IMPACT! Wrestling Review - December 1, 2020

By Graham "GSM" Matthews

The Motor City Machine Guns def. XXXL

Motor City Machine Guns said in a backstage interview last week that conquering XXXL was their first step in reclaiming the Impact World Tag Team Championship. Although the outcome wasn't much in doubt, it was an enjoyable opener with the two teams working well together. As I've said before, XXXL have grown on me and it was cool to see them score as much offense as they did before eating defeat.

Jordynne Grace and Jazz def. Renee Michelle and Killer Kelly in an Impact Knockouts Tag Team Championship Tournament Quarterfinal Match

Jazz came out of retirement just to team with Grace. I thought there was a chance she turned on Grace and that would lead to the two feuding, and that could still happen at some point, but not here. Michelle and Killer were a random duo, but they're two fresh faces and looked good. Michelle is a work in progress, but Killer should have signed to a deal yesterday. Jazz also impressed in her return to the ring and it remains to be seen if she'll be around for the long haul.

Cody Deaner vs. Johnny Swinger Ended in a No Contest

Much like other matches we've seen in recent weeks on the show, it was obvious from the get-go that Eric Young and Joe Doering were going to interfere and lay out both men because this had no business happening to begin with. The attacks from Young and Doering are starting to get old, but at least they're giving them people to feud with soon, including Rhino and Deaner (who Young has history with). I assume it will be Young and Doering vs. The Deaners at Final Resolution.

Impact Knockouts Champion Deonna Purrazzo and Kimber Lee Attacked Su Yung

The storyline here was that Purrazzo and Lee requested the services of Father James Mitchell so he could get Su Young to go back to being Susie. That led to the undead bridesmaids coming out and carrying Yung to the back. I've never been the biggest fan of Su Yung, so I really don't mind which character she portrays. All I know is that this feud has been boring in my opinion and I'm ready for Purrazzo to move on to more interesting challengers she can have better matches with. The segment was fine and did what it needed to do I guess, but the "undead" stuff has always never been for me.

Impact X-Division Rohit Raju def. Crazzy Steve

Raju has been champion for a long enough now and has had so many title defenses that it's going to be a big deal when he eventually loses it. Steve was the right guy for him to lose it to, so I'm glad he retained. The match itself was well-wrestled, though it lacked suspense because I don't think the championship was ever truly in jeopardy of changing hands. Props to IMPACT for taking a guy I couldn't have cared less about six months ago and booking him perfectly as a cowardly heel champion.

Willie Mack def. Chris Bey

Bey originally beat Mack for the Impact X-Division Championship back at Slammiversary, though this was more about Bey fighting Mack on Moose's behalf because their established issues. They produced yet another excellent match, even though I wish they were given more time. Mack needed the victory more, but I liked that Bey still tall in the end. It looks like we're headed for Rich Swann vs. Bey which is cool, and beyond that, I'd be down for a four-way with them, Moose and Mack for the title, presumably at Hard to Kill in January.

Overall Show

It's hard to believe that the Final Resolution special is coming up next Saturday. I'm all for the monthly specials coming back as Impact Plus exclusives, but this one feels unnecessary because it doesn't feel like enough compelling matches have been built up in the last few weeks that are worthy of taking place at that event. Maybe next week's go-home will change my mind. As for this edition of IMPACT! Wrestling, the two hours were serviceable and things progressed nicely, but there wasn't anything I'd suggest you go out of your way to see.