Opinion: Match & Show Ratings for September 11 to September 17, 2022

Welcome to TPWW’s Emperor Smeat’s Match and Show Ratings for the week of September 11th to September 17th, 2022.

Match and show star ratings (out of 5):

WWE

WWE RAW (Sept. 12)
* Matt Riddle vs. Finn Balor – 3.0
* WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship – Damage CTRL (Dakota Kai & IYO SKY) vs. Aliyah & Raquel Rodriguez (c) – 2.0
* Chad Gable vs. Johnny Gargano – 3.5
* RAW Women’s Championship Open Challenge match – Sonya Deville vs. Bianca Belair (c) – 2.5
* 2-on-1 Handicap match – Omos vs. Invictus Khash & Ryan Toombs – 1.5 (Squash)
* Edge vs. Dominik Mysterio – 2.5
Overall – 3.0
Best – Austin Theory & Kevin Owens’ promo segment.
Worst – WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship match being sloppy & falling apart near the end.
Show Notes – Opening Rollins’ promo gloating about his win over Riddle, not being interested in a rematch, and WWE gold plans, Riddle’s interruption brawl and Rollins running away, Judgement Day offering Riddle a spot in their group, Riddle’s rejection, Balor’s pothead dig retort, & brawl was all right. Riddle vs. Balor match was mostly good despite dragging a bit long & shenanigans ending by Rollins. Dominik’s dark room backstage promo about why he attacked Edge & Rey, being upset at his dad always telling what to do for his career instead of asking him what he wanted to do, & dig at Rey’s small size was decent but also a bit goofy over Dom’s rough acting skills. WWE Women’s Tag titles match was somewhat solid at best despite being sloppy at times & falling apart at the end. Aliyah & Rodriguez’s title reign was a big bust in the end. Rey & Dominik’s backstage segment about Dom ignoring all of Rey’s pleas & warnings & Ripley’s interruption mocking Rey was all right. Gable vs. Gargano moments: Gargano’s slingshot spear to Gable. Gable’s ankle lock to Gargano into Garnago’s block in the corner into Gable’s leg grab & deadlift Cliffhanger DDT. Gargano & Gable’s strikes exchange into Gargano’s discus lariat flooring Gable. Gargano’s backdrop over the ropes to Gable onto Otis into Gargano’s suicide dive onto Gable & Otis sending Otis into the announcer’s table. Gargano’s One Final Beat finisher to Gable. Match itself was a very entertaining action filled bout. Post-match brawl with Otis & ambush attack by Theory was all right. Theory’s promo trashing Gargano and getting pissed at the crowd’s “What” chants, Kevin Owens’ interruption, Theory’s retort trashing others and boasting about himself, insults banter, Owens claiming people like him and Gargano are the real souls of the wrestling business and not those like Theory who are just handed everything, & brawl was great. RAW Women’s title match was a solid back-and-forth bout. Post-match Bayley’s promo gloating over Damage CTRL taking the Women’s Tag titles, mind games over Belair wanting a match together, & brawl with Damage CTRL, Asuka, & Alexa Bliss was decent. WWE botching the feed of the show during Omos’ return was a bit funny. Rollins’ backstage interview about being upset at Riddle and claiming he’s the “Face of RAW”, Lashley’s interruption claiming he’s the real Face of RAW due to holding the US gold, banter, & match setup was all right. Miz & Maryse taped home interview segment about Miz’s paranoia over Dexter Lumis & Lumis’ surprise appearance after Miz left was a bit funny. Edge vs. Mysterio – Edge’s ropes yank counter of Dom’s top rope attack into Ripley’s leg grab to Dominik counter of Edge’s superplex into Dom’s top rope splash. Edge’s punches to a tied up Dom in the ropes into Rey’s run-in blocking Edge’s spear. Match itself was mostly solid despite the lame DQ shenanigans ending by Judgement Day.
Final Thoughts – This week’s show was mostly enjoyable overall despite the second half dragging at times.

