One step closer to the Forbidden Door!

Before facing Bryan Danielson 1v1 in Long Island, Shingo Takagi battles Dalton Castle! Will The Peacock survive the Rampaging Dragon’s first Rampage?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• 2v1 Handicap Match: Orange Cassidy VS The Outrunners; Cassidy wins.
• Gabe Kidd & Roderick Strong w/ The Kingdom VS The Infantry; Gabe & Roddy win.
• AEW TNT Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: AR Fox VS El Phantasmo; ELP wins and advances to Forbidden Door.
• Shingo Takagi VS Dalton Castle; Takagi wins.
• Queen Aminata VS Skye Blue; Aminata wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

2v1 Handicap Match: Orange Cassidy VS The Outrunners!

Freshly Squeezed knows he has quite the challenge ahead of him with Zack Sabre Jr. at Forbidden Door, so he’s looking to really test himself tonight. Will Cassidy be able to take down both Truth Magnum & Turbo Floyd in one go? Or is he overdoing it this close to facing The Submission Master?

The Outrunners sort out and Truth starts. The bell rings and the fans rally behind “Freshly Squeezed! Freshly Squeezed!” Cassidy and Truth circle, tie up, and Truth wrenches to a wristlock. Cassidy endures, spins, wrenches, spins some more and then WRINGS Truth’s arm! Truth staggers up and asks what the heck! Tag to Turbo and he flexes. The fans boo but Cassidy flexes back. The fans cheer Cassidy, but then Turbo really pumps up the biceps. Cassidy returns the favor and Turbo is frustrated. Turbo calls for a test of strength, Cassidy obliges by putting his hands up, but then reaches for his pockets!

Turbo stops the hands, but Cassidy turns that around into a hammerlock, ripcord, wrench and wristlock to headlock. Turbo pulls hair, headlocks back, but Cassidy powers up and out. Turbo runs Cassidy over then flexes again. Turbo soaks up the heat from Allentown, then he runs the ropes. Cassidy stays low, slow rolls, then just relaxes! Turbo stops himself, runs up, but Cassidy avoids the elbow drop! Turbo hurries to tag Truth and Truth runs up, but Cassidy avoids another elbow drop! Turbo gets the legs to anchor Cassidy and Truth tries again, but Cassidy sits up to avoid the elbow! Cassidy BOOTS Turbo away, then avoids Turbo’s elbow!

The fans fire up and Cassidy raises his hands, to put them in his pockets! The Outrunners regroup, run up, but Cassidy ducks ‘n’ dodges their double lariats, to then leap over! DOUBLE SHOTGUN DROPKICK! The fans fire up as Cassidy kips up, but Turbo gets the arms! Truth winds up, but Cassidy slips free, the CHOP hits Turbo! Cassidy runs up, Truth dodges, the CHOP hits Turbo again! Truth runs up, Cassidy dodges, another CHOP hits Turbo! Truth apologizes to his friend, but Cassidy eggs them both on. The Outrunners run up but Cassidy dodges, and they almost run into the ref! The Outrunners apologize, but then Cassidy runs in!

The Outrunners dodge the double Orange Punch, and Cassidy stops from running into the ref. Cassidy HUGS the ref! The fans cheer, but the Outrunners reel Cassidy in! DOUBLE BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Cassidy is still in this but Truth drags him up. Tag to Turbo, the Outrunners mug Cassidy, and then Turbo DECKS him! Tag back to Truth, and he goes up the corner. Turbo holds Cassidy down for the FLYING STOMP! Truth stalks Cassidy, snapmares him, and runs to KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO! Cassidy stays tough but Truth tags Turbo. The Outrunners haul Cassidy up to scoop and SLAM! Cover, TWO!

Turbo tags Truth back in, and he stalks Cassidy. Truth eggs Cassidy on, flexes, but Cassidy huffs and puffs and rises up. Truth ROCKS Cassidy, but Cassidy shakes his head. The fans rally, Truth ROCKS Cassidy again! Cassidy gets mad now! Truth swings, Cassidy counter punches again and again! Turbo runs up as Cassidy DECKS Truth! Turbo KNEES low, whips Cassidy to a corner, but Cassidy dodges the splash! Truth ROCKS Cassidy, and then Turbo scoops! But Cassidy slips free to shove Turbo into Truth! Truth falls, Cassidy runs, ducks Turbo and DIVES onto Truth! Cassidy is right up, he ROCKS Turbo!

