Perfectly fine show this week. The match quality was good, with Sabin vs Wentz and the six-man tag impressing. The idea to have Alisha win the battle royal was definitely an interesting one, but thankfully we have Jordynne returning, so we don’t have to worry that much about the Knockouts match quality at Victory Road. The Crazzy Steve angle was a very interesting watch, and has me excited for where the stories going to go. I also really liked the stage this week, obviously it didn’t work great with the battle royale, but otherwise, it was just visually appealing to look at. The Tommy Dreamer and The DMC (DEE EM CEE) Kenny King promo was surprisingly great, and made me optimistic that the match May actually be good.
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5
It’s the first show after Emergence, and it’s looking exciting. Trinity’s challenger for Victory Road will be decided by a battle royal, between all the top knockouts in the division. Along with this, IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, SANADA, teams up with Jake Something and Frankie Kazarian, to take on Eddie Edwards and the Most Professional Wrestling Gods (Brian Myers and Moose). Also announced is Eric Young vs Kon and Crazzy Steve taking on Mike Bailey, two matches that have the potential to be very enjoyable.
AVERAGE Number One Contenders Knockouts Battle Royal
This was a fun battle royale match. Obviously nothing great, but battle royales never are. The final four were Savannah Evans, Jody Threat, Jessicka and KiLynn King. As the hosses of the match are eliminated, we’re down to Jody against KiLynn, the two who are currently having issues, over King accusing Jody of attacking Wilde. We then get the spot where Alisha comes out from under the ring, sneaks up and gets the eliminations. Alisha Edwards wins the battle royale. Interesting choice to say the least. Not a big fan of the finish, but it works with Alisha’s character, so it’s acceptable.
Result: Alisha Edwards wins
Bailey Higham WR Star Rating – 2.50 Stars
Alex Shelley and Josh Alexander finally have some tension between them, and it’s built upon well in the following segment. The Rascalz also show up, and act like numpties. Sabin challenges Wentz for a match, he seemingly accepts. Good backstage segment, did what it meant to do.
Eddie and Alisha embrace backstage. Decent promo from Alisha, built the Kazarian feud, while also mentioning Trinity in the end. Good stuff.
SQUASH: Crazzy Steve vs Mike Bailey
Steve immediately gets himself DQ’d, as he won’t let go of Mike Bailey’s eyes.
Result: Mike Bailey by Disqualification
Steve then tries gouging Bailey’s eyes out with a fork. Taurus tries confronting him, but the Steve goes for his eyes. Security then have to stop Steve, who had completely snapped. This match/angle, combined with Steve getting an amazing new mask for his entrance, have really got me invested in this angle. This has the potential to be the best storyline in the company if handled right.
Moose and Myers then rightfully ditch Bully Ray, after he abandoned them at Emergence. This does leave the viewer questioning the state of their group text which they mentioned last week.
We then get Bully Ray telling PCO that he set him on fire because he cared about him. I still don’t really care that much about this storyline, but this is a step in the right direction.
GOOD Kon vs Eric Young
Eric Young does well as the underdog here, with an early flurry of offence that was quite enjoyable. He also sells great for Kon, with Young flying over the top rope for him at one point, in a spot I really enjoyed. Kon comes out’ve this looking great, kicking out’ve two of EY’s signature moves (Death Valley Driver and Elbow Drop). This match did its job well, in having the crowd rally behind the hometown hero against a the monster heel.
Result: Eric Young by Pinfall via. Piledriver
Bailey Higham WR Star Rating – 3.00 Stars
After Lio cuts a decent promo building the Sabin feud, KUSHIDA comes in at the end (Ultimate X still draped around his waist), and he says “Victory Road”, finally confirming a date for when we’re getting that match.
GOOD Zachary Wentz vs Chris Sabin
Unsurprisingly, these two men work at a good capacity here, with the match ramping up as it goes on. We get a shenanigan-involved ending, which helps protect the Rascalz somewhat, as they also attack Sabin after the bell.
Result: Chris Sabin by Pinfall via Cradle Shock
Bailey Higham WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
We cut to the ABC backstage, who make their intentions clear to take their belts off the Rascalz. Then the Good Hands tell them that they’re not finished with them. The Good Hands refuse to make any moves now, and say that they’ll get the ABC at some point. Confused as to why they’re continuing this, but it gives the Good Hands something to do, so I don’t mind.
Santino backstage next, announces Motor City Machine Guns vs The Rascalz for Victory Road ( 100% Banger), and we also get Subculture vs Swann & Callihan confirmed for next week (also will be a banger). JOYA are then denied a title shot, and are told that they need to continue their winning streak before they can do so. Fun backstage angle, enjoyed all the announcements.
GREAT Kenny King/Tommy Dreamer Promo
I really want to be invested in this feud, I really do. Because this promo has gave me faith that it could be genuinely really good. Dreamer cuts an emotional promo to the DMC (DEE EM CEE) Kenny King, with it ending in a challenge of Title vs Career, surprisingly good stuff.
Bailey Higham WR Star Rating – 3.50 Stars
They then run down the match card for Victory Road, with the highlight, and presumably main event, Steve Maclin vs Josh Alexander being announced. It’s about time that we got this match, and I couldn’t be more hyped.
GREAT SANADA, Frankie Kazarian and Jake Something vs Eddie Edwards, Moose and Brian Myers
Jake Something was the highlight of this match for me, he got some great offence in, and was overall just a very enjoyable watch, with his fantastic power moves. That being said, everyone else in this match near-enough equally impressed, with Eddie and Kaz having some great exchanges throughout for example. Something gets the win for his team, as he destroys Myers with an Into the Void.
Result: Jake Something by Pinfall via. Into the Void
Bailey Higham WR Star Rating – 3.50 Stars
Overall…
Perfectly fine show this week. The match quality was good, with Sabin vs Wentz and the six-man tag impressing. The idea to have Alisha win the battle royal was definitely an interesting one, but thankfully we have Jordynne returning, so we don’t have to worry that much about the Knockouts match quality at Victory Road. The Crazzy Steve angle was a very interesting watch, and has me excited for where the stories going to go. I also really liked the stage this week, obviously it didn’t work great with the battle royale, but otherwise, it was just visually appealing to look at. The Tommy Dreamer and The DMC (DEE EM CEE) Kenny King promo was surprisingly great, and made me optimistic that the match May actually be good.
Matches: 0.5/1 Stars
Show Structure: 0.5/1 Stars
Atmosphere: 0.25/1 Stars
Storytelling: 0.5/1 Stars
Production/Theme: 0.75/1 Stars
Overall Rating: 2.50/5 Stars
Photo Credit: Impact Wrestling – September 1st 2023
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