The March 29th 2018 edition of Impact Wrestling presented four matches. The show though is still in a taped effort. Notably, as they are still mentioning with showing highlights of both Bobby Lashley and EC3. Both of those gentlemen have gone on to sign with the WWE. So, this begs the question; what is their up to date content?
Petey Williams earned the X-Division title shot via the briefcase from last week’s episode. He had gone on to win in a fatal four-way match on this night. Williams defeated Suicide, Rohit Raju, and Taiji Ishimori. Williams then went on microphone to stake his claim for the X division title, and his intentions to face Matt Sydal.
Bobby Lashley wrestled in a losing effort versus Brian Cage. The main event pitted Austin Aries in the ring versus Matt Sydal. This match stemmed from their outside banter in opening the show. The two men were discussing the “Option-C” element, which Aries made famous. In return, Aries wanted the only title he hasn’t held in his Impact tenure, the Grand Championship. Aries would also put up the Impact heavyweight championship in this match in return.
As for the briefcases and developments, Moose has a Grand championship shot, via his Feast or Fired earnings. Eli Drake has earned a tag team title shot. Su Yung and the wife of Rich Swann made her debut and defeated Amber Nova in a strong, enhancement win. Johnny Impact, formerly known as Johnny Mundo/Nitro had his interview interrupted by Jimmy Jacobs. This was a weak attempt with no physical interaction to set up a potential feud. Given the interviews hinting, Johnny Impact will soon face new Monster Kongo Kong. This episode dealt with the fallout between OVE stalking, filming Alisha from last week. Alisha is the wife of Eddie Edwards, the same man who is feuding with OVE and their leader, Sami Callahan.
Sadly, during the KM and Fallah Bahh match, had a commentary spot where the announcers were talking about the next show leading into Impact. Unfortunately, it was more about Schitt’s Creek and NOT the next episode of Impact Wrestling. This move is reminiscent of the ECW on TNN where they would talk about Rollerjam circa 2000 Friday nights. Is it the impression of how Impact gets revenue perhaps, or some sort of “rub” talking about a whole nother show? How does talking about another show and completely unrelated help one’s brand of pro wrestling?
No one seems care about their actual live and in ring product? The KM match is taped footage. It is taking place in a gymnasium featuring the Wrestlepro brand. One, the venue screams independent and bush-league; which is bad. If Impact is supposed to be comparable, or an alternative to ROH, a WWE, an NXT or even Lucha Underground, then this show and match is a bad representation. Having another brand on a weekly, televised show helps ONLY the brand of which they are showing, promoting.
Furthermore, It is not co-branding, or trying to add any credibility to Impact. Hadn’t they learned anything from the GFW, Global Force Wrestling failure, the GFW Invasion? No one cared about that brand because it absolved too quickly. GFW didn’t differentiate itself in any way or in a talent-based way in being competitive. GFW also failed, like Impact is failing- because their brand is decaying. The historical lineage, the investment of why people notice and care about a brand is dying.
This episode of Impact again comes across as doing a public service announcement for other shows, and not even including their own. The crowds and reactions are dull, almost dead. The crowds pop or cheer for just moves and high-spots. There are no real stories as a balance to compliment the in-ring action during the show. There is no desire or intent to “entice” people to watch their show, or become invested in the action or in their performers as characters.
These shows, although taped come across as them giving up; and just waiting for only PPV style shows, such as Redemption on April 22nd and the Battle with Lucha Underground on April 6th. On the other hand, what about ratings and WANTING people to watch, and tune in next week? Where is the hook and drag element, or stories, vignettes, segments to hype other forms of drama? Sadly, there isn’t any. It’s just a canned, taped wrestling show with talent just “wrestling” with no concrete concepts of characters, or emotional investment fans take into.
In closing, what’s wrong with Impact? How much of the mistakes or blame is solely on financial woes and lack of production values to execute elements of a great show? How much of the blame is on lack of Creative, prior to the entry of D’Amore and Don Callis? Come on Impact, what happened to the years where you were more viable and competitive? They were better and are capable of such. Is this the best they can do in 2018?
