AEW Rampage recap & reactions: Dragon beats peaco*ck (2024)

AEW Rampage (June 28, 2024) emanated from PPL Center in Allentown, PA. The show featured a queen fighting a spooky girl, a dragon beating a peaco*ck, an orange outsmarting musclemen, and more.

Let’s jump right in with a recap followed by reactions.

Tony Schiavone, Nigel McGuinness, and Ian Riccaboni were on commentary. Bobby Cruise handled ring announcer duties.

The opening contest was set up via backstage promo on social media. Orange Cassidy issued an open challenge, and the Outrunners answered the call as a team. They were running hot. Cassidy didn’t care.

Orange Cassidy vs. The Outrunners

Comedy match with a muscle posedown from Cassidy. His evasive tactics made the Outrunners look like fools until they finally corralled him for power offense. Cassidy fired up for a suicide dive and a flying crossbody.

Cassidy continued with sly movement to keep the Outrunners on their toes. A superman punch sealed the deal.

Orange Cassidy defeated The Outrunners.

The Learning Tree still needed a third partner for the trios match at Forbidden Door. Chris Jericho was on the phone securing the services of a mystery man. He will reveal that identity on Collision. Jericho hinted that this person is a real ring-a-ding-dong dandy.

In another promo released on social media, Roderick Strong proposed tagging with Gabe Kidd. Strong was intrigued by Kidd’s craziness.

Gabe Kidd & Roderick Strong vs. The Infantry

The Kingdom and Trish Adora were ringside. The Infantry had Kidd in trouble. Carlie Bravo nailed a slingshot cutter and a scissor kick, then Shawn Dean landed a flying splash. Kidd kicked out on the cover.

The Infantry went for the Boot Camp finisher, but Strong saved his partner before execution. The bad guys scrambled to rally. Strong blasted a jumping knee strike sending Bravo into a piledriver from Kidd. Match over.

Gabe Kidd & Roderick Strong defeated The Infantry.

El Phantasmo vs. AR Fox

The winner qualifies for the TNT Championship ladder match at Forbidden Door. Fox scored a sweet sequence culminating with a twisting suplex and a 450 splash, but it wasn’t enough to finish the match. Fox stacked Phantasmo on the turnbuckles. When Fox charged forward, Phantasmo leaped out for a diving destroyer. Phantasmo took control to close with a double hammerlock front slam.

El Phantasmo defeated AR Fox.

Deonna Purrazzo was annoyed at Lexy Nair overlooking her recent win against Thunder Rosa. Purrazzo’s opponent in the Owen Hart Cup tournament is Hikaru Shida. The Virtuosa respected Shida’s accomplishments in AEW, but what was Shida done lately? While Shida has been away, Purrazzo was on a roll earning big wins.

Dalton Castle vs. Shingo Takagi

Shingo was too tough for the peaco*ck. Whenever Castle surged, Shingo chopped him down a notch. Castle had momentum swinging for a Bangarang finisher, but Shingo escaped to slam Castle’s knees on the mat. Shingo finished with a violent Samoan driver.

Shingo Takagi defeated Dalton Castle.

Saraya was confident that she will beat Mariah May in the Owen Hart Cup tournament. Harley Cameron brought in a champagne toast in celebration. Watch the clip to observe Harley’s method of sipping the bubbly.

Enough talk. It’s time for the main event.

Skye Blue vs. Queen Aminata

Rugged match. The action spilled outside, and Blue took flight for a crossbody down to the floor.

There was a good amount of fighting outside, but they eventually returned to the ring. Aminata took control, then back outside they went. Aminata set up a running hip attack against the ring steps. Blue dodged, and Aminata collided into the steel. Blue capitalized for a suplex off the steps onto the floor.

Blue loaded her opponent into the ring. Aminata blocked the Code Blue finisher to counter for a hard headbutt to win.

Queen Aminata defeated Skye Blue.

Afterward, the real life friends hugged, then Blue clocked Aminata with a superkick. Blue slapped on a dragon sleeper until Red Velvet ran in for the save.

Grade: B-

Solid action with purpose to build momentum for the winners. And now we know the answer to one of life’s mysteries. Dragon beats peaco*ck.

Quick thoughts on the results.

The Outrunners make me laugh every time with their antics from an era gone past. They were great foils for Orange Cassidy to blend his comedy game with actual wrestling.

Gabe Kidd has the credentials on paper, and his madman attitude piques my interest. However, I was expecting a stronger showing in this bout to make a statement in his AEW debut. My impression was that he was saved by Roderick Strong rather than being the A-side of the match.

Phantasmo’s winning rally was fire. That leaping destroyer caught me by surprise for a pop. His style should be a quality addition to the TNT Championship ladder match.

Shingo Takagi continues to impress in this run leading up to Bryan Danielson. Shingo is making me believe he can beat Danielson, despite the signs pointing to an obvious outcome. I’m curious to see how Danielson combats Shingo’s technique. Shingo has an even mix of acumen and toughness.

Queen Aminata and Skye Blue had a rowdy match. Before the bell, I was wondering why this was main event material. They worked hard to earn that spot once the fists started flying. There was an engaging mix of intensity and high spots. Aminata needed that win. She is likely going to challenge Athena for the ROH women’s title at the next ROH PPV, so this match provided exposure to help sell her as a threat to those that don’t keep tabs on ROH TV.

Share your thoughts about Rampage. How do you rate it? What were your favorite moments from the show?