Friendships continue to sour in AEW!

Roderick Strong turned on Kyle O’Reilly, so now Kyle’s going on a Rampage to get even! Will the Undisputed Kingdom make it to Dynasty?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• High Flying Fatal 4 Way Elimination Match: Rob Van Dam VS Lee Johnson VS Isiah Kassidy VS Komander; wins.
• Yuka Sakazaki VS Emi Sakura; Yuka wins.
• Six Man Tag: The Undisputed Kingdom VS Kyle O’Reilly, Rocky Romero & Matthew Menard; Kyle, Rocky & Menard win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Jon Moxley speaks.

“Well, things just got more interesting next week. The IWGP Championship will be on the line for the first time ever on Dynamite. That is one hell of a powerful cellphone you have there, Mr. Callis. Hey, I wasn’t planning on losing anyway, and I like playing this game better when the stakes are high, while the clock is clicking down to zero, when there’s no room for error, when it is truly do or die. My hand only gets steadier. I was born for these moments. But hey, let’s say next week in Jacksonville, I get struck by lightning. Will Hobbs shocks the world. From Oakland to Tokyo, new IWGP Champion, what a story that would be. If you like fairytales.

“And Don Callis would sit right next to you on the plane on the way to Japan, he’ll sit right next to you in the press conference. But has he truly been where you’ve been? Does he truly know you? Who you are and where you come from? I do. And I will be in the ring with you next week, not Don Callis. I’ve always known you’ve had something in here, Hobbs. I’ve always known. Next week, if you haven’t found that thing inside you that I talked about… It’s not about championships and contracts and fancy cars, that comes later. If you haven’t found it in the week I have given you, I will find it for you.

“Next week on Dynamite, what I’m gonna give you is a gift. I’m gonna show you who you really are. But that gift is going to be a bitter pill to swallow. Hey, this is pro-wrestling, anything can happen. So take this advance: don’t hesitate for one second, cuz I won’t.” The Maniac has issued his final warning, but will the Powerhouse write history with his own two hands?

High Flying Fatal 4 Way Elimination Match: Rob Van Dam VS Lee Johnson VS Isiah Kassidy VS Komander!

Today is 4/20 and you know what that means! RVD is ready to fly! But so are Big Shotty, Brother Zay and the AAA Cruiserweight Champion! It all comes down to who lasts longest, so who will have the last laugh on Rampage?

The bell rings, the fans rally for “R V D! R V D!” RVD stands on the corner to get everyone to join in on a “ROB! VAN! DAM!” Then RVD and the others approach, feel things out, and then RVD dodges everyone to hop up on a corner. The fans cheer and even the others have to appreciate the savvy. But then Zay taunts Johnson, and he tells Komander that he’s not high enough to see him. Zay kneels to be more Komander’s size, but then Komander and Lee DOUBLE DROPKICK! Zay tumbles away, Komander rolls Lee up but Lee slips free. Lee rolls Komander up, ONE! Lee arm-drags but then Komander arm-drags!

Both men kip up, the fans fire up, and then Zay runs in! Lee & Komander dodge, RVD FLYING KICKS Zay back down! Lee kicks but RVD blocks to spin and HEEL KICK! Komander runs up, RVD avoids the wall kick, and then says “ROB! VAN! DAM!” But Zay shoves RVD into Komander, then hits a BACKSTABBER on RVD! Zay says hold up hold up. “BRO! THER! ZAY!” The fans boo but Zay runs to ROLLING flop as RVD moves! RVD HEEL KICKS in the corner, then whips Zay back in. RVD runs up, goes up, MONKEY FLIP! Zay squeals as he flies away, then RVD runs, ROLLING THUNDER! The fans fire up and RVD covers, TWO!

Lee storms up, he brings RVD around to whip, but RVD reverses! Lee reverses to send RVD out to the ramp. Komander returns, he runs up but Lee TOSSES him out! Lee builds speed and FLIES! Big Shotty takes everyone out and lands on his feet! The fans fire up as Lee puts Zay in, storms up and gets around, BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO! Zay’s still in this but Lee stays fired up. The fans rally, Lee drags Zay up into the dragon sleeper, but Zay CLAWS the eyes! Zay rolls Lee and holds tights! Zay ELIMINATES Lee! The fans boo with how Zay did it, but Zay soaks it up. We’re through the first phase, and Rampage goes picture in picture.

