{"id":136744,"date":"2022-04-02T11:14:18","date_gmt":"2022-04-02T16:14:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/?p=136744"},"modified":"2022-04-02T11:18:07","modified_gmt":"2022-04-02T16:18:07","slug":"aew-rampage-hits-misses-4-1-curious-hook-and-danhausen-segment-bucks-flight-bring-the-fun-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2022\/04\/02\/aew-rampage-hits-misses-4-1-curious-hook-and-danhausen-segment-bucks-flight-bring-the-fun-more\/","title":{"rendered":"AEW RAMPAGE HITS &#038; MISSES 4\/1: Curious Hook and Danhausen segment, Bucks\/Flight bring the fun, more"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pwtor-878677335\" class=\"pwtor-before-content pwtor-entity-placement\"><hr \/><b>SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)... <\/b>\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/widget.spreaker.com\/player?show_id=3076978&theme=light&playlist=false&playlist-continuous=false&autoplay=false&live-autoplay=false&chapters-image=true&episode_image_position=right&hide-logo=false&hide-likes=false&hide-comments=false&hide-sharing=false&hide-download=true\" width=\"100%\" height=\"140px\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe>\r\n<hr \/><\/div><p><strong>AEW RAMPAGE HITS &amp; MISSES<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>The Young Bucks defeated Top Flight: HIT<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>No entrances for this one, as usual. However, AEW did air the entrances \u201cexclusively\u201d on their YouTube channel, which is better than nothing, I suppose. I still prefer seeing entrances on the main product.<\/p>\n<p>While the sequence of spots in a Young Bucks match continues to be implausible (at least with certain opponents), their heel characters have enough good mannerisms in between moves to keep me intrigued. In fact, I had more fun watching this match compared to the original, when Top Flight were less experienced and the Bucks were babyfaces.<\/p>\n<p>At the end of the match, it sounded like they had Excalibur in a studio provide some extra commentary reminding us of FTR\u2019s challenge to the Bucks on Dynamite. I think that\u2019s a good use of post-production.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Kris Statlander Video Feature: MINOR HIT<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Good pizzaz showing that Statlander is taking a bit more of a serious\/sinister turn, without really abandoning her allies or turning heel. However, as is usual with AEW, I can\u2019t help but feel like a few middle chapters are missing with this.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Men of the Year In-Ring Promo + Guevara and Conti Segment: MINOR HIT<\/strong><\/p><div id=\"pwtor-4147133618\" class=\"pwtor-content pwtor-entity-placement\"><div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280 __336x280\" id=\"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p>This segment was a little better than last week on Dynamite. Lambert alluded to how ridiculous Guevara and Conti\u2019s antics are while still trying to \u201cdo business\u201d and be even more unlikable than them.<\/p>\n<p>The babyfaces, meanwhile, instead of trying to go meta to explain themselves, did the classic \u201cbeat up the heel\u2019s expensive car.\u201d That\u2019s the basic kind of pro wrestling angle I enjoyed as a kid, and it\u2019s pretty timeless.<\/p>\n<p>I understand the bar has been set low for this feud, but I\u2019ll give credit where it\u2019s due. I wasn\u2019t left rolling my eyes too much at the end of this, and I like it when Rampage features angles and segments instead of just a string of matches and brief promos.<\/p>\n<p>The only questionable element of this was Guevara\u2019s shirt. I\u2019m not sure if \u201cEw, people\u201d is meant to refer to some kind of introversion (which would be cool, but isn\u2019t really consistent with his TV character), or another eye-rolling, meta criticism of social media fans. In either case, it didn\u2019t make any sense.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s also weird that Jericho, while was hostile toward Lambert last week, sympathized with his car this week. You can argue but he only cared about the car, but I\u2019m happy to see Jericho protesting babyfaces.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Hook Backstage Interview: 50-50<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Hook didn\u2019t say a word. Danhausen came in immediately and started rambling about stuff. Honestly, I couldn\u2019t understand half of what he said, but I laughed at his reaction to Hook no-selling the curse.<\/p>\n<p>Good to keep Hook silent, but associating him with Danhausen might have the same effect as Goldust putting a wig on Goldberg not long after Goldberg\u2019s WWE debut. I trust Hook is over enough to not be too negatively impacted by this, but like with Goldberg, the effect can be subtle.<\/p><div id=\"pwtor-3644641975\" class=\"pwtor-content-1 pwtor-entity-placement\"><!-- Tag ID: pwtorchcom_test_300x600 -->\r\n<div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280 __300x600\" id=\"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><strong>House of Black defeated Fuego Del Sol and Dark Order\u2019s Evil Uno and Stu Grayson: MINOR HIT<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Last week on AEW Rampage, Dark Order came to stare down House of Black after they attacked Fuego. It felt random, but this week the announcers explained that the Dark Order has a tendency to help out defenseless wrestlers (certainly news to me; but at least there\u2019s some explanation).<\/p>\n<p>House of Black picked up a dominant victory, despite some nice hope spots. The match felt a bit like a re-run of HoB vs. Fuego and Bear Country from two-weeks ago. At some point, they need to put Fuego behind them and start getting into some serious feuds.