WWE NXT “2.0 1st Anniversary” (Sept. 13)
* NXT Tag Team Championship Steel Cage match – The Creed Brothers (Julius & Brutus Creed) vs. Pretty Deadly (Elton Prince & Kit Wilson) – 3.5
* Lash Legend vs. Fallon Henley – 2.0
* Quincy Elliot vs. Sean Gallagher – 2.0 (Squash)
* Tony D’Angelo & Stacks vs. Cameron Grimes & Joe Gacy – 2.5
* Nikkita Lyons & Zoey Stark vs. Kiana James & Arianna Grace – 2.5
* Javier Bernal vs. Hank Walker – 2.0
* NXT North American Championship – Solo Sikoa vs. Carmelo Hayes (c) – 3.0
Overall – 2.5
Best – NXT Tag Team Championship Steel Cage match
Worst – The flat ending to the Lash Legend vs. Fallon Henley match and the Josh Briggs, Brooks Jensen, Henley, & Toxic Attraction backstage segment.
Show Notes – NXT Tag titles Cage match opener moments: Creed Bros’ double catapults to Pretty Deadly onto the cage into PD’s grab save & climb up the cage counter into Creed Bros yanking PD off the cage back into the ring. PD’s superplex to Julius off the top of the cage. Julius’ double lift of PD from the corner into Brutus’ top rope Brutus Ball onto PD. Damon Kemp’s run-in attack handcuffing Julius onto the top of the cage. PD’s repeated smashes to Brutus into the cage into PD’s Spilt Milk finisher. Match itself was very entertaining despite the shenanigans by Kemp. NXT 2.0 first year recap video was all right. Legend vs. Henley was a somewhat solid brief bout despite the flat ending. Josh Briggs, Brooks Jensen, Henley, & Toxic Attraction about Jensen getting aroused next to Mandy Rose, Rose’s insults dig, & Henley’s insults retort was corny. Toxic Attraction promo segment about Rose gloating over her unified NXT Women’s titles win at Worlds Collide, Jayne and Dolin bragging about them being the best group in NXT, Rose gloating about her long title reign and demanding respect, Fyre’s interruption bashing Rose and Women’s title goal, & brawl was decent at best. Cora Jade’s video promo about her early NXT career struggles, match with Natalya changing her NXT career mindset, bashing Roxanne Perez, NXT fans, and NXT Women’s locker room, & “Generation of Jade” and NXT Women’s title goal was all right. Wendy Choo’s backstage interview about Jade’s comments trashing her and goofy voice, Legend’s interruption, & banter was goofy. D’Angelo & Stacks vs. Grimes Handicap match moments: Gacy & Dyad’s surprise walk-in & Gacy becoming Grimes’ impromptu tag partner. Match itself was a mostly solid bout. Post-match Grimes angry reaction to Gacy’s involvement and hug offer to join Schism & Dyad’s ambush attack to Grimes was decent. JD McDonagh’s rambling promo about getting a shave, hygiene, attack on Tyler Bate last week, & getting a bloody cut from his barber was decent & a bit weird. Bron Breakker’s backstage sitdown interview about his star rise in NXT & career lessons learned over the past year was all right. Bate’s backstage interview about wanting a NXT title rematch & issues with McDonagh was all right. Bernal vs. Walker was a somewhat solid back-and-forth bout despite dragging a bit at times. NXT NA title match moments: Trick Williams & Hayes’ pre-match promo boasting about Hayes’ being the top champ and their attack on Lee earlier was decent but Sikoa’s surprise return & taking over Lee’s spot was interesting. Match itself was a pretty good back-and-forth action bout & bit surprised Sikoa won. HBK’s video message revealing NXT ditching the 2.0 era & entering a new era was interesting.
Final Thoughts – This week’s show was average overall & dull at times.

