AEW Rampage recap & reactions: Willow Nightingale punches ticket for grudge match (2024)

AEW Rampage (June 21, 2024) emanated from EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, VA. The show featured Willow Nightingale advancing in the Owen Hart Cup tournament, Lio Rush qualifying for the TNT Championship ladder match, an appearance from Bryan Danielson, and more.

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

Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, and Daddy Magic were on commentary. Arkady Aura handled ring announcer duties.

Metalik & Komander vs. Private Party

Private Party hit Silly String early, but Metalik kicked out on the cover. Hot tag to Komander for fancy flips, such as a Sky Twister to the outside.

Hot tag to Marq Quen for a superplex and a 450 splash onto Metalik. Komander made the save on the pinfall.

In the end, Private Party served Gin & Juice on Metalik for the win.

Private Party defeated Metalik & Komander.

Afterward, Chris Jericho and the Learning Tree arrived to steal the spotlight. Private Party took the fight to them until security intervened.

Hype package to introduce Ultimo Guerrero from CMLL prior to wrestling Kazuchika Okada in an eliminator match for the AEW Continental Championship on Collision.

Fenix vs. Turbo Floyd

Quick win for the luchador. A rope-walking soccer kick set up a frog splash.

Fenix defeated Turbo Floyd.

TNT Championship qualifier: Lio Rush vs. Action Andretti

The winner advances to the TNT title ladder match at Forbidden Door. The action started as a sprint stalemate.

Rush unloaded a barrage of super quick strikes, but he ran into a flipping slam from Andretti.

Andretti dragged Rush to the corner, then he missed a high-risk split-legged moonsault. Rush rallied for a roundhouse kick, a low cutter, and a frog splash to finish.

Lio Rush defeated Action Andretti.

Top Flight checked on their pal, then Rush showed respect to Andretti. Darius Martin reluctantly accepted Rush’s gesture to thaw the ice.

Shingo Takagi vs. AR Fox

Fox was slick early for a cutter and a 450 splash. Takagi picked up on Fox’s tricks and reacted accordingly, such as grabbing the ropes to block an avalanche cutter.

Shingo softened Fox with crushing blows and closed with a Samoan driver.

Shingo Takagi defeated AR Fox.

After the match, Bryan Danielson entered the ring to applaud Shingo’s efforts heading into their showdown at Forbidden Door. Shingo slapped Danielson’s hand away.

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

Owen Hart Cup first round: Serena Deeb vs. Willow Nightingale

The winner advances to wrestle Kris Statlander in the second round. Power versus technique was the story. Willow plowed through Deeb, so the Professor used her particular set of skills to target the left leg. That strategy paid dividends when Willow’s knee buckled trying for a power move.

Deeb had two close calls for the upset. The first was a German suplex and a hammerlock lariat sequence.

The second was Deeb’s Detox finisher slam.

Willow refused to stay down for the three-count, and a huge pounce turned the tide. Willow exploded for a gutwrench powerbomb to win.

Willow Nightingale defeated Serena Deeb.

Grade: B

Very exciting wrestling on this evening.

Willow Nightingale punched her ticket to punch Kris Statlander in the face. That was the obvious result ever since the Owen Hart Cup tournament bracket was released. Despite that, Willow and Serena Deeb put on a heck of a match. It would have been easy to go through the motions, but they went full speed ahead to deliver a rooting tooting effort. Deeb’s performance made me forget that aspect and get lost in the action for drama on near falls. The story of the match worked to build excitement on Willow’s babyface comeback.

I’m not familiar with much of Shingo Takagi’s work, but he won me over with his ability to study movement on the fly. AR Fox was causing fits early with athleticism. It was only a matter of time until Shingo recognized tendencies and reacted accordingly for defense. The roles flipped with Shingo being quicker to dodge moves and counter with efficiency. That strength in Shingo’s game really excites me for his match against Bryan Danielson. I think Danielson is excited too, because he flashed a grin after Shingo dissed him to signify that it is going to be a worthy challenge.

Lio Rush versus Action Andretti was electric. They moved so quick with a method to the madness. That’s exactly the kind of match I want to see from Lio while his services are available to AEW. Not many in the business can top his speed. For that reason, Lio has a special attraction vibe inside the ring. It is a larger than life style in his own way.

Private Party, Komander, and Metalik opened hot with their unique flippy style. Good win to get Private Party back on the winning track after losing to Gates of Agony earlier this month. It gives them a little momentum heading into the bout with the Learning Tree on Collision. Chris Jericho should bottle his rub for sale, because it’s already paying off. Private Party received pretty loud chants of support for no reason to start show. I think it could be attributed to the story with Jericho.

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