4 Ups & 4 Downs From AEW Rampage (July 1)

1. Too Many “Stars” Don’t Look It

Finally from the 'Downs', what was up with mid-to-upper level workers looking like local jobbers during the two-ring Rumble? Keith Lee, Orange Cassidy, Matt Hardy and more came across as Johnny Bootsntights more than guys fans should give a flying toss about.

Their eliminations were sudden, and they led to anticlimactic reactions from the live crowd. The folks around ringside can't be blamed for being disappointed; Keith Lee, for example, did bugger all of note in the match before being ousted by Ricky Starks.

Similarly, Orange (swanky new entrance music and all) was relegated to a few forgettable spots before being punted from the other ring. It was like somebody backstage suddenly realised they were running out of time, got word to the refs and everybody panicked.

Y'know WWE's formula for making guys look impressive in the Royal Rumble despite losing? Yeah, this wasn't that. At all.