4 Ups & 2 Downs From AEW Rampage (April 22)

3. Respect…

Yours truly really enjoyed the match between Christopher Daniels and Jon Moxley. First of all, seeing Daniels on TV in a bout this long feels like a treat nowadays. Second, Mox's subtle increase in violence as the match progressed, almost like he was struggling to keep a lid on his bloodlust, was very well done.

The way he borderline licked his lips after planting Daniels on the ring steps outside the ring pre-ad break worked. Also, hey, this was a rare match for Moxley. He didn't bleed! That was a bonus, 'cause he's been doing a bit much of that lately, and it's been playing before diminishing returns.

Everything these guys did clicked.

Brownie points go to Excalibur for pointing out that Moxley relinquished his match-winning submission hold on Daniels as soon as the bell sounded. That's out of character at the moment, so it sold the respect he has for "CD". Then...