Csonka’s Impact One Night Only: GFW Amped Anthology Part II Review

Csonka’s Impact One Night Only: GFW Amped Anthology Part II Review

OFFICIAL RESULTS
– GFW Tag Title Tournament Match: Reno Scum defeated Los Luchas @ 9:10 via pin [**½]
– GFW Title Tournament Match: Chris Mordetsky defeated Brian Myers @ 8:47 via submission [**]
– GFW Tag Title Tournament Match: Teaze ‘n’ Sleaze Kenny King & Joey Ryan defeated Cielo & Mysterioso Jr @ 6:40 via pin [**½]
– GFW Title Tournament Match: Shelton Benjamin defeated Kratos @ 5:58 via pin [*¾]
– GFW NEX*GEN Tournament Match: TJ Perkins defeated Andrew Everett @ 10:55 via submission [***½]
– GFW Tag Title Tournament Match: Bullet Club defeated KES @ 9:25 via pin [**½]
– PJ Black, & The Akbars defeated Sonjay Dutt, & Los Luchas @ 7:18 via pin [**¾]
– GFW Title Tournament Match: Bobby Roode defeated Eric Young @ 9:17 via pin [***]

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You can read my review of Part I (episodes 1-4) at this link.

EPISODE FIVE
– Sonnen & Fees welcome us to the show.

Reno Scum (Adam Thornstowe and Luster the Legend) vs. Los Luchas (Zokre & Phoenix Star): They go power vs. speed to begin, with Scum taking the early advantage. Thornstowe was a lot bigger here than he was when the team made their Impact debut. Zokre with the blind tag, and Los Luchas work double teams and take control. They pick up the pace; Legend tags in and hits a big lariat to take control. Scum double team Star, and do pitty city in an ode to the Nasty Boys. They work quick tags, double teaming Star. It’s slowed quite a bit here, the double teams continue with Scum maintaining control. Thornstowe hits a double stomp and senton, covering for 2. Star finally gets the tag to Zokre and he runs wild and hits a moonsault for 2. Double 619 on Legend follows, and they send him to the floor. Thornstowe then hits a dive, Zokre then hits a dive to wipe out the pile. Back in and Los Luchas hit a blockbuster/backstabber combo for 2. Scum tosses Los Luchas to the floor, and then back in an Scum hits a buckle bomb/tree of WHOA combo; Thornstowe hits a DVD and double team double stomp and that’s that. Reno Scum defeated Los Luchas @ 9:10 via pin [**½] This was a solid match, with a lethargic middle and a hot ending stretch.

– We get a Bullet Club video package on Anderson & Gallows.

– Jeff Jarrett arrives now. Jarrett thanks the fans, the Orleans arena, and the athletes competing for GFW. He was raised in this business and was a fan before he got in to the business. He hypes Shelton Benjamin, KES (Smith & Archer) and Anderson & Gallows. Bobby Roode interrupts and makes his way to the ring. They added in new commentary, noting that Roode has been a champion everywhere, including NXT, and calling him the glorious one. Roode runs down Jarrett and the fans, and it makes him sick. Roode then runs down GFW and Jarrett for walking away from a real company in TNA. Roode says no one cares about Bullet Club, because he’s the only star here. Roode used to play by Jarrett’s rules and beat his boy last time out. Roode is not having a good time here, so Jarrett books him in the tournament against Eric Young.

– We get a Brian Myers video package. Mordetsky puts Myers over, but says he’s the primetime player and Myers is more of a role player.

– Christina Von Eerie meets with Reno Scum backstage.

Chris Mordetsky vs. Brian Myers: The winner moves onto face Nick Aldis. Again, we get some fresh commentary additions, noting that Myers is on WWE TV. Mordetsky looks to use his power game to begin. Myers picks up the pace, but Mordetsky cuts him off, posting him and sending him to the floor. Mordetsky then follows Myers to the floor, works him over and brings him back in. Mordetsky maintains control, really slowing things down as he works the back. Myers tries to fire up, but Mordetsky cuts him off and they trade strikes. Dropkick by Myers and we get a double down. Myers lays in strikes and forearms, the flatliner follows for 2. Myers runs into a spinebuster, and Mordetsky covers for 2. Mordetsky looks for the master lock, Myers escapes and hits a spear but Mordetsky rolls to the floor. Myers rolls him back in, but Mordetsky catches him low, master lock and Myers is done. Chris Mordetsky defeated Brian Myers @ 8:47 via submission [**] This was ok at best, but lacked drama and excitement; it was very flat.

EPISODE SIX
– Chael Sonnen & Cyrus Fees hype the episode.

