‘Impact Wrestling’ Review (Jan 20th 2022)
Another week, another Impact Wrestling review. This weeks show kicked off with a Before the Impact that saw Jordynn Grace successfully defend her Digital Media Championship against Lady Frost; as for the main show, let’s get right into it!
Match #1: Tasha Steelz def. Chelsea Green
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Knockouts World Champion Mickie James joins Tom Hannifan on commentary as D’Lo Brown is still recovering from last week’s attack at the hands of the Ring of Honor renegades. After winning the first-ever Knockouts Ultimate X match, Tasha Steelz is the #1 contender for the Knockouts World Title. Green hits a curb stomp on the apron. Steelz counters the Unprettier into a Codebreaker for two. Steelz connects with a vicious cutter for another near fall. Green hits a top rope crossbody but Steelz rolls through. Steelz puts Green away with the Crucifix Bomb.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #2: Handicap Match – The Influence (Tenille Dashwood & Madison Rayne) def. Havok
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
As they prepare to challenge The IInspiration for the Knockouts World Tag Team Titles next week on IMPACT!, The Influence renew hostilities with Decay tonight. Before the match begins, Tenille Dashwood and Madison Rayne jump Decay during their entrance, injuring Rosemary in the process. Havok goes it alone in what has turned into a 2-on-1 handicap match! Kaleb With a K joins Tom Hannifan on commentary and reveals that the reason they attacked Decay moments ago was to send a message to The IInspiration ahead of their Knockouts World Tag Team Title opportunity. Havok headbutts Tenille in the corner, then splashes Madison in the corner. The Influence take Havok off her feet with a double crossbody for two. Madison hits the Ripcord Cutter, followed by the Spotlight Kick from Dashwood to win!
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #3: W. Morrissey def. The Learning Tree (VSK & Zicky Dice)
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
After being caught in the centre of W. Morrissey’s path of destruction last week, The Learning Tree is out for revenge in a handicap match! Brian Myers joins Tom Hannifan on commentary as he was the one who set this match up for his students. Morrissey hits a series of running splashes in the corner. Morrissey connects with a thunderous Chokeslam to Dice, followed by the BQE to VSK, pinning them both to win in dominant fashion!
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #4: Pure Rules Match for the ROH World Championship – Jonathan Gresham def. Steve Maclin
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Ian Riccaboni joins Tom Hannifan on commentary for this ROH World Title match that will be contested under Pure Rules! Maclin does not abide by the Code of Honor when he declines to shake Gresham’s hand before the match begins. Maclin delivers a closed fist to the jaw of Gresham, resulting in a warning from the referee. Maclin remains in control with a double under-hook backbreaker. Maclin hits an Olympic Slam for two, then locks in the Boston Crab. Maclin delivers a series of powerslams but Gresham will not stay down. Gresham hits a springboard Moonsault to create separation. Gresham tries to hyperextend his knee but Maclin grabs the ropes, using his third and final rope break. Gresham secures the Figure Four leg lock, trapping Maclin in a pinning predicament for three!
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #5: Doc Gallows & Joe Doering def. Heath & Rhino
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
The war involving Heath, Rhino and the unholy alliance continues as Karl Anderson steps into the commentary booth alongside Tom Hannifan. Deaner provides a distraction on the apron, allowing Gallows to deliver a big boot to Rhino. Doering joins the assault as he and Gallows take Rhino off his feet with a double shoulder tackle. Both Gallows and Rhino are down following a double clothesline, leading to a pair of tags. The pace quickens as Heath sends Doering to the floor with a clothesline. Deaner hits Heath with the VBD flag while the referee is distracted, followed by a double chokeslam from Gallows and Doering to win!
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #6: Josh Alexander def. Charlie Haas
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
It’s main event time as Chris Sabin joins Tom Hannifan on commentary for Charlie Haas’ IMPACT in-ring debut vs Josh Alexander! Haas targets the knee of Alexander in the early going as he wraps it around the steel ring post. Haas deals further damage to the knee with a submission attempt. Both men exchange one German suplex after the other. Haas counters the C4 Spike, then spears Alexander’s mid-section in the corner. Haas hits an overhead belly-to-belly suplex for two. Alexander turns the tide, locking in the Ankle Lock to win by submission!
My Score: 4 out of 5
News of the Night:
- Matt Cardona challenged Jordynn Grace for her Digital Media Championship.
- Morrissey gets an IMPACT World Title shot versus Moose at the No Surrender PPV in February.
Final Verdict: 3/5
A good show that was certainly lifted above average by the fantastic main event. Otherwise this one coasted along, furthering storylines out of Hard to Kill and generating new ones for next months No Surrender. The Pure Rules match was interesting given that it didn’t really follow the format – I kind of liked the idea that Maclin didn’t know the rules so couldn’t follow them – although the ref was definitely too lenient. As for the W. Morrisey match, it might have got a low score as it was a squash match but it was a GLORIOUS squash match, with Morrisey looking super-strong and super-angry, which is what you want given the storyline between Morrisey and Moose – this match showed Morrisey was focused on Moose and anyone that stood in his way would be squashed like a bug. Loved it! That final match though… Really liked seeing Charlie Haas back on TV and he seemed like a great foil for Josh Alexander, I just hope the apparent injury he suffered doesn’t keep him off TV for long.
