Tag: AEW Rampage

AEW Rampage ratings up for last-ever episode

Posted on by Paul Fontaine

The Friday, December 27 edition of AEW Rampage — the last-ever episode of the show — averaged 273,000 viewers. That’s up 20.3 percent from the previous week and is the second-highest audience total the show has done since September 27.

Rampage finished sixth on the prime time cable charts with a 0.08 rating in the 18-49 demo, up 25 percent from last week. That ties the second-best rating the show has done in that category since October 25.

The show faced competition from two college football bowl games, with the Liberty Bowl on ESPN topping the cable charts (and all of television) with 4.2 million viewers overall and a 0.95 rating in the 18-49 demo.

As compared to the same week in 2023, Rampage’s overall viewership was down 16.3 percent while its 18-49 rating was down 27.3 percent.

Listed below are the last 11 weeks of viewership totals and 18-49 demo ratings for Rampage, along with the 10-week average in both categories. This week’s show was up 28.3 percent in overall viewers and 25 percent in 18-49 as compared to the recent averages.

Wrestling Observer Live: AEW Rampage wraps up, Worlds End preview, rising & falling stars

Posted on by Jim Valley

It’s a pre-AEW Worlds End edition of Wrestling Observer Live.

It was the end of an era (and some might say an error) as the final AEW Rampage ever took place Friday — a pretty good show with an interesting ending.

WWE SmackDown was a placeholder for the holidays, but had a special moment off the air. Let’s discuss.

Plus, I preview tonight’s pay-per-view, the possible effect of three-hour episodes of both WWE Raw and SmackDown, rising and falling stars of 2024, and overtime talking the Road Warriors.

Check it out.

Click Here to Listen (sub needed)

AEW Rampage New Year’s Smash live results: The final episode

Posted on by Joseph Collins

AEW airs the final episode of Rampage tonight, a special New Year’s Smash branded edition of the show.

Tonight’s episode is headlined by current Ring of Honor World champion Chris Jericho facing The Acclaimed’s Anthony Bowens in a non-title affair. Jericho served as a commentator for the first Rampage episode in 2021, and now he wrestles on the final episode in 2024.

AEW Tag Team Champions Private Party will also be in action on the show against Alec Price and Leo Sparrow in another non-title matchup.

Hook’s battles against The Patriarchy will continue on tonight’s New Year’s Smash episode as he faces Nick Wayne in singles competition.

Prior to her challenge for the AEW Women’s World Championship in a street fight at tomorrow’s Worlds End pay-per-view, Thunder Rosa will face Leila Grey on tonight’s go-home show.

After more than three years and 177 episodes, the final AEW Rampage airs tonight. Our live coverage begins at 10 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

Taped in New York City. 

Ian Riccaboni, Matt Menard & Tony Schiavone were on commentary. 

Chris Jericho (w/ Big Bill) defeated Anthony Bowens (w/ Max Caster) (9:38) 

This match is non-title. Jericho is very New York proud for this match. Bownes and Caster are still doing the slow burn for the split. Jericho tried to scissor with Bowens, who opted for chops and strikes instead. Bowens pounded Jericho down, and Caster popped up on the apron to celebrate. This gave Jericho his opening to attack. Jericho backdrop suplexed Bowens and chopped him around the corners. Jericho went for a bulldog, but Bownes sent him crotch first into the turnbuckles. Bowens got a near fall off a shining wizard. Jericho tried for a Lionsault, but Bowens blocked it and drove him to the map with a twisting hanging DDT for a near fall. Jericho came back and locked in the Liontamer as the show went to a split-screen break. 

Bowens spent the whole split-screen break in the Liontamer, and finally got to the ropes after the break ended. Jericho walked into a rolling forearm and a fameasser for a near fall. Bowens tried to go the top, but Jericho caught him. They fought on the top until Bowens sent Jericho to the floor. Bowens dove at (but not onto) Jericho and Big Bill. 

Back in the ring, Bryan Keith ran in, and this distracted allowed Max Caster to come in and slam Jericho, then set him up for Bowens to drop the scissor legdrop. Jericho hit a Codebreaker on Bowens for a near fall while Keith skulked around ringside with the belt. Bowens ducked a Judas Effect and hit a superkick for a near fall. Behind the referee’s back, Bryan Keith tried to attack Bowens with the ROH belt, but Max Caster ran in to stop him. They engaged in a tug-of-war with the belt, which predictably ended up Caster wacking Bowens. The ref turned around and saw Jericho on top of Bowens to get the pinfall.

– Private Party was very publicly partying all around New York City, leading to… 

Private Party defeated Leo Sparrow & Alex Price (1:03)

Both the job guys looked like they could use a hot meal. Private Party quickly ended their night with the Gin and Juice. 

After the match, Leo Rusk and Action Andretti came out to get in a brawl with the champs. Top Flight came out and soon all three teams were going at it, and security came out to break things up.

– Powerhouse Hobbs threatened the Don Callis family and promised to take the belt from Takeshita. 

Thunder Rosa defeated Leila Grey (7:05 aired)

It’s an absolute injustice that 25 minutes into this show we haven’t seen Harley Cameron once. 

Rosa hit a sliding lariat for a near fall. Grey countered a bodyslam with a rollup for a near fall. Grey hit a shotgun dropkick. 

After the usual long commercial break, Rosa came back and hit Grey with a diving dropkick against the ropes. Grey hit a side effect for a near fall. Rosa backdropped her way out of double-underhook suplex, then locked in a camel clutch after screaming “you can’t kill me!” and Grey quickly tapped out. Most of the match was during the split-screen break.

