AEW Rampage Notes: Swerve Strickland aligns with The Embassy

April 7, 2023 John Kleinchester NEWS, Show Reports
Photo Courtesy: AEW

April 7, 2023
Ryan Center – Kingston, RI

By: John Kleinchester

Rampage was live tonight in Rhode Island and kicked off with Hook defending the FTW Championship in an FTW Rules (or falls count anywhere/anything goes) match against Ethan Page. The announce team explained that the last FTW Rules match was Taz vs. Sabu in 1999 in Asbury Park, NJ. The pair quickly brawled into the crowd as the crowd went wild.

Ethan Page was able to power slam Hook through the timekeeper’s table. During the match, Matt Hardy and Isiah Kassidy were shown watching the match from the backstage area. Hook then hit the Twist of Fate on a chair for a near fall. Ethan Page attempted Ego’s Edge through a table, but Hook quickly reversed it into Redum for the win. Hook capped off the victory by putting Page through the table.

QTV was up next with a cavalcade of references and jokes:

The next match featured Daddy Magic and Cool Hand Ang teaming with The Acclaimed against LSG, Bobby Orlando, and The Infantry. The Acclaimed dominated the match and won in just over two minutes. Daddy Magic, Cool Hand Ang, and Jake Hager jumped The Acclaimed after the match and left them lying. 

A backstage Swerve Strickland video then aired with Swerve again referring to “losing soldiers in the war” and teased a merger announcement for later tonight. 

Lee Moriarty (accompanied by Big Bill) versus Darby Allin was up next on the night. Jim Ross noted that Allin was hit by a car skateboarding on the Lower East Side of New York City last night but was still cleared to compete. Both Sammy Guevara and Jungle Boy were shown watching the match backstage. During the match, Big Bill hit Darby with a big boot behind the ref’s back and continued to distract him throughout the match. 

The finish saw Darby hit a Code Red on Moriarty, a running battering ram to the outside on Big Bill, and finally, a Coffin Drop on Moriarty. As Darby was celebrating his victory, Swerve walked out and the announcers referenced a long history between the two. Swerve offered his hand but Brian Cage jumped Darby from behind. Prince Nana was out as well and it appeared that The Embassy and Mogul Affiliates have merged. 

RJ City mediated the sit-down between Jade Cargill and Taya Valkyrie. Valkyrie argued that their shared finishing move has been used for decades by legends. Talks broke down quickly and Mark Sterling said see you in court as RJ City continued to try to convince them to make up. 

Rampage’s main event saw Anna Jay A.S. taking on Julia Hart and was preceded by an excellent promo package featuring the two.

Both Anna Jay and Julia Hart had new fantastic entrances:

The main event culminated with Julia Hart throwing a chair into the ring to distract the ref, allowing her to hit Anna with the Black Mist and score the roll-up victory. 

Just as the show was switching over to Battle of the Belts VI, Orange Cassidy’s music hit and Julia Hart was visibly upset. 

Announced for Dynamite Next Week in Milwaukee:

  • Keith Lee vs. Chris Jericho
  • Swerve Stickland vs. Darby Allin

AEW Rampage Results:

  • FTW Championship: Hook over Ethan Page in 9:12
  • Daddy Magic, Cool Hand Ang, The Acclaimed over LSG, Bobby Orlando, and The Infantry in 2:06
  • Darby Allin over Lee Moriarty in 10:56
  • Julia Hart over Anna Jay A.S. in 9:49
About John Kleinchester 197 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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