WWE Friday Night SmackDown (Sept. 16)
* Sami Zayn vs. Ricochet – 3.5
* Bayley vs. Raquel Rodriguez – 2.5
* NXT North American Championship – Madcap Moss vs. Solo Sikoa (c) – 2.5
* #1 Contender to Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Fatal Four-way match – Hit Row (Ashante “Thee” Adonis & Top Dolla) vs. New Day (Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods) vs. Imperium (Giovanni Vinci & Ludwig Kaiser) vs. Brawling Brutes (Butch & Ridge Holland) – 3.5
Overall – 3.0
Best – Sami Zayn vs. Ricochet match.
Worst – Ronda Rousey & Liv Morgan backstage face-to-face segment and WWE production going overboard with the fake crowd audio at times throughout the show.
Show Notes – Opening Logan Paul’s promo inviting Reigns to attend his press conference, Heyman’s insults interruption, Paul’s retort teasing his mystery announcement being a title match and claiming he could beat Reigns, Heyman’s retort sicking Sikoa after Paul, Zayn’s interruption taking control of the situation, & Paul’s KO punch response was decent. The crowd booing Paul throughout it was a bit funny though. Zayn vs. Ricochet moments: Zayn’s hard shove counter of Ricochet’s top rope attack sending him crashing to the outside. Ricochet’s step up flip and swift superkick to Zayn into Zayn’s Blue Thunder Bomb to Ricochet via Usos distraction assist. Zayn’s Half & Half suplex splatting Ricochet. Ricochet’s sunset splash to Usos & Zayn on the outside into Ricochet’s Shooting Star Press finisher. Match itself was a very entertaining action filled bout despite going overboard with the ringside shenanigans by the Usos & Paul. Karrion Kross’ black & white backstage promo about his sneak attack to McIntyre last week & him being the “People’s Executioner” was mostly decent. Maximum Male Models’ “Back to School” fashion collection, Strowman’s surprise interruption and sneak attack to MMM, & Alpha Academy’s attack to Strowman was all right but Mansoor & Mace’s shocked reactions to Strowman’s theme was a bit funny. Damage CTRL’s pre-match promo about them being able to take over both RAW & SD as Women’s Tag Champs, Bayley mocking the crowd and her quest for more power, Rodriquez’s interruption wanting revenge over what they did to Aliyah was decent. Bayley vs. Rodriguez was a solid back-and-forth bout despite the ending shenanigans by IYO SKY. Post-match attack by Damage CTRL & run-in save by Shotzi was decent but Shotzi’s random face turn was a bit weird. Rousey & Morgan face-to-face backstage promo segment was rough, especially Morgan’s stiff promo delivery. McIntyre’s promo bashing Kross & revenge beating threat was all right. NXT N.A. title match was a mostly solid back-and-forth hard hitting bout despite its sluggish pacing & ending shenanigans by Zayn. Fatal 4-Way Tag match moments: Dolla’s press slam to Adonis onto Brawling Brutes & Kaiser on the outside into Vinci’s chop block counter of Dolla’s dive. Holland’s high angle overhead suplex almost spiking Vinci. Butch’s moonsault to Imperium on the outside, running kick off the apron to Kingston, & snap German suplex to Adonis. Dolla’s Fireman’s carry & press slam combo to Kingston, Butch, & Woods at the same time. Holland’s lift & Alabama Slam counter of Dolla’s powerbomb. Imperium’s Imperial Drop to Kingston into Holland’s surprise tag stealing the win. Match itself was a very good action filled bout, especially the latter half.
Final Thoughts – This week’s show was mostly enjoyable overall.

