My last IMPACT Wrestling Report was just three days ago, so you might be wondering why I’m writing this one so soon. Let me clear it up for you. Last night was the most important episode of IMPACT Wrestling since March 8, 2010, more than 10 years ago. Why? Because everyone and their mother was talking about IMPACT Wrestling over the past week. If you somehow missed this news, read all about it here. With thousands of new viewers and those who haven’t watched in a very long time, did IMPACT Wrestling deliver? Read on for my thoughts.
Less than 30 minutes into the broadcast, IMPACT Wrestling saw an increase in viewership on Twitch that was 1,300% higher than the previous week, double IMPACT’s previous all-time viewership on the platform. #IMPACTonAXSTV was the #3 trending topic on Twitter, a spot it would hold for the duration of the show. And IMPACT Wrestling was one of the Top 5 channels on all of Twitch during this timeframe. As my friend Matt would say, IMPACT Wrestling was “shot out of a cannon!”
The show itself was stacked, with four excellent matches that provided fans with a taste of what IMPACT Wrestling is all about. The main event featured four of the most talented wrestlers anywhere in the industry: IMPACT Wrestling World Champion Rich Swann and Willie Mack vs. TNA Wrestling Champion Moose and Chris Bey. All four guys delivered in spades, and it was the perfect way to lead up to the Kenny Omega interview the world was waiting for. But before we get to that, let’s rewind and take a look at the three other matches on the card.
Josh Alexander vs. Chris Sabin
The show started off with an aerial shot of a luxury tour bus arriving outside the arena. It was said that Don Callis and Kenny Omega were inside. Then we were brought inside for the opening match of the night, pitting Josh Alexander, one half of the amazing tag team The North, against Chris Sabin, who is part of one of the greatest tag teams of all time: The Motor City Machine Guns. As expected, these guys killed it and showed just how athletic IMPACT Wrestling is. The perfect way to set the tone of the show, from a wrestling standpoint.
AEW Paid Advertisement
After a backstage segment between Moose and Chris Bey, viewers were surprised by a paid advertisement from AEW featuring owner Tony Khan and legendary announcer Tony Schiavone. This was comedy gold! I especially loved Tony’s jokes about his career and barely knowing Sting. You must watch it, as it may have been the crossover highlight of the evening.
Brian Myers vs. TJP
Next up was another wrestling showcase, this time featuring Brian Myers and TJP. Both guys delivered and made it clear why they deserve to be in the ring. This is one of the things I love about IMPACT Wrestling. Those who WWE may not give the time of day to have the opportunity to shine within this organization. It’s a place to ply your craft and seize a phenomenal opportunity. And WWE should never be seen as the endgame. Look how WWE blew it with Kurt Angle’s last run? How about the terrible job they did with Sting? Eric Young is another perfect example of WWE not knowing how to use wrestlers properly. Tonight, IMPACT Wrestling made it clear that it’s a viable alternative for viewers and talent.
Also, how amazing is it that Brian Myers’ finisher is called the Clothesline from Stamford? Absolutely incredible! IMPACT is not afraid to say WWE, AEW, or support its wrestlers on Cameo every week. It’s a company built on opportunity, not fear. And I find that amazingly refreshing.
Eric Young vs. Cody Deaner
I mentioned Eric Young a moment ago. His trajectory in IMPACT Wrestling has been incredible to watch. From a comedy character in Team Canada years ago when the company was called TNA Wrestling to the World Class Maniac he is now, Eric has demonstrated a range unlike any other wrestler I know. I’m constantly astounded by his technical ability and psychology. This man oozes passion. He is always someone I take seriously and eagerly pay attention to because, for my money, Eric Young is the best in the business right now.
Most Popular Tweet Ever!
As the show progressed, we were treated to a backstage conversation between IMPACT EVP Scott D’Amore and Tommy Dreamer. This resulted in me having the most popular tweet of my life, up until this point.
During his talk with Tommy Dreamer, Scott asked Tommy Dreamer why he wasn’t happy about what was transpiring tonight. He said, “Even Lance Storm is happy about this, and he’s never happy about anything!” I quickly documented this hilarious one-liner and tweeted it out to the world. Lance shared my message along with a perfectly suited emoji. Even Scott D’Amore liked my tweet! It was a fun moment that I was happy to be a part of, even from afar.
Knockouts Tag Title Tournament
IMPACT Wrestling and TNA have always surpassed WWE when it comes to women’s wrestling. Back in the early days of TNA, Trinity was taking on men for the X Division Championship. This was long before WWE would have its “women’s revolution.” To provide further proof that it’s dedicated to the future of women’s wrestling, IMPACT brought back the Knockouts Tag Team Titles and will crown a team as the new champions on PPV on January 16 at Hard to Kill. On this episode of IMPACT Wrestling, Rosemary and Taya Valkyrie advanced to the semifinals.
Kenny Omega & Don Callis
Following the main event, the moment everyone was waiting for was upon us. At this time, viewership on Twitch was through the roof. It was at an astounding 1,800% increase over the previous week at this point. While Don and Kenny delivered a fun and humorous interview with Josh Matthews, it was more of a tease of what’s to come, both on IMPACT Wrestling and AEW.
Full Episode!
If you missed IMPACT Wrestling, you can watch the full episode on their YouTube channel right now! There are several moments and segments I didn’t cover here, so make sure to check out the whole thing. It’s a great way to learn what IMPACT Wrestling is all about.
Final Resolution: Saturday on IMPACT Plus
And don’t forget that this Saturday is Final Resolution, the next exclusive event on IMPACT Wrestling’s streaming service IMPACT Plus. Read all about it here, and make sure to tune into the action!