Impact Wrestling Review 10/8/23
This week’s episode of Impact Wrestling comes to us from the Cicero Stadium in Chicago Illinois.
We are at episode 995! We are almost to episode 1000, and already, episode 1000 looks like it is going to be amazing!
We start with an exclusive match on BTI.
Champagne Singh w/Shera vs Kevin Knight
Singh tries to convince the referee that Knight pulled his hair. Obviously this tactic doesn't work as Singh doesn’t have any hair! Knight hits a running splash, covers Singh and gets a two. Singh turns the tide with a backbreaker before driving his knee into the back of Knight’s neck. Singh counters a DDT but Knight catches him with a dropkick instead. Knight picks Singh off the top with a Hurricanrana, covers Singh and gets a two. Shera provides a distraction, but Knight sees it coming and sends Singh crashing into his partner. Knight spikes Singh with his signature DDT to win.
A nice match. Good to see Kevin Knight, he is a great talent. Definitely needs to be used more. It's a nice change to see the distraction techniques backfiring. Grade C
Impact Wrestling is now on the air.
Match 1: Number 1 Contenders Tag Team Championship Tournament - ABC (Ace Austin & Chris Bey) vs Sami Callihan & Rich Swann
Sami launches Rich into a crossbody on Ace. Moments later, Ace creates separation with a kick to Sami’s head. Rich gets involved from the outside, allowing Sami to deliver a Cactus Driver to Ace on the ring apron. Chris soars with a springboard Moonsault to take out both Rich and Sami on the outside. Rich ducks a clothesline, causing Chris’s right arm to hit the steel ring post. Rich makes the tag to Sami and the pace of the match quickens. Sami hits a modified Death Valley Driver on Chris. Ace kicks Rich into a neckbreaker from Ace but it’s not enough to end the match. Ace inadvertently kicks Chris in the head. Sami counters the Art of Finesse into a submission hold. ABC are able to bounce back with 1, 2 Sweet on Sami but Rich is able to break up the pin attempt. Out of nowhere, Jason Hotch pulls the referee out of the ring while Ace is attempting to put Sami away. Meanwhile, John Skyler takes out Ace with the Stroke. Unbeknownst to Callihan, he capitalises off The Good Hands’ interference and spikes Ace with the Cactus Driver to win.
A really good tag team match, but that was to be expected from these two teams. I’m very surprised that ABC didn’t win this once, considering that they were the previous champions, but it will be good to see some different faces in the title picture. I’m not sure how I feel about the interference from the Good Hands, but it achieved its desired results of knocking ABC out of the tournament. Grade B
We know that it will now be Sami Callihan & Rich Swann vs The Rascalz in the finals of the Tag Team Championship Tournament.
Backstage Segment:
The Coven (Taylor Wilde & KiLynn King) and the Death Dollz (Courtney Rush & Jessicka) approach Santino Marella about being added to the Knockouts Tag Team Title Match at Emergence. Masha Slamovich and Killer Kelly arrive, they are willing to take on all challengers.
Match 2: Bhupinder Gujjar vs Dirty Dango w/Alpha Bravo
Bhupinder gains the early advantage with a flurry of offence, capping it off with a big dropkick, he covers Dango and gets a two. Dango rakes the eyes, then drops Bhupinder with a running clothesline. Bhupinder drives Dango face-first into the mat, then follows up with a knee strike. Bhupinder connects with a Spinebuster but it’s not enough to keep Dango down. Alpha Bravo blinds Bhupinder with a flashlight, allowing Dango to capitalise with the reverse DDT, covers Bhupinder and gets the win.
An OK match, good to see Bhupinder on the offence for the majority of this one. Having Dango win from the interference of Alpha Bravo just adds to his character of hating pro wrestling. Grade C-
After the match, Dango gets a microphone and says that he still hates professional wrestling. He says that he can smell the body heat on everyone in the crowd.
Jake Something’s music hits! Jake comes out to the ring. Jake asks Dango if he knows how hard it was for him to come back to Impact. He tells Dango that if he hates pro wrestling so much, then to leave. Or Jake will make him. Dango leaves the ring. Alpha Bravo then distracts Jake, Dango attempts an attack from behind but Jake sees it coming and takes out Dango with a forearm.
Backstage Segment:
Deaner says that he is not a failure. He says that Eric Young returning is not his failure, but rather Eric Young’s betrayal. Deaner says that the Design has been betrayed by Sami Callihan, Alan Angels and Eric Young. Kon is still standing with the Design, Kon will not betray him. Kon says that Eric Young is a sheep and he says that we all know how this story ends. Kon says that he will take out Eric Young, once and for all.
Backstage Interview:
Gia Miller is backstage interviewing Johnny Swinger after he finally earned a shot at the Impact World Championship. Gia asks Swinger if he is ready to challenge for the title. Swinger says that he is ready. They are interrupted by Kenny King & Sheldon Jean. King says that he is the DMC - Digital Media Champion, that means he is the internet's champion, and the internet goes out into the galaxy, so that makes him the DMC champion of the whole galaxy. Unlike Alex Shelley who is just the champion of the world. King and Jean walk away as they begin discussing T-Shirt ideas. Johnny thinks for a moment, then asks Gia what the internet is.