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Young Bucks Promo on FTR: HIT<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This was a good, acceptably humorous promo, but you can argue that the Bucks leaned a little too much on their out-of-AEW accomplishments. Given AEW\u2019s short history, I don\u2019t mind. However, this promo wouldn\u2019t work for me five or ten years from now (at least from non-debutants).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Jamie Hayter defeated Skye Blue: HIT<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A decisive win for Hayter. Seems like they are building her up for a little push; perhaps a feud with Baker. Curious to see where this goes on AEW Rampage moving forward.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Penta Oscuro Promo: HIT<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Penta was good as always, and Alex Abrahantes came off less campy than the last time they cut a similar promo. I don\u2019t know how far they\u2019ll stretch this Oscuro character though.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Main Event Promo: HIT<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I was worried this would open the show, as most marquee matches on AEW Rampage tend to do, but I\u2019m glad to see it rightfully in the main event slot.<\/p>\n<p>Another solid promo battle for a Rampage main event. We\u2019ve had two-three good weeks of this now. Keith Lee\u2019s cool, calm, and collected demeanor pairs nicely with the serious look he gives at the end of these.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Keith Lee defeated Powerhouse Hobbs: HIT<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Good fight. Very entertaining AEW Rampage main event. There was interference from Starks that Lee had to fight off (with help from Swerve Strickland), but <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TrueWillieHobbs\/status\/1510122294995152897\">Hobbs<\/a> was kept strong with a visual pin as the referee was distracted.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Post-Match Beatdown with Team Taz: MINOR HIT<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>After the match, Starks took out Strickland and came in to continue to beat on Lee. Lee managed to ward off Starks at every turn, even when Starks had a chair, but the distractions allowed Hobbs to strike and make him fall.<\/p>\n<p>I thought Starks was made to look considerably weaker than Hobbs here (or you can argue that Hobbs was made to look stronger than Starks). Given the fact that Starks has won his television matches and Hobbs hasn\u2019t, I suppose you needed Lee to boss around at least one of the heels so he can retain some dignity, but there\u2019s really no shame in being ganged up on and beaten down by two guys with a weapon. I would have preferred if they stuck to basics here.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Commentary: MINOR HIT<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Like last week, it was acceptable, but didn\u2019t make the show significantly better or worse. Jericho was less \u201call over the place\u201d than previous weeks.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Overall Show: HIT<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I like judging AEW by its own merits instead of looking at the rest of the wrestling landscape. However, you have to make an exception for WrestleMania week. This week, of all weeks, it\u2019s better to put on an entertaining show that keeps things going instead of featuring major angles. By those standards, this is exactly what it needed to be.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>CATCH-UP:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2022\/04\/01\/4-1-aew-rampage-tv-report-keith-lee-vs-powerhouse-hobbs-young-bucks-vs-top-flight-house-of-black-vs-dark-order\/\">4\/1 AEW RAMPAGE TV REPORT: Keith Lee vs. Powerhouse Hobbs, Young Bucks vs. Top Flight, House of Black vs. Dark Order<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"pwtor-end-article-groups pwtor-entity-placement\" id=\"pwtor-2955482847\"><div id=\"pwtor-3174029769\"><div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280\" id=\"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\nTHANK YOU FOR VISITING<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mh-excerpt\"><p>AEW RAMPAGE HITS &amp; MISSES The Young Bucks defeated Top Flight: HIT No entrances for this one, as usual. However, AEW did air the entrances \u201cexclusively\u201d on their YouTube channel, which is better than nothing, <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2022\/04\/02\/aew-rampage-hits-misses-4-1-curious-hook-and-danhausen-segment-bucks-flight-bring-the-fun-more\/\" title=\"AEW RAMPAGE HITS &#038; MISSES 4\/1: Curious Hook and Danhausen segment, Bucks\/Flight bring the fun, more\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":129970,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"episode_type":"","audio_file":"","podmotor_file_id":"","podmotor_episode_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","itunes_episode_number":"","itunes_title":"","itunes_season_number":"","itunes_episode_type":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[52,28,27],"tags":[6121,6558,6562],"class_list":["post-136744","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-opnionandanalysis","category-specialists_hitsandmisses","category-specialists","tag-aew","tag-aew-rampage","tag-rampage"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/post\/2021\/12\/Screen-Shot-2021-12-17-at-2.54.09-AM.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/136744","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=136744"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/136744\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":136749,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/136744\/revisions\/136749"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/129970"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=136744"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=136744"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=136744"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}