IMG Credit: Impact Wrestling

Impact Wrestling
Date: October 11, 2018
Location: Fronton Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
Commentators: Don Callis, Josh Matthews

It’s the go home show for Bound For Glory and that means we’re needing to add some stuff to the card. You should probably have more than six matches (with one participant not being announced) set for the show with three days to go. There’s a lot going on at the moment but I’d expect a good deal of talking this time around. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We open with a recap of almost every major feud going on at the moment.

Opening sequence.

Trevor Lee vs. Jack Evans vs. Puma King vs. Petey Williams

Good grief can we have Petey detained at customs next time or something? This is fallout from Scarlett Bordeaux hitting on all four of them last week. They stare at each other to start until everyone goes after Lee. Puma and Petey are left alone in short order with Petey putting him in 619 position for a dropkick to the back.

Petey gets faceplanted as the announcers talk about how he tries the Canadian Destroyer far too often. Thanks for finally catching up on that one guys. Lee gets back in to replace Puma and stomps Petey down in the corner. A whip into the corner gets two as the commentary is far less chatty than usual here. Petey hits a Russian legsweep but the Destroyer is broken up with ease.

Evans comes back in with a dropkick on Puma but the standing moonsault hits Lee’s knees. It’s Puma getting back up to clean house and diving outside onto Evans. That doesn’t last long though as Evans comes back in and cartwheels into a kick to knock Puma off the ropes. The 630 hits Puma but Lee stomps Evans down. Not that it matters as Petey hits the Destroyer for the pin on Lee at 7:02.

Rating: C+. This was perfectly fine, but my goodness I’m completely over seeing Petey in any way, shape or form. He’s one move and I’M CANADIAN, end of anything remotely unique about him. The wrestling was fine but this felt like a way to fill in time on the show where they don’t want the bigger names wrestling. I mean, that’s what it was, but it shouldn’t feel like that.

Rich Swann has a partner: Willie Mack, better known as the Mack from Lucha Underground.

Grado vs. Maximo

Maximo is rather effeminate and his shirt says KISS ME so I think you know where this is going. They finally lock up after nearly a minute and it’s time for some chest rubbing. Switching places lets Maximo bend over in front of him but Grado blocks a kiss attempt. Grado drops a headbutt for two and snaps off the right hands, only to have Maximo headbutt him in the ribs. Another kiss is blocked so Maximo dropkicks him to the floor for a dive. The Bionic Elbow drops Maximo but he’s back up with a kiss into a cradle for the pin at 5:16.

Rating: D-. This stuff has never been funny to me and that’s not going to change anytime soon. It’s a one note joke and it’s a very bad sign when Grado is the higher level of comedy between the two of them. It’s another match that doesn’t go anywhere for Sunday, but at least they kept it short(ish).

Post match Grado shakes his hand and kisses Maximo. Ok then.

Johnny Impact, Fallah Bahh and Eddie Edwards are ready for Aries, Kross and Moose. Or maybe Bahh is impersonating a sheep.

Video on LAX vs. the OGz. I’m worried about that match not coming close to the hype.

Classic Clip of the Week: Four way Knockouts match from Bound For Glory 2010.

Video on OVE vs. the Lucha Bros/Brian Cage.

Eli Drake isn’t happy with La Parka bringing in a chair last week. That’s why he’s issuing an open challenge to anyone from New York at Bound For Glory. I think I know where this is going and it could be rather interesting.

Gursinder Singh vs. Rohit Raju

The battle to determine the weak link of the team, which you were totally dying to find out. Gama Singh says that the loser is out of the team and has to go back to India. Can we get a three way draw? Raju stomps him down in the corner to start but gets caught with a Backstabber for two.

They fight over some arm holds with no one getting anywhere so Raju smacks him in the head a few times, only to get rolled up for two more. A suplex into a sitout gordbuster gets a third two as I fight to stay conscious. Gama gets Gursinder’s attention and it’s a jumping knee to the face into a jumping Downward Spiral to give Raju the pin at 5:05.

Rating: F. Good for them. I didn’t think they could manage to come up with a match this uninteresting and boring but they managed to pull it off. These guys are making me long for more of Ascension vs. Bobby Roode/Chad Gable, which I thought was the least interesting story that I could have seen. Oh but how I was wrong. I know there’s worse wrestling out there (like in the previous match) but reaching this level of boring and making me care so little about anyone involved is a failure in every sense of the word.

Gama won’t let Raju celebrate. Whatever gets them out of there faster.

Johnny Impact/Fallah Bahh/Eddie Edwards vs. Moose/Austin Aries/Killer Kross

This should be better, just due to the better charisma and bigger star power. Aries and Impact start but let’s go with Kross instead. Kross suplexes him without much effort so it’s off to Bahh, who isn’t about to be suplexed. Instead it’s a shoulder to run him down and let’s hand it off to Moose vs. Edwards for the violent slugout. Eddie opens his shirt to get chopped even harder, but is smart enough to chop Moose while he’s warming up. Now why does it take a semi crazy person to figure that out?

A top rope hurricanrana takes Moose down but he dropkicks Eddie to the floor so the villains can take over. That means a bunch of stomping, because that’s what heels do in spots like this. Aries actually gives up the hot tag off a chop though and it’s off to Bahh for a big belly to belly. Moose crotches him on top though and it’s time to start stomping on Bahh’s rather large legs. It’s off to Kross to drive some knees to the face in the corner and we take a break.

Back with Aries chopping in the corner and taking Bahh down with a drop toehold. Kross goes shoulder first into the post though and a Samoan drop plants Moose. The hot tag brings in Impact for the slugout and a leg lariat sets up the sliding German suplex in the corner. The Countdown to Impact (minus the countdown and the impact) misses, allowing Aries to slap on a quick Last Chancery.

Impact escapes the brainbuster and gets two off a superkick as everything breaks down. Eddie superkicks Moose to the floor and hits a dive but Aries prevents Bahh from doing the same. The Flying Chuck into Starship Pain gets two with Kross making the save. Kross suplexes Impact on the floor and it’s a brainbuster to give Aries the pin at 18:04.

Rating: B-. Good main event style match here and a match that this wretched show really needed. The ending would suggest that Impact win the title on Sunday but this company has made some questionable decisions regarding the end of their pay per views. Moose vs. Edwards should be a heck of a fight as well, though I don’t need to see Kross vs. Bahh again.

Pay per view rundown with Su Yung vs. Allie being confirmed.

Father James Mitchell is playing the organ when Allie of all people comes in. She needs help dealing with Su Yung and wants to go to the undead realm. Mitchell realizes that Allie is half body and half soul and needs to leave her soul behind to take care of Yung and save Kiera Hogan. He’s willing to help her, but she’ll owe him. They shake on it.

Tessa Blanchard vs. Keyra

Non-title. They slug it out with forearms to start until a Michinoku Driver into a middle rope moonsault gives Keyra two. Tessa wisely bails to the floor so Keyra kicks her down, only to have a hurricanrana countered into a powerbomb to the post. Back in and an abdominal stretch doesn’t last very long as Keyra slips out and starts chopping in the corner. A running basement dropkick gets two but Tessa is right back with a hanging Downward Spiral. The Buzzsaw DDT is good for the pin on Keyra at 3:58.

Rating: C. It was certainly fun while it lasted as I’ve liked this Tessa vs. Mexico stuff that they’ve done over the last few weeks. There aren’t a lot of women left around here for Tessa to beat up so giving her some more seasoned outside opponents has been a good idea. The Taya match should be good, though I can’t picture a title change.

Here are the OGz and LAX for a big showdown to end the show. King gets in Konnan’s face and says the myth ends on Sunday. Konnan has held him back for years but King wouldn’t stop. Now Konnan is using these young marks and needs to be put down Old Yeller style. That’s why King brought in the original LAX and on Sunday (King: “ORDER IT! ORDER IT!”), it ends in King’s city.

Konnan comes back with some Spanish, that seems to call King an idiot. He’s nice enough to throw in a translation that says the fans will come in here at the drop of a hat to take King down. These teams already had a street fight where the OGz lost. That never happened under Konnan’s leadership so maybe King is the problem. Then here in Mexico City, King burned Konnan’s mask in the ultimate show of disrespect. Konnan was the father that King never had and King knows the bosses are watching. They have a message for King: the ceasefire is over right now. The fight is on and we’re off in just a few seconds.

One last Bound For Glory interview wraps things up, with Aries talking about having to raise the bar one more time, which Johnny Impact has never been able to do.

Overall Rating: D+. This one depends on how you look at it. The wrestling wasn’t much to see here and I kind of like the build to Sunday, but this was quite the mess for the most part. The six man tag saved the show almost on its own but you need something a little more than than in the course of two hours. Sunday’s show could be entertaining, but there’s a good chance that it’s going to be the standard Impact show that keeps the roof firmly on top of the building.

