‘Impact Wrestling’ Review (Nov 9th 2023)
Welcome to this week’s review of Impact Wrestling, which this week follows up not only the UK tour but also last week’s Turning Point PPV (even though this week’s show was taped before both – hence Shelley wrestling in the main event). Let’s get into the review…
Match #1: Tasha Steelz def. Deonna Purrazzo
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
After being unable to dethrone MK Ultra as Knockouts World Tag Team Champions, the alliance between Deonna Purrazzo and Tasha Steelz implodes! Steelz gains the early advantage with a head scissors takedown. Purrazzo ties her up, then delivers a dropkick to the ribs. They go counter for counter and both Knockouts are down following a double clothesline. Purrazzo hits a side Russian leg sweep, then locks in the Fujiwara Armbar. Steelz fights free and locks in her own version of the Venus de Milo. Purrazzo transitions into another Fujiwara Armbar but Steelz breaks it up with an eye rake. Steelz connects with a pair of cutters to win.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #2: Digital Media Championship Crazzy Steve def. Tommy Dreamer (DQ)
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Dreamer and Steve lock up and go tumbling through the ropes to the floor. Dreamer hits a clothesline on the outside, then tosses him back in the ring. Dreamer connects with a neckbreaker but Steve bites Dreamer to turn the tide. Steve begins to target the neck of Dreamer before ripping and tearing at this face. Dreamer hits a Superplex, followed by the Bionic Elbow. Dreamer connects with a reverse DDT for two. Steve rakes the eyes to counter the Dreamer Driver. Steve hits a cannonball in the corner, then retrieves a fork from his Feast or Fired briefcase. Now it’s Dreamer who bites Steve to stop him from using the fork. Dreamer hits a cutter, then attacks him with the fork to cause the disqualification.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #3: Brian Myers def. Joe Hendry
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Myers goes for an early Roster Cut clothesline but Hendry counters with an uppercut. Hendry tosses him over the top rope to the floor. Hendry hits a vertical suplex from the apron. Myers sends Hendry throat-first into the middle rope, then hits a side Russian leg sweep for two. Hendry bounces back with a Trust Fall and builds momentum with a delayed vertical suplex. Myers whips Hendry into the steel ring post to shut him down. Hendry hits not one, but two, but three Fallaway Slams. Myers spikes him with a DDT but it’s not enough. Myers avoids the Standing Ovation, then rakes the eyes while the referee’s view is obstructed. Myers hits the Roster Cut to win.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #4: Eric Young def. Eddie Edwards
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Eric Young and Eddie Edwards renew their epic rivalry! Eddie distracts the referee while Alisha chokes Young on the ropes. Eddie crashes and burns on a top rope Moonsault attempt, giving Young an opening to regain his composure. Young is climbing to the top rope when Alisha provides a distraction from ringside. Young bits Eddie, then soars with an elbow drop for two. Young sets up for the Piledriver when Alisha gets up on the apron for another distraction. Eddie capitalizes with a Blue Thunder Bomb for two. Alisha slides a chair into the ring but the referee removes it. Alisha then inadvertently hits Eddie in the head with a kendo stick. Young hits the Piledriver to win.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #5: Dirty Dango & Oleg Prudius def. Nick Diamond & Storm Grayson
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Oleg Prudius makes his IMPACT in-ring debut alongside his tag team partner, Dirty Dango – except instead of standing on the apron, Dango joins Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt on commentary. Prudius goes on the attack, demolishing both of his opponents with ease. Dango then returns to the apron, he’s tagged into the match by Prudius. Dango hits a reverse neckbreaker to score the pinfall victory.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #6: IMPACT World Championship – Alex Shelley def. Jonathan Gresham
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
The IMPACT World Title is on the line as Jonathan Gresham challenges Alex Shelley in tonight’s huge main event! Gresham distracts the referee by tossing his wrist tape on the mat, allowing him to deliver a low blow to Shelley. Gresham then uses his wrist tape to choke Shelley while the referee’s view is obstructed. Gresham locks in the Figure Four, then keeps it locked in after Shelley makes it to the bottom rope. Gresham is in firm control after targeting the left knee of Shelley. Gresham hits a Dragon Screw leg whip. Shelley begins to build momentum with a slingshot crossbody to the outside. Gresham charges but Shelley sidesteps, sending him crashing into the steel ring post. Shelley spikes him with a DDT on the floor. Back in the ring, Gresham hits a running forearm with a handful of tights for two. Shelley hits a tornado DDT, then locks in the Border City Stretch. Gresham uses the referee to help him escape the submission. Both men exchange strikes in the middle of the ring. Gresham hits a springboard Moonsault before both men exchange multiple pin attempts. Gresham locks in another Figure Four but Shelley gets to the bottom rope. Shelley hits a superkick, followed by Shellshock to win.
My Score: 4.5 out of 5
News of the Night:
- Trey Miguel and Zachary Wentz introduced the newest Rascalz member, Myron Reed.
Final Verdict: 3.5/5
Another fantastic week of wrestling for Impact, with a show that delivered – for the most part – on the in-ring action; with a superb main event between two veterans of the sport. As I said in the opening, this episode was filmed BEFORE the UK Invasion Tour and Turning Point and so called back to the events of Bound For Glory rather than the more recent PPV. Which felt a little odd but in no way detracted from the wrestling itself. In terms of the matches, it was surprising to see Tasha Steelz pick up the win over Deonna Purrazzo in the first match – something I certainly didn’t expect (but when a lot of matches these days are predictable this was a refreshing change). The Digital Meda Championship was an OK match but I feel like that title maybe needs to be replaced with something more prestigious when the TNA name returns. The back-to-back matches between Myers/Hendry and EY/Edwards once again delivered what we need from Impact – solid wrestling from people who know how to tell stories in the ring and get the audience engaged. Dirty Danjo’s match? The less said the better. Even though it’s pretty cool to see Vladimir Koslov back in in-ring action. As I’ve already said, the main event between Shelley and Gresham was the highlight of the show, with a match that showed why Impact is still relevant AND much-needed in today’s wrestling landscape.
