‘AEW: Rampage’ Review (Feb 17th 2023)
It’s Monday so you know what that means, it’s time for our weekly review of AEW: Rampage! This week’s show comes from Sames Auto Arena in Laredo, Texas and features Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, Chris Jericho and Jim Ross on commentary. Now let’s get to the review…
Match #1: AEW World Trios Championship Match The Elite (Kenny Omega & The Young Bucks — Matt & Nick Jackson) def. AR Fox & Top Flight (Dante & Darius Martin)
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Don Callis joined the commentary team for this match. Fox jumped over the top rope and landed on the Young Bucks. He soared over the top and wiped-out Kenny Omega. The Elite called for a time out, trying to collect themselves. Omega tagged in and shoulder tackled AR Fox. The Elite worked over Fox in the corner with triple team maneuvers. The Bucks hit a neck breaker-backbreaker combo on Fox. Nick smashed Fox with a bulldog. AR Fox landed a cutter on Nick Jackson, doing a great job of maintaining control. Dante tagged in and connected with elbow strikes to Kenny Omega. Dante followed up with a tope and then a big crossbody press for a near fall. Kenny tried a snapdragon suplex but Dante landed on his feet. Darius tagged in and splashed Matt and Kenny in the turnbuckles. AR Fox got a two-count on Matt after a 450 splash. Nick Jackson delivered a massive senton. Omega tagged in, looking for the V-Trigger, but Dante made the save for Darius. Matt Jackson caught Fox with a cutter! Kenny hit a V-Trigger on Darius and then pinned him with the One-Winged Angel!
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #2: Ricky Starks def. Daniel Garcia
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Garcia pie faced Starks but Starks quickly fired back with a solid right hand. Starks connected with a big elbow strike. Starks grabbed Garcia’s wrist and dropped a sledgehammer shot off the second rope. Starks charged at Garcia but Garcia countered, knocking Starks to the arena floor. Garcia worked over Starks’ leg. Back in the ring Starks tried for a spear but Starks collapsed as his leg gave out. Starks sent Garcia flying with a belly-to-belly suplex. Starks fought through the pain and stomped Daniel Garcia. Garcia trapped Starks in the center of the ring with the Dragon Tamer. Starks crawled and tried to reach for the bottom rope but Sammy Guevara came down and pulled the ropes away from Starks. Action Andretti sprinted down the ramp and sent Sammy hard into the steel ring steps! Andretti and Guevara brawled around ringside. Starks landed the spear on Garcia and followed up with the Roshambo for the pin!
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #3: TBS Championship Open Challenge – Jade Cargill def. Vertvixen
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Jade hip tossed Vertvixen out of the corner. Jade did push-ups in the center of the ring, mocking her opponent. Cargill pinned Vertvixen after rocking her with Jaded!
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #4: Dustin Rhodes def. Swerve Strickland (DQ)
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Rhodes and Swerve wasted no time duking it out with one another. Dustin quickly took the fight to Swerve, not backing down an inch, unleashing hell on him. Swerve connected with a cheap shot to Dustin’s jaw. Dustin dodged a kick and nailed Swerve with a release German suplex. Swerve fired back with a kick to Dustin’s jaw. Outside the ring Swerve dropkick Dustin’s head into the steel ring barricade! Dustin was busted wide open. Swerve bit on Dustin’s head but Dustin rallied back with a powerslam. Dustin landed two lariats. Dustin nearly pinned Swerve after a Code Red. Dustin spiked Swerve with a piledriver! Dustin was looking for the Cross Rhodes but Swerve broke free. Dustin grabbed Swerve again and rocked Swerve with the Cross Rhodes and then the Final Reckoning! Dustin went for the cover but Parker pulled Dustin out of the ring. Parker whipped Dustin into the metal ring steps and ref Aubrey Edwards awarded Dustin Rhodes the victory via disqualification!
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Final Verdict: 3.5/5
A decent show but yet again AEW seem to want to squeeze in a fourth squash match onto the Rampage card each week and it takes away from the time other matches could get IMHO. This week’s episode opened and closed strong, with a great trios match to open the show and a brilliant performance from Dustin Rhodes in the main event! Plus we get Ricky Starks in action and that’s always a plus!
