‘Impact Wrestling’ Review (May 5th 2022)
Welcome to this week’s review of Impact Wrestling, which this week opens with a Before the Impact match that saw Tenille Dashwood defeat Gisele Shaw! With that out of the way let’s get right into the main show…
Match #1: Tables Match – W. Morrissey def. Brian Myers
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
The personal rivalry between Brian Myers and W. Morrissey is about to explode and someone is going through a table – after all, that’s the only way to win! Morrissey hits a sidewalk slam out of the gate. Myers connects with a slingshot crossbody to the floor. Morrissey drives him back-first into the ring apron. Morrissey attempts a BQE through a table but Myers breaks free. Morrissey goes for another BQE but Digital Media Champion Matt Cardona pushes the table over. Morrissey overcomes the numbers game and hits a double chokeslam. Chelsea Green gets involved, turning the tide back in favor of the Major Players. Myers delivers a low blow on the outside but Morrissey is still able to duck and dodge their attempts to put him through a table. Jordynne Grace comes to the aid of Morrissey as she hits a spinebuster on Cardona. Morrissey and Grace double-team Cardona and put him through a table. Morrissey hits a Black Hole Slam on Myers, then powerbombs him all the way from the ring through a table on the outside!
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #2: X-Division Championship – Ace Austin def. Rocky Romero
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
As he prepares to compete in the NJPW Best of the Super Juniors tournament, new X-Division Champion Ace Austin makes his first title defense against Rocky Romero! The pace is fast and furious from the opening bell as Austin counters the Forever Clotheslines into a springboard kick. Austin retreats to the outside but Romero doesn’t let him escape by quickly diving to the floor. Romero hits a Hurricanrana off the apron, followed by a tornado DDT in the ring for two. Romero avoids another springboard kick and locks in the Half Boston Crab. Austin puts Romero away with The Fold to retain the X-Division Title!
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #3: Masha Slamovich def. Damaris
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Masha Slamovich looks to continue her dominance against IMPACT newcomer Damaris! Slamovich hits a belly-to-belly suplex out of the corner. Slamovich quickly hits the Snow Plow to score yet another victory!
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #4: Bullet Club (Jay White & Chris Bey) def. Rich Swann & Willie Mack
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Rich Swann and Willie Mack are out for revenge on the Bullet Club in this tag team showdown! Mack flips into a unique neckbreaker on White. Bey delivers a knee to the back of Swann from the apron. White provides a distraction, allowing Bey to attack Swann on the outside. Swann hits White with an Enzuigiri, allowing him to create separation and make the tag to Mack. Moments later, Mack connects with a Samoan Drop to Bey, followed by the standing Moonsault for two. Mack catches Bey in mid-air and launches him across the ring. White spikes Mack on his neck as Bey follows up with the Art of Finesse to win!
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #5: Tomohiro Ishii def. Steve Maclin
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Steve Maclin has an opportunity to prove that he should have been named the #1 Contender for the IMPACT World Title when he faces Tomohiro Ishii, who will challenge Josh Alexander at Under Siege! Both men exchange a flurry of stiff strikes in the middle of the ring. Ishii hits a powerslam, sending Maclin rolling to the outside. Maclin hits a Uranage out of the corner to bring Ishii’s momentum to a screeching halt. Maclin continues to wear Ishii down until he bounces back with a suplex. Maclin hits an Olympic Slam for two, then locks in the Boston Crab. Ishii crawls to the bottom rope to break the hold. Ishii counters Mayhem For All with a headbutt. Ishii connects with the Brainbuster to pick up the win!
My Score: 4 out of 5
Match #6: Monster’s Ball – PCO def. JONAH
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
After being trapped in isolation for 24 hours, JONAH and PCO are released from their prisons for tonight’s main event with no disqualifications and no countouts – this is Monster’s Ball! The conclusion to this epic rivalry begins in the backstage area where JONAH chokes PCO with a chain. They brawl to the top of the ramp as JONAH avoids being chokeslammed off the stage. JONAH hits a suplex on the exposed steel. The ring is littered with weapons as PCO sends him crashing into multiple chairs with a top rope Hurricanrana. JONAH regains control by hitting PCO in the head with a sledgehammer. JONAH hits a back suplex into a ladder. PCO connects with a DDT into a trash can, then dives to the outside. PCO continues the assault with the Deanimator. JONAH empties a bag of thumbtacks on the mat, then hits a powerbomb for two. PCO knocks him off the apron and through a table with a sledgehammer shot. PCO successfully hits the PCO-Sault to win Monster’s Ball!
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Final Verdict: 3.5/5
I gave this episode 3.5 out of 5 but it really was teetering on a 4/5, it really was. The overall show was great, with some superb matches, improving on recent weeks IMHO. I think it’s time for a number of the feuds on this show to end – which they either have here or will on this weekend’s Impact Plus PPV Under Seige. Jonah and PCO has been fun but I think this week’s match is the best place to end it, the same goes for the Morrisey/Cardona stuff – though I did like the fact Jordynn Grace got involved in this one. She’s actually a great partner for Morrisey, matching his strength pound-for-pound. The X division match delivered everything you want from an X division match and the tag team match was OK; Masha Slamovich needs to move on from these squash matches now though… But THE match of the night was Ishii versus Maclin. Damn! Impact have been rebuilding Maclin into a championship-worthy wrestler since his arrival in the company and right now he’s on fire. Maclin looked great even though he lost to Ishii, in a match that looked more like a veteran having more experience and thus knowing how to get the win in a longer, more drawn-out match. Hopefully Under Siege can follow this week’s episode up strong!
