All Elite Wrestling reaches the end of its Canadian tour at the end of this week. But just before the final stop in Calgary for AEW Collision, AEW first presents its taped episode of AEW Rampage from the SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
The former Saskatchewan Place, the last time a major televised event took place from here, was a Halloween edition of WWF Superstars in 1992. Though, despite the date, it wasn’t exactly celebrating the holiday. Instead, a major angle took place when Shawn Michaels spotted former tag team partner Marty Jannety in the crowd. Who runs into the ring and takes the mirror Sensational Sherri would hold for Shawn at the time and swings for Michaels.
However, “The Heartbreak Kid” moved out of the way and Sensational Sherri had a mirror broken over her head. She had to be stretchered off as replays showed that Shawn in fact put her in the way. This was a major angle and was Marty’s return following the infamous barbershop betrayal.
Friday Night #AEWRampage at 10pm ET/9pm CT TOMORROW on @tntdrama!
• @willowwrestles v @athenapalmer_fg
• @lancehoyt v @trentylocks
• @dustinrhodes & @realkeithlee v @thedaddymagic & @theangeloparker
• @takesoup in action!
• Hear from #AEW Women’s Champ #ToniStorm! pic.twitter.com/JtSO4mDppv— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) July 13, 2023
The Make-Up Match
Due to an injury suffered at NJPW STRONG event, Independence Day, Willow Nightingale was unable to compete last week in Collision. Resulting in her match against Ring of Honor Women’s Champion Athena in the semi-finals of the Owen Hart Tournament had to be postponed. That match will now take place tonight on AEW Rampage. Athena cannot be pleased at all. As she expressed frustration at her Collision in-ring debut being canceled last week because of what she believes to be Willow’s lack of commitment.
As Athena said, she flew to Regina last week taking 3 planes. In Economy. Which…… Doesn’t exactly have the best implications about ROH’s payouts, now does it? Regardless, the match is now set. Will the very dominant ROH Women’s Champion make it to the finals in what was supposed to be a “Champion vs. Champion” match before Willow lost her STRONG title? Or will Willow be able to bounce back, go to the finals, and possibly also have a future shot at Athena’s title?
The Murderhawk Monster’s Return
After a solid performance in the already mentioned NJPW STRONG Independence Day shows, Lance Archer makes his return to AEW. He’s set to take on another New Japan alumni in Trent Berreta of the Best Friends. “The Murderhawk Monster” felt very refreshed in his appearances for NJPW at Korakuen Hall.
It seems to have re-invigorated. But can AEW adapt that presentation for themselves? It seems they have come up short in the past with him. Let’s see what happens. Though, with AEW’s new rules, his entrance is already out the window. Seeing as it tended to involve a lot of crowd interaction and throwing water at fans. I wonder if that means Trent’s mom Sue can’t drive her SUV into the building to drop off her son and friends anymore.
Two Texans vs. Two Very Canadian Guys
The two older Texans, Keith Lee, and Dustin Rhodes, Naturally Limitless, team up again. Though Keith has ditched the grey. It’s nice to see Dustin back in the ring, after his loss in the Owen Hart Tournament. The duo take on “Cool Hand Ang” Angelo Parker and fresh off his loss in the Blind Eliminator Tournament, “Daddy Magic” Matt Menard.
Sadly, that seems to bring an end to the tandem of “Magic Meat.” Ang and Menard have not addressed Chris Jericho’s recent conundrum that has driven wedges in the rest of the Jericho Appreciation Society. Can they win and address that? Or will Naturally Limitless continue to establish themselves as a new team?
Before the Guts and the Blood
Before competing in Blood and Guts alongside the Blackpool Combat Club, Konosuke Takeshita will see action with an unnamed opponent. This will without a doubt also mean the presence of Don Callis and their new theme song. Which is just one continuous bass note.
We’ll also be hearing from The Dark Order, who also happens to be indirectly involved in the Blood and Guts match. As they’ve been a seeming thorn in the side of The Young Bucks and Hangman Page. Specifically due to Hangman’s seeming flip of loyalties. Though, for all their complaints about him not calling, nothing has been mentioned about them checking up on him after Bryan Danielson stabbed him in the eye with a screwdriver. What will they have to say?
Also out to speak will be the AEW Women’s World Champion, Toni Storm. The member of The Outcasts, despite being the Champion, has been a bit to the sidelines following her defense at Forbidden Door as the Owen Hart Tournament seems to be the bulk of the matches involving the women. What will the two-time Champion have to say? All that and more tonight in AEW Rampage.
More From LWOS Pro Wrestling
Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world. As well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world. You can catch AEW Dynamite Wednesday nights at 8 PM ET on TBS and AEW Dark: Elevation (Monday nights) and AEW: Dark (Tuesday nights) at 7 PM ET on YouTube. AEW Rampage airs on TNT at 10 PM EST every Friday night.
