ring, and she has a chair. Willow lets Jade and The Baddies have the ring, and Jade takes a seat. Kiera snatches the mic to give it to Jade. “Nyla. Since I’m a classy woman and not some bum ass thief, I’ma give you 10 seconds to bring me back my belt.” Jade starts counting it down, fans count along, and at “TWO!” the tron shows us Marina Shafir & Vickie Guerrero!

“Hey, Jade!” “Hi, Jade!” Is Jade looking for this? In the driver’s seat of the car, it’s Nyla Rose! “And I said, JAaAAaaAADE! JaaaaAaaade, Jade, Jade… Is this what you’re looking for?” The TBS Championship belt! Nyla tells Jade, “I know you’re looking for me, and I know you’re looking for the championship. However, I miss Jacksonville way too much. We got your keys from valet, thanks for the lift. Bye~!” The Vicious Vixens just jacked Jade’s ride! The Baddies hurry but it’s too late, Nyla’s taking off! Jade shouts, “I meant what I said! I’m not leaving this ring until I get my belt back!” Jade takes a seat, but security steps in?

Jade DECKS one guard, then another! Jade gets pissed and she dares security to bring it! And then she DECKS another! Jade is leaving the ring after all, will she hunt down the Native Beast until they finally have it out in the ring?

AEW shares footage from Thursday night.

It was 10 PM Eastern in Daily’s Place, and Alex Marvez was interviewing Preston Vance on his issues with La Faccion Ingobernable. But then Jose the Assistant walked in to inform everyone that this is his absolute last chance to join LFI. He doesn’t have to face Rush, but- Vance says it doesn’t matter. He wants to face Rush, he doesn’t want an LFI contract. But then Rush walks in and tells Vance that he needs to listen. This is the first and last time Rush will say this: bring the fight because Rush will beat his ass! But then wait, Orange Cassidy pops up from behind the bar?! Cassidy has his backpack, and he brings out his All-Atlantic Championship!

“Hey. What’s up. You guys see this yet? I won it. In Canada. Uh… Want some beers?” Vance tells Cassidy his mask doesn’t have a mouth. Bummer. What about Rush? Rush doesn’t want Cassidy’s drink, he wants that title, and he wants Vance! Cassidy can help Rush out then. “If you want that (the belt), and you wanna fight that (Vance), I’ll fight you both. At the same time. For that (the belt).” The Freshly Squeezed All-Atlantic Champion is very daring! But will he regret stacking the odds against himself? Or can Cassidy beat both The Dark Order’s Ten and El Toro Blanco?

Mark Henry interviews two-thirds of tonight’s main event.

The World’s Strongest Man welcomes us back, and gets video bombed by Cassidy? Cassidy seems to think he’s doing the interview. But since he’s here, Mark Henry asks Cassidy why he’s getting in on Vance VS Rush, and putting his title on the line? “Um… I dunno. I felt like it?” Vance says he’s very glad Cassidy felt like it, because not only will Vance get to beat Rush’s ass all over Jacksonville, he gets to walk out the NEW All-Atlantic Champion! Rush tells Ten that when he beats Vance, Vance will learn what Ingobernable means! Jose tells Cassidy that he’s about to have the shortest title reign in AEW history because El Toro Blanco is taking that title!

“And listen to me, perros!” Rush tells them both. “When you mess with the bull, you get the horns!” Cassidy steals Mark Henry’s line! “Well, it looks like there’s been enough talk.” Mark stops him there to finish it up. “It’s time…! For the main event!”

AEW All-Atlantic Championship Triple Threat: Orange Cassidy w/ Danhausen & Best Friends VS Rush w/ Jose VS Preston Vance w/ Negative One!

As if there weren’t enough changes to the grudge match between LFI and The Dark Order, now there’s a golden prize on the line! Will Rush gain both a championship and a henchman? Will Number Ten become the number one? Or will somehow, someway, Orange Cassidy come out still with that title in his backpack?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who defies the odds to close out the night!

