‘AEW: Rampage’ Review (Sept 15th 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 from the Heritage Bank Center in Cincinnati and featured Excalibur, Chris Jericho and Tony Schiavone on commentary. Now let’s get to the review…
Match #1: The Lucha Brothers (Penta El Zero Miedo & Rey Fenix) and The Hardys (Matt & Jeff) def. Jay Lethal, Jeff Jarrett, The Butcher & The Blade
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Fenix blasted Lethal with a missile dropkick. Fenix took Butcher down with a thrust kick to the head. Jeff Hardy tagged in and worked over Butcher’s shoulder. Matt Hardy tagged in and dropped an elbow on Butcher’s arm. Matt continued to work over Butcher’s arm. The Hardys double suplexed the Butcher and then the Blade. After some interference from Sonjay Dutt, Butcher and Jay Lethal got the advantage on Matt Hardy. Lethal drove Matt spine first into the corner. Jeff Jarrett nailed Matt Hardy with a Russian leg sweep. Blade tagged in and nailed Matt Hardy with strikes in the corner. Matt Hardy desperately needed to make a tag as he was isolated by the opposing team. Rey Fenix tagged in and cracked Blade with a kick and then a rolling cutter! Fenix ran the top of the ropes and punted Lethal and Jarrett in the head. Penta El Zero Miedo flipped over the top rope and wiped out Butcher, Lethal and Jarrett on the floor. Alex Abrahantes knocked Sonjay Dutt off the apron. Alex poked Kip Sabian in the eyes. Alex jumped off the top rope but was caught by Satnam Singh. Rey Fenix and the Blade traded strikes in the center of the ring. Rey Fenix planted the Blade right on his head and scored the victory via pin!
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #2: The Kingdom (Matt Taven & Mike Bennett) def. Christopher Daniels & Matt Sydal
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Mike Bennett chopped Daniels. CD fired back with a drop toe hold. Sydal tagged in and slammed Daniels on top of Bennett. Matt Taven tagged in and was hit with a barrage of kicks from Sydal. Daniels tagged back in and worked over Taven. Bennett grabbed Daniels’ leg, allowing Taven to connect with a shot. Bennett ducked a roundhouse kick from Sydal. Taven splashed Daniels in the corner. Taven and Bennett used their combo finisher, the Proton Pack, and then Taven pinned Daniels.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #3: The Acclaimed (Max Caster, Anthony Bowens & Billy Gunn) def. Peter Avalon & The Outrunners
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Billy Gunn had Turbo Floyd in his grip. Turbo Floyd chopped Billy down. Peter Avalon chop blocked Billy but Billy tagged Bowens. Bowens drilled Avalon with the Fame Asser. Billy body slammed Avalon. Bowens nailed Avalon with the Scissor Me Timbers. Billy followed up with a fame-asser. Caster hit the Mic Drop and pinned “Pretty” Peter!
My Score: 0 out of 5
Match #4: Aussie Open (Kyle Fletcher and Mark Davis) def. Damian Chambers & Lord Crewe
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Davis and Fletcher swarmed Chambers and Crewe. Aussie served up the Aussie sandwich. Crewe was planted with the Coriolis and Fletcher pinned him.
My Score: 0 out of 5
Match #5: TBS Championship Match – Kris Statlander def. Jade Cargill
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
They locked horns and went to a stalemate in the early goings. Jade hit Kris with a knee to the midsection. Britt Baker was watching the match on a monitor backstage. Kris and Jade clobbered one another, trading lariats. Statlander caught Jade and body slammed her. Statlander jumped off the apron with a cross body, but Jade caught her and then slammed her onto the apron. Jade and Kris jockeyed for position in the ring, battling over a suplex. Jade overpowered Kris and nailed her with a delayed vertical suplex. Statlander battered Jade in the corner with forearms. Kris followed up with a knee strike. Kris planted Jade with the Blue Thunder Bomb for a near fall. Mark Sterling jumped on the apron. Kris ate a pump kick because of the distraction. Jade choke slammed Statlander for a near fall. Jade tried for a spear, but Kris dodged it. Kris spiked Jade with an inverted Friday Night Fever and pinned Jade Cargill!
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Final Verdict: 2.5/5
This was, honestly, a rather dull episode of Rampage right up until the main event. We got not one but TWO squash matches this week for no reason other than to give people a spot on TV – total waste of time IMHO. The opening match felt clumsy right from the get-go. Jeff Jarrett seemed to be moving slowly, Penta was underused, and Rey’s spot on the ropes looked like a fumble… Not a great start. Thankfully the second match was a slight improvement, and I do mean slight – mainly down to those involved. But this week’s Rampage was all about the main event which saw a allegedly finished with AEW Jade Cargill truly hand over the reins of the TBS Championship to Kris Statlander – if Cargill has gone that was one classy way to go out. Truly.
