5 Ups & 4 Downs From AEW Rampage (Sept 16)

by Jamie Kennedy

1. That ROH Title Setup

Chris Jericho Claudio Castagnoli
AEW

Claudio Castagnoli is visibly enjoying the chance to cut some promos in AEW. Tony Khan doesn't mind putting a mic in the Swiss technician's hands, and that has to give the reigning ROH World Champion confidence. He didn't ever really get that backing over in WWE.

Somebody sound the "MARQUEE MATCH" klaxon too.

Chris Jericho's challenge took this segment to the next level, and him vs. Claudio for the ROH strap should be fab. Arguably, they could use some more build, but it is what it is. AEW wants big matches for 'Grand Slam', and they just set up another one.

Jericho didn't have anything lined up for the special anyway, and Castagnoli has been clearly presented as a workmanlike wrestler who never knocks back challenges. If anything, he relishes them, so the story (however brief/rushed) works on this occasion.

Finally, at least Chris f'n Jericho is a more realistic sudden challenger than most.

What did you think of this week's AEW Rampage? For more like this, check out 10 Wrestlers That Lied To Get What They Wanted and 10 Reasons Why Roman Reigns Topped PWI's Top 500 Wrestlers 2022!

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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.