‘Impact Wrestling’ Review (July 28th 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 Vincent (which was unexpected). Let’s get into the review…
Match #1: Eddie Edwards def. Ace Austin
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
The war between Honor No More and Bullet Club rages on as Eddie Edwards takes on Ace Austin in tonight’s opening contest! King provides a distraction on the outside, allowing Edwards to gain the early advantage. Edwards hits a belly-to-belly suplex off the ropes for two. Austin quickens the pace and sends Edwards to the floor. Austin soars through the air with a Fosbury Flop. He follows up with a springboard leg drop for two. Edwards returns fire and hits a Backpack Stunner. King and Bey are ejected from ringside, prompting Bey to take out King with a dive over the top. Back in the ring, Austin almost puts Edwards away with his signature springboard kick. Edwards comes back with a Tiger Driver, followed by the Diehard Driver to win.
My Score: 4 out of 5
Match #2: Laredo Kid & Trey Miguel def. Johnny Swinger & Zicky Dice
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Laredo Kid and Trey Miguel join forces against duo from Swinger’s Dungeon, Johnny Swinger and Zicky Dice! Kid and Miguel quickly gain control as Dice retreats the outside. Swinger and Dice attempt to play mind games as they don their own masks. Miguel dives through the ropes, taking out Dice on the floor. Swinger provides a distraction, allowing Dice to blindside Miguel with a clothesline. Swinger inadvertently hits partner with a top rope elbow drop. Miguel hits Dice with the Meteora, followed by the Frog Splash from Kid to win!
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #3: Tiffany Nieves def. Jada Stone
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Tasha Steelz joins Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt on commentary for the following showcase match between talents from Ohio Valley Wrestling. Steelz says the winner may receive a match with her in the future. Stone crashes and burns on a springboard Moonsault attempt, allowing Nieves to capitalize with a DDT. Nieves stacks her up with a hold of the ropes to win.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #4: Josh Alexander def. Shera
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
After a physical altercation last week, Josh Alexander collides with Shera in what promises to be a hard-hitting contest! Alexander hits a running crossbody to the back of Shera. Singh pulls Alexander off the apron but fails his attempt to push him into the steel steps. Alexander locks in the Ankle Lock, forcing Shera to tap out!
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #5: KUSHIDA def. Rich Swann
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
KUSHIDA makes his highly-anticipated IMPACT in-ring debut as he squares off with former IMPACT World Champion Rich Swann! KUSHIDA targets the left arm in the early going. Swann starts to build momentum with a dropkick. KUSHIDA ducks, causing Swann to chop the steel ring post. Both men are down following in-sync running crossbodies. KUSHIDA quickens the pace with a flurry of strikes, followed by a Pele kick. KUSHIDA locks in the Armbar but Swann counters into a pinning opportunity for two. Swann hits a neckbreaker, followed by a running kick but it’s not enough to keep KUSHIDA down. KUSHIDA secures a Kimura on the top rope, then locks in the Hoverboard Lock to win by submission!
My Score: 4 out of 5
- Killer Kelly came out post-Neives/Stone match and attacked both women.
- Honor No More and Bullet Club will fight at Emergence – if Honor No More lose they have to disband (which means them losing so folks can go back to ROH… cough, Vincent, cough)
Final Verdict: 3.5/5
Another great episode of Impact, with a superb opening match and an even better closing one. The only thing that let the show down for me was all the promos and backstage segments. OK, so I know they’re building towards Emergence but I just wish they did it more in the ring. Otherwise another solid week from Impact Wrestling.
