‘Impact Wrestling’ Review (July 14th 2022)
Welcome to this week’s review of Impact Wrestling, which this week opens with a Before the Impact match that saw Bhupinder Gujjar defeat Johnny Swinger. Let’s get into the review…
Match #1: Josh Alexander & Motor City Machine Guns def. Violent By Design (Eric Young, Joe Doering & Deaner)
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Just as the bell is about to ring, Eric Young’s music hits and he joins his partners in Violent By Design. Doering and Deaner distract the referee, allowing Young to deliver an illegal shot to Alexander. VBD target the surgically-repaired neck of Alexander as they cut off the ring and prevent him from making the tag. Alexander attempts to fight free but Doering shuts down his momentum with a running crossbody. Moments later, Alexander makes the tag to Sabin as the pace quickens. Shelley soars with top rope splash to Deaner. The Guns hit Deaner with a dropkick Flatliner combo for two. Alexander and Young exchange shots as they personal rivalry is reignited. Young connects with a running neckbreaker on Shelley. Alexander sends Doering to the floor with a clothesline. Shelley locks in the Border City Stretch on Deaner while Alexander simultaneously locks in in the Ankle Lock on Young. Deaner taps out as the referee calls for the bell!
My Score: 4 out of 5
Match #2: Steve Maclin def. James Storm
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
James Storm may have wanted Moose but he’ll gladly step into the ring with Steve Maclin instead! Maclin disrespects Storm in the early going as he pushes his face into the corner turnbuckle. Storm goes for the Last Call superkick but Maclin retreats to the outside. The referee is trying to separate them when Maclin capitalizes by dropping Storm on the top rope. Maclin remains in control with a vicious backbreaker. Storm fights back with a series of strikes, followed by his signature running neckbreaker. Storm is Caught in the Crosshairs as Maclin collides with him in the corner. Maclin picks him off the top with a Super Hurricanrana, followed by a top rope elbow drop. Maclin sends him head-first into the exposed turnbuckle, then hits a double underhook DDT to score the victory.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #3: Chelsea Green def. Mickie James
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Deonna Purrazzo and Mia Yim are banned from ringside as Chelsea Green and Mickie James look to settle the score one-on-one! Green locks lips with James in an attempt to play mind games but it doesn’t phase her one bit. The match turns into an all-out brawl as James whips her into the steel ring post, then launches herself off the apron with a seated senton. Green comes back with a running dropkick to turn the tide. James sends her for a ride with a head scissors but Green quickly regains control. Green plants her face-first into the corner turnbuckle. They fight up the ramp the top of the stage where James drives her into the big screen. Back in the ring, James connects with the Mick Kick but Green grabs the bottom rope to break the pin. Green connects with the foot stomp but the referee catches her with a hold of Mickie’s tights. Green counters the Mick-DT into a rollup and this time, she uses the ropes for leverage to score the three count!
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #4: Masha Slamovich def. Tenille Dashwood
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Masha Slamovich has made Tenille Dashwood her next target – will she survive? The bell rings and Slamovich immediately sends Dashwood retreating to the outside with a spinning backfist. Slamovich hits a running boot, followed by the Snowplow to score yet another dominant victory!
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #5: Honor No More (Eddie Edwards, Kenny King, Matt Taven & Mike Bennett) def. Bullet Club (The Good Brothers, Ace Austin & Chris Bey)
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Taven inadvertently dropkicks Bennett and the match begins to break down. Bullet Club holds the ring as Honor No More regains their composure on the outside. Bey brings the fight to all the members of Honor No More but ultimately falls victim to the numbers game when Edwards hits an Enzuigiri from the apron. Taven capitalizes with a side Russian leg sweep off the ropes. Taven hits Bey with Just the Tip but he kicks out at two. Bey uses his quickness to break free of the assault. Bey makes the tag to Anderson but the referee doesn’t see it as he’s distracted by Honor No More on the other side of the ring. Moments later, Bey hits Taven with an Enzuigiri to create separation once again and make the successful tag to Anderson. Anderson hits a leaping neckbreaker on Taven. Chaos reigns supreme once again as everyone gets involved. The Good Brothers attempt a Magic Killer on Taven but Kanellis delivers a low blow to Gallows. Edwards hits the Boston Knee Party on Gallows, followed by Aurora Borealis from Taven to win.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Final Verdict: 3.5/5
This week’s episode of Impact opened super-strong and kind coasted along in Impact’s usual “good-match” style. The women’s matches were the only let-down but that’s down to the fact we got another Masha Slamovich squash and that the Chelsea Green/Mickie James match didn’t have as much chemistry in the wrestling as it has had in the promos and storytelling. My only gripe – and it’s not to say the match wasn’t good – is that the multi-man Honor No More matches are starting to feel like the Dark Order/Factory/Wingmen matches in AEW… They’re getting very samey. There’s plenty of great wrestling on offer but the story doesn’t seem to be going anywhere now and the matches feel more like excuses to get everyone in HNM on television.
