Best and worst of Impact Wrestling- RVD returns, Number 1 contender crowned

By Riju Dasgupta
Modified May 04, 2019 11:07 IST
Rob Van Dam has come back to Impact Wrestling again
Rob Van Dam has come back to Impact Wrestling again

I honestly think that Impact Wrestling has been a roll for the last week or so with Rebellion and now, this follow up show. The quality of the matches is significantly better than ever, and the product is gripping, something that cannot be said about WWE.

It is such a shame that only around 6000 people show up to catch the action on Twitch (not sure about the Pursuit numbers) and yet complain about the lack of quality wrestling in the world. Impact Wrestling puts on shows where the performers get to showcase their skills in the best manner possible, without their moves and characters being watered down.

That said, this article will also look at things that I did not personally care for. Let me know your thoughts and views in the comments section below.

If you caught the action, I'd like to hear your take as well.

#1 Best: RVD returns

This was easily my favorite thing about this week's show. Rob Van Dam came to the ring to address his fans and also spoke about how people in the locker room have been stealing all his moves. This brought out Ethan Page who did not seem too pleased with the comments. The segment that ensued was quite cool.

Van Dam essentially buried Page by telling him that he didn't know who he was and yet, it isn't in my worst column, where something like this would generally end up otherwise. This is because Page got a chance to showcase the fact that he is fantastic on the microphone, something he hadn't gotten to do before this night.

I'm excited about their match next week. RVD proved that he can still go.

The question is really- can Page keep up?

#1 Worst: The X-Division picture

So, we all know just how gifted and talented Rich Swann is as a performer, and we know that he can tear it up with just about anyone else in classic X Division style matches. The only issue with his reign has been that we've not seen any match that showcases how capable a champion the man is.

With all due respect to Sami Callihan, he does not fit the mold of your traditional X Division guy. I had assumed that the Callihan vs. Swann rivalry would have ended at Rebellion, but there's going to be at least another week of the same old.

I'm sure that the four on four match next week will be good, but I could do with some good old fashioned X Division magic. Something like what Ace Austin and Petey Williams did in the opening contest of this week's show.

Such a shame that it wasn't for the title!

#2 Best: Michael Elgin becomes the No. 1 contender

One of the best things about this week's show was the fact that we got right to the chase about who would be next in line to face the new World Champion, Brian Cage for his coveted prize. Two of the contenders were the former champion, Johnny Impact and yet another former champion, Pentagon Jr. It is heartening indeed to see Pentagon back in the world title picture again.

And then there was the third man as well. Michael Elgin is a man who has earned his stripes in NJPW and is anxious to prove to the world that he can hang with the best of them. The main event match was a solid affair and Elgin, rightfully, came out on top.

Elgin vs. Cage should be a very good match. They are both big muscle men, and their styles should complement each other.

#2 Worst: Brian Cage's injury

It's always a shame when a new World Champion is crowned and he cannot show up because he's been battered and bruised from his match at Rebellion. Such was, unfortunately, the case with one Brian Cage who was nowhere to be seen on this week's show, owing to his injury.

Cage was, of course, injured during a Spanish Fly from Johnny Impact during the match at Rebellion. I wonder how many plans had to be changed because the World Champion wasn't in the house.

It is always a great moment when a newly crowned champion makes his entrance in front of an adoring crowd, in my opinion. We were robbed of this moment owing to the unfortunate injury.

We at Sportskeeda Wrestling wish Brian Cage a very speedy recovery and hope that he makes it back in time before the current television tapings are over and done.

#3 Best: Fenix in a singles environment again

I don't want to give you guys the impression that I am not a big fan of The Lucha Brothers. But at the same time, I'm really glad that both Pentagon and Fenix have a chance to show us what they are made of as singles competitors again.

Fenix and Eddie Edwards just tore it up during their match reminding us how good both men are. I'm thrilled that Edwards has a chance to still be in the spotlight, even after the departure of Eli Drake from the company.

As for the Killer Kross vs. Eddie Edwards feud, I am certain that I am on board with the program. Both men are deranged in their own way and the story that Impact will tell with these two characters should be very compelling indeed.

However, they are falling short on the storytelling front with regard to this other feud.

#3 Worst: The Rosemary story

I loved the idea of Rosemary taking one of the Undead Bridesmaids captive during last week's Impact Wrestling show. What I did not care for is the follow up this week, which was just another match against Keira Hogan.

It would just all become a mess in due course of time as Hogan and Rosemary's match was interrupted by Su Yung's foot soldiers. Hogan wondered whether she should interfere in the proceedings or not, but decided to back out at the last moment.

I do not get the storyline at all and I just think that Rosemary should be back in the title hunt with Taya Valkyrie once again, because this thing is not going anywhere. If anything, Rosemary has just lost a lot of her sheen since she returned to action after her hiatus from injury.

Or just make this storyline somewhat easier to follow!

#4 Best/worst: No real challengers for LAX

LAX may still be the best tag team unit on the planet. But there's literally nobody for them to take on after the dissolution from the Lucha Bros as a tag team. As I've mentioned in this article, it is clear that they're both focusing on their singles careers right now.

So, now they're taking on The North but they're hardly established enough to be a real threat. The same can be said for The Desi Hit Squad who're an entertaining act but they're used as little more than enhancement talent. As for The Deaners, I'm not even very sure that they are ready to go.

Eddie Edwards and Eli Drake would have made for great opponents but Drake is no longer in the company, sadly. Maybe oVe should revive their rivalry with LAX again.

Could Scarlett maybe team up with someone else to take LAX out?

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