‘AEW: Rampage’ Review (Nov 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 was broadcast from the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, California and featured Tony Schiavone, Nigel McGuinness, and Chris Jericho on commentary. Now let’s get to the review…
Match #1: TNT Championship Match – Christian Cage def. Trent Beretta
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Trent flew over the top rope with a huge crossbody to Christian on the arena floor. Nick Wayne grabbed Trent from behind and Christian charged at Trent, nailing him with a cheap shot. Trent speared Christian through the ropes. Trent went for a spinning DDT, but Christian dodged it. Trent blocked a DDT from Christian. Trent hit a hurracanrana on Christian for a near fall. Christian moved out of the way of Trent’s crossbody press. Trent countered a spear with a knee strike and then spiked Christian with a tornado DDT for a near fall. Trent clobbered Christian with the Strong Zero for a two-count! Luchasaurus distracted Trent. Christian Cage seized the moment and blindsided Trent. Christian Cage crushed Trent with the Kill Switch and pinned Trent!
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #2: Toni Storm def. Emi Sakura
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Toni tried to hand Emi a script, but Emi ripped it up. Emi chopped at Toni Storm. Toni knocked Emi out of the ring with her hip attack. Toni stood up on the apron and Emi fired back with a cross body press. Toni rocked Emi with a running bulldog. Toni was looking for a hip attack, but Emi countered with a Tiger Driver for a near fall. Emi followed up with a backbreaker across the knee for a two-count. Toni dodged a moonsault from Emi. Toni rammed Emi with a hip attack. Toni planted Emi with a piledriver and pinned Emi!
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #3: Roderick Strong def. Action Andretti
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Strong charged at Action as Action entered the ring. Action hit back with a dropkick to Roderick Strong. Action Andretti chopped Roderick in the chest. Roderick cracked Action with a backbreaker. Action rocked Roderick with a spinning neck breaker. Action countered a sunset flip with a suplex. Action blasted Roddy with a back elbow. The Kingdom checked on Roddy outside the ring. Action wiped out the Kingdom with a running kick. Action hit a Spanish Fly on Strong. Roddy got to his feet! Roddy finished off Action with the End of Heartache and pinned Action Andretti!
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Final Verdict: 3/5
This was a strange, yet good, episode of Rampage. For one this week’s show actually followed Collision, which meant that – essentially – it was a third hour of wrestling on Collision and not really its own thing. But on the other hand, the fact it was a final hour of wrestling, there was no slack here – the promos were all used to build to the following night’s pay-per-view, Full Gear, and there wasn’t a squash match in sight. Which makes a fantastic change! The opening match was the strongest of the night, with Christian Cage still playing full-blown heel better than anyone in AEW. The women’s match was a great teaser for Toni Storm’s Full Gear title match; whilst the main event was for me – despite some good wrestling – the weakest point of the night, mainly because I hate the “neck strong” stuff Roderick Strong and The Kingdom are doing. But can’t deny the match was good!
