Will the Swiss Superman still reign?

On the first AEW Rampage after Forbidden Door, Claudio Castagnoli defends his ROH World Championship against Komander! Can Komander become campeon? Or is he just a tune-up for Blood & Guts?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• ROH World Championship: Claudio Castagnoli VS Komander; Claudio wins and retains the title.
• Shawn Spears VS The Blade w/ The Butcher; Spears wins.
• Johnny TV & QT Marshall w/ Harley Cameron VS Matt Hardy & Isiah Kassidy w/ Ethan Page; Johnny & QT win.
• Taya Valkyrie VS Hikaru Shida; Shida wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

ROH World Championship: Claudio Castagnoli VS Komander w/ Alex Abrahantes!

The Swiss Superman may be going into Blood & Guts with the Blackpool Combat Club, but he is still looking for worthy competition for this title. Will he find it in The Commander of Lucha Libre? Or will Claudio’s Kryptonite still be undiscovered?

The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, and Claudio TOSSES Komander away! Fans boo but Komander comes back and they tie up again. Claudio wrenches, YANKS and wristlocks, but Komander rolls, handsprings and wrenches. Claudio DECKS Komander! Fans boo but Claudio TOSSES Komander to the corner! Claudio runs in but Komander dodges! Komander comes back, Claudio pops him up but Komander headstands on the top buckle! Claudio rushes in, Komander goes to the apron and the uppercut hits buckles! Komander then slingshots to RANA Claudio away! Fans fire up, Komander gets moving, but Claudio BOOTS him down!

Fans duel and Claudio drags Komander back up. Claudio suplexes, but Komander fights around to a SLEEPER! Fans cheer but Claudio RAMS Komander in the corner! Claudio runs in but into BOOTS! Komander jumps on for another SLEEPER! Claudio fights, powers Komander up onto his shoulders, but Komander throws hands! Komander spins to wheelbarrow, but Claudio SLAMS him down! Cover, TWO! Komander is still in this and Claudio is surprised. Fans rally up, Claudio drags Komander by his legs, and starts up the SWISS SWING! Komander goes around for TEN rotations before Claudio tosses him!

Fans want more but Claudio drags Komander up to tuck the arms. RICO- NO, Komander arm-drags free of the bomb! Claudio goes out, Komander builds speed and DIVES, but into a suplex?! And then Claudio pops Komander round, but Komander fights free! Komander runs in, is put on the apron, but he slingshots in to DROPKICK Claudio! Fans fire up and Komander goes up the corner, to FLYING ARM-DRAG! Claudio tumbles away, fans fire up more and Komander runs in, but is send into barriers! Claudio runs in to BOOT Komander over barriers! Fans fire up and Claudio goes out to fetch Komander, and TOSS him back to ringside!

The ref checks on Komander but Claudio storms up to him. Abrahantes coaches Komander but Claudio trophy lifts Komander! And TOSSES him into ropes! Komander flops into the ring, Claudio storms in after him, and Claudio drags Komander up to DDT! Cover, TWO!! Komander is still in this as Rampage goes picture in picture.

Claudio drags Komander up while fans rally. Claudio gut wrenches to Canadian Rack, but Komander fights free! Komander goes to a corner, Claudio runs in but into a BOOT! Claudio UPPERCUTS! And then cover, TWO!! Komander survives again and Claudio is frustrated. Claudio drags Komander up, brings him around, and hoists him onto a corner. Claudio CLUBS Komander on the back, climbs up after him, and brings him up higher! SUPER BACK- CROSSBODY!! Komander turns it around on Claudio! Fans rally, Komander drags himself up with ropes, and then runs in, but into a scoop and SLAM!

Claudio runs as Rampage returns to single picture, and he drops the leg, brother! Cover, TWO!! Komander survives again and Claudio is growing frustrated. Claudio drags Komander up, brings him up a corner, and then gut wrenches, for a SUPER- STEINER!! Komander turns things around again! Fans fire up as Komander rises again. Claudio goes to ropes, Komander runs in, and TIGER WALL KICK! Dropkick to the leg, LA MAGIS- NO, Claudio powers out of the cradle, only for Komander to go up and over! Komander runs back to tilt-o-whirl, and tilt-o-whirl, and tilt-o-whirl again, to RANA Claudio into ropes!