The bell rings and Vance fires off forearms with Rush! They were meant to fight all along, and Cassidy stays back to let them have it out. DOUBLE FOREARMS make both men wobble, but then they realize Cassidy is just standing there. Cassidy puts his hands up, and then into his pockets! Cassidy unleashes the “devastating” shin kicks! To Rush! Then Vance! Then back again! And then he “powers up,” but Rush DECKS Vance! Rush runs at Cassidy but Cassidy dodges and ducks and SHOTGUNS! And kips up! Fans fire up with Cassidy as he builds speed to DIVE at Vance! Direct hit and Vance hits railng!

Cassidy goes up top, he leaps at Rush, but into a HEADBUTT! Rush fires up, fans fire up as he runs corner to corner, but he jumps to just BOOT Cassidy! And then he tranquilos~! Fans fire up as Vance returns but Rush DECKS him again! Rush drags Vance up to RAM into railing! Rush takes someone’s water to SPLASH Vance! And then he smacks Vance off the timekeeper’s table! And then RAMS him into the wall! Vance takes a seat and Rush goes back to find Cassidy. Rush RAMS Cassidy into railing, then he starts looking under the ring. Rush and Vance brawl again, but Rush snapmares Vance down.

Fans tell Rush off as he drags spare camera cables out! He LASHES Vance, then CHOKES him! Rush makes Vance suffer as there are no disqualifications in Triple Threats. Rush lets off and soaks up the heat. Vance sputters while Rush blows kisses to the fans. Rush goes back for Cassidy again, and he snapmares Cassidy to then stomp him down! Rush steps on Cassidy, Jose brings him the camera cable, and Rush LASHES Cassidy in the leg! And then CHOKES him like he did to Vance! Cassidy endures, the ref reprimands but Rush lets off. Rush argues with the ref, but then Rush goes back for Vance. Rush CHOPS Vance, then puts him in the ring.

Rush hurries in but Vance LARIATS! And LARIATS again! And LARIATS again! Rush bails out, Vance pursues, and now Vance CHOPS Rush! And ROCKS him! Rush ROCKS Vance, and again! Cassidy DIVES in! But both men catch him, and bring him over, DOUBLE CHOKE SLAM on the table! The table doesn’t break but Cassidy might have! Rush sets the table up against the wall while Rampage goes picture in picture.

Rush drags Cassidy up, brings him around, and he wants Vance to help him. Vance agrees, only to CLUB Rush on the back! Vance brings Rush around but Rush whips Vance through the table! Rush grins as he stands tall, but it seems only Jose is applauding. Rush paces around before he drags Vance up and into the ring. Rush stands Vance up in a corner, asks fans to be quiet, and he CHOPS! Vance is stinging but Rush CHOPS again! Rush whips corner to corner, run sin and SPLASHES! Rush snapmares and basement dropkicks! Cocky cover, TWO! Rush argues but the ref says that was a fair count.

Rush stomps Vance around, pretends to take his head off and punt it into the crowd! Rush wants the ref to say it was good but Vance throws body shots! Vance backs Rush to a corner but Rush KNEES low! Rush mocks the Dark Order’s claw hand, then he drags Vance up to DECK him! Rush kicks Vance around, has him in a corner, and he stands on Vance’s head! Rush hops up to the corner to soak up heat. Jose CHOKES Vance! The ref can only reprimand as Rush also digs his boots in. Vance throws body shots in return abut Rush DECKS him again! Rush tears at the mask! Danhausen coaches Cassidy while the ref reprimands Rush.

Rush argues with the ref, there’s nothing wrong in a No Disqualifications setting. Rush clamps on a chinlock to grind Vance down, but Vance fights his way up. Vance throws body shots, then ROCKS Rush! Vance ROCKS Rush again and Rampage returns to single picture. Vance runs in, Rush puts him on the apron and ROCKS him! Rush runs but into a SLINGSHOT SPEAR! Cassidy returns, he runs in, ORANGE- NO, Vance catches the punch into the arm hooks! Cassidy fights the full nelson, and wants to put his hands in his pockets! Vance spins Cassidy around to suplex, but Cassidy hits STUN-DOG MILLIONAIRE!

