By Alex Kalil
We are live!!! What a venue!!!!
Omega vs. Danielson to open!!! The American Dragon is back.
Bryan Danielson vs. Kenny Omega
The bell rings and the fans go nuts! Danielson and Omega are nice and slow to let the crowd soak in this match. A legit dream match here. Danielson works the arm of Omega while Omega lights Danielson's chest up with chops and works his back. The match is slow and deliberate. Picks up more and more as both go for bigger risks. We get Cattle Mutilation! Omega hits a Snap Dragon on the ramp and Danielson slides down the ramp. Amazing spot. Omega runs down the whole ramp and V Triggers Danielson as he is in the ropes. Looked amazing! Count-out tease during commercial as Omega slows the pace down. Back from the break and Danielson is nearly Buckle Bomb-ed out of the ring!!! Jesus! Omega is all over Danielson's neck and back. Danielson is able to counter Omega on the top rope for a big Back Drop Suplex from the top rope. More near-falls and stiff strikes. Omega with a Dragon Suplex off the top! My God! I can't even keep track of all the counters and exchanges from these two! They are throwing all their best shots as the bell rings. It's a draw. Omega never hit the One-Winged Angel and Danielson never got the LeBell Lock in. Perfect storytelling. What a fucking match! This was a masterpiece of working at a good pace all match and not letting the audience get burnt early. The crowd was with them the whole 30 minutes and into every strike, move, submission and near-fall. This was a perfect match and one that actually worked with a draw.
*****
Danielson wrestles Omega down at the bell and gets the LeBell Lock on. What a teaser for their rematch. The Elite run out to break it up and check on Omega. Superkicks to Danielson as Jurassic Express and Christian run out for the save.
CM Punk is here to a huge pop. And this is after a 30 minute classic! This crowd loves wrestling! Cuts a great fired up promo about Team Taz attacking him. Punk is a master on the mic. Can't wait for him vs. Hobbs on Friday
MJF vs. Brian Pillman Jr.
Huge heat for MJF. Classic wrestling match early on as Pillman is all fired up and MJF keeps bending the rules to take over. MJF starts to work the arm of Pillman as we go to break. We return with MJF getting heat on Pillman. Crossbody gives Pillman an opening. MJf uses Julia Hart at ringside as a shield for a nice heat spot. Pillman goes for his Springboard Clothesline but is caught in MJF's Salt of the Earth submission for the tap out win. A nice match for both guys. They are both young so I think my expectations were too high. Pillman is very good but still has a long way to go before he is a "top guy". MJF is already there. Put a belt on him.
***
Alex interviews Chris Jericho and Jake Hager. They hype up their match on Rampage. It was typical stuff from them.
Malakai Black vs. Cody Rhodes
Black's entrance is still awesome! But they talk over it this week. Boo! Speaking of: Cody gets some boos. Not good for his "big return". Brandi enters with him to a respectful pop. That's a first for her. Cody tries to wrestle Black but is quickly forced outside. Black poses only for Brandi to get in his face and flip him off. Just made Black look like a bitch. I hope he kicks her next. Cody takes over to a lot of boos. Goes for a dive off the top but catches a knee by Black as we go to commercial. We are back and Black hits Black Mass and Cody falls out of the ring. Nice count-out tease. Cody gets an opening and targets Black's knee. Get a nice back and forth as Cody hits the Cross Rhodes for a nice near-fall. Arn shoot slips off the apron. Only for Cody to run into him in a work. Weird spot. Should have called an audible and just have Cody check on Arn after he fell for real. Cody works over Black in the corner. Clips the ref by accident and Black mists Cody and rolls him up for 3. Some weird spots but another really good match. Black wins as he should.
***1/4
Hype matches for Miro vs. Sammy on Dynamite next week. Miro is in the best run of his career still and every week is a highlight.
FTR vs. Darby Allin and Sting
FTR in nWo gear. Nice! Sting gets a nice fired up opening run before FTR cut him off and work him over. Sting gets the tag to Darby who takes on both opponents. Darby Coffin Drops to the outside but FTR catch him and smash him into the apron. Great spot for the heat as we go to commercial. We are back with Darby fighting back and getting the hot tag to Sting. FTR try to Spike Piledriver Darby but Sting takes out Cash and crossbodies Dax off the top. Nice spot. Dax teases a Tombstone Piledriver on Sting after a Undertaker taunt. So good. Sting runs wild. Tully tries to have Sting run into a chair but Dax hits it. Sting gets the Scorpion Deathlock on Dax. Dax reaches for Cash on the outside but Darby Coffin Drops onto Cash! Dax taps out. Very fun and fast paced match. Not a fan at all of FTR losing but I am sure they wanted to put Sting over.
***1/4
They hype up Baker vs. Ruby as well as Rhodes to the Top. Might be fun to watch for the backstage wrestling stuff.
We run down the card for Rampage. Can't wait!
AEW Women's Championship Match: Britt Baker (c) vs. Ruby Soho
Lots of love for both ladies. Some nice smooth action to start as Baker runs to the floor. Ruby dives onto Baker's group but walks into a superkick and a swinging neckbreaker off the apron to the floor. Back from commercials, Ruby starts to rally and take over. Match starts to pick up with both going back and forth. Ruby gets a nice senton off the top for a near-fall. Baker takes over and hits a top rope Air Raid Crash for a great near-fall. Fantastic sell by Ruby on Baker's curb stomp. Ruby hits her finisher out of nowhere. Jamie and Reba distract Ruby long enough for Baker to recover and lock in Lockjaw for the submission win. Good match. Ruby showed she belongs at the top of the Women's division but Baker is on another level right now.
***1/4
Final Thoughts
While this may be a one match show, what a match it was. Danielson vs. Omega was one of my favorite matches of the year and one of the best television matches I have ever seen. The rest of the card was good to really good. A lot of good action, furthering storylines, and letting new talent get over and shine. This may not have been AEW's "best show" but it still felt special. And again, what a match Danielson vs. Omega was. Stop everything you are doing and watch this match now.
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