– Tony ran down the card for tomorrow night with no new matches added. 

Hook defeated Nick Wayne (w/ The Patriarchy) (12:19)

Wayne jumped Hook from behind while he was standing in the corner with his back turned. Hook hit Wayne with an exploder suplex. Wayne came back with a suplex of his own. The fight soon went to the floor, where Wayne whipped Hook into the steel steps. While Wayne distracted the ref, Christian smacked Hook’s broken arm with his contract. The ref then ejected all of the Patriarchy from ringside. 

Wayne spent the entirety of the split-screen break working over Hook’s arm. After the break, Wayne ripped off Hook’s cast and started stomping on his arm. Finally, Hook came back with an exploder. The crowd was behind Hook. Hook tossed Wayne across the ring with a judo throw. A northern lights suplex was followed up with a fisherman’s suplex for a near fall. 

Wayne bit Hook’s arm and snapped his neck against the top rope. Wayne hit a frog splash for a near fall. Wayne stood over Hook and crossed his arms like Taz (although the commentator’s said Wayne was imitating Shibata, I think it was Taz). Hook popped up and floored Wayne with a clothesline. 

Kip Sabian and Christian tried to come back out and interfere again, but Shibata was behind them and chased them away with a 2×4. Back in the ring, Wayne countered several attempts at the Redrum. But, when he went for Wayne’s World, he dove right into Hook’s grip and he locked in the Redrum and choked Wayne out. 

During the match, QT Marshall v. Jeff Jarrett, Toni Storm v. Leila Grey, The Outrunners & Top Flight  v. Lio Rush, Action Andretti & The Murder Machines were all advertised in graphics for Zero Hour tomorrow night. 

– In the back, The Death Riders are murdering Darby Allin. Claudio Pillmanized his neck, and Moxley pushed him down a metal staircase. Pac stood there in his wrestling gear because Pac is awesome. And then they headed into the Hammerstein Ballroom. 

– Back from the break, Jon Moxley was in the ring and he called out anyone with a problem with how he’s been acting. First came Komander, and he was immediately jumped by Claudio. Top Flight followed, and they were no help. Orange Cassidy’s music hit, but Shafir blocked his way down the aisle. Willow Nightingale’s music hit and she jumped into a brawl with Shafir. While this was happening, Adam Page and Jay White surrounded the ring and with Cassidy, evened the odds. Lio Rush and Andretti jumped Top Flight, and pretty soon the locker room emptied and everyone was out brawling with everyone. While everyone brawled at ringside. While everyone was brawling, Pac and Wheeler Yuta snuck to the control area and smashed the light board, knocking out the lights for the show. The brawl continued in the dark, but the Death Riders snuck out the back. 

Jon Moxley and the Death Riders then invaded the production truck, and Moxley “put an end to Rampage,” cutting the show off the air and sending it to black. Honestly I’m not sure if that move makes him a face or a heel.

Rampage started with an (Impact) World title change and the next week had the debut of CM Punk, but by the end it was the C show of all C shows.

Chris Jericho vs. Anthony Bowens set for final AEW Rampage

Posted on by Josh Nason

The final edition of AEW Rampage will feature Ring of Honor World Champion Chris Jericho in action.

Jericho will take on Anthony Bowens of The Acclaimed in non-title action after the two had a confrontation on last Saturday’s Collision. Jericho and the Learning Tree were verbally running down Big Boom AJ and Big Justice when Bowens came out to defend them and call out Jericho.

Hook will look to continue to avenge The Patriachy’s October attack on Taz as he goes one-on-one with Nick Wayne.

AEW Tag Team Champions Private Party will also be on the show in non-title action, taking on Alec Price & Leo Sparrow. The champions are awaiting a date when they will defend against Lio Rush & Action Andretti.

The card is rounded out by Thunder Rosa vs. Leila Grey ahead of Rosa’s challenge of AEW Women’s World Champion Mariah May at Saturday’s Worlds End.

Rampage was not part of the AEW/WBD TV rights renewal which begins in January 2025.

Here’s the full lineup that was taped this past Sunday at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City:

  • ROH World Champion Chris Jericho vs. Anthony Bowens in a non-title match
  • AEW Tag Team Champions Private Party vs. Leo Sparrow & Alec Price in a non-title match
  • Hook vs. Nick Wayne
  • Thunder Rosa vs. Leila Grey

AEW Rampage ratings decline against College Football Playoff competition

Posted on by Paul Fontaine

The Friday, December 20 episode of AEW Rampage averaged 227,000 viewers on TNT, down 18.6 percent from the previous week. It’s the second-largest audience total for the show since November 22.

Rampage drew a 0.06 rating in the 18-49 demo, finishing 16th on the primetime cable charts. That’s down 25 percent from last week and is also the second highest rating the show has done in that category since the November 22 episode.

The show ran head-to-head with Notre Dame facing Indiana in the College Football Playoffs on ABC ESPN, and ESPN2, dominating the cable and network ratings charts while averaging more than 13 million viewers. Rampage would have ranked 11th for the night on cable taking out football-related programming.

As compared to the same week in 2023, Rampage’s overall viewership was down 37.5 percent while its 18-49 rating was down 40 percent.

Listed below are the last 11 weeks of viewership totals and 18-49 demo ratings for Rampage, along with the 10-week average in both categories. This week’s show was up 5.4 percent in overall viewers but down 14.3 percent in 18-49 as compared to the recent averages.

