AEW Rampage for 8/19/22 (Trustbusters vs Best Friends)

This week’s preview of AEW Rampage for 8/19/22 comes on the heels of an exciting edition of AEW Dynamite leading up to next week’s AEW World Title Unification show. There are four matches on tap for this coming week. The problem is that of the matches announced; there is a concern that the buzz that had been tied to the show doesn’t really seem to be capturing people’s attention now.

Could the outcomes of these matches or how these matches are presented change fans’ minds? Of the four matches announced, two are title matches, one could lead to a future championship match, and the final one is in a tournament to decide the future AEW Trios Champions. Here is the AEW Rampage for 8/19/22 preview.

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[Photo: AEW]

AEW Rampage for 8/19/22
FTW Championship
HOOK vs. ‘The Reality’ Zack Clayton

Until a recent promo advertising Clayton, I had no idea who he was. However, after visiting Cagematch, it lists him as having just under sixty matches under his belt in just under seven years. The problem is that most matches he’s had to date (recorded) were in 2017, and that was 20.

For some talent, they compete 20 times in a single month. But the Delmar, New York veteran, will easily face one of the most over talents in AEW today, and that’s the FTW Champion, HOOK. So does HOOK deliver a dose of reality to Clayton and beat him if he can?

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[Photo: AEW]

AEW Rampage for 8/19/22
Penelope Ford vs. Athena

Ford appears to be a talent that many fans online had been clamoring to see compete once again. While it didn’t appear an injury had forced her from Dynamite or Rampage, her chance to compete on-screen is now. Athena is another talent that seem’s headed once again for a confrontation with Jade Cargill for the TBS Championship.

Does this match between them possibly elevate them into contention for that title? Tune in tomorrow night to find out if it does!

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[Photo: AEW]

AEW Rampage for 8/19/22
We Hear From ROH World Champion Claudio Castagnoli

On this past week’s edition of Dynamite, Castagnoli was mainly seen trying to calm down Jon Moxley in his heated altercations with CM Punk. But that isn’t the best use for the current ROH World Champion. So what will he talk about this Friday night? Several things could be speculated. Whether it’s a potential television for program or Ring of Honor or not remains to be seen.

What may be more ideal is that Castagnoli comes out and issues an open challenge for the ROH World Championship. But, of course, who could step up to him or who would step up to him are very different things. Having him face someone who poses a threat that is part of the new ROH is a possibility. Or could it possibly be a former ROH talent that walks in and faces?

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[Photo: AEW]

AEW Rampage for 8/19/22
AEW World Trios Championship Tournament Quarterfinal
Trustbusters vs. Best Friends

Of all those involved in this match, the one that’s least likely known by today’s fans is Slim J. A veteran of Ring of Honor and NWA-TNA has been on and off the independent circuit for over two decades. That is quite telling, and by all accounts, as someone that hasn’t seen him compete, to see him now is quite intriguing.

J has a moveset that is said to be innovative (for those that have seen him compete, they could attest to this). Having him team alongside Boudreaux and Daivari is going to be unique. To have them against AEW originals, the Best Friends will want to walk away victorious if their trio is meant to mean something more.

AEW Rampage for 8/19/22
[Photo: AEW]

AEW Rampage for 8/19/22
AEW World Tag Team Championship
Swerve in Our Glory (c) vs. Private Party

While a tag team match between the two teams isn’t necessarily bizarre, having a tag team title match does seem a bit strange. As it stands, the Andrade Family Office is no more. So in saying that, Private Party are once again alone to compete and showcase just how talented they are.

But if we are looking at the most recent Official AEW Rankings, Private Party aren’t listed in the top five of challengers and yet have a title match. They weren’t listed the previous week as well. While a tag team match between these two teams should be quite entertaining, if the rankings are any indication, the result doesn’t appear to suggest that new champions will be crowned.

What To Expect

  • Further build-up to the AEW World Title Unification Match-Up between CM Punk and Jon Moxley.
  • Thunder Rosa and Toni Storm address their upcoming match at All Out.

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