‘Impact Wrestling’ Review (Jan 6th 2022)
Welcome to this weeks review of Impact Wrestling which, following two weeks of Impact recap episodes, is the go-home show for this weekends Hard to Kill pay per view. This episode was kicked off by a “Before the Impact” match which saw Juice Robinson defeat Raj Singh. Let’s get to the rest of the card!
Match #1: Lady Frost, Chelsea Green & Tasha Steelz def. Jordynne Grace, Rachael Ellering & Rosemary
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
We get a preview of things to come at Hard To Kill in the first-ever Knockouts Ultimate X as the competitors battle it out in this six-Knockout tag. Rosemary hits a suplex on Tasha out of the corner, followed by a sliding clothesline. Rosemary does some serious damage as she locks in Upside Down. Rosemary heads to the outside where she’s met head-on with a big boot from Savannah. Ellering quickens the pace with a series of clotheslines to Tasha. The match begins to break down as Chelsea dives to the outside. Frost takes out everyone with a Moonsault off the top rope to the floor. Chelsea hits the Unprettier on Ellering to win the match and build momentum towards Ultimate X!
My Score: 3 out of 5
This was a great tease for this weekends Ultimate X womens match – the first of its kind – with Lady Frost coming out of this one looking stronger than the rest of the women in the match. That obviously means nothing right now but I’d like to think its a precursor to her getting the win; however I have a feeling its either going to be Tasha Steelz or Chelsea Green who becomes the first womens Ultimate X winner.
Match #2: JONAH def. Jake Something
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
48 hours before JONAH collides with Josh Alexander at Hard To Kill, he takes on poised powerhouse Jake Something tonight. After numerous attempts, Jake is able to take the big man off his feet with a running shoulder tackle. Jake hits a running spear in the corner, then soars through the air to take him out on the floor. JONAH comes back with a thunderous clothesline, followed by the top rope splash to win!
My Score: 3 out of 5
This was a solid demonstration of what JONAH can do and what we can probably expect from him at Hard to Kill. The post-match run-in by Josh Alexander left the winner of their match up in the air with JONAH really punishing Alexander with more attacks on his midsection AND puts him through a table!
Match #3: Masha Slamovich def. Sandra Moone
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Masha Slamovich makes her highly-anticipated debut in the Knockouts Division as she takes on Sandra Moone. Masha makes quick work of her opponent, spiking Sandra into the mat to score the dominant victory!
My Score: 1 out of 5
This was nothing more than a squash match to introduce (or as commentary described it, the “contracted debut”) the sheer power and strength of Masha Slamovich. Though to be fair to the also Impact-debuting Sandra Moone, the fans were behind her more than Masha!
Match #4: Deonna Purrazzo def. Mercedes Martinez
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Knockouts World Champion Mickie James joins D’Lo Brown and Matt Striker on commentary for this clash of top Knockouts. Purrazzo charges at Martinez while she’s entering the ring, jumpstarting the match before the opening bell. Martinez gains the momentary advantage with a submission but Rehwoldt gets up on the apron. Purrazzo capitalizes off the distraction and begins to target the arm. Martinez hits a spinebuster for two. Martinez continues the assault with a spear off the apron. Purrazzo counters a pin attempt into a double arm submission to win!
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
This was a fantastic womens match, nay a fantastic match full stop! This match was given a decent amount of time to tell its story and we had two women who knew how to tell that story too. I just hope Mercedes Martinez gets to have matches like this in AEW. Shame Impact couldn’t have locked her down to a contract though… She’s definietly they kind of wrestler Impact needs for the womens title scene – as I’ve said before, outside of Deonna Purrazzo and Mickie James there’s really no-one, I feel, is championship worthy in the womens division.
Match #5: Ace Austin & Madman Fulton def. Johnny Swinger & Hernandez
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Ace and Fulton attack Swinger and Hernandez from behind to gain the early advantage. Swinger uses his quickness to avoid incoming shots from Fulton, allowing him to escape from the corner. Swinger makes the tag to Hernandez who takes Fulton off his feet with a slingshot shoulder tackle. Hernandez hits a double suplex on both Ace and Fulton. Fulton comes back with a swinging slam to Hernandez, followed by a step-up splash from Ace to win!
My Score: 2 out of 5
A bit of a comedown from the womens match, this was still an OK tag match, though I would’ve like to see MORE of Hernadez in action (but that’s me pining for the old TNA days where he was a GOD!) In the end this match did exactly what it set out to do – make Fulton & Austin look badass.
Match #6: Winner Gains Advantage For Their Team in Hardcore War – Karl Anderson def. Heath
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Whoever wins this match will give their team the all-important numbers advantage in Hardcore War this Saturday at Hard To Kill! Tensions quickly escalate between the two groups, leading to them both being ejected from ringside. Heath delivers a series of fists in the corner. Anderson baits him in, sending Heath into the steel ring steps. Anderson wears Heath down for several minutes, targeting his shoulder. Heath tries to build momentum but Anderson uses the referee as a shield to shut him down. Anderson sidesteps, sending Heath shoulder-first into the steel post. Anderson hits the cutter to score the victory!
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
I wouldn’t hjave picjed this for my main event if I’m honest but I get that ending the show on chaos probably generates more excitement for Hard to Kill PPV this weekend. The match itself was another solid one, but there was nothing remarkable about it – especially considering how strong most of the matches on this episode were!
Final Verdict: 3.5/5
Apart from two matches this was a very strong episode of Impact and a true go-home show for this weekends pay per view! The women stole the show this week, which was good to see given how good the division used to be. A strong start for Impact Wrestling in 2022.
