This was an ok episode of AEW Rampage. The matches were fine but not much storytelling to the matches. The highlight of the show was the trios match in which the BCC defeated Bandido and the Best Friends. The low point of the show was the main event. The match was fine but the crowd reaction wasn't great and it was obvious that Dustin was going to win in his hometown.
The match score was hurt because the matches had good action but not a lot of stories. The show structure was ok but the outcome of most of the matches seemed obvious. The atmosphere was generally good but not great at all points. Most stories were advanced but not to a great level. Production was good but no theme to the show.
On tonight’s AEW Rampage: the Acclaimed and Billy Gunn are in tag team action against the Varsity Athletes. Will Daddy Ass and Co pick up the victory? The Blackpool Combat Club takes on the team of Bandido and the Best Friends. Will BCC continue its rampage? We hear from the Hardys. What will they have to say in the latest war of words with Ethan Page? And Dustin Rhodes takes on Bishop Kaun. Will the Natural pick up the victory in his hometown?
GOOD Bandido and the Best Friends against the Blackpool Combat Club:
Moxley initially overpowered Bandido but the masked luchador managed to fight his way out of it. Later, Claudio Castagnoli hit Chuck Taylor with a vertical suplex and followed that up with an elbow. Claudio was on the receiving end of Bandido’s athleticism as the latter reversed a powerbomb into a hurricanrana. In the finish, Wheeler Yuta landed a splash to score the win.
Results: Blackpool Combat Club by Pinfall via Splash
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
Kyle Fletcher called out Orange Cassidy and said the International Championship would be the next title Fletcher put around his waist.
SQUASH – Jade Cargill squashed two jobbers back to back before Taya Valkyrie came to the ring to challenge Cargill at Double or Nothing.
GOOD the Acclaimed and Billy Gunn vs Varsity Athletes:
Gunn trash-talked the Varsity Athletes but failed to hit a famouser early in the match. The Varsity Athletes never got much offense going, aside from a big kick from Tony Nese. in the end, Max Caster won the match on a Mic Drop.
Results: the Acclaimed and Billy Gunn by Pinfall via Mic Drop
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3 Stars
QTV is excited for Collision to start, as it means a new platform for Powerhouse Hobbs to dominate.
GOOD the Hardys and Isaiah Cassidy:
Matt Hardy said he is looking forward to taking control of Ethan Page’s contract. Then Ethan Page came to the ring, trying to distance himself from what the Gunns promised on his behalf last week. It was all a swerve, as the Gunns snuck up on the Hardys and Cassidy in an attack. Page ended by telling the trio he will see them at Double or Nothing.
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3 Stars
Chris Jericho called Adam Cole a coward for attacking him outside the arena on Wednesday. Cole then appeared on screen and addressed Jericho, leading to the agreement for an unsanctioned match between them at Double or Nothing. As a result, the restraining order on Cole is null and void, so he can enter the building. The two briefly brawled as security separated them.
ABOVE AVERAGE Bishop Kaun (w/Prince Nana) vs Dustin Rhodes (w/Keith Lee):
Despite an attack before the match, Rhodes was able to gain the advantage over Kaun. However, Kaun turned things around when he threw Dustin Rhodes head-first into the camera. Later, Dustin Rhodes hit Kaun with a Code Red and a piledriver but that wasn’t enough to pick up the win. In the finish, Rhodes landed the Final Reckoning to make the pinfall victory. After the match, Swerve Strickland, Brian Cage, and Bishop Kaun beat down Dustin and later Keith Lee.
Results: Dustin Rhodes by Pinfall via Final Reckoning
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 2.75 Stars
Overall…
This was an ok episode of AEW Rampage. The matches were fine but not much storytelling to the matches. The highlight of the show was the trios match in which the BCC defeated Bandido and the Best Friends. The low point of the show was the main event. The match was fine but the crowd reaction wasn’t great and it was obvious that Dustin was going to win in his hometown.
The match score was hurt because the matches had good action but not a lot of stories. The show structure was ok but the outcome of most of the matches seemed obvious. The atmosphere was generally good but not great at all points. Most stories were advanced but not to a great level. Production was good but no theme to the show.
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
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