‘Impact Wrestling’ Review (Jan 26th 2023)
Welcome to this week’s review of Impact Wrestling, which this week opens with a Before the Impact match that saw Zicky Dice defeat Carlie Bravo. Let’s get into the review…
Match #1: X-Division Championship – Trey Miguel def. Mike Jackson
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Mike Jackson looks to become the oldest X-Division Champion of all time as he challenges Trey Miguel! Jackson has him reeling in the early going until Miguel goads him into a cheap shot. Miguel crashes an burns on a springboard Moonsault attempt, providing Jackson with an opening. Jackson hits a neckbreaker but Miguel tosses him to the floor to shut down his momentum. Jackson sidesteps, sending Miguel crashing into the steel ring post. Back in the ring, Jackson goes Old School as he walks across the top rope. Miguel fights him off, then connects with Lightning Spiral to retain the X-Division Title.
My Score:2 out of 5
Match #2: KUSHIDA & Kevin Knight def. The Good Hands (Jason Hotch & John Skyler)
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
The Good Hands face off against a formidable duo from New Japan Pro-Wrestling, KUSHIDA and Kevin Knight! Skyler chases KUSHIDA around the ringside area, then makes the blind tag to Hotch who attacks him from behind. Skyler knocks Knight off the apron before Hotch hits a bridging German suplex on KUSHIDA. Moments later, KUSHIDA bounces back with a handspring elbow to both of The Good Hands. This creates separation for KUSHIDA, allowing him to make the tag to Knight. The pace quickens as Knight hits a picture-perfect dropkick on Hotch. KUSHIDA has Hotch up on his shoulders as Knight dropkicks him down to the mat. Knight takes out Skyler with a crossbody to the floor. Meanwhile, KUSHIDA locks in the Kimura on Hotch to win by submission.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #3: Death Dollz (Jessicka & Taya Valkyrie) def. Gisele Shaw & Tara
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Knockouts legend Tara is revealed as Santino Marella’s hand-picked partner for Gisele Shaw! Tara and Valkyrie shake hands in a tremendous show of respect. Moments later, Shaw forces her way into the match but pays for it as Valkyrie hits running double knees in the corner. Jessicka continues the attack with a Sick Kick but Shaw uses her quickness to gain control. Shaw turns her attention towards Tara on the apron, allowing Jessicka to blindside her with a running back elbow. Shaw chooses not to tag in Tara as Jai Vidal trips up Valkyrie from the outside. Turnabout is fair play as Rosemary spears him on the floor. Shaw hits Valkyrie with Tara’s own signature move, but it’s not enough to keep her down. Tensions explode between Tara and Shaw, leading to Tara taking out her partner with Widow’s Peak. Jessicka hits Shaw with an assisted Sick Driver to retain the Knockouts World Tag Team Titles.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #4: Bullet Club (Ace Austin & Chris Bey) def. Major Players (Matt Cardona & Brian Myers)
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Revenge is in the air after Ace Austin and Chris Bey challenged Matt Cardona and Brian Myers to this tag team grudge match! Bullet Club gains the early advantage following a flurry of double team offense to the Major Players. Austin takes out Cardona and Myers with a double slingshot crossbody to the outside. Cardona provides a distraction from the apron, allowing Myers to gain control. Moments later, Cardona takes Austin off his feet with a running clothesline on the floor. Bey hits a springboard dropkick to take Myers off the apron. Bey continues the assault as he hits a high crossbody on Cardona. Myers sends Austin crashing into the steel ring steps, then goads Bey into a clothesline from Cardona. Bey gets his shoulder up following a Reboot, elbow drop combo from the Major Players. Bey sends them on a collision course with each other, followed by a unique pin cover from Austin on Cardona to win.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #5: Jonathan Gresham def. Sheldon Jean
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Jonathan Gresham goes one-on-one with IMPACT newcomer, Sheldon Jean! Gresham locks in an ankle lock but Jean makes it to the bottom rope. Jean uses his size to gain the momentary advantage. Moments later, Gresham hyperextends the knee of Jean, followed by a running shot to the back for three.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #6: Golden Six Shooter to Determine #1 Contender for the IMPACT World Title – Rich Swann def. Sami Callihan, Moose, Chris Sabin, Eddie Edwards & Rhino
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Six former IMPACT World Champions collide in this elimination-style Golden Six Shooter match with the winner moving on to No Surrender to challenge Josh Alexander for the IMPACT World Title! Swann hits a senton off the apron, taking out Moose and Edwards on the floor. Moments later, Edwards bounces back with a Blue Thunder Bomb to Swann. Moose spears Rhino but Callihan superkicks him away to score the first elimination. Sabin spikes Moose with a top rope tornado DDT. Swann soars with a Frog Splash on Callihan. Edwards powerbombs Swann on top of Sabin for two. Edwards almost puts Sabin away with the Tiger Driver. PCO makes a shocking reappearance, distracting Edwards and allowing Sabin to roll him up for the elimination. Moose counters a tornado DDT from Sabin, then connects with a vicious spear for the third elimination. Swann hits the handspring cutter on Callihan but that gives Moose an opening to blindside Swann and target his knee. Out of nowhere, Swann rolls up Moose to score the elimination. Deaner, Angels and Kon of The Design make their way to ringside and instruct Callihan to take out Swann as the final part of his initiation. Swann turns the tide and connects with the 450 Splash to become #1 Contender for the IMPACT World Title.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Final Verdict: 2.5/5
Another solid show from Impact but not quite at the level of the last few weeks. Interesting focus on the tag division this week, with half the show featuring tag matches of varying quality. Surprised to see that Rich Swann is being lined up as an Impact title contender, though given the roster there’s not that much choice for competitors for Josh Alexander’s reign right now IMHO. One thing I do not understand is having Jonathan Gresham taking part in what is technically a squash match… I thought he complained about his booking in AEW/ROH and now he’s squashing newbies? Whatever. Nice to see Tara in action this week though!
