{"id":143443,"date":"2022-07-24T10:17:13","date_gmt":"2022-07-24T15:17:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/?p=143443"},"modified":"2022-07-24T09:23:54","modified_gmt":"2022-07-24T14:23:54","slug":"aew-rampage-hits-and-misses-13","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2022\/07\/24\/aew-rampage-hits-and-misses-13\/","title":{"rendered":"AEW RAMPAGE HITS &#038; MISSES 7\/22: Wardlow promo hits, rap battle delivers and stand out, more"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pwtor-1638612897\" 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>Hangman Page and John Silver defeated Butcher and Blade: MINOR HIT<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The setup to this match on Dynamite was underwhelming, to say the least. While addition of Hangman in place of Alex Reynolds certainly added a bit of star power, it still felt underwhelming.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s sad to see where Hangman has landed after a hot title win and good feud with Bryan Danielson. His title reign was mostly underwhelming, and he feels like a complete non-factor on the shows since losing his title. Yes, I know he will likely be heated up again when Omega returns, but I\u2019d really like to see him excel in stories outside of the Elite bubble.<\/p>\n<p>The match itself was a solid opener, with two heavy-hitting heels squaring off against solid crowd favorites. However, it\u2019s nothing to sing home about, especially considering the poor build and lack of storyline implication.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Wheeler Yuta and Daniel Garcia Promo Package: MINOR HIT<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This was a nicely put together package to hype up their match at the ROH PPV. I still wish they would explain what \u201cPure Rules\u201d are, and it was odd to see Garcia portrayed in a more sympathetic light so suddenly. Many AEW wrestlers are under the false assumptions that throwing heavy, real-life-based bombs out of the blue is the key to emotional investment, and that\u2019s not always the case.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Claudio Castagnoli In-Ring Promo: MINOR HIT<\/strong><\/p><div id=\"pwtor-2602375684\" 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>Apart from when Claudio claimed to value fan cheers more than championships, this was alright. I wish they told a story between Claudio and Gresham for three-four weeks instead of that underwhelming feud with Lee Moriarty. I could have also done without Claudio semi-dancing to his music at the end.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Wardlow Video Promo: HIT<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This was short, simple, and effective. Good to keep Wardlow in people\u2019s minds, and he continues to make a good accounting of himself.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Lee Moriarty defeated Dante Martin: MINOR HIT<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The setup to this match last week on Rampage was pretty bad, and the lack of entrances really undercuts a talent\u2019s ability to get over.<\/p>\n<p>While it was nice to see two young studs put on a show, I don\u2019t think the match was stellar enough to out shadow the damage done to Moriarty\u2019s character last week. The obligatory mid-match commercial break didn\u2019t really help either.<\/p>\n<p>The finish was interesting with Moriarty holding the rope to pin Martin.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Post-Match Stuff: MINOR HIT<\/strong><\/p><div id=\"pwtor-358236450\" 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>Sydal, disgusted with Moriarty\u2019s tactics, challenged him to a match next week on Rampage. Moriarty also refused to take Stokely Hathaway\u2019s business card.<\/p>\n<p>At least we\u2019re seeing character direction and some week-to-week storytelling for Moriarty now. The performances were alright as well.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Serene Deeb-Mercedes Martinez Video Promo: MINOR HIT<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Very short with not much in the way of new dialogue. What each wrestler said was fine.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Britt Baker and Jamie Hayter defeated Skye Blue and Ashley D\u2019Amboise: MINOR HIT<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Extended squash, but I thought Baker and Hayter performed well as relentless heels. I usually rate these as \u201cIT HAPPENED\u201d but the match was effective enough to deserve a \u201cMINOR HIT\u201d instead.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Max Caster and Austin Gunn Rap Battle: IMPOSSIBLE TO RATE<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Austin Gunn\u2019s portion at the beginning had too many personal references I didn\u2019t know about for me to care. It would have gotten over more with me if I had more insight into the life of Max Caster.<\/p>\n<p>After that, there were times when I was entertained, and other times when I just couldn\u2019t understand what Caster was saying or implying. On the scale of \u201centertained\u201d vs. \u201cconfused,\u201d I lean more toward \u201centertained,\u201d but not by much.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Main Event Promo: MINOR HIT<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Is Christopher Daniels just someone they bust out now for ROH nostalgia? It seems like it, considering his last match was with Danielson the night Tony Khan announced his purchase of ROH. Before that, I was led to believe the Young Bucks retired him.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re a fan of ROH, this main event between Daniels and Lethal is probably more appetizing for you than me.<\/p>\n<p>In any case, the promo work alone was fine. Daniels made a good account of why he is challenging Lethal (even though his friendship with Joe is not established on AEW television), and Lethal was alright. Nothing stellar, but okay.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Jay Lethal defeated Christopher Daniels: MINOR HIT<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Solid wrestling match, and I can see why old-school ROH fans would eat up any remaining Christopher Daniels matches. However, as a non-ROH fan who isn\u2019t impressed with AEW\u2019s introduction of ROH content, if I didn\u2019t have to write this column, I don\u2019t think I would have stayed awake to see it.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Post-Match Beatdown of Christopher Daniels: MISS<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The beatdown itself was fine, but Caprice Coleman\u2019s over-reaction to a gentle-looking toss from Satnam Singh, Jim Ross\u2019s comparative lack of energy, and Sonjay Dutt\u2019s exaggerated facials just ruined it for me.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Commentary: 50-50<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Although there was no Jericho tonight, the commentary fell a little flat. It had its moments, but Ross wasn\u2019t as good as he has been the last few months. In his defense, this was an underwhelming card that had to follow the barbed wire match.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Overall Show: MISS<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Although the Wardlow promo is my only \u201cHIT\u201d of the show, you would miss nothing if you skipped that. I would instead refer you to the rap battle, which is worth going out of your way to see, and make up your mind.<\/p>\n<p>In addition, while I like that Moriarty isn\u2019t being phased off AEW TV after challenging for a world title, his story isn\u2019t compelling enough yet.<\/p>\n<p>Other than that, this was a nothing-burger of a show. Even some long-time ROH fans I know were unenthused tonight. It just felt a little empty and non-substantive. This would have been an underwhelming show even without the Vince McMahon retirement, but considering that context, this was utterly forgettable.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>CATCH-UP:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2022\/07\/23\/aew-rampage-tv-report-3\/\">7\/22 AEW RAMPAGE TV REPORT: Fyter Fest night two, Dante Martin vs. Lee Moriarty, more<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"pwtor-end-article-groups pwtor-entity-placement\" id=\"pwtor-2451597879\"><div id=\"pwtor-2672166701\"><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 Hangman Page and John Silver defeated Butcher and Blade: MINOR HIT The setup to this match on Dynamite was underwhelming, to say the least. While addition of Hangman in place <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2022\/07\/24\/aew-rampage-hits-and-misses-13\/\" title=\"AEW RAMPAGE HITS &#038; MISSES 7\/22: Wardlow promo hits, rap battle delivers and stand out, more\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":140124,"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":[6121,6558,6120],"class_list":["post-143443","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-opnionandanalysis","category-specialists_hitsandmisses","category-specialists","tag-aew","tag-aew-rampage","tag-all-elite-wrestling"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/post\/2022\/05\/Wardlow.jpeg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/143443","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=143443"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/143443\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":143444,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/143443\/revisions\/143444"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/140124"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=143443"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=143443"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=143443"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}