AEW Rampage Preview (10/21/22): Will The Acclaimed Be Able To Scissor Again?
AEW Rampage is set to feature a couple of high-stakes matches. There are multiple titles on the line along with a gimmick. Rampage has been seriously lacking for a while now, but this episode is promising. It’s clear the show doesn’t have that special feel it once did. AEW clearly doesn’t put as much time and effort into this show as they do with Rampage. With rumors that AEW doesn’t have a timetable for the Elite to return, it certainly feels like AEW is missing them. So, with a lot on the line, here’s what to expect heading into AEW Rampage.
Penelope Ford vs Willow Nightingale
Penelope Ford and Willow Nightingale have been on opposite sides of the women’s locker room in AEW. The locker room is seemingly split with the arrival of Saraya. So these two have been going at it for the past couple of weeks. Furthermore, Ford and Nightingale are no strangers to one another. Outside of AEW, they have faced one another numerous times. They face off again on AEW Rampage to try to settle the score. This will be the second time they have faced each other in a singles competition in AEW. Penelope Ford holds two victories over Willow Nightingale in AEW, but in their careers, they both have two wins against one another. So, who is going to win the fifth match to give themselves the edge on their career matches?
*FTW Championship Match*
Ari Daivari vs HOOK (c)
Ari Daivari has been targeting FTW champion, HOOK, for the past couple of weeks. In previous weeks, Daivari tried to purchase the FTW title from HOOK for $50,000. It’s safe to say that HOOK thinks the title is priceless because he turned down the offer. HOOK is one of the best young wrestlers in AEW. He clearly has the crowd behind him with every match he competes in. While he hasn’t wrestled a lot of matches, he does have yet to receive a loss. Daivari is now trying to get revenge on him for disrespecting the Trustbusters. After turning down his offer to buy the FTW title, Daivari is now looking to beat HOOK to claim it. HOOK is going to need to keep his head on a swivel as the other members of the Trustbusters will be lurking on the outside.
*AEW Tag Team Championship Match*
Varsity Athletes vs The Acclaimed (c)
Tony Nese and Josh Woods didn’t have an official name for their team. Well, that was until they faced and beat the Varsity Blonds. After their victory, Mark Sterling came out and revealed that he now owns the rights to the word “varsity.” So the Varsity Blonds are without a name and now Tony Nese and Josh Woods are going by the name, Varsity Athletes. Furthermore, Mark Sterling interrupted the Acclaimed celebration to reveal he now owns the right to the word “scissor.” The Acclaimed is famously known for using that as their catchphrase and it has become a part of their identity. So, the Acclaimed agreed to put their AEW tag team titles on the line in exchange for the rights to the word “scissor” on AEW Rampage. If the Acclaimed loses, they lose their titles, but also their identity.
*AEW All-Atlantic Championship Match*
Rush vs Number 10 vs Orange Cassidy (c)
Orange Cassidy finally claimed his first gold in AEW. He took down PAC to claim the All-Atlantic title on AEW Dynamite about two weeks ago. Last week on Dynamite, he tried to win the Trios titles from Death Triangle but was unsuccessful. Now, he finds himself in his first title defense and it is no easy match. Number 10 and Rush have had their differences in recent weeks. Rush works for Andrade El Idolo and they have been trying to recruit Number 10 for weeks. He showed he stands with the Dark Order and keeps rejecting their offer.
Originally, this match was supposed to be one-on-one between Number 10 and Rush. But following an interview between Rush and Number 10, Orange Cassidy challenged them both to a match for the All-Atlantic title on AEW Rampage. Not only does Cassidy need to beat two other men, but these are also two of the more physical and hard-hitting wrestlers in AEW. Two men who hate each other, so it’s safe to say Cassidy has his work cut out for him.
