AEW Rampage for 2/17/23 (Slam Dunk)

On the upcoming edition of AEW Rampage for 02/17/23 it is a slam dunk! On tap is four matches slated to take place, with one involving the AEW Trios Champions. The matches include; a grudge match, a TBS Championship match, and a battle within an ongoing rivalry.

On the heels of a fun Dynamite in preparation for AEW Revolution, Rampage has the makings of something very special in this Slam Dunk edition of Rampage.

AEW Rampage for 2/17/23
Dustin Rhodes vs. Swerve Strickland

After an exchange between Strickland and Rhodes, the sides became even more heated afterward. The remaining members of Mogul Enterprises (Trench & Parker Boudreau) would proceed to attack Rhodes backstage, laying out the Natural in the process. Rhodes often talks about his five decades in the business is remarkable.

But with that pedigree of experience behind Rhodes, it became paramount that putting over Strickland would be the push to something more for the leader of Mogul Enterprises. Fans likely don’t believe that this match will be a….slam dunk, but a win for Strickland is most likely to happen.

What will Dustin Rhodes do to help even the odds, as they are greatly stacked against him going into this match? And will Strickland need to look over his shoulder for his former tag team partner Keith Lee?

AEW Rampage for 2/17/23
Daniel Garcia vs. Ricky Starks

On this past week’s edition of AEW Dynamite, the Jericho Appreciation Society addressed Ricky Starks and his demands to face Chris Jericho once again. Jericho said it won’t happen again because he’s above Starks. At this point, we hear Daniel Garcia address facing Starks this coming Friday.

Even if Action Andretti is to lend some form of allegiance to Ricky Starks, they still face a 6-2 disadvantage. This could be the plan in having Starks fight a mountain of obstacles until he overcomes them all. With AEW Revolution a few weeks away, it wouldn’t surprise us if a stipulation is implemented.

If Starks defeats a member of the Jericho Appreciation Society, he will face Chris Jericho, and all members are banned from ringside. As it stands now, Starks will need to defeat Garcia to make a statement. Will that statement be heard loud and clear?

AEW Rampage for 2/17/23
TBS Championship Open Challenge
Jade Cargill vs. Vertvixen

Cargill puts her undefeated streak and title on the line against a former challenger for her title. Vertvixen returns to AEW to once again face Cargill for the TBS Championship. The last time they faced one another, Vertivixen wasn’t successful against Cargill. On the surface, one would think she’d be more prepared facing Cargill.

But with how the champion is clearly an unstoppable force, one has to wonder who will stop her. It’s unfortunate because Vertvixen is a champion in her own right. As the current DEFY Women’s Champion, Vert Vixen has faced some of the best DEFY has to offer and walked away on top.

In this instance, it feels like Vertvixen is being sent in like a lamb to slaughter as she steps in with the current TBS Champion. Cargill’s time will eventually come but who and when that will be is uncertain. What is certain? It won’t be on this evening.

AEW Rampage for 2/17/23
AEW World Trios Championship
The Elite vs. Top Flight and AR Fox

These two teams has a tremendous match between them recently. But its a challenge that took place this past Wednesday by Top Flight and AR Fox that brought out this match. While Don Callis tried to say ‘move to the back of the line’, Kenny Omega was up to the challenge and spoke up on behalf of The Elite. We have seen Top Flight defeat The Young Bucks and AR Fox nearly getting a pinfall on Kenny Omega.

This match manages to bring those ‘almosts and accomplishments’ together for another shot at the titles. It is unlikely that Top Flight and AR Fox will shock the world and walk away the champions. But to have them do so certainly takes away the predictable booking that AEW has been guilty of recently.

Last week, we saw shock and awe when The Gunns walked away with the AEW Tag Team Titles. Could history repeat itself?

What to Expect:

• Jungle Boy Jack Perry addresses the recent return and attack by Christian Cage
• The Gunn’s address the inclusion of The Acclaimed in the now fatal four-way match at AEW Revolution.
• Bryan Danielson addresses the recent attack on Christopher Daniels by MJF.