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I quite liked this week's episode of Impact Wrestling and I'm sure you will too if you have not watched it yet. I'm really glad that the company is coming to AXS TV because they've always had a great product and it's a shame that not enough people are watching it.
I really do hope that the move results in new viewers for them because they're a brand that's been on the rise since the new management took over, and such was the case this week too. The show came to us from Mexico, and except for a few issues that I'll detail here, I quite liked the show.
Be sure to leave a comment and let me know your thoughts and your views in the section below. Did you enjoy this week's show or did you think that there was room for improvement?
Overall, here's what I liked and what I did not from this week's show...
#1 Mahabali Shera returns
Mahabali Shera's official return to Impact Wrestling happened this week, when he was portrayed as the newest member of the Desi Hit Squad. I count Shera as a friend and it's great to see him get his moment under the bright lights.
As my colleague Greg Bush told me after the segment happened, he would be game for a serious Desi Hit Squad instead of the comedy act that we've seen over the past few months. Rohit Raju and Raj Singh are both talented pro wrestlers and with Shera as their leader, I think that business just picked up.
Shera has obviously kept himself in great shape, and I think that he has the potential to be a huge star in Impact Wrestling when all's said and done. Both as a part of the faction and as a singles star.
#1 Worst: The portrayal of Rosemary
Rosemary is, by far, the most popular Superstar in Impact Wrestling at the moment. Every time I have interviewed her, she does bigger numbers than anyone else from the roster, both past, and present.
I think it's weird that she's portrayed in comedy segments with Taya Valkyrie and John E. Bravo, instead of the twisted supernatural creature that she should be showcased as, quite honestly. Putting her in a segment about iPhones and mimosas is just bad booking, in my personal opinion.
A few weeks ago, they did not even turn the lights off for her when she made a run-in and attacked the heels. Rosemary should be protected by Impact, just like Bray Wyatt has been protected by Vince McMahon.
It's not easy to get a Supernatural character over in 2019 and half the battle is won with Rosemary, so Impact should be judicious about the other half!
#2 Best: Tenille Dashwood has an impressive showing
Everything about Tenille Dashwood just screams 'megastar'. She has a great look and as we've seen already from her run in WWE as Emma, she is fantastic in the ring. She had a long match with Kiera Hogan, that put her opponent over just as much as it put her over as well.
I have to say that it was a great showing for Dashwood and I'm glad that she's finally in a division where she will be the focal point, unlike in WWE where she was relegated to the back of the line. She also seems a lot more comfortable in this avatar than the Emmalina gimmick that never really took off, because it was never really given a chance.
I see Dashwood as a future Knockouts Champion. And I also think that she and Taya Valkyrie could have a brilliant match.
#2 Worst: The audience doesn't sell Michael Elgin's announcement
The audience at home often reacts favorably to a segment if the audience in the arena does. From what I've seen lately, the crowd in Mexico has been a bit lacking on that front, because they don't seem enthusiastic about anything at all. Even what should have been an emotional moment for LAX, when they lost their match to The North was ruined by that fact that they simply didn't care.
Michael Elgin defeated his opponent in no time and then cut a promo. He spoke about facing Superstars like Kenny Omega and Kazuchika Okada while he was in Japan. And then he made a challenge to someone who's earned his stripes in Noah and NJPW- Marufuji.
The audience no-sold what should have been a huge moment and it came across poorly on TV. The Mexican audience needs an energy drink or two!
#3 Best: Eddie Edwards vs. Ace Austin
Disco Inferno has famously said that every ticket is sold before the bell rings. And I honestly do believe that such was the case with the Ace Austin vs. Eddie Edwards match because the crowd was into both these guys owing to the ongoing storyline.
Look, we've always known that Eddie Edwards is a great talent in the ring but he's been known to be a bit vanilla on the microphone. This problem was overcome with the story that also includes his wife, Alicia Edwards.
I honestly thought that the commentary duo of Josh Mathews and Don Callis was on fire through this match, and their chemistry added volumes to the match. And lest I forget, Ace and Eddie have supremely great chemistry while working with one another.
I genuinely think that Melissa Santos talking during the commercial break about how disgusting Ace Austin is, added much to the match as well!
#3 Worst: Big Mami is slow
We've seen Big Mami in action before and she's a fun character when all is said and done. But there was a spot from the top of the turnbuckle during her match that I did not particularly care for, and I'll tell you guys what I mean.
Big Mami teamed up with Nino Hamburguesa to take on the Desi Hit Squad in what was a fun match. Or at least it was until she decided to go to the top rope and struggled to hit her move.
As a result, the guys who were on the floor had to stay in place for what seemed like an eternity before she regained her footing and honestly, this took me out of the match. It's also a testament to the level of wrestling in Impact Wrestling, that stuff like this isn't commonplace.
Big Mami disappointed with this move, in my opinion.
#4 Best/worst: An inactive World Champion
I think Impact is doing a commendable job if you consider that the World Champion is not around. Cage is part of a 'wedding' storyline with Melissa Santos (based on their real-life marriage), and I'm guessing something is going to go down in two weeks when it's televised. And yet, I can't help but feel that something's missing in the World Championship feud.
Had Cage been 100% healthy, I'm sure that the feud with Sami Callihan would have reached boiling point, at this point. But now, the ECW originals have to be included in the story, and I'm not sure that this is the route Impact would have gone down, had things been different.
It's a shame that Cage got injured right after winning the title. The man is a beast and deserved to have a great run.
But well, let's hope that he's good to go by the time that Bound For Glory comes around!
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
