4 Ups & 2 Downs From AEW Rampage (Sept 9)
2. That’s How You Sell A Match
Mark Henry's pre-match promo bits are usually crap, but this was an exception.
William Regal's facial expressions, and the fact he spoke so openly about "pulling Dax Harwood out of obscurity 13 years ago" worked a treat. Then, Claudio Castagnoli put Dax over by saying he'd become a singles champion someday if he keeps going the way he's been going.
Closing it, Harwood admitted that the odds were against him, but said he'd fight anyone to feed his family. That, he noted, includes Regal himself. Eagle-eyed viewers would've spotted some old fire pumping through the Englishman's veins at this point - he was visibly excited by that one.
This was good stuff, and it got yours truly hyped to see the match. That's all anyone can really ask from a one-night build towards an exhibition-style title defence like this one. At least AEW tried to add in some story and rally support for Dax.