Fans are thunderous as Claudio falls out of the ring and staggers around. Komander builds speed to go up the corner, backflips to then go back up, SUPER TORNILLO! Direct hit and fans fire up again! Komander goes to the ring to refresh the count, and he brings Claudio up. But Claudio RAMS Komander into barriers! Claudio runs in, but Komander avoid the boot this time! Komander drags Claudio to be on the railing, and CLUBS him! Komander then hops up onto the barrier, Abrahantes makes sure it is clean, and Komander tightrope walks to GUILLOTINE SHOOTING STAR! Fans are thunderous again!

Claudio flounders and Komander fires up! Komander puts Claudio in, climbs a corner, “This is Awesome!” as Komander TORNILLO RANAS!! Cover, TWO!! Claudio survives and shakes his head. Komander keeps his focus, though, and fans rally back up. Komander CHOPS, but Claudio doesn’t flinch! Komander CHOPS again, but Claudio just eggs him on! Komander CHOPS, Claudio ROCKS him! Komander rebounds to JUMP FOREARM! Komander fires off shot after shot, Claudio shoves him, and UPPERCUTS him down! Cover, TWO!! Komander is durable but Claudio says he’s done!

Claudio drags Komander up, pumps up, short arm LARIAT!! Cover, TWO?!?! Komander shocks everyone and the fans are thunderous again! Komander crawls to a corner, Claudio throws off the elbow pad and runs in, but only gets buckles! Komander runs in corner to corner, stands on Claudio, then TORNADO DDTS!! Cover, TWO!?!? Claudio shocks everyone now! Komander hurries, La Magistrol! TWO!! Claudio escapes, Komander goes to ropes, and Claudio runs in, but only gets ropes! Komander SLINGSHOT HOTSHOTS! And then Komander hurries back up! Fans rally as Komander springboards, to PHOENIX SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!?!?!

The fans still can’t believe this, but Komander pounds the mat. The fans rally behind Komander, and he goes back up the corner. Komander tightrope walks again, to SHOOTING- NO, Claudio moves! And comes back, but Komander slips through the lariat! Kick, ENZIGURI, and Komander runs! Komander goes up and up and leaps, into the UPPERCUT!!! Claudio wants after Komander but the ref checks Komander. Komander is OUT, Claudio wins!!

Winner: Claudio Castagnoli, by knockout (still ROH World Champion)

Komander came as close as anyone to dethroning Claudio, but “close” is still not enough! Will anyone stop the Swiss Superman’s streak as ROH World Champion?

Shawn Spears VS The Blade w/ The Butcher!

The Chair Man returns home to Canada, and he’s looking for some action! Will Shawn be #PERFECT10N tonight? Or will this be a win for the Superbad Squad?

The bell rings and these old rivals circle. They tie up, and Blade powers Spears to a corner. The ref counts, Blade and Spears push but Blade lets off at 4. Blade makes the pecs dance, but then Spears gets around, waistlocks, spins and snapmares Blade to then cartwheel and “TEN! TEN! TEN!” He even shows the X on his trunks, and gets those glutes working! Spears takes a bow, but then Blade rushes him! Spears sends Blade out, then goes out after him. Blade CHOPS Spears, and CHOPS again! Blade stalks Spears, swings on him, but Spears turns it around to CHOP Blade against the barriers! And CHOP again!

Spears SMACKS Blade off the steel steps, refreshes the ring count, and then brings Blade around to more barriers. Spears CHOPS and fans cheer “TEN! TEN! TEN!” Spears wrenches Blade and hits an APRON BACK SUPLEX! Spears takes another bow and fans chant “WELCOME HOME!” Butcher rushes in but Spears sends him into barriers! Spears puts Blade in, Blade distracts the ref and Butcher CLOBBERS Spears! Butcher puts Spears in for Blade, and Blade suplexes for a GOURD BUSTER! Spears sputters, Blade KICKS him in the side! “Who’s the man now?!” Fans boo, it isn’t Blade.

