5 Ups & 1 Down From AEW Rampage (July 22)

3. Lee Moriarty’s New Direction

Stokely Hathaway Lee Moriarty
AEW

Big pop for the story everybody told during this match.

Lee Moriarty visibly hesitated before shaking hands with Dante Martin before the bell, then both men set about the task of telling their tale. Martin played the good guy by letting Moriarty get back in the ring instead of diving on top of him, then Lee returned the favour by being an aggressive bastard who cheated to win.

It's exciting to think about where these young lions will be 18 months from now. One thing's for sure: Moriarty linking up with Stokely Hathaway is a big improvement over having Matt Sydal cut promos for him. Lee didn't quite accept Stokely's business card on the ramp, but they're bound to align soon.

Maybe the segment could've done without the odd parting shot of Martin...celebrating a defeat with Sydal in-ring (what was all that about?!), but it was good overall. This is the kind of match that could easily be for the TNT Title one year from now.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.