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AEW Rampage was an ambitious show this week, with Wednesday Night Dynamite moved to Saturday for one week. Given the news of the Supersized SmackDown, there was a decision to have a one-hour "Buy-In" on YouTube and other social media platforms where there was a clash in timings with WWE's Blue brand.
Either way, All Elite Wrestling did their best to put on a great show and were largely successful. We hope that it translates into ratings, but what it certainly translates to is high-quality professional wrestling.
Here's what was subtly told on Rampage this week.
#6. Bryan Danielson proves he's the best on AEW Rampage, but it's a long way back to the top
On the main event of AEW Rampage Buy-In (aired across YouTube and other social media platforms), two legends of the business - Minoru Suzuki and Bryan Danielson - faced each other in a singles bout.
Suzuki has now made numerous appearances in Tony Khan's promotion, with his match against Jon Moxley arguably the least-notable part. The most notable part, however, was his clash on Rampage against Danielson.
Bryan Danielson already knew that he was among the best in the world before he joined AEW. He's simply continuing to prove it against newer and fresher opponents.
The match against Minoru Suzuki was an instant classic. While the company seems to have instant classics every few weeks, this was undoubtedly a stellar bout between the two legends.
It was as hard-hitting as expected, and it feels like it's been a while since we've seen Danielson in a match-up this physical. Owing to WWE's demands, he wrestled an adjusted style for his decade-long tenure, but in AEW, he already seems to be going back to his routes.
Suzuki comes from a time and place where physicality is crucial in a professional wrestling bout, and Bryan Danielson met these demands by unleashing his older, more physical, and brutal style of wrestling.
Danielson won, but the message that All Elite Wrestling sent was clear - he isn't going to get an instant World title shot against Kenny Omega despite the incredible match and draw at Arthur Ashe stadium.
Adam "Hangman" Page is next, and despite Bryan Danielson's incredible set of matches so far, his win over Minoru Suzuki on Rampage won't be enough to warrant a title shot. It's a long way back to the top for the four-time WWE Champion.
#5. CM Punk has his best match yet in AEW, which makes one thing clear
CM Punk had his fourth match in AEW this week on Rampage. Matt Sydal was his latest opponent - and perhaps best one. Darby Allin is undoubtedly a bigger name from an All Elite Wrestling perspective, but Sydal gave Punk the best match of his AEW career so far.
The match was set up when Lio Rush offered to make the bout for Matt Sydal. It was yet another match and yet another win for CM Punk - who is looking better every match he has.
The decision not to push Punk heavily from the get-go seems to be a mutual one between him and the company. He admitted that he doesn't want to jump right into the World title scene. This is simply a clever way of introducing him back into pro wrestling while slowly pushing him.
#4. Bobby Fish gets a good start, but what's his ceiling in AEW?
44-year-old Bobby Fish is All Elite and he had his second match with the promotion on Rampage Buy-In. This time, he faced the young Lee Moriarty - one of the up-and-coming stars of the pro wrestling world.
It was a good match because it got Moriarty some airtime, while also giving Fish his first victory in Tony Khan's promotion. Fish will be a helpful star for the company, but it's hard to imagine him having a high ceiling.
Despite his loss, Lee Moriarty could be the bigger star in the future.
#3. Is Tay Conti set for an AEW Women's title shot soon?
Tay Conti was first on AEW Rampage Buy-In, and she faced Santana Garrett in a normal women's division match. Conti has been best friends with The Dark Order's Anna Jay, although she isn't a part of the faction.
The match with Garrett was a good one, and in storyline, it helped Tay Conti take a step further. The commentary team alluded to her getting a shot at either the AEW Women's title or the soon-to-be-introduced TBS title for the women.
Conti had a women's title shot earlier this year but failed. It doesn't look like she's in a position to win it now either.
#2. Is AEW handling Ruby Soho well?
Ruby Soho had a match on the main Rampage show, facing The Bunny. The latter, who is a former IMPACT Wrestling star, impressed in the ring and had a good match with Soho.
However, the roll-up finish makes us question the promotion's handling of Ruby Soho so far. There have been a couple of mistakes made with her, including an instant push into the AEW Women's title picture.
Either way, we anticipate that they won't be giving her a women's title push for a while. Penelope Ford is next for Soho, as she attacked the former WWE star with brass knuckles post-victory.
#1. The Inner Circle vs. ATT feud set to continue in AEW
The blockbuster of AEW Rampage was a trios tag team match featuring the Inner Circle members Chris Jericho, Jake Hager, and Sammy Guevara against Scorpio Sky, Ethan Page, and former UFC Heavyweight Champion Junior dos Santos - who was making his in-ring debut for All Elite Wrestling.
It was always going to be interesting to see how dos Santos did in the professional wrestling world. He seems to respect it enough to have put in the work and training, and he took some great bumps.
Nobody could have expected him to be an in-ring technician, so it's no surprise that he relied on an MMA-based offense to make it seem as legitimate as possible. He was even sent through a table, so props to him for taking that bump.
Jorge Masvidal was at ringside, while Paige VanZant and Austin Vanderford were in the audience's seat. VanZant played a direct role in distracting the referee, allowing Masvidal to hit the flying knee on Jericho, allowing Sky to get the pin.
Overall, it was a fun main event. Dan Lambert did as well as he could to be the heat magnet that he is, and the win for Scorpio Sky, Ethan Page, and JDS means that The Inner Circle vs. ATT feud will continue on AEW programming.