Daily Update: TNA gets Sportsnet 360 deal, Bare Knuckle Fighting, AEW Rampage

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

The  new issue of the Observer is on the site today (after a snafu):

  • Full coverage of the lessons of Saturday Night’s Main Event, from ratings to execution
  • The Athletic story on Lee Fitting, plus our thoughts on the subject
  • B.J. Whitmer alleged victim Jaime Hawn comments on current and former AEW legal heads
  • Full coverage of New Japan’s show in Long Beach with the Mercedes Mone vs. Hazuki main event
  • Update on Worlds End and the Battle of Orlando
  • CMLL’s international based show on Friday and what went right and wrong
  • Dragon Gate’s lastest major show of the year
  • The most detailed look at the ratings of all the pro wrestling TV shows and UFC shows including segment ratings, standings for the week and night, demos, comparisons with last year and a lot more
  • Annnouncer leaves company after more than 30 years and why
  • Stardoms’ end of year show
  • Comedy wrestler retires
  • CyberFight (DDT, NOAH and TJPW) financials looked at
  • How sports ratings are doing
  • Notes on a movie on one of the most legendary woman wrestlers of all-time that will be out  in March
  • Chris Jericho and Matt Cardona angle in GCW and how it came about
  • Tessa Blanchard to TNA notes and the bigger picture
  • WWE, AEW and TNA PPV numbers updates
  • Notes on changes in WBD structure
  • More on AEW move to MAX
  • Ticket advanceds for WWE & AEW shows
  • UFC business updates
  • More on WWE to Netflix and international TV notes
  • Dwayne Johnson box office notes

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter Back Issue

Sunday Update

TNA Impact logo
  • NOTE: This update contains spoilers for AEW Dynamite & Rampage.
  • Bryan and I will be back tonight covering all the weekend news and you can send questions for the show to [email protected] keep the questions on current news.
  • TNA, and not AEW, has gotten the Sportsnet 360 deal in Canada with WWE leaving the station.  TNA will be airing Impact and other shows on the station on a Thursday night time slot starting on Jan. 2. AEW will remain on TSN. WWE goes off TV in Canada with the New Year’s Eve NXT show. There will be a TNA special after NXT on that night. All WWE programming starts in Canada on Netflix, and that includes the PPV shows and all former WWE Network content, on 1/6. Since Sportsnet is bigger than TSN, that would give TNA the strongest television exposure in that country.
  • Bare Knuckle Fighting Championships promoter Dave Feldman announced that they are close to an acquisition that will change the face of fighting sports, saying they are buying a promotional platform. He also announced a $25 million tournament that they will debut in April. He said the fighters would have to fight in qualifying rounds to make the tournament, it would be spread over 9-12 months and qualifiers would take place on five continents and are close to a huge streaming deal that will have the broadcast rights and will be in a wider weight class.
  • AEW is taping the final episode of Rampage today at the Hammerstein Ballroom. Tony Khan did acknowledge the show, which airs Friday as the last episode “for the foreseeable future.”
  • Taz was back announcing Dynamite after knee replacement surgery.
  • We are told Bandido did suffer a concussion Friday night from landing on the back of his head doing a missile dropkick after the Chris Jericho win over Matt Cardona. Obviously Jericho vs Bandido was scheduled in an ROH title match at some point. With concussions, you don’t know what it means as far as how long someone will be out of action.
  • Despite that fall and cracking his head on the ramp, Darby Allin did wrestle Ricochet today at the AEW tapings for Christmas night’s show.
  • Some notes from today’s Dynamite tapings at the Hammerstein Ballroom:
    • Will Osperay vs. Brody King is said to maybe be the best match of the tournament. Ospreay won via stormbreaker. One regular said it was the loudest pop he’d ever heard in the building when Ospreay won.
    • Darby Allin drew Ricochet. Said to be a great match. “We Want Samantha’ chants at Ricochet.  Ricochet did an insane 630 through a table outside the ring.
    • Komander pinned Claudio Castagnoli after hitting him with Brass Knux and a ropewalk shooting star press.
    • Marina Shafir choked out Komander after the match. Jon Moxley knocked out Jay White and Orange Cassidy with a briefcase and Adam Page came out. All three beat up Moxley.
    • Kazuchika Okada beat Shelton Benjamin. Said to have great heat. Okada won via rainmaker. They shook hands after. Said to be a great match.
    • Toni Storm beat Taya Valkyrie. Storm won with a roll-up and played it up like it was the biggest shock to her, like she was a rookie who had just scored the upset of the year.
    • Kyle Fletcher beat Daniel Garcia. Fletcher won with a brainbuster on the top turnbuckle.  aid to be excellent. Ospreay came out to confront him for a staredown.
    • PPV semifinals are Fletcher vs. Ospreay and Okada vs Ricochet.
    • Chris Jericho vs. Anthony Bowens on Rampage saw Big Bill interfering. Bryan Keith got the belt but Max Caster came out. Caster and Keith had a tug-of-war over the belt, Caster got it and in doing so accidentally hit Bowens with it and Jericho pianned him.  
    • Private Party b Alec Price & Leo Sparrow. Big three-way brawl after with Private Party, Top Flight and Action Andretti & Lio Rush.
  • Thursday’s WWE Madison Square Garden card has:
    • Gunther vs. Damian Priest cage match for world title
    • Liv Morgan vs. Iyo Sky for women’s world title
    • Bron Breaker vs. Sami Zayn 2/3 falls for IC title
    • Seth Rollins vs Dominik Mysterio
    • CM Punk vs.Ludwig Kaiser
    • Plus Drew McIntyre, Rey Mysterio, Wyatt Sicks, New Day , Miz and LA Knight.
  • Seth Rollins cut a promo to fire up the Chicago Bears before today’s game with the Detroit Lions.
  • Thursday night was the Level Up being taped before NXT. They will now be taping matches for the A&E series LFG before NXT shows.
  • I’ll be watching later, but I heard the 60 minute Zozaya vs. Leon Slater match delivered yesterday at York Hall. It was a huge risk putting two guys in a midcard Iron man match, especially when the set up match, a 30:00 draw, got mixed reviews. The main event saw Michael Oku win over Luke Jacobs to win the British title.
  • Great news about El Phantasmo getting a clean bill of health and returning to wrestle with New Japan.
  • A few have asked me about Rickey Henderson’s death five days before his 66th birthday on Friday. He was the greatest base stealer of all-time and maybe the greatest lead-off hitter of all-time. He died way too young. The cause of death was reported to be pneumonia.
  • Momo Watanabe won the four-way in Tokyo today over Syuri, Suzu Suzuki and Tomoka Inaba by pinning Inaba to go to the International Women’s Cup match at the Tokyo Dome. The match has Watanabe (Stardom), Persephaone (CMLL), Athena (ROH) and Willow Nightingale (AEW).  
  • The Houston Chronicle today had a story about 40 years ago this week when WWE and Paul Boesch’s UWF show went head-to-head on the same night. (thanks to Chris Cruise)
  • At last night’s Bare Knuckle show in Hollywood, FL, Mike Perry issued a challenge to Robbie Lawler, who was in the crowd at the show.
  • Ulka Sasaki, the former UFC/Rizin fighter who went to Pro Wrestling NOAH this year, said that he figured he would always be in MMA until he saw the Great Muta vs. Shinsuke Nakamura match on January 1, 2023. He said after seeing that match, he wanted to become a pro wrestler. Sasaki will face Shinske Nakamura on 1/1 at Budokan Hall in Tokyo on Abema PPV.
  • Juggalo Championship Wrestling from Friday night in Detroit: Evil Uno b Facade, Mickie Knuckles b Rory Shield, Brothers of Funstruction b Breyer Wellington & Jeeves, Luigi Primo b Colby Corino, Dani Mo b Rae Larson to keep the women’s title, Caleb Konley wonover Co-Kane & Tarzan Duran, The Misfit b 2 Tuff Tony, Blackseat Boys b Rohit Raju & Zeeko, Willie Mack b Kongo Kong to keep the JCW title (thanks to Leonard Brand)
  • Grapple on the Green 3 last Sunday in Austral, (near Sydney) Australia before a sellout 500:  Hari Singh b Backman, Ty Thayer b BIlly Preston, Ranal b Aaron Jake, Jimmy Townsen & Scott Green & The Tuckman b Ricky South & Sam Osborne & Will Kiedis in 3/4 falls in a last man standing match (thanks to  Kirk Beattie)

