IMPACT! Wrestling Review - December 17, 2019

By Graham "GSM" Matthews

Jordynne Grace def. Tenille Dashwood

I don't watch IMPACT's Twitch/IMPACT Plus specials, but I believe this was the first time Dashwood has appeared on IMPACT! Wrestling since her loss to Taya Valkyrie at Bound for Glory two months ago. That's surprising since the company made such a big deal over bringing her in yet she's been completely off the program recently. That said, this was a solid match with good showings from both ladies. Grace winning was the right call as she'll be challenging for the Impact Knockouts Championship at Hard to Kill next month. Dashwood got physical with Valkyrie afterward as well, so it remains to be seen whether she'll be added to that matchup prior to the pay-per-view.

TJP def. Daga

Daga has been an awesome pickup for IMPACT over the past few months as he consistently delivers entertaining matches. This was another enjoyable match from him and TJP also had a top-notch performance. It virtually didn't matter who won, but TJP's victory did set him up to be ambushed afterward by Desi Hit Squad. Obviously, Desi Hit Squad vs. TJP and Fallah Bahh is inevitable.

Rob Van Dam Attacked Brian Cage

It was announced in a backstage segment prior to this segment that these two will collide at Hard to Kill next month. I'm honestly not sure why that is aside from how it gets both guys on the show, but at least they attempted to establish bad blood between them by having RVD lay Cage out here with help from his girlfriend Katie Forbes. As I've said before, RVD has been really refreshing in his new heel role. It's probably the first time he's been a bad guy since his ECW days (not counting The Invasion).

Impact World Tag Team Champion Ethan Page def. Rich Swann by Disqualification

Although Swann and Willie Mack recently became the number one contenders to the tag titles, tension has been teased between them as of late with Mack seemingly growing jealous of Swann always stealing the spotlight. Swann and Page had a pretty good match, but I wasn't a fan of it lasting as long as it did only to end in a non-finish. On the bright side, Mack inadvertently costing Swann the win by getting involved furthers the story being told with them at the moment.

Joey Ryan def. Acey Romero

Ryan was forced to face Romero after being found guilty in last week's "Wrestler's Court." I thought that segment was hilarious, but the joke ended there. This was just trash. Romero has potential, but he won't get anywhere losing to guys like Ryan in comedy matches. It officially jumped the shark once Johnny Swinger got involved. I have no idea whether this is building to an alliance between Ryan and Swinger and I don't care to find out.

Impact X-Division Champion Ace Austin def. Petey Williams (Non-Title)

I remember Austin and Williams having a match or two against each other when Austin arrived in IMPACT, so it was nice to see them revisit that rivalry now that Austin is the Impact X-Division Champion. They received an ample amount of time and produced a well-wrestled bout. I appreciated Austin winning clean, though I still can't get into the stuff he's doing with Trey and his "mom." The eventual matchup should be fun, but the storyline has been stupid so far.

Impact World Champion Sami Callihan and Tessa Blanchard Brawled

Say what you will about the intergender aspect of it, but the Blanchard vs. Callihan feud is the best thing going in IMPACT right now. Callihan ran down Blanchard on the mic for a bit before Blanchard came out and brawled with him into the parking lot. It was very well shot and you could feel the hatred between the two. Considering this was the last episode of IMPACT! Wrestling in 2019, I thought this was the perfect show-closing angle that did an excellent job of getting viewers hyped for their upcoming Impact World Championship clash. 

Overall Show

Melissa Santos announced during the commercials on Twitch that Best of 2019 specials will be airing on Saturdays for the next two weeks before original episodes of IMPACT! Wrestling return in the first full week of 2020. As for this edition, it was a strong show on the whole. I loved the brawl with Blanchard and Callihan and thought the build to Hard to Kill next month was effective. Ryan vs. Romero was whatever, but that was the only match/segment that did nothing for me. Here's hoping the company can continue to put out quality content in the new year.