Welcome guys to this weeks episode of Rampage. On paper we have 5 matches so lets kick things off with our opening contest.
MATCH 1: PENTA EL ZERO MIEDO VS THE BUTCHER
There is a little pushing and shoving to begin this one as Butcher rocks Penta with a hard right hand. A boot to the midsection follows as Penta comes back with a thrust kick. Butcher responds with a big boot as he charges and misses Penta. Penta connects with a delayed dropkick, followed by a cover for only a near fall. Penta lands a hurricarana that sends Butcher outside the ring. Butcher responds with a huge shoulder tackle but Penta moves out the way but the hype man unfortunately did not and he ate the whole tackle. Butcher hits Penta with a couple of big lariats on the side of the apron before returning to the ring. Butcher follows up with a toe kick as he is totally in control of this match.
Butcher sends Penta into the ropes but Penta counters with a sling blade for a two-count. Penta takes to the top rope and misses a stomp as Butcher hits a diving crossbody. Butcher with the pin but Penta kicks out at 2. Butcher hits a half-nelson into a backbreaker for another 2 count. Penta comes back with a kick to the face and lands the fear factor and this one is all over.
Here is your Winner: Penta
Great opening match. Two guys that AEW know they can count on to deliver a solid match. Butcher has got himself in incredible shape and looks fantastic. AEW will be hoping they can sign Penta down to a new contract with the rumours of him potentially leaving going round this week. He is such a solid worker it would be a big loss.
MATCH 2: THE ACCLAIMED VS VEER MAHAN LITE AND REAR MAHIDE
Forty-five seconds later, and it’s over. Say no more. The entrance was longer than the match.
Here is your winner Winner: The Acclaimed
MATCH 3: GATES OF AGONY VS PRIVATE PARTY
Bishop Khan and Isiah Kassidy will start things off. Kassidy and Quen hit some double-team action on Khan as they flew outside the ring afterward. Kassidy dives onto Gates of Agony with a pretty dive. Khan kicks out of Kassidy’s senton once the action returns to the ring. Quen runs into the boot of Khan as Kassidy gets grounded as well. Toa is tagged as he climbs to the middle rope and misses a bomb in the corner. Kassidy hits a 450 splash as Quen hits a shooting star press. A pin attempt is made as Khan breaks it up. Kassidy is flying with elbow strikes when Gates of Agony hits Kassidy with a spinning slam, followed by a double razor’s edge for the win.
Here is your Winner: Gates of Agony
Please can we finally see more of Gates of Agony. An absolutely solid tag team. Love a team who look like they could genuinely kill people. We need a plan for private party. Been in AEW for so long but have no real memorable moments
MATCH 4: JUICE ROBINSON, AUSTIN & COLTEN GUNN VS TYLER PAYNE, CALEB CRUSH, AND CHRIS WILDE
Juice unleashes clotheslines left and right on the trio, followed by a leg lariat. Juice hits a cannonball, followed by the juice loose to end this match.
Winner: Juice and the Gunns
Another squash – interesting choice
Post match Jay White anoints Juice Robinson as one quarter of the trios champions. Not sure how that math works but I’m here for it. Looks like were going to have the trios titles defended under the Freebird rule. I am also ok with this.
MATCH 5: SERENA DEEB VS MINA SHIRAKAWA
The crowd are very hot for Mina which is nice to see. Nice lockup to set the tone as Serena transitions into a left-arm wristlock. She has great control as she gets Mina down to the mat and hits a paradise lock. Mina’s arms are trapped as Deeb hits a double dropkick from behind. Mina returns with a misdirect and trips Serena in the back of the leg. Mina repeatedly hits an elbow on the inside knee of Deeb. Mina drives Serena down on her knees as Deeb catches her with a kick, front face lock, and a stun gun between the ropes. Mina hits an enziguri on the Professor.
Both women are now trading blows and neither is holding back. Serena gets a rolling elbow strike from Mina. Mina hits another enziguri, followed by a neckbreaker. A rolling elbow follows to the base of the neck. Mina drives Serena’s elbow down the mat from high above. That move came off like a guillotine hold with her knees wrapped around Deeb’s arm. Deeb comes from out of nowhere with a clothesline for a near fall. A series of pinfall attempts are exchanged as Mina hits a figure-four leg lock. Mina has it locked in the middle of the ring as the two exchange open-handed strikes. Deeb gets the better of it as she escapes to the ropes for the break. Mina chases after her and tosses her in the ring. Deeb trips Mina up with a dragon screw and a powerbomb for a kick out. Deeb transitions into the stretch muffler. Mina gets out of it to hit a back fist as Deeb hits a chop block after Mina misses with a spinning kick. Deeb tries to look for detox as Mina counters with an elbow and a reverse falcon arrow for victory.
Here is your Winner: Mina Shirakawa
So Deeb had all the momentum heading into her match with Storm, she then lost and now she is losing on Rampage. That push was quick. Solid match from both women though. Mina is so impressive. Obviously I don’t see her beating Storm but she is incredible.
Two matches got time. The rest of this show just seemed like a squash. This episode will not live long in the memory. Join me tomorrow for Collision.
What a read, as usual! Quality writer ✍️