‘Impact Wrestling’ Review (Nov 1st 2018)

Welcome to this weeks review of Impact Wrestling, the show after the show that drew the worst ratings in Impact history… So there’s that.

Match #1: Rich Swann vs. Willie Mack

The following comes from ImpactWrestling.com:

Two friends battle it out in the opening contest. Swann is hung up in the corner and Mack follows up with a kick from coast-to-coast! Mack connects with a slingshot crossbody to the outside. Mack sends Swann flying into the air, then slams him down to the mat for a near fall! Swann hits a series of kicks, followed by a 450 splash but Mack kicks out. Mack hits a standing Moonsault for another very close near fall. Mack misses a top rope frog splash, allowing Swann to connect with the handspring cutter. Swann hits the Phoenix Splash to pick up the victory.

My Take: A match between two guys that are too good for Impact Wrestling. I appreciate Imapct are giving Willie mack another platform to show off just how good he is. But every time he wrestles you realise he’s TOO good to be on this show – its just that Mack is not your typical “WWE” model wrestler – however if Keith Lee can make it to NXT thebn surely Willie mack can too? Oh, and Rich Swann – you don’t need to make it that obvious you’re slapping your leg to make chops etc., sound more vicious!

Match #2: Desi Hit Squad (Rohit Raju & Raj Singh) w/ Gama Singh vs. The Beach Bums (TJ Crawford & Freddy IV)

The following comes from ImpactWrestling.com:

Rohit and Raj are in control in the early going as the Desi Hit Squad looks better than ever. Rohit hits a flying knee into a Samoan Drop from Raj to score the victory!

My Take: Good god. When you thought the Desi Hit Squad matches couldn’t get any worse. A new low for the team whose appearances are fuelled by international TV money.

Match #3: Sami Callihan vs. Brian Cage – X-Division Championship Match

The following comes from ImpactWrestling.com:

We head to Rockstar Pro Wrestling in Ohio – will Brian Cage defend the X-Division Championship against Sami Callihan? Cage’s music hits but it’s not the real champ – it’s a Brian Cage impersonator! Callihan and oVe make an example out of him and warn the real Brian Cage that he’s next!

My Take: Sh*t like this is why Impact’s ratings are falling through the floor. End of.

Match #4: Knockouts Champion Tessa Blanchard vs. Taya Valkyrie – Knockouts Championship Match

The following comes from ImpactWrestling.com:

Tessa hits a suicide dive to the outside, sending Taya crashing into the guardrail. Taya connects with a series of running kicks to build momentum. Taya hits a Spear for a near fall. Taya attempts a clothesline but Tessa counters into a cutter. Taya hits the Moonsault but Tessa is still able to kick out! Taya launches herself off the top rope, taking out Tessa on the floor. Tessa hits the referee with a forearm shot, causing the disqualification! It appears that Tessa got herself intentionally disqualified so she could retain the Knockouts Championship!

My Take: Tessa and taya certainly showed the male talent how to do it in this match. And by do it I mean put on a good match, tell a good story and further a feud on. Something which can’t be said of the two “matches” that proceed this. The DQ finish was a fantastic way to get more heat on Blanchard and keep Valkyrie strong without eating a pin. Great match, great booking.

Match #5: Tag Team Champions LAX (Santana & Ortiz) w/Konnan vs. Matt Sydal & Ethan Page – Non-Title Match

The following comes from ImpactWrestling.com:

Page gets in Konnan’s face at ringside but Santana comes to his defense with a somersault off the apron. Sydal and Page wear down Santana on their side of the ring, preventing him from getting the tag to Ortiz. Santana eventually turns it around and gets the hot tag to Ortiz. Ortiz hits Page with a Northern Lights suplex but Sydal breaks up the pin attempt. Sydal hits Ortiz with double foot stomp off the top rope but this time, it’s Santana who breaks the pin! Santana and Ortiz connect with a double-team backbreaker on Sydal to win.

My Take: Poor Ethan Page. Makes his debut on Impact (unless you count his brief stint as Joseph Park’s nephew), teams up with Matt Sydal and becomes a jobber – he’s now 2-0 in losses. Another match that, FYI, wastes LAX… and wastes Sydal and page for that matter. A non-starter of a match.

Match #6: Pentagon Jr w/ Fenix vs. Homicide w/ King and Hernandez

The following comes from ImpactWrestling.com:

Pentagon jumps off the top but Homicide avoids him and connects with a series of clotheslines. Homicide is biting Pentagon’s fingers before the referee breaks it up. Pentagon connects with a backstabber out of the corner. Homicide regains momentum with a flip drive through the ropes to the outside. Homicide hits a tornado DDT off the second rope. Pentagon hits a double foot stomp off the top for a near fall. Pentagon rolls up Homicide to score the victory!

My Take: Nice to see Homicide given some time to show what he can do – its been a while. And I don’t think its in Pentagon Jr. to EVER deliver a bad match. A decent end to an overall poor episode of Impact.

News of the Night:

• Jordynne Grace debuts on Impact next week.
• Johnny Impact defends the Impact World Championship against Killer Kross on Final Hour.
• Moose and Eddie Edwards will go one-on-one next week too.
  

Final Verdict: 2.5/5

One, Impact needs to stop with this Attitude-era Scarlett Bordeaux rubbish. In a company that has done great things with its female competitors, these segments are like a slap in the face for the Knockouts division. Two, The Desi Hit Squad aren’t working, even with a change in line-up; plus if you’re going to call yourself a hit squad act like one. Three, the women save the day yet again, with a great heel move by Tessa Blanchard, helping cement her as the bad guy in this feud with Taya Valkyrie – though I still think she’s the Becky Lynch of Impact: fans will love her whatever. Three good matches, three bad… Hey at least this wasn’t Crown Jewel!