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ARTICLE APPROVED BY FIGHT CLUB
Anyone who knows me is aware that I have a soft corner for Impact Wrestling in its various incarnations. While this series had been discontinued in the recent past, I'm glad that it is back once more. Impact is always an easier watch than RAW and SmackDown Live, and I'd assumed that this week would be no different. Especially considering that it was a special event dubbed 'Against All Odds'.
Unfortunately, the show was a real dampener on my spirits, truth be told. My colleague Greg Bush, who does results for Impact Wrestling on a weekly basis told me that this was the worst episode of the program since the move to the Pursuit Network. I caught up with the remaining episodes last night, and I must concur.
The build to Against All Odds has been better than the show itself. But it was still a noteworthy episode with several important moments, setting up the stage for the future.
If you managed to catch the episode, let me know your thoughts too.
#1 Best: Scarlett's debut
Believe it or not, I actually enjoyed a Glenn Gilbertti match in the year 2019, which is quite a feat considering I used to watch him wrestle in 1998. Even the announcers seemed impressed and they kept alluding to the fact that he's kept himself in great shape over the years. He actually sold very well and made Scarlett Bordeaux look like a million bucks.
I laughed quite a bit during the course of the Gilbertti-Bordeaux match, thanks to announcer Don Callis. Callis kept making comparisons between Bordeaux and Ricky Steamboat, putting her over to no end. Scarlett was fine, and that's all she needs to be, honestly.
Scarlett Bordeaux has won her first match in Impact Wrestling. What's next, I wonder?
#1 Worst: Gail Kim returns already?
I don't want to give you the impression that I am not happy that Gail Kim is returning. I think she's one of the best women's wrestlers of all time, at par with the best. I thought that she retired in her prime and did have a few good years in her. But didn't her retirement last all of thirty seconds?
I know for a fact that she's going to tear the house down with Tessa Blanchard when the two women enter the ring. But I just think that her retirement, as Knockouts Champion was just perfect and this return undermines how special that moment truly was. It's just happening far too soon, I think.
That said, I really did like the exchange between Tessa Blanchard and Gail Kim. Blanchard is such a natural heel, that the sky seems like the limit for her.
Which is great because Kim is such a good babyface, isn't she?
#2 Best: Back in The Undead Realm
So, it's a well-known fact that Allie will not be continuing with Impact Wrestling anymore. She has signed with All Elite Wrestling, which will be her home for the foreseeable future. This week on Impact Wrestling 'Against All Odds', she was written off TV for good.
Rosemary and Allie visited the undead realm, to reclaim Allie's soul from the dark powers in that world. There was a cameo by the legendary Kevin Sullivan, who seemed like that dark overlord who exists in that domain. There were swords and knives, and a lot of blood was involved.
We hear about characters being killed off TV shows all the time, but this segment ended with Allie, restored to her original form, on Rosemary's lap. It was a heartbreaking moment and a culmination of many days of excellent storytelling, that struck all the right emotional notes at once.
#2 Worst: Taya vs. Jordynne Grace
Taya Valkyrie was in her element during the Knockouts match against Jordynne Grace this week. Like the announcers kept mentioning, she's not just a powerhouse but she's incredibly agile as well in the ring. The two women put on a great match until the finish actually happened.
Not a lot of wrestling happened on this week's show and what was disappointing is the fact that what was the best match in the lineup did not even have a proper finish. I'm assuming that Impact Wrestling management wanted to protect both women. But did they do so in having Taya Valkyrie walk out?
Jordynne Grace just seems to get better in the ring with every passing week, in my opinion. I will not be surprised to see her as the Knockouts Champion very soon if she keeps going at this rate. She is certainly Championship material.
#3 Best: The big brawl
LAX and the Lucha Bros. have made Tag Team wrestling exciting once again with their athletic prowess and their incredible matches over the last few months. Against All Odds began with a brawl that gave us an indication of just how gifted both teams are, when the bell rings.
There were tables involved and security guards as well, It was all chaos and bedlam galore, a glimpse of their match to come, which is certain to be a can't miss affair.
I daresay that the tag teams in Impact Wrestling are far and away the most exciting thing on the show right now, and I can't wait to see these two teams tear it up when they meet for the big prize. Pentagon and Fenix are arguably the coolest things in wrestling right now, and I hope they stick to Impact Wrestling for the foreseeable future.
Cero Miedo!
#3 Worst: Downtime and too many technical errors
I watch Impact Wrestling on Twitch like I'm assuming many of you do as well. I thought that there was far too much promotion of future events, leading to an incredible amount of downtime during the show. The worst thing about the whole show was how there was a Sabu vs. Abyss match telecast during the main event, while it was still on. The whole thing really made no sense at all.
There came a point where we could hear voices from strange individuals during the broadcast. Then, there came a point where we saw these two men, and still have no idea who they are. Melissa Santos was great during the commercial breaks, but she interrupted the Undead Realm segment, while it was still happening.
As much as I like Impact Wrestling, I was disappointed this week. Let's hope United We Stand and beyond is a different story!
You will be deeply missed by all your fans, Allie!