AEW Dynamite & Rampage spoilers from the Hammerstein Ballroom

Posted on by F4W Staff

AEW Dynamite & Rampage spoilers are here.

The company taped both Dynamite on 34th Street and what will be the final episode of Rampage, New Year’s Smash, on Sunday night allowing talent the next several days off for the holidays. They will be back for Worlds End on December 28.

AEW Rampage spoilers courtesy of PWInsider:

  • ROH Champion Chris Jericho defeated Anthony Bowens. At one point, Bryan Keith and Max Caster fought for the ROH title belt. Keith let go and it accidentally struck Bowens, leading to Jericho’s win.
  • AEW Tag Team Champions Private Party defeated Leo Sparrow and Alec Price in a non-title match. Lio Rush & Action Andretti came out and brawled with the champions. Top Flight then got involved, leading to all three teams being pulled apart by security.
  • Thunder Rosa defeated Leila Grey by submission.
  • Hook defeated Nick Wayne (with Christian Cage, Mother Wayne & Kip Sabian). Katsuyori Shibata came out and ran off the rest of the Patriarchy, leading to Hook scoring the win via submission.

Here are the results for AEW Dynamite courtesy of Fightful:

  • Will Ospreay defeated Brody King in a Continental Classic Gold league match.
  • Darby Allin and Ricochet went to a time limit draw in a Continental Classic Gold league match.
  • Komander defeated Claudio Castagnoli in the Continental Classic Gold league. After the match, the Death Riders attacked Komander but Jay White, Orange Cassidy & Hangman Page made the save.
  • In a Continental Classic Blue league match, Kazuchika Okada defeated Shelton Benjamin.
  • Toni Storm defeated Taya Valkyrie.
  • In a Continental Classic Blue league match, Kyle Fletcher defeated Daniel Garcia.

AEW Rampage Holiday Bash live results: Brody King vs. Komander

Posted on by Joseph Collins

AEW Rampage airs tonight from Washington, DC, for its penultimate episode which will include a Continental Classic battle.

The match will see Brody King (three points) taking on Komander (no points) in the Gold league. Komander is the injury replacement for Juice Robinson who went down with a broken leg his first tournament match. Both men have one final Classic match after tonight.

Former TBS Champion Willow Nightingale will be in action against Harley Cameron.