Results

Petey Williams b. Puma King, Jack Evans and Trevor Lee – Canadian Destroyer to Lee

Maximo b. Grado – Rollup

Rohit Raju b. Gursinder Singh – Jumping Downward Spiral

Austin Aries/Killer Kross/Moose b. Johnny Impact/Eddie Edwards/Fallah Bahh – Brainbuster to Impact

Tessa Blanchard b. Keyra – Buzzsaw DDT

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2003 Smackdown Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/09/07/new-book-kbs-complete-smackdown-2003-reviews/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: Impact Wrestling

Impact Wrestling
Date: September 27, 2018
Location: Fronton Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
Commentators: Don Callis, Josh Matthews

We’re still in Mexico City and I’m not sure what that means for this week’s show. Last week’s edition wasn’t exactly great and a lot of that is due to just throwing luchadors out there and using them in matches that aren’t much better than something you would see elsewhere. Maybe this week’s will be an improvement though so let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We open with a recap of last week’s show.

Knockouts Title: Tessa Blanchard vs. Faby Apache

Blanchard is defending, Faby’s Reina de Reinas Title isn’t on the line and thankfully they get the camera right for Tessa’s entrance. Tessa hammers away in the corner to start but has a whip reversed into a reverse X Factor for two. A hurricanrana gives Faby the same and it’s way too early for the hammerlock DDT.

Blanchard gets more aggressive and scores with a clothesline, followed by a Saito suplex. Faby slaps on a kneebar to put Tessa in some trouble and some Angel’s Wings get two. Back up and Faby gets knocked off the top, setting up Magnum (the top rope Codebreaker) for two, followed by the hammerlock DDT to retain at 5:16.

Rating: C-. You can’t expect much out of a story that was set up one week and blown off the next but that’s what we got here. Blanchard getting a win over a big name from AAA is a good idea and helps establish her as one of the biggest women in the world at the moment. I’m not sure who she’s going to face at Bound For Glory though, as other than Yung and Allie, she doesn’t have any major challengers at the moment.

Post match Tessa says she’s now the best athlete in professional wrestling and the diamond of the Knockouts division. Cue Taya Valkyrie on the screen to speak some Spanish before saying she’s lucha royalty. Tessa can’t say anything until she beats Taya so the challenge is made. Everyone may think Tessa is a b****, but Taya respects her. Let’s see who the best is. It’s certainly better than Allie or Su again.

Eddie Edwards comes up to Alisha and tries to make amends but she calls him crazy. Johnny Impact, Eddie’s partner tonight, comes in and says they have to work together. Alisha still isn’t happy.

OVE takes credit for selling out Bound For Glory and mentions that tonight, it’s Jake vs. Brian Cage, which doesn’t sit well with Jake.

Eli Drake is in Mexico City and brags about his Mexican heritage. Next week: he’s challenging luchadors to a fight. I loved them at first, but these open challenges are getting annoying throughout wrestling.

Brian Cage vs. Jake Crist

Non-title. Cage backdrops him to start and knocks Dave off the apron. He makes the mistake of going after Dave though, allowing Callihan to tornado DDT him off the barricade. Back in and Jake starts in on the arm but an armbar is countered into a powerbomb backbreaker. A jumping knee to the face sets up a 619, followed by a top rope elbow for two. Cage gets two more off a sitout Alabama Slam but Jake spin kicks him in the face to knock Cage down in a rare sight. Crist takes him up top and blocks a superplex, setting up a super cutter….for one. That just ticks Cage off so it’s the Drill Claw for the pin at 4:41.

Rating: C. Cage continues to be an absolute monster with one of the best looks you’ll ever see. At the same time though, I’m not sure what they’re supposed to do with him now though as he’s been booked as completely unbeatable. I’m a little worried about what they might do to take the title off of him and where he goes from there, but at the moment he’s just fun to watch.

Post match the beatdown is on but the lights go out. As they come back on, Dave Crist is nowhere to be seen until Pentagon and Fenix appear on the screen, attacking Dave in the back. Cage beats up Sami and Jake to stand tall.

Austin Aries, Killer Kross and Moose are ready to destroy Edwards and Impact tonight.

Classic Clip: AJ Styles/Christopher Daniels vs. LAX from Bound For Glory 2006. Incredible match.

Katarina comes in to see Joe Hendry and Grado, hitting on the latter a bit due to the success of last week’s music video. That’s going to be another access denied. Katarina expected this and introduces MURDER CLOWN (he’s a clown who MURDERS you), who will be facing Hendry next week.

Scarlett Bordeaux (in a rather nice blue dress) is on the roof to recap her time in the promotion so far. She’s introducing a global talent search, with the winner getting her full time attention. I’ve heard worse ideas.

Desi Hit Squad vs. LAX

Non-title and why yes LAX is indeed over in Mexico. Raju and Santana start things off but it’s quickly off to Ortiz for a double belly to back suplex. A running knee to the face cuts Ortiz off though as the announcers talk about being Scarlett’s servant. Singh comes in for a running dropkick/running knee combination to the face in the corner as the fans are really not thrilled with watching LAX get beaten down.

Santana pulls Singh to the floor for a superkick and Ortiz makes the tag a few seconds later. The fans almost politely applaud Santana cleaning a few rooms of the house as the double teaming begins. Ortiz uses Santana for a platform into a moonsault onto Singh with Raju making the save. The legsweep into the Backstabber combination gets two on Santana until Ortiz Death Valley Drives Raju into Singh in the corner. The Street Sweeper gives LAX the pin at 7:29.

Rating: D. I’m not sure what it means when your main appeal as a team is your old manager is funny when he yells at you. That’s about all the Desi Hit Squad is good for and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. They’re just two guys who can do some average moves and that’s not going to get you very far. Dull match here as LAX winning was never in doubt but we had to sit through the Squad’s insomnia curing offense anyway.

Post match King and the OGz pop up on screen to talk about Konnan’s legend, even showing off some old magazine clips of Konnan as a top star in Mexico. Konnan was wearing a mask back then and King happens to have it right now. Then Konnan started leeching off of people like Art Barr and Eddie Guerrero, just like he’s leeching off of LAX right now. The mask is burned after a solid promo from King, who has come out looking like a star in this whole thing.

Abyss Hall of Fame video.

KM is still injured so Fallah Bahh sings him a lullaby (seriously) and puts a blanked over him. As Bahh leaves, KM calls him back and tells him to get revenge for the two of them.

Tessa accepts Taya’s challenge, even though Taya disappeared when Tessa showed up in the first place. Isn’t that interesting.

Kiera Hogan/Allie vs. Undead Maid of Honor/Su Yung

Allie shoves Su into the corner to start but it’s quickly off to the Maid to do the dirty work. Kiera comes in for a low superkick into a backsplash from Allie for a quick two. The Maid is right back with a springboard spinning crossbody for two but Kiera kicks her right back down into the corner.

It’s back to Allie for a running clothesline, only to have Su come in for a kick to the face. Not that the announcers notice this as they’re too busy talking about Bound For Glory’s sponsor. A Backstabber puts Su down but the Maid pulls Kiera off the apron. Allie ducks a running clothesline though and now it’s off to Kiera to clean house. Stereo kicks put the Maid down and Kiera hits a fisherman’s neckbreaker to finish Su at 6:57.

Rating: D+. I really was expecting more from Yung when she debuted, even though she felt like Rosemary Lite at times. That being said, her one Knockouts Title reigns feels like an afterthought now and she’s taking losses in tag team matches to women not even on the upcoming pay per view. That’s a heck of a drop and it shows no signs of slowing down.

Rich Swann wants to see Matt Sydal’s two eyes instead of his third eye. They’re fighting next week. Good for them.

Eddie Edwards/Johnny Impact vs. Moose/Killer Kross

Aries is at ringside. Moose runs from Eddie to start so Kross goes after Eddie instead. Impact comes in after only a few seconds as it’s a lot of staring early on. It’s already back to Eddie so Moose runs again, meaning we get more Impact as they’re certainly tagging fast to start. Kross runs Impact over though and we take a break.

A leg lariat gets two and the sliding German suplex in the corner drops Kross again. The Countdown to Impact misses and there’s a double clothesline to put them both down. That means another double tag as Eddie comes in to chop Moose. A super hurricanrana gets two as Kross makes the save. Kross sends Impact into the barricade but Impact climbs the thing, rolls back off and hits the Moonlight Drive.

Back in and the Flying Chuck into a Blue Thunder Bomb gets two on Moose so Kross comes back in, leading to a four way strike off. Aries comes in with the belt but Impact knocks him down, only to get caught with the Saito suplex. Eddie hits Kross with the kendo stick but walks into a spear to give Moose the pin at 16:25.

Rating: C+. Not the most thrilling main event tag in the world but it did its job just fine. I’m still not sure what everyone not named Impact is going to be doing at Bound For Glory but Eddie vs. Moose seems likely. If that’s the case, this makes sense as an ending as it lets crazy Eddie want a match against Moose, perhaps with the kendo stick legal. At least Impact didn’t do the job here though, and that’s what matters most.

