{"id":143811,"date":"2022-07-30T14:38:21","date_gmt":"2022-07-30T19:38:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/?p=143811"},"modified":"2022-07-30T14:38:21","modified_gmt":"2022-07-30T19:38:21","slug":"aew-rampage-hits-and-misses-14","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2022\/07\/30\/aew-rampage-hits-and-misses-14\/","title":{"rendered":"AEW RAMPAGE HITS &#038; MISSES 7\/29: Anna Jay and Lee Moriarty shine, Wardlow a miss, more"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pwtor-2406445063\" 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>Orange Cassidy and Best Friends defeated Jay Lethal, Sonjay Dutt, and Satnam Singh: MISS<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The setup to this match on Dynamite was awful in so many ways. I have talked about how I haven\u2019t been a fan of Sonjay Dutt\u2019s mic work, and he certainly hasn\u2019t gotten any better. As someone of Indian heritage myself, it\u2019s extra disappointing.<\/p>\n<p>In addition, while I was bullish on Trent Beretta as a gatekeeping, badass babyface for weeks, he\u2019s now a more amplified version of Chucky T. Pick a lane, and stick to it, please. Don\u2019t just remind us of your ability to work an aggressive style when you have to conclude an NJPW-based story.<\/p>\n<p>Satnam Singh is a cross between Omos and the Great Khali. He just did one slow running cross body and tagged right back out. In fact, the match reminded me of an AJ Styles and Omos vs. New Day match on Raw. Just toss in a heel manager who wrestles in a suit and isn\u2019t very funny.<\/p>\n<p>This would have at least an entertaining opener if not for the poor setup, Trent\u2019s character conundrums, and Dutt\u2019s poor execution of comedy.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Post-Match Stuff with Wardlow: MISS<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>After the match, the heels beat down the babyfaces and Wardlow ran out to make the save. I will echo Chris Jericho on commentary: \u201cWhat kind of allegiance does Wardlow have with Orange Cassidy?\u201d<\/p><div id=\"pwtor-3237266571\" 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>While I can assume they are building towards Lethal challenging for the TNT title, this set up made no sense. I would like to say I look forward to the Wardlow-Lethal rivalry, but Lethal hasn\u2019t been a part of single interesting story in AEW so far. In addition, why should the guy who lost his chance at the ROH television title be challenging for the TNT title?<\/p>\n<p>Alternatively, maybe it\u2019s Satnam Singh vs. Wardlow. Unless Singh can do more than chokeslam setups and a running cross body, brace yourselves for a marginally better version of Undertaker vs. Giant Gonzalez.<\/p>\n<p><strong>FTR Highlights Package: MINOR HIT<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>They showed highlights of FTR\u2019s title defense and post-match promo at Death Before Dishonor. I thought it was good, but a little haphazardly put together.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ethan Page defeated Leon Ruffin: IT HAPPENED<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Squash victory for Page. Stokely Hathaway was shown backstage watching the match, impressed by Page\u2019s performance. Curious to see how a Hathaway vs. Lambert verbal duel goes.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Cole Carter\/QT Marshall Backstage Interview: MISS<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I barely know who Cole Carter is, and QT Marshall wants him in the Factory (who almost exclusively wrestle on shoulder programming).<\/p><div id=\"pwtor-1763898977\" 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>Cole Carter not being able to say a word, listening to QT, and just making exaggerated angry facial expressions when QT left did not do him any good at all.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Lee Moriarty defeated Matt Sydal: HIT<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Very good match either side of the long commercial break. It was far from just a mid-show spot fest one might expect when reading this match on paper. What added to it is the character work of Moriarty, whose heel turn story has played out on TV over the past couple of weeks.<\/p>\n<p>Curious (and excited) to see how the Moriarty-Hathaway alliance plays out.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Britt Baker Backstage Promo: 50-50<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Britt seemed to be trying to stoke tension between Toni Storm and Thunder Rosa. This was just \u201cokay.\u201d I\u2019d much prefer Britt in a long-term upper-midcard storyline instead of just spinning her wheels and nipping at the champion\u2018s feet every now and then.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Claudio Castagnoli. Wheeler Yuta, and Chris Jericho Promo: MINOR HIT<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Claudio\u2019s part was fine. The fan reaction made it come across a smidge more special. I hope he can restore pride to the ROH World title after the horrendous booking quagmire it was in recently.<\/p>\n<p>Claudio also introduced ROH Pure champion, Wheeler Yuta. Jericho at the commentary desk interrupted him before he could talk. Thankfully, Yuta was able to interrupt him right back and challenge him to a match. Yuta certainly has to adjust his promo style if he wants to come across as more of a badass, but he needs reps like tonight to find his groove.<\/p>\n<p>While there wasn\u2019t any stellar mic work here, the crowd reaction and Jericho\u2019s non-verbals really added to the moment.