‘AEW: Rampage’ Review (Sept 16th 2022)
It’s Monday morning, so you know what that means, it’s time for this week’s review of AEW: Rampage! This episode emanated from the MVP Arena in Albany, New York. Now let’s get to the review!
Match #1: Darby Allin def. Matt Hardy
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Darby used a side headlock takeover on Matt. Matt Hardy retaliated by wrenching Darby’s arm over Matt’s shoulder. Darby jumped onto Hardy and tried to pin him with a crucifix. Hardy escaped. Darby shoved Hardy into the steel ring steps. Darby climbed to the top rope and went for the senton but Hardy dodged it! Darby crashed hard into the ring apron, with nothing to break the fall. Hardy hoisted up Darby and powerbombed him against the steel ring post! Darby charged at Hardy inside the ring and coffin splashed him in the corner. Hardy planted Darby with the Side Effect for a two-count. Darby reversed the Twist of Fate with a backslide for a near fall. Hardy used a BT Bomb on Darby for a two-count. Hardy climbed to the top turnbuckle. Hardy flipped backwards with the moonsault press but Darby moved out of the way. Darby hit the Code Red and then pinned Hardy after applying the Last Supper!
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #2: Penelope Ford def. Willow Nightingale
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Ford shoved at Willow but Willow hit a shoulder tackle. Willow put on a side headlock. Penelope escaped and booted Willow in the midsection. Willow grabbed an inside cradle for a near fall. Willow hit a diving crossbody for a two-count. Penelope avoided a pounce. Penelope launched off the middle rope with a diving knee attack on Willow. Willow rocked Penelope with a spinebuster and tried to pin Penelope. Penelope back bridged and then hit a stunner on Willow out of nowhere! Willow hit the pounce on Penelope. Penelope applied an Indian Death lock and forced Willow to tap out!
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #3: Ethan Page def. Danhausen
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Danhausen mocked Ethan Page. It didn’t take long for Page to mount Danhausen and ground and pound him! Page hit a shoulder tackle and then finished off Danhausen with the Ego’s Edge to score the pin.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #4: ROH World TV Title Match – Samoa Joe def. Josh Woods
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Samoa Joe and Woods chain wrestled to start the match. Things quickly broke down as both men pounded each other with forearms. Woods blocked a headbutt from Joe. As ref Paul Turner was distracted, Tony Nese wrenched at Samoa Joe’s arm. Josh pump kicked Joe in the shoulder. Samoa Joe looked to make Josh Woods pay with a sleeper. Woods transitioned under with a suplex for a two-count on Samoa Joe. Samoa Joe took Woods off his feet with a high boot and followed up with a senton for a two-count. Samoa Joe smashed Woods with a powerslam. Sterling distracted Samoa Joe long enough for Woods to blast Samoa Joe with a knee strike! Samoa Joe nailed Josh with the STO! Samoa Joe crunched Woods with the Muscle Buster and then pinned Woods!
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Final Verdict: 4/5
Well this was a fantastic episode of Rampage… even if Danhaunsen got squashed! The women’s match was the highlight this week, with Penelope Ford pulling one out of the bag and giving an AEW career performance and Willow Nightingale was a superb opponent for her – Willow’s optimism was an excellent foil for the “deranged” nature of Ford’s performance. Then we got the main event, which saw Josh Woods finally live up to his reputation pre-AEW’s purchase of ROH. He just needed a decent opponent it seems… and by god, Samoa Joe was a GREAT opponent! Again, another AEW show that didn’t feel like it needed, or missed, the recently suspended cadre of talent.