Blade kicks Spears around, talks trash, and CHOPS! And CHOPS! Spears snarls and Blade eggs him on. Blade pie faces then CHOPS! Spears gets up and stares Blade down. Blade CHOPS, but then Spears avoids one to CHOP and CHOP and CHOP! Spears whips, Blade reverses but Spears reverses back. Blade ducks ‘n’ dodges but Spears hits a THESZ PRESS! And fast hands! Blade gest away but Spears kicks, knees and short arm LARIATS! Then a stomp right on Blade’s head! Fans fire up and Spears stalks Blade to a corner. Spears climbs up and rains down fists! Fans count but Blade bails out at 4.

Spears just adjusts up top, so Blade hurries back in! Spears jumps over Blade, fireman’s carries, C4!! Cover, Spears wins!

Winner: Shawn Spears, by pinfall

And that was a perfect ten! Spears thanks the crowd, will Spears make Canada proud by bringing home some gold?

AEW hears from the Men’s Owen Hart Cup competitors.

The Savior of the Backbreaker says, “First round match with Samoa Joe. This one’s different. I expect the fight of my life.” The ROH World TV Champion says Strong is a formidable opponent, but there is one thing that is consistent in their feud: Strong has never defeated Joe. Dustin Rhodes tells Powerhouse Hobbs that he is a Natural born-legend with more grit than Hobbs will ever have. Hobbs says this is still the end of the road for Dustin. Juice says he just needs three wins to take the Owen Hart Cup. Starks says this has to be a joke, him facing Juice in the first round. Starks beat Juice once, he can do it again. Who come out of the opening round to join CM Punk in the semifinals?

Harley Cameron is on stage.

She has them put the spotlight on her, and she sings, “The voice of an angel~! The strength of a million~ men! The hottest thing on TV~!” She kicks the red carpet down the ramp as she, QT Marshall & Johnny TV strut to the ring. This will be the first time we see QT & Johnny in action together, will they be a ratings hit? Or more like a failed spinoff?

Johnny TV & QT Marshall w/ Harley Cameron VS Matt Hardy & Isiah Kassidy w/ Ethan Page!

The teams sort out, the bell rings, and Matt and Johnny meet again. They circle, tie up, and then break. Johnny raises his hand but the fans boo. Matt says “DELETE! DELETE! DELETE!” Johnny kicks low, wrenches and wristlocks, but Matt wrenches back. Matt ELBOW BREAKERS to the “DELETE! DELETE! DELETE!” Tag to Brother Zay and he goes up to DOUBLE STOMP the arm! Kassidy taunts QT, brings Johnny up and swivels the hips. But Johnny shoves Kassidy down, brings him up, and tags in QT. They mug Kassidy, and QT stares Matt down. Fans chant “QT SUCKS! QT SUCKS!”

QT ROCKS Kassidy, whips him to ropes, but Kassidy ducks ‘n’ dodges to tilt-o-whirl RANA! Fans fire up as Kassidy pumps them hips. Kassidy blocks the boot, gets around and hits a NECKBREAKER! Kassidy kips up and shrugs, then tags in Matt. Hardy Party double whip, double elbow, and then LEG DROP SENTON COMBO! Cover, ONE!! QT RAMS Matt into the corner, tag to Johnny and Johnny fires off fast hands. The ref counts, Johnny ROUNDHOUSES then fireman’s carries. SAMOAN DROP with a roll through! SHOOTING STAR FLOPS as Matt moves! Tag to Kassidy!

