AEW Rampage (July 28, 2023) emanated from MVP Arena in Albany, NY. The show featured Hikaru Shida slaying the Native Beast, hosses winning the tag team battle royal, future title shots being granted, and more.
Let’s jump right in with a recap followed by reactions.
Excalibur and Tony Schiavone were on commentary. Justin Roberts handled ring announcer duties.
Tag Team Eliminator Battle Royale
The winner earns a shot at the AEW World Tag Team Championship. Both members must be eliminated for a team to be officially out. Participants included Daddy Magic & Cool Hand Ang, Hardys, Butcher & Blade, Isiah Kassidy & Ethan Page, Luther & Serpentico, Jay Lethal & Satnam Singh, Christopher Daniels & Matt Sydal, and Brian Cage & Big Bill Morrissey.
Luther had the honor of being booted off the apron by Bill for the first elimination. Singh had a cool elimination by catching Brother Zay springboarding through the air to dump over the ropes. Singh was a little careless with Kassidy’s leg as he got tangled up.
Hardy Party battling Lethal and Singh was the only storyline feud of the match. With Lethal in danger on the apron, Sonjay Dutt distracted Page. All Ego punched Dutt in the kisser, but that allowed Singh to dump him over the top. The Hardys shoved Singh ramming into Lethal to knock him off the apron for an elimination. Page and Lethal brawled to the back.
Later in the match, Singh blocked a Twist of Fate to throw Matt Hardy out. Jeff Hardy struck with a stunner on the giant. Cage and Bill recognized the threat Singh presented, so they joined in with clotheslines to help eliminate Singh.
Butcher and Blade promptly focused on eliminating Jeff. The final four came down to Cage, Bill, Butcher, and Blade. The showdown erupted with physicality. Both teams went for the divide and conquer strategy, but the partner would make the save to prevent elimination. Cage and Bill gained the upper hand for a lariat powerbomb combo on Blade to send him packing.
Butcher fought the odds like it was the last meatchop on the market. He rocked strong, but it was only a matter of time before the numbers advantage triumphed. An assisted chokeslam and a lariat softened Butcher enough to be dumped over the ropes.
Brian Cage & Big Bill Morrissey win the Tag Team Eliminator Battle Royale.
The Kingdom felt in their soul that they did right by ROH. After seeing Tony Khan’s passion for ROH history, they knew the promotion was in good hands. Matt Taven and Mike Bennett want to carry ROH into the future.
Komander vs. Kip Sabian
Speed versus intelligence. That’s not to say Komander wrestled unintelligently, just that much of Sabian’s offense was created by forcing his opponent to make mistakes. Sabian’s best shot at winning came on a slingshot suplex after Penelope Ford raked the luchador’s eyes. Komander kicked out on the cover and rallied for a dope springboard Mexican Destroyer. Komander walked the ropes for a shooting star press to earn the win.
Komander defeated Kip Sabian.
Hype package for Jungle Boy facing off with Jerry Lynn next week on Dynamite. Footage had Lynn training