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The recently concluded Homecoming edition of AEW Dynamite has set the bar for the highly-anticipated debut of the Rampage show next week. Given the line-up that the company announced this week, many assumed it to be a decent show.
As it turns out, the show grabbed people's attention until the end of the episode. Even fans in attendance gave a pay-per-view feel to the television audience as they remained energetic throughout.
The show kickstarted with two former WCW guys, who gave a nostalgic feel to die-hard wrestling fans to tune into the episode. The follow-up matches and storylines were delightful, to say the least.
That said, let's take a look at some of the biggest talking points that came out from this show. After you finish reading the article, do share your thoughts in the comments section below.
#5 AEW's Hangman Page faces severe consequences after splitting up from The Dark Order
In an unexpected turn of events, AEW star Hangman Page broke up with The Dark Order this week. The Anxious Millennial Cowboy told them that he developed beef with The Elite and he, let alone, needs to finish that job.
Page somewhere felt that he also cost the faction their opportunity at the AEW Tag Team titles. As heartbreaking as it felt for the Dark Order members, they eventually decided to give him space.
Soon after, AEW star Hangman Page came out to the ring to address the situation. However, The Elite confronted him and presumed that he wanted to join their faction after his failures.
Kenny Omega made it abundantly clear that there's no place for losers in his group. This prompted Page to lay his hands on The Cleaner, but he was caught up in the numbers game.
The Elite recklessly assaulted Hangman Page for a while. As expected, a few members from The Dark Order tried to intervene but were held back by Evil Uno.
Much to everyone's surprise, AEW star Frankie Kazarian showed up to turn things around. However, he also faced the wrath of Omega and his company.
Fans in attendance were left stunned to see such a mere sight. The Young Bucks delivered multiple BTE Triggers on Hangman Page to showcase their dominance.
With recent reports suggesting that Page will miss out on the upcoming AEW All Out pay-per-view, the depiction of tonight's segment served the purpose of writing him off from television moving forward.
On a positive note, his rivalry with Omega has become more intense. If or whenever the company decides to rekindle their feud, it will be a true redemption story for Hangman Page's career.
#4 Christian Cage becomes the No. 1 contender for the AEW World Championship
With Hangman Page out of the title picture, the company declared AEW star Christian Cage as the No. 1 contender for the World Championship. Captain Charisma had a fantastic outing this week as he defeated The Blade in a singles bout and maintained his undefeated streak ever since arriving in AEW.
Given Cage's history with Kenny Omega, it would be relatively easier for the company to work on a readymade storyline rather than bringing in a new man. It will be a mouth-watering clash to see two of the most technically sound wrestlers on a collision course.
However, it is unlikely that Christian Cage will be the chosen one to dethrone The Cleaner. As exciting as this feud sounds, it feels more of a filler feud by the time Hangman Page and the newest acquisitions like CM Punk come in to grab that spot.
#3 Blockbuster Championship match announced for AEW Rampage
Dr. Britt Baker came across her new challenger this week in the form of Red Velvet. It didn't take long for AEW's Resident Dentist to accept the challenge as she made their bout official for the debut episode of Rampage.
The news was already exciting, but the company brought an extra layer of hype by unveiling its analyst team for the show.
The panel will include Mark Henry, Chris Jericho, Taz, and Excalibur. It would be a completely different vibe to see The World's Strongest Man on the commentary table. Meanwhile, we all know how brilliant the rest of the members are, especially Jericho, as he is considered one of the best promo guys in the wrestling business.
#2 AEW star Chris Jericho overcomes third labor, but MJF introduces his next opponent
AEW star Chris Jericho continues to overcome roadblocks in his path every week as he defeated his arch-rival, Juventud Guerrera, tonight. The bout didn't live up to the hype the way everyone anticipated. Both men looked rusty in the ring, and the television audience could easily witness their poor coordination while connecting with their maneuvers.
Nevertheless, the energetic crowd on the show made it look like a hard-hitting contest. However, the ending was a treat for fans as Jericho delivered a breathtaking Judas Effect from the top rope to win the match.
Fans popped out of their seats to witness such a classic arsenal from a 50-year-old guy. MJF continued its trend of spoiling Jericho's nights this week as well.
After The Demo God emerged victoriously, Wardlow ambushed him viciously. AEW star MJF then named the latter as Chris Jericho's fourth labor next week. The rivalry gets intense with each week passing.
#1 Malakai Black squashed Cody Rhodes in his in-ring debut
Malakai Black made an emphatic in-ring debut tonight by squashing Cody Rhodes to display his dominance. The former WWE Superstar made quick work of Rhodes by targeting his knee.
Black even made him jump on the table, leaving him in unimaginable pain. Cody Rhodes never recovered during the match and ended up taking a Black Mass to conclude the bout. It was a short yet logical way of introducing Malakai Black to the AEW Universe.
He was immensely over, starting from his breathtaking entrance until he pinned Rhodes clean in the middle of the ring.
It wasn't just the match that got the wrestling world talking, as AEW star Cody Rhodes delivered a passionate promo, which later on everyone realized was his retirement speech.
As The American Nightmare was about to leave his boots in the ring, Black surfaced again and assaulted him with a crutch to end the show.
This was an unexpected swerve for fans, but the whole depiction received critical acclaim. If Malakai Black's actions were any indication, then we may be in for another match between him and Cody Rhodes, possibly at AEW All Out.
However, the commentary desk assumed it was retirement. It is also worth noting that Rhodes is expected to take time off after the show. The fact that it got people in a state of speculation suggests how brilliantly the company worked out this match. It remains to be seen how the storyline will unfold next week.