Zay again mocks RVD with more “BRO! THER! ZAY!” then he goes out to fire off on Komander! Zay SMACKS Komander off the apron, puts him in the ring, then SMACKS RVD off apron, too! Zay follows after Komander, and CHOKES him with his towel! Zay kicks Komander around while the ref reprimands, but Zay whips Komander to ropes. Zay CLOBBERS Komander, mocks RVD and soaks up more heat. RVD gets on the apron, Zay SHOTGUNS him back down! Zay talks trash on RVD, drags Komander up, and Rampage returns to single picture. Zay ROCKS Komander, fires off hands at the ropes, then whips.

Komander holds ropes to stop himself, then he BOOTS back! Komander then dumps Zay out hard! The fans rally as RVD returns, but Komander dodges to dropkick the legs out. Komander brings RVD up in a corner, goes corner to corner and forearm SMASHES! The fans boo and rally up for RVD, but Komander goes side to side, to go up and up and ARIHARA MOONSAULT onto Zay! The fans cheer that, though! Komander puts Zay in, but then RVD is there to kick Komander! RVD reels Komander in, gets him up, but Komander RANAS free! Komander goes to the apron, springboards and SWANTON BOMBS! Cover, TWO!

Zay stays in this, with Quen coaching him. Abrahantes rallies for Komander, as do the fans, and Komander goes back up a corner. Zay rises, Komander tightrope walks, but Zay trips him up! Komander falls to the apron, RVD returns, and now Zay wants to make amends? Zay says it’s for 4/20! RVD says okay, hook him up. Zay checks his pockets but then checks his shoes. Oops, not there, either. RVD looks to the crowd, and Zay rolls him up! TWO!! Zay runs up to mule kick, whip, but RVD BOOTS back! Komander urns in, RVD dumps him out, to JUMP SOBAT him down! RVD bumps Zay off buckles to then ROUNDHOUSE him down!

The fans fire up as RVD then goes up, but Quen trips him! Quen SMACKS RVD off the apron! Komander hurries up top to tightrope walk! CIELITO LINDO!! Cover, Komander ELIMINATES Zay! The fans cheer as Kassidy suffers karma! But now RVD and Komander are alone as the true high-flyers of this match. The fans rally for RVD as he and Komander step up. Everyone joins in on a “ROB! VAN! DAM!” but Komander wheelbarrows! Victory roll, TWO!! RVD leg scissor rolls Komander, TWO!! RVD runs up, is sent into buckles, but RVD BOOTS! RVD whips, Komander reverses and runs up to tilt-o-whirl, roll up, and step over! CRADLE, TWO!!

Komander gets a ghost pin! TWO!! RVD fights up, NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO!! So many close calls, and then Komander ENZIGIRIS! The fans fire up as Komander goes up and up again! But RVD trips Komander up! RVD climbs, the fans rally, and RVD brings Komander to the very top! SUPER DUPER- NO, Komander slips free! Komander runs in, but RVD jumps over the 619 to JUMP KICK back! RVD then hits a SPIN LEG DROP, and he goes back up! The fans fire up for the FIVE STAR FROG SPLASH!! Cover, RVD wins!

Winner: Rob Van Dam, by pinfall

It’s 4/20 and you know what that means! RVD is One of a Kind, and no one gets higher than him! But will RVD help AEW reach new heights in the near future?

Yuka Sakazaki VS Emi Sakura!

The Wrestling Magical Girl was called out by The Professor of Pro-Wrestling to step into the “Deeb Dojo.” Will Yuka be ready for such a test after taking on the Queen of Joshi? Or will Emi prove it’s still 100 years too soon for Yuka to think she’s at that level?

The bell rings and Emi fires off on Yuka already! Emi stomps Yuka around, brings her up, but Yuka ROCKS Emi! Emi still gets around to roll Yuka up, TWO!! Emi hurries to underhook, TIGER BOMB, and high stack! TWO!! Yuka escapes again but Emi whips. Yuka holds ropes to block, so Emi CHOPS! Yuka still blocks, so Emi CHOPS again! Emi whips but Yuka reverses! Yuka kicks low, fires up, and the fans are with her. Snapmare roll and KICK! Then Yuka runs to SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Yuka hurries to put on an STF! Emi endures, even as Yuka thrashes her around! The fans rally, but Emi BITES Yuka’s hand!

The ref reprimands, Emi lets off, and Yuka kicks her. Emi wrenches to BITE the hand again! The fans boo but Emi lets off. Emi eggs Yuka on, Yuka kicks and fires forearms! Yuka runs, goes up and up and then cartwheels to avoid Emi! But then a slip on the apron sends Yuka to the floor! Emi hurries out after Yuka, brings her around, and CHOPS her against the desk! Emi holds up one of the AEW action figures, fakes throwing it to fans, then wags her finger. The fans boo but Emi grabs some WOOOOO energy drinks. The ref says no, takes those cans and throws them down, and he checks on Yuka. Yuka’s able to walk on the bad leg, so the ref tells Emi to go into the ring.