Overall Rating: D+. I wasn’t feeling this one again as the build isn’t the best in the world. Both the World Title and Knockouts Title matches for Bound For Glory were set up by someone coming out and saying “yo I want a title shot” and that’s not the most thrilling method in the world. Nothing on here was horrible, but at the same time there was nothing that made me interested in seeing Bound For Glory. They have two weeks left and that problem needs to be solved sooner rather than later.

Results

Tessa Blanchard b. Faby Apache – Hammerlock DDT

Brian Cage b. Jake Crist – Drill Claw

LAX b. Desi Hit Squad – Street Sweeper to Singh

Allie/Kiera Hogan b. Undead Maid of Honor/Su Yung – Fisherman’s neckbreaker to Yung

Killer Kross/Moose b. Johnny Impact/Eddie Edwards – Spear to Edwards

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2003 Smackdown Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/09/07/new-book-kbs-complete-smackdown-2003-reviews/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: Impact Wrestling

Impact Wrestling
Date: September 6, 2018
Location: Rebel Sports Complex, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Commentators: Don Callis, Josh Matthews

Things are getting interesting around here again as we now have a three headed monster on top of the promotion. Last week Moose joined forces with Austin Aries and Killer Kross as the trio beat down Eddie Edwards. That means that Eddie is going to need some help in this fight and that could be anyone. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

The opening recap looks at Cage retaining the X-Division Title over Fenix and beating up OVE, the LAX issues, Tessa Blanchard winning the Knockouts Title and the Edwards issues.

Opening sequence.

Petey Williams vs. Rich Swann

Rematch from last week and Matt Sydal is on commentary. Swann dances to start and offers Petey the chance to retaliate but gets rolled up instead. A drop toehold puts Swann in the ropes for a dropkick to the back but O Canada is reversed into a German suplex out of the corner. Swann gets shoved to the floor for a slingshot hurricanrana but it’s way too early for the Canadian Destroyer. The lifting Downward Spiral works a little better but Swann reverses another Destroyer attempt.

A Lethal Injection gives Swann two but Petey takes the leg out and grabs the Sharpshooter. Sydal says pain is just a state of mind as Swann makes the rope. Petey hits a Russian legsweep into a crucifix but Swann is right back up with a shooting star press for two of his own. Williams bails to avoid the middle rope Phoenix splash so Swann kicks him in the head. It’s Phoenix splash time but Sydal sits on the ramp for a distraction, allowing the Destroyer to finish Swann at 7:52.

Rating: C-. Every week I watch these non-Cage X-Division matches and I try to not lose even more interest in everyone involved. That’s not working as Sydal and Williams aren’t doing a thing for me and haven’t in a long time. Swann is a little better but that’s not exactly saying much. The match was fine but the characters and story aren’t there.

Post break Sydal tells Swann that he’s trying to help him but Swann tells him to stay away.

Desi Hit Squad vs. Joe Hendry/Grado

Hendry’s new song is about his platonic love with Katarina. Raju gets elbowed down to start and the good guys dance into a double elbow drop. Hendry suplexes him for the same but Grado walks into a neckbreaker. A legsweep gives Singh two but he charges into a boot in the corner, allowing the hot tag off to Hendry. Everything breaks down and Hendry hits the fall away slam on both of them at once. Callis: “Even Grado couldn’t screw this up!” Grado proceeds to miss a cannonball, setting up a wind-up knee into the Sky High to give Singh the pin at 5:00.

Rating: D. As usual, it’s a bad sign when the match being short is the best thing about it. Grado is much more acceptable in small doses and Hendry has all the makings of a midcard star but the Hit Squad is just so average and mediocre that it’s hard to watch them. Now just get Hendry away from this mess and see what he can do. The songs alone will give him a spot for as long as he wants it.

Post match Katarina yells at Grado for losing and says she loves Hendry. She goes to kiss him but Hendry says Grado is his best friend so Katarina is out. That earns Hendry a slap as my head hurts all over again. Dang it we were this close to that story being done.

Post break Hendry and Grado laugh a lot.

Classic Clip of the Week: Bully Ray wins the World Title at Lockdown 2013.

Video on Su Yung vs. Tessa Blanchard set to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, which is far more eerie than you might think. Of note: Tessa first appears on the word “diamond”, which is the kind of little touch that makes these things that much better.

Bob sings to Scarlett Bordeaux when KM and Fallah Bahh come in to thank her for helping them. She flirts with them a bit and they have an idea.

Here’s Eli Drake for a chat. Drake talks about all the dummies around lately, like those two last week that took the Gravy Train. Let’s see if anyone who can come out here and impress him. Cue Stone Rockwell, an Indiana Jones style character from a show on the Impact Twitch channel. Drake wants to hear about his latest adventure but cuts him off. Rockwell wants to be a World Champion so Drake wants to get him off to a hot start.

Eli Drake vs. Stone Rockwell

Gravy Train in 12 seconds. I’m not sure where this is leading but Drake is always entertaining.

The Lucha Bros invite Cage to team with them again OVE and Sami Callihan but they’re fine if he doesn’t.

Aries, Moose and Kross are in the back and throw an interviewer out. Alisha Edwards comes in and the trio leaves.

Knockouts Title: Su Yung vs. Tessa Blanchard

Tessa is defending and grabs a very early rollup. The Panic Switch is broken up but Tessa has to bail from the bloody glove. Tessa: “SHE’S CRAZY!” Back in and Su throws her around a few times but gets her legs tied up in a modified Indian Deathlock. The running dropkick to the back gives Tessa two and a hanging DDT out of the corner rocks Yung again. Tessa can’t bring a chair in so she sits it down, only to be knocked into said chair.

Yung cannonballs her off the apron to knock Tessa out of the chair in a big crash. Back in and Yung takes her to the top, only to get pulled back down with a super cutter (supposed to be a neckbreaker but close enough). Back from a break with Tessa firing off right hands but getting hurricanranaed into the corner. The Panic Switch is broken up again and the hammerlock DDT retains Tessa’s title at 12:40.

Rating: C. Tessa was extra aggressive here and that’s something she needs to do every now and then. The point of her character is that she knows she’s better than everyone else so having her show what she’s capable of doing when she needs to makes her seem all the more dangerous. Yung losing again isn’t a good sign for her, as she doesn’t exactly have the best record.

Post match the Undead Bridesmaids bring out a casket with Tessa’s name on it. Yung jumps her from behind and hits the Panic Switch. Allie and Kiera Hogan run out for the save. Thankfully Tessa gets up and yells at the two of them as turning Tessa face would be a really bad idea.

Time for your weekly reminder that Impact will indeed be in Mexico for tapings next week.

Cage doesn’t like Sami Callihan and OVE. He’s the Machine and will take them apart.

Konnan and King go to see their bosses, who aren’t happy over the kid being run over two weeks ago. Konnan blames King, who says he can’t believe the hypocrisy around here. Everyone is against him and he did what has to be done to make money. It was ok when Konnan and the bosses did it but not when King does the same? The bosses say there’s a ceasefire until October 14 in New York City (at Bound For Glory). There will be a six man final war with Konnan getting involved too. King won’t shake hands.

The announcers preview next week’s card.

Zachary Wentz/Ace Austin/Trey Miguel vs. OVE

OVE cleans house to start but Wentz knees Callihan in the face. A big flip dive takes the villains out and Miguel dives onto everyone else. Fans: “THIS IS IMPACT!” Egads that’s bad even for a wrestling chant. Back in and Jake kicks Miguel in the face a few times before handing it off to Dave. Everything breaks down and Austin gets kicked in the head, sending him into a hanging Downward Spiral. The All Seeing Eye finishes Austin at 3:44.

Rating: C-. Well it was certainly energetic, which is more than you would have expected out of a short squash. OVE has grown on me a lot and while I’m still not big on them, they’re far better than they used to be. The jobbers all looked good here and I wouldn’t mind seeing more of them in the future.

Post match Callihan piledrives Austin and says they’re the best trio in the world today. Their war with Fenix and Pentagon will never end and if Cage wants in, bring it on.

Here are Aries, Kross and Moose (in a very shiny shirt) so the latter can explain himself. Aries introduces Moose as Moose Money, which is going to need some time to sink in. Moose says Eddie is a fraud because he was the one who had Eddie’s back through everything. When Moose was in the hospital with a concussion, Kross and Aries were the only ones who cared.

Moose thanks Aries for being the greatest man who ever lived and Aries thanks Moose for listening. No one is taking the World Title but here’s Johnny Impact to interrupt. Aries agrees that Impact is a nobody but says that while Impact looks the part, Aries is the part. Impact announces that he’s getting the World Title shot at Bound For Glory but Aries wants to do it right now.

Johnny is smarter than that and, after plugging Boone the Bounty Hunter, asks Aries to come fight out here. An insult to bananas brings Aries onto the ramp but the numbers take Impact down. Kross chokes him out and Aries adds a Figure Four. With Impact out, Aries Pillmanizes his throat against the post to end the show.

