Impact Live Review (Sort of) 30/3/23

A live episode of Impact Review - a hype show for Multiverse United

This is not my usual Impact Review. This is a Live episode of Impact, discussing the upcoming crossover PPV between Impact and NJPW Multiverse United: Only the STRONG Survive. There are 2 Never Before Seen matches on this episode and one match from NJPW Resurgence 2021.

Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt are Live in Anthem’s LA Studio. We get a rundown of the card for Multiverse United (don’t worry, I shall be doing a review of that). The men are joined first by Santino Marella. Hannifan, Rehwoldt and their guests are here to give their expert analysis on Multiverse United and some never before seen matches on AXS TV.

The men discuss the upcoming Dream Match between Speedball Mike Bailey vs Hiroshi Tanahashi. We then see footage from NJPW Resurgence 2021 between Lance Archer and Hiroshi Tanahashi for the IWGP United States Heavyweight Title.

Gia Miller interviews Rocky Romero and discusses the upcoming Six-Way Scramble Match for the X-Division Championship.

The men discuss the NJPW STRONG Openweight Title Match between KENTA and Minoru Suzuki. Marella believes KENTA will retain his title.

Fred Rosser joins Hannifan & Rehwoldt. They discuss the 8-Man tag match he is involved in at Multiverse United.

A replay of March 2nd 2023, Bullet Club (Ace Austin & Chris Bey) defeating Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley) for the Impact World Tag Team Championship. At Multiverse United, Bullet Club out those titles on the line against MCMG’s, Aussie Open (Mark Davis & Kyle Fletcher) and TMDK (Shane Haste & Bad Dude Tito).

Jody Threat arrives at Impact next week.

Mickie James joins Hannifan and Rehwoldt. Mickie is heartbroken that she is unable to defend her Knockouts World Title. So, at Multiverse United there will be a 4-Way match between Masha Slamovich, Deonna Purrazzo, Gisele Shaw and Miyu Yamashita and the winner will go on to Rebellion to face Jordynne Grace. If Mickie is able to compete, that match will be a triple threat match for the Knockouts World Title, if Mickie is unable to compete, that match will be a singles match for the Knockouts World Title.

The 1st ever all Knockouts Cover Edition of Pro Wrestling Illustrated is available (digitally from today and in print from the 18th April). Huge congratulations to all the women involved in this.

Our first Never Before Seen Match – Miya Yamashita vs Killer Kelly

Miyu Yamashita making her Impact Debut. Yamashita knocks Kelly off her feet in the early match, hitting Kelly with a kick. Yamashita showing her submission game, but Kelly able to roll her up for a 2. Kelly hits Yamashita with several headbutts followed by a Butterfly Suplex into the turnbuckle. Kelly hits a delayed running dropkick. Big bicycle kick from Kelly puts both women down. The match gets taken to the outside and Yamashita hits a step up kick. Kelly able to regain control by dropping Yamashita onto the ring apron face first. The match is taken back into the ring. Kelly locks in the Killer Clutch but Yamashita able to break out. Yamashita hits Kelly with a German Suplex abs then hits a Skull Kick to pick up the victory. A good debut for Yamashita. A very hard hitting match from both women. Grade C+

Hannifan & Rehwoldt are joined by Tommy Dreamer. They discuss the events following the Busted Open Match at Sacrifice. They also talk about the involvement of Darren McCarty and Scott D’Amore.

The trio discuss the match between Moose and Jeff Cobb. Dreamer predicts Cobb will win, while Rehwoldt predicts Moose will win.

Gia Miller Interviews Moose, he declares victory over Cobb at Multiverse United.

Back to the panel: Dreamer asks D’Amore to join his team at Rebellion in Hardcore War. D’Amore declines.

D’Amore updates us all on Josh Alexander. Surgery successful, he will be out for a while but when he returns, he will be 100%.

Never Before Seen Match: Josh Alexander vs KENTA for Impact World Heavyweight Championship. (Match was taped before Alexander had to relinquish Championship due to injury).

KENTA knocks Alexander out of the ring, drives him face first into the ring post. Back in the ring, KENTA powerslams Alexander. He then begins to play mind games. The men exchange strikes and Alexander able to get the upper hand. Alexander hits a rolling Senton, then drives his knee into the back of KENTA’s neck. KENTA removes the turnbuckle pad and delivers a flying clothesline from the top rope. Both men hit headbutts, sending them both down to the mat. KENTA hits Alexander with a DDT followed by a dropkick into the corner. KENTA hits a top rope double foot stomp, goes for the pin and gets a 2. Alexander able to counter the GTS into the Ankle Lock. KENTA sends Alexander into the exposed turnbuckle and almost gets the win, but Alexander able to kick out. Alexander returns the favour, hitting Snake Eyes into the exposed turnbuckle. Alexander hits KENTA with a C4 Spike and picks up the win. Alexander retains his championship. A great match from 2 great wrestlers. Would love to see more from these men, but unfortunately that won’t be able to happen for a while. Sending well wishes to Josh and hoping for a speedy recovery. Grade B+

Scott D’Amore announces that Josh Alexander will be at Impact next Thursday to relinquish his Championship.

Hannifan and Rehwoldt run down the Multiverse United match card again and Impact goes off the air.

A filler episode of Impact this week, but one that hypes up the CrossOver Show Multiverse United: Only the STRONG Survive. Keep your eyes peeled for my review of that!