Emi argues with the ref, stalks Yuka instead, Yuka unaware as she even starts running on the leg. Emi blows past her, just to show off her cardio! Yuka tries to chase Emi now, but Emi CLAWS Yuka’s face! The ref reprimands, Emi slides in and then slides back out. Emi whips Yuka at the apron but Yuka TIGER FEINT KICKS! The fans fire up with Yuka as she runs, to RANA Emi! Emi sputters, Yuka shakes out the leg, and she gets Emi in the ring as Rampage goes picture in picture.

Yuka storms in, paces, then runs up, but Emi dodges. Emi comes back to CHOP! And CHOP! Emi brings Yuka around, bumps her off buckles, and then soaks up the heat. Emi CHOPS again, and CHOPS again, then brings Yuka around again. Emi CHOPS Yuka in another corner, then CHOPS her again! Yuka drops to her knees, Emi taunts her and she taunts the fans, and the ref again checks on Yuka. Yuka hobbles, Emi CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Emi makes it the don-don CHOP, don-don CHOP of We Will Rock You! Emi fires up, sings the song, then runs in to CROSSBODY in the corner! Yuka falls, Emi cocky pins, TWO!

Emi is annoyed, but she waits on Yuka to stand. Emi fakes the chop to poke Yuka in her eyes! The ref reprimands but Emi is having fun at Yuka’s expense. Yuka staggers around, into a dragon sleeper! Emi digs her elbow into Yuka’s ribs as she grinds her down! Yuka sits on the mat, flails and reaches out, but she seems to be fading as Rampage goes to break!

Rampage returns and the fans fire up with Yuka as she has Emi down! Yuka goes to the apron, climbs the ropes, but Emi trips her up! Emi then runs to CROSSBODY Yuka off the apron! Emi drags Yuka up while fans boo, and Emi sits Yuka against the steps. Emi blows a kiss, then runs in, to CROSSBODY against the steps! Emi is all fired up, and she drags Yuka up. Emi gets Yuka in the ring, underhooks, but Yuka fights! The fans rally for Yuka as she still fights, but Emi still hits the BUTTERFLY BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Emi is upset but the fans fire up! Emi goes up a corner, waits on Yuka to rise, but Yuka flops over!

Emi laughs and “sips tea,” but then Yuka gets up to GAMANGIRI! Yuka puts Emi in the ropes, waistlocks, and SLIDING GERMANS!! The fans fire up as Yuka crawls her way to the cover, Yuka wins!

Winner: Yuka Sakazaki, by pinfall

It was a grittier win than even the Magical Girl is used to, but it’s proof she’s not just sunshine and rainbows! But will she have to dig even deeper if she wants to pass the Professor’s test?

Angelo Parker is here!

The fans cheer Cool Hand Ange, and this is an “AEW Rampage Exclusive,” recorded just after Dynamite. Parker gets the mic to say that the last year of his life has been a roller coaster, both professional and personally. A few months ago, he had to walk away from his mentor, and that meant losing a family along the way. But he had gained the love of his life, too. The fans cheer for “RUBY! RUBY!” Parker says unfortunately, some of his actions caused him to lose that, too. Going into his match on Rampage last week, it was a must-win. The only thing he had left was beating Zak Knight, and then he lost. So Parker went home, did a lot of thinking, and he reflected on a lot of things.

When Parker started this, the only thing he wanted to do was make his dad proud. He isn’t with us anymore, but Parker is sure that he’s made his dad proud. The fans cheer that, too! Parker thanks them for that, and says after the year he’s had, he also realized that he doesn’t have a lot left to fight for. So, he is out here to announce his… Fans say “NO! NO! NO!” and then Ruby Soho is here! The Runaway has a mic of her own and the fans cheer as she goes out to the ring to join Parker. Parker is as surprised as anyone that she’s here, but she says she can’t let him do this. She is emotional as she says it breaks her heart to hear him say he has nothing left to fight for.

Ruby is out here right now to tell him he has something very, very important to fight for. The fans like where this is going. Ruby tells Parker that… she’s pregnant! The fans go wild and Parker is having a hard time registering that. Ruby knows this is so soon, that they really only just started this, and that she disappeared on him, but she didn’t know how else to tell him. Parker KISSES Ruby! The fans cheer as Parker and Ruby are now going to be parents! They both say, “I love you!” and embrace again. Destination Unknown no longer, congratulations on this wonderful moment!

