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I thought that this week's episode of Impact Wrestling was a really good show. Once again it's a shame that only 3000 people tuned in to watch the action, but that should change once the program moves to AXS TV.
One thing that is clear at this point is that Impact is not really a family or PG show. A lot of the segments are adult-themed and the presentation is very different from any other program on TV.
So, in a sense, it's very different as compared to WWE or even AEW for that matter, and I do suppose that they can afford to do this considering that their product is not on TV yet. As a 33-year-old, sometimes WWE's presentation does seem a little childish to me, and this is a lot more in line with the kind of wrestling that I enjoy.
While this was a really great show, I wouldn't go so far as to call it perfect, however.
#1 Best: The Ace Austin & Alicia Edwards saga
Alicia Edwards is a much better performer in the ring than she was a few months ago. At the same time, she's not really Ricky 'The Dragon' Steamboat and so this storyline with Ace Austin suits her just fine.
In the past, Eddie Edwards has been accused of not exactly being the most exciting superstar to watch outside the ring, and this problem is solved with this cheap but entertaining storyline. But the star of the show is Ace Austin, who's a sleazeball to the core, and it makes for some very entertaining television.
The eventual blowoff match between the two men will be great for sure. But this week, I popped at how Austin faked an injury and stepped out of the wheelchair to help out Alicia Edwards.
#1 Worst: Su Yung vs. Jessicka Havok disappoints
There were enough 'spots' during the match to warrant a pop from the audience. There was a stapler and also, enough stapling of unmentionable body parts that cannot be repeated on this PG website.
But the actual wrestling was very disappointing indeed, I felt. Su Yung tried going Old School like The Undertaker while Havok ended the match with a Tombstone and I wonder why they felt it was necessary to emulate The Phenom.
I loved everything that happened at the end of the match when they went into the backstage area with the murder attempt and everything else, which was just bewildering. I love how Impact has comedy and horror and then some great wrestling and well, trash talk too.
But then again, this was the weakest match on the show by a big margin and these two women need to up their game significantly.
#2 Best: A new and improved Desi Hit Squad arrives
I count Mahabali Shera as a friend and I've had the good fortune of interacting with Rohit Raju in the past. Both men have communicated to me that they love showing their serious side, the fact that they can be serious in-ring workers. It's certainly great to see that the goofiness of the Desi Hit Squad is no longer a thing.
In a lot of ways, this helps The Deaners too. I think that the 'country' gimmick has run its course and it may be time for them to adopt a more serious persona. The North needs more challengers and for the division to be taken seriously, teams cannot be taken as a joke.
Imagine if LAX was heaped in horse manure every week. Would they have become the absolute legends that we now know them to be and love them for?
#2 Worst: The North's next feud
Because both teams are seen as undercard comedy acts, The North will face off against RVD and Rhyno next. Nothing against the two men, but neither is really a tag team specialist. You will throw the Slater-Rhyno partnership in my face, but that doesn't count.
Even though the ECW legends can still go, they are no longer the same men that they used to be in their prime. And this is why a feud with them may not exactly be what The North needs to make tag team wrestling in Impact must-see once again, I feel. Even if the legends put them over as they probably will, I wonder what good it will do in the long run.
Impact Wrestling has a young and hungry locker room, and many of the current talents don't get the opportunities they deserve. Maybe having Fallah Bahh team up with Rhyno or something of this nature would have been a better idea.
#3 Best: The Rascalz are awesome
The Rascalz took on Arez, Toxin, and Australian Suicide in what was a great showcase of their unbelievable skills. These three men can do things in the ring that the human mind cannot even possibly conceive.
And they do so in sync, with a synergy that has to be seen to be believed. Even though I'm not necessarily a fan of them taking on a team with individuals who haven't really been introduced to viewers at home, their athleticism earned them a very well-deserved place in the 'Best' column.
These men should be mixing it up with The North. I think that The Rascalz can be incredible representatives for the tag team division if the titles are put on them.
How talented is the Impact Wrestling locker room and how sad is it that they hardly ever get a chance from wrestling fans, who are dismissive of the product?!
#3 Worst: Not really building the X-Division title picture
Jake Crist is the X-Division Champion but he's constantly being slotted in multi-man feuds instead of mixing it up with the talent in the roster, as he should ideally be doing. I mean you could slot him right into the midst of the Eddie Edwards and Ace Austin feud and he'd fit right in.
I just think that Impact Wrestling hasn't done the X-Division Championship justice for a few months now. Even when Rich Swann was the champion, we would go weeks without an X-Division style match, even though we knew there were many in the roster who could have incredible contests.
Whether it's TJP or even Willie Mack, Impact Wrestling has a variety of contenders for Crists' crown. Honestly, these men should be tearing it up and taking the X-Division sky high.
Everyone needs an opportunity to shine!
#4 Best/Worst: A bittersweet farewell
Impact Wrestling has put on great shows, but it's not really been as hot as it was, say ten years ago, back in the days of TNA. LAX has been responsible for putting the company back on the map once again. Even fans that would not give the company a chance could not deny that LAX was one of the most talented teams in the whole world.
This week, they went out on their back after putting over Rich Swann and Willie Mack, two men who haven't really been portrayed as tag team players before this. It was a great way to go. I loved the fact that the locker room cleared out to bid them farewell.
LAX will continue to do great things in AEW. But their loss is a serious one for Impact Wrestling, and one hopes they can fill the void soon.
Someone needs to bring the tag team division back to life, just like Su Yung came back to life this week...
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