Turbo flounders away, Cassidy goes up! CROSSBODY! Truth returns, Cassidy ducks ‘n’ dodges to tilt-o-whirl DDT! And a kip up! ORANGE PUNCH for Turbo! The elbow pad comes off, ORANGE PUNCH for Truth! Cover, Cassidy wins!

Winner: Orange Cassidy, by pinfall

Cassidy outran the Outrunners, and yet BREAKING NEWS, he still has another match before Forbidden Door! It’ll be a Collision of Orange Cassidy & Tomohiro Ishii VS TMDK’s Shane Haste & Robbie Eagles! The Mighty Don’t Kneel, but will they end up Freshly Squeezed?

Backstage interview with Chris Jericho, “Big Bill” & Bryan Keith.

Renee Paquette is with The Learning Tree, The Redwood & The Bad Apple, and she says they need to talk. After Collision last week and Dynamite just last Wednesday, Bryan Keith is out with an arm injury. Then Minoru Suzuki rejected their offer to team up again, Forbidden Door is days away, what’re they going to do? Bill says, if he may, as “The Sensei of the Sickos,” Chris Jericho would often say, “When all the cards are down, you just get a new deck. Ain’t that right, Chris?” Well, Chris is on the phone with someone, so all he gives is, “Uh-huh.” Keith says if you wanna play poker or pinochle, you better respect Chris Jericho!

Jericho is done with his phone call, says, “Hi, guys~! We got him! He said yes! We have a partner for Forbidden Door!” Renee asks who they got, and Jericho says she’s not a Branch just yet, so she’ll have to find out on Collision like everyone else. But trust Jericho when he says you won’t be disappointed. This guy’s a real “ring-a-ding-dong dandy!” Thanks, guys~! Then who will this new third man be, brother?

Gabe Kidd & Roderick Strong w/ The Kingdom VS The Infantry w/ Trish Adora!

The #WarReady NJPW Strong Openweight Champion is an absolute Mad Man, and yet the Savior of the Backbreaker is willing to work with him if it means they dominate AEW, ROH and NJPW all at once. But will this War Dog prove even too much for The Kingdom? Or will Shawn Dean & Carlie Bravo just take them all to Boot Camp?

The teams sort out and Gabe starts against “Bad News & Tattoos.” The bell rings and Gabe runs up to BOOT Bravo! Gabe headlocks but Bravo powers up and out. Gabe runs Bravo over, talks trash, then keeps moving. Bravo stays low, but Gabe just BLASTS Dean off the corner! Gabe UPPERCUTS Bravo, bumps him off buckles, then he UPPERCUTS! Gabe HEADBUTTS Bravo again and again, then tags in Roddy. Roddy stands Bravo up to CHOP! Gabe says hold on, and he CHOPS! Roddy CHOPS again, then he and Gable decide to “get ‘im.” They DOUBLE BACK SUPLEX, but Bravo lands out! Bravo gives dirty birds then dodges them both!

Dean gets in, The Infantry DOUBLE DROPKICK Gabe & Roddy! The fans fire up and Bravo brings Strong around. Tag to Dean, they whip Roddy to BODY SHOT, BOOT and DDT! Dean covers, ONE!! Roddy is tough but Dean drags him up. Dean scoops to SLAM, then he signals. “OORAH!” Dean runs to ELBOW DROP! Cover, ONE!! Roddy is still in this but Dean brings him up. Roddy shoves Dean away, and Gabe KNEES Dean in the back! Roddy KNEES Dean in the gut, then IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKERS! Gabe runs up to BLAST Bravo off the corner, and he talks trash on Allentown while Rampage goes picture in picture.

Roddy soaks up the heat, tags Gabe in, and they bring Dean around into the corner. Gabe CHOPS, Roddy CHOPS, repeat! Gabe HEADBUTTS Dean, snarls and talks more trash, but Dean CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Gabe just DECKS Dean! Cover, TWO! Gabe is annoyed but then talks more trash. Gabe BOOTS Dean back down, tags Roddy in, and they bring Dean around to whip. Dean holds ropes, then KICKS Gabe! Dean DECKS Roddy, but Gabe CHOPS Dean back! Gabe suplexes, Dean slips free and ENZIGIRIS! Gabe falls, Dean hurries for his corner, but Roddy YANKS Bravo down! Gab CLUBS Dean and Rampage returns to single picture.

