AEW Rampage Power Rankings: Hooks and Ladders

It’s not an exaggeration to say this might have been my favorite Rampage in the show’s short history! They progressed stories, had killer matches, helped build new stars and hype up next weekend’s PPV. So let’s jump in and see what ranked where! 

Honorable Mention: Men of the Year and Women of the Year. Men of the Year had a promo with Lambert where Sky talked about wanting his TNT title shot. Lambert said Tony was going to put him in the ladder match but he talked sense into him and Sky will get his shot at the title and before whoever wins the ladder match at Revolution. This concept is great because if Sammy just had the belt we’d assume a heel will win at Revolution but knowing it could be Sammy or Sky makes the ladder match feel more wide open. Though Lambert said he doesn’t trust Tony’s word so the door is still open for that match to not happen. As far as the women, Baker and Rosa had a contract signing where Baker had some good shots about how Rosa won their match last year but all anyone cared about was Baker and how it kills Rosa that she’ll never be the pillar Britt is. After they both signed, Rosa dove over the table on to Baker. Jamie Hayter tore Rosa off and started beating her down but Mercedes Martinez came out to get revenge on Baker’s crew and sent Hayter through the table. Having the 2 women in the title match not be the 1 to put somebody through or go through the table was a nice change. 

5. Serena Deeb. The Professor won the 5 Minute Challenge again by locking in The Serenity Lock on Kayla Sparks in just over 2 1/2 minutes. Deeb did make some creative use of the corner to tie up and stretch Sparks. I like that they found a way to build up a sort of third tier woman’s act that doesn’t involve either of the 2 women’s titles. 

4. Wardlow. In a match that would make Big E proud we had big meaty men slapping meat as War Dog faced Nick Comoroto. Comoroto got a fitting for his size, but surprising for his place on the card, level of offense in here. He hit a powerslam and running elbow drop on Wardlow, then managed a 1 hand press Wardlow for a second before Wardlow dropped out of it. He was on the verge of putting The Pinnacle’s enforcer in real danger when he countered a powerbomb and had him set up for an Alabam Slam but Wardlow punched his way out and landed a Powerbomb Symphony with 4 of the moves and a foot on the chest for the pin. After the match Wardlow catches Solo diving in to the ring and goes for a Powerbomb but Spears hits Solo with a chair and also catches Wardlow’s hands in the process. Wardlow looks furious but Spears grabs the mic and says he loves him like a little brother so he’ll be honest. The Powerbomb Symphony isn’t getting over. The crowd boos and Spear has a great line to the effect of “See how they respond at the mere mention of the move!” Wardlow needs to get back to basics, 1 and done, no more powerbombs. He ends the promo saying he and Max are proud of Wardlow and hugging him as Wardlow looks annoyed. 

3. Sammy Guevara. He and Andrade opened the show and made everyone in the arena homeless because they tore the house down. I have literally an entire sheet of printer paper with notes from this match but I’ll just say it had all the flips, counters, clever and creative spots you’d expect from he and Andrade. Ultimately Sammy retained his title with a double jump cutter for 3. Andrade has now had the best match on Rampage a few times and I’d like to see him break away from Matt Hardy soon. I assume he will with the rumors swirling of Jeff joining the company and commentary hinting at a face turn for Matt when they questioned if he knocked Andrade’s foot off the rope or tried to hold it on during an attempted leverage pin. Sammy is just golden in every match he has! After the match Hardy was back to his evil ways trying to attack Sammy before Darby came flying down and nailed Matt with a low tope suicidia followed by Sting nailing Isiah Kassidy in the ring and Darby hitting a Coffin Drop. 

2. Hook. QT Marshall came out demanding an apology from The Handsome Devil but when Hook showed up QT sent a wave of students at him. Marshall told them don’t be so quick to, walk away, and Hook rocked their bodies so the 4th and final student didn’t stay. He turned the opposite direction and walked out after the first 2 students got taken out and the 3rd had the Redrum locked on him. Hook looked like an absolute badass again and was only made cooler by the fact his hood never came off his head. Hook v. QT would be the perfect match to throw on the Buy In of Revolution and I hope it’s there and not a Rampage or Dynamite. 

1. Orange Cassidy. Yo. Listen. Cassidy might start the match moving real slow but when he picks it up man, this guy just knows. Max tried to get involved to sneak Bowens past but “Very Nice, Very Evil” came and cursed his ass. Sure Orange got help from his friend Danhausen but the power of the orange punch I’m espousin’ He got the victory, hopefully, unlike Putin, moving on to try be the face of Revolution. Trust me this match was better than my rap.