Kassidy springboards and squeals into the CROSSBODY! Things keep moving, Kassidy springboards to IMPLODER RANA! Kassidy gets back up, and triangle jump STUNNERS QT down! Fans fire up and Kassidy says hey to Harley. But Johnny throws hands! Harley says Kassidy ain’t got no chance, he’s a scrub. Johnny whips but Kassidy hurdles. Johnny hurdles. Kassidy slips out and puts an arm around Harley. She gets away from him and QT rushes up. But Kassidy DECKS QT! But Johnny DIVES onto Kassidy! Johnny, QT and Harley all pose together for a selfie as Rampage goes picture in picture.

Kassidy stirs, Harley talks trash on him, and Johnny ROCKS Kassidy with a forearm. Johnny puts Kassidy in, keeps him from Matt, and tags QT in. QT drops a leg, brother, then covers, TWO! QT drags Kassidy up, bumps him off buckles, and tags in Johnny. They mug Kassidy, then QT whips so Johnny can whip so QT can whip Johnny in for a forearm smash! QT clotheslines, then feeds Kassidy to Johnny’s Alabama Lift, and ROLLING ALABAMA SLAM! Tag back to QT and Johnny sets Kassidy up for QT’s SLINGSHOT SENTON! QT is toying with Kassidy now, and he dares Kassidy to tag Matt. But then QT DECKS Matt!

But Kassidy rolls up QT! TWO!! QT bumps Kassidy off buckles, tags Johnny, and they mug Kassidy some more. Johnny jukes and DECKS Kassidy, then CHOKES him on the ropes! The ref counts, Johnny lets off, and then Johnny digs his boots in. The ref counts again, Johnny lets off, but QT CHOKES Kassidy against the apron! QT CLUBS Kassidy, gets away with it all, and Johnny looms over Kassidy as Rampage goes to break.

Rampage returns and Johnny keeps Kassidy down with a chinlock. Ethan reluctantly helps rally the fans behind “DELETE! DELETE! DELETE!” Kassidy fights up, throws body shots, and blocks a kick to step over and ROUNDHOUSE! QT tags in and he hurries after Kassidy. QT mocks “DELETE! DELETE!” but Kassidy RANAS free of the suplex! Hot tag to Matt! Matt rallies on Team QTV, and he scoop SLAMS Johnny! And scoop SLAMS QT! Matt bumps Johnny off the buckles for every “DELETE! DELETE! DELETE!” And all three levels! Fans fire up, QT runs in, into a SIDE EFFECT!

Matt drags Johnny up to fire off haymakers, then YANK and POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO! Johnny survives but Matt says time to go up! Matt goes up the corner, fans fire up with the V1, and AX HANDLE! Fans fire up, Matt says “DELETE! DELETE!” Kick and- NO, Johnny blocks the Twist! So Matt shifts his weight to DDT! Cover, QT breaks it! Kassidy runs in to fire off on QT! QT knees low, tosses Kassidy, but Matt kicks QT! TWIST- NO, QT powers out then pop-up FOREARMS! Johnny FLYING CHUCKS!! Cover, TWO!!! Matt survives and Ethan can’t believe it! Johnny goes up the corner, to ROLLING KONG FLOP!

Matt and Johnny hurry back up, Johnny reels Matt in but Matt powers out to feed Johnny to a GAMANGIRI! QT runs in but Matt dumps him out! Tag to Kassidy, and Hardy Party clothesline Johnny out! Fans fire up as Matt sets up and Kassidy runs, SUPER POETRY IN MOTION!! Fans are thunderous, Kassidy puts Johnny in for a SIDE EFFECT! Kassidy is up top, shoutout to Brother Nero, but then Harley distracts! Matt tells her to get down but QT trips Kassidy up! Ethan is upset, he still likes Kassidy. QT drags Matt out and SMACKS him off the desk! Johnny sets Kassidy up for STARSHIP PAIN!! Cover, QTV wins!

Winners: QT Marshall & Johnny TV, by pinfall

The pilot episode is a success, but All Ego gets in to defend Kassidy & Matt. QT & Johnny dare him to do something, and they push him. Ethan takes off the shirt and fans fire up! Ethan throws his shirt at Johnny then DECKS QT! But Johnny ROUNDHOUSES in return! But here comes The Acclaimed!! Caster, Bowens & Billy Gunn run QTV off! QT & Johnny still have to answer for what they did to The Acclaimed last week, will they soon get canceled?

