4 Ups & 2 Downs From AEW Rampage: Slam Dunk (Feb 18)

3. The Giving Wrestler’s Wrestler

Cole deserves praise himself.

He gave 10 a hell of a lot during the opening match. Compare the purpose of this with his two-minute squash over Evil Uno from a few weeks ago - it's night and day. There's nothing wrong with a lower-carder looking good against a main-eventer so long as it makes sense, and it did here.

The insinuation was that 10 would've been an event bigger threat to Cole had he not come into the bout with an injured knee. That allowed Adam, the cagey veteran, to take advantage and rely on a low blow to get him out of a jam. Also, it's worth watching Cole's sensational bump for that Vance lariat.

Christ, that was impressive.

This is the best 10 has ever looked since popping up in AEW. That's the benefit of sticking him in-ring with someone who's giving but also knows how to protect his own headline aura without just being a bump machine for bigger dudes.