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This week’s episode of Impact comes to us from Cicero Stadium in Chicago, Illinois.
Match 1: Impact World Tag Team Championship Match - ABC vs Kenny King & Sheldon Jean
Kenny distracts the referee, allowing Sheldon to stop a slingshot attempt from Chris. Sheldon drives Chris into the steel ring post at ringside. Back in the ring, Kenny and Sheldon cut off the ring and employ quick tags on Chris. Moments later, Chris uses his quickness to avoid the incoming attack, then launches himself off the back of Kenny to make the tag. Ace enters the match with a burst of speed and takes out Kenny with a springboard kick. ABC is setting up for 1, 2 Sweet but Sheldon pulls Ace out of the ring. Kenny hits Chris with a Tiger Driver for two. Kenny connects with a Blockbuster on Chris, followed by a neckbreaker from Sheldon but it’s still not enough. ABC bounced back with 1, 2 Sweet on Sheldon to retain the Impact World Tag Team Titles.
A really good opening match. I am glad that ABC retained. The athleticism in this match was on point. 4 very talented men. Looking forward to seeing ABC have a lengthy title reign. Grade B-
Backstage Segment:
Masha Slamovich and Killer Kelly say that pro wrestling is all about control and MKUltra controls the Knockouts Tag Division.
Match 2: Moose w/Brian Myers vs Heath
Heath has Moose reeling in the early going as he sends him retreating to the outside. Brian Myers provides a distraction on the floor, allowing Moose to connect with a pump kick. Moments later, Heath regains control by throwing him into the steel ring post. Moose distracts the referee, allowing Brian to deliver a cheap shot. Moose goes for a powerbomb but Heath counters into a head scissors. Heath quickens the pace, taking out Moose with a slingshot crossbody to the outside. Heath hits a leg lariat, followed by a powerslam for two. Brian gets up on the ropes but Heath makes him pay. Moose capitalises with a Uranage but Brian wants him to use the Feast or Fired briefcase as a weapon. Moose says no, then counters the Wake Up Call from Heath. Moose hits the spear to win.
An OK match. I was probably expecting more from this with Moose basically being the number 1 contender for the World Championship, but I suppose they cannot have their best matches every week. Grade C-
After the match, Rhino comes out to save Heath, Rhino Gores Brian Myers.
Backstage Segment:
Moose is backstage. He is visually angry. He vows to end Rhino’s career at Final Resolution.
Match 3: The Rascalz (Trey Miguel, Zachary Wentz & Myron Reed) vs Black Taurus, Laredo Kid & Juventud Guerrera
This match is contested under Lucha Rules which means you can legally enter the match without a tag once your teammate exits the ring.
The action is fast and furious from the opening bell as Trey leaps over the top and takes down Taurus with a Hurricanrana. The Rascalz ground Laredo as Trey hits the Three Amigos. Taurus launches Juventud into a dropkick on Trey. Zachary hangs up Laredo on the middle rope, then hits a standing Shooting Star for two. Laredo sends Trey flying with a Sunset Flip powerbomb out of the corner. Juventud goes on the attack, getting two for one on Zachary and Myron. Taurus drops Zachary with a pop-up Samoan Drop. Juventud goes for the 450 splash but Trey pushes him into his own partner. Myron hits Taurus with a jumping cutter all the way to the floor. Back in the ring, Taurus cuts off Myron in mid-air, then spikes him with Destination Hellhole to win.
Wow! What an amazing match. I loved the inclusion of Lucha Rules as well. It's nice to see something different implemented. I was shocked by the results of this one. I was expecting the Rascalz to pull out the victory (probably in some sort of shady manner), but instead we got a win for Black Taurus, Laredo Kid & Juventud Guerrera. Grade A-
Match 4: Steve Maclin & KiLynn King vs Bully Ray & Jordynne Grace
KiLynn squares off with Bully as she delivers a series of right hands. Bully comes back with a shoulder tackle, then tags in Jordynne. Jordynne hits a big boot in the corner, followed by a shoulder tackle of her own. KiLynn takes Jordynne down with a roundhouse kick. Bully is perched on the top but Steve slows him down. KiLynn sends Bully crashing down to the mat, then tags in Steve. Bully spears Steve to create separation, allowing him to make the tag to Jordynne. The pace quickens as Jordynne hits a Vader Bomb on KiLynn. KiLynn inadvertently hits Steve with a big boot. Jordynne puts KiLynn away with the Juggernaut Driver to win.
A good match, it’s nice to see that these women are being treated as equals to the men and are being allowed to show their strength. I’m expecting big things from both Jordynne and KiLynn. Grade C
After the match, Bully demands that Jordynne takes her Call Your Shot Trophy from him. Bully then offers out his hand and Jordynne accepts it and they shake hands.
Match 5: Trinity vs Sonny Kiss
It’s a stalemate in the early going as Trinity and Sonny match each other’s pace and offence. Sonny plants Trinity face-first into the mat with a spinning slam. Sonny hits a standing Moonsault for two. Sonny remains in control with a handspring back elbow. Trinity creates an opening with a bulldog. The momentum begins to shift as Trinity hits the running splits for two. Trinity connects with the Split-Legged Moonsault but it’s not enough. Sonny almost puts Trinity away with a cartwheel kick. Trinity bounces back, then hits the Full Nelson slam to win.
A good match. Sonny seems to be a good fit in the Knockouts division, so hopefully she will be able to add another element to the already great division. Grade C
Backstage Segment:
The Motor City Machine Guns are backstage and they are talking about their match at Final Resolution against Josh Alexander and Zack Sabre Jr. The Motor City Machine Guns say that they will show why they are the best tag team of this generation.
Main Event: Josh Alexander vs Will Ospreay
Will hits a running Shooting Star. Josh connects with a series of German suplexes. Will goes for a Hurricanrana but Josh catches him mid-air and hits him with a backbreaker. Josh takes Will off the apron with a strong running crossbody. Josh hits a Northern Lights suplex, then whips Will into the corner turnbuckles. Will turns the tables with a handspring kick and follows up with a springboard forearm. Josh hits a rolling senton off the second rope. Moments later, Will hits an explosive Tiger Driver, providing him with an opportunity to regain his composure. Will hits the Cheeky Nandos kick. Will fights off a top rope German suplex attempt from Josh. Will lands awkwardly on a Moonsault and Josh quickly capitalises by securing an Ankle Lock. Will goes for the Oscutter but doesn’t get it, allowing Josh to lock in another Ankle Lock. Will crawls to the bottom rope in order to break the hold. Will hits Stundog Millionaire, then successfully hits the Oscutter for two. Will goes for the Hidden Blade but his leg gives out. Both men exchange headbutts in the middle of the ring. Will fights off another Ankle Lock into a Spanish Fly. Josh bounces back with a Piledriver for yet another near fall. Will avoids the C4 Spike, then hits the Hidden Blade and Storm Driver 93. Will hits another Hidden Blade, followed by Storm Breaker to win.
Another phenomenal match from Will Ospreay! This man is just throwing out 5* matches left, right and centre. I don’t know if he is actually capable of putting on a bad match. This was the match of the night, and I really hope that Will signs with TNA when his contract ends in February. Grade A+
Overall, this was a really good episode of Impact Wrestling. It seems to be improving every week. I think this just goes to show how brilliantly Impact are doing, and why they should be one of the wrestling companies to watch. Solid matches from talented performers.