Csonka’s March Best of Impact List: Cross Roads, Jim Mitchell, EC3, More

WELCOME back to column time with Larry! Today, I am going to discuss Impact Wrestling, specifically the weekly TV show. Impact Wrestling, slowly but surely, feels like they are getting things together under the latest leadership change. The shows are better and connected better than before, I wouldn’t say that they have put together a “hot streak,” but things are better. They are running more live events, they are airing some free content on Twitch, and the One Night Only events aren’t complete trash like in the past. Add in that they are taking a smarter path with live events, partnering with other establishes indies in the area, and are running smaller venues and selling those out, these are all positive signs. They are also finally running WrestleMania weekend with Lucha Underground, something both should have done years ago, and doing so together was an extremely smart move. Today’s column is meant to be a best of March style list, sharing what I feel you really need to see from the company. Feel free to make your picks in the comment section. Thanks for reading! It’s wrestling, we love it and will disagree. The only rules are “have a take, be respectful, and don’t be a dick.”

Taya Valkyrie is Back: On the March 1st episode of Impact Wrestling, Taya Valkyrie made her long awaited return to the promotion. The Knockouts roster has undergone some changes, but getting Valkyrie back into the mix is a very good thing. She immediately rekindled her feud with Rosemary, which was originally set to culminate at Bound for Glory in a fist blood match, but was cancelled due to VISA issues with Canada. But getting her right back into a feud with Rosemary made the most sense, continuing wasn’t finished, and giving us a feud under the title feud (Allie vs. Su Yung). The two faced off on the March 15th episode of Impact, they two faced off and had a good back and forth match. They smartly worked a double countout, following great sense of urgency and aggression during their match, and while there was no winner, Taya hit road to Valhalla on the stage to stand tall. The double countout worked to give us a taste, but to also not burn a loser straight off.

The Entire Cross Roads Show: The Impact Wrestling Cross Roads 2018 episode was a very good and strong show, heavy on wrestling and with nothing bad; it was Impact’s best show of 2018. Most “themed episodes” of Impact usually felt just like a regular episode of Impact, but this show felt different in a good way and delivered. We got good wrestling, set up for Cage vs. Lashley & Aries vs. Patron, two title changes, and the show absolutely flew by for me, which is always a good thing. The show gets a thumbs up, and I hope that they can keep delivering more shows like this one. This is a great example of what the company is capable of, and that the weekly show can be worth your time.

Father James Mitchell Returns: On the March 15th episode of Impact Wrestling, Jimmy Jacobs was issuing his final ultimatum to Joseph Park, he wanted Abyss, and wanted his monster Kongo Kong to take him out to become the one true monster on Impact Wrestling. And then something great happened, Jeep Park didn’t appear, and Abyss didn’t appear; the old music of the Disciples of The New Church played and Father James Mitchell made his way to the ring. But this was not for any simple cameo, he was here to meet with Jacobs, and had a lot to say. Mitchell & Jacobs exchanged pleasantries, lading to a great promo from Mitchell. Mitchell gave a great & abbreviated version of his history with Abyss (essential for new viewers), explaining why he reverts to Joe Park, and then of all things… thanking Jacobs. Thanking him because Jacobs’ actions had given him something he couldn’t get on his own, monster of mass destruction, Abyss. Jacobs had been doing a good job carrying the feud, setting the stage, but with all due respect to Abyss, it’s extremely hard to care about him in his broken down state in 2018. He’s worked hard and at on point was one of the best big men in wrestling, and had some really great matches back in the day. But it’s 2018; he’s beaten down, has severe knee issues, and struggles to get through matches. The Monster’s Ball match they ended up having wasn’t good, and I never expected mush, but for one night James Mitchell made me care about the feud, about the match and about Abyss. That’s next level work. I know he’s largely out of wrestling at this point, but the man is so damn good, I wish they could find a way to get him to work with them more going forward, give the man a new monster and let him do what he does best.

EC3’s Farewell: On the March 15th episode of Impact Wrestling, the feast or fired match returned and due to the way the business works in 2018, and the fact that he had already shown up on NXT takeover, we all knew that EC3 was getting the “fired” case. But I fee that Impact Wrestling did an excellent job writing out EC3, as he proclaimed in the lead up to the match that “the case he wins will be the key to his future” taking him to “where he belongs” and giving him “what he deserves.” On the March 22nd episode of Impact Wrestling, they kept this going, as they were smart enough not to insult the intelligence of the fans that knew he was leaving. The whole thing was so self aware, including a hilarious moment when EC3 was trying to cut his promo about opening the case; he was constantly interrupted by people walking through saying that he’s getting fired, which was a tremendous running gag all things considered. And then the whole case opening ceremony was also well played, as EC3 went through denial, anger, bargaining, and finally acceptance as he then took his firing like a man and then attacked Jeremy Borash (which also appears to be his TV exit from the company). In his final act for the company, he refused to leave, which led to one of Impact’s newest acquisitions, Cage, arriving and laying him out with no resistance. It was a fun and memorable way for him to make his exit. Good luck EC3.

– End scene.

– Thanks for reading.

“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia.”