Reviews

The John Report: AEW Rampage 01/14/22 Review

aew rampage jan 14

This week’s AEW Rampage featured the new Tag Team Champions Jungle Boy & Luchasaurus defending their titles against the Dark Order’s John Silver and Alex Reynolds in the main event.

This is AEW Rampage from the PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. It was taped on Wednesday night after Dynamite took place. Follow me on Twitter @johnreport. Let’s get to it.

It’s Friday and you know what that means. The commentary team was Excalibur, Taz, the yeller Chris Jericho and FTW Champion Ricky Starks. As mentioned above, it was taped after Dynamite.

Adam Cole entered with a 7-0 singles record. Cole had a lot of people with him for his entrance including girlfriend AEW Women’s Champion Britt Baker joining him at ringside. Trent Beretta entered with the Best Friends group and he had a record of 33-22 in his AEW career. I guess Trent is using the Berretta name again instead of being just Trent like he was in the past.

Adam Cole vs. Trent Beretta

They exchanged strikes, Cole grabbed a headlock and Trent hit an overhead suplex. Rent worked over Cole with repeated forearms along with a dropkick that sent Cole out of the ring where The Young Bucks, Bobby Fish, Kyle O’Reilly, the stooge Brandon Cutler and Britt Baker were. Trent went to the apron, so Cole tripped him up on the apron. Cole took over in the ring with a neckbreaker. Cole with a hard whip that sent Trent into the turnbuckle. Cole hit a neckbreaker for just a one count. Cole with a pump kick that led to Trent rolling out of the ring. Cole went for a Panama Sunrise on the floor, but Trent hit a back body drop to counter. Trent went for a Spear, Cole moved and sent Trent into the barricade. They went to a 90-second picture in picture commercial break.

(Commercial)

Cole and Trent were trading shots in the ring with Trent hitting a big chop followed by a forearm. Trent ducked a kick attempt by Cole and Trent hit a German Suplex. Trent with a running elbow in the corner followed by a swinging DDT for two. Cole got in some chops, he went to the turnbuckle, Trent followed Cole there and Trent hit a huge superplex for a two count with Trent holding his neck. Cole countered a Trent move and hit a Backstabber move with the double knees into the back of Trent. Cole wanted a superkick, Trent back up and a half n half suplex connected for Trent. Cole basically no sold that right into a suplex into the knee. They went to the apron with Trent hitting a piledriver on the apron, Trent sent Cole back in the ring and Cole countered a Trent move with a Canadian Destroyer. Cole jumped off ropes, Trent caught him with a Saito Suplex and then Trent hit a huge clothesline with Cole doing a flip bump. Trent charged in, Cole with a superkick, then a kick to the back of the neck and when Cole went for a Panama Sunrise, Trent hit the Strong Zero slam for two with Cole getting his foot on the bottom rope. The wrestlers on the floor got into a brawl, the inept referee was looking at that and then Cole got a low blow punch on Trent. Cole hit the Boom knee to the back of the head for the pinfall win after 12 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Adam Cole

Analysis: ***3/4 A very good match as expected any time Cole is in a match over ten minutes while Trent is a capable wrestler as well. Lots of selling by Trent early in the match, then Trent made the comeback and it was an even matchup at that point. What’s weird about these AEW matches is guys are hitting piledriver like moves back to back (one on the apron and then the Canadian Destroyer, which is like a piledriver) and basically no selling it five seconds later. These moves should be devastating match enders. Instead, they just get a two count. They no sell some of these piledrivers and suplexes, but the low blow is the deadliest move in all of wrestling, so that’s what got Cole the win in cheap fashion. On the plus side, all of the moves they do shows how talented these two are because they make every difficult move look easy.

Cole celebrated with his friends.

Analysis: Since Cole is 8-0 in singles matches in AEW, I think it makes a lot of sense for him to keep winning matches as the #1 ranked wrestler right now. I wouldn’t be shocked if he was the guy to challenge Hangman Page for the AEW World Title at the Revolution PPV on March 6.

(Commercial)

A video aired featuring comments from Thunder Rosa and Mercedes Martinez. Rosa complained about Martinez attacking her and next time she sees her, Rosa will see her in the ring. Martinez told Rosa to respect her name.

Shawn Spears entered for a rare match on television while bringing a chair to the ring. Spears is 41-17 in AEW. Lots of Youtube wins, I guess. Wardlow was with Spears, but Wardlow was not happy.

Shawn Spears vs. Andrew Everett

This was Everett’s AEW debut with Taz saying he had 17 years of experience. I know Everett from his Impact days. Spears avoided a charging Everett, then Everett hit a shoulder tackle. Everett went for a move off the ropes, but Spears caught him and hit the C4 for the pinfall win. It went just under one minute.

Winner by pinfall: Shawn Spears

Analysis: 1/2* A quick win for Spears to give him momentum before he loses to CM Punk on Dynamite.

