Is Impact* the best wrestling promotion in history? *(Now TNA again, 2024)

[Pokitren]

On 1/15/2023 at 9:53 PM, SirEdger said:

There's always been something special about any TV tapings at Center Stage in Atlanta. It has that vibe that you don't find anywhere else.

Oh, yes! It's worth paying money to a good cameraman who will make a great recording!
Some recordings sometimes look like they hired some freelancers.

[Alucard]

Sad ending to Josh Alexander's record reign, one month short of the full year, as he vacates due to torn triceps. Steve Maclin vs Kushida will determine the new champ next month.

Mickie James has a broken rib, cancelling her planned title defenses, and may also vacate if not cleared by April 16.

Awful timing ahead of the big Impact/NJPW crossover show

Knockouts division still looks great with the recent signing of KiLynn King, now Jody Threat, and using Miyu Yamashita this week.

 

[NintendoLogic]

I'm surprised they didn't announce Alexander had to vacate because he was trapped in the Undead Realm. Isn't that how they usually write people out on Impact?

[Alucard]

On 3/25/2023 at 12:08 PM, NintendoLogic said:

I'm surprised they didn't announce Alexander had to vacate because he was trapped in the Undead Realm. Isn't that how they usually write people out on Impact?

That's only if they leave the company, as seen this past week with Taya Valkyrie being dragged in to a casket.

[NintendoLogic]

On a somewhat related note, I've been able to catch up on recent Impact goings-on through clips that have shown up in my YouTube feed. I see that Taylor Wilde is back, and she's a witch now because of course she is. From what I can tell, just about every woman in the company who isn't a generic mean girl has some kind of connection with the occult. Enough already. Congress needs to step in and set limits on how many spooky lore wrestlers every company is allowed to have.

[El-P]

Josh Alexander surrendering his World Title was one, if not the best angle of this sort I've ever seen, between the amazingly heartfelt promo of Alexander, which has so much of real life into it (hell, actually mostly real life) and the kid grabbing the belt and running into his mother's arms as Josh was handing it out to D'Amore. If that happened in AEW or WWE, people would say it was an all-time classic angle.

Also, the ongoing feud between Eddie Edwards and PCO, more Frankenstein's monster than ever (Frankenstein was not the monster people, he was the Doctor) has been solid gold. Their match at Rebellion should be quite the insane display.

[El-P]

Damn, Mickie James had to relinquish her title too. Well, at least they have a compelling story built-in for their two former world champs when they come back, but for Mickie especially this is too bad, after the super well done Last Rodeo angle and a build toward I guess Deonna as a babyface finally getting her title back by defeating the one who ended her reign.

[SirEdger]

I actually loved the way how Impact had the 2 exact same angles running in 2 straight weeks but the approach & presentation was completely different. Josh Alexander relinquishing the title with his family, Scott D'Amore, etc., in a full building while Mickie James does the same the week after in an empty setting, alone with only the spotlight featured on her. That's the thing I love best about Impact, especially since Scott D'Amore has taken over creative for the promotion; they always find creative ways to approach their stories without them feeling like a repetition of what they've done in the past.

[El-P]

1 hour ago, SirEdger said:

That's the thing I love best about Impact, especially since Scott D'Amore has taken over creative for the promotion; they always find creative ways to approach their stories without them feeling like a repetition of what they've done in the past.

Totally agree. Things like this are why IMPACT is such an enjoyable week-to-week show to watch, despite the fact you don't get the same level of matches than you would on AEW (although they really have some killer matches too). They have a great attention to details. They have been given a really shitty hand losing both their long-time champs to injuries at the same time, and they managed to make the absolute best out of it thus far just in term of presentation. Which is why I'm confident they'll make it compelling whenever Mickie & Josh are ready to come back.

[El-P]

Yeah, absolutely great stuff. So many great details like the visuals of the empty arena, the hat casting a shadow over her face, Jordynne & Deonna watching from the control room. IMPACT are just masterful at producing these (in a completely different style and mood, the PCO/Eddie Edwards vignettes have been terrific too). And Mickie James being her amazing self in term of promo and presenting herself.

 

[Tenese Sarwieh]

Rebellion was a good show with despite the circumstances. Kushida/Maclin and Purrazzo/Grace knocked it out the park producing notebook material. With Dreamer's team winning and him taking time off hopefully his program with Bully Ray is over.

[sek69]

Jordynne Grace's deal is apparently coming up soon, and while normally you'd think she would be someone who'd jump to the big leagues she might not have many options. There might be a bad taste in her mouth over how things didn't work out for Gresham in AEW, and I don't think WWE would be interested in her unless it was a "sign her so AEW doesn't" situation since she doesn't really fit what they tend to look for in women. I could see her having a run in Stardom as an Aja Kong type since while she's short she's still twice the size of most of the roster there, but who's to say she'd want to spend extended time in Japan.

