Reviews by Dave
Show air date: December 12, 2020
If AEW Dynamite is Nitro (and it is), Impact Wrestling on AXS-TV last week was channeling the original WCW catchphrase: We Wrestle. Good wrestling from top to bottom. I expected it to be good with it being the go-home show for their Final Resolution ImpactPlus app, adding all the AEW stuff made it even more “must-see”.
Understanding they would have a lot of new eyes, Josh Matthews and Madison Rayne did a great job of doing background on every wrestler and their current situation in the company. We see the bus of AEW World champion Kenny Omega pull up outside the studio. This time it makes sense for the wrestler to be arriving with the show already underway.
Chris Sabin defeated Josh Alexander
“The Walking Weapon” Josh Alexander and former world/X Division/tag champion Chris Sabin had a very competitive opening match, pitting Alexander’s superior power and size against Sabin’s speed and kicks. The bad energy being Alexander and his tag partner, Ethan Page, played out here as Alexander was looking to press his advantage late and got caught with a roll-up, arguing with Page.
An entertaining exchange between Moose and “The Ultimate Finesser” Chris Bey before their main event tag match later. Both guys were great here.
Paid Advertisement By Tony Khan and Tony Schiavone
I loved the “paid advertisement” by AEW President Tony Khan and AEW commentator/interviewer Tony Schiavone, straight out of the Nitro playbook. Khan and Schiavone got in some good jabs. It’s only fair because IMPACT has been throwing some good ones for months (in good humor but still stiff shots).
Brian Myers defeated TJP
“The Most Professional Wrestler” Brian Myers picked up a good win, taking down TJP in another competitive bout.
Eric Young defeated Cody Deaner
After a surprisingly strong and serious promo (his second in a row), Cody Deaner lost a short but solid match against his former friend, “The World Class Maniac” Eric Young. Rayne was excellent here, pointing out the bad strategy of Deaner insisting cousin Jake not help him no matter what, knowing Young would have the massive Joe Doering with him. Obviously, Young and Doering–who looks like a mashup of Jake Roberts and Stan Hansen–beat the hell out of the Deaners, who are saved by a lead pipe wielding Rhino. Good to see the babyfaces Young and Doering have jumped banding together.
“Who Shot Bravo?” comes to a conclusion at Final Resolution where Bravo’s would-be assassin, Larry D faces Tommy Dreamer for his freedom (IMPACT is insane).
Rosemary and Taya Valkyrie defeated Deonna Purrazzo and Kimber Lee
Rosemary and Taya Valkyrie advance to the semi-finals of the Knockouts Tag title tournament, over KO champion “The Virtuosa” Deonna Purrazzo and Kimber Lee in a solid bout. They were working hard but safe and afterward we find out why as IMPACT EVP Scott D’amore books Purrazzo to defend her title against Rosemary at Final Resolution. She gets all the dead chicks, doesn’t she?
“The Draw” Sami Callihan
Just being around Sami Callihan brings out the “Crazy” in Eddie Edwards. Good segment as it looks like we’re getting Edwards-Callihan 2.
Main Event: Chris Bey and Moose defeated Rich Swann and Willie Mack
IMPACT World champion Rich Swann and Willie Mack went down in defeat to Bey and Moose in a good main event where the combatants not only got to do good wrestling stuff but get over their personalities, particularly Moose and Bey. Great rally at the end. The right guy got the win and the right guy took the fall.
The Best Omega Promo Since The AEW Inception
I don’t know what else can be said about the interview with Omega and Don Callis (The Jackyl is back). From the IMPACT world champion Swann not being on “the list” to the delivery from both guys and even Matthews asking questions (underrated interviewer), they nailed it for me. Easily the best Omega promo/interview since the AEW inception. Callis laid this out magnificently. “Ambrose”. HAH!!!!!
This was Nick Bockwinkel and Bobby Heenan (the best version of Heenan). They set up a number of ways this can go with both companies involving a lot of different people without interrupting anything either company is already doing.
