ADAM COLE VS. 10
Adam Cole’s domination of the Dark Order continued this week as he took on Preston Vance, better known as 10. 10 has been getting some shine lately, most recently clearing out a ring full of security guards on Dynamite. The strong and imposing member of the Dark Order has spent a lot of time in the background, but is now taking full advantage of his time in the spotlight. Admittedly, it’s pretty difficult to have a bad match with Adam Cole, but even with that in mind, 10 was very impressive. He was able to get in a lot of offense, including a picture perfect spinebuster, and his “10” chants harkened back to the old Tye Dillinger “Perfect 10” character, which is a lot of fun.
The story of the match was the knee brace on 10’s left leg. Whenever he would get a bit of momentum going, Cole would go back to that injured ligament. When 10 was finally able to lock on his Full Nelson lock, things seemed all but over, but Cole moved into the corner, wedging himself between 10 and referee Aubrey Edwards, and was able to hit a low blow on 10 without the referee seeing. After that, he “lowered the boom” on 10, and that was it. What a crafty veteran that Adam Cole is!
The match was solid, with the only minor complaint being that 10’s hurt leg didn’t play into the finish of the match. They spent a lot of time talking about the leg, it seemed like a natural conclusion, and while the low blow certainly gets more heat, it seemed a bit contrived given the overall narrative of the match.
POWERHOUSE HOBBS VS. DANTE MARTIN
You know who doesn’t suck at pro wrestling? Dante Martin. Dante took on Powerhouse Hobbs in a “Face of the Revolution” qualifying match. With Keith Lee and Wardlow already qualified for the match, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that Dante would get the victory in this one. How many “big guys” do you really need in a ladder match?
This match was a classic “size vs. speed” match, as Hobbs got the jump on Martin before the bell rang and spent most of the match rag-dolling Dante who proved he is one of the best bumpers in the business. While Hobbs isn’t everybody’s cup of tea, he certainly understands his strengths and weaknesses, and plays to that very well.
Martin didn’t get much offense in throughout the match, but when he did it was as spectacular as ever. A springboard tornado plancha brought the house to its feet, and I have to think Hector Garza was looking down and smiling.
In a surprising ending, Powerhouse Hobbs got the better of Martin, finishing him off with a beautiful spinebuster. Two spinebusters in as many matches? Is Arn Anderson booking this show? If he is, there’s no complaints here. The match was hard hitting and exciting, and for AEW, who often gets slammed for being too predictable, this finish was anything but.
SERENA DEEB’S 5 MINUTE CHALLENGE
If Ric Flair is the 60 minute man, Serena Deeb is the 5 minute woman. Her 5 minute rookie challenge is a perfect gimmick to go along with her “professor of professional wrestling” moniker. Her victim this week was Angelica Risk, who was making her AEW debut. Serena dominated from bell to bell, landing a beautiful powerbomb before putting on the Serenity lock, and making Angelica tap out in a mere 2 minutes and 5 seconds.
MAIN EVENT OF AEW RAMPAGE SLAM DUNK: “SWITCHBLADE” JAY WHITE VS. TRENT BARETTA
Since his return to wrestling a few weeks ago, Trent has had a darker and more serious vibe about him, a vibe he would very much need taking on Forbidden-Door-walker-througher Jay White. The New Japan super heel has had the wrestling world buzzing over the last week, and now the AEW audience would finally get to see him in action.
This was a brutal and hard-hitting match, with both performers getting in all of their “best stuff.” Jay White’s innovative offense was on full display, including a back suplex over the rope and onto the edge of the apron, and an underhook throw into a steel chair that warped the chair and likely Trent’s back as well.
Given that it was White’s first match on AEW TV, I was a little worried he would squash his opponent in order to make him look like a beast, but instead he was showcased in a way that told everyone in attendance and watching at home “look out, we have another five star performer on our hands.”
AEW continues to evolve, and while it is sad to see pioneers like Cody Rhodes leave, there’s no shortage of incredible performers up and down the roster, including their newest show stopper, Jay White.
