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: MAY 18, 2023 RESULTS
#5 - Et Tu, Dango?
The search for who attacked Director of Authority Santino Marella weeks ago came to an end this week, when it was revealed that none other than Dirty Dango, unofficial Deputy Director of Authority, attacked Marella.
After accusing his investigation partner Joe Hendry of being the one to attack Marella, Dango would get into a scuffle with Hendry, which ended in Hendry ripping off Dango’s shirt, revealing a missing patch of chest hair that matched the shape of the hair Marella ripped off of his attacker. A shocked Hendry would then be sent injured face first into the wall by Dango to close the segment.
#4 - 9 time, 9 time, 9 time, 9 time etc.
In what may be Laredo Kid’s last match for Impact, with it being announced this week that both he and Black Taurus are officially free agents, Kid took on X Division Champion Trey Miguel in a non title bout to start this week’s Impact.
As one might expect from two wrestlers of such talent and agility, this was a thrilling start to the show, though arguably the announcement of Kid’s free agent status hurt the match a bit-why would you let a man on his way out of the company beat one of your champions?
Miguel picked up the win with a roll-up after having snatched off Kid’s mask. Miguel would cut a promo after the bell about not getting the respect he deserved, until his Under Siege opponent Chris Sabin walked out, cutting a promo of his own, saying he’s showing Miguel respect by walking out here and telling him, face to face, that at Under Siege, Sabin will beat his a** and become the first ever 9 time X Division Champion.
#3 - The Father, the Son, the Holy Victory
Trinity made her Impact in-ring debut this week, taking on one half of the Knockouts Tag Team Champions, KiLynn King. Accompanied by her Coven tag partner Taylor Wilde, King was just as important to making this match work as Trinity.
The former Naomi hasn’t lost a step in-ring, and it was nice to see her get a match that went over eight minutes. But Trinity wouldn’t have been able to shine, or shall we say glow, as much as she did were it not for the incredibly natural feeling way King portrayed the heel role in this match. Before her heel turn, this writer was of the opinion King lacked a gimmick, a hook to make her complete. This heel turn, and alignment with Wilde, has been the missing puzzle piece.
Trinity would pick up the win with her trusty submission finisher, now called Starstruck. I’d like to think that’s a tribute to the late Ashley Massaro.
#2 - Two Muchhhh for the Bullet Club
This week saw BC’s Ace Austin take on Jason Hotch of the Good Hands, accompanied by John Skyler and Brian Myers.
The switch of leadership from Bully Ray to Brian Myers for the Good Hands felt like a good idea last week, and this week all but confirmed that. This is the best Hotch has looked in Impact, now able to showcase himself as a capable, skilled heel rather than an afterthought, lackey to the cartoonish Bully Ray.
Credit has to go to his opponent, with Austin selling his a** off for Hotch. Austin and Bey have built a loyal following, especially since joining Bullet Club, and their hard work and consistent quality help not only themselves but their opponents. Hotch picked up the win after interference from his allies.
#1 - It Was Fun, Okay?
Impact relies on six man tags a bit too much. Since I started writing this article around New Years, I’ve noticed that often when Impact need to get from one week to the next, or don’t have a clear main event, there’s nothing they love more than a good old Trios match. And you know what? Fine.
They’re not the only company guilty of this, and if you’re gonna favour a certain type of match to fill a gap, there are a fair few worse choices than a six man tag. This week’s iteration was interesting, in that it saw the face team of Alex Shelley, Jonathan Gresham, and Yuya Uemura taking on the mixed alignment team of Moose, Eddie Edwards and Frankie Kazarian.
Kaz, following on from his series of interviews, seems to be trying to be a positive influence in the lockerroom, something he felt was lacking when he was coming up in the business. Shelley, as the veteran of the other team, was his usual loveable instigating self.
The match, and another strong episode of Impact, after the shin between Edwards and Kaz allowed Shelley to hit the ShellShock for the win.
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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