Overall Rating: C-. This was a little weaker than some of the previous shows, mainly with the not so great wrestling and the storylines that aren’t the best in the first place. It’s not a terrible show or anything but it’s a show that didn’t do anything for me and nothing on it is really interesting or memorable. The build for Bound For Glory could be good though and that’s the more important thing going forward.

Results

Petey Williams b. Rich Swann – Canadian Destroyer

Desi Hit Squad b. Joe Hendry/Grado – Sky High to Grado

Eli Drake b. Stone Rockwell – Gravy Train

Tessa Blanchard b. Su Yung – Hammerlock DDT

OVE b. Zachary Wentz/Ace Austin/Trey Miguel – All Seeing Eye to Austin

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2003 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/07/23/new-book-kbs-complete-2003-monday-night-raw-reviews/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: Impact Wrestling

Impact Wrestling
Date: August 30, 2018
Location: Rebel Sports Complex, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Commentators: Josh Matthews, Don Callis

Tonight is the Redefined show, which could mean several things. We’ll be getting a few title matches, including Su Yung defending the Knockouts Title against Tessa Blanchard and Allie, along with Fenix challenging for the X-Division Title. I’m sure there will be some more with Eddie Edwards/Moose vs. Austin Aries/Killer Kross as well. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We open with a recap of the two title matches plus the Edwards vs. Aries feud.

Opening sequence.

X-Division Title: Brian Cage vs. Fenix

Fenix is defending and has Pentagon Jr. with him. Some early flips keep Fenix away from Cage until a drop toehold sets up a 619 from the champ. Fenix tries some springboards but gets his head taken off with a clothesline. That’s not something you see most X-Division people doing but it works well for him. Another springboard is broken up and a delayed apron superplex has Fenix in even more trouble.

Fenix finally scores with some kicks to the face but Cage runs him over again without much effort. More kicks just get Fenix tossed onto the ramp but he manages a Lethal Injection onto the ramp for a breather. A Swanton gets two but Cage hits his own superkick and a reverse Death Valley Driver. The fans are already on the FIGHT FOREVER chants. People it’s been six minutes. Chill.

Rating: B. There was a story here with Fenix trying to hang with Cage as long as he could but Cage kept shrugging it off and hitting one more big move after another. The ending was great with Fenix just not being able to survive the power. I could go for Pentagon vs. Cage but I’m not sure who in the world is supposed to stop Cage. Unless we’re coming up on Option C again.

Post match OVE comes in for the beatdown but Cage makes the save.

Recap of Moose returning last week and saving Edwards from Kross and Aries.

Scarlett Bordeaux charms her way past security.

Classic Clip of the Week: Drew Galloway debuts in January 2015.

Impact is coming to Mexico.

We look at the OGz running over a kid last week to get at LAX.

King yells at the OGz for feeling sympathy about the kid. Someone calls King and he leaves.

We recap the Knockouts Title match, which is Allie trying to get revenge on Yung for all of her attacks on Allie’s friends. Tessa is here because she wants to be champion.

Tessa isn’t feeling pressure because she’s a Blanchard. That means you need something though, and that’s why she’s winning the title tonight.

Here’s Eli Drake for a chat. Eli has had the Cult of Lee following him around for the last few weeks. They’re never going to be friends and Drake wanted to see what happened last week when they got in over their heads. Cue Mr. Atlantis and Brandon Tidwell, the guys who beat the Cult of Lee last week. They’re not quite ready to be stars yet because they have one more test. After pausing to listen to the THEY ARE DUMMIES chant, Drake says one of them has to face him tonight. Atlantis volunteers so Drake says he’ll face Tidwell.

Eli Drake vs. Brandon Tidwell

Gravy Train in 24 seconds.

Atlantis takes a Gravy Train of his own.

Moose and Edwards are ready for revenge.

Impact. Mexico. Still happening.

Knockouts Title: Su Yung vs. Allie vs. Tessa Blanchard

Yung is defending and has the Undead Bridesmaids while Allie has Kiera Hogan. Tessa hits them both in the face but Allie snaps off a Backstabber to take over. Allie clotheslines Tessa to make her DDT Yung but the champ pops back up for a staredown with Tessa. That earns Yung a shot from Allie but Tessa takes her down into a leglock.

Yung is back up for an armbar on Allie at the same time but ropes are grabbed in short order. Tessa press slams Yung onto the Bridesmaids but gets suplexed into the corner to give Allie two. Allie superkicks Tessa into the Mandible Claw but takes one herself a few seconds later. A slam gets Allie out of trouble but Tessa rolls her up for the pin (with trunks) and the title at 6:21. Tessa looks shocked that she won.

Rating: D+. They didn’t have time to do much here but Yung dropping the title was the only option. She’s been a near afterthought to Tessa for a long time now and the real feud is Tessa vs. Allie anyway. Yung felt like a Rosemary knockoff since she debuted and that’s not exactly how you present a top star. Time killed this one but they got the ending right.

In the back, Tessa says she knew she could do it and proved it. Come try her to see how tough a diamond can be.

Gama Singh beats up the Desi Hit Squad for failing.

Aries and Kross promise pain for Moose and Edwards. They’ve turned everything upside down and no one is safe.

LAX isn’t happy with the kid being run over. Konnan tells them to take care of the kid’s family but gets a phone call from someone he calls sir and leaves. LAX isn’t sure what to think but they’re not happy.

Mexico part three.

It’s time for the Smoke Show with Grado, Katarina and Joe Hendry. Scarlett suggests that there’s something between Katarina and Hendry but Joe says it’s not true. They’ll have a tag match next week and Hendry’s song will fix things. Scarlett whispers something to Grado and the water shoots out of his bottle. Katarina isn’t happy and the guys run off, leaving her to yell at Scarlett. Can we please get somewhere with this story already?

Petey Williams vs. Rich Swann

Swann goes straight to the dancing to start and throws in some splits for good measure. Petey sends him outside but comes back in with the slingshot Codebreaker. Swann flips over him and scores with a dropkick, only to be sent outside in a heap. Back from a break with O CANADA but Swann avoids a charge in the corner.

A pinfall reversal sequence gives them two each until Petey pulls him down for a Sharpshooter attempt. Can we just change his name to Mr. Canada already? That’s broken up as well and Swann hits a Falcon Arrow for two more. Swann misses the middle rope Phoenix splash but slips out of the Canadian Destroyer. Another pinfall reversal sequence gives them two each and Swann this the running shooting star for the pin at 10:20.

Rating: C-. I am so over Williams. He’s not interesting, his whole offense revolves around one move and he’s only there for the Canadian fans. He was funny back in the Scott Steiner days but good grief that was the better part of ten years ago. Just find someone else to do this stuff already and stop talking about the Destroyer already.

The announcers talk about Konnan apparently having a boss.

Swann wants the X-Division Title when Matt Sydal comes in to say Swann doesn’t know what he’s in for. As Sydal offers his help, Moose is found with the X symbol next to him. I think you know where this is going.

Austin Aries/Killer Kross vs. Eddie Edwards

No Moose. Kross starts for the team and plants Eddie with an early spinebuster. Aries comes in for a kick to the back of the head but Eddie is back with some kicks of his own. A running kick can’t knock Kross off the apron so Eddie kicks Aries to the floor. Kross cuts him off though and Aries takes over again. The villains take turns kicking and stomping away but Aries takes too much time going up.

The Backpack Stunner out of the corner gives Eddie a breather and a Blue Thunder Bomb gets two. Kross gets knocked outside and Eddie drops Aries with a suicide dive. With Aries back in, Kross suplexes Eddie on the floor to take him down again. Back in and a tiger bomb plants Aries but here’s the taped up Moose to grab Aries by the throat….and then spear Eddie. The referee gets thrown out and we’ll call it a no contest at 7:40.

Rating: C. This was much more of an angle than a big time match and the ending was far from a shock. It’s been a trope in wrestling for years and while it’s not a bad idea, it wasn’t exactly surprising. I’m not sure why Aries needs two monsters with him when Kross was doing his own thing but it’s not the worst idea in the world.

Post match Moose chairs Eddie. Alisha runs out to yell and slap Moose, who glares at her to end the show.

Overall Rating: C. So uh, what exactly was redefined here? I’m curious about some of the stuff they’re setting up here (LAX’s story is interesting) and the main event angle could go somewhere. It could be interesting to see who challenges the new trio but Cage, Pentagon and someone joining them is an option. That being said, this show didn’t do much for me as a lot of the wrestling was just ok to average and the good opener doesn’t quite cover it.

Results

Brian Cage b. Fenix – Superbomb

Tessa Blanchard b. Su Yung and Allie – Rollup with trunks to Allie

Rich Swann b. Petey Williams – Running shooting star press

Austin Aries/Killer Kross vs. Eddie Edwards went to a no contest when Moose threw the referee out

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2003 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/07/23/new-book-kbs-complete-2003-monday-night-raw-reviews/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: Impact Wrestling

Impact Wrestling
Date: August 23, 2018
Location: Rebel Sports Complex, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Commentators: Josh Matthews, Don Callis

This is all about the violence with a Mexican death match between Sami Callihan and Pentagon Jr. These two have been feuding for weeks now and it’s actually been one of the best things about the promotion. Sometimes it’s just about beating the heck out of each other and when you have the representative lackeys to help move things along. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

The opening recap talks about Fenix beating Sami Callihan last week, Killer Kross and Austin Aries laying out Eddie Edwards, Jimmy Jacobs and Kongo Kong (sweet goodness that’s a lot of alliteration) vs. Johnny Impact and the LAX war.

