The John Report: AEW Rampage 02/11/22 Review
This week’s AEW Rampage saw Jungle Boy & Luchasaurus put the Tag Team Titles on the line against the Gunn Club while the Young Bucks dealt with old rivals Roppongi Vice.
This is AEW Rampage from the Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. It was taped on Wednesday. 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 is back after retaining his “coveted” title on Rampage last week.
The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson) vs. Roppongi Vice (Trent Beretta & Rocky Romero)
The wrestlers were in the ring to start the show. Trent with a back elbow to knock Nick out of the ring while Romero hit Nick with hurricanrana on the floor. The announcers put over their New Japan history together. The Vice boys did a knee strike and a clothesline. The Vice guys hit corner clotheslines on both Bucks and a double clothesline to send Nick out of the ring. Double knee strike by Vice. I think all four guys were in the ring for about 30 seconds there. It’s AEW. They don’t like tag team rules. Young Bucks ran up the ramp, the Vice guys went after them and the Young Bucks did a double superkick on the ramp. The Bucks ran back in the ring, the referee had to run back in the ring and then they pretended as if countouts matter with the referee doing a count, but Romero made it back in. Young Bucks hit some tag team moves to take control as they sent both opponents out of the ring. Nick hit a moonsault off the top onto both guys on the floor. Excalibur has mentioned New Japan about 25 times in the first five minutes of this match. Orange Cassidy went under the ring, then Danhausen came out from under the ring and he pointed at the Young Bucks with Jericho screaming that he didn’t want to be cursed. Trent and Rocky hit dives on both Young Bucks on the floor. Why did the referee do a countout earlier, but then didn’t do a countout when both Bucks were out of the ring? Because he sucks. Romero back in with a neckbreaker on Matt for a two count. They went to a 90-second picture in picture break.
(Commercial)
The Bucks were in control with Matt mocking Romero trying to make a hot tag, then Matt tagged himself in (what a dumb spot) even though he was legal and Matt did a clothesline. Young Bucks mocked the Best Friends hug in the ring. Romero jumped up with a double hurricanrana followed by a double clothesline. Trent tagged in with an overhead suplex on Matt and a Tornado DDT on Nick. Trent with a half n half suplex on Matt on the floor. Trent had Nick on his shoulders on the floor leading to Romero hitting a running knee to knock down Nick. Romero jumped off the top rope with a double foot stomp to the back of Nick and Trent hit a running knee strike for two. Trent and Nick hit German Suplexes on eachother, Matt into the ring illegally, Romero and Trent each hit German Suplexes, the Bucks each hit double superkicks and then double clotheslines from the Vice guys. Matt tagged in against Romero leading to Rocky getting some kicks to the head and a counter into a pin for two. Trent tagged back in, the Bucks went for a double team move, Romero blocked it with the knees, Trent hit a German Suplex off the top on Matt and then the Strong Zero for two as Nick shoved Romero onto them to break the pin. The fans chanted “this is awesome” for them. Vice hit a Doomsday Device clothesline, Matt landed on his feet and the Bucks hit a Meltzer Driver for two because Trent broke up the pin. Double superkick by the Bucks on Trent. Bucks hit the BTE Trigger double knees to the face of Romero for the pinfall win after 13 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: The Young Bucks
Analysis: ***3/4 That was a fun match for sure. It’s a typical Young Bucks match where the action is fast-paced and exciting to watch, but they do a terrible job of trying to follow the rules. It’s AEW refereeing where the rules are optional. When you follow them sometimes and ignore them at others, it makes it even worse. My main issue is that you can still have a great tag team match while trying to follow the rules the way FTR does. I like that style better than what the Bucks do. With that said, I have to credit the Bucks and the Vice guys for working hard and having a very entertaining match. The crowd was into it too, so that’s what matters.
After the match, the stooge Brandon Cutler went into the ring with his camera and spray to interact with Orange Cassidy. That led to Cassidy’s comedy kick routine and an Orange Punch. The Bucks went into the ring and hit Cassidy with a double superkick. Trent chased them out of the ring. Jay White went into the ring and hit the Bladerunner neckbreaker on Trent to stand tall.
Analysis: That was Jay White’s first time in an AEW ring. It was a good way to have some post match interaction.
(Commercial)
The commentary team was shown. Ricky Starks said next week it will be Powerhouse Hobbs vs. Dante Martin on Rampage in a qualifying match for the Face of the Revolution Ladder Match.
