Welcome to another edition of POINTS OF IMPACT— a breakdown of the top moments of this week's edition of Impact Wrestling.
This segment will fill you in on the most important parts of the show worth checking out or keeping up to date with, in case you missed this episode of Impact Wrestling.
Without further ado, let's inspect the biggest takeaways of the week!
IMPACT WRESTLING: JANUARY 26, 2023 RESULTS
#5 - No Limits
If I could describe the vibe to this week's episode in one word, it would be, undoubtedly, fun. It might be the natural release of tension within most of the storylines after a big PPV, or just the writers room producing an especially entertaining episode this week, but this episode was probably the most fun I've had watching this show since I started reviewing it. That vibe was kicked off by the opening match.
Said opening match saw Trey Miguel defending his title not against Black Taurus in a rematch, not against Kenny King or Mike Bailey, but rather, a 73 year old man. Yes, really.
Mike Jackson always brings a good time whenever he appears for Impact, and his match against Miguel for the X Division Championship to start the show was no different. Mike's hope spots were just the right amount of believable and comedy mixed together, and the match never overstayed its welcome, paced beautifully.
After the match, Crazy Steve would appear, with Trey's name painted all over his body, distracting Miguel as Taurus sneaked up behind him, causing Miguel to flee. Decay don't seem to be done with the retaining champion yet, to which I say, good. They've yet to bore me.
#4 - Widow's Peak
The fun vibe would continue with the second match of the evening, which saw the Death Dollz, this week represented in-ring by Taya Valkyrie and Jessicka, defend their Knockouts Tag Team Championships against Giselle Shaw and a partner of Santino Marella's choosing. That partner turned out to be multi time Knockouts Champion and Knockouts Tag Champion, Tara.
Everyone except for Giselle Shaw was happy to see the former Victoria, and what followed was a nice tag match that benefitted everyone involved. Giselle proved yet again why she's one of the best women's heels around, refusing to tag in Tara, using the Spider Web (Tara's Argentine Sidewalk Slam move,) Death Dollz were as entertaining in their offensive work and character work as ever, and Tara hit the Widow's Peak on Giselle after one act of disrespect too many.
Good job by all around. It was nice seeing Tara again.
#3 - Inevitably Timesplit
Over in the men's division, we were treated to not one but two great tag matches this week, both of them serving their purpose well.
The first men's tag match saw the team of Kushida and Kevin Knight taking on the Good Hands. This was, when it came down to it, a way to get Kushida on tv, and a way to showcase Kevin Knight, and your writer won't complain about that at all. The two work great as a team, with that standing dropkick Doomsday Device in particular standing out. Knight and Kushida would pick up the win over the Good Hands, who lived up to their name in this match, bumping excellently and providing great heel work.
The second, perhaps more hyped men's tag match of the evening, saw the Major Players take on Bullet Club's Chris Bey and Ace Austin. It was clear from the start who the fan favourites were here, the Impact Zone continuing to show nothing but love for Ace and Bey, who could have good matches in their sleep. Cardona and Myers played their parts well, cutting off the high flying offense of the BC throughout the match, but ultimately falling to the Inevitable One and the Ultimate Finesser.
What happened after this match, however, make more headlines.
#2 - But To Me You Will Always Be…
…Edge's b*tch.
After Bullet Club picked up the win over the Major Players via a double team roll-up, the Digital Media Champion Joe Hendry walked out to address Cardona. Hendry expressed respect for Cardona, calling him the "original content creator" and first ever Internet Chanpion. But Hendry felt Cardona was acting a little bit jealous, due to all the hype surrounding Hendry's Dancing Moose video.
Not to worry, Hendry had recorded a brand new song just for Cardona. To the tune of what I believe is Stacey's Mom (correct me if I'm wrong,) Hendry's new song poked fun at Cardona, Myers, and even Cardona's wife Chelsea Green. The undeniable highlight, in this writer's opinion, is the line "You're the king of the indies, and now you're rich, but to me you will always be Edge's b*tch."
Joe Hendry never disappoints.
#1 - Six Shooter Hits All Targets
Tonight's main event saw six former Impact world champions compete in an elimination match, to determine who would face Josh Alexander for the Impact World Championship at No Surrender. Moose, Callahan, Rich Swann, Eddie Edwards, Rhino and Chris Sabin faced off in what can only be described as a beautiful mess of a main event.
As all multi-man matches should be, this one was a revolving door of spots and story beats, all timed excellently and performed even better by all involved. Rhino, as the oldest competitor, was eliminated first. PCO would walk out after a commercial break, distracting Edwards long enough for Sabin to roll him up. Sabin would however be next to go, via a Spear from Moose, and after a roll-up from Swann eliminated Moose, we had our final two.
The Design made their presence known at ringside, as Callahan fought his former friend and foe in Swann. After a demand from Deaner to finish it, Callahan would attempt to go for the kill, but through determination and a nice 450, Swann would pick up the win and secure himself the title match against Josh Alexander.
Speaking of the World Champion, after the bell, the Design starting beating down Swann, and just as it seemed like Swann would be the victim of a Cactus Special 97, out came help, first in the form of Yuya Uemura, and when that failed, in the form of Alexander and Frankie Kazarian. The faces stood tall at the end of the night, with a World Title match secured for No Surrender, and a beatdown no doubt in Callahan's future due to his failure to win here.
A great end to great show. More of this please, Impact.
What did you think of this week's episode of Impact Wrestling?
Do you think any other moments stood out on this show?
Drop your thoughts in the comments below!
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