IMPACT! Wrestling Review - May 10, 2019

By Graham "GSM" Matthews

Impact World Tag Team Champions LAX def. Josh Alexander and Moose (Non-title)

I hoped the Moose and Alexander alliance wouldn't continue past Rebellion, but admittedly, they worked well together here. Then again, LAX could get a great match out of pretty much anyone, and this was a fun opener. However, Alexander and Moose not being a regular tandem was what cost them in the end, and LAX continue to roll as tag team champs. I wasn't high on Alexander taking the pinfall loss for his team considering he just debuted in IMPACT not too long ago.

Madison Rayne def. Impact Knockouts Champion TayA Valyrie (Non-title)

The last match these two had was mildly disappointing because of how it felt like filler and featured a lame finish. This, thankfully, was a significant improvement. They were given an ample amount of time and it was a competitive contest this time around. Rayne once again picked up the victory after Valkyrie tapped quickly knowing it was non-title, so I assume this is leading to them clashing for the championship in the near future. By the way, Tessa Blanchard did a great job on commentary and came across like a total babyface.

Jordynne Grace def. Alexis Nicole

Grace was unsuccessful in capturing the Impact Knockouts Championship from Valkyrie at Rebellion, so this short and sweet squash allowed her to bounce back. She is an incredible athlete and her dominant offense comes off as even more impressive whenever she faces someone she can defeat with ease like she did here. Afterward, she and Kiera Hogan went face to face, so I'm sure a match between them is only inevitable.

Rob Van Dam def. Ethan Page

Props to Page for selling for RVD tremendously well in this match. That's about the best thing I can say about it, because I didn't care for this much otherwise. Don Callis was comical on commentary claiming that RVD looked no different than he did 20 years ago, which is ridiculous. He's starting to wrestle his age, and that's not to say he's terrible, but I really don't see the point of him returning to IMPACT, even if it's for a short time.

Desi Hit Squad def. The Deaners, Brent Banks & Aiden Prince, and The Rascalz in a Four-Way Match

There are a handful of talented tag teams in IMPACT at the moment between LAX, The North and The Rascalz, but the rest of the division leaves a bit to be desired. I have no clue whether Banks and Price are a full-time tandem, Desi Hit Squad are beyond boring, and The Deaners were beaten before they could get anything going. This was way too rushed to be anything of importance.

oVe def. Impact X-Division Champion Rich Swann, Willie Mack, Fallah Bahh and Tommy Dreamer in an oVe Rules Match

I realize hardcore matches are Dreamer's specialty and that he's been a big part of this program over the past month or so, but I had no desire to see him wrestle in this main event. That said, seven other men being involved definitely helped his case and kept him limited. Aside from Dreamer, this ended up being a blast of a bout with everyone playing their roles well and utilizing the extreme environment nicely. Not everything was perfect, mind you, but I didn't think they went too overboard with any of the spots. oVe winning was absolutely the right call and I hope they can build off this.

Overall Show

The only two matches you need to see from this show are LAX vs. Moose and Alexander and then the oVe Rules main event. Rayne vs. Valkyrie was also well-wrestled, but I'm sure we'll get an even better bout between the two when they meet again for the title. The meaningless stuff in the middle of the show caused it to drag slightly, but it was a solid show on the whole.