Wheeler Yuta speaks.

“Kenny, when I pinned you in the main event of Double or Nothing, when I had my crowning moment, my biggest achievement to date, I thought the war between the BCC and the Elite was over. But it’s become apparent it’s not over with a victory. We haven’t truly left our scar the way we need to. Kenny, we have to break you. We have to break you emotionally, we have to break you physically, we have to break you mentally. We’re gonna end the war at Blood & Guts. It’s gonna be a surrender, because I will have decided the war myself when I end you and The Elite.” The Decoder gets a 1v1 match with The Cleaner this Wednesday on Dynamite, will he fire the first shot in this final battle?

Mark Henry welcomes us back to Rampage.

“Tonight, two world-travelers, Taya Valkyrie and Hikaru Shida, do battle.” La Wera Loca admits, things haven’t been going her way lately. This is not who she is! But tonight is a great opportunity, as she faces an AEW Original, a former AEW Women’s World Champion, and a legend in Japan. And Hikaru Shida says she’s been ready to face Taya ever since Taya first showed up in AEW. But she hasn’t seen much out of her. Shida vows to show Taya the best of AEW Women’s Wrestling. But Taya says a win here will get her right back to the top. It looks like there’s been enough talk. It’s TIME for the main event!

Will Taya get her biggest win in AEW by taking down a former AEW Women’s World Champion? Or will the Full Metal Warrior use Taya as her way back to a title in her own right?

Taya Valkyrie VS Hikaru Shida!

The bell rings and the two circle. Fans rally up and the two tie up. Taya powers Shida to a corner, fans duel, and the ref counts. Taya lets off at 4, but then Shida dodges the splash. Taya hurries to waistlock and SLAM Shida, then she soaks up the cheers and jeers. Taya flips Shida over but Shida arm-drags Taya! Shida runs in to KNEE Taya in the corner! Shida fires off forearms, then climbs up to rain down fists! Fans count along, and Shida gets all TEN! Shida fires up, but Taya shoves her away. Shida dodges Taya’s clothesline, BOOTS back, and then runs in to RANA! Not the smoothest but Taya bails out.

Shida pursues and CLUBS Taya against barriers. Shida looks under the ring, and brings out a chair! Fans cheer as Shida stands that up and then runs, to leap and miss as Taya moves! Taya gets back in the ring, Shida pursues, but Taya runs in. Shida avoids the boot to ENZIGURI! Taya goes to a corner, fans rally up and Shida whips corner to corner. Taya reverses to ROCK Shida, then she mocks the fans cheering Shida on. Taya pie faces Shida, then CHOPS her! Taya whips corner to corner, runs in and sweeps the legs! And then YANKS Shida into the post, and SLAMS the leg into the steel!

Taya goes into the ring to soak up more heat, and Rampage goes picture in picture.

Taya scowls at the fans booing her, then she storms over to Shida. Taya has the legs and SLAMS them against the post again! And again! Taya mocks the fans, then goes into the ring. Taya drags Shida out of the corner, covers, TWO! Taya keeps after Shida and she stomps the legs. And then SLAMS the legs on the mat! Taya stands on a leg but Shida kicks with the other leg, so Taya stomps that leg! Taya has both legs, to LEG SPLITTING LEG DROP! Cover, TWO! Taya is annoyed but she drags Shida to center. Taya hits a spinning toehold, but Shida fires off kicks and forearms! Taya CLUBS the bad leg, then rolls into a AKNLE LOCK CALF SLICER COMBO!

Shida endures and reaches out, but Taya adds pressure on the ankle lock. Shida keeps fighting, crawls forward, and gets the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts and Taya lets go at 4. Taya smirks as she stalks Shida, and KICKS her in the bad leg! Taya drags Shida around, taunts the fans, then CHOKES Shida on the ropes! The ref counts, Taya thrashes Shida around but still lets off at 4. Taya then drags Shida to center and covers, TWO! Shida is hanging tough but Taya slaps her around. Taya CLUBS Shida, Shida hits back, so Taya CLUBS her again! Shida fires off haymakers! The fans fire up as the two scrap and thrash about!

