‘AEW: Rampage’ Review (May 27th 2022)
It’s Monday morning, so you know what that means… it’s time for our review of Friday night’s episode of AEW: Rampage, which this week emanated from the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas. We’ve got Excalibur, Taz and Chris Jericho on commentary so let’s get right to the review!
Match #1: Bryan Danielson def. Matt Sydal
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
William Regal was on commentary for this match. Bryan used a full nelson takedown on Sydal. Bryan followed up with European uppercuts. Danielson was looking to stretch Sydal, applying a surfboard of sorts. Matt Sydal countered with a big-time leg lariat. Sydal rocked Danielson with a jumping knee strike. Sydal got a near fall on Danielson after a hurracanrana. Sydal nearly decapitated Danielson with a roundhouse kick! Matt Sydal climbed to the top turnbuckle, but Bryan met him up there. Sydal fought him off and then crashed down on Danielson with the meteora—but Danielson hung up and transitioned to a single leg crab! Sydal finally grabbed the ropes, forcing ref Paul Turner to break the hold. Danielson walloped Sydal with kicks to the chest. Danielson connected with a headbutt to Sydal. They climbed to the top rope and Sydal hit a sunset flip powerbomb on Danielson for a near fall! Bryan began to clutch at his knee. Danielson and Sydal traded strikes in the center of the ring. Danielson nailed Sydal with the running knee. Danielson dropped the hammer and anvil elbows and then applied a choke submission. Matt Sydal had no choice but to tap out!
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #2: The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson) def. Taylor Rust and John Cruz
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
The Young Bucks made their entrance dressed as the Hardy’s…complete with Gangrel. Nick hit a shoulder tackle on Cruz. Matt tagged in and he and Nick used some of the Hardy’s’ tandem offense on their opponent. Cruz jumped off the top rope but ate double superkicks from the Bucks! Matt Jackson connected with the Twist of Fate. Nick Jackson dropped the Swanton bomb and he pinned Cruz. The Bucks ambushed Gangrel after the match, targeting one of the Hardy’s old friends. The Hardy’s came out and confronted the Bucks in the ring! The Hardy’s were about to nail the Bucks with the Twist of Fate but Brandon Cutler hit Matt and Jeff from behind. Gangrel helped the Hardy’s and then Jeff smashed Brandon with the Swanton!
My Score: 1.5 out of 5
Match #3: Dante Martin def. Max Caster
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Dante hit a high cross body to the outside of the ring as Bowens was talking on the microphone. Billy Gunn rammed Dante into the ring apron! Ref Aubrey Edwards ejected the Acclaimed and the Gunn Club from the ringside area. Dante dropped the nosedive and pinned Max Caster after a competitive match from both men!
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #4: Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament Semi-Final Match – Ruby Soho def. Kris Statlander
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Statlander connected with a shoulder block to Ruby Soho. Statlander had an early advantage, going for the cover, but Soho kicked out. Ruby used a deep arm drag. Kris came back with a forearm and then a stiff lariat! Statlander carried Ruby up to the top rope but Ruby countered with a hurracanrana. Statlander fired back with a step-up powerbomb for a near fall on Ruby Soho! Statlander tweaked her shoulder as she charged at Soho but Soho moved, which forced Kris’ momentum to send her into the turnbuckles. Ruby yanked Kris’ arm down with an arm bar. Ruby was looking for Destination: Unknown but Kris fought out and blasted Ruby with a German suplex for a near fall. Kris Statlander tried for the Spider Crab but Ruby’s leg came free and she booted Kris’ shoulder. Ruby rolled up Statlander and pinned her!
My Score: 4 out of 5
Final Verdict: 3.5/5
This episode of Rampage opened strong with a great match between Sydal and Danielson; but then we got THAT match… WTF is going on in the minds of the Young Bucks? Their heel schtick is getting to the point of parody now, making a mockery of not only their opponents but themselves. At this rate they can’t win any matches without turning the tag team division into an utter joke. Talk about ruining an entire division! Luckily Dante Martin and Max Caster upped the game with a decent match that ran too short and was crippled somewhat by a PIP segment but still delivered more than the EVPs did. As for the main event, the Owen Hart’s Women’s Tournament match between Kris Statlander and Ruby Soho, the outcome was never in doubt. If Toni Storm wasn’t going to be in the final against Britt Baker it was certainly going to be Ruby Soho. Why? Because AEW won’t put the belt on a homegrown talent like Kris Statlander when they’ve got ex-WWE stars to headline matches at their PPVs. Plus Statlander is going through the middle of a character change, not exactly the best time to put a belt on someone is it? Well, it would be if a belt chase was literally a decent reason for a character change. Which Statlander’s LITERALLY is – after all, when you’ve been in the company since day one and got nowhere near the title picture and then you get a new look and attitude, one that is more determined than ever and you’ve worked you’re way through the women’s division surely that’s WHY you deserve a title shot? Because… storytelling.
