AEW Rampage: Cody Rhodes becomes TNT Champion again

AEW Rampage continued the Holiday Bash from earlier this week, except it aired on Christmas Day instead of its usual Friday. Twitter has been calling it #HOOKmas.

HOOK had his second match against Bear Bronson. While the matchup seems like a mismatch at first glance, both wrestlers trained at Create A Pro Wrestling.

Kris Statlander and “Legit” Leyla Hirsch are both looking to move into the Top 5 in the Women’s Rankings.

Isiah Kassidy challenged Jungle Boy and promised to “pound that a–”

Cody Rhodes previously challenged Sammy Guevara two weeks ago on AEW Dynamite. Rhodes is the only two-time TNT Champion.

Jungle Boy vs. Isiah Kassidy

Jungle Boy had his waist and upper thigh of his left leg wrapped up; Kassidy quickly used that to his advantage. The bandages didn’t hinder Jungle Boy at all as he whipped all over the ring. Kassidy hit a Stunner from the turnbuckle. He followed up by throwing himself over the top rope onto Jungle Boy and took time to pose. After getting Jungle Boy in the ring, Kassidy continued to retain control. While Aubrey was distracted, Matt Hardy punched Jungle Boy in the face.

During picture-in-picture, Kassidy continued to dominate his opponent. After the break, Jungle Boy was able to get control and hit a comebacker lariat on Kassidy. Kassidy hit a poison rana and spiked Jungle Boy on his head. Jungle Boy nailed a belly to belly into the turnbuckles followed by a German suplex. He followed that up with a tope suicida. Marq Quen grabbed Jungle Boy’s leg which led to Christian Cage fighting Quen. More fighting between HFO and Cage. Jungle Boy put Kassidy in the Snare Trap to get him to tap.

Jungle Boy defeated Isiah Kassidy via submission.

After the commercial, a promo from MIRO aired. He vowed to become champion and is still beefing with his God on Christmas.

HOOK vs Bear Bronson

Team Taz is stationed at commentary to watch HOOKmas. Tony Nese shown in the crowd and appeared to be scouting HOOK. HOOK tried to put Bronson in a single leg crab, but Bronson got to the rope. The two exchanged punches in the corners. HOOK put Bronson in a sugar twist, but Bronson made it to the rope again.

Bronson went for HOOK’s eyes and hit him with a Rikishi Driver. HOOK immediately popped up and stared Bronson down. HOOK hit Bronson with a released Northern Lights and suplexed him. HOOK hit Bronson with multiple forearms and locked him in the REDRUM to become 2-0.

HOOK defeated Bear Bronson via submission.

After the commercial break, Eddie Kinston and Daniel Garcia exchanged words via promos. Kingston, Santana, and Ortiz will face Garcia and 2point0 on New Year’s Smash.

Kris Statlander vs. “Legit” Leyla Hirsch

Statlander put Hirsch in a side headlock, but Hirsch reversed into a submission hold. Hirsch got Statlander in the corner and had her down on the mat. Statlander hit Hirsch with a powerslam and the delayed vertical suplex. Statlander attempted to pin Hirsch.

Hirsch nailed Statlander with a dropkick and nearly pinned her. Hirsch got Statlander in an armbar, but Statlander reversed her and put her in the corner. Hirsch hit Statlander with a moonsault and a running knee strike. They exchanged strikes before Statlander hit a Blue Thunder Bomb, but it wasn’t enough. Hirsch couldn’t put her opponent away with a German suplex. Statlander picked up the victory with Spider Crab.

Hirsch slapped Statlander’s hand away after the match.

Kris Statlander defeated Leyla Hirsch via submission.

Sammy Guevara (c) vs. Cody Rhodes (TNT Championship Match)

David Crockett of the famed Crockett family was ringside for the TNT Championship match, which seemed to foreshadow what was coming.

Guevara tried to get Rhodes in the GTH right off the bat. Guevara hit Rhodes with his own move, with the champ showing off in the ring. Rhodes walked into the crowd to regroup. The two exchanged words before locking up. Rhodes kept Guevara in a headlock on the mat and while standing up. Guevara missed with a cutter from the second rope, but Rhodes hit it successfully.

“The Spanish God” took the action outside and took control around the ring. He went for a shooting star press on the apron, but came up empty. Rhodes used that to his advantage to take control of the match back inside the ring. He continued to dominate the champ during picture-in-picture.

Rhodes put Guevara in a vertical suplex and followed with a moonsault press, but nobody was home. Guevara used that to change momentum and hit a cutter from the top rope. Guevara then nailed Rhodes with a Cross Rhodes (that’s the second move of Rhodes’ that Guevara used, if you’re keeping score). The champ followed that with a 450 splash. He went for a huricanrana, but Rhodes caught him and powerbombed him into the front row. Rhodes turned Guevara inside out.

Guevara reversed the Cross Rhodes initially, but Rhodes immediately went back to it and hit it, only for Guevara to kick out. Rhodes had to pull Guevara up to his feet and then put him on the top turnbuckle.

Rhodes went for a reverse avalanche suplex, but Guevara reversed into a GTH, only for Rhodes to kick out. Guevara set up for 630 Senton, but Rhodes got his knees up. Rhodes hit two consecutive Crossrhodes before delivering a Tiger Driver 98 to become the TNT Championship for the third time.

Rhodes celebrated with Brandi, Dustin, and David Crockett.

Cody Rhodes beat Sammy Guevara via pinfall.