‘Impact Wrestling’ Review (May 12th 2020)

Welcome to this week’s Impact Wrestling review, right here on Nerdly. I’m Nathan Favel and we have Moose defending a World Title that doesn’t exist anymore. It’s nice that Impact found a way to create an angle for the main event scene, but I wish that this was leading to them actually bringing back TNA as the league name. Well, enough of my b——-, we’ve got…whatever. Aren’t you excited yet?!

Match #1: Hernandez def. Madman Fulton w/ oVe (Dave & Jake Crist) – #1 Contenders Tournament First Round

The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:

These two giants jockey for position in the early going. Hernandez takes him off his feet with a big shoulder tackle. Fulton hits a vertical suplex from the apron, slamming Hernandez back into the ring. Fulton follows up with a splash for two. Fulton attempts a diving headbutt off the second rope but crashes and burns when Hernandez rolls away. Hernandez connects with a modified Spinebuster but Dave Crist puts Fulton’s leg on the rope to break the count. Jake Crist gets involved. Hernandez sends him flying into Fulton with a Border Toss. Hernandez hits a top rope splash to win and advance in the tournament.

My Opinion: 2.5 out of 5 – While not bad at all, this did make Fulton look weak to another wrestler, again. I get that the angle is that he can’t win without Sami Callihan, but that’s a stupid angle. The action was standard stuff that never got really ambitious, but it all looked good, for what it was.

Match #2: Kylie Rae def. Tasha Steelz

The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:

Kylie builds momentum with a series of deep arm drags. Tasha drops Kylie face-first into the corner turnbuckle to turn things around. Kylie connects with the Kylie Special for two. Kylie attempts to lock in the Smile to the Finish but Tasha quickly gets to the ropes. Kylie cuts off Tasha’s momentum in mid-air, once again locking in the Smile to the Finish and forcing her to submit.

My Opinion: 2.8 out of 5 – Rae and Steelz (who has just signed with Impact), had a decent match that never went too far in any direction, but also wasn’t looking to get anywhere any-how. This was mostly just an exhibition of who these two are and that was certainly established. All in all, it came and went and that’s just fine.

Match #3: Kimber Lee def. Havok

The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:

Kimber attempts a Hurricanrana out of the corner but Havok counters into a sit-down powerbomb. Kimber hits an Enzuigiri, then chokes Havok on the ropes to gain control. Kimber locks in an Octopus style submission on the ropes, doing some serious damage to Havok before the referee breaks it up. Nevaeh once again looks on from ringside. Kimber hits a tope rope Swanton for two. Havok connects with a vicious swinging slam for another near fall. Kimber strikes Havok with brass knuckles behind the referees back to win.

My Opinion: 2.8 out of 5 – Kimber was just fine here and won like she should have, while Havok took a loss that did make her look weak from time to time, but Kimber cheating to win helped balance that out at the end. These two worked well together, so perhaps we’re due a feud between these two.

Match #4: Trey def. Rohit Raju – #1 Contenders Tournament First Round

The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:

Trey hits a springboard arm drag in the early going. Rohit picks up the intensity with a strong running elbow. Rohit hits a pump-pick, then plants Trey face-first on the mat for two. Trey connects with a combination neckbreaker to start building momentum. Trey hits the Cheeky Nandos Kick, followed by a 619 in the corner. Trey launches himself off the top but Rohit counters with a knee in mid-air. Trey rolls up Rohit to win and advance in the tournament.

My Opinion: 3.1 out of 5 – Trey and Raju had a nice outing that gave Raju his best showing in ages and gave Trey a nice, big win.

Match #5: The North def. The Smoes – Impact World Tag Team Title Match

The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:

The North return to the Don Kolov Arena in Canada to once again put their Tag Team Championships on the line. Josh Alexander wasn’t happy with the caliber of talent that Ethan Page handpicked for them last week so he has passed that responsibility on to George, the ring announcer. George introduces another team of undeserving opponents, The Smoes. In another unique matchup, The North make quick work of their opponents to continue their historic reign as Tag Team Champions.

My Opinion: 0.6 out of 5 – F— off. This was bull-s— comedy wrestling, again. Hell, it only went two minutes, which felt like it was a thousand minutes too long in this case.

Match #6: (Main Event) Moose def. Suicide – Total Non-Stop Action Wrestling World Title Match

The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:

Suicide is in control from the opening bell as Moose retreats to the outside in order to catch a breathe. Moose turns the tide and hits a big boot, sending him crashing into the steel guardrail. Moose powerbombs Suicide on the apron. Moose plays to the camera, allowing Suicide to regain momentum and connect with a dive to the floor. Suicide counters a pop-up powerbomb into a Hurricanrana. Suicide flies through the air with a Lionsault for two. Moose charges into the corner but Suicide avoids him, causing Moose to trample the referee. Suicide has Moose beat with the Codebreaker but there’s no referee to make the count. Moose hits a low blow, followed by the No Jackhammer Needed Spear to win. Moose celebrates with the TNA World Heavyweight Title as IMPACT! goes off the air.

My Opinion: 3.4 out of 5 – This was good, but not great. Moose and Suicide worked well together and made the difference in styles work to their advantage. For a fake World Title fight, I got more out of this than I probably should have. Moose has really taken to his role as the cocky champion with great relish…no mustard though. I kinda wish this would have gotten some promotion ahead of time to, I don’t know, matter? At least this didn’t have that Vanguard 1 s— like AEW has right now. It’s nice to see a main event have some good action and stick the landing when it matters most.

News Of The Night:

1. Chris Bey is trying to turn people against Willie Mack, starting with Johnny Swinger.
2. Willie Mack defends the Impact X-Division Title against Johnny Swinger, next week.
3. Michael Elgin attacked Ken Shamrock.
4. Michael Elgin fights Sami Callihan in a #1 Contenders Tournament First Round bout, next week.
5. Kylie Rae and Su Yung are now friends.
6. Kiera Hogan is getting a push, thanks to a vignette.
7. Cody Deaner is still quarantining.
8. Rosemary and John E. Bravo are being paired for an angle/story-line.
9. XXXL fights TJP & Fallah Bahh, next week.
10. Rhino fights Ken Shamrock, next week.

My Opinion: 2.6/5

You could skip this whole show and have missed nothing important.