Gable bumps Dean off buckles and The Kingdom likes what they’re seeing. Roddy KICKS Bravo down just because, and then Gabe tags him in. Roddy scoops Dean for a GUT BUSTER! Dean sputters and writhes, Roddy shouts, “Who’s the man?!” Roddy stands Dean up to CHOP! Tag to Gabe, he and Roddy suplex Dean, but Bravo makes the save! Roddy DECKS Bravo, Gabe BOOTS Dean, then Gabe & Roddy double whip Dean. Dean ducks the lariats, hot tag to Bravo! Bravo rallies on Gabe and Roddy with forearm after forearm! Bravo wrenches Gabe to ROLLING ELBOW! Bravo blocks Roddy’s boot to slip around and NECKBREAKER!

The fans fire up and Bravo fires up, too! “OORAH!” Bravo runs to juke and CARLIE CROSSOVER on Roddy! Bravo goes after Gabe but Gabe tosses him to the apron! Bravo ROCKS Gabe first! Bravo slingshots to CUTTER! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up again, and Bravo watches Gabe rise. Dean tags in, Bravo SCISSOR KICKS! Bravo then PLANCHAS onto Roddy! Dean FLYING SPLASHES! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives, that’s why he’s NJPW Strong Champion! The fans rally, Dean calls for it! Tag to Bravo and they get Gabe up. Bravo runs, but Roddy trips him! The ref missed that, and Gabe hits a SAIDO on Dean!

Dean flops out of the ring, Gabe hauls Bravo up. Bravo fires forearms and JABS, but Roddy gets in! Bravo DECKS Roddy! Gabe ROCKS Bravo! Roddy STRONG KNEES, and Gabe hits a PILEDRIVER!! Cover, Gabe & Roddy win!

Winners: Gabe Kidd & Roderick Strong, by pinfall

The NJPW Strong Champion and Roddy Strong make for a strong team, but will they both stay strong through the Summer? Or will the heat start to get to them soon enough?

AEW TNT Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: AR Fox VS El Phantasmo!

The final spot in Forbidden Door’s Six Pack Challenge is finally about to be filled! Will that sixth man be the Whole Fox’n Show? Or is the Headbanga about to finally get himself some singles gold?

The bell rings and the fans rally up. The two fist bump to show there is respect here, then they tie up. ELP wrenches an arm to a wristlock, but Fox rolls and kips up. Fox wrenches, hammerlocks, headlocks, but ELP powers out. Fox runs ELP over, things keep moving, and ELP hurdles. Fox leaps over, ELP runs up but Fox sidesteps. ELP RANAS Fox, DROPKICKS him, and the fans fire up! Fox goes to a corner, shakes out that arm, but ELP runs up to CHOP! The fans “WOO~” but Fox goes to chop! ELP blocks, CHOPS again, and then goes up, up and jumps around the ropes to FLYING RANA! The fans fire up as ELP kips up!

Fox goes back to a corner, ELP runs corner to corner, but Fox puts him on the apron. ELP RAMS into Fox, slingshots, but Fox gets away! ELP’s senton misses, but Fox’s slingshot senton hits! ELP bails out, Fox builds speed, and Fox FLIES! Direct hit and Fox almost crashes into the barriers! Fox gets ELP up, puts him in the ring, and then goes up the corner. The fans fire up and Fox SWANTON BOMBS! Cover, TWO! ELP stays in this and Fox grows frustrated, but the fans rally up. Fox eggs ELP on, kicks him around, but ELP eggs Fox on in return. ELP stands, he and Fox trade forearms, then Fox kicks low.

Fox fires more forearms, then whips ELP. ELP ducks ‘n’ dodges to then CLOBBER Fox! Both men are down but the fans rally up. ELP kips up, the fans fire up, but Fox also stands. ELP atomic drops, then mocks the pain. Fox swings, ELP gets around and atomic drops again! RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! ELP hurries to a corner, goes up and FALLING AX HANDLES! The fans fire up again and ELP aims from a corner. ELP tunes up, going from Hitman to Heartbreak Kid. Fox ducks a superkick to BOOT! Fox whips ELP but ELP goes up and over and handsprings away! ELP dodges Fox, springboards, CROSSBODY! Somersault and LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO!

