5 Ups & 3 Downs From AEW Rampage (Feb 4)

2. Straightforward Storytelling

Commentary wasn't Mark Henry's sweet spot on the AEW roster. Those pre-main event promos on Rampage though? Yeah, they work for the former 'Sexual Chocolate'. He lends a star quality to them without overwhelming things, and that's a skill more veterans should learn.

On Friday, both Jay Lethal and Ricky Starks took centre stage for one of the best pre-main promo bits ol' Mizark has ever conducted. Lethal played mind games by questioning what Taz would think if Starks lost the FTW Championship, Henry planted seeds for Powerhouse Hobbs' interference and Ricky talked up Jay as a "tenured" pro.

The way the champ said he refused to sleep on Lethal was very nice and put the challenger over as a real threat immediately. It was the kind of pedestal-propping that should happen before every title match, being honest. This was nothing fancy, but it was straightforward and enjoyable.

More, please.