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Welcome to Best and Worst for the inaugural episode of AEW Rampage. The show emanated from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Friday night. It was a stacked card for a one-hour episode, especially considering that AEW had most of their champions competing on the show.
The company embarked on a new chapter in wrestling history tonight by delivering on the hype that surrounded the show's debut. The night was made even more special with the presence of an electric crowd. It certainly gave a pay-per-view feel to anyone watching. The show kickstarted with a massive swerve and ended with the hometown queen standing tall.
Let us take a look at the best and worst of the debut episode of AEW Rampage. If you agree or disagree with any of the points mentioned, do let us know in the comments section below.
#3 Worst: A distraction that lasted too long for AEW
The match that kicked off AEW Rampage got the entire wrestling world talking. In what was seemingly a swerve delivered for fans, Christian Cage defeated Kenny Omega to win the IMPACT World Championship, ending his reign at 111 days.
The bout was an instant classic, though, given that the company put two of the most technically sound wrestlers in the same ring. However, the convoluted finish of the match felt absurd in a lot of ways.
Don Callis got a hold of referee Brian Hebner and distracted him for what seemed like an eternity. The intention of The Invisible Hand seemed to be to enable Omega to get the job done inside the ring.
As it turns out, Captain Charisma got the benefit of it as he turned things upside down despite receiving a low blow.
The referee engaged in an argument with Don Callis for way too long, which at one point felt a little exaggerated. The fact that the Young Bucks' interfered just to walk to the back immediately after, thinking that the AEW World Champion had everything under control, also added to the chaos within the ring.
The entire angle felt off, especially when everyone knows that such distractions have always benefitted the heel. Christian Cage's victory came out of the blue.
Another letdown was having booked an IMPACT World Championship bout as their first match on the card for the debut episode of AEW Rampage. The company could have presented things better tonight by having Miro and Fuego Del Sol kick things off.
Regardless, Christian Cage must be basking in glory, and fans can expect bigger things to come for him moving forward.
#2 Best: AEW Women's Champion Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D. gets the limelight in front of her hometown
Rampage turned out to be a special night for AEW's resident dentist. Red Velvet may have ruined Dr. Britt Baker's homecoming welcome during this week's Dynamite, but she failed to do the same tonight.
In the main event, Dr. Britt Baker successfully retained her AEW Women's Championship. Despite playing a heel character, Dr. Britt Baker was immensely over with her hometown crowd in "Brittsburgh."
On top of that, Red Velvet was treated as a villainous heel throughout the bout. Both women left no stone unturned in putting each other down.
Following the bout, Kris Statlander ambushed the champion from behind. However, Baker was already carrying a trump card up her sleeve as Jamie Hayter emerged out of nowhere to help her out.
Britt Baker and Red Velvet certainly set a whole new standard for the women's division tonight.
#1 Best/Worst: Fuego Del Sol gets an official AEW contract after losing to Miro
It's official! Fuego Del Sol is part of All Elite Wrestling. After competing under the AEW umbrella for over a year, Fuego Del Sol finally realized his dream tonight by getting a well-deserved place in the locker room.
As per the stipulation imposed, the Mexican luchador was supposed to get the contract only after defeating Miro. Fuego Del Sol and The Redeemer had a quick encounter that saw both men showcasing their impressive arsenals in the ring. But it was Miro who convincingly won the match and shattered the dreams of Del Sol.
Fuego Del Sol's display tonight seemed to impress AEW chief Tony Khan. Given the long, slow build to this moment on Sammy Guevara's Vlog, Khan made an appearance on Rampage to have The Spanish God hand over the official contract to his best friend.
The Master of the Tornado DDT may have lost the match, but he won the hearts of fans everywhere. Moving forward, he could start appearing in more prominent storylines on AEW.
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