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AEW

AEW Dark Elevation (Sept. 12)
* Marina Shafir & Nyla Rose vs. JC Storm & Joelle Clift – 1.5 (Squash)
* Julia Hart vs. Tiara James – 2.0 (Squash)
* Zack Clayton & Serpentico vs. Dante Martin and Matt Sydal – 2.0 (Squash)
* Emi Sakura vs. Athena – 3.0
* House of Black (Brody King & Buddy Matthews) vs. Isiah Prince and Kubes – 2.5 (Squash)
* Hikaru Shida vs. Christina Marie – 2.0 (Squash)
* Ryan Nemeth vs. John Silver – 2.5
* The Factory (Nick Comoroto & Aaron Solo) vs. The Butcher & the Blade – 2.5
Overall – 3.0
Best – Emi Sakura vs. Athena match.
Worst – Marina Shafir & Nyla Rose vs. JC Storm & Joelle Clift being a mostly rough match in terms of quality & flow.
Show Notes – Shafir & Rose vs. Storm & Clift opener moments: Shafir & Rose’s brutal looking spiked double team DDT finisher to Clift. Match itself was a somewhat decent at best squash bout despite its rough quality. Hart vs. James was a decent jobber destruction squash bout. Clayton & Serpentico vs. Martin & Sydal moments: Martin got some sweet hangtime with his springboard splash to Clayton & Serpentico on the outside. Match itself was a decent very brief squash bout. Sakura vs. Athena moments: Sakura’s handshake & tie up fakeouts to Athena at the start of their match into stiff slaps exchange in return. Athena’s handspring flip over forearm strike to Sakura in the corner. Sakura’s escape & spiked Whirling Dervish counter of Athena’s scoop slam. Sakura’s running splash in the corner & tilt-a-whirl backbreaker combo to Athena. Athena’s swift roundhouse kick & shotgun dropkick flooring Sakura. Sakura’s stiff chops & lariat combo to Athena. Athena’s powerbomb, swift thrust kick, & O-Face finisher combo to Sakura. Match itself was a pretty good back-and-forth hard hitting bout. House of Black vs. Prince and Kubes Tag moments: King’s running cannonball splatting Kubes in the corner. Match itself was a fine jobber destruction bout. Shida vs. Narie was a decent mostly squash style bout. Nemeth vs. Silver moments: Nemeth’s waistlock slam & Pee Wee dance taunt to Silver into Silver’s running spinning Euro uppercut & Pee Wee dance taunt in return. Nemeth’s leaping dropkick counter of Silver’s top rope attack sending him tumbling to the apron into Nemeth’s double foot choke via ropes assist. Silver shrugging off Nemeth’s strikes into Silver’s moves fest & Spin Doctor finisher combo. Match itself was a solid back-and-forth bout. The Factory vs. Butcher & Blade Tag moments: QT Marshall’s pre-match promo bashing Justin Roberts for botching The Factory’s intro & Buffalo in general was decent at best. Comoroto & Butcher’s hoss battle shoulder tackle duel into Comoroto’s knee strike into Butcher’s whip & backdrop counter of Comoroto’s whip into the corner. Butcher’s pump handle suplex to Solo into Comoroto’s break up counter of Butcher & Blade’s Drag The Lake to Solo into Comoroto & Solo’s double team double foot stomp backbreaker to Blade. Match itself was a solid bout. Butcher & Blade working in a face role for the match was interesting even if it was mostly due to the show being in their hometown.
Final Thoughts – This week’s show was enjoyable overall.

AEW Dark (Sept. 13)
* Penelope Ford vs. Alice Crowley – 2.0 (Squash)
* The Wingmen (Cezar Bononi & Ryan Nemeth) vs. Dante Martin & Matt Sydal – 3.0
* Diamante & Emi Sakura vs. Skye Blue & Queen Aminata – 3.0
* “Pretty” Peter Avalon vs. Danhausen – 2.5 (Squash)
* Angelico vs. Matt Hardy – 2.5
Overall – 3.0
Best – The Wingmen (Cezar Bononi & Ryan Nemeth) vs. Dante Martin & Matt Sydal match and the post-show Jon Moxley promo vignette.
Worst – Angelico vs. Matt Hardy match being a bit sluggish at times.
Show Notes – Ford vs. Crowley opener was a decent mostly squash style bout. Alex Marvez, Rebel, & Britt Baker backstage segment about Marvez questioning why they were in Hikaru Shida’s locker room & Marvez finding out quickly afterwards that they had beaten up Shida was interesting. Wingmen vs. Martin & Sydal Tag moments: Sydal’s slide & Martin’s shotgun dropkick counter of Bononi & Nemeth’s whip into each other. Sydal’s Tornado DDT counter of Bononi’s slam. Martin’s leap over counter of Nemeth’s attack on the apron & springboard crossbody to Bononi. Bononi’s Press Slam to Martin, toss to Nemeth, & double team reverse Fireman’s Carry to Martin. Martin’s rana over the ropes counter of Bononi’s powerbomb setup via Sydal assist into Sydal’s matrix dodge & knee strike to Nemeth & Martin’s seated splash to Bononi on the outside into Sydal’s Question Mark Kick and Martin’s Nosedive finisher to Nemeth. Match itself was a pretty good back-and-forth bout. Women’s Tag moments: Diamante’s dodge & stiff German suplex counter of Blue’s strike. Sakura’s Mongolian chops, back rake, & underhook backbreaker combo to Blue. Aminata’s block & double handed chop counter of Diamante’s boot kick & lariat to Sakura flooring both. Sakura’s machine gun chops fest to Aminata in the corner into Sakura’s running punch to Blue and running crossbody to Aminata, & Diamante trip fall splash and Sakura’s Vader Bomb to Aminata. Blue’s toss to Diamante & Aminata’s swift headbutt to Sakura sending bout out of the ring into Blue’s top rope splash to Diamante, Sakura, & Baliyan Akki. Sakura’s chop to Blue into Blue’s swift thrust kick & Modified Flatliner finisher to Sakura. Match itself was a pretty good back-and-forth bout & Aminata getting her first ever AEW win was interesting. Avalon vs. Danhausen moments: Danhausen’s shoulder tackle & slingshot release German suplex counter of Avalon’s running attack. Danhausen’s curse & Magikatami finisher to Avalon. Match itself was an entertaining mostly squash bout with some nice comedic moments: Angelico vs. Hardy moments: Hardy’s spiked Twist of Fate finisher to Angelico. Match itself was a mostly solid back-and-forth bout despite dragging at times. Post-show Jon Moxley’s promo vignette about his passionate speech over the AEW title meaning everything to him & another chance to regain his title was awesome.
Final Thoughts – This week’s show was enjoyable overall.

