SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
AEW RAMPAGE HITS & MISSES
Eddie Kingston defeated Konosuke Takeshita: HIT
This was a very good opener that blended a technical and hard-hitting style. The crowd was behind Kingston, and Takeshita is slowly making a mark with his performances. I must say though: Kingston’s “collapse” onto Takeshita for the pinfall at the end looked really contrived. In addition, I don’t think Takeshita is at a level where he needs that much protection.
Next week, I hope we see Takeshita to do a promo explaining his character’s mission statement and constitution. I don’t want things to go down the same way as Daniel Garcia’s early career did, where he just randomly showed up to challenge people on Rampage main events.
Athena and Kris Statlander Backstage Promo: 50-50
The promo itself was fine, but it’s difficult to keep up with this story. For one, having two babyfaces gunning for the same heel (and actually getting along) feels weird. Secondly, they are usually in the same arena as Cargill. Why not DO something to make her notice you? Film some creative skits where Athena and Statlander make Cargill’s life miserable.
Hook Video Package: MINOR HIT
Just highlights. Some of his weaker segments were plastered over with quick shots that made him across better, so I think it worked in that regard.
Gates of Agony (Kaun and Toa) defeated Jonathan Gresham and Lee Moriarty: SHOULDER-SHRUGGING MISS
The match itself was okay, but I am apathetic toward the finish with Gresham turning on Moriarty. I was just getting to know Gresham through two episodes of promo work, and now they turn him heel. Someone who has only been on AEW TV two-three times turned on someone who rarely appears on TV, and sided with two debutants and a manager who is just returning from a long hiatus (after an underwhelming run with a previous faction).
Even if you’re an ROH fan, don’t you think the World Champion needs to be featured in a better way? And couldn’t this heel turn have worked with better with a different cast of characters?
Eddie Kingston Backstage Promo: MINOR HIT
The promo was good, but AEW hasn’t done enough to showcase the relationship between Ruby Soho and Eddie Kingston. Two or three months of segments devoted to that would have made this so much more impactful. Right now, it just feels random. That’s why I can’t give this Kingston promo a “HIT.”
Serena Deeb and Mercedes Martinez defeated Kayla Sparks and Christina Marie: MINOR HIT
The one-upsmanship between Deeb and Martinez continues in another quick squash. More of this has been done on shoulder programming than on TV, but the limited amount I have seen is fun. As ROH Women’s Champion, at least Martinez is in a “feud” with someone relevant.
Post-Match Attack: HIT
Well, the “reluctant partners” deal couldn’t go on for too longer. Deeb attacked Martinez and made it clear she wants her championship.
Jonathan Gresham and Tully Blanchard Backstage Promo: MINOR MISS
The explanation for Gresham teaming with Blanchard having to do with TV time makes some sense. However, the fact that the company sees fit to sit the ROH World champion at home and feature their Television and Pure champions on a regular basis suggests they don’t have much faith in his drawing power. Even in kayfabe, it devalues the ROH World Title.
Main Event Promo: MISS
While I thought Danhausen was entertaining on Dynamite, so much tonight. This whole segment was just “meh” or minor-chuckle at best.
Matt Sydal and Lee Moriarty Backstage Interview: MISS
So, Lee Moriarty requires someone to speak for him after he’s been screwed over? And how did these two become friends again?
Not only was the mic work unspectacular, Moriarty’s non verbals weren’t very convincing at all. By the way, per CageMatch, Moriarty has never won a match on AEW television, and his last televised match was five months ago. If AEW did a better job keeping Moriarty at least semi-relevant to their television audience after his good outings against Punk and Danielson months ago, he would be a far more credible challenger right now.
By the way, AEW, please stop putting separate promo segments AFTER the main event promo.
Orange Cassidy defeated Tony Nese: MINOR HIT
Decent match with a healthy dose of Cassidy-Danhausen-Stirling comedy. Fifteen minutes is ideal for a Rampage main event, but with someone who is defined at the level that Tony Nese is, I’m not so sure. Yes, he’s a good worker, but his star power just isn’t enough to sustain emotional investment in a long main event. If you halve the length, I think it would have been a really good, better-than-expected match.
I also got a kick out of Jim Ross defending the Cassidy gimmick against “old school fans.”
Commentary: MINOR HIT
The trio of Ross, Schiavone, and Excalibur is better than the four-man booth with two active wrestlers. That being said, these three have their own faults which take away from the commentary being able to add to the show. I wrote some expanded thoughts on this in my 07/01 column last week.
Overall Show: NARROW MISS
It’s difficult to give this show a verdict. Despite some good stuff, can I, in good conscience, ask a general audience to put aside an hour of their time to watch this show? I don’t think so. If you only watch AEW television, this show was quite forgettable.
The state of the ROH World Title on AEW TV right now is precarious. Even if you’re okay with all the belts we’re seeing, you can’t justify how defined down the ROH World champion is compared to every other singles champion.
When you take this show as a whole, there are so many pieces that desperately need more context and character build: Takeshita, the Deeb-Martinez alliance, the Kingston-Ruby relationship, Tony Nese, and basically everyone in the ROH World Title feud. Everywhere you look, you can’t help but feel like a chapter is missing or you would enjoy it a lot more if you put in more hours per week watching wrestling. This show felt like a giant sign that reads: “If you don’t watch DDT, ROH, and our shoulder programming, it sucks to be you.”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.