wrestling / TV Reports
Sanders’ AEW Rampage Review 7.12.24
Image Credit: AEW
Loading...Lee Sanders is back with you all this Friday, as we finally got rain in some parts! That rain is so needed, as the dog days of summer have been brutal. I hope you’re staying cool and hydrated out there. Let’s jump into the action, as we have an action-packed edition of AEW Rampage!
Venue: Landers Center
Location: Memphis, TN
Commentators: Tony Schiavone, Matt Menard
MATCH 1: Malakai Black & Brody King vs Tony Nese & Ariya Daivari
Davari and Black open things up. Daivari almost had his head kicked in as he dodged it in time. Nese is tagged as he punches Black with his forearm. Black comes back with a punch of his own as King is tagged. Nese slaps King’s chest, but the big guy isn’t budging. King comes back with a chop of his own to ground Nese. A couple more chops follow as Kimg chops him in the summer before a backbody drop. A scoop slam follows before a senton for a near fall. Malakai tagged as he missed a body splash. House of Black rebounds with double team action to deny Nese the tag. Josh Woods sends King outside by pulling the top rope. As we head into commercials, Nese comes over the top rope to crash into King. We are back as King is jumped on in the corner. A desperation pickup and slam by King is the opening needed to tag Black. Malakai has a nice spinning back elbow on Daivari and knee to Nese. Malakai with a back elbow to floor Daivari. Another kick to Nese as Davari cracks a clipboard over Black’s head while the referee is distracted. Nese comes off the top rope with a 450 for a near fall. King ends up hitting a running crossbody on Mark Sterling and Daivari. Black hits a brain buster as Nese catches him going to the ropes. Another 450 splash as Black gets his knees up in time to stop him. Black licks him up by the heel of his foot to kick him out cold for the victory.
Winner: House of Black (8 minutes)
Rating:**
An okay opener, but it dragged on too long for my taste. No way, and no how, Nese & Daivari should’ve been able to go as long as they did against the House of Black.
MATCH 2: Roderick Strong vs Ben Bishop
This Bishop dude is as tall as Big Bill. A nice shove to the giant to open this match, as the guy has a nice look. Swing and a miss as Strong goes for the knees to bring down the big man. A few chops and strikes follow as Strong hits a back suplex and a running knee to end this one.
Winner: Roderick Strong (30 seconds)
Rating:NR
Cue up Mike Tyson yawn.
MATCH 3: Rey Fenix vs Angelico vs AR Fox vs Komander
There is nothing on the line in this match. You might think, though, that whoever wins gets bragging rights for a shot at the TNT Championship. Only time will tell. This may be a four-way match, but it comes off more as a 1-on-1 with interference coming when there’s a pin attempt. Angelico hits a sweet spinning ankle lock as Komander walks the ropes to hit a moonsault on Angelico to break his hold on Fox. Komander and Fenix go at it, and Komander almost wins with a crucifix bomb. Fenix with a step-up spin kick. Both men are on the top rope as Fox jumps in to fight with one another. Fox is pushed off as Angelico is back into the mix. Angelico is thinking of a German suplex to the floor as he’s kicked off. Fenix pushes Komander into Angelico while hitting a frog splash on Fox. Fox kicks out as Fenix hits a submission hold to make Fox pass out for the win.
Winner: Rey Fenix (10 minutes)
Rating:**
Pretty decent match with some nice high spots.
MATCH 4: Thunder Rosa vs Rachel Ellering
We begin this one with a series of lockups. Rosa with a dropkick to the shoulder of Ellering. A running elbow shot follows, as well as a clothesline. A pin attempt is made as Ellering powers out. A chop to the chest follows as Rosa is all over Ellering. Ellering with a rebound as she sends Rosa into the ropes. It leads up to a hammer throw into the corner, followed by a European uppercut and a senton. Ellering almost wins it as Rosa kicks out! Rachel with a couple of clotheslines as Rosa hits a lariat and double knees to the face. Rosa with a dropkick as she tries for a piledriver and is countered. Rosa with the roll through and stomp to the midsection as she applies a cobra-style type submission to make Ellering tap out.
Winner: Thunder Rosa (4 minutes)
Rating:**
Okay, match, but not the best outing for Rachel Ellering. I’ve paid attention to her career for a handful of years. She’s done quite the transformation in that time, and sadly, this match didn’t showcase her skills like that. This felt like a glorified jobber match. I hate to say that, but it’s the truth. Why should the fans care about Ellering? Especially with what happens post-match?
Deonna Purrazzo comes in to attack me lay out both women from behind, as the rivalry between her and Rosa continues.
MATCH 5: Top Flight & Action Andretti vs Lee Moriarty, Anthony Ogogo, Shane Taylor
Let’s pick it up in the second half, as the first half was mostly a bunch of high spots and reversals. Bulldog from Dante as he rocks Shane Taylor’s head! It’s the opening for Darius to be tagged as he hits a flatliner on Lee for the kickout. Darius picks him up but drops him as he tags in Dante. A dropkick sends Lee into a suplex as Ogogo stops the pin count. Ogogo is double-teamed as he fights out of it. Everyone is down as everyone hits a move on each other. Lee and Taylor combine on Andretti. Andretti goes crashing between the ropes and into Ogogo. Andretti hits a springboard lariat onto Lee. Andretti tries a thrust kick on Taylor but no mas as Taylor hits a chokeslam and a big knee to the face! This one is over as Taylor hits a running lariat for the win.
Winner: S.T.P (11 minutes)
Rating:**
Ok main event. Shane Taylor Promotions is growing on me. I’d love to see them do something involving Swerve Strickland. This stable is going places if done right, as I can see the potential.
End of Show
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