It’s a New Year’s Smash Rampage!

AEW sees 2022 off with BIG title matches! Kiera Hogan looks for revenge on Jade Cargill while Orange Cassidy takes on Best Friend, Trent Beretta! Will Kiera’s grudge stop Jade’s win streak? Will Cassidy and Trent play into Kip’s hands?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• AEW All-Atlantic Championship: Orange Cassidy VS Trent Beretta; wins and
• Kip Sabian w/ Penelope Ford VS Atiba; Sabian wins.
• AEW TBS Championship: Jade Cargill w/ The Baddies VS Kiera Hogan; Cargill wins and retains the title.
• Swerve Strickland w/ Mogul Affiliates VS Wheeler Yuta; Swerve wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

AEW pays tribute to Don West.

A great commentator for Impact Wrestling and influential in wrestling in many ways, he will be missed.

AEW All-Atlantic Championship: Orange Cassidy VS Trent Beretta!

Mr. Superbad wanted this match himself, but by process of elimination, it was determined that Freshly Squeezed should face one of his Best Friends first! Kip now watches this match on commentary, will he be pleased as punch regardless of the result?

The two are already in the ring, the belt is raised, and Rampage: New Year’s Smash opens with gold!

The bell rings and fans fire up, but Trent offers a handshake. Cassidy takes it and fans cheer the sportsmanship. But then Cassidy holds on, just to shake hands a bit longer. Trent says okay, he gets it, they’re good friends. Fans fire up as they just keep shaking hands! Then Cassidy whips! But Trent blocks! Trent whips and arm-drags but Cassidy arm-drags back! Cassidy then avoids Trent’s arm-drag, to put his hands up! Fans fire up, but Trent rushes in! Cassidy gets around, headlocks, but Trent powers up. Cassidy hits a flying takeover, Trent headscissors, but Cassidy kips free! Things speed up, Cassidy dodges the shoulder, dodges again, and then they RAM!

Trent and Cassidy RAM shoulders again and they both stay up. Cassidy smirks as he bumps shoulders, then flexes. Cassidy dares Trent to run those ropes, fans rally up, and Trent runs. Cassidy drops, hurdles, but Trent blocks the hip toss! Trent goes to hip toss, Cassidy blocks it, and Cassidy tries again. Trent blocks, tries again, Cassidy blocks and tries again, over and over until Trent hip tosses Cassidy onto the apron! Chuck Taylor walks over and helps Cassidy up. Cassidy rolls into the ring and Trent offers a hug. Cassidy accepts, but then waistlocks to shove! Trent tumbles out of the ring! Chuck now helps Trent up.

Trent slide sin, Cassidy runs in but Trent TOSSES him up and out! Danhausen seems to be “that” friend, he just starts “kicking” Cassidy! Chuck tells Danhausen to stop, they’re supposed to be supporting both sides! Danhausen realizes his mistake and helps Cassidy up. Cassidy gently pushes Danhausen aside, then casually walks away as Trent DIVES! Chuck catches Trent, and they HUG! You GOT to give the people what they want! Fans fire up but Cassidy is annoyed, so he PLANCHAS! Direct hit and down goes Trent! Cassidy puts Trent in, climbs up the corner, and leaps for a CROSSBODY! He bounces off, keeps moving, but Trent CLOBBERS him!

Cassidy flounders out, Kip says that was not sportsmanlike. Trent WRECKS Cassidy with a dropkick, doubling down on that! Fans rally up, Danhausen fans Cassidy off but Trent brings Cassidy up. Cassidy pushes back and ROCKS Trent with a forearm! Trent ROCKS Cassidy then RAMS him into railing! Trent is conflicted, but this is what it takes to win a title. Trent gets space, starts heading back, but Cassidy tells him to stop. Cassidy puts his hands up! Trent runs in, but Cassidy hurdles him and Trent hits railing all alone! Cassidy then puts his hands in his pockets! Chuck checks Trent, Trent stands up, Cassidy SHOTGUNS him back into railing!

Kip is reveling in this but Chuck is flabbergasted, and AEW goes picture in picture. Cassidy goes back to the ring to refresh the count, and the ref checks on Trent now. Trent is okay to continue so Cassidy strolls back over. Cassidy drags Trent up, brings him around and puts him in the ring. Cassidy takes his time climbing back up the corner, but Trent ROCKS him first! Trent climbs up after Cassidy, brings him up, and has a STALLING SUPERPLEX! Both men are down and a standing count begins! Danhausen and Chuck seem torn on who to coach up as both men stir. The count is 7 of 10, AEW returns to single picture after “OCHO!”