Cielo & Mysterioso Jr vs. Teaze ‘n’ Sleaze Kenny King & Joey Ryan: We get updated commentary again, noting Ryan’s appearance on GLOW & King being on The Bachelorette. Ryan and Cielo in to begin. Cielo runs King & Ryan together, Mysterioso in and he works over King with leg kicks. The RANA follows and tags in Cielo. He and Mysterioso work double teams, and Cielo covers for 2. Ryan distracts Cielo, allowing King to attack. He and Ryan take control, working quick tags and isolating Cielo. Cielo finally cuts off Ryan with a knee strike, and tags in Mysterioso. He runs wild on King, hits a missile dropkick and then a bulldog on Ryan for 2. It breaks down, Cielo tossed to the floor and Mysterioso fights by himself, but eats a superkick and royal flush for the finish. Teaze ‘n’ Sleaze Kenny King & Joey Ryan defeated Cielo & Mysterioso Jr @ 6:40 via pin [**½] This was a perfectly fine match, but just lacked a hot closing stretch. The crowd is a lot cooler than on the first batch of shows.

– We get a Shelton Benjamin video package.

– We get an in remembrance segment for Roddy Piper, who at the time, had just passed away. Jeff Jarrett & the writer/star (Brett Granstaff) of Piper’s final movie (The Masked Saint) make their way to the ring. Jarrett talks about being a fan of Piper growing up, and spoke about how much he respected him and how important he was for wrestling. He says that Piper was supposed to be in attendance tonight (I believe this was taped the night after Piper died). Granstaff talks about Piper dropping F Bombs on the set of the film, which is a Christian film. We get footage of Piper talking about the film and a trailer for the movie. They then do the 10-bell salute.

– We get a TJ Perkins video package.

– We now get a video package on Kratos.

Shelton Benjamin vs. Kratos: Kratos looks to use his power advantage to begin, but Benjamin comes back with a spin kick and they work to the floor. Kratos posts Benjamin, and follows with a running knee strike. Back in and he takes the heat, slowing the pace and hitting a delayed suplex and covering for 2. This has slowed to a crawl, they trade strikes and Benjamin then hits a corner splash. The Samoan drop follows and Benjamin covers for 2. Kratos hits a powerslam, and he covers for 2. Kratos hits a clothesline and running kick for 2. The knee strike follows, Kratos heads up top but Benjamin pops up and leaps up and hits the suplex. Pay dirt hits and Benjamin wins. Shelton Benjamin defeated Kratos @ 5:58 via pin [*¾] This wasn’t very good, had a poor flow and layout, and just did nothing to interest me or the live crowd.

EPISODE SEVEN
– We get a Bullet Club video package.

– Chael Sonnen & Cyrus Fees hype the episode.

– We get an Andrew Everett video package.

TJ Perkins vs. Andrew Everett: They work a really fun and fast paced opening stretch. Sonnen compared TJP to Prince Iaukea, sure if it was TJP from the shittiest timeline. Everett fights back, sends Perkins to the floor and follows with the big shooting star press. Back in and they keep up the pace until Everett decides to ground the action. Everett keeps going for pins, but Perkins picks up the pace and locks in the octopus hold. Everett escapes, but Perkins attacks the arm now and follows with the senton atomico. Perkins keeps it grounded, maintaining the control on the arm. Really sick ground work by Perkins, as you’d expect. Everett finally escapes and fights back, and hits a missile dropkick. Everett fires up with strikes, hits the blue thunder bomb and they work into a fast paced series of counters, with Everett hitting a standing shooting star press for 2. They work up top, Perkins shoved off, but Perkins counters with a dropkick and rolls up Everett for 2. Perkins hits rolling suplexes, heads up top and the frog splash eats knees and Everett cradles him for 2. Everett does the deal, hitting the falcon arrow and the 630 MISSES! Perkins up top, hits a frog splash to the arm and locks in an arm bar; Everett taps. TJ Perkins defeated Andrew Everett @ 10:55 via submission [***½] This was a very good match, easily the best on the show so far. We had fun highflying and Perkins’ work on the arm paid off in the end.

– We get a Bullet Club video package.

– Bobby Roode makes his way to the ring. Roode would rather be anywhere else than in Las Vegas for GFW. But as the KOTM champion, it’s his duty to be here. Jarrett continues to play games with him. He’s here to be a champion. He played Jarrett’s game, submitting Kevin Kross, but now he has to face Eric Young; they broke in together but now Young is insane. He refuses to go through with it because Young belongs in an asylum. Young arrives and Roode bails. Young promises to be Roode’s worst nightmare and a world-class maniac. Roode jumps him and they brawl. Young fights back and officials separate them.

– They tease that Benjamin is concussed and out of the tournament.

– We get a Nick Aldis video package.

