‘Impact Wrestling’ Review (Sept 7th 2023)
Welcome to this week’s review of Impact Wrestling, which this week opens with a Before the Impact match that saw Ace Austin defeat Jason Hotch. Let’s get into the review…
Match #1: Deonna Purrazzo def. Dani Luna
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Before Deonna Purrazzo battles the returning Jordynne Grace tomorrow night at Victory Road, she must first get by SUBCULTURE’s Dani Luna! Purrazzo goes for the Fujiwara Armbar early but Luna scurries to the ropes. Luna hits a Fallaway Slam, followed by a running clothesline. Purrazzo gains control with an Arm Wringer into the hardest part of the ring. Back in the ring, Purrazzo hits a Backstabber for two. Luna connects with a dropkick, followed by a powerbomb. Luna rolls her up for another near fall. Purrazzo locks in the Fujiwara Armbar to win by submission.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #2: JOYA (Joe Hendry & Yuya Uemura) def. Champagne Singh & Shera
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
JOYA looks to continue their wave of momentum as they face off against Champagne Singh and Shera! Singh dumps Uemura into the top rope. Shera hits a running big boot, followed by a powerslam. Singh hits a Flatliner out of the corner. Uemura creates separation with a diving clothesline, then makes the tag to Hendry. The pace quickens as Hendry goes on the attack. Hendry powers up Shera for a delayed vertical suplex. Uemura joins Hendry for the One Hit Wonder on Singh to win.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #3: Rich Swann & Sami Callihan def. SUBCULTURE (Mark Andrews & Flash Morgan Webster)
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Top tag teams jockey for position as SUBCULTURE collides with Rich Swann and Sami Callihan! The early advantage goes to Swann and Callihan as they hit Webster with a leg drop sidewalk slam combo for two. Callihan attempts to launch Swann off the ropes but Webster ducks out of the way. Webster soars with a Pinball Wizard off the top rope, taking out Swann and Callihan on the outside. Swann fights out of the corner and causes Andrews to clothesline the steel ring post. Swann creates separation with an Enzuigiri to Webster, allowing him to tag in Callihan. Webster hits an assisted Falcon Arrow on Callihan. Andrews connects with Stundog Millionaire but Callihan avoids the follow-up 450 Splash from Webster. Swann gets a running start from the top of the ramp for a big cutter on Andrews. Swann finishes him off with the 450 Splash to win.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #4: Lio Rush def. Kevin Knight
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Before he defends the X-Division Title against KUSHIDA at Victory Road, Rush battles KUSHIDA’s tag team partner in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, Kevin Knight! Knight has Rush reeling in the early going following a dropkick to the outside. Rush tries to retreat with his X-Division Title but Knight throws him back in the ring. The fight spills to the outside once again as Knight hits a series of chops to the chest. Rush delivers a thumb to the eye to halt Knight’s momentum. Rush dives through the ropes on two occasions, sending Knight crashing back-first into the steel guardrail. Knight picks Rush off the top rope with a leg scissor. Knight hits a dropkick but misses the follow-up springboard crossbody. Rush connects with Final Hour to win.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #5: Bully Ray & Steve Maclin def. Josh Alexander & PCO
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
In a preview of what’s to come this Friday at Victory Road, heated rivals collide as Josh Alexander and PCO battle Bully Ray and Steve Maclin! Alexander and PCO are in control during the early stages of the match. PCO goes after Bully on the apron but he retreats, allowing Maclin to gain the momentary advantage. PCO comes back with a running fist to Maclin, before making the tag to Alexander. Alexander hits a big boot. Maclin targets the previously injured left arm of Alexander, then makes the tag to Bully. Alexander pummels Bully with a series of strikes in the corner. Maclin pulls down the top rope, sending Alexander tumbling to the floor. Maclin hits Alexander with a backbreaker for two. Alexander creates some much-needed separation with a German suplex to Bully. Alexander makes the tag to PCO and the pace quickens. Maclin knocks Alexander off the apron but gets caught with a Lungblower from PCO. PCO dives through the ropes, taking out Maclin on the outside. Bully tries to reason with PCO but he doesn’t listen. Bully delivers a low blow to PCO while the referee’s view is obstructed. Bully rolls up PCO for three.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Final Verdict: 3/5
A good show for impact this week. Good but not great. I guess having to come off the back of Emergence and then build to Victory Road, which takes place tonight, meant that things felt a little rushed and storylines/new matches and feuds had to be crammed into one show. So whilst the matches delivered the focus on this being a go-home show for Victory Rad took away from things slightly.
