AEW Rampage Review – July 7th 2023

This was an ok episode of Rampage. The highlight of the night was the opening match between the Elite and the Dark Order. The match was very good and they incorporated the feud between the BCC and the Elite into the finish. The lowlight of the night was the match between Hikaru Shida and Marina Shafir. The action was ok and the crowd wasn’t that into it.

The matches were mostly good but none quite reached the level of great. The show structure was fine but the show didn't lead up to the main event. The atmosphere was good as the crowd was into most of the matches. The tag tournament moved along and the BCC-Elite feud advanced but nothing compelling about the stories. Production was good but no theme.

On the 100th episode of Rampage: Hangman Adam Page, Nick Jackson, and Matt Jackson take on the Dark Order in trios action. Who will come out on top? The blind eliminator tag team tournament continues with two matches. Which teams will advance to the next round? And Hikaru Shida takes on Marina Shafir.

GOOD Hangman Adam Page and the Young Bucks vs the Dark Order:

Reynolds had conflicted feelings about fighting his former friend and retreated from the ring. The Bucks had no such feelings, striking Reynold with a kick to the face. Matt Jackson then hit Alex Reynolds with a couple of northern lights suplexes and then suplexed both Reynolds and John Silver. Later, Page countered a crossbody from Silver with a fallaway slam. In a good false finish, the Elite landed a Canadian Destroyer, a lariat, and an elbow drop but Alex Reynolds still kicked out. Just as it looked like the Elite had this one in the bag, Konosuke Takeshita showed up which distracted the ref. Evil Uno used this distraction to hit a low blow on Hangman while Claudio snuck in for an uppercut. Uno pinned Hangman Page to pick up the win. Kenny Omega saved his stablemates from further damage after the match.

Results: The Dark Order by Pinfall via Low Blow

QTV hyped up the tag team of QT Marshall and Johnny TV.

ABOVE AVERAGE Matt Hardy and Jeff Jarrett vs Sammy Guevara and Daniel Garcia:

Hardy and Garcia kicked off the match with some dance moves/hand gestures. Later on, Sammy Guevara went for a tope con hiro on Jeff Jarrett but Jarrett moved and Guevara landed on Jay Lethal instead. Sanjay Dutt distracted the referee in this match, giving Jay Lethal the chance to slide a guitar in for Matt Hardy to use as a weapon. Hardy wasn’t interested in a dirty win but the distraction provided by Lethal and Dutt ended up costing Hardy and Jarrett the match. Daniel Garcia made the pin after a move by Sammy Guevara. Jeff Jarrett and company beat down Matt Hardy after the match but Ethan Page came to the rescue of Hardy.

Results: Sammy Guevara and Daniel Garcia by Pinfall

AVERAGE Marina Shafir vs Hikaru Shida:

Shida was feeling the support of the crowd but she got distracted by their cheering. Shafir got back into the match with some strikes and a submission hold. Shida made a couple of lackadaisical covers but still came out with the win after hitting on a Katana.

Results: Hikaru Shida by Pinfall via Katana

Backstage, Kris Statlander promised to defend her TBS Championship anytime, anywhere.

GOOD Brian Cage and Big Bill vs Matt Sydal and Trent Beretta:

Sydal tried to use his speed against Brian Cage but Cage countered with his tremendous strength. Later, Big Bill got in the match and hit Trent Beretta with a chokeslam and then a fallaway slam. Sydal and Beretta got some momentum but focused on chopping down Big Bill, who was not legal at that point. When the two turned around they were greeted by a clothesline from Brian Cage. however, Beretta and Sydal nearly got the victory after a piledriver and double knees to Brian Cage. In the finish, Brian Cage lifted Matt Sydal in a powerbomb and Big Bill finished Sydal with a lariat.

Results: Brian Cage and Big Bill by Pinfall via Lariat

Overall…

The matches were mostly good but none quite reached the level of great. The show structure was fine but the show didn’t lead up to the main event. The atmosphere was good as the crowd was into most of the matches. The tag tournament moved along and the BCC-Elite feud advanced but nothing compelling about the stories. Production was good but no theme.