Before we really start this review, I have to tell you that Andrew Everett was granted his release from the company. And Fight Network UK is finally able to simulcast Impact with the USA, on Fridays at 1 AM (read here).
For the first time ever, Impact Wrestling tapped its episodes in Mexico on September 13 and 14. A great way to cement its relationship with Lucha Libre AAA, and also to find out a bunch of new talents. But let’s not forget we’re 3 weeks away from Bound for Glory, and only 3 matches have been announced yet. So what about this week? Austin Aries will defend the Impact World Championship, AAA Legend Faby Apache will compete against Mrs AIP, Alisha Edwards, oVe will be in action, Matt Sydal and Rich Swann will try to find a solution to their “third-eye” problem and we’ll finally know who will be inducted into the TNA/Impact Wrestling Hall of Fame… So no more words, let’s get ready for some action, but your French Enygma Steph way, of course…

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpJ0OPz7t_Y]

The Nygma’s Chart of the Week 

• oVe (Sami Callihan, Dave & Jake Crist) defeated Aero Star, Hijo del Vikingo, and Laredo Kid
• Rich Swann accepted Matt Sydal’s offer to face the Lucha Bros, but Swann told him not to mess things up as he still didn’t want to work with him
• Trevor Lee accepted Eli Drake’s open challenge, Drake defeated him 
• The King and LAX OGz wanted LAX to break the cease-fire
• King defeated Kronoz and called out LAX, but they didn’t come out. He did, however, want a Concrete Jungle Death Match at Bound for Glory
• Konnan & LAX are in their clubhouse as LAX rants at Konnan about how King has disrespected them. Konnan said they will wait for Bound For Glory and get their revenge there in the Concrete Jungle Death Match The King requested.
• Faby Apache defeated Alisha Edwards. She will face Tessa Blanchard next week for the Knockouts Title

• Scarlett Bordeaux will make a huge announcement next week
• Pentagon Junior & Fénix defeated Matt Sydal & Rich Swann. After the match, oVe attacked the Lucha Brothers but Cage came to make the save
• The Desi Hit Squad members were getting some massages to get prepared for their match against LAX next week, Gama Singh chased them with a broom
• Joe Hendry sang on Katrina and Grado
• Abyss will be the 2018 inductee into the IMPACT Wrestling Hall of Fame
• Impact World Champion Austin Aries defeated Texano. Johnny Impact rushed after the match and beat down Moose, Kross and Aries. Eddie Edwards also joined the scrum and attacked with its kendo stick

The Nygma’s Nutcracker(s) of the Week

– Faby Apache vs. Alisha Edwards
Last week, I was asking for Alisha Edwards wrestling. Good job in offering them the legendary AAA wrestler Faby Apache, because it was a hell of a good match, even it lasted only 5 minutes.
Faby quickly grounded things. Alisha countered out, but Faby hit arm drags. They traded leg kicks, Faby grounded the action again and then hit a slam and a leg drop. She follows with the Romero special (surfboard submission), but Edwards escaped and unloaded a hurricanrana. Edwards laid in strikes but Faby cut her off with a superkick. Edwards locked Faby into the Octopus stretch, but Faby grabbed the ropes. Edwards rallied with strikes, a clothesline and a flatliner. Edwards headed up top and hit a high cross, but Faby cut her off and hit a sit-out powerbomb for the win.

– oVe (Sami Callihan, Dave & Jake Crist) vs. Aero Star, Hijo del Vikingo & Laredo Kid
The 3 letters that are oVe are synonymous with great matches, so let’s get ready to enjoy another ride…
Big brawl and trios action to start the match (Trios matches are a huge part of Latin American wrestling). Laredo Kid then worked over Dave, hits an enzuigiri and sent him to the floor. Jake cut him off with kicks. Aero Star hit a hurricanrana but was cut off by Callihan and a powerbomb. Vikingo in but Sami replied with a bicycle kick. Vikingo fought back with a tope, oVe connected with a triple apron bomb. Aero Star dove off of Kid’s shoulders, headed up top and wiped out the whole oVe. Laredo Kid followed with a moonsault and Vikingo with a shooting star press, right to the floor.
Back in, Sami head-shrank Laredo Kid with a lariat. Jake & Dave came in to work double team moves on Laredo Kid. Vikingo made the save with a corkscrew head scissors but got suplexed into the turnbuckles. Jake connected with a superkick, triple-team moves followed, but Laredo Kid makes the save. Vikingo fought them off, Aero Star ran wild, hit a double cutter and a springboard code breaker. Vikingo connected with a Shooting Star Press but, thumbs up, thumbs down, oVe hit triple tombstones. The All-Seeing Eye finished Vikingo and the match.

