‘Impact Wrestling’ Review (May 11th 2023)
Welcome to this week’s review of Impact Wrestling, which this week opens with a Before the Impact match that saw Ace Austin defeat Zicky Dice (what the hell is Austin doing being relegated to a pre-show?). Let’s get into the review…
Match #1: Masha Slamovich def. Killer Kelly
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
After their meeting in Rebellion’s Hardcore War, Masha Slamovich and Killer Kelly renew hostilities tonight! Kelly hits a delayed Fisherman’s suplex for two. Slamovich rolls to the outside and goads Kelly in as she drops her on the hardest part of the ring. Back in the ring, Slamovich connects with a running boot in the corner. Slamovich bites Kelly while doing damage with a submission. Kelly delivers a series of headbutts, then hits a double under-hook suplex into the corner. Kell almost puts her away with a German suplex into a bridge. Slamovich counters a Killer Clutch attempt, then drops Kelly on her head for another near fall. Kelly counters the Snow Plow into a Death Valley Driver. Kelly locks in the Killer Clutch but Slamovich turns it around into a pinning predicament to win.
My Score: 4 out of 5
Match #2: Nick Aldis def. Sheldon Jean
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Kenny King joins Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt on commentary as Nick Aldis competes on IMPACT! for the first time in 6 years. The bell rings and Jean immediately charges towards Aldis. The veteran sees it coming and ducks out of the way. Jean retreats to the floor to regain his composure. Aldis brings the fight to the floor but King provides a distraction from the commentary table. Jean capitalizes and sends Aldis crashing into the steel ring post. Aldis regains control with a series of clotheslines, followed by a Michinoku Driver. Aldis soars with an elbow drop, then locks in the Cloverleaf to win by submission.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #3: The Good Hands (John Skyler & Jason Hotch) def. Decay (Black Taurus & Crazzy Steve)
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Decay and The Good Hands jockey for position in the wide open tag division! Taurus goes low on Skyler with a top rope dropkick. Taurus continues the assault with a powerslam. Steve sends The Good Hands colliding into one another, followed by a Flatliner to Skyler. Brian Myers is seen making his way to ringside as Taurus quickens the pace. In a unique display of offense, Taurus chokeslams Hotch into Skyler. Taurus has Hotch beat with a pop-up Samoan Drop but Skyler breaks the pin. Steve neutralizes Skyler with a slingshot crossbody to the floor. The referee is distracted, allowing Myers to attack Steve on the outside. In the ring, The Good Hands take out Taurus with double team offense to win.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #4: IMPACT World Championship – Steve Maclin def. Rhino
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
After Goring Steve Maclin in their six-man tag team match last week, Rhino challenges for the IMPACT World Title tonight! Rhino sets up for the Gore early but Maclin rolls to the outside. The fight spills to the floor where Rhino drops him on the top of the barricade. Maclin hangs up Rhino on the top rope, then targets the surgically-repaired left knee. After being worn down for several minutes, Rhino begins to fight back with a Superplex. Rhino hits a Spinebuster but is unable to follow up with the Gore due to his injured knee. Maclin hits Rhino with a Gore of his own to score the victory.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #5: Dirty Dango def. Johnny Swinger
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Dice gets involved from the outside, allowing Swinger to gain control. Swinger goes for a kick but Dango catches it and hits the Falcon Arrow for three.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #6: Knockouts World Tag Team Championship – The Coven (Taylor Wilde & KiLynn King) def. Deonna Purrazzo & Jordynne Grace
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Champion and challenger for the Knockouts World Title at Under Siege, Deonna Purrazzo and Jordynne Grace, join forces to challenge The Coven for the Knockouts World Tag Team Titles in our main event! Wilde distracts the referee, allowing King to drive the back of Purrazzo’s head into the apron. Wilde hits a running clothesline in the corner, then makes the tag to King. The Coven cut off the ring and begin to wear Purrazzo down. King dumps her with a suplex to remain in control. Purrazzo causes The Coven to collide with one another, creating a moment of separation. Purrazzo finally makes the tag to Grace as she enters the match with a burst of speed. Grace hits King with a Spinebuster, followed by a Juggernaut Jackhammer to Wilde. The Coven catch Grace off a dropkick attempt and powerbomb her into the hardest part of the ring. Grace hits Wilde with the Muscle Buster but King breaks the pin attempt. Grace inadvertently knocks Purrazzo off the apron. Wilde hits an assisted running clothesline on Grace to score the three count.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Final Verdict: 3.5/5
Another week, another dependable episode of Impact. This week’s show had the added star-power of former WWE superstar Trinity appearing as part of the Knockouts division. As for the rest of the show, Masha Slamovich and Killer Kelly put on a hell of a match to open the show, we got Nick Aldis in action in Impact after god-knows how many years(!), a fantastic World Championship match (yes Steve Maclin is THE right choice to be champ right now) and an equally good Women’s Tag Title match to closes the show. Another winner from Impact Wrestling.
