If you’re a fan of the dark side of pro wrestling, you’re probably looking for places to catch up with “AEW Rampage.” Despite rumors that it might be moving to TBS like its sister-show “AEW Dynamite,” the great news is that, for now, you can still keep tabs on all the latest dirty smackdowns delivered by the likes of Thunder Rosa and Jade Cargill every Friday night at 10 PM ET exclusively on TNT.
This article will fill you in on all the details of “AEW Rampage,” including special episodes, commentators, and more from BuddyTV.
How Many “AEW Rampage” Seasons and Episodes Are There?
AEW Rampage debuted on August 13, 2021, as the second weekly television show of the “All Elite Wrestling” (AEW) team. Alongside other wrestling-related programs such as” AEW Dark,” “AEW Dark: Elevation,” “AEW Dynamite,” and “AEW Battle of the Belts,” “AEW Rampage” has become a popular staple for wrestling fans everywhere. Now in its second season and with 38 episodes wrapped, “AEW Rampage” and its colorful announcers, including former WWE wrestler Mark Henry, look to be here to stay.
Notable “AEW Rampage” Special Episodes
While most fans agree that “AEW Rampage,” like “Wrestlemania,” is a television event not to be missed, a few noteworthy episodes stand out for being even more wild than usual.
A few of the more memorable episodes include:
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“Grand Slam:” This special two-hour episode was also Rampage’s first official stadium show. Airing on September 22, 2021, Grand Slam features appearances by Lil Uzi Vert, Jorge Mazdival, and the debut of Homicide.
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“Black Friday:” Functioning as the second part of Dynamite’s Thanksgiving Eve special on November 26, 2021, this episode’s main event is a match between Eddie Kingston and Daniel Garcia.
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“Holiday Bash:” Part of a multipart Christmas-themed Dynamite series, this episode aired on December 22, 2021, and featured Sammy Guevara versus Cody Rhodes for the TNT Championship.
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“Beach Break:” Airing on January 26, 2021, this beach-themed episode represented the second section of AEW’s annual beach-related events. “Beach Break” delighted fans with matches between Jade Cargill and Julia Hart in contest for the TBS Championship, and Jurassic Express versus Private Party for the AEW World Tag-Team Championship.
What Is “AEW Rampage” About?
Filmed in front of a live audience and aired in the 10 PM Friday night slot directly after WWE’s wildly popular “SmackDown”, “AEW Rampage” is a professional wrestling league led by staple characters including Chris Jericho, Hangman Page, Cody and Brandi Rhodes, The Young Bucks, MJF, Darby Allin, Dr. Britt Baker, Jon Moxley, and Sting.
This cadre of maniacal menaces engages in high-octane hijinks both inside and outside the ring. Taking part in scripted feuds and hilariously hyped storylines, the wrestlers featured on “AEW Rampage” can take on a hero or villain title, depending on the week. Even some of the less distinguishable characters get ample opportunities to showcase their match (and mouth!) skills each week.
Are “AEW Dynamite” and “AEW Rampage” the Same?
While “AEW Dynamite” and “AEW Rampage” are certainly connected in theme and cast within the same parent programming universe of TNT, they are distinct shows with unique identities. Dynamite is the active playground of some of AEW’s most famous faces whereas Rampage focuses largely on a collection of rising stars. Likewise, where Dynamite can center its humor and action around more backstage elements, the main event in Rampage is always the match.
The template for Rampage is akin to the one used for “NXT.” Like that WWE fan favorite, Rampage is a one-hour show focusing on high-level, engaging matches between a rotating cast of characters. Dynamite is also different for its emphasis on established wrestling stars like Kenny Omega and MJF. Tony Khan, the president of “All Elite Wrestling” (AEW) has likewise spoken about making a concerted effort to feature the many talented women wrestlers on Rampage that may not get that kind of screen time elsewhere.
Because it was the first AEW show, Dynamite has also been part of substantial charity initiatives like the Owen Hart Foundation, for which its men’s and women’s tournaments will be taped beginning May 11, 2022, on TBS. The process from this taping will go to the legacy of the late megawatt wrestler, Owen Hart. Viewers were treated to watching the qualifying match proceedings leading up to those tournaments.
All in all, viewers could think of “AEW Dynamite” as the extended family supper including all of your favorite AEW superstars — and “AEW Rampage” as the fun dessert time where all the cool younger cousins show off their tricks!
All Elite Wrestling: Dynamite
About the “AEW Rampage” Commentators
One thing fans of “AEW Rampage” agree on is that the liveliness of the show is not entirely restricted to the wrestlers themselves! Rampage features some immensely entertaining commentators that bring with them decades of professional wrestling experience and insights. Their influence on the overall velocity and enjoyability of the show is incalculable.
Here are a few fun facts about those notorious “AEW Rampage” analysts:
Excalibur:
Having retired from the ring in 2007, Marc Letzmann (Excalibur) is one of the premier commentators for AEW across the board. He is a seasoned professional wrestler and one of the founding members of the Pro Wrestling Guerilla, still serving as the Liaison to the Board of Directors. He is a highly revered fan favorite for his infamous mask and quick wit.
Taz:
Peter Senerchia, known to the ring as “Taz,” is a retired professional wrestler who now serves AEW in the capacity of a commentator as well as manager. Senerchia boasts many belts: Two-Time World Champion, Two-Time Television Champion, Two-Time and Inaugural FTW Heavyweight Champion, and ECW Triple Crown Champion. Taz is also a beloved radio personality who hosts “Taz and the Moose” on CBS Sports Radio.
Mark Henry:
As his straightforward name implies, Mark Henry needs no frilly introduction! He is an Olympian weightlifter, a decorated powerlifter, and a retired professional wrestler now working as a talent scout and commentator for AEW. Henry’s weightlifting accolades are too numerable to list, but he does hold the record for the biggest raw squat and raw powerlifting total ever executed by a drug-tested athlete in any weight class. He is also credited with the greatest raw deadlift ever performed by an American citizen. Needless to say, his contributions as an analyst on Rampage come with a great deal of love for the storied 25-year career he simultaneously enjoyed in the WWE.
Tony Schiavone:
Noah Anthony Schiavone regales Rampage fans each week with the benefit of a long career in professional wrestling commentating behind him. Schiavone has a balanced and level demeanor on the show and is also a podcaster, sports announcer, and senior producer of the “AEW Rampage” program. His jokey and innocent friendship with Britt Baker has led to tongue-in-cheek laughs with Baker’s boyfriend Adam Cole that entertain the Rampage audience immensely.
Jim Ross:
A longtime talent relations executive and professional commentator in the world of wrestling, Jim Ross is a senior advisor for Rampage. His approach as an analyst comes with his long and decorated history as a WWE play-by-play commentator. Known affectionately by both fans and cast as “JR” or “Good Ol’ JR,” Ross has received the noteworthy distinction of being labeled “the greatest wrestling commentator of all time.”
Ricky Starks:
As the current FTW World Champion, Ricky Starks also has a background with the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). As of September 2021, Starks has replaced Mark Henry in his role as commentator for Rampage and is also an active wrestler on the show.
Chris Jericho:
With his Fabio-like locks and rockstar personality, Chris Jericho is known to most as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time. He is the first man to have held both the IWGP Intercontinental Championship title alongside the WWE Championship. Jericho has a grand total of 36 championships to his name and even sings in a heavy metal band called Fozzy.
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Contributing Writer, BuddyTV
