Impact Wrestling on Pop TV
Thursday, October 12
Universal Studios
Orlando, FL
LAX, who have invoked their rematch for the tag titles vs. oVe in a 5150 Street Fight at Bound For Glory, opened the show. Despite last weeks show ending with the announcement of that match – this segment involved both teams agreeing to the match. LAX laid out oVe via chair and table to end proceedings. That should be a super fun plunder match at BFG. Konnan was the only performer in this scenario that seemed comfortably but learn by doing and all that. Hopefully the BFG match will be oVe’s true coming out match. They need it.
Rosemary def. Hannah Harper
Squash. *
Rosemary called out Taya Valkyrie. Taya misted Rosemary and dropped her with the Road to Valhalla. So Taya has conclusively taken out Rosemary for the second time in a row. Having a babyface outsmarted and beaten down multiple times is the fastest way to undermine them so good job with that I guess.
Taryn Terrell ranted about Gail Kim. Taryn talked about wanting to steal Robert Irvine from Gail, Gail ran her off.
Huge But Random Tag Team Match
Dezmond Xavier, Allie and James Storm def. Caleb Konley, Sienna and Texano
McKenzie Mitchell dubbed this a huge but random tag team match backstage and that feels like a pretty accurate description. This is Dezmond Xavier’s first match on Impact since winning the Super X-Cup two months ago. He’s had a handful of cameo roles since, they’ve really followed up on that big tournament win. Fun formula tag but cut loose of that formula the talent level could’ve delivered more. **1/2
Number One Contenders Match
Johnny IMPACT def. Garza Jr
Garza Jr failing to beat Chris Adonis last week becomes even more of a head scratcher given how fast he was propelled into a number one contenders match – it reflects a lack of confidence in him. This was a fun match but didn’t have the scope or scale you’d hope for from a match that crowned the number one contender for the biggest show of the year. The finishing stretch of novel pin attempts was nifty at least. This match had very little heat though, elevating Garza at the drop of a hat will do that. Johnny IMPACT vs. Eli Drake will be the Bound For Glory main event. Chris Adonis laid IMPACT out with a plank. **3/4
Moose and UFC Hall of Famer Stephan Bonnar trashed American Top Team’s gym to close the show.
Final Thoughts:
You might ask reading this review, that’s it? I generally don’t talk about backstage stuff until it makes sense to bring it forward to what affects what’s in the ring—even then this show was short on content. While a bunch of the video content was compelling (particularly the stuff surrounding Eddie Edwards, Garza Jr and Eli Drake’s trip to NOAH, which was really neat to see on a US TV show—particularity highlights of the Edwards/Marufuji match), it was a pacing nightmare. This felt like a clip show.
