‘Impact Wrestling’ Review (Jan 5th 2023)
Welcome to this week’s review of Impact Wrestling, which this week opens with a Before the Impact match that saw Gisele Shaw defeat KiLynn King (King gets beat again! Nooooo!). Let’s get into the review…
Match #1: Taylor Wilde def. Masha Slamovich
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Before they compete in a Four-Way #1 Contenders match at Hard To Kill, Masha Slamovich and Taylor Wilde go one-on-one! Another competitor in that match, Deonna Purrazzo, joins Matthew Rehwoldt and Tom Hannifan on commentary. Wilde chokes Slamovich on the ropes, then drives her face-first into the apron. Slamovich shuts down her momentum with a series of snap suplexes, including one into the corner turnbuckles. Both Knockouts are down following double clotheslines in the middle of the ring. Wilde quickens the pace, then hits a modified Codebreaker for two. Slamovich disrespects Purrazzo at ringside but that gives Wilde the opportunity to capitalize, rolling her up for three.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #2: Black Taurus def. Anthony Greene
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
“The Alternative” Anthony Greene makes his IMPACT debut as he battles the #1 Contender for the X-Division Title, Black Taurus! Greene hits a Hurricanrana but Taurus comes back with a powerslam. Greene dumps him over the top rope to the floor. Greene sends Taurus crashing into the steel ring post to gain control. Greene walks across the ropes, then soars towards Taurus and connects with a cutter. Taurus turns the tide with a headbutt, then quickens the pace with a series of Slingblades. Taurus hits a pop-up Samoan Drop, followed by Destination Hellhole to win.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #3: Jonathan Gresham def. Ernest R. Anthony
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Jonathan Gresham tunes up for his Hard To Kill match with Eddie Edwards as he locks up with Ernest R. Anthony tonight. Gresham puts his skillset on display in the early going, taking Anthony off his feet with a dropkick. Gresham counters a sunset flip attempt, then begins to target the ankle. Anthony can’t get anything going as Gresham continues to work on the leg. Gresham locks in a submission, then traps Anthony in a pinning predicament to score the three count.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #4: Chris Sabin def. Matt Cardona
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
With the World Tag Team Title Four-Way Elimination match looming at Hard To Kill, Chris Sabin battles Matt Cardona for the first time ever! The fight spills to the outside where Sabin delivers a back body drop on the steel ramp. During the commercial break, Cardona trips up Sabin on the apron, then whips him into the steel ring post to gain control. Cardona connects with a hat trick of neckbreakers for two. Sabin tries to build momentum but Cardona shuts him down with a clothesline. Sabin hits a running boot, followed by a delayed running dropkick in the corner. Sabin counters the Reboot, then sends Cardona over the top rope to the floor. Sabin hits a tornado DDT but Myers distracts the referee from ringside. Shelley chases Myers into a boot from his partner. Sabin dives through the ropes, taking out both of the Major Players on the outside. Cardona puts the official in harm’s way, allowing him to capitalize with a suplex into the turnbuckles. Cardona hits back-to-back ReBoots but it’s not enough to keep Sabin down. Sabin puts him away the Cradle Shock for three.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Final Verdict: 3/5
Three good matches and far, far, too many promos for my liking. I get it, its a new year and new storylines need to be laid out (or recapped due to the break Impact takes) but come on, four matches. Just FOUR! And one of those was a squash match?! On the other hand the matches we did get were all solid and consistent – which you can [normally] rely on Impact for. Which is a plus!
