‘AEW: Rampage’ Review (Feb 3rd 2023)
It’s Monday so you know what that means, it’s time for our weekly review of AEW: Rampage! This week’s show features Excalibur, Tony Schiavone and Jim Ross on commentary. Now let’s get to the review…
Match #1: AEW World Trios Championship Match The Elite (Kenny Omega & The Young Bucks – Nick & Matt Jackson) def. Ethan Page, Isiah Kassidy, & Matt Hardy
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Isiah Kassidy worked over Nick’s arm but Nick escaped and hit a twisting arm drag off the top rope. Nick tagged in Matt Jackson and the Bucks used their tandem offense on Kassidy. Kenny Omega and Matt Jackson tagged in for their respective teams. They locked up and Hardy hit a shoulder block. Omega avoided a Side Effect from Hardy. Matt Hardy was looking to jump off the top rope onto Ethan Page when Page stole the glory, knocking down Omega. The Bucks brought down Ethan Page and then hit Hardy with stereo dropkicks. Hardy was about to go for the Twist of Fate when Matt countered with a suplex. Page grabbed Matt’s leg and then Hardy planted Matt Jackson with the Side Effect. Ethan Page tagged in and spiked Matt Jackson with a backbreaker. Matt Jackson superkicked Ethan Page as Page jumped off the turnbuckles. Kenny Omega tagged in and connected with a crossbody splash onto Ethan Page. He followed up with Polish Hammers and then a moonsault press to Page for a near fall. Omega blocked a Twist of Fate from Hardy. Both men collided into one another with lariats, both having the same idea. Kassidy rocked Nick with a flatliner off the ropes. Ethan Page nailed Matt Jackson with a powerslam but Kenny Omega was there to deliver a running knee to Page. Nick Jackson superkicked Kassidy but Kassidy fired back with a kick of his own. Nick Jackson smashed Kassidy’s skull into the mat with a bulldog. Kassidy rallied back with a Canadian Destroyer on Nick Jackson. Hardy hit a Twist of Fate on Nick. Hardy went after Matt Jackson but Matt ducked and Hardy collided with Ethan Page. Omega cracked Kassidy with a V-Trigger from behind! Omega planted Kassidy with the One-Winged Angel. The Elite hit the BTE Trigger and Nick Jackson pinned Isiah Kassidy!
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #2: Swerve Strickland def. Brian Pillman, Jr.
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Swerve grappled Pillman to the mat. Pillman scored with a dropkick and then a flying dropkick through the ropes to Swerve. Pillman blasted Swerve with a thrust kick, getting full extension on it. Swerve got out of the grips of Pillman and kicked at the inside of Pillman’s knee. Swerve punished Pillman with a kick to the head. Trench got on the apron and distracted the ref while Parker swept out the legs of Pillman. Swerve decimated Pillman with a Death Valley Driver on the apron. Swerve followed up with the flying foot stomp to Pillman and then scored the pin. The Mogul Affiliates attacked Pillman after the match until “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes ran down to even up the odds! Swerve and the Mogul Affiliates retreated!
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #3: Saraya & Toni Storm def. The Renegade Sisters (Robyn & Charlette)
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Toni Storm and Robyn Renegade began for their respective sides. Storm used a Lou Thesz Press and then grounded and pounded Robyn. Saraya snuck in knees when the ref had his back turned. Toni sent Robyn flying to the arena floor after a running hip attack. Saraya flattened Robyn with multiple clotheslines. Saraya came flying in with a knee strike underneath Robyn’s jaw, good for a two-count. Toni tagged in and suplexed Robyn. Robyn rallied back with forearm strikes to Toni Storm. Charlette made the tag and cleaned house on Toni and Saraya. Toni wasted no time to regain momentum though, with a hip attack and then the Storm Zero to pin Charlette! After the match Toni Storm and Saraya spraypainted the Renegade Sisters with an “L” for loser.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #4: RUSH def. Christopher Daniels
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
They chain wrestled at the start of the match. It was a stalemate. Rush began to crank on Daniel’s arm but Daniels countered with an arm drag on Rush! Daniels followed up with a neck breaker. “The Fallen Angel” Christopher Daniels took flight with a beautiful tope to Rush. Jose held CD while Preston tried for a pump kick but Daniels moved. Preston inadvertently kicked Jose the Assistant! Daniels delivered repeated clotheslines and then a powerbomb to Rush. CD ate a thrust kick from Rush! Daniels rocked Rush with the Death Valley Driver. Rush rolled up Daniels for a near fall after Daniels was distracted by Preston Vance. Daniels attempted the Best Moonsault Ever but Rush raised his knees into Daniels’ rib cage! Rush smashed Daniels with the bull’s horn and then pinned Christopher Daniels!
My Score: 3 out of 5
Final Verdict: 2.5/5
A lot of this episode of Rampage felt like set-up for this week’s Dynamite. Even seeing The Elite in action was merely a tease for their match against Top Flight and AR Fox on Dynamite! Also, if it wasn’t for seeing a clip on AEW’s social media I, honestly, wouldn’t have got the whole “Swerve Strickland” is taking down second and third generation talent – hence the match with Brian Pillman. OK, so I might not be paying attention and might have missed that fact but if I did, then the more casual fan REALLY did. And did anyone else think that Saraya and Toni Storm spray-painting the Renegaades post-match was just a rip-off of Impact? I certainly did! Thankfully we got a decent main event in Christopher Daniels versus Rush – even if it was spoiled somewhat by the actions of LFI.