I suppose her Onlyfans probably makes so much money that wrestling is more or less a side gig at this point, so maybe she's content with staying around Impact. 

[Tenese Sarwieh]

Jordynne makes good money on Patreon, one of their top 5 earners in the pro wrestling category. Plus, she wants to have time for her bodybuilding. 

[NintendoLogic]

WWE is off the table since there's no way she would be able to pass a wellness test. Not only has her body undergone a vast transformation in recent months, her voice has gotten significantly deeper as well.

[Migs]

7 hours ago, sek69 said:

I suppose her Onlyfans probably makes so much money that wrestling is more or less a side gig at this point, so maybe she's content with staying around Impact. 

Impact has sort of become this ideal spot for people with other lucrative side gigs (Meyers/Cardona and the Good Bros as examples on the podcast side). Get to be on US TV, work 3-4 days a month, minimal restrictions on doing indies, the ability to occasionally link up with New Japan if that matters to you. They've done a good job of positioning themselves to have a better roster than they otherwise would. 

[El-P]

Finally got to see Rebellion. Best IMPACT major show from top to bottom in a long time. The two main events were terrific, and there's a happy couple right now (although it's not acknowledge on screen that they are, and won't be since Maclin is a heel and Deonna a babyface now). The ending parts with Trey Miguel & Mike Baley were high art. PCO vs Eddie was exactly the brutality expected (damn, PCO was on WWF TV in the Spring of 1993, and he's having his best years now). The multi-person garbage brawl had its share on insanity and comedy (the ladder spot with Bully and the ref was hilarious, really, great trolling), Sami expectedly turned on Deaner (typical case of what's obvious is actually good). Just good stuff all around.

Nick Aldis showing up certainly was a surprise. I never was a big fan, but he's a great promo and has developed his best identity in the NWA, with the benefit of the ever reliable IMPACT booking (as demonstrated tonight, so many of those matches were logical conclusion or development to very long-term storyline that have pretty deep roots)  and working with a some excellent worker on top, Mr. Aldis could have his best stint ever. I'm guessing Mickie having such a string stint there for the last year and a half played a part.

As far as Jordynne goes, well, she's a great get for whomever gets her, especially now that she's peaking both in ring-work and presentation. If she gets picked up by AEW, she needs to be in conversation for the top belts right away and presented as a total star. WWE, well, I dunno what Chelsea Green (who was at Mania still) and Emma would have to tell her about their stint there since she signed back, but probably not the greatest destination. Although maybe Trip would enjoy a fellow bodybuilder. 

But yep, excellent showcase by IMPACT, especially considering the bad hand they've been dealt with. 

[C.S.]

PWInsider is reporting that the surprise will be:

Spoiler

CM Punk

Trinity Fatu

 

[Tenese Sarwieh]

If this leads to having Mercedes for some shows, that would be a bonus. 

[SirEdger]

Considering the way it turned out to be more about Mercedes herself than the both of them, I think it'd be better for Trinity to just be on her own on Impact and make her own mark.

[Tenese Sarwieh]

The tag main event was excellent and I hope Impact signs Subculture. They add depth to the tag and knockouts divisions. Maclin/Shelley should be good but all the damn heat is on Bully for being the top heel, at this stage of the game what is the man offering? AAO is shaping up to be good and I'm most excited about the dog collar match. 

[TheDuke]

If anyone in Canada watches Impact on Game TV (as I do because I don't subscribe to AXS or FIGHT) they changed the day they show it from Saturday to Thursday. It makes more sense because they would be advertising events on Friday's that had already happened, and Thursday is the actual day Impact is supposed to be shown on. However, they have also moved the time to 11:30 PM Eastern so I still probably won't be watching it until the weekend anyway on my PVR.

[TheDuke]

Did anyone see the match between Mike Bailey and Kushida this past week? I really enjoyed it and would like to see what other people thought. Mike Bailey's kicks are so fun to watch.

[Tenese Sarwieh]

The fantastic match saved the show for me. Kushida's aggressive precise limb work was on point. Now it's time for Bailey to be in a significant role now, maybe in the title picture.

[Al]

On 8/12/2023 at 11:16 PM, TheDuke said:

Did anyone see the match between Mike Bailey and Kushida this past week? I really enjoyed it and would like to see what other people thought. Mike Bailey's kicks are so fun to watch.

Bailey to me feels like a modern Manami Toyota. Go go go, not a premium on selling but terrific action. Also tremendously adaptable, saw him work a show in Tony Deppen’s brewery with literally just a mat on the floor.

[Tenese Sarwieh]

Multiverse was a solid show with the women's four-way being the standout (it made my notebook) and the Rush/Trey vs Speedball/Hiromu coming in second. Get that Impact/Stardom relationship working asap, I need Deonna/Giulia in a singles match. Also I have hopes that Trey will be in next year's BOSJ.