‘AEW: Rampage’ Review (Dec 8th 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 Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec and featured Ian Riccaboni, “Daddy Magic” Matt Menard, and Tony Schiavone on commentary. Now let’s get to the review…
Match #1: AEW International Championship Match – Orange Cassidy def. Angelico
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Orange and Angelico chain wrestled and then Cassidy loaded up for the Orange Punch. Angelico rolled to the outside to take a breather and collect his thoughts. Back in the ring, Angelico punted Orange in the hip. Orange played mind games, placing his hands in his pockets. He used a wristlock takeover and flying head scissors on Angelico. Orange crumbled as Angelico chop blocked him. Angelico kicked Orange’s leg, inflicting more damage. Angelico tied up Orange in a submission. Orange escaped, and nailed Angelico with the Stun Dog Millionaire. Orange followed up with the Beach Break, but he couldn’t make the cover because he was writhing in pain. The crowd willed him to his feet. Orange was looking for the Orange Punch, but Serpentico grabbed Orange’s leg. Angelico blasted Orange with a pump kick. Then Danhausen evened up the score by grabbing Angelico’s leg, tripping up Angelico. Danhausen placed a curse on Angelico, and then Cassidy grabbed Angelico with an O’Connor Roll. Angelico managed to kick out and Orange inadvertently collided with Danhausen, who was on the ring apron. Angelico twisted Orange in a grapevine ankle lock, while Serpentico had Danhausen in a camel clutch on the arena floor. Orange rolled to the ropes forcing the ref to break the hold. As ref Paul Turner was admonishing Angelico for not breaking the hold sooner, Serpentico tried to blindside Orange. Luckily Danhausen was there and cracked Serpentico with a low blow. Orange rocked Angelico with the Orange Punch and pinned him!
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #2: Abadon def. Trish Adora
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Abadon dared Adora to strike them in the face, and Adora complied. Trish Adora chopped Abadon, but Abadon shrugged them off, absorbing them. Abadon picked up Trish by the arms and then stomped on her. Abadon cracked Trish with a knee strike and then began to pummel her with punches. Adora pump kicked Abadon, but Abadon got right to her feet. Abadon connected with two thrust kicks and then pinned Trish with the Black Diamond!
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #3: The Don Callis Family (Konosuke Takeshita & Powerhouse Hobbs) def. Christopher Daniels & Matt Sydal
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Don Callis joined the broadcast booth for this match. Daniels ducked a chop from Powerhouse and then hit him with elbows. Hobbs wasted no time and bulldozed Daniels. Hobbs body slammed Daniels halfway across the ring. Takeshita tagged in and charged at Daniels with a running strike. Sydal tagged in and dished out kicks to Takeshita. The Alpha caught Sydal, looking for a front plant, but Sydal escaped and countered with a wrist lock takeover. Hobbs powerslammed Sydal and covered him for a near fall. Takeshita tagged back in, but Sydal used a hurracanrana on him. Hobbs grabbed a tag, but so did Daniels. CD used a drop toe hold and then a hurracanrana on Hobbs. Powerhouse Hobbs signaled for the end, though, and decimated Daniels with a spinebuster. Hobbs pinned Daniels after the world’s most dangerous slam!
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #4: Continental Classic Blue League Match – Bryan Danielson def. Daniel Garcia
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Garcia came out wearing trunks instead of his leather pants. Garcia grabbed a wrist lock. Danielson suplexed his way out of it. Garcia was looking for the Dragon Tamer, but Danielson grabbed the ropes. Danielson blasted Garcia with kicks to the hamstring and the shin. Garcia backed up Danielson with rapid fire strikes. Garcia dropkicked Danielson in the corner for a near fall. Danielson sent Garcia flying with a German Suplex. Garcia absorbed a kick and then exchanged open hand strikes with Danielson. Garcia suplexed Danielson for a near fall. Garcia tried for a powerbomb, but Danielson countered with a triangle choke. Garcia fought back but Danielson mounted Garcia with the ground and pound. Garcia got to the ropes and forced the ref to break the hold. Garcia played possum and rolled up Danielson with an inside cradle for a two-count. Garcia applied the Dragon Tamer on Danielson. Garcia spiked Danielson with a piledriver for a near fall! Garcia punted Danielson in the injured eye. Garcia stomped on Danielson, going to the orbital socket. Garcia started to dance but Danielson seized the moment and charged at Garcia with the running knee strike! Danielson applied the LeBell Lock, and the ref stopped the match after Garcia went unconscious!
My Score: 4 out of 5
Final Verdict: 3/5
Let’s be brutally honest, the main event on this week’s Rampage TOTALLY saved this episode from utter mediocrity. Though to be fair, I am 100% invested in this current Abadon run and I’m loving the interaction between Abadon and Julia Hart – I’m here for whatever those two do together. For one, it’s great to see two of the company’s home-grown talents go at it rather than former WWE stars or previous AEW title holders. This is new, it’s fresh and it’s what the division needs right now. As for the aforementioned main event. Can we just say it? Whenever Dansilson wrestles it’s special, it’s like watching a masterclass – be it of characterisation, movesets or pure wrestling and he ALWAYS brings out the best in his opponents. Always. He’s a huge asset for AEW and this current run is phenomenal. End of.
