‘Impact Wrestling’ Review (2nd May 2019)
Welcome to this week’s Impact Wrestling review, right here on Nerdly. I’m Nathan Favel and we have the debut of Michael Elgin, which is certainly a source of controversy due to accusations made against him as a promoter concerning hiding a sexual assault performed by one his indy league’s wrestlers. This is his chance to win over the people once again, but I hope he still makes a legitimate attempt to actually apologize for what it looks like he did. In any case, I hope this second chance to make a first impression that Michael Elgin now has does not go to waste. Okay, let’s get to the action.
Match #1: Ace Austin beat Petey Williams
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Ace dives through the ropes, hitting Petey on the floor. Petey locks up Ace in the Tree of Woe and sings O’Canada! Ace connects with a springboard kick. Ace gives Petey a sick paper cut between his fingers. Petey is perched on the top rope but Ace slams him to the mat with a Hurricanrana and hits The Fold to win.
My Opinion: 3 out of 5 – There wasn’t a thing here to complain about, other than my usual complaint about length and all of that stuff. I wish that there would be more thought put into match promotion these days, because this felt like it just came and went without much of an official chance to appreciate it. It’s like going to a movie and having to fill in the blanks on the plot and characters and…$90,000,000 and they still can’t get the dialogue right either. Ace and Petey still could be a very big rivalry for this league, but it seems that they’re just using Petey as fodder for younger people. I love younger people, but Petey could still make for a great World Champion, if the bookers state their case to the crowd properly. Okay, I guess I did have a lot to complain about. That all being said, this was still very well-wrestled and a real winner for the time it was given.
Match #2: Rosemary beat Kiera Hogan (by Disqualification)
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Rosemary has taken Su Yung’s Undead Maid of Honor as her prisoner and ties her to the ring post before the match begins. Kiera is on fire in the early going as she hits a series of running strikes in the corner. Rosemary turns it around with a sidewalk slam. Kiera hits multiple superkicks but Rosemary kicks out at two. Rosemary does some serious damage by locking in the Upside Down. Rosemary sends Kiera flying off the ramp and crashing to the floor. Su Yung and the Undead Bridesmaids attack Rosemary from behind, causing the disqualification.
My Opinion: 0 out of 5 – This was bad. I could go on, but this was just bad. This could be the worst match of the year. If there is a worst match this year, then it will be beyond bad.
Match #3: Fenix beat Eddie Edwards
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Eddie tries to use his kendo stick in the early going but the referee stops him. Fenix attempts to use a rolling cutter but Eddie catches him in mid-air and thwarts his effort. During the match, Killer Kross appears on the stage and watches the match. Fenix hits a crucifix bomb for a two count. Eddie connects with the Blue Thunder Bomb for a near fall of his own. Eddie almost puts Fenix away again with a Tiger Driver. Kross comes to the ring and hands Eddie his kendo stick. However, when Eddie attempts to take it, Kross won’t hand it over!mmFenix takes advantage of the distraction and hits his signature spinning Muscle Buster to win.
My Opinion: 3.5 out of 5 – This just got there as an excellent match, but it got there. It was almost a step off, but that might just be from a first viewing type of thing. These two are an easy pairing, because they have all of their charisma in their wrestling itself, which goes a lot farther than having it in promos like many of today’s best. This was as fast and furious as any-thing else in wrestling today, with a little extra aggression courtesy of, well, both of them were pretty extreme here. I don’t want you to think they went full-on ECW here, but the attitude these guys had was the kind of thing that made every-thing else feel just a little more intense. I liked this and I bet you just might as well.
Match #4: (Main Event) Michael Elgin beat Johnny Impact and Pentagon Jr. – Triple Threat #1 Contender’s Match For An Impact World Title Shot
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Johnny attempts a springboard but Elgin cuts him off and hits him with a powerbomb on the apron! Pentagon hits Elgin with a double foot stomp off the top rope. There’s a huge Tower of Doom as Johnny hits a springboard German to Elgin and Elgin hits Pentagon with a vertical suplex off the top! Elgin catches Pentagon in mid-air and connects with a vicious Uranagi. Johnny attempts Countdown to Impact but Elgin avoids it. Pentagon hits Johnny with a powerbomb backbreaker for a near fall. Johnny attacks Pentagon with a steel chair at ringside. Elgin hits Johnny with a huge clothesline, followed by a buckle bomb and Sitout Powerbomb to win!
My Opinion: 3.5 out of 5 – In the face of controversy, Elgin got the victory in an excellent match. I’m glad that this was a success, because with Elgin being brought in ahead of some less-tainted name talent, his appearances will come under scrutiny that much more than any-one else. The match they wrestled was mean and nasty in parts, while being swift and fierce in others. This clash of styles worked out quite well and made the match feel very distinct from the others on the card. Pentagon Jr. was great and Johnny Impact was great. Great, great, great, great, great. Over-all, this was a real blast and a great match for both men.
News Of The Night:
- Konnan is now the manager of Pentagon Jr. and Fenix in Impact.
- Rob Van Dam is back and wrestling Ethan Page, next week.
- Brian Cage will be out for about a month to heal from his injuries.
- Michael Elgin is being positioned as Brian Cage’s main rival for the summer.
- Moose and Alexander fight LAX, next week.
- Fallah Bahh, Tommy Dreamer, Rich Swann and Willie Mack wrestle oVe in a 4 on 4 oVe Rules Match, next week.
- Kiera Hogan seems to have turned heel and meant to be booked against Rosemary as the heel in a feud.
Final Verdict: 3.5/5
This was a really good show that had one bad match and three worth watching.
