‘Impact Wrestling’ Review (Mar 16th 2023)
Welcome to this week’s review of Impact Wrestling, which this week opens with a Before the Impact match that saw Champagne Singh defeat Zicky Dice. Let’s get into the review…
Match #1: Mike Bailey & Jonathan Gresham def. Decay (Black Taurus & Crazzy Steve)
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Mike Bailey and Jonathan Gresham join forces against the longtime duo of Black Taurus and Crazzy Steve! Chaos erupts in the early going as Steve bites Gresham’s hand and Taurus tosses Bailey to the outside. Taurus hits Gresham with a top rope dropkick for two. Taurus attempts a headbutt but Gresham ducks, causing him to inadvertently hit his own partner. Gresham creates some much-needed separation with a dropkick, allowing him to make the tag to Bailey. The pace quickens as Bailey hits a running Shooting Star on Steve. Moments later, Steve bites Bailey’s toes. Taurus follows up with a pop-up Samoan Drop for two. Gresham protects Bailey from Destination Hellhole before Bailey takes out Steve with a Moonsault on the floor. Back in the ring, Bailey hits Taurus with Ultima Weapon while Gresham prevents Steve from re-entering the ring. Bailey pins Taurus to score the victory for his team.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #2: Steve Maclin def. Heath
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
As Steve Maclin prepares to challenge the IMPACT World Champion at Rebellion, he must first get through Heath tonight! Heath takes control as he launches Maclin over the top rope to the floor. Moments later, Maclin sends him into the steel ring steps to turn the tide. Back in the ring, Maclin hits a vicious backbreaker for two. Heath builds momentum with a running knee, followed by a big powerslam. Heath almost puts Maclin away with a Spinebuster. Heath is Caught in the Crosshairs as Maclin drives his shoulder into the sternum of Heath. Maclin hits the KIA to win.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #3: Jai Vidal def. Johnny Swinger
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Johnny Swinger battles his handpicked opponent, Jai Vidal – but what Swinger doesn’t realize is that Vidal is more than just Shaw’s executive stylist, he’s an accomplished professional wrestler! Vidal insults him in the corner with a slap to the face. Vidal drives Swinger’s face repeatedly into the top turnbuckle. Zicky Dice gets caught red-handed as the referee ejects him for getting involved. Moments later, Savannah Evans drags Vidal to safety resulting in the referee ejecting both her and Gisele Shaw. Out of nowhere, Deonna Purrazzo blindsides Shaw until security breaks it up. Back in the ring, Vidal hits a running boot on Swinger to win.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #4: Knockouts World Tag Team Championship – The Coven (Taylor Wilde & KiLynn King) def. Death Dollz (Taya Valkyrie & Rosemary)
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
The Coven challenge the Death Dollz for the Knockouts World Tag Team Titles in their first match as a duo! The Death Dollz gain the early advantage as they clothesline both of their opponents over the top rope to the floor. We see footage from the commercial break where The Coven gained control after illegal interference from Wilde. Rosemary locks in Upside Down on Wilde to create separation. Rosemary makes the tag to Valkyrie who goes on the attack. Valkyrie hits the Blue Thunder Bomb on King but it’s not enough. Valkyrie continues the assault her her signature running double knees for two. Wilde attacks Valkyrie from the apron, allowing King to take her down. Rosemary spears Wilde out of the ring but Wilde trips her up moments later. King delivers a big boot to Valkyrie, followed by a modified suplex to win the titles.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #5: Bullet Club (KENTA, Ace Austin & Chris Bey) def. Josh Alexander, Rich Swann & Frankie Kazarian
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Before Josh Alexander, Rich Swann and Frankie Kazarian face off against Time Machine in a star-studded match at Sacrifice, they will go to war with Bullet Club in tonight’s main event! Austin uses the “ace up his sleeve” to deliver a sick papercut to Swann. Both KENTA and Swann are down following a pair of clotheslines in the middle of the ring. Kazarian knocks Ace off the apron, before hitting Bey with a springboard leg drop. Kazarian gets two for one as he spikes them with a double DDT. Alexander catches Bey in mid-air and connects with a vicious backbreaker. Swann soars with the 450 Splash to Bey but the pin attempt is broken up by Ace. The match begins to break down as everyone gets involved on the outside. Kazarian takes out Bey with a mid-air cutter into the sea of humanity. Back in the ring, KENTA nails Kazarian with a pinpoint knee strike. Alexander notices Maclin staring at him from the back of the IMPACT Zone, allowing Bullet Club to gain control. Ace and Bey put Swann away with The Art of Finesse into The Fold.
My Score: 4 out of 5
Final Verdict: 3.5/5
Another cracking week of wrestling for Impact. Forget everything else about this show, the WRESTLING cannot be denied – it’s some of the best stuff consistently on TV right now. And best of all? My girl KiLynn King is a tag champ! So happy to see King get a spot on a major pro wrestling show and pick up a title too. This week’s show opened strong n another match that made me not hate Jonathan Gresham and the flow continued. Hell, even Johnny Swinger’s match against Jai Vidal was good. A first for Swinger in recent months methinks! As for the main event… wow! Love seeing Kenta at work and Ace Austin and Chris Bey are brilliant tag partners. Good to see Impact NOT putting the champs/veterans over in this one as well, which is something you’d expect from other promotions!
