AEW Rampage Review - March 29, 2024

By Graham "GSM" Matthews

Dustin Rhodes def. The Butcher

I like Rhodes and he can still go even at this stage of his career. He said at one point he was going to retire a while ago, but I'm glad he's stuck around. That said, I have no idea what purpose this was supposed to serve. I'm sure Rhodes is being built up for something, but unfortunately, beating The Butcher means nothing. This was well worked, but personally, I couldn't bring myself to care. Speaking of Rhodes, can we get him at ringside for Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes at WWE WrestleMania 40? I doubt it happens, but it'd certainly be cool.

Deonna Purrazzo def. Rose

Purrazzo not disappearing from AEW TV completely after failing to win the AEW Women's World Championship at Revolution is an encouraging sign for her future, though a squash on Rampage isn't exactly indicative of much. Yes, she scored a win in decisive fashion, but what's next for her? That wasn't revealed. She won alongside Thunder Rosa on Dynamite recently, but it was Rosa who pinned Storm in that tag team match, so I don't know where that leaves Purrazzo.

Mariah May def. Nikita

Toni Storm claimed beforehand that she wasn't cleared to compete, so May filled in for her. It was a throwaway squash match, so it hardly mattered who was in there with Nikita. Storm's shtick is still over with the audience, but the crowd was largely quiet for this. It wasn't wise to put this right after Purrazzo's squash as it was essentially the same thing. On the bright side, May remains undefeated in singles competition.

AEW International Champion Roderick Strong def. "Daddy Magic" Matt Menard in an AEW International Championship Eliminator Match

I know this episode emanated from Canada and Menard is Canadian, but that didn't make this match any more interesting to me. Nothing against Menard, who is a talented competitor, but there was no way Strong was losing here, and he shouldn't have needed help from Matt Taven and Mike Bennett to beat him. Orange Cassidy and Trent Beretta saved Menard afterward only to get attacked by The Young Bucks, who they'll face in the semifinals of the AEW World Tag Team Championship Tournament on Wednesday's Dynamte.

Overall Show

There have been some solid editions of Rampage as of late, but this was the most inconsequential episode in a while. Sure, it didn't feature anything offensively bad (outside of potentially the stupid storyline with Angelo Parker, Ruby Soho and The Outcasts), but the two squashes in the middle did nothing but kill time. The opening and closing matches weren't interesting or entertaining enough to make this show worth seeking out, either.

SEE MORE: Rampage Reviews