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The name 'Hard to Kill' has been used to describe the fact that while many pundits and experts have said through the course of history that Impact Wrestling was on its last legs, the company has always managed to find a way to come around and prove to the world that it has some firepower left. Even though 'Hard to Kill' wasn't the best pay-per-view I remember watching from the Impact ranks, I have to say that it did deliver and then some.
The entire event was built around the main event, which was historic because a woman won the Impact World Heavyweight Championship for the very first time. But right before the event was going to happen, it was marred with controversy that stemmed from actions from Tessa Blanchard's past.
But all of that was forgotten by the time the night was over and everyone in attendance chanted her name in unison. As a professional who reviews pro wrestling for a living, I have to say that very few things give me goosebumps, but this night did.
Here's the best and worst of the event.
#1 Best: Winning despite the controversy
The topic of whether Tessa Blanchard deserves to be the Impact World Champion or not is a big one and not one that I can answer on this platform. However, I just think that this feud and match had incredible anticipation and if Tessa Blanchard's actions outside the ring had marred the story that was being told, it would have been a shame.
The crowd did not seem to care about Tessa Blanchard's actions as they chanted her name in what was a deafening chorus. Sami Callihan played his part to perfection as well, but this was Tessa's night, and she put on a match for the ages.
Congratulations to the new World Champion of Impact Wrestling!
#1 Worst: Brian Cage's match ruined on purpose?
In terms of hype, the contest between Brian Cage and RVD was probably the second-most anticipated match in the entire card. RVD had alleged that Brian Cage was stealing his moves and Cage was on a mission to prove to the veteran that he was indeed the real deal.
And then, the way the match played out with Brian Cage not being able to continue the match and with Daga being brought in to replace him raised many question marks until a news report came to light. It turns out that Brian Cage has signed with AEW and this is the reason the match played out in the manner that it did.
In any case, it wasn't even fair to Daga who lasted only momentarily against RVD in a match that should have really gone on for much longer. The only bright side is that we can finally get to see a match between Brian Cage and Kenny Omega, with both men getting the coveted terminator claps.
#2 Best: Eddie Edwards vs. Michael Elgin
There were several points in the card where the intensity in action just seemed to dip. This wasn't the case with Michael Elgin vs. Eddie Edwards at all because the two men just tore each other to pieces in a match that was aptly described by Don Callis as strong style. In fact, considering the fact that both men have come from Japan, it wasn't a surprise that the match played out in the manner that it did.
I loved the fact that the 'Call Your Shot' trophy was on the line, something my colleague Greg Bush described as Impact Wrestling's version of 'Money in the Bank.' I've said this before but Michael Elgin is just incapable of having a bad match and Eddie Edwards is no slouch in the ring either. Honestly, I would not mind if this rivalry continued beyond the pay-per-view.
This match pretty much saved the event after the disaster that was the Brian Cage match because it just seemed like quite a few people in the audience seemed to tune out at that particular point.
#2 Worst: The unfortunate injury to Rich Swann
If you watched the insanity that ensued between Ethan Page and Josh Alexander against Willie Mack, I daresay you were extremely entertained. But had Rich Swann been thrown into the mix as well, who knows how much more entertaining the match could have been. This is a man who could have changed the course of the match and in fact, led to brand new Champions being crowned during the show.
Honestly speaking, is there another babyface team in the roster right now, that you can think of, who can potentially take the titles from Alexander and Page? One could make a case for TJP and Fallah Bahh, but they are way too far down the totem pole to be considered as a reliable threat to The North. Rich Swann and Willie Mack could certainly have been on course to capture the titles.
But well, the nature of the business states that injuries can happen, and one of the more fortunate events that transpired for Impact Wrestling was that Ethan Page, who wasn't at 100% managed to work the match fine.
#3 Best/Worst: Taya remains the Knockouts Champion
Taya Valkyrie is one of the best women's wrestlers on the planet and I'm cool with her being The Impact Knockouts Champion. But she has pretty much run through the division and I can't imagine who could step up next to take the title from her unless Rosemary enters the title picture once more.
I don't necessarily know if that would be the right move because Rosemary is doing her own thing with skits and vignettes, telling very different stories with Su Yung and Havok that don't necessarily need a title to make sense. Hard To Kill presented Impact Wrestling with a great opportunity to put the title around Jordynne Grace's waist, but the company refused to do so.
But then again, here is a company that believes in long-term storytelling so I'm certain that whoever wins the title from Valkyrie will end up getting the rub in a big way. With John Morrison going to WWE, the company may want to keep Taya happy, so that she doesn't jump ship.
All in all, Hard to Kill was definitely a show worth watching!
