‘Impact Wrestling’ Review (Dec 8th 2022)
Welcome to this week’s review of Impact Wrestling, which this week opens with a Before the Impact match that saw X-Division Champion Trey Miguel defeat Jason Hotch. Let’s get into the review…
Match #1: IMPACT World Tag Team Championship – Heath & Rhino vs. Motor City Machine Guns (No Contest)
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
The Motor City Machine Guns receive their long-awaited IMPACT World Tag Team Title opportunity against Heath and Rhino! Heath attempts to fight his way out of the Gun’s corner but Sabin hits a Dragon Screw leg whip from the apron to remain in control. Shelley locks in a Figure Four Leg Lock but Heath crawls to the ropes in order to break the submission. Heath creates separation with an explosive powerslam, allowing him to make the tag to Rhino. The pace quickens as Rhino hits Sabin with a Spinebuster. Shelley gets involved from the outside, allowing Sabin to capitalize. Sabin and Heath are exchanging strikes when the Major Players attack them from behind with a pair of Wake Up Calls. The Major Players retreat up the ramp as they lay claim to the IMPACT World Tag Team Titles.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #2: Savannah Evans def. Taya Valkyrie
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Savannah Evans looks to teach Tasha Steelz a lesson by doing something that she was unable to do, defeat Knockouts World Tag Team Champion Taya Valkyrie! Valkyrie hits a thunderous spear but Evans avoids the follow-up offense. Valkyrie does the splits on the apron as Evans sends her crashing to the floor. Evans hits a butterfly suplex out of the corner. Valkyrie begins to build momentum with a Hurricanrana but Evans shuts her down with a big clothesline. Valkyrie comes back with a clothesline of her own, then hits a Blue Thunder Bomb for two. Evans counters the Road to Valhalla into a Full Nelson Slam for three!
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #3: Kon def. Sami Callihan
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
After eliminating the sickness last week, Deaner leads Kon into battle against Sami Callihan! The early advantage goes to Kon as he runs through Callihan with a clothesline. Kon continues the assault with another clothesline in the corner, followed by a Spinebuster. Callihan creates separation with a jawbreaker, then begins to build momentum with a powerslam. Callihan takes the big man off his feet but Kon regains control as he chokeslams Callihan on the apron. Angels provides a distraction with a steel chair, allowing Deaner to attack Callihan. Kon hits the Death Valley Driver to win.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #4: IMPACT World Championship – Josh Alexander def. Mike Bailey
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Bailey soars over the top rope, colliding with Alexander on the floor. Alexander hits a strong backbreaker but Bailey quickly turns the tide with a dropkick. Bailey hits a running corkscrew for two. Alexander hits three German suplexes, trapping the arms on the pin attempt. Alexander locks in the Ankle Lock but Bailey fights out of it and begins to target his shoulder. Bailey spikes him with a Reverse Rana for another two count. Alexander goes for the C4 Spike but the damage has been done to the shoulder. Alexander catches him in mid-air with a forearm shiver. Alexander avoids Ultima Weapon but once again, his arm gives out on the C4 Spike attempt. Alexander goes for another C4 Spike but both men take a spill over the top rope to the floor. Bailey hits a springboard Moonsault, taking out Alexander on the outside. Alexander fights through the pain to lock in the Ankle Lock but Bailey breaks free. Both men exchange strikes in the middle of the ring as Bailey gains the upper-hand with a spin kick. Alexander dumps him on the hardest part of the ring as the match passes the 30 minute mark. Bailey counters a top rope Styles Clash but Alexander spins him down to the mat instead. Bailey connects with Ultima Weapon but is unable to capitalize due to the damage done to his knee. Bailey crashes and burns on a standing Moonsault as his knees are driven into the apron. Alexander hits his signature running crossbody, sending Bailey flying to the outside. They brawl to the top of the ramp where Bailey hits Moonsault double knees into the ribs of Alexander. Back in the ring, this match is now approaching 60 minutes. Bailey picks him off the top with a Hurricanrana, followed by Utlima Weapon but Alexander gets hit foot on the bottom rope. Alexander counters the Flamingo Driver into the Styles Clash. Alexander locks in another Ankle Lock, then spikes him with a Piledriver. Alexander successfully hits the C4 Spike, then connects with another one for good measure. Alexander pins Bailey to retain the IMPACT World Title in a grueling contest.
My Score: 5 out of 5
News of the Night:
- Violent by Design have now “rebranded” as The Design with Deaner in charge.
- Johnny Swinger will get a title shot if he can win 50 matches in Impact!
Final Verdict: 3.5/5
Well that was an expected end to this week’s Impact..! Half the entire show was taken up by one of the best matches I’ve seen from Impact in a while – the SUPERB main event between Josh Alexander and Speedball Bailey. Damn! That was good stuff. The rest of the show was pretty much regular Impact action but when you’ve got a main event this good, who cares what happened on the rest of the show?! I can safetly say one thing… Seeing that match has me excited to see what Alexander is going to do when he comes to the UK in February next year and wrestles at SovPro’s “Heavy is the Head” show!
