‘AEW: Rampage’ Review (Jun 9th 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 once again. Now let’s get to the review…
Match #1: Bandido, Penta El Zero Miedo & Rey Fenix def. Big Bill, Ethan Page & Lee Moriarty
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Rey Fenix connected with a dropkick to Ethan Page. “All Ego” Ethan Page backed up and tagged out to Lee Moriarty. Bandido grabbed a tag and he and Lee traded strikes. Bandido took down Lee with a tornillo. Big Bill and Penta El Zero Miedo squared off. Penta chopped down a chokeslam attempt from Big Bill. Penta El Zero Miedo kicked at Big Bill’s quads. Big Bill charged at Penta, but Penta ducked, sending Big Bill crashing over the top rope. Penta tried for a tope, but Big Bill countered with a massive right hand. Bandido took flight but Big Bill’s strength was too overwhelming. Big Bill caught Bandido in the chin with a big boot. Ethan Page tagged in and powerslammed Bandido for a near fall. The Lucha Bros worked together to deliver stereo thrust kicks to Big Bill. Penta smashed Page with the Made in Japan for a two-count. Fenix walked the tight rope and punted Page in the face. Fenix dished out a cutter to Moriarty. The Lucha Bros hit the Fear Factor on the apron on Lee Moriarty. The Hardys and Brother Zay walked onto the ramp. Jeff Hardy said he gave Ethan Page two good luck gifts. Jeff encouraged Page to use them. So, Ethan reluctantly rolled up his Jeff Hardy-style sleeves but as he was doing so, Bandido served up the 21 Plex and pinned Ethan Page!
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #2: Powerhouse Hobbs def. Caleb Crush
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Hobbs clubbed Caleb with a running lariat. Hobbs planted Caleb with the spinebuster and pinned him!
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #3: The Acclaimed (Anthony Bowens & Max Caster) & Daddy Ass def. The Spanish Announce Project (Angelico, Luther & Serpentico)
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Angelico and Anthony Bowens began the match for their respective teams. Bowens used mind games to lure Angelico in. Bowens hit a dropkick on Angelico. Serpentico tagged himself in. The Acclaimed used tandem offense on Serpentico. Caster used an atomic drop and then a Manhattan drop. Bowens dropped the Scissor Me Timbers on Angelico. Serpentico entered the fray and ate a right hand from Daddy Ass. Luther jumped in and Daddy Ass clobbered him with repeated shots. Bowens nailed Luther with the Arrival. Caster took to the skies and finished Luther off with the Mic Drop, good for the pin!
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #4: AEW Women’s World Championship #1 Contender’s Match – Skye Blue def. Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D, Mercedes Martinez &. Nyla Rose
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
The winner will face AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm next week on Dynamite. Shida came to the ring to watch Baker’s back. Marina Shafir was with Nyla Rose. Mercedes delivered big right hands to Nyla. Marina jumped in but Shida saw enough, cracking Shafir with the kendo stick. Skye Blue attempted a thrust kick on Nyla Rose, but the “Native Beast” countered with a clothesline. Nyla climbed to the top rope, but Britt Baker shoved her off. Britt caught Mercedes with the Sling Blade. Skye Blue and Britt Baker traded forearms. Skye connected with a thrust kick. Britt rolled up Mercedes and transitioned to the Lock Jaw. Nyla broke it up. Baker and Blue teamed up and nailed Nyla with stereo thrust kicks. Mercedes staggered Nyla with a knee strike and followed up with a backdrop suplex. Baker curb stomped Nyla. Mercedes and Britt brawled outside the ring. Meanwhile, Skye Blue came in and connected with the Code Blue on Nyla and pinned her!
My Score: 3 out of 5
Final Verdict: 3/5
Another good episode of Rampage. Good but not great. This week’s show did a lot to move stories forward through matches, which the odd promo thrown in for good measure. The opening match was a good start but I wish we actually didn’t get the Matt Hardy interference. Once again we got another Hobbs squash match and The Acclaimed did their crowd-pleasing thing – though I’ve said it before and I will no doubt say it again, The Acclaimed need something to take them to the next level because their schtick will, unfortunately, get stale at some point. As for the main event, it was great to see Skye Blue pick up the win. It was a shock given her opponents but it was a GOOD shock. Skye Blue has been putting in the work and having Tony Khan give her a spotlight in this match and a shot at a title is a great example of the faith Khan has for his FUTURE stars – because Skye Blue is only just getting started.
