6 Ups & 2 Downs From AEW Rampage (Oct 22)

1. The Wrong Opener?

Powerhouse Hobbs Orange Cassidy
AEW

Orange Cassidy vs. Powerhouse Hobbs wasn't a bad match by any means. The intention here isn't to bury what these men did in-ring. They had a story to tell, and they did well with it (more on that later), but it arguably wasn't the correct choice to open this week's Rampage.

Kicking things off with an extended squash? Meh.

The Anna Jay vs. Britt Baker showing would've been a much better opener. PAC vs. Andrade El Idolo obviously wasn't gonna start, and there were no other bouts on tap, but Orange vs. Hobbs didn't fit the style AEW typically presents; in other words, Tony Khan loves a hot opener for these Rampage broadcasts.

Is this a mild 'Down' more than anything? Yes. That's not to say that AEW get a pass for it though, because they don't. Someone really needed to pop a hand up during creative meetings and suggest that opening with a heel beatdown might sap some energy from the show.

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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.