Opening sequence.

Here’s Eddie, in a Rocky Balboa shirt, to admit that he’s been beaten up for the last few weeks and lay down on the mat. He’s picked himself up though and now he’s standing in this ring again. Now that he’s back on his feet, he’s looking for a fight because he has nothing to lose. Eddie wants Aries and Kross out here right now so here they come.

Aries talks about how Kross is even crazier and more dangerous than Edwards so Eddie hits Aries in the face. Some stick shots have Kross in trouble but Aries chop blocks him. The Cross Jacket Choke and a Figure Four go on at the same time but here’s Moose with a chair to chase them off.

Callihan is ready for Pentagon Jr. and says OVE can blame Pentagon for their troubles.

Eddie and Moose are in the back when a very excited Alisha comes in to thank Moose for the save. Things seem to be better between she and Eddie.

Zachary Wentz vs. Matt Sydal

Sydal promises to help Wentz awaken. A headlock takeover puts Wentz down but he’s right back up with a corkscrew crossbody for two. Sydal bails to the floor and gets taken down with a dive. Back in and Wentz charges into a boot in the corner, setting up a cobra clutch. That goes nowhere so Wentz kicks him down and hits a standing moonsault for two. A Codebreaker looks to set up a running shooting star but only hits knees. Sydal hits a Paige Turner for the pin at 4:08.

Rating: C. They packed a good amount in there and Wentz looked good, even in defeat. I still don’t get the appeal of this third eye thing but Sydal can have a good match when he gets the time to do something. The match didn’t go long enough to get very far but Wentz should get a few more chances.

The Cult of Lee come up to Eli Drake in the back but he wants nothing to do with them. Two unnamed guys come in and the Cult impersonates Drake to yell at them. Drake says this should be interesting and leaves.

Video on Impact coming to Mexico.

Video on Brian Cage. He wants to bring a new era to the X-Division Title. Whatever Fenix can do in the ring, Cage can do just as well.

Classic Clip of the Week: AJ Styles returns in 2013.

Earlier today, Fallah Bahh had a present for KM (in a bag with Bahh’s face on it) that should help them win.

Video on Impact coming to Mexico. Nothing has changed in the last ten minutes.

Video on Callihan vs. Pentagon.

KM/Fallah Bahh vs. Desi Hit Squad

How many times can these teams fight? The gift was matching gear, albeit in a small size and KM’s has a ferret on the side. Actually hang on though as Bahh tells him to lose the boots. The announcers talk about a Scarlett Bordeaux photo shoot and Callis does a slightly less creepy Jerry Lawler impression. The Squad can’t hurt Bahh so it’s off to KM, who hurts his foot by kicking without a boot on.

This works a bit better for the Squad, who double teams KM down and hit a basement dropkick. KM’s comeback gets stomped down as Callis actually offers some insight to wrestling barefoot. A double clothesline gets KM out of trouble and it’s off to Bahh, who sits on Singh’s chest. The double roll crushes the Squad and KM sends Singh into Raju’s jumping knee. KM gives Raju a Project Ciampa, followed by a Banzai Drop for the pin at 5:26.

Rating: D. The oddball tag team isn’t my cup of milk in this case but some of the fans seem to like it well enough. The problem is there isn’t exactly a division of teams for these guys to fight and now that the Squad are just two guys, there’s a limit to how far either team can really go. Can you imagine either of them against LAX or the OGz? There’s such a divide between those teams and anyone else that it’s not even a division at this point.

Katarina yells at Grado for losing every single time. Joe Hendry just wants Grado to make progress and gives him a pep talk. Hendry and Katarina leave together and it turns out Scarlett Bordeaux is behind them. She wants him on her show….and then Grado is stripping on a pole. The interviewer from a few weeks back eats popcorn as Grado goes over to Scarlett, who spanks him over the couch. I never need to see this again.

Kiera Hogan vs Alisha

The go technical to start with Hogan armbarring her way out of a headlock. A pinfall reversal sequence goes to a standoff as Josh plugs upcoming tapings in Las Vegas. Alisha gets two off a neckbreaker but Kiera is right back with a dropkick in the corner. A charge connects for two more and a kick to the face is good for the same. Hogan shrugs off a comeback and hits a running faceplant but Alisha uses Eddie’s Backpack Stunner. That goes nowhere though as a fisherman’s neckbreaker finishes Alisha at 6:08.

Rating: D+. Neither of them were impressive here as it was just a match with no fire or interest for the most part. I haven’t seen Alisha do anything of note since she’s been in the company and while Kiera is better, she’s not exactly leaps and bounds ahead. It could have been worse, but this felt like filler.

Post match Allie praises Kiera before saying that Su Yung has driven her to the darkness. She has to get rid of Yung but now she has to look over her shoulder for Tessa Blanchard. Allie wants a triple threat next week.

Johnny Impact was making an appearance at a pool party when Kongo Kong showed up. Impact beat him up without much effort and sent him into the pool.

The triple threat is accepted and the title will be on the line.

Rich Swann went for a walk with one of the interviewers and says his ultimate goal is the X-Division Title. A bunch of names have influenced him, including Petey Williams, who he’s facing next week.

Pentagon is ready to make Sami respect him tonight.

Remember how Impact was announced as coming to Mexico soon? Still the case.

Aries and Kross are ready to end Moose’s career. Sounds like a tag match next week.

Cult of Lee vs. Brandon Tidwell/Mr. Atlantis

Drake is on commentary and those would be the guys from earlier. The Cult starts doing Drake moves, including the E-Li-Drake elbow. The Gravy Train is broken up though and Tidwell rolls Konley up for the pin at 1:52. Drake finds this kind of funny.

LAX celebrates with their people on the street. Konnan says the OGz are done and has a surprise for some of them. They go to the car…..and a kid is run over by a car driven by the OGz. Well that got rather dark in a hurry.

We run down next week’s Redefined card.

Sami Callihan vs. Pentagon Jr.

Mexican death match, meaning anything goes and falls count anywhere. They go straight for the chairs to start until Sami kicks him in the face. A Sling Blade cuts Sami off and Pentagon opens the vest so the chops are even louder. Two chairs are set up in the middle of the ring but Pentagon’s hurricanrana is countered into a powerbomb through (not really) the chairs. A table is set up at ringside but it’s Pentagon hitting the big flip dive to send Sami through it.

Back from a break with Pentagon bringing in a pinata but stopping to kick Sami down. Inside the pinata: a staple gun. Sami spits at him and gets stapled in the arms and crotch, followed by the hat being stapled to Sami’s head. Pentagon is nice enough to rip it back off before hitting a backstabber for two. Another pinata has an electric razor inside so Sami grabs him by the crotch for the sake of saving his beard. They head outside with Sami opening another pinata to find a ball bat.

A trashcan is wrapped around Pentagon’s head for a bat shot but Pentagon hits him with the can to get a breather. Pentagon grabs a running Death Valley Driver through another table and it’s time for one last pinata….which is full of Legos. They trade package piledrivers on the Legos for two each with Sami being left laying. Pentagon loads up a third table but gets caught on top, setting up a super Cactus Piledriver through the table for the pin at 15:52.

Rating: B. They beat the heck out of each other here and the ending looked awesome. Sami has really grown on me with the violence fitting in very well, especially in something like this. Also, I liked that they played into the Mexican part with the pinatas, though the Legos thing may not be up your alley. I get what they were going for with it (with commentary saying how much it hurts to step on one) and it’s nice to not have it be tacks or glass again. This should be a blowoff to the feud and if so, they went out in a pretty violent way.

Overall Rating: C+. Some of the wrestling wasn’t the best here but they set up next week’s big show and there was a good main event to close the show out. They’ve come down a few levels since the build to Slammiversary but I can gladly go for a somewhat above average show rather than something uninspired or bad. They’re going in the right direction and there’s stuff that I want to see, so keep up what they’ve been doing as of late.

Results

Matt Sydal b. Zachary Wentz – Paige Turner

KM/Fallah Bahh b. Desi Hit Squad – Banzai Drop to Raju

Kiera Hogan b. Alisha – Fisherman’s neckbreaker

Brandon Tidwell/Mr. Atlantis b. Cult of Lee – Rollup to Konley

Sami Callihan b. Pentagon Jr. – Cactus piledriver through a table

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2003 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/07/23/new-book-kbs-complete-2003-monday-night-raw-reviews/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: Impact Wrestling

Impact Wrestling
Date: August 16, 2018
Location: Rebel Sports Complex, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Commentators: Josh Matthews, Don Callis

The main event scene took a surprising turn last week with Killer Kross revealing himself to be working for/with Austin Aries. I’m not sure what the point of that is when Kross has been one of the better villains for a few weeks now and really doesn’t need to be affiliated with Aries. You can imagine Eddie Edwards won’t be happy about what went down last week. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

In Memory Of Jim Neidhart.