The fans rally and duel between ELP and Fox, and ELP hauls Fox up. Fox trips ELP, jackknife bridge, TWO! ELP sunset flips, TWO! Fox goes Matrix to avoid a lariat, then PELES! Fox suplexes, for ANARCHY! Fox hurries right up top, and he 450 SPLASHES! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives and shocks Fox! The fans fire up, though, and they rally up again. Fox drags ELP up, puts him on the top rope, and then fires forearms. Fox then gets space, comes back, but ELP FLYING DESTROYERS!! ELP tunes up, Fox rises in a daze, into SUDDEN DEATH!! ELP roars, he’s not done there! ELP reels Fox in, tucks those arms, C R 2!! Cover, ELP WINS!

Winner: El Phantasmo, by pinfall (advances to Forbidden Door)

And with that, The Headbanga is rockin’ ‘n’ rollin’ into Long Island! Will ELP step through the Forbidden Door and become the new Face of TNT?

BREAKING NEWS for Collision!

On top of Cassidy & Ishii taking on Shane Haste & Robbie Eagles, we’ll see Hechicero in action. Will the Alchemist of Lucha Libre build momentum going into his match with MJF? Plus, Stephanie Vaquer is looking to tune up before facing Mercedes Mone. Will she get the warm-up she needs against Lady Frost? Or will even La Primera freeze up before Forbidden Door? Then, in a “Battle of Buffalo,” it is Daniel Garcia VS The Butcher! Will Red Death take down a big behemoth before battling Will Ospreay at Beach Break? And now, with all six spots filled, there will be a Face of TNT All Star Trios Match! Mark Briscoe, Dante Martin & Lio Rush VS Jack Perry, Konosuke Takeshita & ELP! Which side gains some last minute momentum before Sunday?

Serena Deeb issued the Open Challenge last week, time to see if anyone answers the call! And in a Women’s Owen Hart Cup opening round match, Hikaru Shida returns to AEW to take on Deonna Purrazzo! Will the Shining Samurai be sharp enough to take down The Virtuosa? Or will Deonna get it done and head to the semifinals? Finally, before they battle over THE AEW World Championship, Swerve Strickland and Will Ospreay have one last face to face in a title match weigh-in. But will the tale of the tape simply be pretense for them to get in some final words, and final shots?

Backstage interview with Deonna Purrazzo.

Lexy Nair is with The Virtuosa and brings up her opening round match in the Owen Hart Cup. It is against Shida, and Deonna stops her there. Deonna was hoping Lexy would ask how it made her feel to make Thunder Rosa pass out in their No Disqualification match. But Deonna gets it. They don’t rely on past accomplishments here, right? Some people are so far behind in the race, they actually think they’re leading. Deonna tells Shida that she has done a lot in AEW already, but what has she done lately? Has she beaten Rosa twice in a row? Has she won 12 outta 14 matches? Or was she sitting at home, (kendo) stick in hand, watching Deonna do all that?

Deonna then says The Owen Hart Foundation Tournament is NOT for “part timers,” Lexy. It was made for THE Virtuosa. And Shida, you can’t hold that cup up with a broken arm anyway. Deonna says Vafanapoli, but will she be the one embarrassingly kicked out in the first round instead?

Shingo Takagi VS Dalton Castle!

At Forbidden Door, The Rampaging Dragon will take on The American Dragon, Bryan Danielson, in not just a dream match but in a Men’s Owen Hart Cup match. However, standing in his way is one fired up Peacock! Will Castle slay this dragon to ruin his momentum? Or will Takagi prove that his time has truly come?

The bell rings and the two feel things out. They tie up, go around, and Castle puts Takagi on the ropes. Castle lets off, but Takagi storms up. They tie up again, and now Takagi puts Castle on ropes. The ref counts the break, Takagi lets off, but Castle avoids the chop! Castle headlocks, Takagi powers out, but Castle RAMS Takagi. Takagi rebounds to run Castle over! The fans are torn, but Takagi pumps up to ELBOW DROP! And ELBOW DROP! And then SENTON FLOP as Castle moves! Takagi bails out fast as Rampage goes picture in picture.