Bryan Danielson was interviewed by Tony Schiavone with Bryan telling us that Jon Moxley likes to fight. Bryan said he wants a long-term relationship to help build AEW while CM Punk got a one night stand with Moxley. Matt Sydal walked up to him with Lee Moriarty saying he didn’t like what Bryan said about Lee. Bryan said Lee needs to learn violence. Lee said if you want violence, he can show him violence and Bryan told him to show his violence in a match on Dynamite next Wednesday.
Analysis: That’s huge for Moriarty to go against Danielson next week. Bryan spoke about Moriarty as a possible guy in Bryan’s stable idea, so we’ll see how that goes.
Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D. vs. Robyn Renegade
Baker and Renegade fought over an armbar leading to Baker getting a takedown while grabbing the arm. Baker hit a suplex for two. Renegade came back with an enziguri kick, Renegade missed a corner attack and Baker pulled her down by the hair. They went to a picture in picture break.
(Commercial)
Renegade hit Baker with some hair whip takedowns followed by a corner dropkick and double knees. Renegade went up top and hit a Frog Splash for a two count. Baker came back with a gator roll into a superkick, then a second superkick and Baker hit an elbow to the face. Baker hit a twisting neckbreaker followed by The Stomp for the pinfall win after eight minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D.
Analysis: *1/2 Easy win for Baker as expected. I don’t know why they went that long. It was just a squash match to put over Baker. If it was me, Baker would win in about three or four minutes in a decisive manner. Going seven minutes is too long for what this was. Maybe they wanted to see more from Renegade, but I think it’s better to make Baker look dominant.
Baker celebrated the win while the announcers claimed that Baker “decided” to end it with Jericho saying she could have ended it earlier. Good cover. Baker put the black glove on and applied the Lockjaw submission after the match. Thunder Rosa ran out to go after Baker with punches. Jamie Hayter showed up to save Baker and attack Rosa. Hayter hit a backbreaker on Rosa. Mercedes Martinez also showed up to go after Rosa, Hayter argued with her and Baker hugged both women.
Analysis: They are obviously building to Baker vs. Rosa at Revolution next month, so it’s just a matter of getting there.
There was a video about the rivalry between new heel Leyla Hirsch and Kris Statlander. Leyla talked about how she prayed about being adopted when she was a kid and Kris ripped on her attitude as for why it took so long for her to get adopted. Kris the alien girl said Leyla didn’t know her and whatever. Typical trash talk.
Hook vs. Blake Li (w/QT Marshall)
Blake Li was making his AEW debut. Hook is Taz’s son and got a big response from the crowd. Hook went for a quarter nelson headlock, but Black got to the ropes. Hook with punches to the body followed by a headbutt. Hook hit gutwrench suplex across the ring. Hook with an armbar takedown and then he went for an armbar. Marshall with a distraction, Hook stared at him on the apron and Blake hit him with an elbow to the face. Blake went for a move off the middle rope, Hook moved and Blake hit the mat. Hook with an overhead suplex. Hook with crossface forearms to the face followed by the Redrum choke-out submission and Blake tapped out after three minutes.
Winner by submission: Hook
Analysis: *1/2 That’s how you book a squash. Easy win for Hook again. They haven’t put Hook in a match on Dynamite. It’s been Rampage only for Hook, who remains undefeated.
(Commercial)
The Mark Henry main event interview took place with Jungle Boy & Luchasaurus as the Tag Team Champions joined by Christian Cage. The Gunn Club group of Billy Gunn with sons Colten & Austin Gunn with Billy saying his sons will walk out as the Tag Team Champions. Christian congratulated them for finally making a statement. Christian said that after tonight it’s back to the end of the line for the Ass Boys. Jungle Boy mentioned loud “Ass Boys” chants and that was it. Mark Henry did his catchphrase: “It’s time for the main event.” That was it.
Next Wednesday on Dynamite in Nashville:
* Chris Jericho & Jake Hager vs. Santana & Ortiz. That should be fun.
* No Disqualifications: Mercedes Martinez vs. Thunder Rosa. Rosa should win.
* Wardlow vs. Max Caster in a Face of the Revolution Qualifying Match. Wardlow win is likely.
* Bryan Danielson vs. Lee Moriarty. Huge for Lee, he’ll come close and Bryan will win.