<\/p>\n<p>People can make valid criticisms of the comedy that Jericho inserts into everything he\u2019s a part of, as well as the sheer abundance of title belts on these shows. However, it didn\u2019t bother me that much tonight.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Acclaimed Music Video: NARROW MISS<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>There were a ton of references to Billy Gunn\u2019s old WWF character here. While the \u201cAss Boys\u201d chant alone is enough to engage a newer audience despite lack of context, this video went too far into the insider\/clubhouse realm. It also really pushes the idea that the Gunns have no character traits (even roast-worthy ones) outside of being derivatives of their father. If this continues, I worry that they won\u2019t ever truly be able to form their own identity as a tag team.<\/p>\n<p>I don\u2019t want to discount the Acclaimed\u2019s work in putting this together though. Good, bad, or indifferent, I like seeing wrestlers flex their performative talents in various ways. And this video did have its entertaining moments. I just thought it was a bit counterproductive in the grand scheme of things.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Main Event Promo: 50-50<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Ruby Soho was fine, and while Anna Jay\u2019s performance was better than on Dynamite, she still comes across like she\u2019s just playing the role of heel. It\u2019s weird because I wanted her to go heel again during her babyface run, but her excellence seems to lie in being a quiet, serious, enforcer-type heel. I don\u2019t think this half-bombastic \u201csports entertainer,\u201d half \u201cchoker\u201d gimmick suits her. It reminds me too much of how Jericho\u2019s \u201cwizard\u201d line killed any investment I had in his dastardly actions. Perhaps Chris Jericho is not the best mentor for her.<\/p>\n<p>By the way, it was kind of rich how Dark Order didn\u2019t seem upset at all two nights ago when they lost Anna Jay. Nothing can shake their spirit, it seems.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Anna Jay (or Anna JAS) defeated Ruby Soho: MINOR HIT<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Good in-ring performance, especially by Anna. A better match than expected for sure. If she can keep improving in the ring, perfect a certain move set, and subtract some of the contrivance in her promos, she will be a money heel someday.<\/p>\n<p>However, Jericho\u2019s commentary was very counterproductive to selling her as any kind of serious threat. In addition, Excalibur\u2019s perpetually neutral-excited tone of voice did little to sell the fact that using her cast to win is a heelish move worthy of condemnation.<\/p>\n<p>In addition, considering how much Ruby has been phased away from television lately, I would have waited before booking this match tonight. Have Anna beat someone else and before pairing them off in a storyline (independent of who they are friends with).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Commentary: 50-50<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Ross, Schiavone, and Excalibur stayed for a third straight hour of commentary this week, and they were joined by Chris Jericho. I thought Jericho was actually fine (and true to character without being annoying) for most of the night, but things got way overboard in the main event.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Overall Show: NARROW MISS<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I can\u2019t give this show a complete \u201cMISS\u201d because it was a really important night in the young careers of Lee Moriarty and Anna Jay. I suggest you check out their stuff. Everything else can be skipped.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>CATCH-UP:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2022\/07\/29\/7-29-aew-rampage-fight-for-the-fallen-tv-report-page-vs-ruffin-soho-vs-ana-jay-main-event\/\">7\/29 AEW RAMPAGE FIGHT FOR THE FALLEN TV REPORT: Page vs. Ruffin, Soho vs. Ana Jay main event<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"pwtor-end-article-groups pwtor-entity-placement\" id=\"pwtor-1113438720\"><div id=\"pwtor-2921623267\"><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 Orange Cassidy and Best Friends defeated Jay Lethal, Sonjay Dutt, and Satnam Singh: MISS The setup to this match on Dynamite was awful in so many ways. I have talked <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2022\/07\/30\/aew-rampage-hits-and-misses-14\/\" title=\"AEW RAMPAGE HITS &#038; MISSES 7\/29: Anna Jay and Lee Moriarty shine, Wardlow a miss, more\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":135999,"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":[6121,6558,6120,6562],"class_list":["post-143811","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","tag-rampage"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/post\/2022\/03\/Anna-Jay-and-Tay-Conti.jpeg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/143811","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=143811"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/143811\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":143812,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/143811\/revisions\/143812"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/135999"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=143811"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=143811"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=143811"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}