‘AEW: Rampage’ Review (Jan 20th 2023)
It’s Monday so you know what that means, it’s time for our weekly review of AEW: Rampage! This week’s show was broadcast live from the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California and featured Chris Jericho, Excalibur, Tony Schiavone and Jim Ross on commentary. Now let’s get to the review…
Match #1: “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry def. Ethan Page
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Page hit Jack Perry with a lariat outside the ring. Page got into Hardy’s face and Jungle Boy jumped out at Ethan Page with a tope. Ethan Page whipped Jungle Boy into the ring barricade. Page dropped Perry face-first across the ring apron. Back in the ring, Ethan Page smashed Jack Perry with a backbreaker. Jack Perry and Ethan Page brawled outside the ring. Ethan Page rammed Jungle Boy’s head into the steel ring post! Ethan Page pressed Jack Perry overhead and then dropped him on the mat. Page brought Perry down hard with a crossarm iconoclast. Ethan Page was looking for the Twist of Fate but Jack Perry countered, backing Page into the turnbuckles. Jungle Boy dropped right hands on Ethan Page but after distraction from Stokely, Ethan nailed Jungle Boy with the Twist of Fate for a near fall. Ethan Page ordered Matt Hardy to attack Jack Perry. The FTW Champion Hook came out onto the ramp. Jungle Boy used the distraction to roll up Ethan Page for the pin!
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #2: Brian Cage def. Willie Mack
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Brian Cage grabbed a side headlock, trying to neutralize Willie’s agility. Willie Mack rallied back with a Samoan Drop. Brian Cage swept out Willie’s leg. Cage charged at Willie and kicked him in the face. Cage drove Mack’s spine into the ring apron. Willie popped up Cage and said down with the Sky High for a near fall! Cage scored with a massive thrust kick. Cage connected with a jumping knee strike and then a powerbomb on Willie! Cage spiked Mack with the Drill Claw and pinned Willie Mack!
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #3: Jade Cargill & Leila Grey def. Jaida & Jordyn Vanity
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Jade delivered uppercuts and then tagged out to Leila Grey. Leila used a neck breaker but allowed her opponent to make the tag. Leila sat out with a face buster and went for the pin but Jade insisted she be tagged in. Jade won via pin after landing Jaded!
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #4: Action Andretti def. Daniel Garcia
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Garcia charged Action Andretti and put the boots to him. Garcia chopped at Action but Action fired back with chops of his own. Action hit a tornillo on Garcia for a near fall. Action Andretti wiped out Garcia on the floor with a high-speAed tope! Garcia avoided a dropkick and drilled Andretti with a clothesline on the floor. Garcia whipped Action into the steel ring steps. Action used a backbreaker-neck breaker combination. Action wiped out Garcia with a moonsail to the floor. Action followed up with a split legged moonsault for a near fall. Garcia and Action exchanged kicks and then Action sat out with a neck breaker for a two-count on Garcia. Garcia sat out with a pump handle for a near fall on Action. Garcia was looking for the Dragon Tamer but Action cradled him for a near fall. Action connected with a tornillo off the top rope and then a running shooting star press for the pin on Garcia!
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Final Verdict: 2.5/5
A good but not great episode of Rampage this time around. Interesting to see the Brian Cage/Willie Mack match given a second go on TV – though this match wasn’t up to par with the pairs match on Elevation. Which is something that seems to be a recurring theme… matches that are great on AEW’s YouTube shows get a second shot on TV and turn out to be not as good. A booking issue maybe? I would say it would be because you can’t be blown away by the same match twice but that’s bull. We’ve just had a “best of 7” series which disproves that! Digging what they’re doing with Action Andretti and the JSA but still wondering where the hell it’s all leading? My only thoughts are that they’re going to break this faction up as they did with Jericho’s last one. And honestly, it can’t come soon enough! Again, a good show but not one that’s going to blow you away.
