Former ROH Pure champion Wheeler Yuta joined Tony Schiavone on the stage for a promo that was promptly (and thankfully) interrupted by MJF.
The Salt of the Earth heeled on him, Jon Moxley and William Regal before a brawl ensued. The arrival of W. Morrissey allowed MJF to get the best of Yuta and intensify his rivalry with Blackpool Combat Club.
Back in the squared circle, PAC defended the AEW All-Atlantic Championship against a familiar foe, Orange Cassidy.
The Bastard focused on the head and neck of his opponent. He punished Cassidy, unfazed by the shenanigans or mannerisms that are a trademark of Freshly Squeezed's act.
With Cassidy building momentum, desperation set in and PAC blasted his challenger with the timekeeper's hammer and scored the tainted victory.
This was nowhere near as good as the Revolution 2020 match but told the story it set out to, with PAC again underestimating Cassidy, only to have to resort to cheating to score the win. For a guy who was supposed to be so underneath him, PAC sure came close to losing the gold before cheating to preserve his reign.
Telling that story, though, only really works if Cassidy eventually beats The Bastard.
That has yet to happen. Some will argue AEW is playing the long game, but Cassidy loses too many of these big title matches. Eventually, his involvement will mean less, no matter how many times he shows up and shows out.
PAC defeated Cassidy to retain his title
Top Moments
- "Give it up for Wheeler Yuta. You have evolved from dry paint to pet rock personality," MJF said.
- A brawl between MJF and Yuta ensued, ending with Morrissey getting involved. The No. 1 contender and his newly hired muscle stood tall as security ushered them away.
- Backstage, Jade Cargill and The Baddies were interrupted by Diamante, who produced rapper Trina to be in her corner at Rampage. Earlier in the promo, Cargill said she would challenge for main women's title on her own time.
- As PAC scaled the ropes and teased the Black Arrow, Cassidy got his feet up, taunting the champion from his back on the mat.
- PAC folded himself up backward, selling the effects of two straight DDTs.
- A great near-fall off the Orange Punch by Cassidy was broken up by the champion grabbing the bottom rope to halt the referee's count.
