‘Impact Wrestling’ Review (Feb 16th 2023)
Welcome to this week’s review of Impact Wrestling, which this week opens with a Before the Impact match that saw Deonna Purrazzo defeat Steph De Lander. Let’s get into the review…
Match #1: KUSHIDA def. Ace Austin
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Momentum is up for grabs ahead of the blockbuster six-man tag team match between Bullet Club and Time Machine at No Surrender! KUSHIDA hits a handspring back elbow, then soars off the apron with a diving knee. KUSHIDA continues to target the arm of Bey before both men are taken out with a double clothesline on the outside. The referee counts to nine as Bey and KUSHIDA make it back in the ring just in time. Bey spikes him head-first into the mat for two. KUSHIDA regains his composure and launches himself off the top rope with a Swanton Bomb to the floor. Bey comes back with a springboard Famouser for another near fall. The action is back and forth as KUSHIDA rolls up Bey to win.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #2: #1 Contenders Match Qualifier – Steve Maclin def. Rhino
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
The winner of this bout will move on to the Four-Way #1 Contenders match at No Surrender! Rhino gains the early advantage with an arm drag out of the corner. Rhino goes for the Gore but Maclin retreats to the outside. The fight spills to the floor where Maclin drives him into the steel ring post. Back in the ring, Maclin crashes and burns on a diving headbutt attempt. Rhino builds momentum with a series of strikes, followed by a belly-to-belly suplex for two. Rhino hits a big Spinebuster but Maclin counters the follow-up Gore into a spear of his own. Maclin connects with the Wake Up Call, which is the finishing move of Rhino’s tag team partner Heath, to pick up the victory.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #3: Barry Horowitz def Johnny Swinger
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Johnny Swinger attempts to kick off his road to 50 wins against an opponent hand-picked by Zicky Dice: wrestling legend Barry Horowitz! Swinger attacks him from behind, then distracts the referee as Dice gets involved from ringside. Swinger delivers a thumb to the eye when The Demon makes a shocking appearance. The distraction allows Horowitz to roll up Swinger for three.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #4: #1 Contenders Match Qualifier – Heath def. Eddie Edwards
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Who will be the final competitor to qualify for the Four-Way #1 Contenders match at No Surrender? Heath somersaults off the apron to take out Edwards on the floor. This time it’s Edwards who flies with a dive through the ropes. Heath quickens the pace with a knee strike, followed by a big powerslam for two. Heath is fired up as he goes for the Wake Up Call. Edwards counters but Heath hits a Spinebuster instead. Edwards shuts down his momentum, then hits a big Superplex, followed by a Tiger Driver. Edwards is setting up for the Die Hard Driver when PCO’s thunder and lightning echo throughout the IMPACT Zone. Heath capitalizes off the distraction with the Wake Up Call for three.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #5: Masha Slamovich def. Alisha
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Knockouts World Champion Mickie James joins Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt on commentary for Masha’s match against Alisha! Slamovich makes quick work of Alisha, putting her away with the Snowplow to score the dominant victory.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #6: Rich Swann def. Kenny King
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
It’s main event time as #1 Contender Rich Swann battles the brash Kenny King! Swann launches himself off the apron, colliding with King on the floor. Back in the ring, Swann remains in control with a top rope crossbody. Swann charges into the corner but King catches him in mid-air and drives him face-first into the turnbuckle. King hits a swinging backbreaker but Swann counters a vertical suplex attempt moments later. Swann begins to build momentum but King shuts him down with an explosive Spinebuster. Swann hits a Poison Rana, spiking King’s head and neck. King locks in a Half Boston Crab but Swann crawls to the bottom rope in order to break the hold. Both men are down following a series of kicks. Swann hits the Handspring Cutter but it’s not enough. King bounces back with the Tiger Driver but this time it’s Swann who kicks out just in time. Swann rolls up King to score the victory.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Final Verdict: 2/5
Well apart from the main event this was a pretty terrible episode of Impact. The opening match was a dud despite the big names in action; and we had two squashes and a bunch of average matches fill the rest of the show! Good to see Steve Maclin get a win over Rhino and get a #1 Contender slot but that was, for me, the only good takeaway from this whole show. Is Scot D’Amore saving all the good stuff for the upcoming pay-per-views? I hope that the case and it’s not something else…
