Csonka’s GFW Impact Wrestling Review 8.03.17

Csonka’s GFW Impact Wrestling Review 8.03.17

OFFICIAL RESULTS
– Super X Cup Tournament Match: Desmond Xavier defeated Drago @ 15:10 via pin [***]
– Mumbai Cat defeated Trevor Lee @ 1:35 via pin [NR]
– GFW Grand Championship Match: EC3 defeated Champion Moose via “split decision” [**¾]
– Suicide, Grado, and Braxton Sutter defeated KM, Mario Bokara, and Fallah Bahh @ 3:40 via pin [*½]
– LAX (Homicide, Santana, & Ortiz) defeated Alberto El Patron, El Hijo de Dos Caras and Dos Caras @ 17:00 via pin [**½]

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– We get a video from the LAX Clubhouse, with Konnan saying “he’s in,” as they introduce their new member. A new era of violence is about to begin and Konnan loves it.

– We get highlights from last week’s show.

Super X Cup Tournament Match: Desmond Xavier vs. Drago: The winner of this match faces the winner of Ishimori & ACH, who face off next week. The finals are on August 17th on the Destination X special. We get a fun, fast paced opening stretch with Drago sending Xavier to the floor. Xavier back in, they trade strikes and Drago follows with a head scissors. Xavier quickly comes back with a RANA, covering for 2. Drago sends Xavier to the floor, and follows with a suicide dive as we head to a break. Post break and they’re back in the ring and end up in a double down. They trade strikes now, Drago lands leg kicks and takes Xavier down. Xavier finally fires up with strikes and hits a cutter for another double down. Xavier then runs wild with corner attacks, a head scissors and then hits a tope to wipe out Drago. Back in and Xavier covers for 2. Drago cuts off Xavier with a superkick and then a draping DDT for good near fall. Drago follows with a flapjack and sitout powerbomb for 2. Drago misses the charge, Xavier sends him to the buckles and then Drago hits a knee strike for 2. They go face to face, Drago lays in strikes and hits the blockbuster DDT for another near fall. Xavier fights back, hits a 619 and heads up top and hits the final flash for the win. Desmond Xavier defeated Drago @ 15:10 via pin [***] I’m always happy when they start off with a match. This was a good back and forth match, and they got plenty of time to work. I was hoping that this would be a bit more high octane and action packed, but it was a good way to kick off the show.

– Borash interviews Xavier, who says he is destined to win this all. Whoever he faces better be ready.

And that leaves just one. Congrats @DezmondXavier. Finals LIVE on 8.17 #DestX pic.twitter.com/wjwh7pm0NB

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) August 4, 2017

– EC3 says he will beat Moose tonight to win the Grand Championship, even though he has to battle three corrupt judges. He knows he’s in Moose’s head, and will be the new champion because he’s a Carter and the company needs him.

– We get a video package, where Evan Bourne discusses his upcoming match with Bobby Lashley on the 17th at Destination X. Good video package.

– Alberto El Patron, El Hijo de Dos Caras and Dos Caras are interviewed. Patron heard what Konnan has been saying, but everyone knows not to trust him because he is a liar. Patron is worried about El Hijo de Dos Caras, who has been friends with Konnan. El Hijo de Dos Caras says patron can trust him. Patron doesn’t believe him. Karen Jarrett interrupts and says family has to come first and then Bruce Prichard arrives and tells them to calm down and focus on their match. Prichard tells Karen that they need to talk, alone.

Mumbai Cat vs. Trevor Lee: lee still has the stolen X-Division title. Mumbai Cat huh? Riiiiiiight. Lee attacks at the bell, tossing him across the ring and then taking him to the floor, hitting an apron PK. The Mumbai Cats pull a switch from under the ring. Back in we go and Mumbai Cat fires up and battles back. He lays in mounted rights, hits the tornado DDT and top rope splash for the win. Mumbai Cat defeated Trevor Lee @ 1:35 via pin [NR] The action was solid for the time they had, but this was all about the angle and setting up the title match. It’s a classic trick, and while it didn’t get the biggest crowd reaction, I liked it and thought it was fun.

– In a shocking development, Mumbai Cat was revealed to be Sonjay Dutt. Dutt offers Lee a real title match at Destination X in a ladder match. Bruce Prichard then has Dutt escorted out of the ring.

It’s on!! #DestX #IMPACTonPOP pic.twitter.com/M1eaB5Ya1q

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) August 4, 2017

– We see a video package about Lashley getting in some training at American Top Team.

– Joseph Park tells Grado he needs to win tonight to make some money, Park will get Laurel so they can get married tonight.

Eddie Edwards vs. Eli Drake: Adonis is out with Drake. But as Edwards’ music hits, Kongo Kong is attacking Edwards backstage, and lays him out. No match.

– Backstage, Kongo Kong is now killing Dick Justice as Laurel is throwing a fit. No stand by tonight for brother Justice.

