{"id":147097,"date":"2022-10-03T10:46:56","date_gmt":"2022-10-03T15:46:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/?p=147097"},"modified":"2022-10-03T10:46:56","modified_gmt":"2022-10-03T15:46:56","slug":"aew-rampage-hits-and-misses-21","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2022\/10\/03\/aew-rampage-hits-and-misses-21\/","title":{"rendered":"AEW RAMPAGE HITS &#038; MISSES 9\/30: Confusing Adam Page segment, Rush vs. John Silver, more"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pwtor-2607881784\" 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>The Acclaimed defeated Butcher and Blade and Private Party in a Triple Threat Tag Match to retain the AEW Tag Titles: HIT<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A nice, exciting first-title defense by the Acclaimed. Triple Threat tag rules are always a bit weird, but what bothers me more is the fact that this wasn\u2019t the main event on a card like tonight\u2019s. Doesn\u2019t bode well for the rest of the show.<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019ve now gone several weeks where challengers for title matches have been randomly assigned. The rankings on AEW\u2019s website haven\u2019t even been updated since August 31st.<\/p>\n<p>Lastly, Jim Ross seems to be a little too infatuated with the Acclaimed.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Firm (Gunns) Backstage Interview: IT HAPPENED<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Gunns mocked all the titles held by FTR and set their sights on the Acclaimed. I do share these sentiments to some extent. When a promotion you watch loyally is flooded with belts from promotions you don\u2019t watch, it does create a frustration to the point where you want to mock that. However, this just made the Gunns come across low rent.<\/p>\n<p>The only noteworthy element of this is the news that FTR at in London defending one of the titles\u2026for those of you that were wondering why they weren\u2019t on Dynamite last week.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Jade Cargill and Nyla Rose Backstage Segment: IT HAPPENED<\/strong><\/p><div id=\"pwtor-3253458416\" 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>Nyla has a new look and a new friend, apparently. Other than that, there was nothing spectacular about this segment. Nyla is always a stepping stone for champions. I\u2019ve given up on expecting her to be in any kind of compelling storyline.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Lee Moriarty (w\/ Stokely Hathaway and W. Morrissey) defeated Fuego Del Sol: IT HAPPENED<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>As someone who has covered Rampage since day 1, I always get a kick out of seeing Fuego. Unfortunately, that\u2019s not enough to get me to enjoy this. Much love to Fuego\u2019s selling ability, but I\u2019m justifiably cynical when I see Moriarty now.<\/p>\n<p>The only way this squash match was productive is if Moriarty is given a few-month run on television as a solid mid-card heel. He was taken off TV for several weeks after the company built up his heel turn on Rampage. Let the man accumulate some wins on consecutive weeks of television before he moves into a story to challenge for the ROH Pure title. I\u2019m happy to let the entire thing play out on Rampage alone if Dynamite is too busy. However, if Moriarty just disappears again, this was a complete waste of time.<\/p>\n<p>By the way, remember how Ethan Page complained about his lack of TV time then got recruited by Hathaway? He then disappeared from TV for weeks, came back to help MJF at All Out, and then set a course for the All-Atlantic title. Well, his first victory since joining Hathaway\u2019s group was against Danhausen two weeks ago. I thought that was the beginning of string of wins on Rampage leading up to a title match. How na\u00efve of me. He\u2019s off TV AGAIN and hasn\u2019t even had a match on Dark that Danhausen match.<\/p>\n<p>This is what I suspect will happen to Moriarty as well. Random televised matches here and there leading to an ROH Pure title match with an undercooked story. Please prove me wrong.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Hangman Page + Dark Order + Andrade + Ethan Page Backstage Segment: MISS<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This was a very disjointed, mess of a segment. It led in with Hangman being interviewed regarding his title show against Moxley, but he didn\u2019t talk much before Andrade interrupted and challenged 10 to a match on \u201cBrodie Lee\u2019s Last Match Anniversary.\u201d Apparently, if Andrade wins, 10 gives up his mask. 10 also mentioned that if he wins, Andrade leaves AEW.<\/p><div id=\"pwtor-691142434\" 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>Okay, so I understand they are playing into the rumors of Andrade possibly leaving the company, but I\u2019d expect a heel throw in such unfair terms onto a match. I don\u2019t expect 10 to lose, given the occasion, but the company could have at least done a better job building him up to be able to credibly send Andrade out of the company.<\/p>\n<p>After that, Ethan Page came in to comment on\u2026Andrade\u2019s leadership skills? What? Why does he even care? Shouldn\u2019t be focussing on getting the All-Atlantic title?<\/p>\n<p>A very confusing segment all round.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Jamie Hayter defeated Willow Nightingale: HIT<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Good match. I liked this more than the opener, actually. Nightingale has a very awesome and unique kind of charisma, and Hayter is pretty over with the crowd.<\/p>\n<p>AEW really missed the ball by not having Hayter turn on Baker while the fans are hot for it. What\u2019s worse is she reunited with her like she wasn\u2019t even upset in the first place. At the very least, take away some of the happiness of the friendship. Let her show a heightened sense of caution and exercise some agency within Baker\u2019s faction.<\/p>\n<p>Go back and watch some tape of Batista in Evolution, or even Wardlow and MJF, and study the non-verbals. You don\u2019t have to copy those, but this isn\u2019t a difficult story to tell. There\u2019s still time to rectify this though.<\/p>\n<p><strong>War-Joe Video Package: NARROW MISS<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This had potential, but Samoa Joe\u2019s over-modulation kind of ruined it for me. I find him much more effective when he\u2019s calmly menacing.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ryan Nemeth-Hook-Trustbusters Segment: MISS<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s telling that AEW decided to play Hook\u2019s music throughout his beatdown of Ryan Nemeth. I didn\u2019t get the sense they did it because it added to the ambience. The crowd was pretty subdued, and<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m intrigued by the idea of Hook joining the Trustbusters. His act has cooled off considerably in recent months. I think fans were expecting him to be having more competitive singles matches (and perhaps even a title) by this point.