This weeks Rampage was a mostly competent but dull show saved by a very enjoyable main event. The over abundance of multi man tags made the show feel like a huge chore to watch, and the story advancement was so minimal. Absolutely no need to watch this show, but if you do, you’ll at least have some fun Luchador action to close the show, because without that match this show would completely sink, and the fact that match was the best of the night somewhat saves the structure. A nothing show with a fun ending.
Tonight on AEW Rampage, Danhausen returns to action in an 8 man tag contest as he teams Orange Cassidy, Trent Baretta and Hook to face Dark Order and 2.0. We will also see Penta, Kommander and Vikingo team in trios action. Let’s get at it!
GOOD Orange Cassidy, Hook, Danhausen and Trent Baretta vs Dark Order and 2.0
An almost identical tag match to the trios match on Dynamite last week, this was an enjoyable enough match, though slightly long in the tooth. The unfortunate problem was every spot felt a bit played out, and even the fun elements like Danhausen’s hat antics felt a bit copy and paste. Fun, but I’ve seen it before
Result: Hook by Submission via RedRum
David Sheldon WR Star Rating – 3 Stars
I enjoy seeing the convergence of Anna Jay and the Outcasts. That makes storyline sense and furthers that lower card story nicely
GOOD Ric Flair and Sting Promo
Another promo for fans to cheer Sting, which to be honest should’ve been just for the live crowd as they say absolutely nothing. There’s also a very very obvious edit in here right at the end of it where something has clearly been cut out, and I think we all know what that edit was. The crowd boost the rating of this segment a lot as they were absolutely electric for it, and always nice to see a happy and energised Sting, but there was no reason for this to be here
David Sheldon WR Star Rating- 3 Stars
SQUASH Don Callis Family vs Local Talent
A very quick stamp out of some local talent. Hobbs did all the work so it probably should’ve just been a singles squash
AVERAGE Don Callis Promo
Callis said some things about Jericho and Omega, but it was all utter waffle. I hate to say this but I think Callis is doing some of his weakest work right now, and the whole family feels stuck in a rut
David Sheldon WR Star Rating- 2.5 Stars
GOOD The Outcasts vs Hikaru Shida, Kris Statlander and Skye Blue
The structure of this show is deeply messy with the deluge of multi tags, but there was at least a story to this, even if minimal, and the story did a decent job of telling it. Says a lot about the lack of respect to the women’s division though that a match with three former TBS and AEW World Champions in it didn’t main event an episode of the C show.
Result: Skye Blue by Pinfall via Code Blue
David Sheldon WR Star Rating- 3 Stars
No Mark Henry promo this week? Sad times
GREAT Brian Cage and The Workhorsemen vs Vikingo, Penta and Kommander- Watch Match Here
Thank heavens for this main event. This had some rough spots, namely a rare botch for Vikingo, and again no story, but man this was fun. This was 10 minutes of innovative excitement with 6 great wrestlers doing whatever mad things they can think of. It’s not the greatest match you’ll ever see, but it was a really fun spectacle showcase for some fantastic luchador wrestlers
Result: Vikingo by Pinfall via 630 Splash
David Sheldon WR Star Rating- 3.5 Stars
Overall…
This weeks Rampage was a mostly competent but dull show saved by a very enjoyable main event. The over abundance of multi man tags made the show feel like a huge chore to watch, and the story advancement was so minimal. Absolutely no need to watch this show, but if you do, you’ll at least have some fun Luchador action to close the show, because without that match this show would completely sink, and the fact that match was the best of the night somewhat saves the structure. A nothing show with a fun ending.
Matches: 0.5/1 Stars
Show Structure: 0.5/1 Stars
Atmosphere: 0.5/1 Stars
Storytelling: 0.25/1 Stars
Production/Theme: 0.75/1 Stars
Overall Rating: 2.5/5 Stars
Photo Credit: All Elite Wrestling – December 1st 2023