Spears did a quick promo asking: “Is he really the best in the world?” The fans booed Spears as he said he was the guy that wasn’t supposed to make it. Spears said that he’s the guy that Max sends so that a message is sent. Spears said he doesn’t know where the line is until he crosses it. Spears said he’s the guy that you’ll never see coming. Spears said he’s the Chairman because one swing and you’ll remember him forever. The fans chanted for Wardlow. Spears said that next week, Punk is in the ring with a 20-year veteran while Punk can’t hang anymore because in this business, seven years off is seven years too long. Spears said he’ll expose Punk while ending it by saying that “The Chairman is coming.” Wardlow sarcastically offered up a thumbs up.

Analysis: The promo was fine. Spears is an experienced heel that is a good professional wrestler even though AEW barely puts him in the ring on television. I predict a CM Punk win over Shawn Spears. Not exactly a bold prediction.

The Acclaimed duo of Max Caster and Anthony Bowens did a promo from somewhere with some snow on the ground. Bowens was dressed like Darby Allin while Caster hit him in the back with an object and there was a random guy dressed as Sting. There was a rap video featuring some lyrics from Caster ripping on Sting and Allin by making fun of their looks among other things.

There was a six-woman tag with everybody in the ring. No time for entrances.

Nyla Rose, The Bunny & Penelope Ford vs. Kris Statlander, Leyla Hirsch & Red Velvet

Leyla tagged Statlander to star the match since those two women have had some issues in the past. Rose hit a belly to belly slam on Hirsch, but then Statlander and Bunny tagged in. Bunny and Statlander exchanged strikes, Bunny off the ropes and Statlander hit a powerslam. Velvet tagged in with Statlander slamming Velvet onto Bunny. Velvet hit a standing moonsault on Bunny. It sounded like some fake crowd noise being used. I don’t mind it because that’s what pro wrestling shows do. Just saying it was obvious. Rose tagged in with a running body block to knock down Velvet. They went to a picture in picture break.

(Commercial)

The match continued with Rose hitting a Chokeslam for a two count while Rose’s manager Vickie Guerrero was screaming about it. Rose missed a senton splash when Velvet moved and Statlander got the hot tag against Ford. Statlander with a forearm in the clothesline followed by a sitout Gordbuster suplex for two. Ford with an eye gouge, Statlander avoided a Cutter and Statlander locked in a Spider Crab submission. Vickie wit ha distraction, so Bunny superkicked Statlander. Bunny went for a move, but Statlander powered out of it and hit a Blue Thunder Bomb for two. Hirsch tagged in, she argued with Statlander, Bunny shoved Hirsch into Statlander and Bunny pinned Hirsch for the pinfall win after nine minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Nyla Rose, The Bunny & Penelope Ford

Analysis: **1/4 This was just an average tag team match. It’s nice to see The Bunny get the win since she loses far too often in AEW. They continued the story of Statlander and Hirsch having issues again, so that’s why their team lost. It looks Hirsch will be going heel.

The trio of Dan Lambert, Ethan Page and Scorpio Sky did a backstage promo. Ethan ripped on Cody saying he whooped his ass. Sky said he hasn’t lost a singles match in 210 days while claiming he’s not getting opportunities. Sky said he wanted the TNT Title whether it’s Cody Rhodes or Sammy Guevara. Sky said he’s the face of TNT and get used to it. Lambert didn’t even speak, which is shocking.

(Commercial)

Ricky Starks did a promo saying you do not piss off Ricky Starks and you do not get in Team Taz business. Starks said that he wants answers about what Jay Lethal was doing on Dynamite. Lethal made his entrance saying that Starks has been talking about him this entire episode. Lethal said for two months, he’s been watching what happened between Dante and Team Taz. Lethal said that ever since Starks became FTW Champion, there is no long line of challengers while ripping on Starks saying maybe he cares less about wrestling and more about what outfit to wear. Lethal said it could be because the FTW Championship isn’t even recognized by AEW, but it does mean a lot to Starks. Lethal issued a challenge for the title and said that he knows Ricky has to run it by Taz. Starks got up out of his chair, so referees showed up to break it up. Taz said that Lethal is not worthy of being the FTW Champion and Taz doesn’t give a shit about his history.

Analysis: I guess we are supposed to care about the FTW Title that everybody mocks and jokes about how it’s not even a real title in AEW. I’m glad Lethal has a storyline least. It should be a very good match whenever Starks faces Lethal.

Next Wednesday on AEW Dynamite:

* Adam Cole & Dr. Britt Baker vs. Orange Cassidy & Kris Statlander.

* CM Punk vs. Shawn Spears.

* Sting & Darby Allin vs. The Acclaimed (Anthony Bowens & Max Caster).

* Lee Johnson & Brock Anderson vs. FTR.

* TNT Champion Cody Rhodes returns.

* House of Black – Malakai Black & Brody King vs. Varsity Blonds

On Dynamite they said Serena Deeb vs. Skye Blue, but they didn’t mention that here.

