Professional Wrestling - In Review   Impact Wrestling - Bound for Glory Edition

By: Kobain Reid     10/23/2023

 

News and interesting developments in Pro Wrestling:

        WWE have been slowly building their WarGames match for Survivor Series on 11/25 in Chicago. They haven't announced the match yet, but currently that is the plan. WWE also made many fans think they were teasing a GM Vs GM WarGames match, this has been debunked as reports have stated that is not the current plan. I never thought it would until they announced the new Smackdown GM, making the brands more split, but even then, they’d have to have stricter brand split rules. They are very lenient as big stars and factions are tried to be represented on each show weekly. They've currently distributed 15,128 tickets for the event. Amazing number, not out of the ordinary for WWE, but still a great number.

        CM Punk was spotted backstage at TV tapings for Impact Wrestling on 10/22. This is probably due to Ace Steel potentially becoming a producer for Impact. But fans are still speculating and fantasy booking scenarios. He was also backstage at WWE Raw events shortly after his release from AEW. It was thought Punk was a straight shot with hardcore WWE fans, and there is still speculation that he will appear at WWE Survivor Series in Chicago. However, Punk has not signed a deal, and reports from WWE higher ups claim no talks are in progress, WWE believes they can sign him if they want, but that the internal belief is the negatives outweigh the positives.

        AEW is on fire, in terms of match quality and story elements featured on TV. Unfortunately they are dead cold with ticket Sales, and TV viewership is down a small percent each year. Lack of consistent local marketing and negative social media light among other factors, such as the decrease of cable in homes, definitely helped cause the decrease.

        Will Ospreay is currently on the best professional wrestling run of all-time and there's no debate in that. His last several matches were all classics and included the likes of, Mike Bailey (Impact BFG 2023), Zach Sabre JR (NJPW Royal Quest III), Kenny Omega, Chris Jericho, Kota Ibushi (6-man Tag AEW WrestleDream), Yota Tsuji (NJPW Destruction in Kobe), Naomichi Marufuji (NOAH), Kenny Omega (AEW x NJPW FD II) and many more. Reason we say this is, Ospreys contract with New Japan Pro Wrestling is set to expire 2024, and while I expect him to re-sign, there will be a bidding war, every promotion is said to have interest. WWE previously offered Ospreay a contract in 2016, he politely declined and decided to hone his craft in Japan and around the world for the last 8 years. 

        

 

Bound For Glory 2023 

        Impact Wrestling held their biggest event of the year this past weekend at Cicero Stadium, in Chicago, IL. 2500 were packed and on fire all night. Same amount NJPW drew for their show “Battle In The Valley” earlier this year, and just shy of the AEW Collision attendance of ~2900+ in Memphis, TN that happened the same night. The show started 30 minutes early so the Impact Wrestling Hall Of Fame could take place. Inducted this year were Mike Tenay, Don West, Traci Brooks. They share the honor with, in order of induction, Sting, Kurt Angle, Jeff Jarrett, Earl Hebner, Gail Kim, Abyss, Ken Shamrock, Awesome Kong, Raven, and Team 3D (Bully Ray, Devon).

        Show opens with NJPW’s Kenta Vs Chris Sabin (c) for the Impact Wrestling X-Division Championship. Quickly paced opening bout that was very enjoyable and also was a decent wrestling match. Kenta played the heel in this match and controlled the crowd through the in-ring story. CM Punk, an infamous name in the wrestling world and in the City of Chicago, popularized the “Go-2-Sleep” move in the US, although Kenta was the originator of the move. In the match Kenta would tease the move only to have it countered each time, Kenta then decided to not hit it at all and showed the crowd two middle fingers. Obviously, Kenta wanting to protect his finisher is the reason. The match went 11:28 and Sabin Retained, they didn't go all out, but they didn't have to. Good opening contest to get the crowd invested, it did what it needed to and both performers did well. If I were to rate, I’d go ***.

        The Monsters Ball Match was next, participants included PCO, Moose, Rhino, and Steve Maclin. This match wasn't anything special, it featured mostly PCO carrying the match, doing his usual insane stunts and bumps. PCO deservingly gets the win.

