**CONTAINS SPOILERS**
Tonight’s episode of AEW RAMPAGE was broadcast from the MVP Arena in Albany, NY!
It’s Friday and you know what that means!
Tonight’s announce team was Excalibur, Chris Jericho, Tony Schiavone, and Jim Ross.
Darby Allin vs. Matt Hardy!
“Matt Hardy was an innovator long before Darby Allin was,” said Tony Schiavone.
Darby used a side headlock takeover on Matt. Matt Hardy retaliated by wrenching Darby’s arm over Matt’s shoulder.
“These guys are feeling each other out here,” said Jericho.
Darby jumped onto Hardy and tried to pin him with a crucifix. Hardy escaped. Darby shoved Hardy into the steel ring steps. Darby climbed to the top rope and went for the senton but Hardy dodged it! Darby crashed hard into the ring apron, with nothing to break the fall.
“It was all crash and burn,” said Jim Ross.
Hardy hoisted up Darby and powerbombed him against the steel ring post! Darby charged at Hardy inside the ring and coffin splashed him in the corner. Hardy planted Darby with the Side Effect for a two-count. Darby reversed the Twist of Fate with a backslide for a near fall.
“These are great pro wrestlers right here,” said Jim Ross.
Hardy used a BT Bomb on Darby for a two-count. Hardy climbed to the top turnbuckle. Hardy flipped backwards with the moonsault press but Darby moved out of the way. Darby hit the Code Red and then pinned Hardy after applying the Last Supper!
“Both men pushed each other to the limit,” said Schiavone.
After the match, the arena lights went dark. When the lights were turned back on, Brody King and Julia Hart of the House of Black were inside the ring. Brody hit Hardy with a lariat. Brody called for Darby and Sting to come out to the ring!
Darby and Sting walked onto the ramp. Brody challenged Darby and Sting to a match next week against the House of Black in a No DQ match!
“The challenge has been made and the challenge has been accepted!” said Excalibur.
Next up: ROH World Champion Claudio Castagnoli and Wheeler Yuta were in the ring to be interviewed by Tony Schiavone!
Claudio: “This championship represents honor. While the Blackpool Combat Club is the new symbol of excellence. It’s a team. It’s a family. And we make each other better. The best lessons in life you learn when you lose, and I know Wheeler Yuta will get back up and win back his ROH Pure Championship.
“And last Friday I defended my championship against one of the toughest opponents I’ve ever had—Dax Harwood. And this Wednesday it’ll be two members of the Blackpool Combat Club against each other for the AEW World Championship—Jon Moxley and Bryan Danielson.”
Chris Jericho walked down the ramp and interrupted Claudio.
Jericho: “Have you forgotten about the Jericho Appreciation Society? I’ve been watching you week in and week out. And yes, I am a seven-time world champion. And I should be competing for the AEW World Championship this Wednesday, and it’s not because I tapped out.”
Claudio: “Yes, you tapped out.”
Jericho: “I’ve been a world champion in WWF, WWE, WCW, and the first AEW World Champion. But the one place I’ve never been world champion is in Ring of Honor. And seven isn’t enough for me, man. I’m going for the ocho. And that’s why I am challenging you for the Ring of Honor World Championship this Wednesday at Grand Slam. You and me!”
Claudio: “Chris I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long, long time. So Chris, you’re on. But I’m going to beat the hell out of you!”
TBS Champion Jade Cargill was backstage with the Baddies.
Lexy Nair was interviewing Jade when they were interrupted by Diamante!
Diamante: “Jade, if you wanted competition, all you had to do was ask. How about next week in New York, Diamante is pulling up and she’s showing up with the baddest b-tch from the 3-oh-5.”
Willow Nightingale vs. Penelope Ford (with Kip Sabian)!
Ford shoved at Willow but Willow hit a shoulder tackle. Willow put on a side headlock. Penelope escaped and booted Willow in the midsection.
Willow grabbed an inside cradle for a near fall. Willow hit a diving crossbody for a two-count. Penelope avoided a pounce. Penelope launched off the middle rope with a diving knee attack on Willow!
Willow rocked Penelope with a spinebuster and tried to pin Penelope. Penelope back bridged and then hit a stunner on Willow out of nowhere! Willow hit the pounce on Penelope!
Penelope applied an Indian Death lock and forced Willow to tap out!
Danhausen vs. “All Ego” Ethan Page (with Stokely Hathaway)!
Danhausen mocked Ethan Page. It didn’t take long for Page to mount Danhausen and ground and pound him! Page hit a shoulder tackle and then finished off Danhausen with the Ego’s Edge to score the pin.
“A great first outing for the Firm,” said Excalibur.
Backstage, “Absolute” Ricky Starks said the talking was over.
Starks looked into the camera and told Powerhouse Hobbs that Hobbs now had his full undivided attention. “I will see you personally in New York City.”
Main Event Time!
ROH World TV Title Match!
Samoa Joe (c.) vs. Josh Woods (with “Smart” Mark Sterling & Tony Nese)!
Samoa Joe and Woods chain wrestled to start the match. Things quickly broke down as both men pounded each other with forearms. Woods blocked a headbutt from Joe!
As ref Paul Turner was distracted, Tony Nese wrenched at Samoa Joe’s arm!
Josh pump kicked Joe in the shoulder. Samoa Joe looked to make Josh Woods pay with a sleeper. Woods transitioned under with a suplex for a two-count on Samoa Joe.
Samoa Joe took Woods off his feet with a high boot and followed up with a senton for a two-count.
“Joe is hurting with all the damage done to his arm,” said Excalibur.
Samoa Joe smashed Woods with a powerslam. Sterling distracted Samoa Joe long enough for Woods to blast Samoa Joe with a knee strike! Samoa Joe nailed Josh with the STO! Samoa Joe crunched Woods with the Muscle Buster and then pinned Woods!
After the match, Nese blindsided Samoa Joe. Nese and Woods double teamed Samoa Joe until TNT Champion Wardlow ran out to make the save! Wardlow was about to powerbomb Sterling until Nese pulled Sterling from the ring.
Catch AEW DYNAMITE: Grand Slam on TBS next Wednesday live at 8/7ct from the Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens, NY!
And remember…the home of professional wrestling is All Elite Wrestling!