3 Ups & 5 Downs From AEW Rampage: Slam Dunk (Feb 17)
1. Keith Lee’s Comeback
It's a neat banner moment for Rampage as a show to host Keith Lee's crowd-pleasing return. That's the sort of thing Tony Khan would typically keep back for Dynamite, but it made sense here given Swerve and Boudreaux's attempt to use the same cinder block trick that injured 'Keef' on Dustin Rhodes.
That was too much for the 'Limitless' returnee.
Lee sported a fresh look (embrace that grey, big man), and had enough menacing facial expressions of his own to sell hatred for Mogul Affiliates and their leader Swerve. Keith is out for revenge on Strickland for putting him on the injured list, and he'll probably net a singles bout vs. his old tag partner come Revolution.
Rampage could use a few more major story beats like this one throughout 2023. They're a real boost to the show's format, and should hopefully sell more fans on tuning into AEW's B-show. That should be Khan's long-term plan for Friday nights.
What did you think of this week's AEW Rampage? For more wrestling, check out WWE Elimination Chamber 2023: 10 Nightmares That Could Come True and WWE 2K23: 21 Wrestlers Making Their Series Debut!