IMPACT! Wrestling Review - September 6, 2018

By Graham "GSM" Matthews

Petey Williams def. Rich Swann

These two did battle last week and I was slightly disappointed that they seemed to hold back a bit, but this was more along the lines of what I feel they're capable of. The in-ring action was entertaining, and although Matt Sydal played a factor in the finish, it made sense since he and Swann appear to be primed to feud going forward. Besides, Williams needed the victory more and I assume a rubber match is only inevitable.

Desi Hit Squad def. Grado and Joe Hendry

After being built up for a bit upon their debut in IMPACT, Desi Hit Squad began embarking on a losing streak not too long ago. Thus, this was a must-win situation for them, and in the end, they emerged victorious over the duo that are having some problems right now. It was a decent match on the whole but nothing too special. Afterward, Katarina predictably turned on Grado and professed her love for Hendry, but what was interesting was that Hendry denied her and took a slap to the face instead. We'll see where this angle goes next because I have no clue.

Eli Drake def. Stone Rockwell

I actually remember seeing Rockwell (who was known as Nick Asylum at the time) wrestle on a few northeast independent shows and meeting him back in early 2014. He's a good hand in the ring and is from Canada (hence why he was given a break in IMPACT because that's where this batch of tapings emanated from), but he's finally settled on a character fans can get behind. I don't understand the "adventurer" shtick he has, but the crowd apparently enjoyed it. His verbal exchange with Drake lasted way longer than the match itself, which went about ten seconds or so.

Impact Knockouts Champion Tessa Blanchard def. Su Yung

Yes, both Blanchard and Yung are heels and therefore the crowd didn't have an incentive to cheer for either woman, but they were still lively for what turned out to be a great match. The effort was certainly there and they worked well together. Blanchard found a way to win and retain her title, yet was ambushed afterward by Yung and the undead bridesmaids and was put in a casket. Allie and Kiera Hogan came to her rescue, but Blanchard brushed them off, anyway.

oVe def. Ace Austin, Zachary Wentz and Trey Miguel

I was impressed with Wentz the last time he competed on IMPACT! Wrestling and he was once again a treat to watch here, along with his two partners. This was a fun little match, and although the outcome was never in doubt, the crowd surely didn't mind. oVe cut a post-match promo about how their feud with Pentagon Jr. and Fenix is far from over, so I'm curious what the next step in the storyline is now that Pentagon and Sami Callihan are tied one win apiece over each other.

Impact World Champion Austin Aries, Killer Kross and Moose Attacked Johnny Impact

I'm glad Moose actually explained his actions for why he turned on Eddie Edwards instead of doing the typical "I don't owe the fans an explanation" routine. Granted, he said pretty much what you'd expect by blaming Edwards for not calling him when he was laid up in the hospital after Slammiversary and that Aries and Kross were there for him, but it was one of the better promos I've heard him cut in recent memory. His heel turn, while random, could end up being the best thing for him since he had nowhere left to go as a babyface after failing to win the world title at Slammiversary. It was then revealed that Impact will be getting the next shot at the strap at Bound for Glory next month before the heels laid a brutal beating on Impact. I kept waiting for Edwards to show up and make the save, but I guess the story was that he was too injured to do anything.

Overall Show

With ReDefined out of the way, all sights are set on Bound for Glory next month, so the build for the company's biggest pay-per-view of the year officially got underway with this episode. We now know two matches that will be happening at the event (LAX vs. The OGz, Aries vs. Impact) and most of the matches are fairly obvious based off what's happening right now with certain storylines. As for this edition of IMPACT! Wrestling, it was an easy watch, and while certain segments/matches were more memorable than others, it was a solid show overall.