15th Nov2021

‘AEW: Rampage’ Review (Nov 12th 2021)

by Phil Wheat

Welcome to this weeks review of episode of AEW: Rampage – the go-home show for AEW’s Full Gear pay per view, with three matches, including Orange Cassidy vs. Matt Hardy in a lumberjack match; Jungle Boy vs. Bobby Fish; Jade Cargill vs. Santana Garrett; and Dante Martin versus a debuting Ariya Daivari!

Match #1: Jungle Boy def. Bobby Fish

My Thoughts: This was a great match up between a veteran and realtive newcomer. Fish showed why he, despite his losses, he should be feared in the ring. This was another match where Jungle Boy was at the disavantage from the get-go and had to fight his way back to get the win. Always a good story for Jungle Boy.

My Score: 3 out of 5

Match #2: Jade Cargill def. Santana Garrett

My Thoughts: This was a glorified squash match that, unfortunately for Santana Garrett, only existed to further the Red Velvet / Jade Cargill feud, as the pair went at it post-match. I still don’t get the Cargill hype unfortunately.

My Score: 1 out of 5

Match #3: Dante Martin def. Ariya Daivari

My Thoughts: Dante Martin did his usual, amazing, thing but the real surprise was how well Ariya Daivari was booked here. Of course this was a hoemtown match for Martin and the crowd went wild for their boy… as they should!

My Score: 3 out of 5

Match #4: Matt Hardy def. Orange Cassidy (Lumberjack Match)

My Thoughts: What the hell was this? I’m not sure how a lumberjack match, and a terrible one at that, would be the be all and end all of this feud (FYI, it isn’t despite the booking). This was a ton of spots with some ridiculous storytelling. And that ending, with the HFO beating down the Best Friends with brass knuckles was the crappy cherry on this sh*t-filled cake.

My Score: 1 out of 5

Final Verdict: 2/5

This was literally an episode of two halves, with two good matches and two bad ones… and the bad ones were BAD. I get that everyone was focused on Full Gear (review here) but that’s no excuse for such bad booking. On a personal note I think Matt Hardy needs to find a new gimmick ASAP, and the HFO need to drop their connection with his too. IMHO I think he’s ruining Orange Cassidy’s gimmick by constantly feuding with him. But hey, I’m just a fanboy aren’t I?

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