The Day AEW Rampage Died

Shawn Spears Bear Boulder
AEW

The idea that nobody would have missed it is an accurate enough tombstone etching, but that's not the point: AEW Rampage died on August 13, 2022, because Tony Khan didn't think enough of the show to promote an anniversary edition on the closest Friday.

This is a man who will suffix every Dynamite in five to create the illusion of a special event in a cheeky bid to pop a rating: Homecoming, Road Rager, Fyter Fest, Fight For The Fallen, Winter Is Coming, Quake By The Lake, Beach Break, St. Patrick's Day Slam...it's a bit much, in truth, but that's the nature of the television wrestling business. Even when he takes a patient route to his destinations, Khan will fabricate a major show. It's a trick, but it's one he didn't play as Rampage approached its first year on TNT. The show could have really done with the boost, too; despite performing well in a poor time slot, often winning it across all of cable, the show has declined badly. Khan didn't celebrate the anniversary of Rampage because it would have brought into focus how everything significant or seminal happened around six months ago.

If those on social media discussed their favourite moments in the show's history, as tends to happen when a milestone draws near, not a soul would write "The best moment in Rampage history would have to be Shawn Spears Vs. Bear Boulder". Also: he quite clearly doesn't care that much about it.

Why?

CONT'D...(4 of 6)

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Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!