‘Impact Wrestling’ Review (Apr 20th 2023)
Welcome to this week’s review of Impact Wrestling, which this week opens with a Before the Impact match that saw Heath & Rhino defeat Jack Price & Shogun. Let’s get into the review…
Match #1: Time Machine (Chris Sabin, Alex Shelley & KUSHIDA) def. Trey Miguel, Jonathan Gresham & Mike Bailey
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
After competing against each other for the X-Division Title this past Sunday, Trey Miguel, Jonathan Gresham and Mike Bailey must now join forces to battle Time Machine! KUSHIDA targets the arm of Miguel as he sets up for Hoverboard Lock. Sabin hits Bailey with a bulldog, followed by a kick from KUSHIDA. Sabin continues the assaults with a running dropkick as it appears that Miguel, Gresham and Bailey are not on the same page. Bailey creates some much-needed separation with a kick to Shelley but Time Machine quickly regains control with a double team cutter. Sabin dives through the ropes, taking out both Gresham and Bailey on the floor. Gresham hits a springboard Moonsault to KUSHIDA, followed by a German suplex for two. Sabin inadvertently kicks Shelley on the apron, their second misfire in less than a week. Now it’s Miguel’s turn to dive as he collides with Sabin and Shelley on the outside. Bailey soars with a springboard Moonsault, wiping out everyone. KUSHIDA locks in the Hoverboard Lock on Miguel but he makes it to the bottom rope. Sabin sends Bailey flying with a top rope German suplex. Miguel and Gresham argue over who Bailey should tag into the match. Bailey delivers Ultima Weapon to the back of Sabin. All three members of Time Machine get their offense in on Miguel. Sabin connects with the Cradle Shock to score the victory.
My Score: 4 out of 5
Match #2: Alisha Edwards def. Tara Rising
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Edwards puts her new-found aggression on display as she tosses Tara by her hair. Tara tries to fight but that only angers Alisha. Tara gets sent to the outside, then driven into the hardest part of the ring. Alisha connects with a Facebuster to score the dominant victory.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #3: Moose def. Yuya Uemura
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Hardcore War may be over but the battle rages on as Yuya Uemura steps up to Moose! Uemura goes for a slingshot crossbody but Myers sacrifices himself for Moose. Moments later, Moose gains control with a powerbomb into the side of the apron. Back in the ring, Moose slaps Uemura and that fires him up. Uemura fights back with a flurry of strikes. Myers trips up Uemura on the apron, allowing Moose to regain control with a pump kick. Moose sends him crashing into the steel ring post. Uemura makes it back into the ring at the referee’s count of 6. Uemura takes Moose off his feet with a running dropkick, followed by a bulldog out of the corner. Uemura picks him off the top with an overhead suplex and almost scores the pinfall. Uemura has Moose beat with his signature crossbody but Myers distracts the referee. Gujjar attacks Myers at ringside but the distraction allows Moose to capitalize with a Spear for three.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #4: Frankie Kazarian def. The Good Hands (John Skyler & Jason Hotch)
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Skyler opens the ropes as Kazarian is charging towards them, causing him to crash to the floor. Hotch dives through the ropes, taking him out with a burst of speed. Skyler nearly puts Kazarian away following an impressive suplex from Hotch. Kazarian locks in a Figure Four on Hotch while rolling up Skyler for two. Skyler inadvertently collides with his own partner. Kazarian takes out Hotch with the slingshot cutter, then traps Skyler in the Chicken Wing to win by submission.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #5: Digital Media Championship – Joe Hendry def. Sheldon Jean
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Former Big Brother Canada contestant Sheldon Jean has a chance to win IMPACT gold for the very first time as he challenges Digital Media Champion Joe Hendry! Jean rakes the eyes to escape a suplex attempt. Jean pummels Hendry with a series of fists and has him reeling in the corner. Hendry turns the tide with a running cutter. Jean counters the Standing Ovation into a forearm shot. Hendry successfully hits the Standing Ovation to win.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Final Verdict: 3/5
Broken record time… This was ANOTHER solid episode of Impact, although I have to say the final match and the ridiculously long closing “changing of the guard ceremony” to crown Steve Maclin’s Impact championship really ended the show on a low point IMHO. Plus who wants to see PCO challenging for the Impact title? I want to see NEW wrestlers given a chance not ageing veterans, no matter how good they are… and we all know whoever has the title is only going to be a placeholder (unfortunately) until either Josh Alexander returns or Impact slap the belt on the returning Nick Aldis.
