5 Ups & 3 Downs From AEW Rampage (Feb 4)
2. Selling The Ribs…Sometimes
Sorry, but this has got to be said: Sammy Guevara must do more when it comes to selling injuries. Some of the psychology in his otherwise-fine match with Dustin Rhodes back at 'Battle Of The Belts' was spotty, and it was the same here on Rampage vs. Isiah Kassidy.
Sammy went from selling the taped ribs one minute to hitting dives, moonsaults to the outside, springboard moves and more. Why did it only hurt when Isiah was on the attack? Every movement should've crushed Guevara; one can get the need to have a killer match, but that should never come at the expense of storytelling.
Ever.
This is episodic TV, after all. No, this on/off selling didn't destroy the bout's value (it was still really entertaining and both guys worked well together), but it defo took things down a notch. That ladder affair opposite Cody Rhodes deserved a bit more respect.