Trent drags Cassidy up, CHOPS him, and Cassidy grits his teeth. Cassidy “CHOPS” Trent! And again! And again! And again and again and again! Cassidy winds up, to CHOP! Trent ROCKS Cassidy, Cassidy ROCKS Trent! Fans rally, more on Cassidy’s side than Trent’s, but Trent gets the edge! Trent CLUBS Cassidy, but Cassidy SUPERKICKS! Kip is loving it as he watches this friendship falling apart as Trent LARIATS Cassidy! And then suplexes, but STUN-DOG- NO! Trent blocks the stunner, to HALF ‘N’ HALF! But Cassidy stands up to scoop, MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Trent survives and fans are fired up again!

Cassidy grabs the elbow pad, but he’s conflicted. If he throws it off, that means he’s getting serious facing his own friend. Fans rally for “Freshly Squeezed!” but Kip says Cassidy is a coward. Cassidy instead Alabama Lifts, but Trent fights that to lift! Cassidy fights the driver, back drops but Trent sunset flips! Cassidy rolls through but Trent blocks the prawn hold! TWO!! Trent runs in at the corner to back elbow! Both men lean against ropes and fans fire up again! Trent reels Cassidy in for the TORNADO- NO, Cassidy powers out! Cassidy runs, tilt-o-whirls and DDTs! Cassidy hurries up top, DEEP IMPACT!! Cover, TWO!!!

Trent survives and Kip is laughing gleefully as the battle continues. Fans rally up and Cassidy throws off the elbow pad! Trent slowly rises as Cassidy takes aim, ORANGE- NO, Trent catches Cassidy and tucks him in! But Cassidy shifts around for a crucifix takedown! TWO!! Cassidy ducks the lariat, rolls back, but into a TOMBSTONE PILEDRIVER!! Cover, TWO!!! “This is Awesome!” and just the first match of the show! Trent storms up after Cassidy in the corner, but Cassidy kicks him! Trent holds on, YANKS Cassidy right up, PILEDRIVER!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Cassidy survives and wait, here comes Penelope Ford!

Kip plays dumb, as if he doesn’t know why Mrs. Superbad is here. Trent brings down a kneepad but Ford distracts him? Trent backs her down, Cassidy gets Trent for BEACH BREAK!! Cover, TWO!?!? Trent survives, but the ORANGE PUNCH comes around!! Cover, Cassidy wins!

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

And Kip is laughing and applauding! He still plays dumb as to Penelope playing a part in this finish, but it seems his master plan of bumming out the Best Friends is going accordingly. Will Kip cause Cassidy to lose his friends before he loses that title?

AEW shares footage from just after Dynamite.

Tony Schiavone waited backstage, and he encountered Darby Allin & Sting. He flagged them down and said that next week, when AEW goes to Darby’s hometown of Seattle, it is official! Darby Allin challenges Samoa Joe for the AEW TNT Championship! Darby’s reaction? “I’m glad it’s in Seattle. When I was graduating high school, I was 115 pounds. I told everyone I wanted to become a professional wrestler, and everyone doubted me. My teachers, my friends, even my own dad. And I listened to them, and I was dying inside. But the moment I started listening to myself, I felt so alive. And look what I did, Tony! I became TNT Champion! But I lost it all.

“I don’t know if you believe in me, I don’t even know if my hometown believes in me. Matter of fact, I don’t even know if you (Sting) believe in me.” Does Sting believe Darby can beat Samoa Joe? Does Sting think Darby has what it takes? Does Sting think Darby can become TNT Champion again? Darby gives Sting a push, but Sting asks, “What if I say no, Darby? What if I say no? Then I’ll be the guy that doubted you like everybody else, right? If I say yes, you’re going to lose the chip on your shoulder. I don’t want you to lose the chip on your shoulder. Why? Because Joe is a killer, that’s why!

