‘Impact Wrestling’ Review (Mar 9th 2023)
Welcome to this week’s review of Impact Wrestling, which this week opens with a Before the Impact match that saw Rich Swann & Frankie Kazarian defeat Raj Singh & Shera. Let’s get into the review…
Match #1: Bhupinder Gujjar def. Bully Ray (DQ)
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Bully wraps the steel chain around his fist but Gujjar sees it coming and ducks out of the way. Bully gains control with a strong clothesline. Gujjar puts his hands behind his back and invites Bully to chop him in the chest. Gujjar fights back, taking him off his feet with a dropkick. Gujjar is about to use the chain but Bully delivers a low blow to cause the disqualification.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #2: Rhino def. Callihan
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Callihan faces step 6 in his initiation process to join The Design: “The War Machine” Rhino! Callihan rakes the eyes but Rhino comes right back with a clothesline. The fight spills to the outside where Rhino inadvertently chops the steel ring post. Rhino hits a back suplex on the hardest part of the ring but gets taken out with a side Russian leg sweep on the ramp. Back in the ring, Rhino hits the TKO for a very close near fall. Rhino hits a belly-to-belly suplex out of the corner but Callihan counters the follow-up Gore attempt into a clothesline. In a shocking turn of events, Angels trips up Callihan from the outside, allowing Kon to clobber him in the head with a steel chair. Rhino hits the Gore to win.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #3: Jordynne Grace def. Alex Gracia
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
As Jordynne Grace prepares to challenge the winner of tonight’s main event for the Knockouts World Title at Sacrifice, she must first battle Alex Gracia! Grace attempts the Grace Driver in the early going but Gracia fights it off. Grace hits a spinning slam out of the corner, then successfully connects with the Grace Driver to win.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #4: KUSHIDA def. Jonathan Gresham
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
In a preview of what’s to come at Multiverse United: Only the STRONG Survive, it’s IMPACT vs NJPW as Jonathan Gresham battles KUSHIDA! It’s a stalemate in the early going as both competitors jockey for position. KUSHIDA breaks free of a hammerlock and connects with a German suplex. KUSHIDA attempts to lock in an armbar but Gresham makes it to the bottom rope before it can be applied. Both men are down following in-sync shoulder tackles in the middle of the ring. KUSHIDA submits Gresham off the Hoverboard Lock to win.
My Score: 4 out of 5
Match #5: Knockouts World Championship – Mickie James def. Gisele Shaw
The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
Deonna Purrazzo joins Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt on commentary for this Knockouts World Title showdown between Mickie James and Gisele Shaw! James gains the early advantage with a neckbreaker on the floor. Jai Vidal and Savannah Evans provide a distraction from the outside, allowing Shaw to take control. James hits a head scissors out the corner, followed by the flapjack to gain control. James is headed to the top but Shaw retreats to the outside. James soars, taking out both Vidal and Evans on the floor. Shaw capitalizes with a big boot for two. Moments later, both Knockouts are down after a clash of heads. Shaw is back up to her feet first as they exchange strikes in the middle of the ring. James builds momentum with another flapjack, followed by her signature seated senton. Shaw counters the Mick Kick into a superkick. James goes for the Mick-DT but Vidal jumps on the apron. Deonna Purrazzo evens the odds, pulling Vidal down to the floor. Shaw rolls up James but Purrazzo turns it around while the referee is distracted with Evans. James scores the pinfall to remain Knockouts World Champion.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Final Verdict: 3.5/5
Another great week for Impact, with a show that built to the final two matches on the card. I could’ve done without the opening match but the rest of the made up for that. I even enjoyed the PCO/Eddie Edwards stuff. As usual, KUSHIDA kicked arse and even made me enjoy a Jonathan Gresham match for once!!
