‘Impact Wrestling’ Review (Nov 3rd 2022)
Welcome to this week’s review of Impact Wrestling, which this week opens with a Before the Impact match that saw PJ Black defeat Yuya Uemura in an X-Division Title Tournament 1st Round match. Let’s get into the review…
Match #1: X-Division Title Tournament 1st Round Match – Mike Bailey def. Kenny King
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Who will advance to the next round in the X-Division Title Tournament? We find out in this clash of former X-Division Champions! Bailey sends King to the outside with a flurry of kicks. King is retreating up the ramp when Bailey chases him back into the ring and targets his knee. King drops him face-first into the turnbuckle, followed by a Spinebuster. King continues the attack with a suplex on the exposed ramp. Bailey just makes it back into the ring at the referee’s count of nine. Bailey begins to build momentum with another series of kicks. King comes back with the Tiger Driver for two. King attempts another Tiger Driver, this time on the ramp, but Bailey counters and hits a top rope Moonsault to the floor. Bailey traps King in a pinning predicament to score the victory.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #2: Savannah Evans def. Jessicka
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Two powerhouses of the Knockouts Division collide! Jessicka brings the fight in the early going as she hits a big running clothesline. Jessicka crashes and burns in the corner, allowing Evans to capitalize with a DDT. Evans puts her strength on display as she hits a vertical suplex with ease. Evans charges into the corner but Jessicka sidesteps, sending her crashing into the steel ring post. Jessicka regains her composure as she hits a release German suplex. Evans takes a page out of Rosemary’s book as she bites Jessicka to take control. Jessicka connects with a spin kick, followed by a running crossbody. Steelz gets up on the apron but Rosemary makes her pay with a spear. Back in the ring, Evans puts Jessicka away with the Full Nelson Slam.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #3: Sami Callihan def. Eric Young (DQ)
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Violence reigns supreme as Eric Young battles Sami Callihan for the first time ever! The bell rings and Callihan immediately hits a pop-up powerbomb. Deaner gets up on the apron but Callihan knocks him down. The fight spills to the outside where Young ducks a chop, causing Callihan’s hand to collide with the steel ring post. Callihan hits a vertical suplex on the floor before biting Young’s ear. Callihan attempts the Cactus Driver 97 but Deaner takes him out while the referee is distracted. Back in the ring, Callihan counters a Piledriver into a back body drop. Both men exchange shots in the middle of the ring until Young gains control with a clothesline. Callihan avoids a top rope Moonsault when Violent By Design’s hooded followers storm the ring and attack him. Deaner instructs two of the followers to remove their hoods and reveal their identities – it’s Alan Angels and Big Kon! A new era of Violence has begun as the group stands tall over a laid out Callihan.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #4: Ace Austin def. Moose
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Ace Austin is out for revenge after Moose assaulted Chris Bey during his match with Tommy Dreamer last week! Austin takes the big man off his feet with a springboard kick. Moose catches Austin in mid-air and swings him into the steel steps. Back in the ring, Moose remains in control as he hits a strong Irish whip into the corner. Moose takes a moment to mock the Bullet Club, allowing Austin an opportunity to escape. Moose quickly shuts him down with Snake Eyes into the turnbuckle. Austin is fired up, taking him down with a flurry of strikes. Moose hits a Uranagi, then tosses Austin across the ring from the top rope. Bully Ray comes down to ringside to confront Moose for accusing him of attacking Austin in the parking lot. The distraction causes Moose to miss his Spear attempt, allowing Austin to roll him up for three.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #5: Josh Alexander & Frankie Kazarian def. Aussie Open (Mark Davis & Kyle Fletcher)
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Champion and challenger for the IMPACT World Title at Over Drive team up as Josh Alexander and Frankie Kazarian collide with Aussie Open! Davis knees Alexander from the apron, allowing Fletcher to clothesline him over the top rope to the floor. Aussie Open gain the early advantage as they drive Alexander and Kazarian back-first into one another. Aussie Open cut off the ring and employ quick tags to wear Alexander down. Kazarian tries to get involved but that gives Davis an opportunity to deliver a back suplex on the hardest part of the ring. Alexander uses his quickness to duck and dodge the incoming assault, then makes the tag to Kazarian. The pace quickens with Kazarian hitting the slingshot DDT on Fletcher. Aussie Open turns the tide with a double team cutter but it’s not enough to put Kazarian away. Alexander brings the fight to both members of Aussie Open, then hits Davis with a powerbomb for two. Aussie Open connects with devastating double team offense on Alexander but the pin is broken up by Kazarian. Moments later, Kazarian hits a springboard leg drop on Fletcher. Alexander locks in the Ankle Lock on Fletcher. Meanwhile, Kazarian traps Davis in a submission of his own. Fletcher rolls through and sends Alexander crashing into his own partner. Alexander suplexes Fletcher over the top rope as they both topple to the floor. In the ring, Kazarian connects with the Slingshot Cutter on Davis to score the victory.
My Score: 4 out of 5
Final Verdict: 3.5/5
So I’m counting this week’s show as a five-match card, however… Was that video package featuring Eddie Edwards and PCIO supposed to be a match? If not, what was it? Why was it? No matter, the rest of this week’s Impact was a solid, SOLID, show – never quite, apart from the main event, squeaking into amazing territory but never disappointing either… Unlike some OTHER wrestling shows this week! Nice to see Alan Angels is now a definite part of the Impact roster, though does he really have to be in another faction again?! And alongside Big Kon, formerly of The Ascension of all things!
