4 Ups & 1 Down From AEW Rampage (Oct 1)
3. That Opener
Nick Jackson will look back on this match with pride. He put his tag-team career on ice for the night to work an absolute cracker with Bryan Danielson, and it showed what Nick's capable of without his brother on the ring apron. This, simply put, was a sweet match from beginning to end.
It was a bit of a slow-burner, but most of Bryan's better matches are. The way he took everything Jackson had, got p*ssed off by his attempted 'Yes Kicks' by leaning into them, then spat right in The Young Bucks' face before they moved onto the closing stretch, was ace. Bryan looks like he's having the time of his life in AEW, and it's heartwarming to see.
Spots like a German suplex on the ring apron, another release variant outside, a neat tribute to Randy Savage (Nick's double axe to ringside) and more worked a treat. Despite ploughing through all of that, it never once felt like these guys were going overboard.
Another winner for Danielson, and a cool collector's item for Nick Jackson.