‘AEW: Rampage’ Review (Nov 11th 2022)
It’s Monday, so you know what that means, it’s time for this week’s review of AEW: Rampage! This week’s show was broadcast from the Agganis Arena in Boston, Mass. and featured Excalibur, Tony Schiavone and Jim Ross on commentary. Now let’s get to the review…
Match #1: World Title Eliminator Tournament Quarter-Final Match – Brian Cage def. Dante Martin
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Dante clocked Cage with a kick to the head. Dante tried a springboard but Cage caught him and curled him like he was lifting weights in the gym. Dante escaped and ducked two lariats, sending Cage to the arena floor with a dropkick. Dante attempted a tope suicida but Brian Cage caught him and suplexed him onto the arena floor. Dante battered Cage with strikes but Cage collected himself. Dante kept his momentum with a diving cross body press for a near fall! Cage blocked the Nose Dive attempt from Dante, but Dante fired back with a springboard off the top rope to Cage outside! Dante hit a big splash off the top rope for a near fall on Cage! Dante attempted a 450 splash but Cage moved and nailed Dante with a discus lariat! Brian Cage planted Dante with Weapon X and pinned Dante!
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #2: World Title Eliminator Tournament Quarter-Final Match – Bandido def. Rush
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Rush jumped onto Bandido as Bandido was making his entrance! Rush rammed Bandido into the steel guardrail. Rush unwound an extension cord and whipped Bandido with it. Bandido hoisted Rush up for a vertical suplex but Rush countered with a knee and then a discus elbow! Rush used a leg drop off the top for a near fall. Bandido grabbed Rush and powerslammed him for a two-count! Bandido followed up with a crucifix bomb! Rush rallied back and spiked Bandido with a piledriver for a near fall. Rush distracted ref Aubrey Edwards and Jose the Assistant tried to pull the mask off Bandido! Dark Order’s John Silver ran down to even up the odds! In the process, Bandido rolled up Rush and pinned Rush!
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #3: Nyla Rose def. Kayla Sparks
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Nyla splashed Kayla. She followed up with Cargill’s Jaded finisher and then pinned Kayla, mocking Jade Cargill. Jade and the Baddies marched to the ring but Nyla wiped out the Baddies. Jade knocked Nyla out of the ring with a stiff pump kick!
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #4: All-Atlantic Championship Match – Orange Cassidy def. Lee Johnson
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Orange showed his technique, using a wrist lock to drop Lee to the mat. Shotty fired back with a shoulder tackle but Orange avoided an arm drag. Lee Johnson blasted Orange with a dropkick as Orange was distracted by Cole Karter. Nick Comoroto tossed Orange over the barricade and into the front row of fans as the ref was distracted. Nick sent Chuck Taylor into the steel ring post. Johnson hit the Blue Thunder Bomb on Orange for a near fall! As Johnson distracted the ref, Nick hoisted up Orange. Trent speared Nick, saving Orange! Cassidy planted Lee with a swinging DDT! Johnson ducked the Orange Punch and rocked Orange with a thrust kick! Orange Cassidy hit the Beach Break out of nowhere and pinned Big Shotty! Cole Karter tried to hit Orange Cassidy from behind but Orange clocked him with the Orange Punch!
My Score: 3 out of 5
Final Verdict: 3/5
With three 3-star matches this was a solid, dependable episode of Rampage. And yes, I’m ignoring the Nyla Rose match as it was merely a means to an end, an extended promo for the Nyla/Cargill match at Full Gear. What was interesting this week was the appearance of people who feel like they’ve been underused recently – Dante Martin, Brian Cage, Rush, Lee Johnson… It was great to see different talent take the reigns for once!
