3 Ups & 5 Downs From AEW Rampage: Slam Dunk (Feb 17)

2. Top Pacing/Storytelling

Swerve Strickland Dustin Rhodes
AEW

Speaking of top mini-feuds; it's Dustin Rhodes vs. Swerve Strickland.

They've been a highlight on AEW programming lately, and it was sweet to see them handed the main event slot on this week's Rampage. Swerve dominated much of the match. He even made Dustin bleed during an extended heel heat section that really clicked.

Then, the old-stager used fan support to launch a popular comeback before Parker Boudreaux saved his Mogul Affiliates leader by pulling Dustin out and breaking up his pin attempt. That forced a disqualification finish, which isn't all too common in All Elite circles.

Your writer really enjoyed this match, especially because both Rhodes and Strickland refused to rush through anything. The bout had top pacing, and it didn't try to do too much. Some other workers backstage should pay attention to Dustin's selling and Swerve's facials here.

This headliner told a story.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.