IMPACT! Wrestling - April 26, 2018

By Graham "GSM" Matthews

Cage def. Trevor Lee

I noted in my Redemption review on Sunday that this would be a fun feud following their interaction in the six-way match at the pay-per-view, and although it looks like this was a one-and-done and nothing more, this was still enjoyable while it lasted. Cage is the star they're aggressively pushing at the moment (and rightfully so because he's great), and he was properly showcased here by overcoming the odds and scoring the victory.

Eddie Edwards Brawled with oVe

The program between Edwards and oVe felt personal prior to Redemption, but it took a dark turn at the event when oVe beat Edwards and then he proceeded to accidentally hit his wife with a weapon afterward. Based off how Edwards left his wife at the hospital here (which was where she was approached by Sami Callihan and wasn't startled), I would assume a double turn is in the works. Edwards is more concerned with exacting revenge than he is protecting Alisha, so this storyline will be interesting to follow in the weeks ahead.

Moose def. Braxton Sutter

Sutter announced on Twitter tonight that he has been granted his release from the company, so I wouldn't be surprised if this was marked his swan song in IMPACT. As such, it only made sense for him to put over/get squashed by a notable name on the way out. That would also explain why his alliance with Su Yung was cut short rather abruptly at Redemption. I've become a fan of his work over the past two years, so here's hoping he has a bright future ahead of him despite no longer being with IMPACT.

Impact Knockouts Champion Allie def. Taya Valkyrie

These two had their first match against each other in IMPACT at that IMPACT vs. Lucha Underground show earlier this month, and I thought that was a bit better than this. That isn't to say that this was a bad bout, but rather they didn't have nearly enough time to produce the matchup I'm sure they're capable of. On the bright side, the post-match angle with Yung confronting Allie only for Rosemary to come to Allie's aid was cool. I figured they would save the Yung vs. Rosemary feud for later on, but I'm looking forward to it, nonetheless.

Impact World Tag Team Champions Eli Drake and Scott Steiner def. LAX

Similar to their match at Redemption, Steiner was wisely kept limited here, which he needs to be at this stage of his career. Drake did most of the in-ring work for his team and fared well for himself against LAX, and while this was a good match, I didn't think it was as entertaining as their initial encounter. I'm shocked they blew through the championship rematch so soon because I have no clue where this leaves LAX or who will be next to step up to challenge the newly formed team of Drake and Steiner for the belts. Austin Aries and Pentagon Jr. emerging afterward was logical given Drake still has that Feast or Fired world title shot at his disposal, so I guess it was designed to serve as a reminder of who the world title picture consists of at the moment.

Overall Show

As a post-pay-per-view episode, this was a solid show, yet not too newsworthy despite there being two title matches and the (apparent) final televised match of Sutter. A number of rivalries from Redemption will be continuing, and that's totally fine, but I'm intrigued to find out how the card for Slammiversary will come together in the next three months and what twists and turns we'll see along the way. There are no matches from this show worth going out of your way to watch, but it does a nice job of offering fallout from Redemption and planting the seeds for what's next.