‘Impact Wrestling’ Review (Sept 28th 2023)
Welcome to this week’s review of Impact Wrestling, which this week opens with a Before the Impact match that saw Sami Callihan & Rich Swann defeat Laredo Kid & Black Taurus. Let’s get into the review…
Match #1: X-Division Championship – Chris Sabin def. Alan Angels
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
After becoming #1 Contender in Ultimate X last week, Alan Angels challenges Chris Sabin for the X-Division Title! Angels targets the left arm of Sabin, as he delivers a double stomp from the top rope. Sabin breaks free of an armbar attempt, but Angels drives him into the top turnbuckle instead. Sabin creates some much-needed separation with an explosive dropkick. Sabin quickens the pace, delivering a series of strikes to Angels. Sabin hits a running boot in the corner but Angels counters the follow-up tornado DDT. The referee prevents Angels from using the X-Division Title belt as a weapon. Angels hits a low blow, followed by the Halo Strike but it’s not enough. Angels misses a splash attempt, allowing Sabin to caplitalize with a missle dropkick. Sabin hits the Cradle Shock to win.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #2: Rhino def. Jack Price
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Rhino returns to action after Maclin almost ended his career earlier this year! Price dropkicks him to the outside. Rhino quickly turns the tide as he hits a back suplex on the hardest part of the ring. Back in the ring, Rhino connects with the Gore to win.
My Score: 0 out of 5
Match #3: The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz) def. JOYA (Joe Hendry & Yuya Uemura) – If JOYA Wins, Yuya Uemura Keeps His Job
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Hendry delivers a series of chops to the chest of Wentz. Hendry hits Wentz with a stalling suplex for two. Wentz rakes Uemura’s eyes in the corner but Uemura comes back with a double dropkick to both members of the Rascalz. Miguel evades the One Hit Wonder, then sends Hendry crashing into his own partner. Minutes later, Wentz attempts a handspring but Uemura cuts him off with a dropkick. Uemura makes the tag to Hendry as the pace quickens. Hendry puts his strength on display as he suplexes Miguel and Wentz at the same time. Wentz almost puts Hendry away with a double foot stomp from the top rope. JOYA hits the One Hit Wonder on Wentz but it’s not enough to keep him down. JOYA hits another One Hit Wonder, this time on Miguel, but Wentz pulls him to safety on the pin. Hendry chases Wentz up the ramp. Meanwhile, Miguel goes low on Uemura, then blinds him with spray paint. Miguel rolls up Uemura to steal the victory, bringing his time with IMPACT to an end.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #4: Memphis Street Fight – Tommy Dreamer & Heath def. Kenny King & Sheldon Jean
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
After Tommy Dreamer dethroned Kenny King as Digital Media Champion, revenge is in the air in this Memphis Street Fight! The brawl begins on the floor as Dreamer sprays beer in the eyes of King. Dreamer hits an assisted top rope elbow drop on King. King sends Heath head-first into a steel chair. King and Jean are now in control as King suplexes Heath on the outside. They place a ladder over Heath’s head, then drive him into the steel ring post. Back in the ring, King hits Dreamer with a Spinebuster into a trash can. Heath re-enters the fray, taking out Jean with a Wake-Up Call. King ties up Dreamer in a ladder, then connects with an explosive Blockbuster. King counters the Wake-Up Call from Heath as the two battle to the backstage area. Dreamer puts Jean away with a Death Valley Driver through a table for three.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #5: Jonathan Gresham def. Mike Bailey
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Mike Bailey looks to build momentum en route his huge matchup against pro wrestling megastar Will Ospreay at Bound For Glory! Bailey lights him up with a series of kicks on the floor. Bailey soars with a springboard corkscrew to the outside. Back in the ring, Gresham locks in a Boston Crab but Bailey makes it to the bottom rope. Both men attempt vertical suplexes with Gresham gaining the advantage and connecting with the move for two. Gresham wears him down with a chin lock, then takes him down a running back elbow. Gresham rolls up Bailey with a hold of the tights to win.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #6: Trinity def. Gisele Shaw
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Gisele Shaw looks to make a statement against the reigning Knockouts World Champion, Trinity! The early advantage goes to Trinity as she has some fun at the expense of her opponent. Trinity hits a running clothesline, then sends her to the outside with a dropkick. Shaw catches Trinity in mid-air and whips her into the steel ring steps. Trinity makes it back into the ring at the referee’s count of nine. Shaw is in total control as she knees Trinity from the top rope, driving her face-first into the mat. Trinity creates an opening with a big springboard kick. Trinity continues to build momentum with a Samoan Drop for two. Trinity leaps off the second rope, almost putting Shaw away with a crossbody. Shaw counters an Enzuigiri into Shock & Awe for another near fall. Trinity avoids the Denouement, then spikes Shaw into the canvas. Jai Vidal inadvertently trips up Shaw from the outside. Trinity locks in Star Struck to win by submission.
My Score: 3 out of 5
News of the Night:
- KENTA will return to Impact at Bound For Glory
- Mickie James will face Trinity for the Knockouts Title at Bound For Glory
Final Verdict: 3/5
We’re on the road to Bound For Glory and the build and the hype has started already! This was another solid episode of Impact that had good matches across the board, some surprises – KENTA(!) – and a great flow that kept the action going even when they needed to get in the promos and the talking heads. Alan Angels had a good showing against Chris Sabin, even if we knew Sabin was never going to lose; The Rascalz and JOYA delivered and I’m honestly sad to see Yuya having to go – I’d hoped JOYA would pull off the win to stop that happening. The Memphis Street Fight was better than expected, whereas Mike Bailey versus Jonathan Gresham was everything I did expect… apart from Gresham’s tactics to get the win! As for the main event. Well, Impact knows what they have in Trinity and she is defying any and all expectations of who she USED to be and is, honestly, a true cornerstone of the women’s roster now. I can’t see the Knockouts division without her!