Cassidy runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges Rush to tilt-o-whirl DDT! Fans fire up as Cassidy throws off his armband! Cassidy runs in, into a BOOT from Vance! Vance spins, but Cassidy ducks to BEACH BREAK!! Cover, but Jose breaks it! Fans boo as Jose soaks it all up. Cassidy frowns but Danhausen gets in! Fans fire up as Danhausen CURSES Jose! And then DICK PUNCHES him! Rush returns and shoves Danhausen into Cassidy! Rush DECKS Danhausen! Fans boo but Rush grins. Rush runs in but Cassidy dodges, only for Rush to SUPERKICK! Cassidy comes back, into an OVERHEAD Belly2Belly into the corner!

Rush taunts Cassidy, but fans taunt Rush with “TIGHTY WHITIES!” Rush frowns, turns around, and Vance LARIATS him down! And again! Vance gets around to scoop and POWERBOMB! Then a SPINEBUSTER! Vance roars and fans fire up with him! “TEN! TEN! TEN!” Cassidy wheelbarrows but Vance blocks to WHEELBARROW GERMAN! And then the DISCUS!! Cover, Rush breaks it in time! Vance is furious but he drags Rush up to ROCK him! Vance runs in to clothesline, CHOP, CHOP and ROCK! Vance fires off but Rush turns things around. Rush pulls at the mask! The fans boo as Rush uses the mask to blind Vance!

Rush mugs Vance, kicks and stomps him down, then runs, into an ORANGE PUNCH!! But Rush falls out of the ring! Vance fixes his mask, DISC- NO, Cassidy ducks again! But Vance sunset flips through the Beach Break! But Cassidy sits down on the cover! With hands in pockets! Cassidy wins!!

Winner: Orange Cassidy, by pinfall (still AEW All-Atlantic Champion)

It was a Triple Threat on a whim, and Cassidy still comes out on top! Cassidy is still champion, who will be next for him and this title? As for Vance and Rush, this is far from over, but Vance leaves with Negative One. When and where will The Dark Order and LFI settle this once and for all?

My Thoughts:

A great episode for Rampage to follow up the big night on Tuesday. The Acclaimed opening the night was a good move, and it was a really good match with the “Varsity Athletes,” another thing Sterling stole from within AEW. But of course The Acclaimed retained and won back the scissor finger gag, and now they’ll await the winner of next Wednesday’s #1 contenders match. Hook VS Daivari was very good, especially for that Hook wasn’t just squashing Daivari. It had the usual Heel moves of Daivari’s corner man interfering and distracting, but Hook established he can overcome that and is still champion. I feel like a prolonged feud with The Trustbusters could help Hook finally get past the squash matches and into something more.

I’m a little confused by the switch from Penelope to Leila. Maybe they wanted Willow to get a win on the night she’s announced to be officially part of AEW, and it would’ve really hurt Penelope’s own return push if she lost here. Either way, this is great for Willow, even if the AEW Women’s Division is still struggling for time in the ring, because at least now Willow is on contract and is getting that money. We got a good bit from Nyla and her crew, though, as they take even more things from Jade. There’s still a lot of time before Full Gear, so I’m sure there will be even more confrontations and gags between Jade and Nyla before the big match.

Good promo bit from The Firm, though I’m as perplexed by rapper Matt Hardy as Stokely. I suppose this could be the start of Hardy’s “fighting against a corrupt boss” story like we’ve seen in pro-wrestling before, and he might drive Stokely so crazy that he lets Hardy out of his contract. Nice “intervention” promo segment from Eddie Kingston and all his friends, but it’s a roundabout way to setting up what was almost obvious here: trios championship feud. Eddie & Ortiz will find a third man and they will challenge Death Triangle at Full Gear. Personally, I would’ve loved for Santana to be the third man, but last I remember, he just wasn’t feeling it anymore and stepped away from wrestling.

I find it very interesting how AEW has danced around Vance VS anyone from LFI. They waited too long on Vance VS Andrade and then Andrade gets himself into trouble fighting with Sammy Guevara. Then they audible to Vance VS Rush but take their time, and then just throw Cassidy and the All-Atlantic title onto it. The way they set the Triple Threat up was really goofy, but I suppose that follows Cassidy’s character. This was Cassidy’s first defense, so it’s quite a big one under his belt. And because we haven’t had Vance VS Rush 1v1, that will definitely come back around for either next Rampage or for the Full Gear Buy-In. And at this point, I don’t know which way it’ll go, but I feel it could go either way and it’d still work out as Vance has improved in the ring and even on the mic.

My Score: 8.6/10