“And because I know you’re gonna have to dig deep, deep down inside, maybe to a place you’ve never been before inside of yourself! You gotta stop the madness! Stop worrying about what everybody thinks! ‘You think I can? You think I can’t?’ It doesn’t matter! What I think, what your dad thinks, what the fans think, what Seattle thinks! It only matters what DARBY thinks! Now get out there and go win your title back! Shut your mouth and just do it!” The Icon is fired up, and that seems to be enough for Darby. Will the Relentless One be just that and dethrone the King of Television?

Kip Sabian w/ Penelope Ford VS Atiba!

AEW returns to ringside and Mr. Superbad is ready for his own match. And to start, he raises his hands a la Cassidy, but to HEADBUTT rather than put them in his pockets! Kip then whips, only for Atiba to reverse and send Kip to the corner. Kip goes up and over, then GAMANGIRIS! Kip sits Atiba down, goes to the corner, and he shouts, “CANNONBALL~!” Kip runs in to CANNONBALL after all! And then Kip climbs up, to DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS! But Kip isn’t done with Atiba just yet. Ford throws Cassidy’s elbow pad to Kip so that he can put it on, just to take it off! And then ORANGE PUNCH! Cover, Kip wins!

Winner: Kip Sabian, by pinfall

Mr. Superbad serves up bootleg Orange Punch but it still hits just as hard as the real deal. Will Kip get his shot at the All-Atlantic Championship now that no one else is in the way?

Backstage interview with Preston Vance & Jose the Assistant.

Lexi Nair is with the LFI but he wants her to hold on. She should address him by his new name, “Perro Peligroso.” The Dangerous Dog? Lexi says ok, and she brings up that Perro has his first singles match since joining the LFI next week on Rampage. But the real question is, does he feel any remorse for leaving the Dark Order the way he did? “Perro” thinks Lexi doesn’t get how interviews work. She’s smart for being blonde, but he’ll ask her a question. Did she watch his interview with Good Ol’ JR? Yes. Then she knows it was the most talked about thing on Rampage.

And they’re saying stuff like Vance is handsome and can actually talk. Vance has known that his whole life! But for the past three years, he was forced to wear a stupid mask and do a stupid hand sign. Now, question two: as a backstage interviewer, Lexi gets all the dirt and gossip, right? Yes. Then who is he wrestling next week? Uh… She doesn’t know. Neither does he. It could be a local talent, it could be a member of The Dark Order, but it’s really all one in the same.

So to get back to the original question, so as not to be disrespectful, Vance asks, “Do I look like a man that has any remorse? I belittled a child on national television. And if that’s all I had to do to get the spotlight, I would’ve done that sh*t three years ago.” Jose says this interview is over, and the LFI heads out. Vance doesn’t regret what he did, but will he regret already overlooking his next opponent?

Jon Moxley is here!

AEW returns with Tony Schiavone already in the ring with The Maniac, and Schiavone asks Moxley about the talk from Hangman Adam Page. In fact, every time Moxley is in a match, or even just in the ring, Hangman wants to interject despite not being cleared. Fans boo that news, but Moxley takes the mic. Fans duel between “MOXLEY! MOXLEY!” and “COWBOY SH*T! COWBOY SH*T!” Moxley says it’s been a hell of a past few years, hasn’t it? “From day one in AEW, in the first three years, two men stood above all the rest and beat everyone there was to beat but each other. Jon Moxley and the Hangman, Cowboy Adam Page.

“So it was inevitable that there would be a showdown one day. And when that happened, I proved that there is only one top guy, there is only one number one, there is only one true ace, and there could only be one last man standing, and that was gonna be me! I hit Hangman Page so hard, I knocked him into another dimension. He woke up in the hospital that night, but I slept like a baby. Do you know why? Because the Blackpool Combat Club works harder than everybody else! We train harder than anybody else! We deliver harder than anybody else! We put that work in, so we deserve to sleep like babies.

“We deserve it because when we get in this ring and the bell rings, we don’t necessarily care about the safety of the athlete. Now, Hangman Page is hurt. Can’t get the doctors to clear him, he’s hurt. Tony, I’ve been hurt for 10 years. Big frickin’ deal, get over it. And it is a tough business, and this is the major leagues. Hangman, on January 11th, you want it, you want at The Forum in Los Angeles? Well, see your doctors and see what you can do about that. I’ll be there waiting for ya.

“People seem to forget these days, this IS a tough business. So if you make it to January 11th, if you make it to LA and the Forum, I’m gonna set about reminding everybody just how tough this business can be. Hangman, keep your hands up, b*tch.” The Maniac calls out the Cowboy for a shootout, will it happen no matter what the doctors say?