Six Man Tag: The Undisputed Kingdom VS Kyle O’Reilly, Rocky Romero & Matthew Menard!

Roderick Strong is still AEW International Champion, Matt Taven & Mike Bennett are still ROH World Tag Team Champions, and they’re willing to do anything to stay that way. That’s why the Savior of the Backbreaker started losing his mind knowing that his friend, #CombatKyle, of all people, thought he could lose the title at all. Roddy stabbed Kyle in the back over it, but will Kyle kick Roddy right in the face? Or will he and his new friends, Azucar & Daddy Magic, end up losing to Kyle’s old friends?

The trios sort out and Bennett starts against Kyle. The fans fire up for Kyle, and he dares Roddy to step up. Roddy says okay, and he tags in. Roddy says Kyle made this happen, and he circles with Kyle. Roddy then dodges Kyle to tag back to Bennett. Bennett and Kyle tie up, Bennett headlocks, but Kyle powers out. Bennett runs Kyle over, things speed up from there, and Kyle hits a kitchen sink knee! Kyle brings Bennett up, wrenches an arm, KNEES it, then wrenches again. Tag to Menard and fans fire up as Menard KICKS the bad arm! Menard wrenches, whips Bennett into buckles, then brings him around.

Menard wrenches, YANKS, and YANKS again! The fans cheer Menard on as he scoops but Bennett slips free! Tag to Taven, but Menard arm-drags Taven around! Menard has the cording hold and the fans cheer. Menard drags Taven up, wrenches, tags Rocky, and Rocky KICKS the arm. Rocky BLASTS Bennett, too, then swings on Roddy. Roddy gets away, Taven KICKS Rocky then whips. Rocky ducks the boot, ducks the heel kick, then returns to RANA! Taven goes to a corner, Rocky winds up, and the fans fire up! Rocky runs in to clothesline! One-ever! Two-ever! Bennett runs in, but Rocky dodges and The Kingdom avoids a collision!

Rocky UPPERCUTS Bennett, UPPERCUTS Taven, then fires up. The fans are with him as he whips Bennett, but Bennett reverses. Rocky RANAS but Bennett blocks! Taven joins in, ROCKSTAR SUPERNOVA! Tag to Roddy and he gets Rocky up to send him into the corner. Roddy CHOPS Rocky, CHOPS him again, then tags Bennett. Tag to Taven, the Kingdom get Rocky up, ASSISTED URENAGE, CATAPULT into the GAMANGIRI, and then Taven goes up to ELBOW DROP Rocky down! Cover, TWO! Rocky survives that undisputed combination, but Taven brings him up to CHOP as Rampage goes picture in picture.

Taven has Rocky in the corner, he talks trash on fans, then CHOKES Rocky! The ref counts, Taven lets off and “apologizes,” but Bennett CHOKES Rocky now! Menard is mad, the ref keeps him back, and Taven digs his boots into Rocky. Tag to Bennett, he stomps away on Rocky, then soaks up the heat. Bennett mocks Kyle, drags Rocky up, and CHOPS him! Rocky flounders, Bennett snapmares him down, and clamps on a chinlock. Rocky endures, fights up, and throws body shots. Rocky KICKS, runs, but Bennett DROPKICKS him down! Bennett tags Roddy, Roddy drags Rocky up and puts him in a corner.

Roddy CHOPS Rocky, RAMS him into the corner, but Rocky throws elbows! Rocky cravats, goes up and up, but n o Sliced Bread! BACKBREAKER instead! Cover, TWO! Rocky stays in this but Roddy tags Bennett. They mockingly hold Rocky’s hand out to Kyle, then stomp Rocky down! Cover, TWO! Bennett clamps onto Rocky’s arm and grinds it with a mounted armlock. Bennett then SLAMS the arm down, stomps it, and tags Taven. Taven stomps Rocky around, then snap suplexes! Cover, TWO! Taven clamps onto Rocky with a chinlock of his own, tags Roddy in, and they mug Rocky with knees.

Roddy ROCKS Rocky to a corner, kicks at Menard, then bumps Rocky off buckles. Roddy lets The Kingdom CHOKE Rocky, but the ref sees that! Roddy uses that distraction to sucker punch Kyle! Roddy taunts Rocky, kicks him around, and brings him up. Rocky CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Roddy shoves as Rampage returns to single picture, then blocks a kick! Roddy ducks the enzigiri, brings Rocky around, but Rocky still REWIND HEELS! Both men crawl, Taven tags in first! Taven gets Rocky’s legs and brings him back to LARIAT! Taven tags Bennett, they get Rocky up, and they double whip him to the corner.

