ELP, Finlay pick up IMPACT wins
New Japan’s finest continue to be well represented on IMPACT Wrestling of late, with El Phantasmo and David Finlay both in action on this week’s broadcast.
El Phantasmo was first to represent NJPW on IMPACT, winning a six way bout to book his way into an X Division Championship bout on Saturday’s Under Siege event. Phantasmo was bowled out of the ring by the giant Acey Romero in the opening seconds, and Romero would take care of most of the competition on the floor before a slingshot dropkick from TJP.
After a head scissors from TJP, Phantasmo turned the tide and walked the ropes, before delivering a massive Death Valley Driver onto Ace Austin to the pile of opposition on the floor. The move left TJP in center ring however, and TJP would deliver a facewash to Petey Williams before Austin scored a boot of his own and a nearfall.
Austin would be dumped over the top rope by ELP, who walked into a slingshot codebreaker from Williams, who followed with the Canadian Destroyer. TJP broke up the pin, and as bodies flew in a chaotic melee, TJP appeared to have the upper hand with a Detonation Kick on Williams. The follow-up Mamba Splash missed however, and Phantasmo connected with his own splash to the Fil-Am Flash. Williams broke up the pin and went for another Destroyer, but instead fell victim to the CR II.
Phantasmo is now set to face Josh Alexander for the X Division Championship Saturday at Under Siege. Could ELP’s first IMPACT title challenge be a successful one?
After the presence of Kenny Omega and Karl Anderson played no small part in Doc Gallows’ victory over Juice Robinson on last week’s IMPACT, it was no surprise to see Anderson cornered by Omega and Gallows later in the night. Meanwhile opponent David Finlay would be backed up by partner Juice, as well as the IMAPCT Tag Champions’ six man partner at Under Siege in Eddie Edwards.
Anderson muscled Finlay into the ropes at the bell, but ate a pair of forearms and a European uppercut, only to be tripped by Omega from the floor. Robinson would respond in kind by tripping Anderson, but Gallows would again make the difference from the floor, and Edwards and Robinson would be frustrated as Omega and the Good Brothers applied pressure.
Anderson maintained control on Finlay with a chinlock, but the tag champion was able to respond with a high angle side suplex, and fired up with forearms. Omega yet again got involved from the floor, but this time a plancha was the response, and Finlay followed up with a backbreaker and an Indian Deathlock.
Realising his ‘good brother’ was in danger, Omega hit the ring and drew a disqualification finish, but Juice and Edwards were quick to prevent a repeat of the prior week’s post match assault. Can the trio secure victory in the main event Saturday at Under Siege?