Don Callis and Kyle Fletcher will air their latest grievances before their Don Callis Family stablemates Konosuke Takeshita and Brian Cage face Powerhouse Hobbs and Mark Davis. This will be a ‘Timecop’ situation for Cage as he will also be in action on tonight’s head-to-head Ring of Honor Final Battle streaming special.

Lio Rush & Action Andretti will take on two enhancement talents. Rush and Andretti are first in line for a shot at AEW Tag Team Champions Private Party.

**********

Taped in Washington, DC. 

We’re closing in on the end of the show’s run with Holiday Bash! 

Excalibur, Matt Menard & Ian Riccaboni on commentary. 

– Don Callis & the Don Callis family came out for an interview with Tony Schiavone, including ROH TV Champion Brian Cage who is also up the road defending his ROH TV Title in New York. Fletcher made excuses for his loss last week to Mark Briscoe and blamed bad officiating. I haven’t seen the match but I totally agree. Callis was trying to get over “top 1%” or something for his group, and he called out Mark Davis & Powerhouse Hobbs, which lead to… 

Konosuke Takeshita & Brian Cage (w/ Don Callis) defeated Mark Davis & Powerhouse Hobbs (12:29)

The crowd started chanting “Meat!” when Cage and Hobbs started exchanging heavy blows. Davis and Hobbs leveled Cage with a double shoulderblock. Takeshita saved Cage from a double suplex and that lead to a double team legsweep/knee strike on Hobbs. Cage & Takeshita double-suplexed Hobbs for a near fall. Hobbs came back with an exploder on Cage. Davis got the tag and tossed Cage around. Davis went for a senton, but Cage got his knees up. Takeshita came in an hit a Blue Thunder Bomb for a near fall. 

Davis dropped Cage with a back suplex and tags were made on both sides. Hobbs floored Takeshita with a series of clotheslines, the floored Cage with one as well. Hobbs hit a pair of Oklahoma Stampedes (one on each opponent). Takeshita countered a spinebuster and hit a rolling forearm. Hobbs hit a spinebuster, but the pin was broken up by Cage. 

Cage hit a German suplex and some kind of crazy pumphandle slam variant on Hobbs for a near fall. Soon, all four guys were slugging it out. Davis hit a way too high angle suplex on Takeshita while Hobbs and Cage tumbled over the top rope. Davis caught Takeshita with a pop-up enziguri. Takeshita escaped a piledriver attempt and floored Davis with a running knee. Takeshita finished off Davis with the Burning Fire and got the pinfall. This was a meat party match.

– Renee Paquette interviewed WIllow Nightingale about her match in the Tokyo Dome next month. Kris Statlander showed up to wish Nightingale good luck.

Lio Rush & Action Andretti vs. Goldy & Miles Hawkins (1:07)

Neither team got an entrance, as it was back from break with both teams in the ring and the bell ringing. A stunner from Rush into a neckbreaker from Andretti ended it for one of the enhancement guys. 

After the match, Private Party came out to… party… in public? They know when you party in front of everyone it isn’t private, right? Top Flight’s music played and this actually distracted Private Party and gave Andretti and Rush the opportunity to jump the champs. 

– Rene Paquette interviewed Harley Cameron about her upcoming match, when Penelope Ford came by to compare assets. By which, she meant win/loss records. Ford offered to watch Cameron’s back. “What’s on my back? Feel the wrath of Harley Cameron!” Rene: “But she was nice to you.” “Then… don’t feel the wrath of Harley Cameron!”

I hope a series finale is just a “Best of Harley” show from the last six months. 

Willow Nightingale defeated Harley Cameron (5:38 aired) 

Most of this match happened in a split-screen break. Nightingale missed a cannonball in the corner, and Cameron hit a Shining Wizard for a near fall. Cameron countered a fireman’s carry with a victory roll. Nightingale dropped Cameron with a Death Valley Driver for a near fall, then hit a Doctorbomb for the pinfall. 

After the match, Penelope Ford jumped Nightingale, and Kris Statlander ran in for the save. The crowd chanted for Willow and Kris to hug it out, but Kris (who was struggling with her top) left the ring instead.

– Rene Paquette ran down a very good promo package for the Thunder Rosa/Mariah May “Tijuana Street Fight” next weekend at World’s End.

Brody King (2-2, 6 points) v Komander (0-3*, 0 points) in a Gold League Continental Classic Match (14:49)

Komander is mathematically eliminated and King can create a four-way tie on the top of the Blue League with everyone having six points. 

King overpowered Komander at every turn. Komander’s legs were rubber after a clothesline to the side of the head. King mauled Komander with chops and forearms against the ropes. Komander caught King with a crucifix bomb, but King rolled to the floor. Komander tried a springboard crossbody to the floor, but King caught him and whipped him about the ring barricades. King charged at Komander for a bodyblock, but he got out of the way and King hit the ring barricade. King got to his feet, and Komander came off the top with a springboard moonsault. 

Back in the ring, Komader tried to go to the top, but King caught him. Komander managed a sunset flip powerbomb off the top on King, then hit a 450 splash for a near fall. Komander dodged a shoulder tackle in the corner and dropkicked King to the floor. Komander hit another springboard moonsault to the crowd. The crowd chanted for Komander, as they were really into the match. Komander again went to the top and caught King with a ropewalk shooting star press just as King was sliding into the ring to break the count. Komander dove and King again, but this time King caught him and stuffed him with a piledriver to get the pinfall and the three points.

Tremendous match.

AEW Rampage Holiday Bash spoilers from Washington, DC

Posted on by F4W Staff

The following are spoilers for this Friday’s AEW Rampage Holiday Bash, taped Wednesday in Washington, DC at the Entertainment & Sports Arena.