Taven whips Bennett in but Rocky UPPERCUTS! Rocky dodges Taven’s splash tyo RANA Bennett! Rocky dodges The Kingdom to then DOUBLE RANA! The fans fire up, hot tag to Menard! The fans fire up as Daddy Magic rallies on Bennett! Whip and ELBOW! Bennett flounders, Menard goes up the corner, and he rains down fists! The fans count all the way to TEN, then Menard brings Bennett around. Menard whips hard, but Bennett ELBOWS back! FLYING SUNSET, but Menard rolls through to get the legs! Menard works to turn Bennett, but Taven runs in! KICK OF THE KICK! Taven drags Bennett to their corner and tags in!

Taven then runs, LIONSAULTS, cover, TWO!! Menard is still in this and he reaches out. Taven drags Menard up, brings him around, but Menard wrenches! Menard dodges, hot tag to Kyle! The fans fi reup as Kyle dodges Taven to BOOT Bennett! Roddy runs away, so Kyle fires off strikes on Taven! LEG SWEEP! Roddy runs in but Kyle TOSSES him out! Kyle BOOTS Bennett, ROUNDHOUSES Taven, ROUNDHOUSES Bennett, then gets Roddy int he ropes! DRAGON SCREW! Kyle ducks Taven’s enzigiri to AX & SMASH! Bennett runs up to kick a leg! Bennett reels Kyle in, but Kyle back drops free! ARMBAR!!

Taven gets in as Bennett fights around! Taven runs, but Kyle blocks Just the Tip of the knee, to have an ANKLE LOCK!! Roddy STOMPS Kyle down! Roddy saves The Kingdom, tags in, and says this is Kyle’s fault! Kyle ROCKS Roddy, Roddy ROCKS Kyle, and they go back and forth! Roddy CHOPS, Kyle KICKS, repeat! The fans fire up as the CHOPS and KICKS keep going! Roddy goes for a leg, Kyle steps over and KNEES Roddy back! But Roddy avoids the Ax to BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up as Roddy brings Kyle up, and the forearms just keep going! Roddy fires elbow after elbow, but runs into a KNEE!

Bennett sneaks a tag, Roddy BOOTS Kyle, and OLYMPIC- NO, Kyle arm-drags free! ARMBAR!! Roddy taps but it doesn’t matter since Bennett’s legal! And speaking of, LEG DROP, brother! Rocky runs up to KICK and CHOP and CHOP! Rocky ROCKS Bennett, whips, but Bennett reverses. Rocky dodges to DIVE onto Taven! But Bennett pops Kyle up, BOSTON BAYONET! But Kyle yoyos to LARIAT! The fans fire up and Kyle hits the BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, TWO!! Bennett survives, only to end up in the ARMBAR!! Bennett taps, Kyle’s team wins!

Winners: Kyle O’Reilly, Rocky Romero & Matthew Menard, by submission

It was #ARMageddon here in Peoria, so the Savior of the Backbreaker better be careful! Kyle gets the mic to shout at Roddy, “You got about 24 hours, pal. So take all the pics with that belt that you can. Because in about 24 hours, I’m gonna rip off your arm, smack you around with it, and leave St. Louis the NEW AEW International Champion!” The fans are fired up for that idea, but Roddy shouts “NO! NO!” Will Roddy find a way to avoid the end of his reign? Or will the Violent Artist establish his own Dynasty?

My Thoughts:

A very good Rampage, even with it following up Collision. Though with that, Moxley’s promo to open made sense, he had to react to facing Hobbs in a title match now. But as I said for Collision, Moxley VS Hobbs for a title now just makes it clear Moxley’s winning. Great Fatal 4 Way, though it was pretty clear RVD was winning out. And really good match from Yuka VS Emi, but it was concerning after Yuka took that spill. And it was certainly more shoot than work because of how the cameras were looking away or keeping focus on Emi just in case Yuka was hurt. But Yuka seemed find enough to finish, so good on her. Yuka VS Deeb should be a really good match because of the differences in style.

Really good main event in another Six Man Tag. Kyle, Rocky & Menard get a really good win but that pretty much means Kyle loses in the title match. And if nothing else, it’ll be because Wardlow shows up to clobber him when the ref is distracted. But then we got a great moment that wasn’t even about wrestling but about the wrestlers. Parker and Ruby are having a baby, this news came out on like Thursday or Friday but great to have the announcement on air so all fans can join in. Again, congratulations to Parker and Ruby, seems like that’s a couple that’s meant to be.

My Score: 8.6/10