The opening video looks at the recent goings on around here, including the LAX war, Kross and the Knockouts.

Sami Callihan vs. Fenix

Sami goes straight at him to start so Fenix gets in a dropkick to the floor, followed by the big flip dive. A Swanton gets two back inside but Jake Crist pulls Fenix’s foot. What looked like a half nelson drop on Fenix’s head gets two and a clothesline takes Fenix’s head off. They head outside with Sami’s spit chop setting up a Russian legsweep into the ropes for two.

Sami ties the arms behind the ropes for a hard forearm to the back of the head as the fans think Ohio suck. Some right hands to the head have Fenix in more trouble and we hit the chinlock. Fenix tries to fight up and goes to the top, only to be shoved off onto the ramp. Sami loads up the Cactus Piledriver but Fenix escapes and hits a Lethal Injection of all things. A springboard twisting cutter (freaking sweet) gets two back inside and we take a break.

Back with Fenix winning a slugout but getting powerbombed for two. It’s off to an STF on Fenix, which is switched into a Crossface as Sami channels his inner Samoa Joe. The hold is broken and as usual, Sami spends too long talking trash, allowing Fenix to run the ropes for a super hurricanrana. Fenix gets the better of an exchange of kicks to the head but OVE gets up on the apron. Cue Pentagon Jr. for the save, allowing Fenix to hit his spinning Muscle Buster driver for the pin at 18:27.

Rating: B. Callihan is starting to grow on me and when he’s putting in the effort, he’s more than capable of putting on a good match. I mean, having Fenix out there with you kind of helps a lot given that he’s one of the hottest stars in the world at the moment. Pentagon is that much better though and he’s giving the story another level of credibility. They were rocking out there and that’s a great way to open a show.

The announcers preview the rest of the night.

Video on LAX vs. the OGz, who already fought in a street fight at Slammiversary where LAX won. Now they’re having another street fight, which is different because….I have no idea actually. Still though it should be great.

Fenix is fired up at getting an X-Division Title shot in two weeks. Cage comes in and holds up the title without saying anything.

Classic moment of the week: the insane 32 man brawl from Impact in 2009.

Allie is ready to fight Su Yung tonight and Kiera Hogan has her back. Tonight is for Madison Rayne and Rosemary.

Jimmy Jacobs vs. Johnny Impact

Before the match, Jimmy says that just because he’s a princess, people think he’s soft. Tonight, he’s the monster. Speaking of the monster, Kongo Kong jumps Impact from behind before the bell and the referee is fine with starting the match. Jacobs gets a quick two but Kong comes in for the DQ at 55 seconds.

Post match Jacobs and Kong load up the steps but Impact DDTs Kong on the ramp. Jacobs tries to bail but Impact flips in front of him. With Impact stalking him, Jacobs trips over the steps and Impact (“Eye for an eye Jimmy!”) blasts him in the face with them. Jacobs is out cold.

Josh: “Up next, Austin Aries and Killer Kross will be in the middle of the ring. But next, Scarlett Bordeaux and the Smoke Show debut!”

KM and Fallah Bahh fight over champagne to try and woo Bordeaux. They run into her and the fight continues. She doesn’t like the champagne but asks them to explain their issues. KM yells at Bahh but she suggests KM try things his way. KM doesn’t buy it but teases kissing her, only to have Scarlett tell him to try things her way. That means matching gear apparently and KM leaves. Bahh says his name and gets slapped, with Scarlett saying that’s disgusting.

I’m not sure on this idea. They’re not hiding what they’re going for with Scarlett and she plays the character well, but I’m not sure what kind of a shelf life this is going to have. She would be great as a manager but just having talking segments in the back like this isn’t going to work for very long. If I just have to have Bordeaux on my screen every week though, so be it.

Here’s Aries to explain last week. It’s a great day to be great but a lot of people have been asking him what’s up with Killer Kross. Well Kross, who Aries refers to as his new insurance policy, can speak for himself so here he is, now in a suit. Kross comes out and says he and Aries see things the same and are both here to change everything. You can like it or not, but the change is being shoved down your throat.

Aries talks about getting rid of Anthony Carelli, who showed how important it is to surround yourself with the right people. That’s why Aries picked the best man possible to have his back. Aries calls out Eddie Edwards for not handling his stick as well as his wife would like, which is why she left him. Cue Eddie so Aries lies across the top rope as Kross isn’t phased by stick shots. A shot to the knee slows him down though and a cutter puts him down. Eddie takes way too long going after Aries though, allowing Kross to get up and choke him out.

During the break, Eddie freaked out about what just happened when his wife Alisha came in to check on him, even though they’re still not good. Eddie yells about everyone thinking he’s crazy.

Eli Drake vs. Joe Hendry

Drake has the Cult of Lee with him and Hendry has Grado/Katarina. Hendry also has a new video, showing him wearing a Drake mask and singing about how Drake is joining the Cult to get his revenge. As usual, the song is hilarious and well done as Hendry has a rather unique set of skills. Hendry wristlocks him down to start but Drake flips out and points at the crowd a lot.

A shoulder puts Drake down but he’s right back with the jumping neckbreaker and right hands to the head. Hendry starts his comeback with clotheslines and a DDT as Grado takes care of Caleb Konley. Unfortunately Grado doesn’t know when to get off the apron and Drake shoves Hendry into him, setting up the rollup pin at 4:25.

Rating: D. Hendry isn’t anything great in the ring, but those videos and songs are going to carry him for as long and far as he wants to go. It’s a special talent and that’s almost a guaranteed job, especially when you throw in a good look. The Grado story seems to be progressing, which is at least a step in the right direction. I still don’t get his appeal (at least not in the US) and the faster he’s gone, the better.

Post match Katarina seems to have nearly had it with Grado.

Matt Sydal meditates on his recent losses until his eyes pop open, seemingly having figured something out. Good for you.

Callihan wants a Mexican Death Match with Pentagon to finish this once and for all.

Su Yung vs. Allie

Non-title with the Undead Bridesmaids and Kiera Hogan at ringside. Yung jumps her to start but Allie slugs right back and sends her throat first into the ropes. For some reason Allie heads outside and gets distracted by the Bridesmaids. Yung takes off the dress and hits a dive onto Allie but gets headbutted in the chest. Allie screams a lot until Yung palm strikes her down. A missed charge sends Yung into the buckle and a dropkick to the back makes it worse. Kiera dives onto the Bridesmaids and the Panic Switch is countered into the Backstabber. Cue Tessa Blanchard to jump Allie for the DQ at 5:36.

Rating: C-. This was more about the big circus of interference but it never became too much to handle. There’s a good chance this sets up a triple threat title match in the near future and that’s what makes sense storyline wise at the moment. They’ve put together a story here where all three are involved instead of having a champion and two challengers. That’s a rare thing and they’ve done it well.

Post match Tessa loads up the hammerlock DDT but gets the Mandible Claw from Yung. Allie superkicks Yung and stands tall.

LAX and the OGz meet in the actual streets (or maybe a parking lot) with a bunch of people behind both teams. Konnan and King agree that just the wrestlers themselves fight and the OGz lay the belts down. Since this isn’t an actual match, I’m assuming the belts aren’t on the line. Hernandez gets sent into a fence and beaten with a plastic sign by Ortiz but King sends one of the unnamed goons in with a fork.

Homicide and Santana fight with the fork but Santana gets out of a Gringo Killer on the concrete. Ortiz breaks a broom over Hernandez’s back and Santana hits Homicide with something King accidentally throws him. Hernandez comes back in with what might have been a bottle and Border Tosses Santana onto the pile of people.

King throws in a rope to hang Ortiz but Santana is back in with some kind of club and LAX takes their belts back. With the OGz down, King gets in Konnan’s face and shouts that he’s leading LAX down the wrong path. He yells about Konnan doing something to him fifteen years ago and begs Konnan to knock him out. Konnan swears and does exactly what King requests to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. Good show here, though I’m still not sure about Kross being Aries’ muscle. The shows and angle are still working for the most part and I’m liking what we’re getting. There hasn’t been a show that has been a chore to sit through in a long time and for Impact, that’s a minor miracle. Another perfectly watchable show and that’s becoming the norm, which is taking some getting used to.