BREAKING NEWS for Dynamite!

The first Dynamite of 2023 will see The Acclaimed defend the AEW World Tag Team Championships against Jeff Jarrett & Jay Lethal! After the war of words and the fighting in the ring, can Max Caster & Anthony Bowens shut up and shut down “Triple J” once and for all? Speaking of…

Team Triple J speaks.

Sonjay Dutt tells The Acclaimed that live in Seattle, Washington, the very first Dynamite of 2023, “we are sick and tired of your games!” Jay Lethal says, “What we’re sick of is having to wait! I have been waiting a very long time to have gold! And right now, the time for waiting is over! You sing your stupid songs, I am sick of it! How dare you talk about me and Jeff like that! Acclaimed, what you have done is pissed us off! And now, this Wednesday, we’re fighting! We are fighting! IT IS OVER! I AM SICK OF THIS!”

Jarrett tells Caster, “I’ve been in this business 36 years. I’ve got more shower time than you’ve got ring time. And throughout my career, there’s a few things that I’ve said and a few things that I’ve done that I’ve regretted. I assure you one thing, you will regret that rap. Because not only am I gonna end your reign of tag team championships, I’m gonna end your career. I’m coming for you Wednesday on Dynamite.” The Last Outlaw and his lethal cohort are going for gold, but will they only get another Mic Drop?

AEW TBS Championship: Jade Cargill w/ The Baddies VS Kiera Hogan!

Still undefeated at 45-0, the AEW TBS Champion faces the Baddie she booted from the posse! Did that cold shoulder only light a fire inside Kiera? Or will nothing stop #ThatBitch from dominating the women’s division?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if revenge truly is a dish best served cold!

The bell rings and fans rally up as the two circle. They tie up, go around, and Jade powers Kiera to a corner, but Kiera slips away. Jade eggs Kiera on, and Kiera gets around to waistlock. Jade throws Kiera off, then kicks low! Jade reels Kiera in, suplexes, and holds her up! But Kiera turns it into a cradle! ONE!! Jade runs in but Kiera avoids the boot! Jade ELBOWS Kiera and she staggers around. Jade choke grips Kiera, to CHOKE SLAM her down! Kiera flounders out and fans fire up as AEW goes picture in picture.

Jade goes out after Kiera and EuroUppers her against the apron! Jade brings Kiera around to RAM into railing, and then shrugs as Kiera flops over. Jade stalks Kiera, kicks her around, and talks some trash. Kiera crawls, Jade refreshes the ring count, and then flexes. Kiera throws body shots but Jade CLUBS her down! Jade then drags Kiera up to whip her hard into railing! Jade takes her time walking over to where Kiera landed, and she drags Kiera up to suplex to the floor! And kip up! Jade is toying with Kiera at this point as she refreshes the ring count again. Jade drags Kiera up, brings her around, and whips her hard into railing again!

Jade drags Kiera up and puts her in the ring. Jade still doesn’t take Kiera seriously as she flexes and kisses the bicep. Kiera throws another body shot but Jade CLUBS her down! Jade digs her boot into Kiera at the corner but lets off as the ref counts, and Rampage goes to break.

Rampage returns and Jade has Kiera up top. Jade CHOKES Kiera, but lets off as the ref counts. Jade and the ref argue, and then Kiera BOOTS Jade! Kiera leaps but into Jade’s arms! Jade pops Kiera round, but Keira slips off! Kiera ducks the clothesline but the BOOT comes back around! Cover, TWO!! Kiera is still in this and she bails out of the ring. Leila Grey & Red Velvet are there to stand Kiera up. The ref reprimands, Jade smiles and puts some stank on her hand, but Velvet stops her?! Fans are stunned and Jade is furious! Kiera kicks and SUPERKICKS Jade! And then puts Jade in the ring! Fans fire up as Kiera gets in the ring, but Jade SUPERKICKS!

Leila and Velvet argue, but Jade just focuses on Kiera. Jade drags Kiera up, lifts her, but Kiera wheelbarrows to BULLDOG! Fans fire up as Jade ends up on ropes, Kiera HIP ATTACKS! Kiera YANKS Jade off the ropes, then BUZZSAWS and SUPERKICKS! Jade flounders, fans fire up with Kiera and she goes Around toe World, SLIDING DROPKICK! Kiera pushes Jade out, fires up and climbs up, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO!! Jade survives, she isn’t 45-0 for nothing! But Kiera hooks her up! Jade powers out, chicken wings, JADED!!! Cover, Jade wins!