Bullet Club (Anderson & Gallows) w/Amber Gallows vs. KES (Smith & Archer): They brawl at the bell and work to the floor. They brawl around ringside, with KES taking control and bringing it back into the ring. Archer tosses Anderson around, hits a short-armed clothesline and shoulder blocks. KES work quick tags and double teams, Smith hits a neck breaker and follows with ground and pound, and a camel clutch. Archer tags back in, continuing to ground Anderson. Archer misses a charge, Anderson fights back but Archer cuts him off with a slam and leg drop for 2. Smith in and hits some suplexes, and locks in an arm bar but Gallows makes the save. KES works over Anderson with double teams, Smith lays in kicks but misses a knee and Anderson hits the jumping kick and tags in Gallows. Gallows hits Archer with a series of kicks, hits an uppercut and tree slam for 2. KES battles back, hits the Hart attack for 2 and then set up the killer bomb but Gallows fights them off, but they cut him off and hit it anyway as Anderson makes the save. Archer up top and MISSES the moonsault, gun stun and the magic killer finishes Archer. Bullet Club defeated KES @ 9:25 via pin [**½] This was another solid/average match, it felt longer than it really was as KES’ heat was really bland.

EPISODE EIGHT
– Chael Sonnen & Cyrus Fees hype the episode.

– The Akbars are here, claiming discrimination against them. Tonight, they will project their hate against Dutt & Los Luchas.

PJ Black, & The Akbars vs. Sonjay Dutt, & Los Luchas: Los Luchas run wild to begin, Dutt tags in and works with Black. They keep the pace quick, with Dutt hitting a RANA and then grounding Black, working the arm. The Akbars distract Dutt and then beat him down on the floor. The Akbars take the heat, working quick tags and isolating Dutt in their corner. Black in and they triple team Dutt, Black works him over a bit but Dutt manages to fight back against the Akbars and tags in Star. Star runs wild, working over Black and Zokre is in Dutt returns as they work over the Akbars. Los Luchas run wild, Dutt and Los Luchas hit dives and wipe out the Akbars. Zokre takes out Black with a dropkick, it breaks down as Dutt and Los Luchas take control, but Black flies in and hits a double stomp and pins a Lucha for the win. PJ Black, & The Akbars defeated Sonjay Dutt, & Los Luchas @ 7:18 via pin [**¾] Pretty good match overall, but a but chaotic/sloppy at times; it was far from smooth, but was pretty fun.

– Post match, Black, & The Akbars beat down Dutt & Los Luchas.

– We get a Nick Aldis video package.

– It’s time for Chael Sonnen’s talky segment. Sonnen brings out Chris Mordetsky, who he calls the future of GFW. Sonnen puts him over big time, and they talk about Sonnen beating down “a crappy British fighter Michael Bisping,” and now Mordetsky will beat down one as well in Nick Aldis. Mordetsky says after he beats Aldis, he’ll go to his house, slap Mickie James in the ass and tell her to make him a steak. Aldis arrives, and says Mordetsky looks like a guy about to be bitch slapped, and says if he mentions Mickie again and he’ll shove a shoe up his ass. Mordetsky attacks, locks on the master lock and stands tall.

– Sonnen again ruins down Phil Baroni, who was in the crowd. That was supposed to be a “big feud” for GFW coming out of the tapings.

– We get a video package for Bobby Roode vs. Eric Young.

– The hype the GFW women’s division.

Bobby Roode vs. Eric Young: They brawl at the bell, Roode takes control and looks for a crossface but Young cuts him off and teases the piledriver; Roode rolls to the floor. They continue to brawl around ringside, Young slams Roode to the steps and they work back into the ring. Roode hits the dropkick, sending Young back to the floor. They tease a countout, but Young beats the count. Roode keeps control, working the heat and then grounding Young. Young fires back with a forearm, picks up the pace and they end up in a double down after both men hit lariats. They trade rights now, throwing bombs and Young finally fires up and takes control, hitting a belly to belly for a good near fall. Young follows with the top rope elbow drop, covering for 2. Roode fights off the piledriver, and hits a spinebuster for 2. Roode applies the crossface, but Young fights and makes the ropes. Young comes back with cradle for 2. Roode does the deal, hitting the falcon arrow for 2. Roode argues with the ref, Young looks to make the comeback, but Roode cradles him and grabs the ropes for the win. Bobby Roode defeated Eric Young @ 9:17 via pin [***] As you would expect, this was a good match between two guys that have worked together a ton in their careers. It was far from their best work together, but it was good and enjoyable.

– End scene.

– Thanks for reading.

“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia!”

6.3

The final score: review Average

The 411

If I had to guess, I’d say our friends at GFW got some form of cease and desist/legal letter from WWE, as there was a ton of updated commentary on the show. Volume one was heavily advertised on the fact that a bunch of now WWE guys were on the show and advertisements like, “What’s Bobby Roode going at GFW Amped?” Commentary on this show was heavily updated in parts, noting that (for example) Bobby Roode has found success in NXT as a champion and that “the glorious one” was here. They also talked about Eric Young being in Sanity and Brian Myers & Shelton Benjamin being back with WWE. Obviously it’s updated since this was taped two-years ago.

As for Volume Two, I didn’t like it quite as much as Volume One; Volume one had a hotter crowd and overall better wrestling. This was solid, they had the one hour format down and had a plan, but it was far from a must see show, especially at $15.00.