AEW Rampage recap & reactions: Takesh*ta is one step closer to TNT title (2024)

AEW Rampage (May 31, 2024) emanated from The Kia Forum in Los Angeles, CA. The show featured Konosuke Takesh*ta getting one step closer to the TNT Championship, Brian Cage making a friend, Fenix showing off a new finisher, and more.

Let’s jump right in with a recap followed by reactions.

Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, and Daddy Magic were on commentary. Justin Roberts handled ring announcer duties.

TNT title qualifier: Pentagon vs. Konosuke Takesh*ta

The winner advances to the TNT Championship ladder match at Forbidden Door on June 30. Back and forth bout with Takesh*ta gaining the edge early. Pentagon rallied for a flurry of sling blade slams and a dive outside. Back inside the ring, they danced for a nifty rolling sequence with Takesh*ta executing a wheelbarrow German suplex.

Penta popped up to answer with a pumphandle driver. A short while later, the luchador launched for a cool springboarding Mexican destroyer on the apron.

In the end, Takesh*ta flattened Penta with a stiff strike. The Alpha followed up for a running knee to win.

Konosuke Takesh*ta defeated Pentagon.

Chris Jericho is stepping down from his commentary role on Rampage after the unprovoked attack from Hook last week. Jericho is too valuable to be left exposed. Instead of Rampage, he’ll focus on taking up more time on Dynamite and Collision.

Roderick Strong was in an angry mood. Not only did he lose the AEW International Championship, he was supposed to be the tenth man in the Casino Gauntlet. Strong plans to take out his frustration on Lio Rush in a match at Collision.

Satnam Singh vs. Peter Avalon

Sonjay Dutt was ringside as hype man. The giant laid down allowing Avalon to try for a pin. Satnam pressed Pretty Peter into the air. Satnam was up on his knees and chokeslammed Avalon repeatedly into the mat. The giant closed with a bear hug as his opponent flailed in defeat.

Satnam Singh defeated Peter Avalon.

Brian Cage and the Gates of Agony want to start anew flexing their muscle, so they challenged any three sloppy Joes in the locker room for Collision. The crew also made a friend in Hechicero from CMLL.

AEW Women’s World Championship title eliminator: Toni Storm (c) vs. Viva Van

Mariah May and Luther were ringside. Van had no answer for Storm’s ass offense. Van scored an axe kick, but she failed to capitalize. Storm escaped an electric chair lift to counter for a German suplex. Storm pounded a running butt blast in the corner and closed with a piledriver.

Toni Storm defeated Viva Van.

Saraya wrestles Mariah May on Dynamite next week. Since May wants to be like Toni Storm so much, Saraya will lend a helping hand. She beat the real Storm, and she will beat the crap out of the fake Storm.

Kyle O’Reilly vs. Jordan Cruz

O’Reilly wasted no time with an aggressive attack. When Cruz landed a punch, O’Reilly shot the double leg takedown to transition for an armbar victory. ARMBAR!

Kyle O’Reilly defeated Jordan Cruz.

Johnny TV challenged Claudio Castagnoli to a match on Collision.

Enough talk. It’s time for the main event.

Fenix vs. Isiah Kassidy

Alex Abrahantes was ringside. Fenix was footloose and fancy-free in the start until Kassidy rammed him into the ring steps and over the barricade. Fenix rallied with a double springboard hurricanrana.

The next wild move was a destroyer from Kassidy in a tumbling routine with Fenix.

The finishing maneuver was even more bonkers. After Kassidy missed a senton atomico, Fenix ran on the ropes for a soccer kick. The luchador hit the mark on a frog splash, but Kassidy kicked out. Fenix cemented the win with a new finisher. Excalibur didn’t know what to call it, so watch the video for yourself. The setup starts at 5:06.

Fenix defeated Isiah Kassidy.

Grade: B

The opener and closer rocked hard. Everything in between appeared to have a basic purpose.

Konosuke Takesh*ta is one step closer to the TNT Championship after winning his qualifier against Pentagon. Good match peppered with high spots to make me go, “Whoa!” The wheelbarrow German suplex from Takesh*ta and the double springboard destroyer from Penta were both electric. Even though Pentagon fought tough, the finish played out to show Takesh*ta is on a higher level right now. That is the kind of decisive win to rebuild the Alpha’s stock. We’ll have to see who else is in the TNT title qualifier field, but Takesh*ta would be a strong choice to claim the vacant gold. I know Jack Perry appears to be the favorite overall, however, there’s many a slip ‘twixt the cup and the lip. The Elite have made a lot of enemies in a short time, so perhaps Perry is on the receiving end of someone’s scorn.

Fenix and Isiah Kassidy delivered an athletic bout. Kassidy showed out well, but all I can think about was that finisher from Fenix. The driver bomb was brutal as a finisher. I’ve replayed the video several times, and I always wince in an awkward combination of agony and ecstasy. The lift and impact combined for a straight-up awesome visual. It looked like Kassidy was caught in a hit and run. It is amazing how creative Fenix has been throughout his career.

If AEW is going to have Satnam Singh win a squash match, that is the way to do it. He showcased his giant strength in style by pummeling Peter Avalon. Those are the top of squash matches that are entertaining. Toni Storm handled Viva Van. The electric chair counter to a German suplex was a sweet way to smut out Van’s momentum. Kyle O’Reilly was all business. That was a great example of how to use technique to kick an opponent’s ass.

Share your thoughts about Rampage. How do you rate it? What were your favorite moments from the show?