AEW Rampage: A New Leader For the House Of Black Will Emerge

With the AEW Dynamite Grand Slam episode now behind us, we can look ahead to night two of the yearly event, as the AEW Rampage episode will be broadcast live on TNT on Friday night from Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens, New York.

Night one of Grand Slam had a much more intriguing card than night two does, as night one included five title matches and some of the biggest names in the promotion.

Night two has some star power as well with Sting, Darby Allin, and Jade Cargill on the card, but what it lacks in big names it will make up for by showcasing a lot of local talent that should keep the crowd raucous throughout.

Friday’s Rampage card has eight announced matches, including the Golden Ticket Battle Royale, in which the winner gets a future AEW World Title shot, a TBS Title match, and a lights-out grudge match between former members of the now defunct Team Tazz.

Let’s take a look at the announced matches for AEW Rampage: Grand Slam and what to expect from each.

Eddie Kingston vs Sammy Guevara

In a match that was originally scheduled for All Out, Eddie Kingston and Sammy Guevara will do battle in Eddie Kingston’s home state.

As loud as the pops were for The Acclaimed, Saraya, and MJF on night one, they will pale in comparison to the reaction the fans will have once Eddie Kingston’s music hits.

As far as the match goes, the winner will be decided by whether or not AEW wants to continue this feud past Friday.  If so, it makes sense for the cocky Guevara to get a tainted win, further infuriating Kingston.

But after putting the Ring of Honor Title on Chris Jericho on Wednesday night, Tony Khan owes AEW fans some goodwill.  Winner: Eddie Kingston

Wardlow & Samoa Joe vs Tony Nese & Josh Woods

Uneasy tag team partners Samoa Joe and Wardlow will join forces to take on a common enemy in Josh Woods and Tony Nese.

When Wardlow won the TNT Title there was a hope that the big man with loads of momentum would bring the title back to prominence.  This hasn’t happened as of yet.  But there is still time, and an upcoming program between Joe and Wardlow would be a great first step in that direction.

The postmatch interaction between the two will be interesting after they dispatch Nese and Woods.  Winners: Wardlow & Samoa Joe

Golden Ticket Battle Royale

Eight men have been announced for this upcoming battle royale in which the winner earns an AEW World Title shot against newly crowned champion, Jon Moxley.

The eight men announced are Evil Uno, Ten, Rush, Jay Lethal, Lance Archer, Penta El Zero Miedo, Adam Page, Alex Reynolds, and John Silver.

Since Rush has had a shot at Moxley recently, Penta is part of the AEW Trios Champions, the Dark Order is, well, the Dark Order, and no one probably even remembered that Lance Archer was part of AEW until the graphic for this match, the smart money is that either Jay Lethal or Adam Page wins this match.

But does putting Hangman or Lethal in a match that they are all but guaranteed to lose really do them any favors?  The answer is no.  Both men are good enough that if they were going to challenge Mox then they should get a full build and program.  So look for another breakdown between Hangman and The Dark Order, and Penta picking up the surprise win and earning an AEW Title shot on next week’s Dynamite.  Winner: Penta El Zero Miedo

Action Bronson & Hook vs Matt Menard & Angelo Parker

In what should be the easiest match of the evening to call, Hook and Action Bronson will take on Matt Menard & Angelo Parker of the Jericho Appreciation Society.

This match is on the card for one reason, and that is to get a big pop from the New York crowd as two local boys shut up a couple of big-mouthed heels.  Anything else here makes no sense.  Winners: Action Bronson & Hook

Powerhouse Hobbs vs Ricky Starks in a Lights Out Match

Ricky Starks and Powerhouse Hobbs will continue their rivalry in a Lights Out Match on Friday.  Hobbs basically squashed Starks in their match at All Out, and this contest gives Starks his chance at revenge.

This is a tough program as both men are worthy of a significant push up the card.  Since this has a Lights Out stipulation, that means that the win and loss in this match will not go on either man’s record and there is no disqualification.

Since it was Hobbs that went over at All Out it makes sense for Ricky Starks to even the score with his former partner here as he is able to get a win back in this anything goes setting.  Winner: Ricky Starks

Rey Fenix vs Jungle Boy

In what will most likely be the best match on the card, Rey Fenix will go one-on-one with Jungle Boy.

Normally this would be a tough match to call.  But with Christian Cage out for the foreseeable future, it is going to be important for AEW to keep Jungle Boy strong as he waits for Cage’s return and then future programs with Luchasaurus and Cage.

Jungle Boy scored a very impressive singles win over Jay Lethal a couple of weeks back and a win over Rey Fenix here will continue to add credibility to Jungle Boy’s singles resume.  Winner: Jungle Boy

Jade Cargill vs Diamante for the TBS Title

Diamante is an interesting choice as the challenger to Jade Cargill on such a premiere event for AEW television.  Diamante is a good wrestler, but she has been relegated to matches on the promotion’s YouTube shows for the majority of her time in AEW.

However, as Cargill continues to run up her winning streak, at some point you are going to have to find fresh matchups for the dominant champion.  And there is no denying that this is a fresh and surprising matchup for Jade.

At the end of the day, it will be the same old story as Cargill continues to dominate the division.  Winner: Jade Cargill

Sting &  Darby Allin vs House of Black in a No Disqualification Match

On last week’s AEW Rampage Brody King made it abundantly clear that just because Malakai Black is gone it does not mean that House of Black is no longer dangerous.

Dangerous as they may be, they are in need of an adrenaline shot to get the crowd excited about them once again.

Don’t get me wrong, both Brody King and Julia Hart have been phenomenal in their roles since joining the faction, but the House of Black is in need of a new leader that brings some serious star power.

And that new leader should be Sting.

Having Sting join the faction as its new leader not only elevates the House of Black immediately to a huge attraction within AEW, but it gets Darby Allin out from underneath the shadow of Sting.

Too often lately Darby has played the role of the little brother that needs his big bro to come and save him from the bullies of AEW.  This simply needs to stop and the booking of Darby Allin in high-profile singles matches needs to improve.

Since Sting’s arrival, Darby seems to drop every big-time singles match and only seems to be able to pick up signature wins in some variation of tag team matches with Sting’s involvement.  As one of the so-called pillars of the promotion, it is time to get Darby back on track, and this is the perfect opportunity to do so.  This ultimate betrayal can lead to Allin tapping into the darkest parts of himself and a much-needed reinsertion as a serious player in the AEW singles scene.  Winners: House of Black