‘AEW: Rampage’ Review (May 26th 2023)
It’s Monday so you know what that means, it’s time for our weekly review of AEW: Rampage! This week’s show features Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, Chris Jericho and Jim Ross on commentary once again. Now let’s get to the review…
Match #1: The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn def. RUSH, Preston Vance & Dralistico
My Thoughts: This was another average match from The Acclaimed who don’t seem to be able to kick things into top gear at all recently. Every match feels like the trio of Max Caster, Anthony Bowens and Billy Gunn are just going through the motions and sticking to a VERY familiar playbook that gets them over with live audience but does nothing for them personally. If I’m truly honest, The Acclaimed should’ve lost this one – RUSH and co. are much more on point these days and have been dominant for real, unlike The Acclaimed, who’ve been dominant in kayfaybe.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #2: The Gunns & Ethan Page def. Frescomatic, Watson & Jeaux Braxton
My Thoughts: This was just a very quick squash match to sell the forthcoming Gunns/Page tag match against The Hardy’s NOT to actually be any kind of match for real. I feel sorry for the enhancement talent – those guys apparently made an impact back when they last appeared on AEW programming and now they’re reduced to this!
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #3: Britt Baker & Hikaru Shida def. Nyla Rose & Marina Shafir
My Thoughts: Good to see the team of Nyla Rose and Marina Shafir get such a high-profile match, even if you knew they were never going to pick up the win. Shaifr seems to be settling into being an MMA fighter in the ring now rather than trying to adjust her style to be more like a pro-wrestler, something we had previously seen her progress with on the now-cancelled Dark and Elevation. Baker and Shida, despite being enemies for most of their careers in AEW, actually made for great tag team partners!
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #4: Lee Moriarty & Big Bill def. Best Friends
My Thoughts: Big Bill (still a stupid name IMHO) and Lee Moriarty manage to pick up a win after their loss on Dynamite a couple of weeks ago. Of course this win was against the Best Friends, two guys who can take losses without ever losing support or momentum. Unfortunatley this match was another one that felt more like a promo for Double or Nothing’s Battle Royale at the end, somwhat detracting from what had come before.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Final Verdict: 2.5/5
Not a great go-home show for the Double or Nothing pay-per-view if you ask me…