SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)…

AEW RAMPAGE TV REPORT
APRIL 12, 2024
RECORDED AT THE CHARLESTON COLISEUM CONVENTION CENTER IN CHARLESTON, WV
AIRED ON TNT
REPORT BY PATRICK MOYNAHAN, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Announcers: Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, Chris Jericho

Ring announcer: Justin Roberts

– The opening of Rampage aired as Excalibur welcomed us to the present. He was joined by Tony Schiavone and Chris Jericho.

(1) ORANGE CASSIDY vs. ALEX REYNOLDS (w/John Silver)

Highlights have been proven earlier than the match of Trent Beretta attacking Orange Cassidy final week. Cassidy appeared much more ambivalent than ordinary right here as Reynolds and Silver mocked Cassidy by giving each other a pleasant hug. Cassidy went on the assault as he took it to Reynolds on the surface. Reynolds was thrown into the steps as Cassidy attacked Silver as properly. Again contained in the ring, Reynolds caught Cassidy with a stiff proper hand, then lined for 2. Silver hit Cassidy with a brainbuster on the ground behind the ref’s again.

Reynolds threw Cassidy again into the ring, then lined for 2. Reynolds despatched Cassidy to the surface however he was in a position to make it again to the apron and struggle his method again into the ring. Reynolds hit a dangling neckbreaker off the ropes, then lined once more for 2. [c]

Reynolds nonetheless had management as we bought again from the break. Cassidy nailed Reynolds with a proper forearm, then a shotgun dropkick. Cassidy adopted up with a collection of kicks within the nook earlier than he hit a crossbody off the highest rope. Reynolds hit a knee strike, then a stuffed piledriver for 2. Reynolds stopped Cassidy as he climbed onto the center rope. Cassidy knocked Reynolds off the ropes, however Silver distracted the ref which allowed Reynolds to hit a stunner off the ropes for 2.

Silver tried to assault Cassidy on the surface however Cassidy reversed it. Cassidy then hit an Orange punch on Silver, then one on Reynolds contained in the ring for the win.

WINNER: Orange Cassidy in 10:00

– After the match, Renee tried to get Orange’s response to Trent’s betrayal however Trent arrived on the ramp earlier than he might share his ideas. Chuck Taylor appeared and stood between the 2, however didn’t clearly take sides.

(Moynahan’s Take: An excellent opener with the apparent winner popping out on high. The post-match interview was type of lame in that Orange instructed us he would clarify his emotions on Rampage however by no means did.)

– AZM and Anna Jay had a backstage interview with Alex Marvez. AZM talked about her match this weekend towards Toni Storm. [c]

(2) JULIA HART vs. “LEGIT” LEYLA HIRSCH – TBS Championship Open Home Match

Hart bought the early benefit after sweeping out the legs of Hirsch within the nook. Hirsch went to dive between the ropes however Hart caught her with an elbow strike. Hart had Hirsch within the ropes and proceeded to choke her out by wrapping her legs across the neck of Hirsch. Hirsch was thrown face-first into the turnbuckle as Hart continued the offensive onslaught. Hirsch caught Hart and threw her to the mat, then flew by the ropes to take out Hart on the ground.

Hart appeared like she damage her shoulder, however was in a position to lure Hirsch right into a pin for the three.

WINNER: Julia Hart in 4:00

(Moynahan’s Take: I had heard Hart was injured throughout this match, and was curious how this may come off on TV. It was clearly a fast ending simply to get Hart over, and it’s a disgrace we didn’t get extra right here. Let’s hope Hart will likely be OK transferring ahead.)

– The Don Callis Household was backstage. Callus talked concerning the match between Powerhouse Hobbs and Kyle Fletcher vs. Claudio and Bryan Danielson on tomorrow’s Collision. Callus stated he solely cared about Danielson getting injured prematurely of his match towards Will Ospreay at Dynasty. He stated he desires Danielson within the dust to permit Ospreay to shine in 2024.

(3) ZAK KNIGHT (w/Saraya & Harley Cameron) vs. ANGELO PARKER

Parker attacked Knight earlier than the bell however Knight rapidly took the benefit. Knight continued to wail away at Parker because the match nonetheless was not made official. Parker was minimize open as he lastly made his method into the ring. The match began however Knight continued his onslaught. [c]

Parker hit a working bulldog, then a flipping neckbreaker earlier than hitting an elevated DDT. Saraya and Cameron distracted the ref as Parker tried to cowl. They have been each elected from ringside. Knight kicked Parker with a low blow behind the ref’s again, then lined for a two rely. Knight hit a working boot to the face and shortly adopted up with a stiff clothesline for 2.

Knight hit a working forearm for the win.

WINNER: Zak Knight in 7:00

(Moynahan’s Take: I hate the storyline round this however these two labored properly and Knight appeared good for my part. In the event that they wish to get him over as a reliable risk, they should tone down the silliness.)

– Alex Marvez was backstage with Rocky Romero and Kyle O’Reilley. The 2 exchanged pleasantries earlier than Rocky stated he was going through Roderick Robust tomorrow evening. The 2 shook fingers as Rocky walked off. robust and the remainder of the Undisputed Kingdom appeared as Robust and Kyle O’Reilly exchanged phrases. [c]

(4) JAY WHITE (w/The Gunns) vs. MATT SYDAL

White performed coy within the early going earlier than Sydal went on the assault with a flurry of offense. Sydal hit a standing corkscrew splash on White. White fired again however Sydal minimize him off and drove White to the surface. Sydal nailed White off the apron earlier than throwing White again contained in the ring. The 2 rapidly went again to the ground as White bought the upperhand. [c]

White was within the driver’s seat as we got here again from industrial break. Sydal hit a leaping knee strike as each males hit the mat. Sydal kicked away at White, then struck him throughout the face for an in depth rely. Sydal hit a DDT for shut rely as White barely kicked out. Sydal rolled up White for a really shut rely, however White fired proper again and spiked Sydal to the mat. Sydal hit a poisonrana earlier than going to the highest. White caught him within the Bladerunner for the win.

WINNER: Jay White in 11:00

(Moynahan’s Take: A enjoyable essential occasion with Sydal wanting good for a majority of the match. As with most matches tonight, nevertheless, the ending was by no means unsure. We want extra definitive wins by White, Tony Khan. Please make this a precedence.)

FINAL THOUGHTS: Your run-of-the mill Rampage with some stable in-ring motion however in any other case nothing to jot down dwelling about. Do folks nonetheless use that phrase? The massive takeaway for me is that I hope Julia Hart is OK. The shock of the evening? Simply the Knight vs. Parker match, which greater than exceeded expectations. The massive letdown? The shortage of a real comply with as much as the Greatest Associates saga. Till subsequent week, keep secure everybody!