The Day AEW Rampage Died

by Michael Sidgwick
Ariya Daivari WWE
WWE.com

It's especially bleak because AEW debuted under the promise of premium content.

Two hours of weekly TV, quarterly PPVs, no house shows: the model was a direct and much-needed response to WWE's greedy "super-serve" content era, and Rampage just feels like an obligation now. Is there any way of fixing it? In its current form, not really. The very name of the show is synonymous with apathy. If Khan wanted to do something in the time slot, he'd probably have to opt for a complete rebrand: new name, new aesthetic, new theme, new everything - a promise to actually build something of significance.

Ring Of Honor and All Elite Women are two potential options. Honestly, and this is very conspiratorial, it almost feels like Khan is allowing Rampage to bleed out knowing that plans for such a revamp are in place.

The performer is talented, but that isn't the point: how else do you explain Ari Daivari headlining two consecutive episodes?

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Contributor

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 surefire Undisputed WWE Universal 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!