Taya ROCKS Shida, ROCKS her again, and Shida falls over. Taya kicks Shida as Rampage returns to single picture. Fans boo but Taya just soaks up the heat. Taya pushes Shida around, talks trash, and Shida ROCKS her! Shida sits back down and Taya pushes her again. Shida stands to fire off more forearms! And kicks, and then a suplex, but Taya CLUBS the bad leg! Taya wrenches, ROCKS and runs, but Shida catches her to then ROCK her back! Shida CLUBS Taya, fans fire up and Shida just keeps firing forearms! Fans fire up as Shida just HAMMERS away on Taya! Shida whips and JUMP KNEES Taya down! Cover, TWO!

Shida fires back up and fans are with her. Shida goes out to the apron, climbs up the ropes, but the bad leg slows her down. Taya BLASTS Shida to the floor! Fans boo but Taya goes out after Shida. Taya whips Shida but Shida reverses, to then suplex to the floor! Taya writhes, Shida drags her up and fans fire up. Shida pushes the chair aside, goes up the apron, and METEORAS Taya to the floor! Shida hobbles up, puts Taya in, and then runs to SLIDING FOREARM! Cover, TWO!! Taya survives and Shida roars in frustration. Shida aims, but Taya blocks the Katana! Shida comes back, but into a SHIN BREAKER into buckles!

Taya goes corner to corner, runs back in, METEORA!! Taya grins as she drags Shida to center and covers, TWO!! Shida survives and Taya is shocked! Taya slaps sense into herself, then gets the bad legs. Fans rally for Shida and that upsets Taya. Taya stomps away on the knee, ties the legs up, and goes for arms. Shida resists, so Taya CLUBS away on the legs! Taya then tries again, but Shida turns over to BOOT Taya away! Shida hobbles up, runs in, but Taya avoids the knees! Chicken wings, but Shida victory rolls! Taya sits on it, TWO!! Shida completes the victory roll, and SHIDA WINS!

Winner: Hikaru Shida, by pinfall

Taya is shocked! The Shining Samurai had one good leg and she still pulls out the victory! Will La Wera Loca drive herself insane over this losing streak? Will Shida soon fight to get back the AEW Women’s World Championship?

My Thoughts:

A really good episode for Rampage, and kudos to the women main eventing. Great promos from Taya and Shida, great match from Taya and Shida, and great return win for Shida. Taya is already Heel, but this could really bring out some kind of unhinged Taya. Just not sure where she goes from here, other than one more match for the TBS Championship. As for Shida, she might be next for taking on Toni Storm and the Outcasts given she was part of that story. Shida VS Storm would be awesome stuff for All In London.

Awesome opener from Claudio and Komander for the ROH World Championship. Claudio wins, of course, because as I was saying for ROH last night, it feels like they want to return to Claudio VS Eddie Kingston. But hey, he’s still making his opponents look awesome in their matches. Great stuff from Spears VS Blade and of course Spears wins. As I said on Dynamite, I just wish Spears was doing something meaningful now, like being in the Blind Eliminator Tag Tournament alongside Orange Cassidy or something. And of course we get a lot of the same material from the Owen Hart Cup competitors, they are really hammering home that this is happening.

Really good stuff out of Hardy Party VS QTV, though I couldn’t for the life of me get the second line in Harley’s song so I just skipped it. Not always the smoothest from Johnny TV but his hybrid style is unique and tricky to keep up with. But naturally, Johnny & QT win as this was Johnny’s return. And naturally, Acclaimed make the save to further that they’re going to have a feud with QTV. Honestly, the faster this feud is over, the better, I don’t want a QTV segment where they try to run down The Acclaimed in the same TMZ cringe way they always do those promos.

My Score: 8.5/10