Castle goes out the side and storms in around the way, to CLUB Takagi! Takagi RAMS Castle into the apron! Takagi RAMS Castle in again, then stalks him him. Takagi sends Castle into the ring, but Castle tiger feints to RANA! The fans fire up with Castle and he puts Takagi in. Castle SPLASHES down, covers, TWO! Castle keeps Takagi down with elbows to the neck and shoulder, then brings Takagi up for haymakers. Castle runs, into the ELBOW! JAB! YUKON LARIAT! Takagi huffs and puffs, then wags his finger at the camera. Not time yet. Takagi TOSSES Castle out, goes out after him, and stomps Castle around.

Takagi brings Castle up to SMACK off the apron, then follows him to the steps. Takagi fireman’s carries Castle, to SNAKE EYES off the apron! Castle falls over, the fans applaud and Takagi stalks Castle again. Takagi snap suplexes Castle to the floor! Castle writhes, staggers away, and he grabs the chair to HCUCK it! It hits the steps, but Takagi storms up to clamp on a chinlock. Castle elbows free but Takagi KICKS Castle in the back. Takagi puts Castle in the ring, stands on his back, but the ref counts as Rampage goes to break.

Rampage returns and Castle ROCKS Takagi! And CHOPS! And ROCKS him again! Castle headlocks, but Takagi hits a BIG back suplex! The fans rally, Takagi steps on Castle then SENTONS! The fans continue to rally, and Takagi sits Castle up. Takagi talks a bit of smack before he rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! The fans cheer as he taunts the BCC and Bryan Danielson with each one! Takagi then runs, but Castle flops over! Takagi shrugs, the fans boo, and Castle flounders away. Takagi gives scuffing kicks, then brings Castle up. Castle shoots in to get a leg, for an EXPLODER! The fans fire up as Castle seethes and rises!

Castle flexes and the fans fire up more! Castle stands Takagi up but Takagi fires elbows. Takagi winds up, Castle dodges, but then Takagi dodges! Castle blocks a lariat to ELBOW! But then Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! YUKON- NO, Castle LARIATS first! The fans fire up again as Castle goes to a corner. Takagi goes to the other, and Castle runs in to JUMP KNEE! And clothesline! And BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Takagi is tougher than that, but Castle CLUBS Takagi in the side. Castle waistlocks, Takagi fights the lift with elbows, but Castle ducks! Alabama Lift, BANGA- NO, Takagi fights through the spin to Gory Especial! NOSHIGAMI!

Both men are down and the fans rally up! Castle goes to the ropes, Takagi rises, and he gets going with “OI! OI! OI!” The fans join in, and Takagi runs in at the corner! Takagi blocks a kick to LARIAT through! Takagi whips to ELBOW! JAB! YUKON feint and DDT! Castle flounders, the fans fire back up, and Takagi rises. Takagi drags Castle up, but Castle trips him to a jackknife bridge! TWO!! Takagi escapes, Castle BOOTS him, but Takagi rebounds to PUMPING BOMBER!! Castle staggers to his feet, Takagi roars, and he reels Castle in. Pump handle, torture rack, LAST OF THE DRAGONS!! Cover, Takagi wins!

Winner: Shingo Takagi, by pinfall

The former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion conquers the former ROH World Champion, and now has a clear path to The Forbidden Door! But will Takagi rampage through the former WWE World Champion on his way to the Owen Hart Cup? Or will the American Dragon make sure he’s not the one slain on Sunday?

The Outcasts speak.

As Harley Cameron gives her a calming shoulder massage, Saraya claims that the only reason she lost on Wednesday is because she wasn’t by herself. And she is sorry to Harley and Anna, but it is true! Mariah May can’t beat Saraya. Toni Storm can’t beat Saraya. And if Mina Shirakawa ever had the privilege of being in a 1v1 match with Saraya, she would lose, too! Because they’re all a bunch of losers! Harley says the opening round of the Owen Hart Cup is going to be part of Zero Hour, and the “real” Forbidden Door is when Mariah gets to face “this unproblematic icon!” Saraya says if Mariah wants to be the “Brit It Girl,” too bad! That seat is taken!

