‘Impact Wrestling’ Review (Dec 1st 2022)
Welcome to this week’s review of Impact Wrestling, which this week opens with a Before the Impact match that saw Ladybird Johnston defeat Miss Bea Haven (yes this WAS an IPWF match!). Let’s get into the review…
Match #1: Rich Swann def. Bully Ray (DQ)
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Swann hits a splash off the second rope but Bully kicks out at one. Swann climbs to the top as Bully shuts down his momentum. Swann is trapped in the Tree of Woe when Bully assaults him with a flurry of strikes. Swann hits a jawbreaker, then takes the big man off his feet with a dropkick. Bully crashes and burns on a senton attempt, allowing Swann to soar with a 450 Splash. Bully attacks Swann with his steel chain, causing the disqualification.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #2: Moose def. Bhupinder Gujjar
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Bhupinder Gujjar steps up to Moose in this first time ever matchup. Gujjar gains the early advantage as he dropkicks Moose to the outside. Moose cuts him off, then delivers a thunderous powerbomb on the apron. Moose is in total control as he begins to pick Gujjar apart. Gujjar tries to fight back but Moose shuts down his momentum with a Uranage. Gujjar avoids the spear, then connects with a Slingblade. Gujjar misses the Gargoyle Spear attempt, allowing Moose to capitalize with his own spear for three.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #3: Frankie Kazarian def. Steve Maclin (DQ)
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Steve Maclin has Frankie Kazarian in his sights after he took what he believes was his rightful opportunity at the IMPACT World Title. Kazarian uses his quickness to take control but Maclin turns the tide with a strong Irish whip to the outside. Back in the ring, Maclin continues the assault with another Irish whip into the corner. Kazarian counters the Olympic Slam, giving him an opportunity to regain his composure. Kazarian hits a powerslam, followed by the springboard leg drop for two. Maclin fights off the Chicken Wing submission but gets caught with a leg drop on the apron instead. Kazarian prevents himself from being Caught in the Crosshairs, then connects with the cutter. Kazarian goes for the pin but Maclin gets his foot on the bottom rope. The action spills to the outside where Maclin hits him with a steel chair to cause the disqualification. Maclin makes an example out of Kazarian, spiking him into the chair with the KIA.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #4: Mickie James def. Deonna Purrazzo
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
The Last Rodeo continues as Mickie James and Deonna Purrazzo renew their epic rivalry. It’s a stalemate in the early going as these two seasoned veterans counter each other’s offense. James gains control by repeatedly driving Purrazzo head-first into the turnbuckle. James charges at Purrazzo but she turns the tide with a back elbow. Purrazzo remains in control with a catapult into the bottom rope. James gets her boot up, then hits a Hurricanrana out of the corner. James connects with the flapjack but Purrazzo shuts down her momentum by pushing James off the top rope to the floor. Purrazzo hits a Brainbuster for two, then in locks in the Camel Clutch. James dropkicks her to the outside, then soars with Thesz Press off the top rope to the floor. James hits a missile dropkick, followed by the neckbreaker for two. Purrazzo counters the MickDT into a pump kick for another near fall. Purrazzo locks in the Fujiwara Armbar, then transitions into Venus De Milo but James makes it to the ropes. Purrazzo rolls her up with a handful of tights but James turns it around and scores the pinfall to keep her career alive.
My Score: 4 out of 5
News of the Night:
- Impact closed with Deaner apparently stabbing Eric Young to “death” in a promo.
Final Verdict: 3/5
This week’s show was promo/story heavy, like REALLY heavy… So much so that the show ended with a video package promo rather than a match. Which I can’t get behind, no matter what the promo is or how good it is. This particular promo saw Eric Young written out of Impact. Well I say written out but he was stabbed to “death” – there’s no more definitive end than that right? Apparently it’s because Young is headed back to WWE?! We’ll see. The only really interesting non-match part of Impact – for me – was the fact Scott D’Amore seemingly wants to get physical with Bully Ray and that COULD be interesting if done right. As for the wrestling, this was a solid show with a great women’s main event, which was pretty much guaranteed with the talent involved and a cracking match between Kazarian and Maclin. Just one thing though… Why did we get two DQ matches on one show? No one loves a dusty finish!