* TNT Championship: Sammy Guevara vs. Darby Allin. I assume Sammy keeps it, but I’d be fine if Darby won.
Next Friday on Rampage with a special start time of 7 pm ET on TNT in the US:
* Dante Martin vs. Powerhouse Hobbs in a Face of the Revolution Qualifying Match. That could go either way.
* Trent Beretta vs. Jay White. Another loss for poor Trent.
AEW Tag Team Championships: Jungle Boy & Luchasaurus (w/Christian Cage) vs. Gunn Club – Colten & Austin Gunn (w/Billy Gunn)
Some people call Colten & Austin Gunn the “Ass Boys” to mock them (I know Danhausen has been doing it for a long time) since Billy was “Bad Ass” Billy Gunn and Mr. Ass over 20 years ago. Google it, kids. I guess Gunn Club got a lot of wins on the Youtube shows so they get this title shot.
Austin ran over Boy with a shoulder tackle followed by a crotch chop, so Boy did a shoulder tackle and his own crotch chop like Billy used to do. Boy with a headscissors sending Austin out of the ring. Colten into the ring illegally, Boy did an armdrag spot and a clothesline. The Gunns were on the floor, Luchasaurus tagged in and shoved them into the ring apron. Luchasaurus punched Colten, then Luchasaurus sent Austin into the top turnbuckle and a hard chop to the chest. Luchasaurus with a body slam, Boy tagged in and hit a senton splash onto Austin for two. Colten tagged in with a clothesline on Boy, who sold it really well. Colten is the bigger of the Ass Boys and looks just like his father. There was a picture in picture break.
(Commercial)
The Gunn Club were in control with Austin hitting an elbow on Boy followed by a chinlock. Boy with a jawbreaker, he sent Austin out of the ring, Colten made the tag and Luchasaurus was knocked off the apron to prevent a tag. Colten hit a belly to back suplex on Boy. Jericho was impressed by the tag team work of the brothers. Boy hit a snap German Suplex on Austin, then Colten tagged in, Boy avoided a clothesline and hit a superkick to bring in the big dinosaur. Luchasaurus tagged in with strikes to both Gunn boys, then whips into the turnbuckles and Luchasaurus hit back splashes on both of the Gunn boys followed by a double clothesline. The Gunns avoided a double Chokeslam, so Boy went into the ring illegally with a somersault dive onto the floor. Luchasaurus with a Chokeslam followed by a standing moonsault on Colten for two. Austin saved his brother, punch to Boy and Austin tripped up Luchasaurus on the apron. Austin avoided a diving Boy, who hit his own partner. Austin with a hiptoss on Boy on the floor. Colten tried a pin using the ropes, so Christian knocked Colten’s feet off the ropes, Billy grabbed Christian and threw him into the steel steps. Colten hit Boy in the head with a title belt (the referee was looking at Billy) for a two count. Good nearfall. Boy and Austin hit a double clothesline spot in the ring. Luchasaurus gave Colten a Chokeslam onto some guys in the front row (probably indy wrestlers). Christian hit a Spear on Billy on the floor and Jungle Boy hit the Killswitch (Christian’s move) on Austin for the pinfall win after 12 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Jungle Boy & Luchasaurus
Analysis: ***1/4 The champs retained against a team that really had no shot, but I give Gunn Club credit for working hard. There was one good nearfall spot with the belt shot by the Gunn Club where it looked like they might win, but then Boy kicked out of it. The last few minutes were exciting to watch after the first half of the match was just basic stuff. I like how popular Luchasaurus is with every AEW crowd. He’s a talented big guy.
The champs Jungle Boy & Luchasaurus celebrated with Christian Cage while the announcers plugged future shows. That was it for Rampage.
Three Stars of the Show
- The Young Bucks
- Trent Beretta/Rocky Romero
- Luchasaurus & Jungle Boy and Gunn Club
The Scoreboard
This Week: 7 out of 10
Last Week: —
Final Thoughts
Good matches to open and close the show with two squash matches between them. There was some solid story progression. A fine wrestling show. The opening tag with Young Bucks and Roppongi Vice was the best match.
Rampage is simple like that most weeks. They don’t really do big angles on here because it’s the B show after the A show Dynamite.
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John Canton
Email: mrjohncanton@gmail.com
Twitter: @johnreport