<\/p>\n<p>To anyone complaining about him joining a faction again, you realize he first got over as a background player within a faction, right? I see it as a lateral move at best. A faction will allow him to continue to accentuate strengths and mask weaknesses as he continues to train for longer matches.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Video Package on Swerve Strickland at Rolling Loud: MISS<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Tony Schiavone narrated a video package of Strickland going to Rolling Loud \u2013 a rap music festival. I typically enjoy seeing wrestlers showing off cool hobbies outside of the wrestling ring, but this didn\u2019t sit well with me. Swerve appeared a little too happy to be at that concert after losing the tag titles, and when you have Schiavone saying that \u201che\u2019s furious about Billy Gunn\u2019s actions at Grand Slam,\u201d the narration is very dissonant with the video content.<\/p>\n<p>If Swerve really was going there for a \u201cdistraction,\u201d I would have preferred if he narrated the video himself and took us on his emotional rollercoaster journey. Show us some agony of defeat first, then explain how you\u2019re distracting and refreshing yourself from it so you can come back focussed. That would have been much more compelling than what we saw here.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Jon Moxley \u2013 Hangman Page Video Package: 50-50<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Mostly good stuff here. Some may find the ending funny where Hangman talks up his desire for the people\u2019s support then someone behind the camera reminds him that the match will be in Moxley\u2019s hometown.<\/p>\n<p>I think the end was a little counterproductive. Save that for a sitcom and keep it out of World title match promos. It made Hangman look a little na\u00efve and unserious, and possibly gears up an excuse for when he does lose the match.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Main Event Promo: NARROW MISS<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This was on the higher end of a John Silver main event promo. However, I\u2019m sorry, but this just isn\u2019t worth a television main event. I still don\u2019t know who Rush is, and while I like Silver, I don\u2019t like him enough to stay entertained by his matches at 10.45 pm on a Friday night. He\u2019s someone I would want to do my wedding toast or be there for me when I\u2019m having a rough time, but not someone I want to see wrestling singles main events.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Trent Beretta video promo on PAC: IT HAPPENED<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Another promo sandwiched between a main event promo and the match. Meh. I suppose it keeps the Death Triangle \u2013 Best Friends story going.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Rush defeated John Silver: MINOR HIT<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Well, the right guy went over. The Dark Order is to Hangman what Butcher and Blade are to Andrade, so Silver losing isn\u2019t a big deal. The match was fine but nothing that will keep me awake at this hour if I didn\u2019t have to write a column on the show.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Post-Match: NARROW MISS<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>After the match, Andrade, Butcher and Blade, and Dark Order ran in to brawl. This culminated in Hangman Page coming out to tip the odds in Dark Order\u2019s favor. Not my favorite brawl. It looked contrived at points.<\/p>\n<p>Honestly, though, I could not care less about this Dark Order-Andrade Family Office story. 10 doesn\u2019t look like he has a chance against Andrade, if not for \u201cBrodie Lee\u2019s Last Match Anniversary.\u201d The story will probably be worth it if 10 turns heel and aligns with Andrade, or at least if it leads to a singles babyface push. However, if 10 just beats Andrade and sinks back to Dark and BTE, this will have been a waste of time. I\u2019d much rather have Hangman beat Andrade in that case.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Commentary: MINOR HIT<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Jim Ross, Excalibur, and Tony Schiavone tonight. The old Dynamite trio back together again. I barely even notice Schiavone anymore, to be honest, Jim Ross is a little too heavy-handed with his praise for certain talents, to the point of contrivance. It feels like he\u2019s trying to address social media rumors instead of reacting organically. However, the commentary was fine.<\/p>\n<p>By the way, next Wednesday is National Scissoring Day. Excalibur and Schiavone both said it with a straight face.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Overall Show: MINOR HIT<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Above-average show for Rampage\u2019s recent standards. Go out of your way to watch Hayter vs. Nightingale, as that match really made Hayter look good. However, the backstage interviews and video packages were a bit of a mess tonight.<\/p>\n<p>To quote PWTorch Assistant Editor Zack Heydorn, good matches can\u2019t compensate for underdeveloped characters and undercooked storylines.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>CATCH-UP:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2022\/09\/30\/aew-rampage-tv-report-10\/\">9\/30 AEW RAMPAGE TV REPORT: Rush vs. John Silver, The Acclaimed tag title defense, more<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"pwtor-end-article-groups pwtor-entity-placement\" id=\"pwtor-3604399340\"><div id=\"pwtor-864243467\"><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>The Acclaimed defeated Butcher and Blade and Private Party in a Triple Threat Tag Match to retain the AEW Tag Titles: HIT A nice, exciting first-title defense by the Acclaimed. Triple Threat tag rules are <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2022\/10\/03\/aew-rampage-hits-and-misses-21\/\" title=\"AEW RAMPAGE HITS &#038; MISSES 9\/30: Confusing Adam Page segment, Rush vs. John Silver, more\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":94630,"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-147097","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\/2020\/03\/Screen-Shot-2020-03-13-at-12.50.46-AM.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/147097","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=147097"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/147097\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":147098,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/147097\/revisions\/147098"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/94630"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=147097"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=147097"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=147097"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}