AEW Dynamite (Sept. 14)
* AEW Tournament of Champions Semifinals Round match – Sammy Guevara vs. Jon Moxley – 3.5
* Jungle Boy vs. Jay Lethal – 3.0
* Powerhouse Hobbs vs. Matt DiMartino – 2.0 (Squash)
* AEW World Tag Team Championship – Lucha Bros (Rey Fenix & Penta El Zero Miedo) vs. Swerve In Our Glory (Swerve Strickland & Keith Lee) (c) – 3.5
* Serena Deeb & Dr. Britt Baker vs. Athena & Toni Storm – 2.5
* AEW Tournament of Champions Semifinals Round match – Bryan Danielson vs. Chris Jericho – 4.0
Overall – 4.0
Best – The Luigi Primo, Ethan Page, & Danhausen backstage segment and the Bryan Danielson vs. Chris Jericho match.
Worst – Serena Deeb & Dr. Britt Baker vs. Athena & Toni Storm match being a bit rough at times.
Show Notes – Moxley vs. Guevara opener moments: Moxley’s swift lariat flooring Guevara. Moxley’s headlock driver counter of Guevara’s piledriver on the apron. Moxley’s vicious back rake & Butterfly suplex to Guevara. Guevara’s Spanish Fly counter of Moxley’s King King Lariat. Moxley & Guevara’s strikes exchange into Moxley’s escape & Death Rider counter of Guevara’s GTH. Match itself was a very good back-and-forth action bout. Post-match promo by MJF bashing Moxley and drunk guy insult, threats to Jericho & Danielson to stay out of his way, being a demon to Moxley, revealing himself as the boss of The Firm, & Stokely explaining why each guy joined the group was splendid. Jungle Boy vs. Lethal was a pretty good back-and-forth bout. Luigi Primo surprise backstage interview, ambush attack interruption by Ethan Page, Danhausen surprise pop-in, & match setup was funny, especially Primo’s sell & Marvez’s reaction afterwards. Hobbs vs. DiMartino was a decent brief squash style bout. Post-match promo by Hobbs mocking Ricky Starks & Starks’ surprise sneak attack from the crowd was all right. AEW Tag titles match moments: Fenix’s chop to Lee into Lee’s brutal chop flooring Fenix. Fenix’s escape & spin kick counter of Swerve’s Gory Special. Lee’s catch counter of Fenix’s crossbody into Lee’s lawn dart toss to Penta to break up his pin. Penta’s step up Destroyer to Lee was cool. Swerve’s shove to Fenix off the top rope & Lee’s Big Bang Catastrophe finisher to Penta. Match itself was a very good back-and-forth action filled bout. Post-match promo by the Acclaimed about Max Caster’s insults to Swerve & Lee and claiming they will win the AEW Tag titles next week was all right. Death Triangle backstage interview about Lucha Bros walking out, PAC boasting about his All-Atlantic title, & Orange’s interruption attack was all right. Women’s Tag match was a mostly solid bout & bit surprised Deeb pinned Storm. Post-match attack by Deeb and Baker & run-in save fakeout by Hayter and bickering with Baker was all right. Danielson vs. Jericho moments: Jericho & Danielson’s chest welting slaps & chops fest exchange. Jericho’s ropes shove counter of Danielson’s top rope attack into Jericho’s sweet looking top rope rana. Danielson’s dodge, snap German suplex, & Cattle Mutilation counter of Jericho’s Judas Effect. Jericho & Danielson’s chops exchange into Jericho’s Codebreaker into Danielson’s Busaiku Knee. Jericho’s suplex to Danielson on the floor injuring Danielson into Jericho’s repeated attacks to Danielson’s inujured ankle. Danielson’s death stare of the AEW title on the stand on the outside while being hammered by Jericho’s overhead elbows was cool. Jericho’s Figure Four to Danielson into Jericho & Danielson’s slugfest while in the hold into Danielson’s escape & LeBell lock finisher. Match itself was an awesome hard fought action filled battle.
Final Thoughts – This week’s show was great overall.