Match 3: Alisha Edwards w/Eddie Edwards vs Jody Threat
Jody goes for a springboard but Alisha cuts her off on the ropes. Alisha drives Jody down to the mat, head-first. Jody finds an opening as she quickens the pace with a flurry of clotheslines. Jody hits the double knees, followed by a German suplex. Alisha distracts the referee as Eddie trips Jody with his kendo stick. Frankie Kazarian comes out and evens the odds and attacks Eddie at ringside. Jody connects with the Pop Shove It to pick up the win.
An OK match, I don’t actually know where this rivalry has come from. It just seems like Jody was thrown into something that should have been between Alisha and Traci Brooks. I get that Jody doesn’t like bullies, but Alisha doesn’t really have the look/attitude of a bully - especially considering how she has been portrayed lately. That to me, isn’t really bullying. I think they could have gone in a different direction with this one, still have the same match, but not to make it about bullying, but rather Jody is subbing in for Traci Brooks, as Traci is no longer an active wrestler. That would have made more sense to me. Grade D+
After the match, Kazarian looks to hit Eddie with the kendo stick, but he inadvertently hits Alisha. An upset Kazarian is then escorted away by security.
Backstage Segment:
Deonna Purazzo congratulates KiLynn King for defeating her last week. She then challenges KiLynn to a 1-on-1 match next week. She tells Trinity that she hopes she watches the match.
Match 4: Mike Bailey vs KUSHIDA
The early advantage goes to KUSHIDA as he launches himself over the top rope to take out Bailey on the outside. Back in the ring, KUSHIDA begins the wear-down process as he stretches out the arms and back of Bailey. Moments later, Bailey creates separation with a running dropkick, followed by a running Shooting Star. KUSHIDA hits a handspring kick to send Bailey to the outside. KUSHIDA then drives the left shoulder of Bailey into the steel ring post. KUSHDA continues to soften up Bailey’s arm before turning his attention towards Bailey’s legs. Bailey catches KUSHIDA with a springboard Moonsault. KUSHIDA locks in the Hoverboard Lock but Bailey counters it into an armbar. Bailey hits a pinpoint knee to the head but KUSHIDA kicks out at two. KUSHIDA avoids the Ultima Weapon, then attempts to lock in the Hoverboard Lock from the top rope. Bailey fights it off but KUSHIDA hits a Small Package Driver to win.
An excellent match! These two are just amazing to watch. I couldn’t imagine them having a bad match. Best match of the night (so far). An action packed match that makes you want to see even more! Grade A-
Backstage Interview:
Crazzy Steve has requested a sit down interview with Tom Hannifan. He requested Hannifan specifically because Steve says that Hannifan is the best at what he does, he is the voice of Impact Wrestling. Steve says that he needs Hannifan’s help, because he has been spinning his wheels. He says that his longtime allies Rosemary, Havok and Black Taurus are off pursuing other things and he feels abandoned. He says that feeling abandoned has become something he is used to feeling during his time at Impact Wrestling. Steve discusses his troubles of being legally blind and being a professional wrestler. Hannifan then asks Steve where his family have been through all of this. Steve says that is a very interesting story.
Promo Video:
SUBCULTURE makes it known that they are fighting champions. They tell us that they are busy defending the Impact World Tag Team Titles around the world. They say they are also keeping an eye on the number 1 contenders tournament that will conclude next week.
Backstage Segment:
We get a funny little backstage segment with both Joe Hendry and Yuya Uerma appearing after two people are arguing and both “say his name”. Uemura says “champion”. Joe Hendry accuses Uemura of interjecting himself in Hendry’s contractually obligated rematch. Uemura then says “champions”. Hendry thinks about it, says that he does need a new direction, and they are undefeated as a tag team.
Main Event: Bully Ray, Moose & Brian Myers vs Samuray Del Sol, Laredo Kid & Black Taurus
Before the match even begins, there is a commotion backstage. X-Division Champion Lio Rush has taken out Samuray Del Sol before his Impact Wrestling debut!
This match has now turned into a 3-on-2 match. Kid uses his quickness to hit Moose with a Hurricanrana, sending Moose outside the ring to regain his composure. Taurus squares off with Bully Ray as they exchange stiff strikes. Taurus drops Bully with a series of running shoulder tackles. Myers pulls Bully to safety, causing Taurus’ exposed knee to collide with the steel ring post. Bully, Moose and Myers cut off the ring and employ quick tags to continue the assault on Taurus. Moments later, Taurus creates some much needed separation off a double clothesline that takes out both competitors. Taurus makes the tag to Kid and he spikes Moose with a tornado DDT. Bully inadvertently Irish whips Kid into the referee. Bully is trying to rip Kid’s mask off when the lights go out. PCO makes his shocking return after being lit on fire by Bully Ray and Steve Maclin. PCO clears the ring of Moose and Myers, then chases Bully to the back. Kid hits a top rope splash on Myers but the referee is slow to make the count, allowing Myers to kick out at two. Moose pulls Taurus off the apron as Myers connects with the Roster Cut on Kid to win.
A good main event match. I wonder why Samuray Del Sol was pulled from this match? It was still good, regardless of it now being 3-on-2. PCO making his return was well timed and well executed. Having him chase off Bully Ray to even the match odds was a good idea. Some brilliant tag team offence shown in this one, especially cutting off the ring for Taurus. Grade B+
After the match, we see Bully Ray carjack someone and drive away, escaping PCO.
Overall, another brilliant episode of Impact Wrestling. I’m extremely excited for the 1000th Episode that is coming up. We also get to look forward to the Emergence PPV at the end of the month and also Multiverse United 2: For Whom the Bell Tolls. So much Impact action!