AEW Rampage Notes: Orange Cassidy retains, Preston Vance renamed, Matches added to next week

December 31, 2022 John Kleinchester NEWS, Show Reports
Photo Courtesy: AEW

December 30, 2022 
1STBank Center – Broomfield, CO

By: John Kleinchester

Rampage New Year’s Smash kicked off with a title called commemorating the loss of Don West. After that it was right into the action with Orange Cassidy facing Trent Beretta for the AEW All-Atlantic Championship. On commentary for tonight it was Tony Schiavone, Excalibur and Paul Wight who hadn’t been on a television broadcast in some time.

Kip Sabian also joined on commentary for the match which began with an extended handshake between Beretta and Cassidy bringing the crowd to its feet. There were a number of clever spots throughout the match incorporating the friendship not only between Trent and Orange but Chuck Taylor and Danhausen as well who were also at ringside.

The finish came when Penelope Ford came down and distracted Trent allowing Orange Cassidy to hit Beach Break and the Orange Punch for the win. Kip Sabian played coy on commentary as if he hadn’t arranged the run-in and wondered aloud about the dissension in the ranks of the Best Friends. Trent stormed off dejected in his loss as Kip Sabian danced his way to the ring past the prevailing Cassidy not even looking at him. 

Next we jumped to Tony Schiavone talking to Darby Allin and Sting backstage this past Wednesday night. Schiavone asked Allin about his upcoming hometown TNT title shot against Samoa Joe. Darby wondered who doubted him when he turned his attention to Sting asking if even he doubted him. Sting said Darby had to stop the madness and stop worrying about what anyone thinks and that the only thing that matters is what Darby himself thinks. An incredible promo from Sting here. 

Kip Sabian defeated Atiba! using a number of Orange Cassidy maneuvers including the Orange Punch to finish the match clearly mocking Orange ahead of their upcoming title match.

Next up Preston Vance was interviewed backstage by Lexy Nair where he announced his new name was “Perro Peligroso”. Perro said he had no remorse for what he’s done and they announced he had his first singles match next week on Rampage but the opponent remained unknown. 

After the break we cut to Tony Schiavone with Jon Moxley in the ring. Moxley said he’d be waiting for Hangman on January 11th in Los Angeles at the Forum. 

Jay Lethal, Jeff Jarrett, Sonjay Dutt and Satnam Singh cut a backstage promo saying they were ending it all next week on Dynamite. Jarrett said he had more shower time than The Acclaimed had ring time and Max Caster would regret that rap from last week.

During the TBS Championship match, Red Velvet stopped Jade Cargill from slapping Kiera Hogan on the outside. This allowed Kiera Hogan to get a good amount of offense in on Cargill only to be caught with Jaded allowing the champion to retain. After the match Red Velvet slowly backed up the ramp teasing her continued dissension with The Baddies.

A Jamie Hayter video package aired where Hayter said she didn’t care who Saraya was bringing to Los Angeles at the Forum on January 11th.

The Varsity Athletes and Smart Mark Sterling were interviewed backstage where Sterling called out Bryan Danielson for meddling in his best friend MJF’s affairs. This led to Tony Nese challenging Danielson to a match next week on Dynamite in Seattle.

Swerve Strickland defeated Wheeler Yuta in the Rampage main event after a momentary referee distraction allowed Swerve to hit a low blow and the JML driver for the victory. 

After the show went off the air, Tony Khan tweeted an additional match for Dynamite next week:

Announced for Dynamite Next Week in Seattle, WA:

  • AEW Tag Team Championship: The Acclaimed vs. Jay Lethal & Jeff Jarrett
  • Bryan Danielson vs. Tony Nese
  • MJF is “contractually obligated to appear live in Seattle” per Tony Khan
  • Jade Cargill & Red Velvet vs. Kiera Hogan & Skye Blue
  • An update on Adam Page’s condition
  • Swerve Strickland vs. AR Fox

Announced for Battle of the Belts V Live Next Friday at 11pm Eastern from Portland, OR:

  • AEW All-Atlantic Championship: Orange Cassidy vs. Kip Sabian

AEW Rampage Results:

  • AEW All-Atlantic Championship: Orange Cassidy over Trent Beretta in 11:24
  • Kip Sabian over Atiba! in 1:20
  • AEW TBS Championship: Jade Cargill over Kiera Hogan in 7:32
  • Swerve Strickland over Wheeler Yuta in 12:35
About John Kleinchester 204 Articles
New Jersey born and raised. Wrestling fan since Lex slammed Yokozuna on the deck of the USS Intrepid. Favorite Wrestler of all time is Owen "The Rocket" Hart.
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