‘Impact Wrestling’ Review (Feb 2nd 2023)
Welcome to this week’s review of Impact Wrestling, which this week opens with a Before the Impact match that saw Jonathan Gresham defeat Aiden Prince. Let’s get into the review…
Match #1: Bullet Club (Ace Austin & Chris Bey) def. Kevin Knight & KUSHIDA
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Bullet Club renews hostilities with the NJPW duo of Kevin Knight and KUSHIDA! Knight hits a springboard crossbody, followed by a running splash. Knights goes for another springboard but this time, Bey cuts him off with a mid-air dropkick. Ace and Bey rake the back of Knight as they cut off the ring and prevent him from making the tag. Moments later, Knight breaks free and tags in KUSHIDA. The pace quickens as KUSHIDA enters the match on-fire. KUSHDA locks in an armbar but Bey counters into a pinning predicament. Ace has Knight on his shoulders while KUSHIDA has Bey on his and a chicken fight breaks out. Knight picks Bey off the top with a head scissors. Following a flurry of offense, Ace connects with a springboard kick to Knight. Knight attempts a crossbody to the outside but Bey catches him with an astonishing cutter on the apron. Bey follows up with The Art of Finesse, followed by The Fold from Ace to win.
My Score: 4.5 out of 5
Match #2: Gisele Shaw def. Savannah Evans
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Savannah Evans goes it alone tonight as she battles Gisele Shaw! The bell rings and Shaw immediately slaps Evans. This only angers “The Cannibal” and she goes on the attack. Evans tosses Shaw out of the corner, then hits a running spear, followed by a butterfly suplex. Shaw gains control during the commercial break but Evans creates separation with a sidewalk slam. Shaw builds momentum with a Samoan Drop, then a Fisherman’s suplex for two. Jai Vidal distracts the referee, allowing Vidal to rake teh eyes of Evans. Shaw capitalizes with her signature knee strike to win.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #3: Crazzy Steve def. Sheldon Jean
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
After a chilling display towards X-Division Champion Trey Miguel last week, Crazzy Steve steps into the ring with Sheldon Jean! Steve bites Jean, then hits a series of running strikes in the corner. Steve follows up with the cannonball, then puts Jean away with the jumping DDT off the second rope.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #4: Kenny King def. Johnny Swinger
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Johnny Swinger goes one-on-one with Kenny King for the first time ever! King makes quick work of Swinger as he puts him away with the Royal Flush.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #5: The Design (Deaner, Kon & Angels) & Callihan def. Josh Alexander, Rich Swann, Frankie Kazarian & Yuya Uemura
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Following the wild brawl to close last week’s episode, it’s all about revenge in tonight’s eight-man tag team main event! The match quickly breaks down as a brawl breaks out between the two sides. Alexander hits a running crossbody to the back of Kon but immediately gets swarmed by the rest of The Design. Swann saves his partner tonight but opponent at No Surrender when he launches himself off the apron, colliding with everyone on the floor. Kazarian hits Angels with a springboard leg drop, then makes the tag to Swann. Angels turns the tide with a mid-air powerslam on Swann. Deaner distracts the referee, allowing Callihan to attack Swann from the apron. The Design cut off the ring as they begin to wear Swann down. Kon hits a running leg drop but Swann kicks out to keep this match alive. Swann uses his quickness to fight his way out of the corner, then hits Callihan with an Enzuigiri. Swann makes the tag to Alexander, who goes on teh attack. Alexander takes out one member of The Design after another with a series of German suplexes. Alexander can’t get the big man up but takes him out with a knee to the back of the neck instead. Alexander locks in the Ankle Lock but Kon rolls through. Uemura soars through the air with a huge dropkick to Kon. Callihan has Uemura set up for the Cactus Driver 97 but Deaner stops him from using his signature “thumbs up, thumbs down” saying. The hesitation gives Alexander an opportunity to hit them both with a double clothesline. It’s total nonstop action as everyone gets involved once again. Uemura shows off his incredible strength as he slams Kon to the mat. Deaner trips him up on the ropes, followed by a Cactus Driver 97 from Callihan to win.
My Score: 4 out of 5
Final Verdict: 3.5/5
This week’s Impact opened and closed strong but the rest of the show seemingly faltered. For me, personally, there was too much backstage stuff and promos – but again that’s a me thing – but I guess when you’re constantly building towards pay-per0views stories have to be step-up, followed through, etc. I just wish we could get some storytelling just done in the ring. The opening tag team match was, up to now (given that we’ve still got Smackdown and Rampage to go this week) the best wrestling match across ANY promotion this week! Loved the multi-man closing match too, a match that felt like chaos, but GOOD chaos… Plus what’s not to love about a match that involved some of the best men on the Impact roster!