AEW Rampage (Sept. 16)
* Darby Allin vs. Matt Hardy – 3.0
* Penelope Ford vs. Willow Nightingale – 3.0
* “All Ego” Ethan Page vs. Danhausen – 2.0 (Squash)
* ROH World Television Championship – Josh Woods vs. Samoa Joe (c) – 3.0
Overall – 3.0
Best – ROH World Television Championship match.
Worst – The abrupt flat ending to the Darby Allin vs. Matt Hardy match.
Show Notes – Allin vs. Hardy opener moments: Hardy’s punch counter of Allin’s dive to the outside into Allin’s hard shove to Hardy onto the steel steps. Yikes at Allin’s back after his hard landing from his missed Swanton to Hardy on the apron. Also ouch at Allin’s back after Hardy’s powerbomb onto the post. Allin’s flip over escape & Scorpion Deathdrop counter of Hardy’s brainbuster. Allin’s dodge counter of Hardy’s moonsault into Allin’s Code Red. Match itself was a pretty good back-and-forth action bout despite the abrupt ending. Post-match lights out ambush attack by Brody King and Julia Hart to Hardy, Brody calling out Sting & Allin, & No DQ match setup was pretty cool. Kingston match hype video promo trashing Sammy Guevara was decent. Claudio Castagnoli’s interview segment praising ROH and Blackpool Combat Club, pep talk to Yuta over his ROH Pure title loss, praise to Harwood over their match last week, Moxley vs. Danielson match guaranteeing another World title for BCC, Jericho’s interruption about JAS being the best group, his loss to Danielson, and ROH title match challenge, & Claudio accepting was all right. Baddies taped backstage interview about Cargill being bored over the lack of real challengers for her TBS title and kicking Stokely out of the Baddies & Diamante’s match setup interruption was decent. Ford vs. Nightingale moments: Ford’s dodge counter of Nightingale’s pounce into Ford’s running dropkick onto the ropes & slingshot double knees on the apron to Nightingale. Ford’s matrix dodge & stunner counter of Nightingale’s running attack. Yikes at Ford’s head after her hard landing from Nightingale’s pounce onto the ropes. Match itself was a good back-and-forth action bout & bit surprised Ford won. Dark Order & Hangman Page’s backstage interview about Page apologizing for costing them the AEW Trios titles, Reynolds’ tell him not to worry and their plans to win the Battle Royale match, & RUSH’s interruption trashing them all was all right. Page vs. Danhausen moments: Page’s stiff shoulder tackle & stiff Ego’s Edge finisher to Danhausen. Match itself was a decent mostly squash bout. Woods and Pals & Joe pre-match split-screen backstage interview was all right. ROH TV title match moments: Woods’ catch & body scissors hold counter of Joe’s elbow drop. Joe’s atomic drop counter of Woods’ leap over into Joe’s big boot & standing senton. Joe’s snap powerslam to Woods off the corner. Woods’ stiff knee strike & ugly looking Fireman’s Carry knee strike to Joe. Joe’s Uranage counter of Woods’ running attack in the corner & swift punch flooring Nese on the apron into Joe’s Muscle Buster finisher. Match itself was a good hard hitting bout. Post-match attack by Nese and Woods & walk-in save was all right but the Joe & Wardlow’s staredown & celebratory belts tap afterwards was cool.
Final Thoughts – This week’s show was enjoyable overall.

