AEW Rampage Review - October 8, 2021

By Graham "GSM" Matthews

CM Punk def. Daniel Garcia

This "honeymoon" phase (so to speak) for Punk isn't over yet if these reactions he's getting are any indication. He's also showing he can hang with the talent of today. I looked at this as a filler match for Punk when it was initially announced because Garcia isn't as big of a name as Darby Allin or even Powerhouse Hobbs, but this may have been his best bout yet. Garcia really brought the best out of Punk while Punk kept up with him throughout. They had strong chemistry and it was a highly entertaining technical affair. Punk winning with the Anaconda Vice for a change was a nice touch. I know why it kicked off the show (it was taped and AEW wanted the crowd while they were still hot), but this easily could have served as the main event. When is Garcia getting his official AEW contract?

AEW World Tag Team Champions The Lucha Brothers def. The Acclaimed

I'm a big Acclaimed fan, but I never saw the titles as being in jeopardy here seeing as how the match came together on Dynamite. At least they always look good in defeat. There wasn't anything overly special about this, but I thought it was a quality contest. I assume the plan is for Lucha Brothers to defend against Santana and Ortiz at Full Gear given their interactions lately. That should be fantastic.

Jade Cargill def. Skye Blue

Virtually all of Cargill's singles matches so far have been glorified squashes and this was no different. I would have liked to see Blue score more offense than she did and have to fight from underneath (she seems perfect as in the underdog role), but it was over in under two minutes. If nothing else, it further established Cargill as dominant and kept get momentum going after pinning Thunder Rosa in that three-way match last week on Rampage.

FTW Champion Ricky Starks def. Brian Cage in a Philadelphia Street Fight

We got a Lights Out match in the main event of Rampage just two weeks ago on the Grand Slam show, but I was fine with this being a Street Fight because of the history of hardcore wrestling in Philadelphia and because this felt like the blow-off to their long-running rivalry. They made it hardcore enough to make the stipulation worthwhile without going overboard. The feud has felt ice cold in recent months, but at least they paid it off with an enjoyable main event. I'm very curious where both men go from here. Starks will be just fine (and could very well face Punk at Full Gear), but Cage is who I'm worried about because there's no obvious opponent/rival for him coming out of this assuming he stays face.

Overall Show

Other than the Grand Slam show last month, this was one of the more "stacked" lineups Rampage has done to date in my opinion and it made for an above-average show. The opening and closing matches delivered, Cargill vs. Blue was exactly what I expected it to be, and Lucha Brothers vs. Acclaimed was fun for what it was. You'll get no complaints out of me except that this was taped and that always makes the shows slightly less exciting. The atmosphere just isn't the same, though I know part of that is out of AEW's control.

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