‘Impact Wrestling’ Review (Jun 22nd 2023)
Welcome to this week’s review of Impact Wrestling, which this week opens with a Before the Impact match that saw Jody Threat defeat Nevaeh. Let’s get into the review…
Match #1: Brian Myers & The Good Hands (Jason Hotch & John Skyler) def. oVe (Sami Callihan, Jake Crist & Madman Fulton)
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Brian Myers looks to lead The Good Hands to victory against oVe! Fulton puts his strength on display as he slams all three of his opponents simultaneously. Myers distracts Crist on the top rope, allowing Skyler to gain control. Myers and The Good Hands cut off the ring as they begin to wear Crist down. Crist hits a diving forearm to Skyler, creating an opening and allowing him to make the tag to Callihan. Moments later, Moose appears out of nowhere and pushes Crist off the top rope. Myers capitalizes with the Roster Cut clothesline to win.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #2: Dirty Dango def. Bhupinder Gujjar
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Dirty Dango is out to prove that she should have a documentary instead of Bhupinder Gujjar! Gujjar hits a dropkick to gain control. Dango retreats to the outside where Gujjar takes him off his feet with a crossbody. Dango avoids the Gargoyle spear and hits the inverted DDT to win.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #3: Jonathan Gresham & Mike Bailey def. The Design (Kon & Angels)
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
The Design look to bounce back as they battle Jonathan Gresham and Mike Bailey tonight! Kon takes out both of his opponents with a double running clothesline. Angels hits Gresham with a Half & Half suplex. Meanwhile, Kon levels Bailey on the outside. Back in the ring, Bailey hits a running Shooting Star on Kon but it doesn’t faze the big man. Gresham hits an assisted pop-up cutter on Angels before Bailey locks in an armbar. Gresham attempts to neutralize Kon with a Sleeper on the floor. Bailey drops Kon with a step-up Moonsault. Angels inadvertently collides with Deaner at ringside. Angels has Bailey beat following a Spanish Fly but Deaner tries to call the shots. Bailey capitalizes with the Tornado Kick, followed by Ultima Weapon to win.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #4: Killer Kelly def. Taylor Wilde
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Killer Kelly has a big opportunity as she battles one half of the reigning Knockouts World Tag Team Champions in singles action! Wilde distracts the referee, allowing King to send Kelly crashing to the floor. Wilde locks in a surfboard submission before choking Kelly on the middle rope. Kelly turns the tide with a double underhook suplex, followed by a running dropkick. Kelly counters Witch’s Wrath into a rollup for two. Kelly locks in the Killer Clutch. Wilde breaks free but Kelly rolls her up again to win.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #5: Digital Media Championship – Joe Hendry def. Yuya Uemura
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Yuya Uemura receives his first title shot in IMPACT Wrestling as he challenges Joe Hendry for the Digital Media Championship! As the match begins, Kenny King and Sheldon Jean make their way to ringside. King joins Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt on commentary while Jean stands guard. Uemura hits Hendry with a back suplex for two. Uemura hits a powerslam but when he goes for the follow-up crossbody, Hendry catches him in mid-air. Hendry hits the Standing Ovation to retain.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #6: Bully Ray & Steve Maclin def. Frankie Kazarian and Eddie Edwards
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Bully Ray and Steve Maclin tune-up for Slammiversary as they battle enemies turned allies, Eddie Edwards and Frankie Kazarian! Maclin provides a distraction for the referee, allowing Bully to go low on Kazarian with the steel ring post. Edwards and Kazarian are working well together as they hit a combo Atomic Drop-Russian leg sweep on Maclin. Edwards and Kazarian turn their attention to Bully with a double vertical suplex. Edwards dives through the ropes to take out Bully on the floor. Kazarian is next to fly as he hits Maclin with a Hurricanrana on the floor. Bully targets Alisha at ringside, allowing Maclin to gain control off the distraction. Bully and Maclin cut off the ring and prevent Edwards from making the tag. Edwards eventually creates separation after he and Maclin collide with running crossbodies. Edwards makes the tag to Kazarian who enters the match with a burst of speed. Kazarian hits Maclin with the springboard leg drop for two. Kazarian spikes Maclin with a Piledriver but Bully breaks the pin attempt. Bully sends Edwards crashing into his own partner. Edwards inadvertently superkicks Kazarian after Maclin ducks the incoming assault. Bully and Maclin connect with double team offense on Kazarian for three.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Final Verdict: 3/5
Another solid week of action for Impact with a steady stream of good matches and some interesting storytelling – in particular the Masha Slamovich/Killer Kelly interactions which, if it goes where it looks like its going, will add another fantastic team to the already great Women’s tag division in Impact. Plus it looks like Courtney Rush and Jessicka are gelling too, which means not one but TWO new tag teams for the division! It’s great to see Brian Myers now being legitimately great in Impact instead of the quasi-jobbing “comedy character” he was upon his return – teaming with the Good Hands has improved all three guy’s rep in the company and on the roster that’s for sure! On top of all that we got some interesting developments with The Design, who it looks like are about to be split up… I have to worry about what’s going to happen to Angels going forward if that does occur!