**********

Kyle Fletcher and Don Callis Family (Konosuke Takeshita, Brian Cage and Lance Archer) promo. They called out Powerhouse Hobbs and Mark Davis which led to the following.

Konosuke Takeshita & Brian Cage defeated Powerhouse Hobbs & Mark Davis

Takeshita pinned Davis in a long match with good, hard-hitting action.

Lio Rush & Action Andretti defeated Miles Hawkins & Goldy

This was a quick squash featuring two local enhancement talent. Afterward, AEW Tag Team Champions Private Party came out followed by Top Flight. The champs turned around to face Top Flight and got attacked from behind by Andretti and Rush. The two teams then fought Andretti and Lio off before Top Flight picked up the titles and were hesitant to hand them back.

Willow Nightingale defeated Harley Cameron

Nightingale won with the sit-out powerbomb. Cameron and Penelope Ford attacked Nightingale after the bell. Kris Statlander ran in for the save. They teased a reconciliation between Nightingale and Statlander. The crowd chanted “hug it out,” but Statlander left the ring instead.

Continental Classic Gold league: Brody King defeated Komander

King dominated Komander until he wiped out into the barricade going for his cannonball senton on the floor. There was a close near fall off a 450 splash by Komander, but King caught him coming off the ropes into a power bomb for the pin. King now has six points, making it a five-way tie while Komander has yet to score a single point.

AEW Rampage draws highest viewership since September

Posted on by Paul Fontaine

The Friday December 13th episode of AEW Rampage averaged 279,000 viewers on TNT, up 57.6% from the previous week. It’s the largest audience for the show since September 20th.

Rampage averaged a 0.08 rating in the 18-49 demo. That double last week’s record low rating in the normal time slot and is the highest rating the show has done in that category since November 22nd. There was no college football competition Friday as compared to other weeks, which likely explains the relatively higher viewership and demo number.

As compared to the same week in 2023, the overall viewership was down 9.4% while the 18-49 rating was the exact same.

Listed below are the last 11 weeks of overall viewership and 18-49 demo ratings for AEW Rampage on TNT as well as the 10 week average in both categories. This week’s show was up 33.4% in overall viewers and 14.3% in 18-49 as compared to recent averages.

Wrestling Observer Live: There’s Something About Toni (that has fried people’s brains)

Posted on by Jim Valley

It’s Wrestling Observer Live Saturday with me: Jim Valley.

Despite what the conventional wisdom might say, the Toni Storm story, including her wrestling “debut” on Rampage, makes perfect sense. Why? Because it’s not actually her debut. I lay it all out for you.

Plus, WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event thoughts, WWE SmackDown, AEW Rampage, AEW Collision, TNA Final Resolution, and much more.

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Continental Classic match set for next AEW Rampage

Posted on by Bryan Rose

A Continental Classic bout is set for next Friday.

It was announced during this week’s Rampage that Komander will meet Brody King in a Gold League match next Friday in Washington DC. The two will meet as the tournament rolls on with the winner being determined at Worlds End on December 28.

Brody King currently stands at three points in the tournament, thus far only scoring a win over Darby Allin. Komander, who replaced Juice Robinson in the tournament, has yet to score any points in the Gold League. The Best Mortos is the only other person in the tournament with zero points.

Currently, Kyle Fletcher leads the Blue League by a wide margin with nine points. The Gold League is a much closer contest with Will Ospreay, Ricochet, and Claudio Castagnoli all tied with six points. The next tournament matches will see Kazuchika Okada take on Mortos and Fletcher take on Mark Briscoe this Saturday on Collision.

The updated lineup for next week’s Rampage:

  • Continental Classic Gold League: Brody King vs. Komander

AEW Rampage Winter is Coming live results: Toni Storm vs. Harley Cameron

Posted on by Marc Quill

Toni Storm returns to an AEW ring for the first time since August on tonight’s AEW Rampage Winter is Coming.

Storm, the former AEW Women’s World Champion, made her surprise return to the promotion on Wednesday’s Dynamite in the main event segment following Mariah May’s successful World title defense against Mina Shirakawa. Storm is in action on tonight’s episode against Harley Cameron.

A tag team bout featuring members of the Don Callis Family is also set for the show, with Callis charges Konosuke Takeshita and Lance Archer taking on Powerhouse Hobbs and Mark Davis, formerly of Aussie Open.

Callis will also speak on tonight’s show in a promo segment with Kyle Fletcher.

The top contender to the ROH World title Matt Cardona faces Bryan Keith on tonight’s show. Cardona challenges Chris Jericho for the ROH World title at Final Battle next Friday. Jericho will be on commentary for tonight’s contest.

Deonna Purrazzo vs. Shazza McKenzie is also set for the show.

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Matt Cardona def. Bryan Keith

Chris Jericho joined Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, and Matt Menard on commentary for this match between “the Bad Apple” and his Final Battle opponent, Matt Cardona of GCW. Before the match, we saw a highlight of Cardona and Jericho’s contract signing on last night’s episode of Ring of Honor on HonorClub.

Cardona and Keith started off with a lockup in the ring as the fans chanted “Always Ready”. Keith backed away from Cardona after the test of strength, but found himself down on the mat with a shoulder block from Cardona.

