‘Impact Wrestling’ Review (Aug 24th 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 Russ Jones. Let’s get into the review…
Match #1: Trinity def. Jody Threat
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Just 72 hours before the Knockouts World Title rematch between Trinity and Deonna Purrazzo, the champ goes one-on-one with Jody Threat! Threat pummels her with strikes in the corner, followed by a snap vertical suplex. Trinity tries to build momentum with aerial offense but Threat shuts her down with a running clothesline. Threat hits a sit-down driver for another near fall. Threat looks to put her away when Trinity counters into a Facebuster. Trinity connects with a Full Nelson Bomb to win.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #2: Deaner def. Laredo Kid
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Tonight’s action continues as Deaner goes one-on-one with Laredo Kid! The early advantage goes to Kid after taking Deaner off his feet with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Kid slides to the outside where Kon provides a distraction, allowing Deaner to gain control with a clothesline. Kid soars with a top rope dropkick, followed by a sit-down driver for two. Kid takes out Kon with a Moonsault off the top rope to the floor. Deaner catches Kid with the Antidote to win.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #3: ABC (Ace Austin & Chris Bey) def. The Good Hands (John Skyler & Jason Hotch)
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
ABC is out for revenge after The Good Hands cost them their match in the Number 1 Contenders Tag Team Championship tournament! Skyler drives Austin shoulder-first into the steel ring post. Skyler goads Bey into entering the match illegally, which garners the attention of the referee. Meanwhile, Hotch whips Austin’s arm into the post. Skyler hits Austin with a big running clothesline for two. Austin creates separation with a spin kick to Hotch, allowing him to make the tag to Bey. The pace quickens as Bey gets two for one on The Good Hands. Bey almost puts Skyler away with a slingshot DDT. Skyler pushes Bey into his own partner. The Good Hands connect with The Favor on Austin but Bey breaks the pin attempt. Bey takes out Skyler with a dive to the outside. ABC hits 1, 2 Sweet on Hotch to score the victory.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #4: Chris Sabin def. Samuray Del Sol
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Samuray Del Sol finally makes his IMPACT in-ring debut as he takes on the X-Division pioneer, Chris Sabin! Sabin locks in an STF but Del Sol quickly makes it to the bottom rope. Sabin continues to target the left leg of Del Sol as he takes him down with a running dropkick. Sabin then locks in another submission but Del Sol breaks the hold once again. Del Sol creates an opening with a low Hurricanrana, plating Sabin face-first into the mat. Del Sol hits a springboard crossbody for two. Del Sol’s leg gives out, allowing Sabin to hit a bridging suplex for two. Del Sol hits the Sunset out of nowhere but Sabin rolls to the outside. Del Sol remains in control with an innovative springboard dive. Back in the ring, Sabin puts him away with the Cradle Shock.
My Score: 4 out of 5
Match #5: IMPACT World Championship – Alex Shelley def. Brian Myers
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
All other competitors in the 8-man tag team match this Sunday at Emergence are banned from ringside as Alex Shelley defends the IMPACT World Title against Brian Myers! Shelley is in control when Myers trips him up to turn the tide. Myers drives him back-first into the side of the apron. Back in the ring, Shelley dodges the incoming assault, causing Myers’ shoulder to collide with the steel ring post. Myers and Shelley exchange strikes in the middle of the ring. Shelley gains the upper-hand and takes Myers off his feet with a diving forearm shot. Shelley locks in the Border City Stretch but Myers counters into a pin attempt for two. Myers connects with the Implant DDT for another near fall. Myers hits a vicious spear but somehow, Shelley still kicks out at two. Shelley bounces back with Sliced Bread, then transitions into the Border City Stretch to win by submission.
My Score: 4 out of 5
Final Verdict: 3.5/5
When you get a better pay-per-view go-home show than one of the ‘big boys’ of professional wrestling, you know you’re on to a winner! The show started off OK, with two good but not great matches but then kicked things up a gear for the last 3 matches on the card – but then those matches all featured guys who’ve been stalwarts of good matches in Impact so it shouldn’t really have come as any surprise. Particularly LOVED seeing Brian Myers in the main event!
