AEW Rampage - Flops and Hits - Bryan Danielson vs Minoru Suzuki in clash of legends, CM Punk lives up to his promise

A pre-show preceded AEW Rampage this week. The Buy-In was broadcast on YouTube and other social media platforms. This week's review takes a look at the two-hour-long program that featured dream matches, maiden victories, and must-watch debuts. There were only a couple of questionable moments in an otherwise solid show.

Here, we look at the biggest flops and hits from AEW Rampage (including the Buy-In). So, without further ado, let's begin:

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#5 Hit on AEW Rampage (Buy-In): Bryan Danielson at his usual best against Minoru Suzuki

Although Minoru Suzuki is no stranger to AEW, this week's show brought him face-to-face with Bryan Danielson. The two superstars are widely regarded as legends of the pro-wrestling business, and their in-ring clash was one for the ages. The narrative was on point as both Danielson and Suzuki played to their respective strengths.

Suzuki chose to taunt his opponent at every opportunity, and Danielson always had an appropriate response. Their attacks and respective counters accounted for a brilliant spectacle that prompted AEW fans to chant, "This is wrestling!" in unison. The final moments of the match saw Suzuki going in for his gotch-style piledriver, but Danielson countered with a devastating running knee that ultimately helped him seal victory on the show.

It was a flawless encounter between two celebrated stars of the wrestling world. A few years ago, this booking would have seemed impossible on paper, but this week, we saw it unfold inside the ring. This will undoubtedly be one of the matches that will stay fresh in fans' memories for a long time. It will now be interesting to see what awaits the American Dragon as he chases a fresh milestone in AEW.

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#4 Hit on AEW Rampage: Matt Sydal shines in the match against CM Punk

Ever since his arrival on AEW, CM Punk has made it clear that he intends to elevate younger talent on the show. This week on Rampage, he took a slight deviation from his usual type of opponent to lock horns with Matt Sydal. It was arguably the best match featuring Punk in AEW, and Sydal deserves equal credit for his performance.

The pace was right for the match, allowing both men to put their best on display. This was also the first match on Rampage, meaning it competed with SuperSized SmackDown during the half-hour overlap between the two shows.

Although the match ended with Punk picking up a victory, Sydal came out looking just as strong as his opponent. It's good to see that Punk is using his experience and pro-wrestling status to elevate talent who deserve to enjoy the spotlight.

#3 Hit on AEW Rampage: Scorpio Sky pins Chris Jericho

The main event of AEW Rampage was a fitting end to a solid show. Men of the Year and debuting star Junior Dos Santos posed a convincing threat against the Inner Circle.

It was an excellent match that saw everyone take turns to assert their dominance inside the ring. The story-telling, the mocking, and the subtleties used to evoke the correct response from fans were brilliant.

Chris Jericho looked as strong as ever during the match but was shockingly pinned by Scorpio Sky after Jorge Masvidal's timely interference. Sky did not enjoy nearly as much spotlight as others who were competing tonight, but him pinning Jericho was a solid touch.

It accounted for a good decision considering that the unclean finish complied with the respective characters. Although it was an entertaining match, AEW must now look to give precise direction to the feud that has been in the works for weeks.

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#2 Flop on AEW Rampage: Ruby Soho's underwhelming victory

This week on AEW Rampage, Ruby Soho returned to action with a match against The Bunny. This match could have been better in so many different ways, as it did not deliver. The athletes orchestrated a couple of good spots, but the entire match was otherwise underwhelming, and the event felt like it was unnecessarily dragged on after a while.

The finish to this match was particularly shocking as Ruby Soho picked up a victory with the help of a surprise roll-up pin from behind. She convincingly dominated her opponent, and thus, the booking seemed out of character.

Soho found herself in the women's title picture immediately after arriving in AEW and has since been pushed to look like a top babyface. It is crucial that the promotion allows her to pick solid wins in order to build her credibility before she gets another shot at the title.

#1 Honorable mention (Buy-In): Bobby Fish picks his first win in AEW

Bobby Fish locked horns in a singles match with budding AEW talent Lee Moriarty. Both wrestlers worked well in keeping their bout entertaining from start to finish. It was a well-balanced encounter that allowed Fish to make a legitimate comeback following his loss against Sammy Guevara in the TNT title match last week.

Fish has always been an intense superstar who thrives on the unpredictability surrounding his in-ring persona. He ensured that he made his opponent look good inside the ring, which would ultimately help Moriarty down the line. Fish needed this win on AEW Rampage before facing Bryan Danielson on Saturday Night Dynamite.

It is safe to say that Bobby Fish has started to look comfortable in AEW. Recently, his Undisputed Era stablemate Adam Cole recalled the time they shared during their run on WWE NXT. The Panama City Playboy further confirmed that even after moving on to a new promotion, Cole and Fish took time out to connect during the AEW shows.

Although both stars are in different positions on the roster, it is great to know that their bond is only growing stronger by the day. Moreover, a successful singles run might finally help Fish carve a unique space for himself on the card. We hope to see him make the most of the opportunities he will receive in the future.