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The animosity between Darby Allin and Mogul Embassy was continued on the August 11 episode of AEW Rampage as the former TNT champion engaged in singles combat with "The Machine" Brian Cage.
In the other main event of the evening, international champion Orange Cassidy faced off against Johnny TV, while the Ring of Honour World Tag Team Champions Aussie Open also competed. Sky Blue faced Saraya for the chance to progress to All In and challenge for the AEW World Women's Championship.
Darby Allin vs. Brian Cage
This week's show began with Darby Allin dealing a blow to The Mogul Embassy by defeating "The Machine" Brian Cage and setting up All In and the Coffin Match with Sting versus AR Fox and Swerve Strickland.
Shortly after the party began, Luchasaurus attacked, much to Christian Cage's amusement as he watched from the backstage area.
Allin is involved in multiple ongoing storylines, two of which were on display here, just like his friend CM Punk on Collision. The fight with Cage was incredibly good and showed off their synergy.
The thrashing at the hands of the masked big man didn't stop him from continuing to pursue the TNT Championship, for which he is as well known as anyone.
It was a good way to start this week's show and ensure that the face-painted antihero remained at the forefront of the promotion to feature a contender as over as anyone in AEW, demonstrating his in-ring ingenuity while putting over the savagery and strength of his opponents.
AEW International Championship Match: Orange Cassidy vs. Johnny TV
In the second match of the evening, Johnny TV, who was escorted to the squared circle by Harley Cameron, QT Marshall, and Aaron Solo, faced off against AEW International champion Orange Cassidy.
Given the effectiveness of Cassidy's title defences over the previous six months, the match was somewhat disappointing, but it was adequate for what it was. In light of the post-match argument between Freshly Squeezed and Wheeler Yuta of The Blackpool Combat Club, it was secondary.
Some people will be enthusiastic about that match, but it is not especially enticing to think that Wheeler will be the one to unseat Cassidy as part of BCC's efforts to bounce back from their setback in Blood & Guts.
To truly achieve the degree of success that represents his in-ring talent, Yuta still needs to work on his character.
Aussie Open vs. Outrunners
Following a challenge for the Ring of Honour World Tag Team Championship from Adam Cole and MJF at the All In: Zero Hour preshow, Truth Magnum and Turbo Floyd of The Outrunners squared off against Mark Davis and Kyle Fletcher of Aussie Open.
The ROH champions, with Coriolis, rolled to victory over the underdogs because they were unable to outrun anything Davis and Fletcher threw at them.
Following the contest, they agreed to take on Cole and MJF in a match at Wembley on August 27.
I’m sorry…what now? TWO MJF AND ADAM COLE MATCHES… They really are going All In!!
This was a terrific segment that emphasised the dominance and camaraderie between Fletcher and Davis physically and gave viewers a preview of what to expect from the world champion and his best friend at Zero Hour.
Saraya vs. Skye Blue
With a victory over Skye Blue in the Friday night's main event, Saraya was able to cash in her ticket to Wembley Stadium in London for All In.
With the aid of Ruby Soho and Toni Storm, who provided a diversion just in time and the spraypaint Saraya needed to win, the Brit won the match and earned a shot at Hikaru Shida's AEW World Women's Championship.
It was a competitive encounter that emphasised Blue as a courageous underdog and gave Saraya some much-needed ring time as one of wrestling's most significant female figures of her generation.
Given Storm's recent character development, it is likely to be assumed that we will see her and Storm engage in combat in London. In fact, at this time, Storm hardly resembles the other Outcasts with whom she now associates.
On a personal note, I am ready to see Saraya…in London… IN A RECORD-BREAKING WEMBLEY STADIUM! This is going to be ELECTRIC!
See you all tomorrow for Collision!!
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