'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
AEW Rampage took place in Cincinnati this week. Three matches, as well as interviews with Adam Cole and Bryan Danielson fka Daniel Bryan, were announced ahead of the show.
PAC and Andrade El Idolo opened the show with their much-anticipated match. The match ended with an unexpected swerve. Ruby Soho continued her unbeaten run as she, Riho, and Kris Statlander defeated Jamie Hayter, Britt Baker, and Rebel.
Bryan Danielson and Adam Cole had satellite interviews. The AEW All Out debutants made their intentions clear.
Cincinnati homeboy Brian Pillman Jr. faced Max Caster in the main event. With so much happening in one hour, let us look at 5 things that AEW subtly told us on Rampage.
#5. Adam Cole undermined the Good Brothers once again on AEW Rampage
Adam Cole made his AEW Dynamite debut and wasted no time in glorifying the Elite, crediting Kenny Omega and the Young Bucks for making AEW a thriving place for professional wrestling.
Interestingly, he never mentioned the Good Brothers. Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson have helped Omega and the Bucks many times and Adam Cole completely disregarded their presence.
During his AEW Rampage interview, Cole once again omitted Good Brothers while discussing The Elite. With many speculating that the former NXT champion wants to destroy the Elite from within, this could be a hint of a future betrayal. After all, Kenny Omega "killed" Adam Cole before the Young Bucks fired him from the Bullet Club back in Japan.
Whatever might be the case, Adam Cole clearly does not acknowledge the Good Brothers. It could only be a matter of time before the IMPACT Wrestling Tag Team Champions call out Adam Cole.
#4. Ric Flair headed to AEW?
Andrade vs PAC opened AEW Rampage on a high note. The two did more than enough to make up for their shelved match at All Out. A bigger story unfolded after the match. Andrade attacked his manager Chavo Guerrero and left him on the ramp.
With Ric Flair being a free agent and having already managed Andrade at AAA Triplemania XXIX, it seems inevitable that the Nature Boy will be heading to AEW and to manage his future son-in-law.
With Chavo Guerrero already his manager, it was a mystery as to how AEW would incorporate Ric Flair. With Chavo out of the way, the door is open for the pro wrestling legend to step in.
#3. Andrade is in AEW to prove himself
It was a shame that Andrade had wrestled just once in AEW. That changed on AEW Rampage when he and PAC opened the show with a banger of a match.
Great counters, brutal submissions, and thrilling high-flying moves had the crowd on the edge of their seats. That's when Chavo Guerrero made his presence felt and struck PAC with his iPad. Andrade simply rolled him up and won the match.
However, after the match, Andrade attacked Chavo for helping him. He abandoned his manager as Lucha Brothers superkicked Chavo.
The segment clearly showed Andrade's desire to prove himself and prove the doubters wrong. His AEW stint has been underwhelming so far and hopefully, this match is the beginning of a remarkable run.
#2. AEW knows how to highlight hometown heroes
Jon Moxley was in the main event of AEW Dynamite, and Brian Pillman Jr. was in the main event of Rampage. Both Cincinnati homeboys won and made their hometown crowd happy.
AEW has done a stunning job of highlighting hometown heroes. Lance Archer and Ricky Starks won their maiden titles in AEW in their hometown of Texas during the two nights of Fyter Fest.
The Pittsburgh crowd cheered for Britt Baker despite her being a heel. CM Punk received one of the greatest ovations in wrestling history during his AEW debut in front of the Chicago crowd.
It's always wonderful to see that Tony Khan's promotion has picked up a great knack for spotlighting talent in their hometown.
#1. AEW retains faith in Max Caster following controversy
Max Caster is back on AEW TV. The Acclaimed member main-evented Rampage against Brian Pillman Jr. Despite the star's loss, the main event spot proves AEW's faith in him despite recent controversy.
Max Caster recently sent some suggestive tweets, teasing his AEW departure. However, he showed up and won a match on AEW Dark a week ago while teaming up with Anthony Bowens.
Max Caster is quite talented and AEW has made the right call by reinstating him. If he stays off controversy, he can have a good future in AEW.
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
