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So, I tried out Impact Wrestling on Twitch this week. I must say that it is certainly a great way to enjoy your wrestling. Overall, I would give this week's episode of Impact Wrestling a definite thumbs up. But that's not to say that it was a perfect show by any stretch of the imagination.
There was more than one aspect of the show that I enjoyed. There were some points where I felt my attention waning from the in-ring action. Let me jot them for you in this article.
Like I mentioned before, I love the fact that there is a Twitch chatroom where those watching the action can participate and voice their opinions. It gives a sense of community to those watching, especially because of the late hour.
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Here is my personal assessment of all the action that transpired.
#1 Best: Eli Drake behind the commentary desk
Eli Drake is so good on the microphone that it's scary. He manned the desk alongside the very competent Josh Mathews and Don Callis this week and he was absolutely hilarious. Sure, the current program with Eddie Edwards may be a step down for his talents (for Eddie Edwards too). It may not even make sense from a character perspective, because why should Drake care how far Edwards has fallen down the ranks?
But I am willing to forgive all of this because of how entertaining he was behind the desk. His interactions with Mathews and Callis was sitcom level funny. Drake even shut his fans up, when they were chanting his lines.
I love Eddie Edwards too and I wish Drake vs. Edwards was for the title. Both men deserve to be on top right now.
I guess it's only a matter of time before they are, again!
#1 Worst: Global Wrestling Network flashbacks
I understand why this segment happens. I understand that Impact Wrestling wants fans to subscribe to the Global Wrestling Network App because they want to showcase the company's rich history. They want to remind us all that superstars like CM Punk and Sting once worked for the company. So yes, I understand their perspective.
That does not necessarily mean that I agree with their overall approach. The GWN flashbacks take you out of the show when you're enjoying all the action. What's even worse is that they remind you of how hot the crowds used to be, once upon a time.
When the company has a rich roster of talent scratching and clawing for television time, why show these segments? Another match from the current roster would have served the purpose just fine.
I can see many audience members tuning out during such segments.
#2 Best: Tessa Blanchard snaps
Tessa Blanchard is just one of the best characters in the Knockouts division right now. She has been the figure around whom Impact Wrestling has rebuilt the division after the departure and retirement of Gail Kim. And it was through Gail Kim's interference at Homecoming that she lost the Knockouts Championship.
This week, Tessa Blanchard went full heel and just snapped. She took out everyone in the backstage area, man and woman alike. And in doing so, she even knocked out Gail Kim, who had, in part, been responsible for costing Blanchard the Knockouts Championship at the previous pay-per-view.
What I particularly enjoyed about this segment is the level of intensity Blanchard brought into her performance, almost scaring us before Scott D'Amore and Sonjay Dutt rushed in to pacify her and suspend her indefinitely. Will this lead to a future clash between Blanchard and Gail Kim?
#2 Worst: Jordynne Grace squashing Dark Allie
So, this is not a slight against Jordynne Grace, who I think is amazing. But I don't think Impact Wrestling should have booked a match with her and Dark Allie and had Grace squash Dark Allie. Dark Allie's character needs to be heavily protected for her to be taken as a serious Knockout.
Dark Allie is obviously knee deep in a storyline with Su Yung and Rosemary at this moment. I daresay she has a very cool look and I like this character even more than I liked regular Allie. So maybe having her pile up a few wins is the way to go for Dark Allie.
That said, I am intrigued by the supernatural storyline that is playing out between the three Knockouts on the roster. It is also great to see the pop that Rosemary gets every single time she competes.
#3 Best: The X-Division is back!
I have the utmost respect for Brian Cage and everything he can do. However, while he was X-Division Champion, he was squashing competitors right and left because of his ongoing storyline. I love the fact that the X-Division is back to being fast and furious. Rich Swann and Trey Miguel had quite the match on this week's show.
Swann is one of those guys who can do almost anything in the ring. I don't think even 205 Live allowed him to showcase just what he is capable of when the bell rings. He seems a lot more at ease, in Impact Wrestling nowadays.
What do I think of Trey Miguel? Just like the rest of 'The Rascalz', he is an extraordinary talent in the ring and could be a future X-Division champion someday soon.
The company was built around the X-Division and I'm glad to see it's
#3 Worst: Scarlett Bordeaux's underwhelming announcement
So, Scarlett Bordeaux announced a huge talent search a few weeks ago. She would become the manager for a lucky man (or woman) in the Impact Wrestling roster. Bordeaux is a great character and any interactions with her would have been priceless. Imagine her picking someone like Fallah Bahh.
The contest ended on this week's show. The winner of the said contest was- herself. I know this makes a lot of sense from a storyline perspective, but it robs us of a lot of comic moments we could have potentially witnessed with Bordeaux and her client.
Bordeaux also announced that she will become an active wrestler soon and I'm curious to see how that plays out. Having a manservant, someone she carries on a leash, just like Carmella and James Ellsworth could have been right up her alley.
Well, let's hope her run as a wrestler pans out well.
#4 Best/worst: The main event
I think that LAX is the best tag team in the world right now. I also think that oVe may be just as good as LAX are, in a variety of ways. I loved the main event match this week. But even the most ardent fan of theirs must admit that we've watched this match too many times.
There's only so much you can take of a good thing. You have ice cream for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and even the biggest ice cream fan will ask for a change. I just feel like I've seen these two teams clash way too many times to enjoy them with as much gusto as I once did.
And this is the problem with the limited roster that Impact Wrestling has. LAX is running through their opponents but they are running out of opponents at the very same time.
I wouldn't mind seeing them clash with the Lucha Brothers again though!
