AEW Rampage Recap and Reactions: Samoa Joe Advances in Tournament, Jericho and Guevara Make an Arrangement, and More

AEW Rampage (Sept. 8, 2023) emanated from Indiana Farmers Coliseum in Indianapolis, IN. The show featured Samoa Joe taking one step closer to MJF after competing in the Grand Slam World Title Eliminator Tournament, Chris Jericho and Sammy Guevara making an arrangement to fight, and more.

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.

Grand Slam World Title Eliminator Tournament quarterfinal: Jay Lethal vs. Pentagon

The Jarrett brigade was in full force ringside to support Lethal. It was only a matter of time before they interfered. Satnam Singh caught Pentagon on a slingshot plancha to ram into the ring post. Karen tied Penta’s mask to the ropes. Referee Stephon Smith caught them for a mass ejection.

Penta was the aggressor in the match, while Lethal tried to slow down the pace and chip away at his opponent. One trick Lethal used was to untie the back of Penta’s mask. That tactic paid off later when he pulled the mask off the luchador’s head. As the ref handed back the mask, Lethal went for the guitar. Alex Abrahantes grabbed the musical instrument to prevent its use as a foreign object. Penta recovered his wits and countered a handspring cutter into a backstabber. Penta used the armsnapper and package piledriver to win.

Pentagon defeated Jay Lethal.

Sammy Guevara and Chris Jericho addressed their bubbling issues of turmoil. Both were wearing thin on each other and wanted to throw punches. Jericho suggested a match at Grand Slam to get the bad juju out of their system. Sammy agreed with handshakes, hugs, and cheesing smiles. All is well for now.

Taya Valkyrie, Anna Jay, & Bunny vs. Hikaru Shida, Skye Blue, & Dr. Britt Baker DMD

Penelope Ford was ringside for the bad girls, but she didn’t play a role in the match. The closing sequence erupted into moves all around. Bunny shoved Baker colliding into Shida, then Bunny walloped Baker with a rising knee strike. Baker kicked out on the cover and swiftly transitioned to the Lockjaw submission. After the match, Shida was frustrated with Baker hitting her accidentally again. Baker wanted to celebrate the win. Shida shared a fist-pound, but she exited alone in a sour mood.

Hikaru Shida, Skye Blue, & Dr. Britt Baker DMD defeated Taya Valkyrie, Anna Jay, & Bunny.

Hype package for Hook. It feels good to have the FTW title back where it belongs in New York City. That sounds like a hint that Hook will be at Grand Slam.

Daddy Magic & Cool Hand Ang vs. Young Bucks

The Young Bucks styled and profiled early. Jake Hager helped his pals isolate Matt Jackson. Hot tag to Nick Jackson running wild. A superkick party took out Daddy