Tonight's episode of Rampage was less entertaining especially after Thanksgiving. The tag team match between FTR and Topflight was probably the only match that caught my attention. I kind of felt like the Darby match could have in Dark or Elevation, same goes with Shida's match. Jericho's promo probably needs more work because I felt there wasn't much effort into the promo, or it just felt plain. Not one of AEW best Rampage but at least we got to see some tag team action with FTR.
The night after Thanksgiving we have Rampage where we will hear from “The Ocho” Chris Jericho and Hikaru Shida is in action. FTR will defend their ROH Tag Team Championship against the reform of Topflight and Darby Allin takes on Anthony Henry. Can the Dark Order end the feud when they take on Rush/Butcher and the Blade.
GREAT FTR vs Topflight (ROH Tag Team Championship)
Dax and Darius start the match for their team, both opponents start with a basic grapple where Darius arm drags Dax. Hardwood then heads locks Darius who then uses the ropes to push Dax away. Hardwood connects with the ropes and Darius connects with some various arms drag. Dax gets the advantage on Darius when Darius attempts multiple body tackle to a pin attempt, but Dax stops the momentum with an elbow show to the head, leading to a leg drop. Dax tags in Cash so he can keep the momentum going but as he Irish Whips Darius, Cash attempts for a body slam but Darius goes over Cash, arm Drags while keeping his hold and tags in Dante. FTR are trying to keep the match grounded by not giving Topflight highflying momentum, but that changed as FTR attempts a double team, but Darius reverses it and went for a pin attempt. As Topflight was about to fly, FTR exit the ring to get some breather and rethink their strategy. Both teams are giving all they got in the tank in this match, where we see Topflight as the future tag teams and FTR proving why they are the best tag team in the planet but for Topflight, FTR hits the Big Rig to get the victory.
Results: FTR def. Topflight (Still ROH Tag Team Champions)
Hector’s Star Ratings: 3.5 Stars
Jericho’s Promo:
Jericho starts talking about how there is no doubt that he is one the greatest ROH World Champion especially after his match at Dynamite against Tomohiro Ishii. Then he asks who is next, who is the one person who can dethrone the champ, Claudio comes out in front of the ramp. Claudio talks about that Chris is not the best ROH champion and that he doesn’t need to beat Jericho, but he has to beat Jericho for the ROH title. Claudio asks Jericho for one more shot at the World title and Jericho rejects his request. But Matt Menard talks about how great Claudio is as a professional wrestler but a fantastic sports entertainer. Matt Menard makes a stipulation where if Claudio lose, he has to join the Jericho Appreciation Society. Claudio accepts the stipulation.
AVERAGE Darby Allin vs Anthony Henry
Both fighter’s grapple lock where Darby pulls Anthony towards him which he then rolled over Anthony to get the momentum, but Anthony returned with one of his own. Anthony then picks up Darby to a suplex attempt but Darby gets out of the move by going over the edge of the ring. Anthony attempts a body tackle, but Darby goes over Anthony and attempts a Suicide dive where he connects with JD Drake. Anthony gets the momentum on his side when he fisherman carried Darby over the ropes and hits a backheel trip on the edge of the ring. Anthony keeps attacking Darby buy targeting the back of Darby from the guitar shot from Jeff Jarrett. Even though with the interference from JD Drake, somehow Darby Allin gets the victory by hitting the coffin drop.
Results: Darby Allin def. Anthony Henrey
Hector’s Star Ratings: 2.5 Stars
SQUASH Hikaru Shida vs Queen Aminata
As soon as the bell rung, Bunny and Penelope Ford come out to see Shida’s match, where Shida gets distracted and Aminata takes the advantage. Shida then connects with a strong elbow shot to the head where she then connects with Falcon Arrow. She then hits her finisher, “The Katana” to get the victory.
Below Average Dark Order vs Rush/Butcher and the Blade
As Silver and Renolds are walking down to the ring, we only 2/3 of the team as Vance #10 isn’t walking out with the team. As so as the bell rung, Silver and Renolds start attacking Butcher, the Blade and Rush but Dark Order are outnumbered. Renolds get the momentum going as he connects with some elbow strikes and then a big boot. The number game is still against Dark Order as Butcher and Blade attack Renolds in the corner. Renolds tags in Silver as he then enters the ring and is taking each member down one buy one but is stopped when Silver attempts a suicide dive. Butcher catches him and Rush connects with a strong elbow strike. With the number against Dark Order, Silver tries to tag in Renolds, but Blade leg sweeps him off the corner and Butcher then body slams outside the ring. As it looks like Silver was in trouble, Evil Uno and Negative 1 signaling Vance to come out. Which he did and slides into the ring, face to face with Rush and as Silver stands next to Vance. #10 attacks Silver leading Rush to a Bulls Horn the victory.
Results: Rush/Butcher and the Blade def. Silver and Renolds
Hector’s Star Rating: 1.5 Stars
Overall….
Tonight’s episode of Rampage was less entertaining especially after Thanksgiving. The tag team match between FTR and Topflight was probably the only match that caught my attention. I kind of felt like the Darby match could have in Dark or Elevation, same goes with Shida’s match. Jericho’s promo probably needs more work because I felt there wasn’t much effort into the promo, or it just felt plain. Not one of AEW best Rampage but at least we got to see some tag team action with FTR.
Matches: .25/1 Stars
Show Structure: .75/1 Stars
Atmosphere…: .50/1 Stars
Storytelling: .50/1 Stars
Production/Theme: .75/1 Stars
Overall Rating. 2.75/5 Stars
Feature Photo Credit: allelitewrestling.com