Results

Fenix b. Sami Callihan – Spinning Muscle Buster driver

Johnny Impact b. Jimmy Jacobs via DQ when Kongo Kong interfered

Eli Drake b. Joe Hendry – Rollup

Allie b. Su Yung via DQ when Tessa Blanchard interfered

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2003 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/07/23/new-book-kbs-complete-2003-monday-night-raw-reviews/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG: Impact Wrestling

Impact Wrestling
Date: August 9, 2018
Location: Rebel Sports Complex, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Commentators: Josh Matthews, Don Callis

We’re already at a big night with the World Title on the line. This time around it’s Eddie Edwards getting the title shot against Austin Aries, who is in need of a next major challenger. There’s a ton of time before Bound For Glory so this probably just a one off match. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

The OGz and LAX are fighting in the back with Ortiz throwing hangers at Hernandez. Those are some dangerous weapons. Hernandez wraps a chair around Ortiz’s head and slams it into a wall though and security breaks it up after the OGz get the better of it.

Opening sequence.

Taiji Ishimori/Petey Williams vs. Desi Hit Squad

Ishimori spins around Singh to start and takes him down with a springboard seated senton. Williams comes in for a few running dropkicks to both Singh and Raju but the numbers get the better of him. A knee to the back sets up a jumping Downward Spiral and Raju gets two off a DDT.

The gordbuster gets the same but Petey sends them into each other and tags Ishimori. House is cleaned, including a reverse DDT/Downward Spiral combination. Raju sweeps the leg and gets two off a double stomp as everything breaks down. The Canadian Destroyer is broken up with a Backstabber so Ishimori knees Singh. Now the Destroyer can hit Raju, followed by the implant DDT onto the knees to finish Raju at 6:29.

Rating: C. I can’t imagine they’re pulling the plug on the Hit Squad so soon but my goodness they’re lifeless as a team. Their work is fine though rather generic but the bigger problem is there’s no spark. They’re just not very interesting and don’t have anything to distinguish themselves other than they’re from India and their manager was a star in his day. I need a lot more than that.

Pentagon Jr. promises to introduce Matt Sydal to a universe of pain.

Allie promises to get back at Tessa Blanchard. She’s not done with Su Yung either and wants to fight next week, even if it’s a non-title match. Kiera Hogan says bring the Undead Bridesmaids and the whole Undead family.

Video on Eddie Edwards snapping and his descent into madness, including attacking Austin Aries two weeks ago.

Aries wants to know what happened to Edwards. He used to be one of the best wrestlers in the world but now Aries doesn’t know what has become of him. Aries is that much better, no matter how dangerous and over the top Edwards has become.

Grado is annoyed at losing last week but Joe Hendry and Katarina calm him down. Hendry will take care of Eli Drake next week. They leave without Grado.

Alisha vs. Tessa Blanchard

No more Edwards name for Alisha. Tessa isn’t waiting here and gorilla presses Alisha in an impressive power display. A headscissors is shrugged off and Tessa suplexes her for two. Alisha gets caught on the ropes for a running dropkick to the back as this is pure dominance so far. Tessa misses a running elbow on the ropes though and comes up favoring her arm. A bulldog gives Alisha two and a bulldog is good for the same. Tessa gets creative with a slingshot spinebuster (she’s been watching her dad) and the hammerlock DDT is good for the pin at 6:19.

Rating: D+. Mostly a squash here and Tessa looked good in the process. You don’t need to have her destroy Alisha so the minimal offense was fine and the ending was all it needed to be. That’s a good two move combination for Tessa as well with the homage to her dad and then the finisher. They have something special with her and if the company pushes her right, she could be a big deal for a long time to come.

Post match Tessa calls out Allie as being selfish. If she’s coming for Yung and the Knockouts Title, Tessa is coming for Allie.

Bob, the love smitten interviewer from last week, carries all of Scarlett Bordeaux’s bags, including a small one that she gets on him for forgetting.

Matt Sydal says he’s lost the X-Division Title but he has the same spirit that allowed him to win it in the first place. He’ll open everyone’s third eyes.

From Unbreakable: Chris Sabin vs. Petey Williams.

KM and Fallah Bahh argue with Bahh only saying his name. Bordeaux comes in and says they’re looking good, flustering both of them.

Bordeaux complains to the faceless reporters about all of the women being mean to her. They fall all over her (the leaning forward in the revealing top likely helps) and she gets a talk show out of it.

Matt Sydal vs. Pentagon Jr.

A lot of shouting about CERO MIEDO and third eyes fill in the first minute until they go to the mat for some broken headlocks. Pentagon goes with what works best for him by kicking at the leg and chopping at the chest. Some kicks from Sydal gets him out of trouble just as fast but Pentagon hits back to back Sling Blades, as is his custom.

Both guys crawl under the ring with Sydal coming out first and dropkicking Pentagon in the side of the head. Sydal stays on the knee and Pentagon has some trouble getting back inside. Instead of following up, Sydal points at the third eye over and over. Dude it didn’t work for CJ Parker in NXT and it’s not going to work for you either. A running knee off the apron takes Pentagon down and takes us to a break.

Back with Pentagon hitting a Backstabber out of the corner for two but Sydal avoids having his arm broken. The Pentagon Driver only gets two and Sydal blocks another Backstabber. A top rope splash to the back of a standing Pentagon gets two and it’s time to go up again. The shooting star only hits knees though and the Fear Factor gives Pentagon the pin at 16:58.

Rating: B-. I’m really not feeling the third eye thing but at least the matches have been fine enough. Pentagon is an absolute star and is tearing it up everywhere he goes at the moment. The fact that he’s a former World Champion here makes it even better as he has credibility in the bigger promotion instead of just being an indy sensation. Good match.

Post match OVE pops up on screen with Sami Callihan ranting about how he’s sick of being mocked for having his head shaved. One of the Crist Brothers is getting their head shaved right now so Jake shaves Dave. Sami likes the three of them looking like a family.

Here are LAX and Konnan for a chat. Konnan talks about winning the street fight because they’re undefeated in that kind of a match. If the OGz and King want a fight, come get one. King and the OGz are in the balcony but Konnan cuts him off, calling King a glory hole. King talks about taking the titles from LAX and yells at the fans to shut their stupid Canadian mouths. They need to take it to the streets, which seems to be accepted with Konnan being involved in some way.

Preview for next week, including Bordeaux’s Smoke Show.

Jimmy Jacobs says he’s a good guy and didn’t deserve to have Johnny Impact punch him in the face last week. He was trying to spare Johnny from the wrath of Kongo Kong but Johnny wants the monster. Jimmy says it’s on next week, because Jimmy is the monster. I think that means Jimmy vs. Johnny next week.

Impact Wrestling World Title: Austin Aries vs. Eddie Edwards

Aries is defending. After waiting for Eddie to put down his kendo stick, we’re ready to go with Josh listing off Eddie’s career accomplishments. Eddie is in street clothes and hits an early belly to belly before doing angels in the snow on the mat. Aries is so freaked out that he goes to the floor as we take a break.

Back with Josh saying that absolutely nothing happened during the commercial because Aries is so scared. They switch places with Eddie blocking Aries’ suicide dive with a forearm to the head and chopping him up against the barricade. Aries begs off and gets thrown down with a release gordbuster. He’s fine enough to pull Eddie to the floor and that means a suicide dive. Back in and Aries slugs away with forearms and chops, though Eddie just opens his shirt and invites him to chop harder.

A Blue Thunder Bomb drops Aries, with Josh pointing out how long it’s been since Eddie has used that move. In other words, despite the insanity, the talented Eddie is still in there. Eddie gets two off a tiger driver but Aries is right back with a sunset bomb off the top into the Last Chancery. A bite of the finger gets Eddie out and Aries grabs the belt. The referee breaks that up so Eddie hits him low and rolls Aries up for two.

There goes the referee but Aries misses a belt shot, allowing Eddie to grab a DDT. There’s no count so let’s get the kendo stick. A shot to the head knocks Aries silly and Eddie chokes in the corner. Cue Killer Kross to give Eddie a Saito suplex, leaving Aries to hit the brainbuster to retain at 17:11.

Rating: B. Eddie is becoming a fascinating character and while I could go without the Tommy Dreamer tributes, he could go quite a ways off of this thing. Kross being Aries’ muscle isn’t something I’m thrilled with as Kross could be something special on his own. I’m not sure why he should be working for someone else, even the World Champion, when he could be a top heel on his own. If nothing else it does make more sense to have him lay out Anthony Carelli last week.

Kross leaves his calling card on Eddie and poses with Aries to end the show.

Overall Rating: B+. That’s back to what it was a few weeks ago with two very good matches, angle advancement and some stories that make me want to come back and see where this is going. They also set up some stuff for next week, which is a lost art in wrestling outside of NXT these days. Very strong show this week and I had a lot of fun watching it, as is the case more often than not as of late.

Results

Taiji Ishimori/Petey Williams b. Desi Hit Squad – Implant DDT onto the knees to Raju

Tessa Blanchard b. Alisha – Hammerlock DDT

Pentagon Jr. b. Matt Sydal – Fear Factor

Austin Aries b. Eddie Edwards – Brainbuster

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2003 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/07/23/new-book-kbs-complete-2003-monday-night-raw-reviews/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: Impact Wrestling

Impact Wrestling
Date: July 19, 2018
Location: St. Clair College, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Commentators: Josh Matthews, Don Callis

It’s the go home show for Slammiversary and for once I’m actually interested in where we’re going. The build for the show has been rather good so far and that could make for a solid pay per view. They can still hammer in a few more things tonight but really, Sunday is all that matters at this point. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We open with a rapid fire recap of the big stories.