Keith got flattened by a flapjack from Cardona, followed by a clothesline in the corner. Keith rolled out of the ring to avoid a corner attack from Cardona, but he couldn’t escape the dropkick afterwards. Outside the ring, Cardona threw Keith into the barricade with a Russian leg sweep. On the opposite apron, Keith attempted to regain the advantage with a bite to Cardona’s forehead before he sent him face-first into the steel steps from the apron.

In the ring, Keith had the advantage with a resthold, followed by a jumping knee to the head of Cardona for a two count. In the corner, we got an exchange of chops between Cardona and Keith, but the Bad Apple regained momentum with a boot to the head. Another kick to the face from Keith kept Cardona reeling, as it sent him out of the ring, which led to a picture-in-picture break.

We returned to Rampage with Keith still in firm control of the action as he bit into Cardona’s ear in the corner. Cardona created some separation with a leg sweep, which allowed him to set up his second wind. With Keith stunned in the corner, Cardona hit his running knee in the corner for a near fall. A missile dropkick from Cardona was answered with a uranage from Keith for the close two-count.

Keith had Cardona set up in the middle of the ring, but he was reversed into a straitjacket slam. Cardona blocked a German suplex attempt from Keith and finished things off with the Silence for the one, two, three.

A good match, all things considered meant to build Cardona up as a credible challenger for Chris Jericho and the ROH World Championship. Job accomplished on that regard.

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– A promo for ShopAEW with Harley Cameron singing a funny song about what fans can find on the official online store of All Elite Wrestling aired.

Toni Storm def. Harley Cameron

Like on Dynamite: Winter is Coming, Storm entered with her pre-Timeless entrance music and attire.

Storm offered a handshake to Cameron, but got caught in a side headlock. She responded with a shoulder block, dropkick, and a running boot. Storm worked over Cameron in the corner with the ten-punch combo until she got countered with a strike. Cameron hilariously cued up the picture-in-picture break by saying, “we’ll be right back when this idiot remembers who she is.”

We came back with Storm landing a backbreaker on Cameron, which led to her mounting a comeback. Fisherman Suplex from Storm only got a two count as Cameron regained the advantage with a shining wizard for a near-fall of her own. Storm roared back with a Sky-High powerbomb for a near-fall as she cued up the running hip attack in the corner by briefly going to her Timeless persona. Storm then put an end to this match with Storm Zero for the victory.

This was a great match and showcase for the returning Storm, and the subtle hints of her Timeless persona were quite interesting to see, so it’s clear that there is certainly more to Storm’s return than meets the eye. It’s something I’m wanting to see more of in the coming weeks and months. Meanwhile, Harley Cameron was a great opponent for Storm and she continues to be a highlight whenever she shows up.

**********

Deonna Purrazo def. Shazza McKenzie

Purrazo began by fiercely working over McKenzie in the corner with stomps and chops. A short burst of adrenaline from McKenzie got snuffed out early by a Purrazo clothesline as she found herself trapped in the tree of woe. Spear to the midsection, followed by the powerbomb, and the Fujiwara armbar spelled victory for Purrazo.

Short and sweet match to showcase Purrazo’s dominance, and it’s nice seeing Shazza McKenzie get a look in this one.

**********

– Alex Marvez interviewed Kris Statlander backstage, as he asked Statlander where she’ll go next. Statlander said that she gave credit to Mercedes Mone for being everything that she is, and that all she can do to move forward. She said that she’ll wrestle on Collision and that whoever wins on Dynamite: Holiday Bash this Wednesday between Mone and Anna Jay, that she’d be coming for the TBS Championship once again.

Don Callis Family Interview

Tony Schiavone was in the ring as he introduced the Callis Family: Konosuke Takeshita, Kyle Fletcher, and Lance Archer ahead of tonight’s main event match. Schiavone started by saying that the crowd’s reaction is a tell-tale sign of what everyone thinks of the Callis Family.

Callis took the microphone and said that his Family is in the “getting over and making money” business, as he praised Archer, Takeshita, and especially Fletcher. He said that there was once a man who thought he was the greatest in the ring, a man by the name of Will Ospreay. Callis said that was before he ran into Kyle Fletcher. He asked Ospreay, “How does it feel, bruv?” Callis then brought up how Fletcher defeated “the best tournament wrestler” in Kazuchika Okada and asked, “How does it feel, bitch?”

Fletcher took the microphone and took in the Kansas City fans’ boos as he said he’d be the winner of the Continental Classic. He then had words for his C2 opponent, Mark Briscoe, stating that nobody would get in the way of his destiny.

Callis declared that his Family were the “one percenters of AEW”, and that nobody was bad enough and big enough to get in the ring with them.

Powerhouse Hobbs & Mark Davis def. Konosuke Takeshita & Lance Archer

Hobbs and Takeshita seemed to start off in the ring, but Archer was tagged into the match as Hobbs wanted a piece of Takeshita. In the ring, Archer and Hobbs, big meaty men that they were, traded meat as Hobbs got the advantage in the corner. Davis entered the match and teed off on Archer with some strikes of his own.

Davis and Hobbs got the advantage with a double team shoulder block on Archer, followed by a double-team standing suplex. Archer managed to kick out at one following that move as he regained the advantage after a well-placed Takeshita kick to the back of Davis, which sent us to our final commercial break of the night.

Rampage returned with Archer working over Davis, who tried to create some separation between him and the Callis Family. Just as Davis was about to tag Hobbs, Archer knocked him off the apron to the loud boos of the crowd. Takeshita tagged himself in and showed an impressive display of power with a suplex on the 285-pound Davis.

