Impact Wrestling: Not Quite Redefining, But Enjoyable Nonetheless

Impact Wrestling have reinvented their brand in 2018. But, with their latest television special, have they redefined their place in the wrestling world? Well, not quite. But it was a newsworthy and fun effort, nonetheless.

Brian Cage versus Fenix was Match of the Week hands down. For Cage’s X-Division title, both men were spectacular here. This contest served to elevate Fenix and cement The Machine as the gravity defying super human that he is.

A human highlight reel, Cage impressed with a 619, a dead-lift, second-rope, outside-in suplex and a mid-air tope catch on Fenix.

Fenix, with cat-like agility matched The Swolverine, step for step. A rolling, ramp cutter. A springboard spin-heel kick and a couple of lethal-looking double foot stomp variants made Fenix look strong.

Cage took the win with a top-rope, release, Awesome Bomb. That was impressive.

Post-match, OVE attacked Fenix and Pentagon (at ringside with his brother). Cage teased walking away. And then flattened Sami and The Crist’s with beefy lariats.

As an angle, that works. Each option is potentially spectacular. OVE versus Cage and The Lucha Bros would be trios gold. Pentagon versus Cage would be PPV main event stuff. And Cage versus Callihan can just take my money now! The build to Bound for Glory just took a step in a very interesting direction.

Backstage, Gang Leader’s Konnan and King both took mysterious phone calls from someone they both respectfully referred to as “sir”. I think there’s a Godfather figure waiting in the wings. From Scarface to the world of Mario Puzo, when they’re not attempting vehicular homicide, these LAX/OGZ segments are gold.

Tessa Blanchard is the new Knockouts Champion. I know this because Impact, via TMZ, spoilt the result on August 14th.

That doesn’t sit well with me and detracted from a decent three-way between Su Yung (champion), Allie and Tessa. As it was, this match lacked my investment. Su Yung using her Undead Bridesmaids for an enforced trust fall (by way of an Allie superkick!), Tessa press slamming Su into Su’s unfortunate ringside furniture/entourage, and a three way Indian Death Lock/Arm Bar submission were the highlights.

Tessa pinned Allie with a roll up and a handful of tights. Given the spoilers, I don’t know if I liked or disliked that conclusion.

Tessa deserved a better coronation.

The Smoke show is fun. Scarlett Bordeaux plays her manipulative siren role well. Grado, Joe Hendry and Katerina are destined to split. I’m wondering if Scarlett steals Hendry and we get a tempestuous mixed tag pay off?

They need to drop the dry ice, call girl lighting and backstage music though. It’s far too WWE and reminds me of all those awful backstage skits with a Bogeyman entrance!! Put The Smokeshow in front of a live studio audience.

Credit: Impact Wrestling

Rich Swann vs Petey Williams was a fun X-Division match. Swann’s dancing gimmick still screams Disco Inferno, but, boy, that man can go. And Petey needs to stop telegraphing the Canadian Destroyer. Every time Don Callis points this out on commentary, Williams seems less a wily veteran and more The Daftest Man In Wrestling!

Swann took the win with a Standing Shooting Star Press. Matt Sydal versus Swann was teased post-match. The X-Division’s near future should be full of quality matches.

Moose was discovered unconscious backstage. Killer Kross’s calling card lay nearby. It was meant to be Aries/Kross versus Eddie Edwards/Moose.

It certainly looked like the odds were stacked against Double E in the main event. Aries dominated. Kross brutalized. Eddie rallied. And when all seemed lost…

Out. Limps. Moose.

Eddie made a hot tag to his banged up buddy. Killer Kross refused to tag in and…

Moose speared EDDIE EDWARDS!!!

A most unexpected heel turn.

The show closed with the gloating trio of Aries, Kross and Moose standing tall and goading Eddie’s wife, Alisha. Scum Bag City (my temporary name for this group) have arrived.

Was this the right course of action for Moose? Didn’t the former NFL’er just have the match of his career at Slammiversary? Hadn’t Moose just started to win the crowd? Is a heel turn going to benefit Mr Impact Wrestling?

If management are building a badass heel stable, I’m on board. The about-face caught me off-guard and certainly has my attention. Is this part of a bigger creative plan? With a distinct lack of main-event faces, is this where, the heavily rumoured, Chris Jericho comes in? Where next on The Road to Bound for Glory?

I’m intrigued. I’m pissed off. I’m engaged. But follow-up is key. I anxiously await the next chapter.