‘Impact Wrestling’ Review (Aug 25th 2022)
Welcome to this week’s review of Impact Wrestling, which this week opens with a Before the Impact match that saw Bullet Club’s Ace Austin and Hikuleo defeat Johnny Swinger and Zicky Dice. Let’s get into the review…
Match #1: Knockouts World Tag Team Championship – VXT (Deonna Purrazzo & Chelsea Green) def. Jordynne Grace & Mia Yim
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
VXT defend their newly-won Knockouts World Tag Team Titles against the formidable duo of Knockouts World Champion Jordynne Grace and Mia Yim. Purrazzo takes Grace out at the knees, allowing Green to gain the advantage with a DDT. Grace fights back into her corner where she makes the tag to Yim. VXT takes control as they cut off the ring and employ quick tags. Yim avoids an incoming spear, sending Purrazzo crashing into the steel ring post. Yim makes the tag to Grace who hits a big spinebuster on Purrazzo. Grace takes out Purrazzo with a dive but Green cuts off Yim in mid-air with a forearm shot. VXT connect with the Due Collector on Grace as Purrazzo pins her to retain the Knockouts World Tag Team Titles!
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #2: Karl Anderson def. Mike Bennett
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Before The Good Brothers defend the IMPACT World Tag Team Titles against Matt Taven and Mike Bennett, Karl Anderson goes one-on-one with Bennett tonight. If Anderson wins, Maria Kanellis will be banned from ringside for that match. Anderson is in control as he clotheslines Bennett over the top rope to the floor. Bennett bounces back with a clothesline on the outside. Back in the ring, Anderson hits a running dropkick but Bennett takes him out with a superkick. Anderson connects with his signature spinebuster for two. Kanellis distracts the referee, allowing Taven to get involved from the outside. Doc Gallows evens the odds for Anderson, who hits the Gun Stun on Bennett for three!
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #3: Bhupinder Gujjar def. Jason Hotch
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Digital Media Champion Brian Myers joins Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt on commentary as Bhupinder Gujjar battles Gut Check winner Jason Hotch. Gujjar attempts a powerslam but Hotch fights it off with an eye rake. Gujjar quickly turns the tide with a spinebuster. Gujjar hits the Gargoyle Spear to score the victory!
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #4: Josh Alexander def. Vincent
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Before Josh Alexander defends the IMPACT World Title against Honor No More leader Eddie Edwards at Bound For Glory, he steps into the ring with Vincent here tonight. Vincent hits a side Russian leg sweep, followed by Red Rum for an early two count. Alexander avoids a running knee strike in the corner, then brings the fight to Vincent with a series of clotheslines. Alexander locks in the Ankle Lock but Vincent makes it to the ropes. Alexander connects with the Falcon Arrow, followed by the C4 Spike to win!
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #5: Jessicka def. Alisha
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Jessicka competes for the first time since emerging from the Undead Realm as she battles Knockouts mainstay, Alisha. Jessicka puts on her war paint and goes on the offensive. Jessicka hits a powerslam, followed by a running crossbody. Alisha leaps off the top rope but Jessicka catches her in mid-air. Jessicka spikes her with a piledriver for three!
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #6: Time Machine (KUSHIDA, Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley) def. Violent By Design (Eric Young, Joe Doering & Deaner)
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
It’s main event time as Violent By Design looks to eliminate the longtime allies of KUSHIDA and the Motor City Machine Guns. Violent By Design is in control, slowing down the pace to their advantage. Sabin is being punished by VBD when he explodes with a burst of momentum and makes the tag to KUSHIDA. The pace quickens as KUSHIDA hits a pair of handspring elbows to Young and Doering. Shelley targets the left arm of Deaner, before Sabin takes him out with a running kick. Sabin dives through the ropes, colliding with Doering on the floor. KUSHIDA soars with a flying knee off the apron. Young spikes Sabin with a modified driver but KUSHIDA and Shelley break the count. Young hits a top rope elbow drop on Sabin. Time Machine gain control with a flurry of unique offense. KUSHIDA hits a Pele Kick on Deaner, followed by the Cradle Shock from Sabin to win!
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Final Verdict: 3.5/5
Once again Impact Wrestling delivers just that… wrestling. Good wrestling at that, with two great matches to open the show and a fantastic one to end the show. In between we got some decent matches too – though Josh Alexander’s was an oddly out of step one for the champ (his matches are usually better IMHO). In a surprise move we got some good storytelling this week, well… apart from the weird promo from Eddie Edwards! No matter how much I criticise Impact’s storytelling, you have to hand it to them, they – unlike the competition – rarely deliver a show that I rate under three stars. Which should be commended. Now all we need is bigger crowds and a bigger production budget and Impact will be back in the “main event” spotlight like in years of old!
