This was a pretty good episode of Rampage. The matches were decent and some feuds were advanced. The highlight was the opening match between Rey Fenix and Kommander. The low point was the squash match.
The matches were ok but none were better than good. The show structure was ok but the main event wasn’t the best match on the card. That honor was by far the Fenix-Kommander match. The atmosphere was very good as always with AEW crowds but wasn't the best. A few feuds were advanced but nothing exceptional. Production quality was good but there was not a theme to this episode.
On tonight’s Rampage: Ethan Page and Brother Zay challenge Aussie Open for the ROH Tag Team Titles. Rey Fenix takes on Kommander. And in the main event, AEW Women’s Champion Hikaru Shida teams up with Skye Blue to take on the Outcasts.
GOOD Rey Fenix vs Kommander:
Kommander disrupted a tope by jumping on the ring apron but Fenix still delivered some damage via kicks. Later, Rey Fenix delivered a diving double stomp but failed to make the pinfall. Impressively, Kommander reversed a powerbomb into a hurricanrana and then nearly pinned Fenix. The highlight of the match came when Kommander sprung off the top rope to hit a Canadian Destroyer. Despite the valiant effort by Kommander, Rey Fenix eventually put away his opponent to win the match.
Results: Rey Fenix by Pinfall
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
Dr. Britt Baker reminded us that she was the first woman to sign with AEW and will once again become AEW Women’s Champion.
ABOVE AVERAGE Ethan Page and Brother Zay vs Aussie Open for the ROH Tag Team Championships:
Aussie Open was in control for most of the match, sandwiching their opponents back first into each other. Finally, Page turned the match around and tagged in Zay. Brother Zay delivered a flurry of offense but lost momentum after Kyle Fletcher got his knees up to counter a Swanton Bomb. Aussie Open incapacitated Ethan Page with double super kicks and then finished off Brother Zay with a Coriolis. After the match, Aussie Open sent a message to MJF and Adam Cole the message that they have no shot of winning the titles
Results: Aussie Open by Pinfall via Coriolis
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 2.75 Stars
The Hardyz are after the ROH Tag Team Championships, calling out both Aussie Open and Better Than You Bay-Bay.
SQUASH – Sammy Guevara picked up a quick victory after hitting a GTH.
GOOD Toni Storm and ruby Soho vs AEW Women’s Champion Hikaru Shida and Skye Blue:
The Outcasts took an early advantage thanks to attacking Blue and Shida before the bell rang. Skye Blue got in little offense as Soho and Storm dominated the early part of this match. She and Shida fought their way back, despite cheating by the Outcasts in the form of spraying paint in Blue’s eyes. It wasn’t enough, as Hikaru Shida used a jackknife pin to pick up the victory. After the match, Brit Baker joined the four in a brawl.
Results: Hikaru Shida and Skye Blue by Pinfall
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3 Stars
Overall…
This was a pretty good episode of Rampage. The matches were decent and some feuds were advanced. The highlight was the opening match between Rey Fenix and Kommander. The low point was the squash match.
The matches were ok but none were better than good. The show structure was ok but the main event wasn’t the best match on the card. That honor was by far the Fenix-Kommander match. The atmosphere was very good as always with AEW crowds but wasn’t the best. A few feuds were advanced but nothing exceptional. Production quality was good but there was not a theme to this episode.
Matches: 0.25/1 Stars
Show Structure: 0.5/1 Stars
Atmosphere: 0.75/1 Stars
Storytelling: 0.5/1 Stars
Production/Theme: 0.75/1 Stars
Overall Rating. 2.75/5 Stars
Photo Credit: AEW
For inquiries about the rating criteria check out the article announcing the new system here: