Written by Michael Mueller
Since its inaugural episode with Kenny Omega vs. Christian Cage, Rampage has always put its marquee match on first, which is absolutely the right thing to do. Starting a show at 10 p.m. means that you are not only competing against other programs, you’re also competing against an audience that is rapidly getting tired.
It’s the reason why late night talk shows start with their biggest guest, and why Hulk Hogan would always defend his title in the first half of Saturday Night’s Main Event. If your audience is only going to be able to see part of your show, you want to make sure that they still have a memorable experience. The AEW Rampage 9/17 episode was no different as it kicked off with a tag team title bout between the champion Lucha Bros and challengers (and most recent additions to the Hardy Family Office) The Butcher & The Blade.
LUCHA BROS VS. THE BUTCHER AND THE BLADE
The crowd at the Prudential Center was treated to a non-stop thrill ride as the Lucha style was on display early and often. Tags seemed optional, interference was the norm, and impressive moves and high spots were occurring on a nearly second-by-second basis. Even when Butcher and Blade were in control, the action never lulled. This match told a fantastic story and was filled with little moments that made it stand out. A combination suicide dive and top rope cross body by the Lucha Bro’s was a unique spot that brought the crowd to their feet. After a double-stomp/fear factor combination, Pentagon went for a pinfall attempt while Fenix went for a dive to the outside to keep The Butcher at bay, but a quick side step foiled Fenix’s plans and The Butcher was able to get into the ring and break up the pinfall.
The challengers took control of the match and it looked like this would be a very short title reign, as The Blade tied Pentagon’s mask to the middle rope. Much to the surprise of his opponents, Pentagon showed where his priorities truly were as he unmasked himself and delivered a superkick to The Blade as Fenix landed a hurricanrana on the Butcher and got the win.
After the match, fellow Hardy Family Office members, Private Party, rushed to the ring to assault the champs. However, in an interesting turn, Santana and Ortiz, decked out in their Dead Presidents face paint, came to the aid of the Lucha Brothers.
This was a match that definitely favored the Lucha Bros style, but major credit goes to The Butcher and The Blade for not only being able to keep up with the breakneck speed, but actually thrive in it. This was the best match this tag team has had in a long time, and it was great to see them back together again.
DANIELSON AND OMEGA COLLIDE NEXT WEEK
Following the tag match, we see a promo video hyping up the Bryan Danielson/Kenny Omega match next week on Dynamite. The match should be fantastic and, depending on what the long term plans are, this is a great opportunity for Danielson to get a win, because the title is not on the line. It would be the same thought process as with Christian Cage. Let him win the “lesser” match so he will be seen as a credible threat for the AEW title match (again, assuming there is a title match in the future).
THE BUNNY VS. ANNA JAY
AEW Rampage 9/17 was sure a busy week for the Hardy Family Office as The Bunny was also in action, squaring off with rival Anna Jay. Anna Jay wasted no time and met the bunny outside to get a jump on the action. She hit a suplex on the outside and continued to dominate the match, with most of the action happening outside of the ring. The outside action really helped build the tension between these two, and Tay Conti and Penelope Ford both made their presence felt throughout the course of the match.
Anna Jay got a quick and somewhat unexpected win when she did a school girl roll up on The Bunny and got the win. Of course, that was really only the beginning as bedlam ensued shortly after the match was over. Taz may have won Quote of the Night as he let us all know “there’s a lot of angry blond girls in the ring right now.” Well said, Taz. Penelope Ford used a pair of brass knuckles to knock out both Anna Jay and Tay Conti and we are clearly setting up for a tag team match with these four women.
Anna Jay looked very impressive in this match. She’s still very green but her in-ring work has improved leaps and bounds over where she was when we first saw her show up in AEW. She was in control of this match, and it’s truly the best she’s looked in the ring thus far. As her confidence and ability continues to grow, she’ll be a main eventer sooner rather than later.