GFW Grand Championship Match: Champion Moose vs. EC3: Moose attacks at the bell, working over EC3 in the corner. Moose controls most of the round until they go to the floor, where EC3 cuts him off by slamming him to the steps and yells at the judges (Dutch, Prichard, & D’Amore). EC3 continues his assault back in the ring and the round ends. EC3 wins round one 29-28. EC3 attacks at the bell and takes it to the floor, working over Moose and repeatedly slamming him to the apron. Back in and EC3 slows the pace, maintaining control Moose fires up with chops, but EC3 cuts him off with an XPLODER. The corner splash follows, and EC3 then slaps Moose around. Moose hits a desperation head butt and hits some corner attacks. The hesitation dropkick follows. EC3 to the ropes, but Moose hits the dropkick and looks for the game changer but the round ends. Moose wins round 2 29-28, we’re tied 1-1 heading into the final round. EC3 bails to the floor as the round begins, Moose follows and hits a running kick. Back in and EC3 crotches Moose up top and follows with the TKO for 2 Moose fires back, hitting the big kick, pop up powerbomb and running senton for 2. EC3 avoids a charge, heads up top but Moose cuts that off with the sky high for a near fall. Both men look for finishers, we get a series of counters, and EC3 finally hits the one percenter for 2. EC3 hits a running knee, Moose fires up but EC3 KILLS him with a lariat, Moose counters out of the ECD and hits a chokeslam and the round ends. Round 3 is 10-10 tie (Dutch), 10-10 tie (D’Amore), 10-8 for EC3 (Prichard) EC3 defeated Champion Moose via “split decision” [**¾] The final round was great, while the first two rounds were fine but unspectacular. I wonder if this is the start of a Bruce Prichard heel turn, scoring the final round 10-8 for EC3. This was pretty good overall. Hopefully EC3’s charisma and willingness to fuck with the rules will add some life to this title and division.

Suicide, Grado, and Braxton Sutter vs. KM, Mario Bokara, and Fallah Bahh: the faces take early control and strut around, allowing the heels to attack. Grado fights back, tossing KM and the faces eventually clear the ring. Sutter then hits a dove to wipe them out, Suicide follows with the Nestea plunge. Grado up top and Bokara knocks him off and to the mat. Bokara and Bahh work the heat on Grado, KM tags in and knocks Suicide and Sutter to the floor. Grado fires up with the flip flop and fly. Bokara cuts him off and tosses him to the floor. Suicide in and cuts off Bokara, but Bahh wipes him out with a running cross body, but Sutter sends him to the floor. It’s down to KM and Sutter, Grado trips up KM and pins him. Suicide, Grado, and Braxton Sutter defeated KM, Mario Bokara, and Fallah Bahh @ 3:40 via pin [*½] This was a quick filler tag, which wasn’t all that good. It was here to get Grado a win to continue his angle with Laurel.

– Grado calls out Laurel Van Ness, and she arrives with Joe Park. Kongo Kong arrives and kicks the shit out of Grado. Sutter is done with this bullshit, grabs Allie and they leave as Park pulls Grado to the floor as Laurel tries to calm Kong.

– LAX is interviewed as Konnan calls McKenzie “random white girl #5.” Konnan calls Patron a liar and says his dad and brother may turn on him tonight. Konnan promises to get revenge.

– New GFW Grand Champion EC3 arrives to gloat about his victory. He claims to be the grandest champion of all time and wants to celebrate, hop on a party bus with his boys. He then talks to the grand championship, telling it he wants to touch and kiss it, hell he loves the grand championship, He gives the belt a kiss, and then tells the belt they are getting out of here. I hope those crazy kids make it. This was completely silly, douchey and over the top in the best way possible.

LAX (Homicide, Santana, & Ortiz) vs. Alberto El Patron, El Hijo de Dos Caras and Dos Caras: Konnan and Diamante are out with LAX. Dos Caras and Homicide to begin, Dos Caras controls early. El Hijo de Dos Caras tags in, sending Homicide to the floor and hitting a dive as we take a break. Post break, Patron tags in and works over Homicide, gets a phantom pin as the ref gets distracted. Patron gets sent to the floor, LAX rolls him back in and works the heat, keeping Patron grounded. Patron gets posted, and that allows Santana and Ortiz to work quick tags and keep control. Patron fights back, tags in El Hijo de Dos Caras and he runs wild, picking up a near fall. El Hijo de Dos Caras up top, but he gets crotched by Santana. Ortiz follows with a superplex, covering for 2. Homicide gets the tag, grounding El Hijo de Dos Caras. LAX keeps working quick tags, continuing the heat on El Hijo de Dos Caras. El Hijo de Dos Caras manages a code breaker on Homicide, Patron tags in and runs wild, hitting back breakers and back stabbers. El Hijo de Dos Caras takes Homicide to the floor, but misses the plancha. Patron works over Santana, heads up top and Santana tries to cut him off, but Patron knocks him into the tree of WHOA and hits the double stomp. We get a ref bump, arm bar by Patron and we get a phantom tap. El Hijo de Dos Caras has a chair, and takes out Homicide. Konnan takes out El Hijo de Dos Caras on the floor, Another arm bar by Patron but Low Ki Arrives wearing an LAX jacket and hits the double stomp on Patron. Santana pins Patron for the LAX win. LAX (Homicide, Santana, & Ortiz) defeated Alberto El Patron, El Hijo de Dos Caras and Dos Caras @ 17:00 via pin [**½] This was a solid main event, I am happy that LAX finally won, but wish they didn’t need a ref bump and Low Ki to do it. The match was solid, and I like the addition of Low Ki, as he’s a guy that can work in the X-Division and heavyweight division for the group.

– End scene.

– Thanks for reading.

“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia!”

6.3

The final score: review Average

The 411

This was another solid edition of GFW Impact Wrestling, starting strong but unfortunately fading in the final portion with the random filler tag team match, the Grado stuff and a rather average main event with a good reveal. The good news is that Destination X on August 17th is looking like a really good show. They've done a good job building some excitement for that show.