Hola Knockout fans and bienvenidos to this week’s Impact Write-Up from Mexico! This will be our destination as we continue on the road to this year’s Bound for Glory.
During this visit to Mexico, some of the country’s own talents will make guest appearances on Impact. Hoorah for Impact for their continued strength in working with international talents! After managing to pick up a win over a former Knockouts Champion last week, will Alisha Edwards‘ momentum continue against the very acclaimed Faby Apache? Let’s find out!
Even while in Mexico, the current reigning Knockouts Champion Tessa Blanchard can’t seem to stay out of trouble. While arriving to the Knockouts locker room, Blanchard notices a suitcase in ‘her’ seat. She tosses its owner, Chik Tormenta, and proceeds to yell and warn Tormenta to get a move on.
Enter Apache (sporting her new hair-do after losing a Hair vs. Mask match against Lady Shani at Triplemanía XXVI) who gives her own warning to Blanchard. Apache suggests that Blanchard show some respect but the Knockouts Champion dismisses this warning and heads to a ‘better locker’ instead.
Perhaps Apache can unleash some of that frustration in this Knockouts match:
Apache escapes the waist lock with a takedown and grounds Alisha to the mat for a leg submission. Alisha pulls Apache off and the two exchange arm wrenches and leg sweeps to a stalemate.
The women center to the ring where Apache introduces a test of strength to lure Alisha close but sneaks in a kick to the side instead. Apache stays in control, taking Alisha down with Snapmare and dropkick to the back. She gets a two count over a Alisha following a bodyslam and jumping leg drop.
Apache whips Alisha to the ropes, tripping her upon return to set up for a surfboard submission. Naturally the Mexican audience in full support of their local heroine. Apache sends Alisha to the ropes but a charging attack gets blocked with an elbow, allowing Alisha to get some offense with a hurracarrana. She follows up by running to the ropes and manages to cover Apache into a roll-up pin for a two count.
After ducking from a clothesline, Alisha runs the ropes once more and traps Apache in an octopus submission. A quick-thinking Apache makes it to the ropes to break the hold. Alisha continues her attack on Apache with forearms, a big chop, a running clothesline and a Flat Liner for a near fall.
Alisha climbs the top of a turnbuckle for a crossbody but Apache no sells it, quickly getting to her feet for a big boot to Alisha and puts her down for the three with a powerbomb.
Post-match, a prideful Apache says she has always represented women’s wrestling in Mexico and around the world. She nods at her victory but then calls out Blanchard, who thinks she can suddenly call the shots and challenges her for the Knockouts Title.
NEXT WEEK – It's official. @Tess_Blanchard will defend the IMPACT Knockouts Championship against @FabyApacheAAA! #IMPACTonPop pic.twitter.com/T1p4zN40xd
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) September 21, 2018
Said Knockouts Title match will take place next week.
Attention! Scarlett Bordeaux, apparently, has a big announcement for next week’s show! Any guesses what it could be?
And just as a refresher, Impact also aired a hype video spotlighting the ongoing saga between Allie, Su Yung, and Tessa Blanchard.
Thoughts: I’m not sure if I’ve ever mentioned it here but in case I haven’t, it’s been YEARS since I’ve really followed any wrestling from Lucha Libre AAA.
So I am more familiar with Faby Apache’s work and props to her for still hanging around. I think her experience helped bring out a stronger match in Alisha Edwards. Granted, Alisha hasn’t had a ton of matches during this current run with Impact but I do appreciate that when she does compete, they aren’t in completely squash matches.
This match was short, sweet and to the point: Apache gaining some momentum for when she faces Blanchard next week, which was already set-up through that backstage segment. My only gripe towards the match was the ending of no selling to that crossbody. I would’ve rather just see Alisha miss if that were the case but again, it just goes back to my peeve of no selling.
I probably sound like a broken record at this point but I’ve lost a lot interest in Scarlett Bordeaux. She isn’t wrestling, The Smoke Show segments have yet to be featured in the ring and I’m really not sure where her character is going. Now I don’t recall reading too much of Bordeaux during these last set of tapings (maybe something was overlooked?) but hopefully this announcement leads to something interesting and longer than 20 seconds.
Overall, this felt like a safe episode for the Knockouts but I would’ve liked to have seen something more memorable from Impact’s first show in Mexico. Assuming there weren’t any travel issues, I think this would’ve been a great time for Taya Valkyrie to come make an appearance or mention her history with Mexico but hey there’s still more weeks to come!
What did you think of this week’s Impact? Are you excited to Faby Apache wrestle for Impact? Are you still interested in Scarlett Bordeaux’s character? Let us know in the comments below!