Saraya has a Cup, a championship, and an entire country waiting for her to come home. Champagne! Someone hands them glasses from off camera, and Harley says they will toast to the Woman of Wembley, the Allstar of All In, and the smitten of Britain. Saraya thanks Harley, and then tells Mariah, “See you Sunday, slag.” Then Harley just full mouth downs the glass… Saraya is a bit speechless, but then she smiles. Will she and Harley be toasting again after taking out Toni Storm’s protege? Or will Mariah be unstoppable on her mission to face her mentor in Wembley?

Queen Aminata VS Skye Blue!

The One and Only African Woman is chasing The Fallen Goddess and her ROH Women’s World Championship, but has yet to be given that golden opportunity. Will Aminata stay sharp and pivot back to Billie Starkz and the ROH Women’s Television Championship? Or will the darkening Skye rain on that parade?

The bell rings and the two circle. The fans rally up, Aminata dodges Skye’s dropkick and covers, ONE as Skye goes Matrix! Aminata rolls Skye up, ONE! Aminata runs up, Skye ducks the boot to roll Aminata, TWO! Skye kicks, Aminata ducks, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Aminata smiles and the fans fire up as she storms up on Skye. Aminata drags Skye up, waistlocks but Skye fights the suplex this time. Skye goes to run, Aminata reels her in, but Skye wheelbarrows to victory roll through! TWO! Aminata has the roll up now, TWO! Skye runs up, Aminata wrenches and reels her in, to snap suplex!

The fans fire up and Aminata just smiles again. Aminata asks if the fans want another, and they say yes! So Aminata snap suplexes again! Aminata says hold on, she’ll get another one. But Skye cradle counters! TWO!! Aminata escapes, but Skye SLAPS her! Aminata swings back, Skye ROCKS Aminata! And mule kicks! And SUPERKICKS! Aminata falls, Skye covers, ONE!! Aminata is tough but Skye is mean, so she brings Aminata back up. Skye runs, but into a SLAP! Aminata says that’s what Skye gets. Aminata runs, but Skye runs up to SHINING WIZARD at the ropes! Skye gets moving again and she BOOT WASHES Aminata outta the ring!

Aminata crawls on the outside but Skye stalks her. Skye goes up a corner, and she SUPER CROSSBODIES! Down goes Aminata hard and Skye roars as she rises up! The fans rally up, Skye sneers and leaves Aminata behind to refresh the count. Skye then comes back for Aminata, and Rampage goes picture in picture.

Skye fires forearms, brings Aminata up, and whips her hard into barriers! Skye smirks and swaggers while Aminata writhes. Skye drags Aminata up, SMACKS her off the apron, then stalks her, Aminata shoves Skye, but Skye ROCKS Aminata! Aminata ROCKS Skye back! Aminata then puts Skye against barriers, to CHOP! Aminata refreshes the ring count, then she stalks Skye around the corner. Aminata follows Skye to railing, and CHOPS! Skye sputters as she falls over, and Aminata smiles as she poses for pictures. Aminata stalks Skye, but Skye turns around to body shot! Skye throws Aminata down by her hair!

Skye stalks Aminata, grabs a chair and makes Aminata take a seat. Skye CHOPS Aminata, then tells the ref to cool it. Skye runs in, to SHINING WIZARD Aminata against barriers! Skye puts Aminata in the ring now, covers, TWO!! Aminata is toughing it out, but Skye kicks her around. Skye pie faces Aminata onto ropes, then CHOKES her! The ref counts, Skye lets off, but she CHOPS Aminata down. Skye goes corner to corner and back again, but Aminata BOOTS her away! Skye comes back, but Aminata goes up and over! Aminata scoops to BACKBREAKER! Aminata KICKS Skye in the back, covers, TWO!

Skye shows her own toughness, but Aminata hauls her up. Skye CLAWS the eyes! The ref reprimands, but Skye BOOTS Aminata down! Skye storms up on Aminata, ROCKS her against ropes, then snapmares for a full nelson. Aminata endures, fights up, but Skye wrangles her back down. Aminata fights up again and Rampage returns to single picture. The fans rally, Aminata throws body shots, but Skye fires a forearm! Aminata ROCKS Skye right back! Then Aminata DOUBLE CHOPS Skye down! Skye flounders back up, into a spin and cravat, snapmare and PENALTY KICK! Deep stack, TWO!!

