6 Ups & 2 Downs From AEW Rampage (April 14)
2. Yes To All Of This
The TBS Title segment was excellent from the moment Taya Valkyrie came through the curtain to the moment AEW cut to its next bit of business. Taya vs. Emi Sakura was solid in-ring; bosses gave both women some proper time to work with (approx 10 minutes), and they made the most of it.
Then, post-match, Taya built towards her inevitable showdown with Jade Cargill. She hit the Road To Valhalla on Leila Grey (Jade's sacrificial lamb), then looked to down Cargill with the same move before Leila saved her leader. In another logical move, Jade proceeded to hit Jaded on Valkyrie before posing with her belt.
Rampage could use more of this kind of booking. Everybody nailed their cues, and now announcers can mix in the story that Jade is done for if Taya hits the same finish she's used to rack up win after win. Meanwhile, Grey seemed more important than usual 'cause she saved Cargill from being planted.
Well played, ladies.