Winner: Jade Cargill, by pinfall (still AEW TBS Champion)

And now she’s 46-0! Velvet bails, she’s clearly done with Jade’s antics. Will Jade have to worry about another former friend coming for what’s hers?

AEW looks closer at the star-studded women’s tag match.

Jamie Hayter says, “Last week on Dynamite, me and Shida beat the piss out of each other. It wasn’t just a title defense, that was a war. And I’m setting the tone and the standard for every single Jamie Hayter match going forward. Saraya, at the LA Forum, I don’t care who you bring. I really don’t. Me and Britt are gonna show out like we always do. You can say Hayter’s good, because that’s true. You can say Hayter’s tough, because that’s right. But at the end of the day, Hayter Hits Hard.” Just who is it that The Revolution will bring to the fight? And will they be able to help her tear down The Pillar & The Killer?

Backstage interview with The Varsity Athletes.

Lexi is with Mark Sterling, Tony Nese & Josh Woods, and apparently they have something to say. Yes, and that is “there is only so much a man can take,” and Smart Mark has reached his limit. “Bryan Danielson, you have meddled in the affairs of MJF for too long.” Maxwell Jacob Friedman did not ask Mark to do this, but this is all pro bono. Mark is SICK AND TIRED of Bryan messing with Mark’s best friend and best client. So Mark and Nese were talking, and they came up with an idea. Next week, in Seattle, Nese says Bryan has the “greatest opportunity of your career.” He gets to share the ring with the Premier Athlete! And Nese promises to beat Bryan in his hometown!

The Premier Athlete is calling out the American Dragon, but will it actually be the other way around when AEW arrives in Washington state?

AEW has a BIG week to open 2023!

On top of the AEW TNT Championship and AEW World Tag Team Championships, we’ll see MJF make a “contractually obligated appearance” in Seattle, and we’ll see if Jade and Velvet are still allies or enemies as they team up against Kiera Hogan & Skye Blue. Then on Friday, January 6th, Rampage and Battle of the Belts Five are live and back-to-back! And on Battle of the Belts, we WILL see Kip Sabian challenge Orange Cassidy for the All-Atlantic title! Will Mr. Superbad pay for pitting Best Friends against each other?

Mark Henry interviews tonight’s main eventers.

The World’s Strongest Man starts with The Decoder in saying he made this match against Swerve on Dynamite. Does Yuta see the guys he’s with? What is going through his head right now? Moxley says what will NOT be going through Yuta’s head: fear and pain! “Destroy, destroy, destroy” is the only mindset allowed in the BCC! Swerve is an incredible athlete, and Killshot was Moxley’s favorite for years, but there is nothing Swerve can throw at Yuta that the BCC hasn’t already dished out.

Swerve speaks up, having Moxley stop there. He figures that since he’s paying it back to Yuta from what happened on Dynamite, he says hello to the BCC. Though, it seems they’re missing some members. The difference is, theirs were taken from them while Swerve got rid of his. He wants this, he wants to get gritty and violent, just like them. Swerve proved in 2022 why he was the best acquisition for AEW this year. And in 2023, Mogul Affiliates proves why they’re the most violent.

Yuta says, “Oh, we’re talking violence now? You’re speaking my language! The only difference is, I don’t need two of the biggest rejects from last season of Tattoo Reboot.” Yuta says he can do this himself, Mox & Claudio will stay in the back! Okay, #SayLess. Mark Henry says there’s been enough talk, it’s time for the main event! Whose violent actions will speak louder to finish off 2022?

Swerve Strickland w/ Mogul Affiliates VS Wheeler Yuta!

The bell rings and the two stare down. Fans rally behind Yuta and Swerve is a bit annoyed by that. The two circle, Swerve knuckle locks and rolls but Yuta facelocks. Swerve moves around, Yuta goes for a leg, and Yuta has a toehold. Swerve pulls hair, the ref reprimands, they knuckle lock again. Swerve drop toeholds but Yuta stays up and slips away. The two stand off and fans cheer on Yuta. Yuta and Swerve reset, feel things out, and tie up collar ‘n’ elbow. Yuta wrenches to a wristlock but Swerve bridges and slips under to trip Yuta! Swerve has the toehold but Yuta kicks him away. Things speed up, Yuta hurdles but Swerve jumps over to get a leg!

