AEW Rampage Review - April 29, 2022

By Graham "GSM" Matthews

Darby Allin def. Swerve Strickland to Qualify for the Men's Owen Hart Cup

Similar to when we got Adam Cole vs. Tomohiro Ishii as the opener last week, I wish the entrances for Allin and Strickland were televised. It makes the match feel bigger. Nonetheless, this was very good as expected given they have history from the independent scene. It could have been even better with more time, so hopefully we get a rematch eventually. Ricky Starks' distraction at ringside protected Strickland in defeat and it looks like we're going to get another round from them as well.

The Baddies (AEW TBS Champion Jade Cargill, Red Velvet and Jade Cargill) def. Trish Adora, Willow Nightingale and Skye Blue

I love the idea of Cargill having Velvet and Hogan as her lackies, but as I've said before, it's lazy that AEW never bothered to offer an explanation as to why Velvet and Cargill are suddenly friendly with each other after feuding for so long in 2021. Otherwise, this was a solid showcase for the new heel trio. I hope this doesn't take the focus away from Cargill's title reign. She'll need more credible opponents to defend against soon. On a side note, it was cool to see Blue and Nightingale make an appearance along with Adora, who was a standout in last year's ROH Women's World Championship Tournament.

Keith Lee def. Colten Gunn

I feel like Lee has been more of a mainstay on Rampage thus far in AEW, and while that's fine for now, he'll need to be involved in more of note on Dynamite before long in order to remain relevant. It was noted that the Colten was undefeated in one-on-one action, like that actually means anything. I realize a majority of this took place during a commercial break, but there was zero reason for this to last as long as it did. A minute or two would have been more appropriate.

Tony Nese and Mark Sterling Attempted to Attack Hook and Danhausen

As popular as they are individually, I'm still not sold on Hook and Danhausen alliance, but this crowd seemed to be into the idea, so I'm willing to give it a chance. I'd prefer not to see Hook doing comedy, but it doesn't look like that's what this will be. Sterling getting physical was interesting, making me wonder if we're headed for a Hook and Danhausen vs. Nese and Sterling tag team match soon.

ROH World Television Champion Samoa Joe def. Trent Beretta

It was great to hear Bobby Cruise doing the ring announcing again and Ian Riccaboni on commentary. I've praised Beretta before as being quite good on his own, which is why I'd like to see him branch away from Best Friends at some point. Granted, I didn't think Beretta actually had a chance of winning, but it was an enjoyable main event for what it was. Post-match, Beretta, Chuck Taylor and Orange Cassidy tried to stop Jay Lethal, Sonjay Dutt and Satnam Singh from going after Joe, so that might be a six-man tag team match soon.

Overall Show

I talk a lot about how Rampage tends to be a much more skippable show compared to Dynamite (despite it usually being an entertaining hour of wrestling), but they've made an effort to make it feel more important in recent weeks, which is appreciated. Say what you will about the ROH TV title defenses not meaning much, but I thought Joe vs. Beretta was a nice main event and the rest of the show was solid as well. If nothing else, it was a welcome palate cleanser coming off that abysmal edition of WWE SmackDown.

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