4 Ups & 3 Downs From AEW Rampage (May 6)
2. Want A Strong Main Event? You Got It!
Ultimately, nobody will remember this match a few weeks from now. That, however, doesn't mean it deserves to get a 'Down' and be buried for being an exhibition. Would more star power have been lovely? Absolutely, but Konosuke Takeshita and Jay Lethal worked really hard to prove their worth as the main event.
The focus from Lethal on Takeshita's legs was welcome, as was one hell of a top-rope clothesline from the DDT star that could've believably ended the match. If one wanted to nitpick, then he'd point to the hanger-on-heavy nature of Jay's feud with Samoa Joe, but that's not Konosuke's fault or business.
He was here to show off his skills, and he did.
Maybe some wrestling fans tuning in to see a hot match found a new favourite in Takeshita. That, despite earlier moans about throwing too many fresh faces at fans, is something some enjoy about AEW's product. Besides, this was great bell-to-bell work.