Swerve wants a Crab but Yuta turns over and kicks Swerve away! Swerve kips up, runs in, but Yuta goes up and over to scoop, SLAM and SENTON! Fans fire up, Yuta covers, ONE! Yuta waistlocks Swerve, Swerve pulls hair and then fishhooks Yuta’s face! Yuta throws body shots and forearms but Swerve shoves to sweep the leg. Swerve rolls to deadlift but Yuta knees free of the suplex! Yuta arm-drags, hooks a leg, and he turns Swerve over to then tie up the legs! Fans rally as Yuta just toys with Swerve for a minute, then he puts on the BOW ‘N’ ARROW! Swerve endures, pops free to a cover, ONE!

Swerve drags Yuta up to bump him off buckles. Swerve CHOPS, then he snapmares Yuta to go out. Swerve springboards in, into a dropkick! Swerve bails out, Yuta DIVES! Direct hit and Swerve hits railing! Mogul Affiliates crowd Yuta as he puts Swerve in the ring. The ref reprimands them, they back off, and Yuta gets on the apron. Swerve BOOTS Yuta down! Fans boo but Yuta leaps to missile dropkick Yuta’s leg! Yuta clutches the knee while Rampage goes picture in picture!

Swerve smirks while Yuta writhes. Swerve high-fives Parker and his unnamed affiliate before he puts Yuta in the ring. Swerve stalks Yuta, then drops knees on the bad leg. Swerve grins as he digs the knees in, then he rains down fists. Swerve focuses on the knee again, then pulls on the toehold. Swerve pushes on the ankle but Yuta endures! So Swerve pulls way back on the leg! Yuta pulls Swerve’s hair, the ref reprimands, and Swerve lets go of the leg. Swerve toys with Yuta, then SLAPS him! And CHOPS! Yuta gets up and CHOPS back! Yuta eggs Swerve on and the forearms start flying! Yuta gets the edge so Swerve trips Yuta!

Swerve has a standing toehold, to a GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Parker likes what he sees from his boss as Swerve struts around Yuta. Swerve steps on Yuta’s hand, but Yuta gets up to CHOP and forearm on repeat! Swerve grabs the bad leg, slips around and has a fisherman BACKBREAKER! Swerve stands Yuta up like they’re pals, to hit another BACKBREAKER! Swerve stands Yuta up again, for another BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Yuta is hanging tough but Swerve keeps close. Swerve has the bad leg for a standing kneebar! Yuta endures but Swerve traps the other leg while putting on the pressure.

Yuta endures, Swerve twists the leg! And then twists the ankle! Yuta keeps his shoulders up but Swerve thrashes the leg around! Swerve continues to push on the bad knee, but Yuta gets his other leg free. Rampage returns to single picture as Yuta headstands and headscissors Swerve away! Swerve ends up in a corner, Yuta storms over, but Swerve elbows him away! Swerve runs, into a back drop! And then another! Yuta fires up but Swerve sees the third one coming! Cradle, but Yuta tilts it into his favor! TWO!! Yuta goes to a corner, Swerve runs in but Yuta slips out to the apron. Yuta ROCKS Swerve, bumps him off buckles, and climbs up top!

Fans fire up as Yuta gets his bad leg moving. Swerve stands, Yuta FLYING LARIATS! And then kips up on one leg! Yuta hits a GERMAN SUPLEX on one leg!! Bridging cover, TWO!! The bad leg held Yuta back but fans are still rallying behind him! But Swerve kicks out the bad leg and Yuta falls onto Serve’s knee! Swerve then ROLLING ELBOWS, whips and WRINGS Yuta, to then deadlift and BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Yuta is still in this and fans rally up, but Swerve keeps his focus. Swerve drags Yuta up, throws body shots over and over, then BOOTS Yuta! Swerve runs, but Yuta slips around to a waistlock!