Davis knocked Takeshita down and finally got the hot tag on Hobbs, who teed off on Takeshita momentarily. Standing clothesline from Hobbs wasn’t enough to keep Takeshita out, as he is met with a powerful knee strike from Takeshita.

Davis and Archer tagged into the match for their respective teams and began trading strikes until a boot from Archer took Davis down. On the top turnbuckle, Takeshita and Archer had Davis set up for a double superplex, but Hobbs ran in and hit a tower of doom powerbomb on everyone instead.

Hobbs was tagged in as he pulled down the straps as Takeshita hit him with an elbow, which led to an Archer chokeslam for the close two-count. In the corner, Davis pulled out Takeshita from the apron, which led to Hobbs hitting the powerslam on Archer, followed by the Powerhouse Spinebuster to pick up the win in the Rampage main event.

Post-match, Takeshita attempted a cheapshot on Hobbs, but got met with a Powerhouse Spinebuster. Hobbs took the AEW International Championship and raised it over Takeshita as we ended the night on him and Davis standing tall.

Fun little main event with lots of big meaty men slapping meat, and it’s quite clear we’re getting a Hobbs vs. Takeshita International Championship match down the line, and this match did a great job in setting that up for the future.

As the end draws near for Rampage, we’re getting a lot of packed cards, which makes for a fun hour of AEW action. Tonight was no exception. I really enjoyed tonight’s episode as the hour went by like a breeze. Rampage will be missed when its run ends in a couple of weeks.

Toni Storm’s in-ring return booked for AEW Rampage Winter is Coming

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Toni Storm will return to in-ring competition in AEW on Friday’s Rampage Winter is Coming.

Storm, who made her surprise return to AEW on Wednesday’s Dynamite following the main event Women’s World title bout between Mariah May and Mina Shirakawa, will take on Harley Cameron on Friday’s show, her first AEW match since dropping the Women’s World Championship to May at All In in Wembley Stadium on August 25.

Friday’s Rampage was taped Wednesday night in Kansas City. Spoilers from the taping are available here.

Three more matches are also set for Friday’s special edition of Rampage.

Mark Davis, formerly of Aussie Open, teams with Powerhouse Hobbs on Friday’s show against Lance Archer & Konosuke Takeshita. Also taped for Rampage, Deonna Purrazzo goes one-on-one with Shazza McKenzie.

Matt Cardona vs. Bryan Keith is also set for Friday’s show as announced during Dynamite.

The AEW Rampage Winter is Coming lineup for Friday, December 13 —

  • Toni Storm vs. Harley Cameron
  • Matt Cardona vs. Bryan Keith
  • Konosuke Takeshita & Lance Archer vs. Powerhouse Hobbs & Mark Davis
  • Deonna Purrazzo vs. Shazza McKenzie

AEW Rampage and Ring of Honor TV spoilers from Kansas City

Posted on by F4W Staff

The following are spoilers for this week’s AEW Rampage, as well as content taped for this week’s Ring of Honor TV.

Wednesday’s taping was held in Kansas City, Missouri at T-Mobile Center.

Spoilers are courtesy of our Jim Valley.

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Ring of Honor TV spoilers for December 12 —

Chris Jericho & Matt Cardona Final Battle contract signing —

Jericho flipped off the crowd for chanting “Always Ready!” Jericho congratulated Matt for having the biggest match of his career. Jericho would not let Cardona speak. Finally, Cardona exploded and said, “Everything that comes out of your mouth is BULLSHIT!”

Cardona called Jericho a phony who’s using ROH, and Cardona is going to prove it when he wins the title next Friday. Cardona signed, then Jericho paused before he signed. He finally signed. 

Jericho offered a handshake. Cardona sent Jericho into Bryan Keith on the apron. Cardona hit the Rough Rider and then slammed Jericho through the table, leaving Chris laying in the ring.

AEW Rampage spoilers for December 13 —

  • Toni Storm defeated Harley Cameron —

Toni Storm (original version, not Timeless) beat Harley Cameron with the Storm Zero. Harley Cameron threw to break. Yelling in the camera, “We’ll be right back if this idiot can remember who she is!” A more competitive match than you might expect.  There was a moment where Toni was going to do something ‘timeless’ but didn’t. Maybe a sign of a mental struggle with her character. This was the first match but they taped it last.

  • Deonna Purazzo defeated Shazza Makenzie —

Purrazzo won by tap out with the Fujiwara arm bar 

  • Matt Cardona defeated Bryan Keith (w/Chris Jericho  on commentary) —

After the match, Cardona in the ring and Jericho standing at the commentary desk stared each other down. Jericho took off his hat and jacket and slowly went to the ring only to wave his hands, call it off, and walk to the back with Keith. Cardona said to the crowd he’s going to beat Jericho “for each and every one of you”.

  • Tony Schiavone in the ring w/Don Callis, Lance Archer, Konosuke Takeshita, & Kyle Fletcher

Callis put over the ‘Murder Machine’ tag team, plus Takeshita and Fletcher beating Ospreay and Okada. Fletcher says he’ll beat Mark Briscoe on Collision because winning the Continental Classic is his destiny. Out came Powerhouse Hobbs and Mark Davis to start the main event vs Takeshita and Archer.

  • Powerhouse Hobbs & Mark Davis defeated Konosuke Takeshita & Lance Archer (w/ Don Callis on commentary & Kyle Fletcher standing behind him)

Hobbs pinned Archer with a spinebuster. Takeshita tried to attack Hobbs and got a spine buster for his trouble. Hobbs held up the International Title while standing over Takeshita. Hard hitting match.