Petey Williams vs. Killer Kross

The Canadian fans are behind Petey, who gets driven into the corner early on. Petey tries to strike away but gets tossed with a t-bone suplex as Kross laughs. Another t-bone drops Williams but he avoids a charge to send Kross shoulder first into the post. A Codebreaker and a tornado DDT have Kross rocked so he comes right back with a hard Saito suplex.

The Krossjacket (a not great looking choke) has Petey in trouble but Kross lets him go. Kross bends over and puts Petey in position for the Canadian Destroyer (as in he puts Petey in position to give Kross the Destroyer) before slamming him down. The Krossjacket knocks Petey out at 5:03.

Rating: D+. I’m not feeling the choke finisher but this was a very effective match and something they should have done rather than the Fallah Bahh match two weeks ago. Kross feels like a monster and that’s exactly what they should be going for with him. Let that kind of evil flow and see how far up the ladder he can go. I liked this WAY more than the Bahh match and Kross looks like he could be a player.

Post match Kross leaves the card on Petey’s chest.

The announcers give their regular preview.

Madison Rayne talks about her daughter wanting to grow up to be a superhero like her mom. Or maybe a ballerina.

Joe Hendry is at a photo shoot when Grado and Katarina come in. Grado isn’t happy with Hendry for flirting with Katarina but Hendry has a surprise.

Desi Hit Squad vs. KM/Fallah Bahh

So yeah, KM and Bahh are back on the same page again. Raju jumps Bahh to start and has as much success off a crossbody as you would expect. Singh comes in and gets crushed by Bahh’s crossbody so Raju gets in a few more cheap shots. Bahh sends the Squad into each other and it’s off to KM (whose full name of Kevin Matthews is mentioned, possibly for the first time ever around here) to clean house. The Squad gets put down so Bahh and KM do the rolls over them twice in a row. Gama Singh offers a distraction though and it’s a rake to the eyes into a rollup to pin Bahh at 4:34.

Rating: D. The Hit Squad is still fine, though not exactly great. Bahh is exactly the same person he’s been since his debut, though you could say that his charisma has gotten better. KM….actually wasn’t too bad here. Imagine that: you let him wrestle an actual match instead of being a clueless putz and his value goes up. The Squad will probably win the Tag Team Titles one day and while I understand why, it’s not the most inspiring thought in the world.

Video on the LAX civil war, which is actually an awesome story so far.

King doesn’t think anything of Konnan who has turned his back on the Latino nation to join his nice white friends in his white neighborhood. Yeah he put the hit out on Konnan because he had the OG’s in his back pocket. Nobody wants the three of them there so they’ve got nothing to lose. They’re taking over.

Eli Drake vs. Joe Hendry

Drake has kind of been lost in the shuffle of late. Hendry sings his own music about making things better, featuring a video of people celebrating in various ways. To be fair, that’s a heck of an entrance and a rather catchy song. The fans chant LOCAL HERO (Hendry’s nickname) but hang on though as Hendry has a video about Eli Drake with Hendry singing about how big of a dummy Drake really is. Apparently Drake likes to dress up like a woman, complete with what looks like regular photos.

Drake isn’t happy and decks Hendry before the bell with the referee starting the match as Drake is choking in the corner. Hendry gets in a jumping knee to the face but misses a charge in the corner to take him right back down. A pair of neckbreakers take Hendry down but he’s right back up with one of his own. Hendry’s DDT gets two but Drake takes him down without much trouble. The Gravy Train is countered into a rollup to give Hendry the pin at 3:50.

Rating: C-. Hendry is someone with a lot of upside as the singing will carry him for a long way and he has a great look. Once you get him away from Grado things can get better, but for now there’s a big upside to him. That’s what has gone well for Impact as of late: bringing in some fresh names who can make an impact in a hurry.

Hendry celebrates with Katarina, much to Grado’s annoyance.

The new LAX knows that the OG’s helped get them here but it’s their time now.

Andrew Everett vs. Dezmond Xavier

And here’s Eddie Edwards to attack the referee at 15 seconds. The bell rang so yes, this was a match.

Eddie says the time has come for Tommy Dreamer and no matter what the stipulation is, pain is coming for Dreamer. There will be blood and Eddie is going to taste it straight from Dreamer’s head. Then Eddie will be the new Innovator of Violence and Dreamer’s never ending nightmare. This was very good and if you just get rid of the Dreamer factor, it’s that much better.

Recap of last week’s Madison Rayne/Su Yung incident.

Rayne is in a funeral home with pictures of her and her family. She opens the casket and finds herself but a man comes up from behind her. His face is in Yung style paint and Madison runs away, finding a girl looking for her mom. Madison panics and is suddenly outside in the woods. Blood falls from the sky and the bridesmaids appear with Yung saying Rayne’s time has come.

Video on Pentagon Jr. vs. Sami Callihan.

Greg Osborne vs. Sami Callihan

Osborne is from Australia and has a boomerang. Callihan wastes no time in kicking him down in the corner but stops to get Pentagon’s mask from the Crist brothers. A double eye gouge sets up the Cactus piledriver for no cover. The fans sing the Goodbye Song and Sami puts the mask on Osborne. Sami starts a Pentagon chest but calls it bull, eventually accepting the hair vs. mask match. Wasn’t that accepted weeks ago? A low superkick sets up Get Out Of Here for the pin on Osborne at 4:09.

Rating: D. Just a squash here with Sami’s ranting being a good chunk of the match. Callihan is fine in short bursts like this and the violence works far better than seeing him trying to wrestle. Throw him in there with someone as good as Pentagon and the match should be a lot of fun.

Post match Sami promises violence on Sunday. Pentagon pops up to say bring it so OVE gives chase.

The OG’s are ready to take back what’s theirs.

Allie doesn’t like Tessa Blanchard but is ready for the tag match tonight.

Tessa is ready to take care of Allie for messing with her plans.

Allie/Kiera Hogan vs. Tessa Blanchard/Shotzi Blackheart

I’m glad to see Shotzi again. Kiera and Tessa start things off with Blanchard taking her into the corner and slapping Kiera in the chest. They switch places and do the same thing, followed by Kiera armdragging her down. Blackheart comes in and misses a charge to send her to the floor. Allie gets two off a snap suplex with Tessa shouting DON’T MESS THIS UP FOR ME.

Tessa kicks Kiera in the face and comes in, only to have stereo big boots give us a double knockdown. The hot tag brings in Allie to clean house on Shotzi with a Russian legsweep getting two. A Tessa distraction lets Shotzi grab a neckbreaker but the Best Superkick Ever puts Shotzi down. That’s enough for Tessa, leaving Allie to hit the Codebreaker on Shotzi for the pin at 7:03.

Rating: C. The division is getting better and better with Tessa clearly being a star (albeit pretty close to a Charlotte clone) and Allie being someone the division could be built around for a long time. Kiera has turned into a nice featured player and Shotzi got my attention as soon as she debuted. Good stuff, though nothing that hasn’t been done before.

OVE is still looking for Pentagon.

Scarlett Bordeaux, now named and shown, debuts next week. This works in a variety of ways.

Video on the international four way, featuring the return of Johnny Impact.

The announcers run down the pay per view card.

Video on Brian Cage vs. Matt Sydal, including Kongo Kong costing Cage the X-Division Title a few weeks back.

Santana talks about having history with Homicide. They’ve known each other for years now and Homicide has made the wrong decision.

Video on Austin Aries vs. Moose.

The search for Pentagon continues and the Crist brothers find him….or rather Sami tied up in Pentagon’s mask. The real Pentagon shows up and seems to break the brothers’ arms but the editing is so fast that it’s hard to tell.

Here’s Moose for the hard sell promo for Sunday’s main event. Moose has been away from the Impact Zone for a long time and wants Austin Aries down here now. Bring the banana with you too. Aries pops up on screen to say chill a bit because we don’t need a moose on the loose. He’s not coming out right now and Moose can just wait until Sunday. Cue Aries from behind (smart move) and the beatdown is on. Moose gets up behind Aries though and tosses him into the corner. A swing with a chair misses and Aries runs. This company has a history of not great main event builds and that’s true here, but it was good enough.

One more Slammiversary run down ends the show.

Overall Rating: B+. I want to see Sunday’s show more than I did when I came in so I don’t know how this could be anything but a success. They did exactly what they wanted to do here with some watchable wrestling but the pay per view build was what really mattered. As long as Sunday can live up to the hype they’ll be fine, but this company has a history of choking at the finish line. Hopefully they break the streak here though, as the show looks rather good. Very well done this week and the best Impact has looked in a LONG time.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of the NXT The Full Sail Years Volume III (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/05/25/new-book-nxt-the-full-sail-years-from-dallas-to-new-orleans/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

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