‘AEW: Rampage’ Review (Nov 25th 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 Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh and featured Tony Schiavone, Nigel McGuinness, and Kevin Kelly on commentary. Now let’s get to the review…
Match #1: HOOK def. Rocky Romero
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Rocky escaped a suplex and both men ran across the ring, delivering lariats, knocking one another down. Hook was first back to his feet. Hook hurled Rocky with a bigtime German Suplex. Rocky struck Hook with a rising knee strike and then a vertical suplex on the apron! Rocky followed up with the forever clotheslines back in the ring. Hook rallied back with a vicious exploder suplex on Rocky. It was a high impact match in a very short time. Hook hit Rocky with body blows in the corner. Hook headbutted Rocky and got a near fall after a Northern Lights Suplex. Rocky stunned Hook with Sliced Bread #2. Hook employed a leg sweep on Rocky. Hook countered a second attempt at the Sliced Bread with RedRum, and Hook won via ref stoppage!
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #2: Kris Statlander def. Diamante
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Diamante tried to outpower Statlander, but once she realized she couldn’t, Diamante slapped Statlander. Kris knocked down Diamante with a shoulder block. Statlander powerslammed Diamante for a near fall. Mercedes Martinez walked out onto the ramp to scout Statlander. Statlander was rolled up by Diamante for a two count. Diamante charged at Statlander, but Statlander was waiting for her with a powerslam. Diamante covered Kris after a cutter, but Kris kicked out. Diamante charted at Statlander, but Statlander countered with a discus lariat and scored the pin on Diamante!
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #3: The Kingdom (Mike Bennett and Matt Taven) def. Duke Davis and Danny Jones
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Duke Davis and Danny Jones got blindsided by the Kingdom, and the match began! Taven hit the Climax on Jones. Bennett spiked Davis on the ramp with a piledriver! Taven then connected with the aurora borealis for the pin!
My Score: 0 out of 5
Match #4: ROH Pure Championship Match – Wheeler Yuta def. Katsuyori Shibata
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Jerry Lynn, Jimmy Jacobs, and Christopher Daniels were the judges. Shibata applied the bow and arrow submission to Yuta. Wheeler escaped and Shibata followed up with strong knee strikes. Shibata applied a leg submission and Wheeler grabbed the ropes, utilizing his first rope break of the match. Yuta was immediately issued a warning after a closed fist to Shibata’s face. Shibata dropkicked Yuta’s head against the turnbuckle. Shibata applied the STF and Wheeler managed to reach the ropes, utilizing his second rope break of the match. Shibata put a sleeper on Yuta, but Yuta shucked him off. Wheeler fired himself out of the ring with a tope suicida to Shibata. Yuta whipped Shibata into the guardrail. Shibata returned the favor, whipping Yuta into the guardrail. Back in the ring, Yuta ducked a PK from Shibata. Yuta knocked Shibata into the ref, hit a low blow while the ref had his back turned, and DDT’ed Shibata right on his head to score the pin!
My Score: 3 out of 5
Final Verdict: 3/5
Another great episode of Rampage, one that featured some new match-ups for a change – with Diamante given a great high-profile match against Kris Statlander and HOOK getting a match against veteran Rocky Romero. HOOK’d been out of action (though on TV) for a while now, so it was great to see him go toe-to-toe with Rocky. Once again The Kingdom can go swivel, a terrible gimmick done terribly by Taven and Bennett, who haven’t been doing decent work since ROH disbanded. As for the main event, good god I’m loving this version of Wheeler Yuta! The fact he’s gone from being the “little bitch” to the Best Friends a few years ago, to being a badass who’s channelling his BCC teammate’s attitudes speaks volumes. My only gripe? I’m sure the judges for this Pure Championship match should’ve picked up on a few dodgy spots from Yuta in this match!