CM PUNK WILL GET HIS FIRST CHANCE AT TEAM TAZ
Next, we see a promo package hyping yet ANOTHER huge match for next week at Arthur Ashe stadium. This time, it is for CM Punk getting his first shot at Team Taz. Punk will face Powerhouse Hobbs, who will have Hook at ringside. Hook has yet to have a professional fight and this could be a great way to get him there. If Punk is going to run through all of Team Taz, that will include Hook at some point. What better way to start your wrestling resume than by taking on CM Punk. Let’s hope it goes there, because most fans would love to see it.
THE HARDY OFFICE IS JUST PICKING FIGHTS WITH EVERYBODY
As this week’s episode of AEW Hardy…sorry, AEW Rampage…continues, Matt Hardy is in the ring with Tony Schivone, who aptly pointed out that the Hardy Family Jobbers are 0-2 on the night. Matt is none too pleased, but he’s having a hard time focusing because at ringside sits a man decked out in Orange Cassidy garb. The denim jacket, the shades, the lazy thumb’s up, the whole nine yards. Hardy is offended by this for some reason and pulls the “fan” over the barricade and assaults him before eventually attempting to shave his head. OC came to the rescue but not until some damage was done. Logic tells us this is setting up a hair match between OC and Hardy.
THE DOCTOR IS IN THE HOUSE
Britt Baker and Ruby Soho met in the ring to address a few issues before their title match next week on Dynamite. Things got heated quickly as Britt accused Ruby of doing anything she can to fit in and be noticed. Ruby strongly disagreed and fired back by saying that Britt was “like every other broad I’ve come across: Entitled, self-centered, and banging some dude in the back.” The personal attack went over huge with the crowd and competing “Ruby Soho/DMD” chants echoed throughout the arena. After a few more insults, Britt had heard enough and attempted to hit Ruby with the AEW Women’s title, but Ruby is no rookie and saw this attempt coming a mile away. In the end, Britt Baker was backing up the entrance ramp as Ruby stood tall in the center of the ring, holding the title up high. Will it be a sign of things to come next week? Probably not, but this segment certainly did its job.
FUEGO DEL SOL VS. MIRO
In a true David vs. Goliath match, Fuego Del Sol put up his newly purchased Hyundai for another shot at Miro and his TNT Championship. Fuego learned quite a bit from his first match vs. Miro. He wisely kept action to the outside of the ring, where he could utilize his environment and not run the risk of being pinned. However, Miro adjusted quickly and delivered a devastating fallaway slam, turning the tide in his favor. Miro played to the crowd and sarcastically encouraged them to cheer louder for Feugo as Miro continued to lay on the assault, throwing Fuego all over the ring.
Much to Miro’s surprise, Fuego actually did mount a very impressive comeback, and things looked good for the Alabama luchador until an attempted springboard was ruthlessly stopped by Miro’s double ax handle that could have been felt by all of New Jersey. After that, it was all over. Miro hit a pair of devastating side kicks to the head, and covered Fuego for the 1-2-3.
Miro decided a win wasn’t good enough, and locked in a camel clutch and shoved Fuego’s car keys in his mouth for added humiliation. Fuego’s new buddy, Sammy Guevara, came to his rescue and picked a fight with the TNT Champion, calling him “God’s favorite bitch.” Sammy vs. Miro should be an excellent program as both of these wrestlers are among the very best in AEW right now.
OVERALL THOUGHTS OF AEW RAMPAGE 9/17:
Rampage continues to be treated as a true “1b” type of show, and not just a filler to get people to the next Dynamite. It is the fastest, most fun hour in pro wrestling. Next week will be a special two hour episode of Rampage from Arthur Ashe Stadium, and it will be interesting to see how the ratings for the show play out. If AEW can hold the audience’s attention for the whole two hours, it might become a permanent change. If people start dropping out after 11 p.m., the show will certainly stay at one hour for a while longer.