– Rich Swann & Matt Sydal vs. Pentagon Junior & Fénix
We’re in Lucha Libre paradise, so let’s get it on for more high-flying action…
Fénix and Swann worked into some back and forth and then a standoff. Sydal and Pentagon tagged in. Here we go for “My third eye is better than your Cero Miedo”, “no, mi Cero Miedo es mejor que tu tercer ojo” (Pentagon can’t speak English…). Pentagon attacked and tagged Fénix in, double team moves followed. Fénix connected with a cutter. Pentagon took out Swann and the brothers ran wild with kicks and more double team moves. Pentagon lit up Sydal with chops but Sydal managed to cut him off. Swann was tagged in and laid in chops and rights.

Sydal tagged back in, but Pentagon tagged in Fénix for the double cutter. Fenix connected with a tope tornillo over the top rope. Swann cut off Fénix and followed with a dive to the floor. After commercials, Fénix was flying in with a high cross, but Sydal cut him off with a knee strike. Swann was tagged in and it turned into an all four in. Swann and Sydal hit hurricanranas off the ropes and then headed up top. The Brothers cut them off, Fénix hit an apron double stomp while Pentagon hit a nasty apron package piledriver. Back in, Fénix hit the Black Fire Driver for the win.

The not-Nygma’s Moment(s) of the Week

– Moose
Sometimes a picture worths a thousand words… Maybe he played a paintball match before the show, but sorry, I already called the Fashion Police… 

– Katarina/Joe/Grado
Joe Hendry has a very nice voice but, this week, I thought I was hearing one of these ugly songs from the Boy Band era. I suddenly remember why I didn’t like the 90s…

– Scarlett Bordeaux
With all the respect due to my colleague Chris who worked a great interview with The Smoke Show, I really hope her announcement next week will not be… a cloud of smoke…

The Nygma’s Super-Extra-Mega-Giga- Award of the Week goes to… Abyss

When I had the chance to talk to Abyss a few weeks ago, he told me he would definitely be there at Bound for Glory. So when the return of TNA/Impact Wrestling Hall of Fame was announced, Abyss was definitely the person I thought would be inducted. He’s the last TNA original and has devoted his career to the company, whether in good times or bad times. He gave sense to the word hardcore when WWE was making something uninteresting. And when he thought it was time to, Abyss quietly transitioned into this “teddy-bear” character of Joseph Park to spend more time backstage to help talents and be a part of the Creative team. I couldn’t be more happy for him because this acknowledgement is something he has earned through hard work and dedication. Read his reaction here… 

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhyc6x1DEk8]

The Nygma’s Award of the Week

– Mexico, the crowd and Lucha Libre AAA talents
First of all, it was the first time Impact Wrestling had been tapping some shows outside of North America, once again to make history. This was possible because of the partnership Impact has developed with AAA over the years.
If you have never watched a Mexican wrestling show, the crowd is always on fire, very reactive and participating. They are a huge component in the success of a show. The roar of the crowd during Pentagon and Fénix match was tremendous…

Last year, at Bound for Glory, Team AAA and Team Impact Wrestling were competing in the ring. Wrestlers like Pagano, Texano or Fantasma were a real delight to watch. But, by being in Mexico, Impact Wrestling has opened its doors to the whole AAA roster. If you have never heard of Faby Apache, she’s a 20-year veteran in AAA and the current Reina de Reinas Champion. Let’s not forget Lady Shani, La Parka, Psycho Clown, among many others… I can’t wait to see them on TV and be able to talk to you about them a little bit more… 

To be eNYGMAtic…

Good show, great talents, nice to be in Mexico… But are we really 3 weeks away from a massive PPV? If some build-up is on the work, of course, there are no sparkles like the ones we witnessed before Slammiversary XVI. It’s time to end the cease-fire and unleash the battles that will lead to the Bound for Glory wars. And because you agree with me, of course, I see you next week… And never forget to stay #eNYGMAtic…

All pics, videos, and screenshots courtesy of Impact Wrestling. Photomontage by @frenchnygma exclusively for @steelchairmag.