The ‘Holiday Bash’ edition of AEW Rampage was highlighted by Cody Rhodes becoming a three-time TNT champion.
In the main event, Rhodes pinned Sammy Guevara to end The Inner Circle member’s three-month reign as champion. After using the knees to block a 630 splash, Rhodes hit a pair of Cross Rhodes and a Tiger Driver ’98 to pin Guevara in 15 minutes and 10 seconds of television time. The championship belt was presented to Rhodes by David Crockett of the Crockett family to make AEW’s first show in Greensboro, North Carolina.
David Crockett presents the @AEWonTNT Championship belt to #CodyRhodes closing out the #AEWRampage: #HolidayBash #CodyRhodes rolls into #AEWDynamite this WEDNESDAY night at 8/7c on TNT as TNT Champion on the Final Dynamite on @tntdrama pic.twitter.com/V7NS1ne7TU
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) December 26, 2021
Rhodes was in the inaugural champion crowned in May 2020 and would trade the title with the late Brodie Lee last year before losing it a second time to Darby Allin.
Guevara defeated Miro to become champion this past September in Rochester, New York.
There was little in the way of news items on the special Christmas edition of Rampage other than confirming that next week’s Rampage will air on New Year’s Eve with the card to be announced next Wednesday during the show from Jacksonville, Florida.
The rest of Rampage saw Kris Stalander submit Leyla Hirsch with the Spider Crab in 6 minutes and 25 seconds. After the match, Hirsch rejected a handshake from Statlander and made her exit.
Hook had his second match on television, submitting Bear Bronson with REDRUM, and came off very strong to the audience in Greensboro.
The opener featured Jungle Boy submitting Isiah Kassidy with the Snare Trap in 8 minutes and 56 seconds.
