Welcome to another edition of POINTS OF IMPACT—a breakdown of the top moments of this week's edition of TNA’s 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!
TNA IMPACT WRESTLING: AUGUST 8, 2024 RESULTS
#5 - Demonic Elegance
Answering Jordynne Grace's open challenge this week was the Demon Assassin, Rosemary, fresh off of an impressive performance last week against a local talent. Looking rejuvenated in their look and the way they wrestle, this is the most credible Rosemary has felt as a singles competitor in years, and against Grace, they gave it all. This was not a long match, but it was an intense one, with counter after counter from both women, vicious offense and a sense of importance all around. Grace really felt in danger at parts, and there was an urgency to Rosemary's offense befitting a title match.
Sadly, we wouldn't see a fitting conclusion to the bout, as Ash by Elegance, accompanied as always by her Personal Concierge, would attack both women with a pink kendo stick, causing the match to be thrown out. It would seem that despite her Slammiversary defeat, Ash is still in the title picture.
#4 - We'll Carry On
After losing an opportunity for the NXT Tag Titles this Tuesday on NXT, and being betrayed by his tag partner Wes Lee after the bout, Zachary Wentz would look to regain momentum this week in a qualifier triple threat for the X Dvision title Ultimate X match at Emergence. Wentz faced off against KC Navarro, high-flying indie stalwart who has made numerous appearences for TNA in the past, and NXT's Dante Chen. This was my first time seeing a Chen match in full, and I was pleasantly surprised by what I saw.
Chen is naturally charming, and quite smooth in the ropes. If he were to be booked on a path of underdog victories, as well as get a new finisher, the future would be bright for WWE's first athlete born in Singapore. Tonight was not his night however, as Wentz would pick up the win, and qualify for Ultimate X, with the UFO Cutter.
#3 - Not Quite Top Firm
After picking up a win against Gallus' Joe Coffey at NXT's Great American Bash, Joe Hendry would look to continue his momentum against the firm's enforcer, Wolfgang, in the main event of this week's episode. An athletic, brusing, versatile big man, I've been a fan of Wolfgang since my days watching NXT UK, and he and Hendry put on a great main event this week, a battle of two big, beefy men.
Wolfgang would attempt to keep it slow and painful, clubbing blows, submissions, offense on the outside. He worked over the back of Hendry, but Hendry would persevere, managing to hit his big offense such as the fallaway slam. In the end, 252 pounds of pure motivation would triumph over sadistic strength, as Hendry hit the Standing Ovation to score another win against the supposed top firm of NXT.
#2 - Risky but Successful
Speedball Mike Bailey is a glutton for punishment. Insisting on having to qualify for the Ultimate X match for his title, with the caveat that should he lose the qualifying match, he'll relinquish the X Division title, he took on two of his current tag partners this week, as Speedball, Trent Seven and Jake Something all battled for a spot in Ultimate X. Speedball Mountain would attempt teamwork early on, but this would break down, with all three men going for broke.
Everyonr got a chance to shine here, with Something presented as the most powerful threat with spots like his powerbomb catch. However, Bailey, betting on himself and not panicking, managed to get the win in the end, hitting the big man with the Cyclone Kick and Ultima Weapon to put him away.
#1 - An Octopus Never Changes Its...Ink?
The feud between Jonathan Gresham and Kushida took an interesting turn this week, as the Gresham we've become used to over the past few months, constantly masked, spitting black ink, one of few words, was nowhere to be seen. Interviewed backstage, Gresham would say he had no memory of recent times, saying he was "sick" and looking forward to getting back in action. Confronted by Kushida, who refused a handshake from Gresham, the two would go on to have the match they were meant to have at Slammiversary. And what a match it was.
If this was a trick by Gresham, we've yet to see how, as the two men simply went out and had an excellent, tightly worked, technical wrestling match. Gresham would act possibly heelish at times, such as when he claimed he couldn't break a submission after Kushida reached the ropes, as he was supposedly stuck, but there was no trace of ink here. Just good graps. Both men targeted a limb, Gresham targeting Kushida's leg, whereas Kushida went after the arm of the Octopus. It was the Timesplitter who would get the win, locking the Hoverboard Lock on Gresham and earning a quick tap out after reversing a running crossbody.
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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