IMPACT! Wrestling Review - March 24, 2020

By Graham "GSM" Matthews

Willie Mack def. Cousin Jake, Acey Romero, Daga, Rohit Raju, Jake Crist, Chris Bey and Trey in an Impact X-Division Championship No. 1 Contender's Scramble Match

Although it was a random assortment of wrestlers, this was a very enjoyable opener with everyone busting their butt and putting in a great effort. Having a future shot at the X-Division title at stake made it more meaningful and the action was entertaining for as long as it lasted. Mack was a smart and logical choice to win considering he recently crossed paths with Austin Ace and those two could have a fun feud together.

Moose def. Chase Stevens

Moose has had an issue with TNA Originals lately, likely due to the TNA: There's No Place Like Home event that was supposed to take place over WrestleMania weekend before it was cancelled. Other than a match or two in 2013, Stevens hasn't wrestled regularly for IMPACT since 2007 and is a former three-time tag team champion with Andy Douglas. The match was short, sweet and inoffensive. Suicide, the character that debuted in a TNA video game in 2008, returned afterward and went after Moose, but I'm not sure if we'll ever get that matchup due to the special being called off.

Reno Scum def. The Rascalz

I've mentioned before how I'm not terribly fond of Reno Scum and I don't think this match did much to change that. Their act with Austin is fine, but their matches are never anything exciting. The Rascalz tried their best here, but this was mostly mediocre. Worse yet, Reno Scum picked up the victory. Maybe that will earn Reno Scum a shot at the Impact World Tag Team Championship, but I have no desire to see Reno Scum vs. The North.

Rhino and Sabu def. oVe

Why is IMPACT so reliant on the ECW Originals? They've been brought back constantly over the last year and they never seem to serve a purpose. I'm fine with Rhino having a semi-regular role on the show because at least he can still go to an extent, but Sabu should not be wrestling on this program in 2020 and this awful match was proof of that. The fact they beat oVe (a faction that has been struggling lately without Sami Callihan) is even more egregious.

Michael Elgin and Taya Valkyrie def. Impact World Champion Tessa Blanchard and Eddie Edwards

We found out a few weeks ago that Elgin and Edwards would be challenging Blanchard for the Impact World Championship at Rebellion, but with that event now cancelled, who knows when that three-way will be taking place. On the bright side, this was a hell of a main event. They were given plenty of time to work with and made every minute matter. This would have been the perfect preview of their three-way at Rebellion if it was still happening.

Overall Show

A good chunk of this show was devoted to the "undead realm" stuff with Su Yung and Havok ultimately killing James Mitchell. I can't say any of it was for me personally and I fear that it isn't over yet. The rest of the show was solid, but it wasn't without its flaws. The two tag team matches in the middle were abysmal, yet the opening and closing matchups were above-average. It's a shame there's been a lot of quality build for Lockdown, TNA: There's No Place Like Home and Rebellion and none of it will mean anything for the foreseeable future with all of those events being postponed/cancelled.