‘AEW: Rampage’ Review (Nov 5th 2021)
Welcome to this weeksreview of AEW: Rampage, the hotly anticipated – at least by me – Friday night wrestling show that typically tops of the weeks AEW programming in style…
Match #1: “The American Dragon” Bryan Danielson def. Anthony Bowens w/Max Caster
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Bowens had an early strong start with two arm drags on Danielson. Bowens transitioned out of a wrist lock from Danielson and rolled him up with a crucifix but couldn’t keep Danielson down. Bowens used a series of kicks on Bryan, but Bryan fired back with a high round kick! Bryan chopped away at Bowens and followed up with a kick in the corner. Bowens rallied back with forearms and tried for a vertical suplex, but Danielson used a knee strike to escape. Danielson kicked Bowens across the spine. Danielson tried for a running kick from the apron but Bowens countered and flattened Danielson. Max Caster got a quick cheap shot in. Back in the ring, Bowens was in control, dropping elbows on Bryan. Danielson ducked a clothesline and returned with a big hammer shot on Bowens! Bryan blasted Bowens with kicks and Bowens crumbled. Danielson missed a charging high boot in the corner and Bowens took advantage with his DDT move “The Arrival”. Danielson backdropped Bowens over the top rope onto Caster! Danielson rocketed off the ring post onto Bowens. He followed up with a missile drop kick! Danielson grabbed Bowens’ arms and began stomping on his head. Danielson sunk in the LeBell Lock and Bowens had no choice but to submit!
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #2: TBS Women’s Championship Tournament First Round Match – The Bunny vs. Red Velvet
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Red Velvet charged at The Bunny and pounded her with body shots! She followed up with a leg lariat! The Bunny rolled to the outside of the ring to try to stop Red Velvet’s momentum. Red Velvet hit a clothesline on The Bunny. Jade Cargill was watching from ringside with “Smart” Mark Sterling. The Bunny grabbed Red Velvet as Red Velvet was jaw-jacking with Jade. The Bunny rammed Red Velvet into the metal ring steps. Red Velvet and The Bunny traded strikes in the center of the ring. Red Velvet nailed The Bunny with a stunner! The Bunny avoided a kick from Red Velvet and used a Death Valley Driver on Red Velvet. The Bunny rocked Red Velvet with a thrust kick. Red Velvet managed to spike The Bunny with the Final Slice and pinned The Bunny!
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #3: The Dark Order’s John Silver vs. The Elite’s Adam Cole
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Cole blasted Silver with a pump kick! Silver lifted Cole and dropped him across the top rope! Silver hurled Cole halfway across the ring… twice. Cole fired back with a pump kick. Cole hit a snap mare on Silver onto the ring apron! Cole locked Silver in the camel clutch on the arena floor. Silver and Cole traded strikes in the center of the ring. Silver used a Liger Bomb on Cole for a near fall! Adam Cole survived an impressive offensive sequence from Silver. Cole was about to hit the running knee on Silver but Silver countered with a massive lariat! Silver used his own running knee on Cole! Matt Jackson pulled Cole closer to the ropes so he could stop the pin. The Dark Order ran out and brawled with the Bucks! John Silver finally got the Liger Bomb on Cole and Cole kicked out! Cole went for the Panama Sunrise but Silver countered! Adam Cole hit back with two superkicks and the running knee to finally pin Silver!
My Score: 3 out of 5
Final Verdict: 4/5
Obviously being in the UK we don’t watch Rampage live… Which usually leads to spoilers. However this weeks episode was different, all ANYONE was talking about was THAT promo between Eddie Kingston and CM Punk and man, it seriously was a promo for the ages. Definitely a contender for promo of the year! And the rest of the episode was just a good – Bowens was given room to shine against Bryan Danielson (and Caster’s pre-match rap was ANOTHER highlight of this episode); The Bunny versus Red Velvet was a surprisingly great match, with Velvet really hitting her stride in this match – hopefully her grudge-match tournament eliminator match against Jade Cargill lives up to the build; and that main event… Well damn if Jon Silver didn’t pull one out of the hat! He took it to Adam Cole in a rare singles match for Mr. Hungy. And, in case it needed pointing out, it was fantastic to see two established names in Danielson and Cole put over their opponents, opponents who dont typically get spotlights on AEW television – usually Dark and Elevation. Kudos to all involved.
