Live from Portland, the January 6th edition of AEW Rampage (followed immediately by Battle of the Belts V) featured plenty of top stars including the Blackpool Combat Club taking on Top Flight, words from the Hangman, new TNT Champ Darby Allin’s first title defense, and the team of Baker and Hayter in action.
Highlights:
- In a fast-paced opening match Bryan Danielson and Jon Moxley defeated Top Flight as Danielson begins his road to the #1 contendership and a confrontation with MJF at AEW Revolution.
- Parking Lot promo from “Hangman” Adam Page setting up his match with Moxley next week.
- Britt Baker and Jamie Hayter defeated the Renegades (who got in more offense in defeat than expected) in the pair’s tune-up for their tag match next week on AEW Dynamite.
- Darby Allin defended the TNT Championship against The Kingdom’s Mike Bennett. Typical first-match defense with a still wounded Darby struggling but overcoming and ultimately succeeding against The Kingdom.
- Also worth noting was Tony Schiavone‘s incredulity towards Chris Jericho‘s commentary stating he’s not in favor of having people at ringside during matches.
Lows:
- None.
Less Notable:
- Taped Wednesday night promo setting up Darby’s title defense against Mike Bennett.
- Creepy, but at times a bit awkward, promo from the House of Black with a few words for Eddie Kingston.
- Preston Vance defeated a local jobber. By far the weakest match of the night, but successful in furthering Vance’s storyline and the post-match antics suggested he may be looking to de-mask more wrestlers.