11/4 AEW Rampage results: McGuire’s review of Mike Tyson as guest commentator, Orange Cassidy vs. Katsuyori Shibata for the AEW All-Atlantic Championship, Britt Baker and Jamie Hayter vs. Madison Rayne and Sky Blue, Samoa Joe and Wardlow vs. Gates of Agony – Pro Wrestling Dot Net

By Colin McGuire, ProWrestling.net Staffer (@McGMondays)

AEW Rampage (Episode 65)
Atlantic City, New Jersey at Boardwalk Hall
Aired live November 4, 2022 on TNT

Jim Ross welcomed everyone to Dynamite (whoops) and introduced the commentary team of himself, Tony Schiavone and Excalibur. Mine Tyson’s music hit and he walked to the commentary table. We then got a video package on Shibata.

1. Orange Cassidy vs. Katsuyori Shibata for the AEW All-Atlantic Championship. Shibata grabbed a headlock and took Cassidy down. Shibata worked Cassidy’s ankle and tried a kick, but Cassidy moved and then elbowed Shibata off the apron. Outside the ring, Shibata threw Cassidy into all the guardrails. Shibata went into the ring and sat down before going back out for Cassidy, who threw Shibata into a guardrail. The two fought and there was almost a double count-out so they got back into the ring and we got our first PIP [c].

Back from break, Cassidy had control. Cassidy hit a dropkick to Shibata’s head and then got in the soft kicks until Shibata grabbed Cassidy’s leg. Shibata kicked Cassidy’s back. Shibata then hit soft kicks of his own, mocking Cassidy. Cassidy followed that up by sitting on the mat, Shibata-style and Shibata joined him. Cassidy hit soft chops on Shibata and Shibata slapped the piss out of Cassidy.

Shibata hit an under-hook suplex and went into a sleeper hold. The two traded back suplexes and hit double slaps to take each other down. Cassidy landed a PK, but Shibata sat right up. Cassidy hit more kicks. Shibata fired up and landed a leaping elbow strike. Shibata worked an abdominal stretch. Shibata sank in an Octopus, but Cassidy made it to the ropes for a break.

Shibata lifted Cassidy, but Cassidy hit the Stundog Millionaire. Shibata lifted Cassidy and hit a Death Valley Driver, but Cassidy landed a stunner and planted Shibata. Cassidy hit a Beach Break for a two-count. Cassidy landed an Orange Punch, but Shibata didn’t go down. Shibata sank in a sleeper hold, but Cassidy got out and hit another Orange Punch for the win.

Orange Cassidy defeated Katsuyori Shibata via pinfall in 11:08.

After the match, the two shook hands and Cassidy put sunglasses on Shibata. From there Toni Storm cut a promo backstage, calling out Jamie Hayter, saying Britt Baker manipulates her.

McGuire’s Musings: That was so much fun. Even if you aren’t a fanboy of Shibata (like, cough, um, me), there was a lot to love here. Shibata looked like as much of a monster as he can look and Cassidy protected the hell out of him, which felt both respectful and necessary. I’m only mildly disappointed that Shibata didn’t come away with the title (because how much fun would that have been?), so I can’t complain too much, especially considering how well these two worked together. The only other match Shibata said he wanted was with Danielson. Do we get it at Full Gear.

Back from break, we got an interview with Bryan Danielson and Claudio, who called out Chris Jericho for attacking non-wrestlers. Claudio said he’s a former ROH champion, so Jericho shouldn’t look any further than Claudio. Danielson said he’s a former champ, too. Danielson said if Jericho gives him one more opportunity, he’d stomp Jericho’s face in. Regal stepped in and said the ball’s in Jericho’s court.

2. Britt Baker and Jamie Hayter vs. Madison Rayne and Skye Blue. Hayter and Rayne began the match. Blue tagged in quickly and worked Hayter’s arm. Hayter ran at Blue, but Blue moved and Hayter ran into a corner. Blue then landed a cross-body from the top, but Hayter came right back and took control with a series of strikes. Hayter kept the momentum as we went to our second PIP of the night [c].

Back from break, Hayter was on the offensive, but Blue landed a super-kick. Baker and Rayne tagged in and Rayne tried to fire the crowd up, but it didn’t quite work. Rayne hit a series of strikes and covered Baker for a two-count. Rayne hit a Cutter, but Hayter came in and landed a back-breaker. Things broke down and Baker landed a swinging neck-breaker on Rayne for a two-count. Baker and Hayter landed double thrust-kicks and Baker went for a Stomp on Range, but Rayne moved and went for a crucifix bomb, but Hayter came back with a Ripcord Lariat for the win.

Jamie Hayter and Britt Baker defeated Madison Rayne and Skye Blue via pinfall in 7:19.

After the match, Baker got a mic and said Hayter would win the interim world title at Full Gear, but Storm’s music hit and Storm took out Rebel and Baker. In the ring, Storm and Hayter brawled. Storm sank in a Texas Cloverleaf, but Baker ran in and hit Storm in the head with the women’s belt. Hayter stood tall with the belt. Instantly, we went to a recap from Dynamite, where Chris Jericho said he’d whip Lamar Jackson’s ass. From there, we got an interview with Jericho backstage. Jericho wondered about how honorable Regal was and then said he’d take on both Danielson and Claudio at once. Jericho said he wanted to bring in Sammy Guevara for a four-way match. Jericho called Sammy “little buddy” and walked away while Sammy looked confused.

Ricky Starks then made his entrance. Starks said he heard all week that people wanted to see Ricky Starks on TV. Starks said the people know that he’s good and he doesn’t have to tell the people that he’s good. Starks said he put in the work in AEW since day one. Starks entered himself into the eliminator tournament for the AEW championship. Starks said he was going to hold AEW up on his back and it’s going to start at Full Gear. Starks said he’s walking out of Full Gear as the No. 1 contender. Starks spoke to Moxley and MJF to a pretty silent crowd. He ended the promo and walked out of the ring.

McGuire’s Musings: The women’s match was pretty OK. I continue to be suspect of the reality that the women’s matches always seem to be the ones that get the long mid-show commercial break, but that’s a conversation for another day. The thought, of course, is that Baker isn’t happy that Hayter is getting a title shot, so which way does this go? Baker turns on Hayter, costs her the belt and then becomes the next in line? Or Hayter wins and Baker wants the first shot at the belt? I can’t imagine Storm dropping the title so quickly, but I’ve scratched my head harder for other AEW decisions. Either way, the match on this night was fine enough for what it was, even if we in the States only really saw 60 percent of it. The Starks promo, meanwhile, was kind of basic, but effective. It’s not surprising he’ll be in the tournament, but I could have used an opponent he had in mind.