Aminata is frustrated but she fires herself back up. The fans rally with her, and Aminata sits up at the ropes. Aminata runs in to BOOT WASH!! Skye flops out to the apron and Aminata goes out after her. Aminata gets the fans fired up again as she hauls Skye up. APRON GERMAN SUPLEX! Skye flounders and flops to the floor, and Aminata also staggers a bit. Skye sits up against the steps, and Aminata runs in! HIP ATTACK hits the steps!! Skye avoids disaster and Aminata clutches her lower back! Skye hurries to get Aminata up, brings her up the steps, and she has a sinister look in her eyes…! SUPERPLEX OFF THE STEPS AND TO THE FLOOR!!

The fans lose their minds while the ref checks both women. Skye snarls as she rises up and brings Aminata around. Skye puts Aminata in the ring, covers, TWO!! Aminata survives and Skye is furious! Skye drags Aminata up by her hair, full nelsons, and SKYE FALL!! Cover, TWO?!? Aminata survives and Skye is losing her cool! Skye drags Aminata up again, runs and hops on, CODE- NO, Aminata pops free to QUEEN’S CROWN HEADBUTT!! Cover, Aminata wins!

Winner: Queen Aminata, by pinfall

Skye falls and Aminata stands tall! The Queen still shows respect by helping Skye to her feet and hugging it out with her. But then Skye SUPERKICKS! There’s no respect from Skye and she beats Aminata down! The fans boo but Skye clamps on the DRAGON SLEEPER! Wait, here comes Red Velvet! The Chef is Aminata’s ally and she runs Skye off! Velvet is also itching for a fight, will she satisfy her appetite by taking a bite out of Skye?

My Thoughts:

A very good Rampage here, though I still don’t know why they’re trying to shove five matches onto this show. I do appreciate the women’s match was the main event, but it seemed rather outta nowhere that it was Aminata VS Skye. It was a really good match, and a really good win for Aminata, but I was hoping for some brand integration with ROH. Billie Starkz could’ve showed up to go after Aminata and that would still bring Red Velvet out, but I guess AEW is AEW and ROH is ROH, even though this is Forbidden Door season. But whatever, Red Velvet VS Skye Blue is a natural rivalry here, might as well do something with it.

We got a good promo from Saraya & Harley to announce that Forbidden Door Zero Hour is going to have matches that matter. Despite Saraya’s confidence, I’m pretty sure Mariah finds a way to win because the story of Mariah VS Storm has been building practically since Mariah showed up in AEW. Really good promo from Jericho and friends, and I am curious to see who this new partner will be. While someone from NJPW would be an obvious choice, maybe it’ll be someone from CMLL since CMLL’s moving up to replace AAA as an AEW partner. Though at the same time, it feels like this third man will take the loss, Joe, Hook & Shibata are all too strong to take a pin, even on PPV.

Good Handicap match for Cassidy but of course he was winning. However, with the news that Cassidy & Ishii are taking on Shane & Robbie, this match seems unnecessary for a tune-up. Gabe & Roddy beating Infantry was also an interesting match since it also didn’t set anything up for anything. I honestly feel like we should be getting Roddy VS Gabe for the NJPW Strong Championship, but maybe something more happens on Collision to add to the Zero Hour. Speaking of Collision, Vaquer’s obviously winning, Hechicero’s obviously winning, and Garcia’s obviously winning. Deonna VS Shida will be really good, though, and could probably go either way.

AR Fox VS ELP was a great TNT Championship qualifier, and I think Riccaboni just loosely confirmed Hikuleo is leaving NJPW. He noted ELP is the “last Guerilla of Destiny standing,” so he’ll definitely have to find himself as a singles wrestler in NJPW. He’ll be a great part of tomorrow night’s Six Man Tag, and a great part of the ladder match, but again, pretty sure Jack Perry is winning the whole thing. And then a great match of Takagi VS Castle. Both guys are great even without being champions, and Takagi of course wins to have momentum going into his PPV match. Takagi VS Bryan is going to be great, but again, I’m thinking Bryan wins, faces Pac, and possibly even makes it to the finals of the cup.

My Score: 8.8/10