AEW Rampage (Sept. 1, 2023) emanated from Now Arena in Chicago, IL. The show featured the Dark Order rising to #1 contender status, Mike Santana in the spotlight to tell his story, and more in the go-home to All Out.
Let’s jump right in with a recap followed by reactions.
Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, and Chris Jericho were on commentary. Justin Roberts handled ring announcer duties.
ROH Tag Team Battle Royale
Winner earns a shot at the ROH World Tag Team Championship against MJF & Adam Cole at All Out. The field included Best Friends, Hardys, Aussie Open, Butcher & Blade, Dark Order, Darius Martin & Action Andretti, Gates of Agony, The Righteous, Peter Avalon & Ryan Nemeth, and the Outrunners.
The final four came down to Aussie Open, Trent, and Silver. Johnny Hungiee sided with Aussie Open for the 3-on-1 advantage. Trent was dumped over but saved himself on the apron. He was able to pull the ropes down to send Fletcher flying to the outside. Silver was next on the apron in a precarious position. Reynolds was still around ringside and carried Silver to the ring steps. Trent tossed Davis when battling for position over the ropes. Trent was still on the apron, and that’s when Silver charged over to ram Trent down.
Silver was victorious via Dark Order trickery. When Reynolds was eliminated, he faked an injury to be able to stick around to help his pal. Silver was sneaky in picky his spot to return for maximum impact.
The order of elimination was Turbo Floyd by Butcher & Blade, Truth Magnum by Gates of Agony, Nemeth by Chuck Taylor, Avalon by Trent Beretta, Bishop Kaun by Mark Davis, Blade by Toa Liona, Liona by Kyle Fletcher, Butcher by Dutch, Vincent by Jeff Hardy, Matt Hardy by Vincent (from the floor), Jeff by Alex Reynolds, Dutch by Martin, Andretti by Davis, Reynolds by Martin, Martin by John Silver, Chuck by Aussie Open, Fletcher by Trent, Davis by Trent, Trent by Silver, and Silver as the lone survivor.
ROH Tag Team Battle Royale won by John Silver.
Aussie Open was in a foul mood and started a fight with Chris Jericho at the commentary table. Sammy Guevara ran in with a baseball bat to help his friend.
Mike Santana had a promo package to tell his story. When his father died a few years ago, skeletons burst out of the closest. Anger and discontent led Santana to Blood & Guts, when he was injured. His career came to a screeching halt. Santana closed by inviting us to walk on this journey with him.
Nick Wayne & Hijo del Vikingo vs. Kip Sabian & Gringo Loco
Bing, bang, boom. This was the high-flying act of the evening. Springboards, double springboards, flips, and all. Wayne cleared out Sabian with a dive to the outside, and Vikingo finished with a 630 senton on Gringo Loco.
Nick Wayne & Hijo del Vikingo defeated Kip Sabian & Gringo Loco.
Johnny TV was in charge of QTV while QT Marshall was gallivanting around the globe defending the AAA Latin American Championship. Johnny wanted the dirt gossip. He got too rambunctious and threw coffee in Harley Cameron’s face. Johnny warned that big changes are coming. Harley was impressed. With her help, she could