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My apologies for not bringing you 'Best and worst' the week prior. I had a choice to either devote my energies to Impact Wrestling or Crown Jewel and I chose the latter show.
I would regret it immediately afterward, especially after seeing the Goldberg vs. Undertaker match unfold in the way that it did. I only heard good things about Impact Wrestling and my colleague Greg Bush did a great job with 'Best and worst', in my absence.
This week, I decided that I wouldn't miss the show for the world. Even though it's a busy day per se, I made it a point to catch this week's episode.
It wasn't the best episode of wrestling that I've seen but there were many elements of the show that I did personally enjoy.
#1 Best: The brawl
I love that a lot of the best Impact Wrestling action happens outside the ring. One of my favorite segments this week was when LAX and The Rascalz met in a bar, and The Rascalz got in LAX's face. What started out as a friendly rivalry between two babyface teams is now all-out war.
This is exactly what we needed. LAX is one of the best teams in the world and now that The Lucha Bros are possibly AEW bound, chances are that they will not have too many quality teams to work with. You can have the strongest protagonists on the show, but unless you have an equally strong antagonist, it may not be compelling for professional wrestling fans.
But LAX and The Rascalz are both incredible in-ring workers and I daresay that this feud could even eclipse the one LAX had with the Lucha Bros. When the fists were thrown, I knew that business was about to pick up!
#1 Worst: Technical difficulties
Every time I praise Impact Wrestling and say how good they are, they showcase the fact that they're not nearly at the same level as WWE at this point with such botches. Anyone who follows the Twitch stream knows that the commercial segments usually have former Lucha Underground presenter Melissa Santos addressing the viewers.
This week, we were joined by Don Callis too. As always, Melissa Santos struggled with her audio and then Callis did as well.
While it was cute in the beginning, the very fact that Melissa Santos has been struggling with technology for such a long time, week after week, leaving us with segments that have no audio in them, is very embarrassing, to say the least. Callis did get things back on track but this was quite a bit into the show, and the damage had already been done.
It seemed like amateur hour.
#2 Best: An actual inter-gender match at last
With all due respect to Glenn Gilbertti, a gentleman I've followed since his time in WCW, I don't think he measured up to Tessa Blanchard as a real competitor. Gilbertti has always been portrayed as a comedy character and little more. We always knew that he would get his rear end kicked when facing Tessa Blanchard in the recent inter-gender match.
However, with Sami Callihan being inserted into the mix, one thing is for sure. We now know for certain that this will be a competitive match between two top Superstars. Even if Tessa Blanchard does eventually go over Sami Callihan, the latter will not make it easy.
I loved the visual of him invading the women's locker room and how shocked everyone was. I personally do think that inter-gender matches could be something that sets Impact Wrestling apart from the pack,if done right.
#2 Worst: Forgetting the rules?
One of the things that puzzles me about Impact Wrestling is how often the rules are flouted to advance a narrative. Honestly, I do think that the ECW originals need to be showcased with weapons because that's basically them in their element. But at the very same time, why change the rules in the middle of a match?
Sabu and RVD teamed up to take on The North in a match that began as a regular affair. But the moment Sabu entered the fray, he brought chairs and tables into the mix as well. The referee would hold up his arms in exasperation as if he'd lost control of the proceedings and did not really know what he would do.
It is only when you stick to the rules that the audience rewards you with their complete attention. I thought this was an oversight on Impact's part.
#3 Best: Jessicka Havok's dominant performance
Last week, we saw the dominant return of Jessicka Havok to Impact Wrestling. This week, she took on an enhancement talent who had no chance at all against the sheer force of nature that Jessicka Havok truly is.
The match just lasted as long as it needed to and to the credit of the enhancement talent involved in the mix, she sold every move like she had been obliterated by Havok. Father James Mitchell then cut a great promo warning Rosemary, Taya Valkyrie, and the likes about the fury of Havok.
Havok is a much-needed boost to the Knockouts Division, especially if you consider the fact that Scarlett Bordeaux's future in Impact Wrestling could be uncertain after the comments that surfaced from Killer Kross about Impact not paying them enough money.
Havok could put on great matches against Rosemary and Valkyrie, in the weeks that follow.
#3 Worst: Kiera Hogan on commentary
Kiera Hogan may be a lot better than the person that she shares her name with, once the bell rings. But at the same time, she needs to watch a few Hulk Hogan videos to sharpen her promo ability because she wasn't good at all on this week's show.
I was sold on Hogan's new character and new look, following what does seem to be a heel turn. But when she joined Josh Mathews and Don Callis behind the commentary desk, she just did not have the same fire and desire that her gimmick implies she has.
I would go so far as to say that she's such a natural babyface that being a heel doesn't come naturally to her yet. I don't know why the change was made, because Hogan just feels like she has been completely miscast.
Maybe she will grow into this new persona.
#4 Best/worst: Scarlett Bordeaux
I really love how Impact Wrestling has been pushing the envelope with regard to adult content with Scarlett Bordeaux. I raised my eyebrows at certain points during this week's Smokeshow segment. Scarlett is not just easy to look at, she is great at playing her character too.
I am just a little worried about her future in the company because she's one of the components that truly makes the company unique right now. As for this week's Smokeshow segment, it was absolute gold with Taya Valkyrie, referee John E. Bravo and even Fallah Bahh playing their parts to perfection.
I wouldn't say that this week's episode was the ultimate episode of Impact Wrestling but it was a fun two hours that I wasn't bored of, by the end. The word 'alternative' gets thrown around a lot, and Impact is truly a great 'alternative' brand.
Let's hope that these two stick around!
