AEW Rampage Slam Dunk Results: The Elite Bring Basketball back to the Ring

LAREDO, TX –  AEW kicked off NBA All-Star weekend with AEW Rampage Slam Dunk, where Top Flight and AR Fox have a rematch for the AEW World Trios Championship. Daniel Garcia looks to repeat history and defeat Ricky Starks again after his win in the Garcia-Guevara Gauntlet. Jade Cargill looked to go 53-0. And in the main event, Dustin Rhodes took on Swerve Strickland.

The Elite (C) vs. Top Flight and AR Fox – AEW World Trios Championship

The Elite are no strangers to bringing basketball to the ring. Their experience from their 2021 Space Jam-themed match against Hangman Adam Page and The Dark Order proved helpful in their AEW World Trios Championship defense against Top Flight and AR Fox.

Dante won the tip-off against Nick but quickly suffered the consequences as Nick lands a Manhattan drop.

Top Flight and AR Fox waste no time knocking Matt out of the ring before targeting Omega and Nick. With an offense like this, The Elite had to call a timeout.

Omega shoulder tackles Fox before tagging in the Bucks and getting the ball. Distracting Fox by passing the ball, the Bucks wait for their opportunity to land thrust kicks so Omega can dunk him.

Dante picks up the pace, pinning Omega for a two-count. Omega goes for a snapdragon, but Dante lands on his feet, countering with an enziguiri. As everyone is down in the ring, Dante climbs to the top rope with a basketball. While landing a dropkick on Matt, Dante launches the ball directly at Omega. Fox lands a 450 splash, but Matt kicks out at two. Darius is hit with The Elite’s iconic triple kick before they set both brothers up on the ropes in the perfect position for Nick to land a senton.

Nick lands an escalera outside the ring on Fox and Dante. Meanwhile, Omega goes after Darius with a V-Trigger and One Winged Angel, pinning him for three. The Elite retain their AEW World Trios Championship.

Daniel Garcia vs. Ricky Starks

Starks hammers Garcia into the corner immediately. After an elbow strike, Starks capitalizes on Garcia being down by landing massive rights. Starks has complete control of the match as he walks the tightrope to sledgehammer Garcia’s shoulder.

Garcia starts to take control as he sends Ricky to the apron before dragon-screwing him through the ropes. Garcia takes it to Starks outside the ring, slamming his knee into the steps before throwing him back in to continue the beating. After his leg takes severe damage from Garcia, Starks goes for the spear and falls in the middle of the ring.

Seeing Garcia come for him, Starks finds enough energy to knock him down with a right. The two start to pick up the pace as they swing at each other. Starks trying to end the match as he’s looking for a Roshambo, but Garcia catches him in a dragonscrew. This doesn’t stop Starks as he stomps Garcia repeatedly.

Starks kicks out of a pin at two, but Garcia doesn’t let up as he locks in the Dragon Tamer. After a distraction by Guevara and Andretti, Starks is back up and lands a spear on Garcia. With a Roshambo, Starks pins Garcia, making them 1-1.

Jade Cargill (C) vs. VertVixen – TBS Championship

Answering Cargill’s open challenge for the championship, VertVixen looks to be the first loss on Cargill’s record. Cargill leads the match to the corner before hip-tossing VertVixen. While she’s down, Cargill uses the break for some push-ups in the middle of the ring.

Cargill sends VertVixen into the ropes for a pump kick before lifting her for a Jaded. Cargill retains the TBS Championship and increases her record to 53-0.  

Swerve Strickland vs. Dustin Rhodes

Rhodes is unphased by Swerve’s affiliate, Parker Boudreaux, coming at him on the ramp before the match. Rhodes takes the fight right to Strickland and sends him outside the ring. Swerve lands a few hits, but Rhodes keeps control before sending him back inside.

Strickland finally lands a shot to Rhodes’ jaw, but it’s not enough to take control yet. Rhodes lands a release German suplex, and Strickland isn’t down for long. With Rhodes outside the ring, Strickland hopes over the ropes to pump kick him from the apron.

Strickland sends Rhodes’ head right into the barricade with a running dropkick, and Strickland doesn’t relent as he continues the punishment outside. After sending him into the ring post, Strickland brings the fight back into the ring.

When Rhodes looks to make a comeback, Strickland is ready and shuts him down with a cutter. Strickland stomps Rhodes, but Rhodes kicks out at one. Rhodes eats all of Strickland’s rights and even his bite. Rhodes powerslams Strickland before landing lariats and uppercuts. After a Code Red, Strickland kicks out at the last second.

Strickland Death Valley Drivers Rhodes on the apron for a two-count. Rhodes comes back with a second rope suplex and piledriver, but Strickland is able to kick out of the cover.

Rhodes lands a Cross Rhodes and Final Reckoning, but Boudreaux pulls Rhodes out of the ring to stop the pin. As a result, Aubrey Edwards rules this match as a disqualification in favor of Rhodes. Boudreaux and Strickland continue to attack Rhodes until Keith Lee returns to the ring to save him.

Coming up on Dynamite

On AEW Dynamite, Orange Cassidy defends his AEW All-Atlantic Championship against his former best friend, Wheeler Yuta. Jon Moxley takes on Evil Uno ahead of his AEW Revolution Texas Deathmatch against Hangman Adam Page. And the Tag Team Battle Royale decides who will get their shot at the AEW World Tag Team Titles at Revolution.