IMPACT! Wrestling Review - March 1, 2019

By Graham "GSM" Matthews

Willie Mack def. JAke Crist by Disqualification; Mack and Tommy Dreamer def. oVe

Despite their past issues, Mack vs. Crist one-on-one felt a bit random, but at least it was well-wrestled. I also thought it was the right match to kick off the show with, especially considering it ended up turning into a tag team affair. I've always been a fan of Dreamer's, but IMPACT really needs to stop using him on such a regular basis, because he's well past his prime and doesn't add much to the product in an in-ring role. On the bright side, he looked all right here and had fun chemistry with Mack.

KM and Fallah Bahh def. Reno Scum

Reno Scum originally had a run in IMPACT in 2017, though I'm not sure why they left. I don't remember being particularly amazed by them at the time, and to be honest, not much has changed now that they've returned. To their credit, they had a decent showing and this was a solid match. If nothing else, at least there's another new team in the IMPACT tag team division, which feels depleted at the moment. Having them get beat in their first match back was certainly a questionable move, but they were firmly established as heels by attacking KM and Bahh afterward.

Tessa Blanchard def. Delilah Doom

I loved that Doom came across as goofy when she made her IMPACT debut last week but was all business for this match and wasted no time in taking the fight to Blanchard. I assumed this wouldn't be much more than an extended squash, but Doom was able to score an ample of offense over Blanchard before eating defeat. Blanchard's ferocious and intense in-ring style remains so great to watch because it's different than most women's wrestlers not only in IMPACT but in the business today.

Wentz def. Ethan Page

I still have no idea why they're doing with Page, and apparently the company doesn't either based off what the commentators said about him beforehand (something to the effect of him not knowing who he is yet). This was a good match and Wentz was impressive as usual, but the bout felt like a backdrop for the angle with Page and the NFL Alumni at ringside. That's fine and all, but I don't know what purpose that was supposed to serve in the long run.

Killer Kross and Moose def. Impact World Champion Johnny Impact and Brian Cage

Last week, Cage agreed to team with Impact one last time under the condition that he finally get the one-on-one title opportunity he earned a while ago. It was teased throughout the night that Impact had "changed" and that he basically feared Cage, so you could sense the heel turn coming even then. We've seen almost every variation of this match at one point or another, so it didn't feature anything new. Instead, the focus was entirely on Impact playing up an "injury" he suffered during the bout and a bloody Cage having to overcome the two-on-one odds. Cage fought valiantly, but it wasn't enough and he ultimately passed out to Kross' submission hold. Does this mean Kross and Moose are still in the running for a championship shot? I appreciate the long-term storytelling, but I'm ready to skip ahead to Cage and Impact feuding and Moose and Kross moving on to something else.

Overall Show

Plenty of matches and segments were announced for next week, and with Rebellion coming up in April as well as the loaded United We Stand special over WrestleMania weekend, it's an exciting time for the company. Meanwhile, the weekly television show remains largely coherent, consistent and easy to follow. It's rare any of these episodes blow me away (only a match or two will really catch my attention), but this was an enjoyable show with a few quality matches and successful storyline progression.