I was excited to be able to catch AEW Rampage before going out and doing some things on Friday night. I really like that 6:30 pm EST time slot. However, I hate knowing many of the spoilers for the matches beforehand. The ladder match that AEW is using to decide a new TNT Champion was announced on Wednesday. We all got to see the new authority figure, Christopher Daniels tell us on AEW Dynamite that Adam Copeland would be vacating the belt.
For those of you that didn’t hear. Copeland suffered a broken tibia that will require surgery. It’s assumed that a metal plate is needed after his barbed wire cage match for his championship against Malakai Black at Double or Nothing PPV.
Dark Matches Before the Show
According to Dave Meltzer with the Wrestling Observer, there were dark matches taking place before the tapings started on Wednesday. He states that Brandon Cutler defeated Evil Uno. Brandon is a name I haven’t heard in a little while. It made me wonder if we will see him back with the Elite ever again. I enjoyed his character on Being the Elite. Then the fans saw Zak Knight (Saraya’s brother) defeat Colt Cabana. I know some of you who just watch AEW Dynamite or AEW Collision don’t get to see Zak Knight. I think he’s getting better and settling down. Zak started off roughly when he first debuted.
Konosuke Takeshita
The night’s first match was the first qualifier match for the new TNT Championship. This championship will be decided at AEW Forbidden Door with a ladder match. Konosuke Takeshita defeated Penta El Zero Miedo to take the first spot.
Chris Jericho Quitting Commentary
After the match, we saw Chris Jericho backstage. He announced that he was leaving AEW Rampage commentary. Jericho stated, “…to spend more time on Dynamite and Collision, probably three or four or five segments a week, cuz you know I love having my face on TV.” I don’t know about you, but I am absolutely loving Jericho’s new character. I feel the best Jericho is the sarcastic Jericho.
Jericho started a new talk show segment on this week’s AEW Dynamite. He had his new stable of Big Bill and Bryan Keith by his side. HOOK came down the ramp as Samoa Joe appeared and stopped him near the bottom. This is setting up a new HOOK vs Jericho program, but I’m not sure that we need this program.
However, I will miss Jericho on Rampage commentary. When AEW Rampage debuted Chris Jericho gave the show a new style and atmosphere. Jericho was never afraid of saying what he was thinking. But recently we’ve seen “Daddy Magic” Matt Menard filling in for him. It looks like he may be the permanent replacement for Jericho. I’m excited if he is because he’s a lot like Jericho in the beginning.
AEW Rampage Results
The rest of the show was typical Rampage matches other than the Kyle O’Reilly announcement that he will be challenging for the International Championship on AEW Collision this weekend against Will Ospreay.
- Konosuke Takeshita defeated Penta El Zero Miedo to advance to the TNT title ladder match at Forbidden Door.
- Chris Jericho Promo
- Satnam Singh defeated Peter Avalon
- Toni Storm defeated Viva Van
- Kyle O’Reilly defeated Jordan Cruz.
- Rey Fenix defeated Isiah Kassidy
AEW Collision Scheduled Matches
AEW will be in Palm Springs, CA on Saturday night at its regular time. Then they will be in Loveland, Colorado next Wednesday, June 5th for AEW Dynamite and AEW Rampage. Scheduled for AEW Collision:
- Lio Rush versus Roderick Strong
- Johnny TV versus Claudio Castagnoli
- Katsuyori Shibata and Daniel Garcia versus The WorkHorsemen JD Drake and Anthony Henry
- Thunder Rosa versus Reina Dorada
- FTR’s Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood will speak on the loss suffered at the Double or Nothing Anarchy in the Arena match.
- Shane Taylor Promotions: Lee Moriarty and Shane Taylor versus Jorel Nelson and Royce Isaacs
- Gates of Agony’s Brian Cage, Bishop Kaun, and Toa Liona will be in Trios action.
- Will Ospreay versus Kyle O’Reilly in an International Championship match.
AEW Forbidden Door Scheduled Matches
This PPV will be taking place on Sunday, June 30.
- AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland defends against Will Ospreay
- Ladder match for the vacant TNT Championship: Konosuke Takeshita vs. TBD
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