TNA Impact Wrestling Review - December 1, 2016

By Graham "GSM" Matthews

Moose def. Aron Rex to Win the Impact Grand Championship

Well, this didn't last long at all, but obviously, the short length of this meant was intended to shock viewers. However, I don't think it had as big of an impact (no pun intended) as it should have considering Rex really hasn't been that compelling of a champion since Bound for Glory. I could have sworn Jessie Godderz would have answered the challenge with the feud he's had with Rex as of late, but Moose is a better fit as champion in my opinion and it also gives the former Ring of Honor standout something meaningful to do.


World Tag Team Champions "Broken" Matt Hardy and Brother Nero Confronted The DCC

The robotic voice for Storm seemed so silly given we already know he's under the mask, in addition to how The DCC unmasked themselves later in the segment, anyway. So, what was the point? Other than that, the rest of the segment served its purpose in building toward the night's tag team title main event, and of course the highlight was seeing Broken Matt make his long awaited return to the Impact Zone.

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X-Division Champion DJ Z def. Mandrews and Braxton Sutter in a Triple Threat Match

I thought only the surviving members of Go for Broke in last week's Team X Gold match would get an X-Division title shot? At any rate, I liked the pre-match video package with the three competitors talking about the title and their friendship, but they've only been teaming for two months, so the stakes didn't feel all that high in this match. That said, it set the stage nicely for Mandrews' heel turn afterward, and it's nice to see them finally utilize him after almost two years of flying under the radar.


Maria and Laurel Van Ness Called Out Allie

It was about damn time Allie stood up to Maria. It was a few months overdue, but the fans were hot for her slapping her former (?) employer. Maria criticized her for not knowing how to fight, so I'm curious if this will lead to Allie showcasing what she is truly capable of in the ring soon. I wonder why Allie wouldn't just confront Braxton about Laurel's apparent "date" with him if she thought she was lying. This seems like something that would happen in high school. By the way, where does Sienna stand in all of this? We haven't seen her in weeks.


World Tag Team Champions "Broken" Matt Hardy and Brother Nero def. The DCC

This was along the same lines as the matches Jeff Hardy has been having with members of The DCC in Matt's absence in that this was very well-wrestled and had a good pace to it. All four wrestlers played their roles well and the audience was engaged in the action throughout. I don't think Eddie Kingston lost too much in defeat since it took two Twist of Fates to put him away, and it's still too soon to take the titles off The Hardyz. Although The DCC were defeated rather decisively, I assume we'll see a rematch sometime soon.


TNA World Heavyweight Champion Eddie Edwards and Ethan Carter III Came Face-to-Face

Edwards has settled into the role of world champion quite well over the past two months and this segment was proof of that. He didn't at all feel out of place while sharing a ring with EC3 and came across as comfortable on the mic during his promo. EC3 was excellent as always and he did a solid job of recapping his chase for the championship this year. I do have a strange suspicion that he will end up going heel in their match next week, though, as he did say he would do whatever it takes to get the belt back.


Rosemary def. Jade in a Six Sides of Steel Match to Win the Knockouts Championship

Putting these two women inside a cage felt rather rushed considering they just started feuding and Gail Kim vacated the title a week or two ago, but I can't complain about them promiently placing their Knockouts in the main event of the show, days after WWE did something similar on Raw with Sasha Banks and Charlotte. We hadn't seen Rosemary wrestle a full-blown bout prior to this point, but she fared pretty well and I liked how the story was that the cage played to Rosemary's strengths. Jade's crossbody off the top of the cage was incredible, yet it was Rosemary's green mist that scored her the win and the title. Will they continue with the Rosemary vs. Jade feud or give Gail Kim her rematch?


Overall Show

I thoroughly enjoyed this edition of Impact Wrestling for the four title matches it had to offer, especially the main event that was a pleasant surprise. The Tribunal garbage was thankfully kept off the show this week, and everything else interested me in one way or another. There wasn't any filler at all and there was even build for a few matches taking place next week. Two thumbs up for this episode.