2023 Matches of the Year: AEW Rampage
In 2022, Rampage had what many consider AEW’s Match of the Year in Wheeler Yuta’s bloodbath versus Jon Moxley. Apart from this gem, however, the slow pace of stories on the show creates a lack of any feeling of urgency to it. Such has been the story of AEW’s second TV program. The highs have been ridiculously high, but will they continue to be few and far between? Or will this year change the pace of Rampage?
January
Jade Cargill (c) v Skye Blue (Battle of the Belts: TBS Championship)
Jade Cargill’s career-long streak and TBS title reign have been nothing less than dominant. But despite being one of the longstanding stories of the division, a huge chunk of her matches have been one-note affairs. Then, out of nowhere, 2022’s most improved rookie Skye Blue would give Cargill her longest and most impressive match thus far.
The Skye Blue that the champion faced a year ago returns with more refined transitions to go with her lucha game. Against the evolving powerhouse Cargill, this made for a much more compelling TBS title defense than usual. The final finishing stretch, however, is what sends this match to the top. A great display of strength, evasion, quickness — lightning in a bottle.
I get not booking this match too often, but something tells me these two wouldn’t mind doing this again.
Jamie Hayter (c) v Emi Sakura (Women’s World Championship Eliminator)
Jamie Hayter’s title reign is something the women’s division desperately needed. Britt Baker and Thunder Rosa’s rivalry, as well as Toni Storm’s World title reign showed that the division had gems to be mined. But Hayter continuously bridges the gap between the most compelling wrestlers, and organic and overwhelming fan support.
Following a late-2022 classic against Hikaru Shida, Hayter had her eyes set on “The Queen” Emi Sakura. Which is monumental for two reasons, the first being this was Sakura’s long overdue return to AEW TV since 2019. The second being the blistering and battering bout that this would end up becoming.
Hayter spent much of this match fighting from underneath, as the veteran flexed her dominance and familiarity with the champion. But Hayter would absorb the best of Sakura’s offense and eventually out-wound the challenger, proving that Hayter hits harder. Overall, a welcome reintroduction for Sakura, and a great omen for Hayter’s reign, which has led to the best Rampage women’s match to date.
February
Orange Cassidy (c) v Lee Moriarty (All-Atlantic Championship)
This is exactly what you’d expect from the kings of sloth-style and TAIGASTYLE. It was a lot of technical escapes, and a lot of fun.
Moriarty attempted the impactful strikes early to avoid playing a fair technical game with a deceptive expert like Cassidy. Eventually Cassidy brings out his underrated high-flying game to score two giant DDT’s. Moriarty is forced to revert to his technical ability, but the champion is just superior in that department, escaping a hold with a surprise pin. Stuff like this is about the most fun example of mental gymnastics you can find in wrestling.
(But deviating away from the match. As the Rampage main event, the live crowd might eat it up. But one of the least prominent championships in AEW being defended against a challenger who has barely been built-up, let alone appeared on TV, is going to be a hard sell for people who aren’t already fans of exactly these guys or of technical wrestling. Rampage is really going to need to put more emphasis into their main events going into Year 3 now.)
Dustin Rhodes v Swerve Strickland
It’s a testament to the power a simple build-up has that a rare DQ finish did not mar this great main event. It’s also a testament to Dustin Rhodes, who still proves to be “The Natural” with another under-the-radar gem. The year prior saw him paint a classic with fundamentals against CM Punk. And in 2023, he does the same against one of the low-key most detestable wrestlers on the roster currently, Swerve Strickland.
A good bulk of this match was punches and kicks, but it felt every bit emotionally charged and dynamic. Strickland wrestling on the back foot so much considering his general demeanor throughout this mini-rivalry is cathartic. The fact that he isn’t so over-the-top with his arrogance somehow makes that visual better. But he steals that catharsis the first chance he gets by getting first blood on Rhodes, and the fight is on.
It’s matches like these that have fans clamoring for less-featured names like Rhodes to have another major title match. But acknowledging deep down that it’s… whose house?
Honorable Mentions
- Young Bucks v Aussie Open (Feb)
- Riho v Emi Sakura (Feb)
