3 Ups & 4 Downs From AEW Rampage (Feb 24)
Lance Archer returns; AEW refs need help from Tony Khan; Rampage lacks real star power.
It was all smiles for JAS on Friday's Rampage, but Tony Khan must've been doing anything but when the numbers rolled in for last week's episode. Sure, fingers were pointed at basketball to explain low ratings, but nobody who pays close attention to the show weekly was really fooled by that.
Rampage has been an afterthought (some weeks have been exceptions) for the longest time. Could this latest edition pull the nose up and rescue things? In a word, no. There was some good stuff here, but then...there always is, especially in-ring. That's AEW's core strength.
It's the storytelling and general use of crucial TV time outside the ring that's problematic. Too many characters are bland, lack direction and heat up then cool down with alarming speed. Although those who have been there since the start, like this writer, will remain, TK's concern should be growing the audience and their interest in All Elite's product long-term.
Will some good matches and a ton of 'B'-level stories get the job done? Again, no, but that's what Tony is serving up on Fridays.
Here's all the good and bad.