Mark Henry did the split-screen main event interview. The Dark Order’s John Silver and Alex Reynolds were with Evil Uno. Reynolds and Silver played kazoos saying “Join Us.” Christian Cage said he gets that they were paying tribute to him (Edge & Christian did it on WWE TV in 2000 so 22 years ago) with Christian saying he made playing kazoos iconic, so imagine what he can do with Jungle Boy and Luchasaurus as Tag Team Champions. Christian said that there are levels to this game and the Dark Order is not on their level. Mark Henry said his catchphrase: “It’s time for the main event.”

(Commercial)

The Dark Order’s John Silver & Alex Reynolds entered for the title match with other members of The Dark Oder (Evil Uno & Anna Jay) joining them at ringside. The Jurassic Express duo of Jungle Boy & Luchasaurus entered as the AEW Tag Team Champions with Christian Cage joining them. I noticed they aren’t using The Jurassic Express name during the introduction.

AEW Tag Team Championships: Jungle Boy & Luchasaurus (w/Christian Cage) vs. Dark Order’s John Silver & Alex Reynolds (w/Evil Uno & Anna Jay)

The Dark Order guys have apparently won ten matches in a row. I don’t remember their last televised match, so a lot of Youtube wins. Boy did an impressive armdrag off the ropes followed by a dropkick. Luchasaurus tagged in with an overhead chop to the chest. Luchasaurus hit a running clothesline on Reynolds and Boy tagged in with a senton splash off the top rope. Reynolds got a backslide pin for two. Silver tagged in for the first time with an impressive boot to the face. Silver with a back body drop. Silver is so short, but he’s compact and full of muscle. Silver with a jumping kick on Boy and then jumped onto Luchasaurus on the floor. Boy jumped onto Silver, who caught him and Reynold hit a suicide dive for a double team suplex on the floor for two. They went to a picture in picture commercial break.

(Commercial)

Boy avoided a suplex by Silver, so Luchasaurus got the hot tag. Luchasaurus beat up both guys in the ring with running splashes in the corner followed by a double clothesline. Luchasaurus with a headbutt on Reynolds and then Luchasaurus gave Reynolds a Chokeslam on Silver for a two count. Boy tagged in, Silver with a forearm to Boy and sent Luchasaurus to the floor. Reynolds tagged in, Boy shoved Silver into the turnbuckle where Reynolds was. Boy went after Reynolds, then Silver went over there and Luchasaurus got involved. They did a four man Tower of Doom spot out of the corner. Good way to get a crowd reaction. Reynolds with a knee to Boy, superkick by Reynolds to Luchasaurus, double kick to Luchasaurus and Silver kicked Luchasaurus out of the ring. Reynolds with an elbow to Boy, Silver with a kick to the head, Stunner by Reynolds, Silver with a German Suplex and then Reynolds pined Boy for a two count. Crazy sequence of moves there! Jericho was screaming that he wanted to see a replay to see if it was a three count. Boy fought back with a clothesline on Reynolds, who I guess is legal. Luchasaurus with a headbutt on Silver and Boy hit a hurricanrana on Silver into Evil Uno in the floor. Luchasaurus back in illegally (what’s the point of having a referee?) and used his legs to drive Reynolds into the mat. Boy jumped off of Luchasaurus’ back with a Canadian Destroyer (because every match over ten minutes in AEW needs that move apparently) and that got a two count. Luchasaurus tagged in as if tags matter and kicked Silver off the apron. Luchasaurus swung Reynolds around and Boy hit a neckbreaker like move. Boy hit a suicide dive on Silver on the floor while Luchasaurus pinned Reynolds for the win after 13 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Jungle Boy & Luchasaurus

Analysis: ***1/2 A win for the champions in a competitive and entertaining match. The last few minutes were chaotic with blatant ignoring of tag team rules, but when it’s an AEW tag team match you just get used to it. They need to encourage wrestlers to do moves other than the Canadian Destroyer because it happens multiple times on AEW shows. It’s not like it is a body slam. It should be a special move. Reynolds and Silver work well together, I like the moves they do and they sell well. The champions are a great team as well with the fans loving them. The right team won since it’s early in the title reign of Jungle Boy and Luchasaurus. Winning fun matches like this on a regular basis is good for the champions.

The AEW Tag Team Champions Jungle Boy & Luchasaurus celebrated with their titles along with their unofficial uncle Christian Cage. That was the end of the show.

Three Stars of the Show

  1. Adam Cole
  2. Jungle Boy & Luchasaurus
  3. Trent Beretta/Alex Reynolds & John Silver

The Scoreboard

This Week: 7.25 out of 10

Last Week: 6.75

Final Thoughts

The opener and the main event were both great matches, so check those out. Adam Cole and Trent Beretta worked well together. The AEW tag team division rarely disappoints. It’s smart to have a Tag Team Title match in the main event and Jungle Boy/Luchasaurus getting a quality win over Reynolds/Silver is fine with me. The Canadian Destroyer is a very popular move in this company. I see it more than a body slam.

The rest was just average. Easy show to watch and get through as usual.

Thanks for reading. You can contact me using any of the methods below.

John Canton

Email: mrjohncanton@gmail.com

Twitter: @johnreport