Swerve mule kicks the bad leg, half nelsons, but Yuta wheelbarrows to victory roll! Swerve has the roll-up, with tights! TWO!! Yuta escapes, reels Swerve in but Swerve breaks free to ROCK Yuta! Yuta falls to the ropes but rewinds and comes back around, OLYMPIC SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Swerve survives and Yuta is frustrated as he clutches his leg. Fans continue to rally for Yuta while Swerve goes to a corner. Yuta stands, he runs in, but the leg jams! Swerve KNEES Yuta, then fires off fast hands in the corner! Swerve UPPERCUTS, runs side to side, and he DROPKICKS the bad leg! Yuta is down, Swerve goes up! But Yuta GAMANGIRIS!

Yuta snarls, he climbs up after Swerve, and fans are fired up as Yuta CLAWS Swerve! Yuta stands Swerve up for the SUPERPLEX! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous! Yuta roars and adrenaline helps him give Swerve HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! And then the float over, the turn, SEATBELT CRADLE! TWO and HOUSE CALL outta nowhere!! Cover, TWO!?! Yuta survives and Swerve is furious! Swerve stands Yuta up, half nelsons, but Yuta elbows free! Swerve knocks into the ref! Yuta whips, Swerve reverses, and Swerve stays back as Yuta goes up and over! LOW BLOW!! And then J M L DRIVER!!! Cover, Swerve wins!

Winner: Swerve Strickland, by pinfall

Mogul Affiliates helps Swerve to his feet after he steals that win from Yuta! Swerve just pinned the ROH Pure Champion, will that be the first piece of gold Swerve looks to add to the collection?

My Thoughts:

A really good Rampage to close out the year while also setting up next week. Good promo from Hayter just to keep her tag match with Britt against Saraya and who I assume is Toni Storm on our minds. And I do like the idea that Hayter VS Shida is just the first of many top tier women’s matches, title or otherwise. And while Jade VS Kiera for the TBS Championship came outta nowhere, it was a great match, especially for Kiera. Velvet stopping Jade was a surprise, but I suppose this was her way of telling Jade that she doesn’t need to win with help and other cheap tactics. I suppose we’ll see if something gives in that tag match on Dynamite.

Great opener from the All-Atlantic title, especially with the obvious story of “Will they still be Best Friends after this?” Kip did tip the scales in Cassidy’s favor using Penelope, and Trent should understand that, but this is pro-wrestling, where misunderstandings are powerful weapons against a team’s bond. Anyway, Kip of course won his match, and we’re going to get a pretty good title match for Battle of the Belts next week. I would think Cassidy wins, he’s been a great champion. The Varsity Athletes calling out Bryan Danielson on behalf of MJF was an interesting move, but still a logical one since Mark Sterling maintains a friendship with MJF. Nese VS Bryan is going to be good stuff but of course Bryan is winning that.

Darby and Sting had a great promo to hype up the TNT Championship match. Darby still delivers in a rather monotone manner but he still delivers smoothly and he does get fired up. Good promo from Triple J/Triple Jay, I don’t know which way they spell it. But I would think The Acclaimed win their tag title match for a strong start to the year. And then maybe they get attacked by another team to start another feud since rankings will be reset and that new team wants to jump the line before there even is a line. We got a good promo from Vance, though I don’t know why he wants another new name when he just got rid of “Number Ten.” So kind of abstract jab at WWE renaming people? But given that he has a mystery opponent, it probably will be a Dark Order member.

Good solo promo from Moxley to call out Hangman, and personally, I am still hoping that Hangman will be kayfabe not cleared to compete so that January 11th can give us an Unsanctioned Match. That would be one hell of a way to fire things up in the new year, and since it won’t count towards records, Hangman can win without hurting Moxley’s build back towards a title while Hangman will still have to go on a journey to climb back up. And then good group promo before the main event for Moxley to hype up Yuta and Yuta to kinda add on unnecessarily. Yuta delivers smoothly and with emotion, but there’s just something missing that’d make him an even better promo guy.

Great main event, and Swerve really adds to his Heel heat with that low blow to the finisher. Swerve and Yuta in a Pure Rules match would be interesting since they can’t get quite as physical, but maybe Swerve chooses not to go for that title because he doesn’t like the Pure title or something like that. But of course, there will come a point where Keith Lee returns and just wrecks Swerve’s henchmen to get his 1v1 match with Swerve. They might even take that grudge match to Revolution. Keith can be “recovering” all of January, returns the first week of February, and then boom, March 5th, Keith VS Swerve.

My Score: 8.4/10