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NJPW, Impact, & Other Wrestling

Impact Wrestling Impact! (Sept. 15)
* Impact X-Division Championship – Mascara Dorada vs. “Speedball” Mike Bailey (c) – 3.5
* Decay (Black Taurus & Crazzy Steve) vs. Steve Maclin & Moose – 2.5
* Alisha vs. Killer Kelly – 2.0 (Squash)
* Impact World Tag Team Championship – Josh Alexander & Rich Swann vs. OGK (Matt Taven & Mike Bennett) (c) – 3.0
* Mickie James vs. Hyan – 2.0 (Squash)
* Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) vs. The Good Brothers (Doc Gallows & Karl Anderson) – 3.0
Overall – 3.0
Best – Impact X-Division Championship match and the Joe Hendy debut vignette.
Worst – The buzzkill shenanigans ending to the Impact World Tag Team Championship match.
Show Notes – X-Division title match opener moments: Dorada’s suicide dive through the corner ropes to Bailey on the outside. Bailey’s snapping legbar to Dorada. Bailey’s apron leaping dodge counter of Dorada’s baseball slide into Bailey’s springboard moonsault to Dorada on the outside. Dorada’s rana to Bailey off the ropes. Bailey’s knees counter of Dorada’s springboard moonsault into Bailey’s kicks fest & Ultima Weapon finisher combo. Match itself was a very good action filled bout. Post-match ambush attack by Kenny King was all right. Eric Young, Deaner, & hooded guys nighttime shady house segment about Young asking the mystery hooded guys questions about their “name” and Deaner beating up those who got it wrong & Young being happy over those who gave the correct responses of “The Designer” and “Violence” was splendid. Bailey & Scott D’Amore’s backstage segment about D’Amore revealing Delirious as Bailey’s next opponent & Triple Threat Revolver match with Alex Zayne, Frankie Kazarian, & others at Victory Road 2022 was pretty cool. Decay vs. Maclin & Moose Tag was a solid back-and-forth bout despite the abrupt ending. Post-match Sami Callihan’s promo about his video evidence of Moose & Maclin lying about not working together as a team, revealing both had planed to backstab each other the first chance they get, & brawl was all right. Joe Hendry’s debut vignette parodying AEW’s recent backstage fight & him being an uplifting figure for Impact was hilarious. Impact Tag titles match was a pretty good back-and-forth bout despite the buzzkill DQ finish by Heath & ringside shenanigans by Eddie Edwards & Maria Kanellis. Jordynne Grace, Johnny Swinger, & Zicky Dice backstage segment about Swinger’s giant pizza, letter delivery revealing Max The Impaler as Grace’s “Pick Your Poison” opponent, & Grace threatening to kill Dice after his Swinger kept bringing up the insult he quietly made was a bit funny. James vs. Hyan was a mostly decent squash style bout. Post-match Gisele Shaw’s promo mocking James for wrestling nobodies just to delay her career’s end and stay in the spotlight & match setup was decent. MCMG vs. Good Bros Tag moments: Shelley’s Dragon Screw to Anderson into Shelley’s grab, toss to Sabin, & Sabin’s ropes assisted Dragon Screw counter of Anderson’s kick in the corner into Shelley’s Dragon Screw to Anderson’s other leg via ropes assist. Gallows’ big boot to Shelley on the apron & pump handle spin slam to Sabin. Anderson’s dodge counter of Shelley’s Flying Nothing into MCMG’s double team Flatliner & missile dropkick to Anderson. Sabin’s block counter of Anderson’s Gun Stun into Anderson’s block counter of Sabin’s Cradle Shock into MCMG’s moves fest to Anderson. Match itself was a good back-and-forth action bout.
Final Thoughts – This week’s show was enjoyable overall.

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Weekly Awards:

• Best match of the week – AEW Tournament of Champions Semifinals Round match – Bryan Danielson vs. Chris Jericho (AEW Dynamite)
• Best match of the week runner-up – AEW World Tag Team Championship – Lucha Bros (Rey Fenix & Penta El Zero Miedo) vs. Swerve In Our Glory (Swerve Strickland & Keith Lee) (c) (AEW Dynamite)
• Worst match of the week – 2-on-1 Handicap match – Omos vs. Invictus Khash & Ryan Toombs (WWE RAW)
• Worst match of the week runner-up – Marina Shafir & Nyla Rose vs. JC Storm & Joelle Clift (AEW Dark Elevation)
• Best show of the week – AEW Dynamite
• Worst show of the week – WWE NXT