Every wrestler on the first episode of AEW Rampage: Where are they now?
AEW Rampage made its debut three years ago, on August 13, 2021. The show was added to AEW's weekly programming to accommodate the ever-growing roster while ensuring more quality wrestling content for the audience.
Rampage was conceptualized as a Friday Night show, which put the brand on a collision course with WWE SmackDown. Despite being replaced by Collision as AEW's second major show, Rampage remains the home of exciting pro wrestling. The first-ever episode of Rampage helped set the bar for the brand's future, as it featured three exciting title matches on the card.
The debut episode of the Friday night show was a must-see affair, as it was headlined by some of the best AEW talents at that point in time.
In this article, let's reminisce about the first Rampage episode by taking a look at every wrestler who appeared on the show and where they find themselves in 2024.
#5. Kenny Omega lost his IMPACT Championship to Christian Cage on the first-ever episode of Rampage
The debut episode of Rampage kicked off with a bang, as Kenny Omega squared off against Christian Cage in the opening match of the night. It was a title bout for the IMPACT Championship, which was made official on Dynamite earlier in the same week.
It was a hard-hitting contest, where Captain Charisma pushed The Cleaner to his limits. During the match, Don Callis distracted the referee with his antics, which allowed Omega to bring a steel chair into the ring.
As The Cleaner tried to plant his opponent on the chair with a One-Winged Angel, Cage reversed his finisher to hit The Killswitch. Omega's face landed right on the steel chair, which allowed Captain Charisma to score the pinfall and win the IMPACT Championship.
Following the match, Cage was joined in the ring by Jack Perry(fka Jungle Boy), Killswitch(fka Luchasauras), And Scott D'Amore, who celebrated Captain Charisma's historic title victory.
At the present moment, Kenny Omega finds himself on the sidelines, owing to his struggles with diverticulitis. The Cleaner recently appeared on Dynamite in May 2024, where he was brutalized by Jack Perry and the New Elite.
As for Christian Cage, the 50-year-old performer has emerged as one of the most wicked heels on AEW television. As the leader of The Patriarchy, which also comprises Nick Wayne and Killswitch, Christian Cage has set his sights on the AEW World Trios Championship.
#4. Mark Henry, Taz, Excalibur, and Chris Jericho served as commentators on the first Rampage show
Tony Khan stacked the commentary team with some iconic names for the first edition of Rampage. The commentary booth comprised veterans like Mark Henry, Taz, Excalibur, and Chris Jericho, who entertained the fans with witty humor throughout the night.
Mark Henry also did a quick backstage segment with Britt Baker and Red Velvet, where he interviewed the two stars before their title match.
Although Taz and Excalibur are still integral members of the commentary panel, the World's Strongest Man has moved on from the Jacksonville-based promotion. After a three-year-long stint, Henry departed the Tony Khan-led company in May 2024, owing to some external projects.
As far as Chris Jericho is concerned, the former AEW World Champion continues to be prominently featured on the company’s weekly programming.
The veteran recently adopted The Learning Tree persona, which appears as a self-dig on Jericho's lust for screen time. The FTW Champion has taken Big Bill and Bryan Keith under his wing to help him spread out his valuable bits of knowledge to other superstars.
#3. Miro defended the TNT Championship against Fuego Del Sol, followed by post-match appearances from Sammy Guevara and Tony Khan
On the first edition of Rampage, Miro put his TNT Championship on the line against Fuego Del Sol. It was a massive opportunity for the young luchador, who had yet to secure a contract with All Elite Wrestling.
After some initial resistance from Del Sol, Miro eventually applied the Game Over submission lock to retain his TNT Championship.
Following the match, Tony Khan appeared on stage to hand Sammy Guevara an official AEW contract, which was actually meant for Fuego Del Sol. The Spanish God then presented the 28-year-old star with his contract, which invited a roaring reaction from the crowd.
After a three-year-long stint in the Tony Khan-led company, Fuego Del Sol was eventually released from the company in June 2023. At the moment, Del Sol finds himself grinding on the independent circuit, which includes some notable promotions like GCW.
As for Sammy Guevara and Miro, both individuals have been away from AEW television for months due to varying reasons. The Redeemer last appeared on television in December 2023, where he defeated Andrade El Idolo at the Worlds End PPV. Since then, Miro has been sidelined with an undisclosed injury.
As for The Spanish God, he last battled Jeff Hardy in a No Disqualification match in February 2024, after which he was suspended following a botched move. Although Guevara's suspension has been lifted, he is yet to make his return to AEW.
#2. Darby Allin, Orange Cassidy, and Sting also appeared on AEW Rampage's debut show
While they did not wrestle on the show, the trio of Darby Allin, Orange Cassidy, and Sting were present during the inaugural episode of Rampage. Sting and Allin made a brief appearance on the Friday Night show, building up the hype for CM Punk's AEW arrival in the following week.
Moreover, Orange Cassidy was in attendance for the IMPACT Championship match between Kenny Omega and Christian Cage, alongside Kris Statlander.
Unfortunately, the Freshly Squeezed star is no longer friends with Statlander, after the latter's recent heel turn. Cassidy recently competed on the AEW X NJPW Forbidden Door PPV, where he came up short against Zack Sabre Jr.
When it comes to the legendary Sting, the veteran recently participated in his farewell match at AEW Revolution, where he defeated The Young Bucks to retain the AEW World Tag Team Championship alongside Darby Allin.
As for Allin himself, the daredevil star last appeared on television at Double or Nothing 2024, where Team AEW suffered a crushing loss at the hands of The Elite.
#1. Britt Baker defeated Red Velvet to retain the AEW Women's Championship
The main event of the first-ever Rampage witnessed Britt Baker defending her AEW Women's Championship against Red Velvet. Baker's hometown of Pittsburgh cheered the DMD throughout the contest, as she looked to fend off her determined challenger.
Velvet pushed the champion to her limits in this contest. Rebel also tried to assist The Doctor from the ringside, only to be ejected by the referee. Ultimately, it was Britt Baker who emerged victorious after trapping Velvet in the "Lock-Jaw" submission.
After the match, Baker tried to further annihilate her opponent, only to be stopped in her tracks by Kris Statlander. However, The Doctor was soon rescued by a returning Jamie Hayter, who attacked Kris Statlander from behind.
In 2024, Red Velvet has become an integral member of the ROH roster. Kris Statlander, meanwhile, is currently embroiled in a rivalry against Willow Nightingale on Dynamite.
As for Britt Baker and her allies, they find themselves at very different points in their respective careers. While Rebel has remained off television due to a lack of creative plans, Jamie Hayter is currently sidelined with an injury.
Meanwhile, Britt Baker recently made her return at the Forbidden Door PPV, where she confronted Mercedes Mone.