        The Impact Wrestling World Tag-Team Championships were on the line next. Bullet Club ABC (Ace Austin, Chris Bey) used their “Feast Or Fired” contract to get this title shot against champions, The Rascalz (Zachary Wentz, Trey Miguel). This match reminded me so much of the Motor City Machine Guns Vs Beer Money Feud. The style of wrestling, transitions, sequences and plans were impeccable. What hurts the match is it being under 10 minutes, but to its credit, it felt like 12 or 13 minutes. I really did enjoy the match, ABC came out on top and reclaim the titles. There was a spot where Bey was supposed to fly in from the top rope to break up the pin, the cameras spoiled the break-up beforehand, something small but ruined the spot for me. Regardless, very great stuff, every performer on this show showed out tonight. I’d say also ***.

        A match that absolutely is a draw on paper, mainly due to Will Ospreay. However, if you didn’t know Mike Bailey, you knew his name tonight. Big fight title match feel when Ospreay’s title wasn't actually on the line. This is how you make a star. Ospreay sold so well and Bailey pulled every move in his arsenal out. A modern pro-wrestling spectacle, call backs to TNA Wrestling with Ospreay doing a Styles Clash, and the crazy aerial techniques that defined the X-Division and what defined TNA. Bailey worked on the torso of Ospreay for this match. Moonsaults, shooting star double knees to the back, countered the Oscutter with a code-breaker type move, physical chops, strikes, and amazingly athletic and physical kicks. Really great preview of what Bailey can do and the near falls were perfect. Ospreay hit a Storm-Driver ‘91, same thing he did to Kenny at Forbidden Door II, but this one looked cleaner, then Hidden Blade and Storm-Breaker for the win in 17:59. I wished it was longer but I loved every bit, and the crowd and fans at home were nothing but praise. This match will be looked on for generations. I’d go *****.

        Next was the “ Call your shot Gauntlet Battle Royal Match '' It's just a very gimmicky and silly rumble, but It was probably the most entertaining battle royal any promotion has produced this year. OK technical ability, and the end featured Jordynne Grace Pinning Bully Ray to win and becoming the first “Knockout” to win it. Some notable surprise names to show up were Matt Cardona, and Juventud Guerrera.

        Next the Knockouts World title Match. Trinity (c) def. Mickie James by pin in 11:58. Mickie James looked great, both women clearly had chemistry and the ability to produce a decent match together. Nothing crazy but not boring, and barring a few botches, a good, and interesting match. Trinity Submits Mickie James and immediately lets go and kisses James before celebrating. You could tell this was emotional for her. I’d go **¾. 

        The Main Event is probably the match that had the most story going in besides the Knockouts and Tag title matches. Josh Alexander, who is a 2-time Impact World Champion, and the longest reigning Impact world champion before becoming injured and being forced to vacate. Steve Maclin would go on to win the vacated title at Multiverse United I of this year, Alex Shelley would take it from him at Against All Odds in Columbus and continue to hold it to this day. Alexander comes in to challenge Shelley for the title he never lost. It was a Physical, quick paced, technical pro wrestling match. Lots of fantastic mat work and grapples. Each performer got adequate offense and it was the longest non rumble match on the card at 22:32. There were some gnarly submissions and near falls. Shelley has challenged Alexander for the belt before and lost, so this time it took everything. They show this in an interesting way by having Shelley knock Alexander's headGear off and Mouthguard out of his mouth before hitting a shellshock for the win and to finally prove that he is the face of modern Impact. Which leads us to a new era in Impact Wrestling history. I’d go ****. The screen immediately cut to an emotional cinematic with multiple TNA and Impact originals. They said it was time to rewrite history and create their own chapters. They said wherever they go, no matter what, the fans never forgot what they truly loved, Total Nonstop Action. They will be rebranding and changing everything aesthetically to match starting at Hard To Kill 2024. Scott D’Amore cut a very emotional promo, He said “TNA Wrestling is back! We’re F*****g back!!” and sounded like he was about to cry at the end and I was already crying. If you love something, don't let it go.