AEW Rampage Power Rankings: The Hook Brings You Back

The NFL will crown its top team this weekend but 48 hours before that AEW had their team championship at stake and while it may not have had the star power of Burrow v. Stafford it was still a really enjoyable watch! So let’s get to the rankings! 

Honorable Mention: The rest of the women on this show. AEW has gotten a lot of heat from fans over the lack of women on each episode of TV. We only had 1 women’s match tonight but that match furthered both the Thunder Rosa v. Mercedes Martinez and the slow build to the Jamie Hayter face turn. We also got a solid back and forth between Kris Statlander and Leyla Hirsch where Hirsch talked about praying every day to get adopted from her orphanage in Russia and Statlander said if she had the same attitude as a kid that she has now she doesn’t blame her parents for giving her up. That Hirsch shouldn’t dare underestimate her abilities based on how she portrays herself and that she has her own struggles but they’re her business. Hirsch closed saying that the next time they meet she’ll give Statlander a legit beating. They made maximum usage of minimal time with these 5. And Robyn Renegade showed some potential in her match with Baker too. 

5. Bryan Danielson. While being interviewed in the back, Bryan said he’s not worried about Mox teaming with Punk because that was a 1-night stand and he wants to have a long-term relationship to help build AEW. Matt Sydal interrupted and took offense to Bryan’s comments last week. Bryan said Sydal is great and probably a good teacher but he can’t teach Moriarty what he needs to learn; violence. Moriarty said he can speak for himself and he has violence and Bryan challenged him to a match next week which Moriarty accepted. I still don’t know that I love the idea of Mox and Bryan aligning but I adore the idea of Bryan leading a faction of young grapplers who remind him of him. That match should be really good. 

4. Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D. After beating Renegade (without Hayter ringside) with the stomp Britt got the glove from Rebel and tried to put Robyn in the Lockjaw only for Thunder Rosa to come out, clock Rebel on her way down and start pounding on Britt. Like any good medical professional Baker has a great staff and Mercedes Martinez came out to take out Rosa. Hayter then followed and tried to take Rosa out herself before Baker got between them to cool tensions. Baker literally has women fighting over her and with that fact and the W she earned a spot on the list. 

3. The Young Bucks. Some fans will whine and say every Bucks’ match is the same. I will argue every Bucks’ match is good so I could care less. This was no different as they went to toe to toe with Rappongi Vice and packed as much action as they could in the time. We had all the signature spots from both teams including a Strong 0 from Trent to Matt that Nick was able to break up by sending Romero into the duo. Vice tried for a Doomsday Device but Matt landed on his feet and The Bucks managed to hit a Meltzer Driver for 2. They followed up with a BTE trigger to Rocky for the win. We also had Danhausen shenanigans  during the contest when Cassidy rolled under the ring and The Bucks pulled out a handing a thumbs up only to reveal the very nice, very evil one himself and distract them long enough for Baretta & Romero to hit stero tope suicidas. After the match Cutler tried to spray Cassidy but he was wearing glasses. Cassidy did the lazy kicks and Orange Punch but then Jay White hit the ring and flattened Cassidy with a Bladerunner. I’m starting to think White is taking Cole’s spot but we’re still getting my assumed Undisputed Elite v. Best Friends Blood & Guts match at Revolution and I NEED THAT! 

2. Hook. I got this feelin’ inside my bones. It goes electric, wavy when Hook’s music’s on. I got that sunshine in my pocket cause Hook made quick work of Blake Li. Redrum, Li’s done. The “Handsome Devil” continues his rise to stardom. 

1. Jurassic Express. Gunn Club did a solid job finding creative, fun ways to stop the tags here. My favorite was when Jungle Boy sent Austin outside as Colten tagged in and Austin then ran around the outside and clipped the knee of Luchasaurus to stop the hot tag. The “Ass Boys” nearly took the titles by literally taking the title and smashing it against Jungle Boy’s skull but Jungle Jack kicked out. There was a fray near the end where Luchasaurus chokeslammed Colten into the crowd and Christian speared Billy Gunn before Austin tried to hit the Famasser and Jungle Boy countered with a Killswitch for the win. This was a solid showing for The Gunn Club in a rare TV match for them and the spots at the end paying tribute to the managers on each side was a nice touch.