I started tuning in to IMPACT Wrestling when I first watched the last
few weeks of its days in the Asylum back in 2004 then indulged on its weekly
television show IMPACT! as well as its epic three-hour PPV events until the near
end, I think, of 2008. Enjoying every single bit and piece of the action every
week through those years made me feel and realize that I have found the right
wrestling brand that can satisfy my own pleasure and refresh my mind. More than
a decade later, I've witnessed IMPACT's evolution to a different kind of promotion
that adds more flavor to the thrills and spectacles it brings every week and
I've loved and enjoyed it more than I used to.
I started to watch IMPACT Wrestling again in late 2015 when I have my
first and only smartphone and I am very impressed by its resilience and how it
was able to showcase great and exciting action to fans around the world despite
the challenges and struggles it has strived. However, the regime of executive
vice-presidents Don Callis and Scott D'Amore has literally brought me back to
how I began tuning to and eventually falling in love with IMPACT Wrestling all
over again. Although many Filipino wrestling fans are still getting used to
watching the big leagues, I feel that IMPACT Wrestling has something more than
just a thrilling and action-packed dose of professional wrestling that is
steadily capturing the hearts of many.
Apart from delivering some of the greatest matches, most memorable
moments and most enjoyable events in recent memory such as Slammiversary XVI last
year and XVII, the major factor in IMPACT's continuing progress and traction is
its consistently strong and credible roster of world-class talents showcasing
their own prowess every time they step into the IMPACT Wrestling ring. Some of
these talents are able to make their own impact as incredibly intriguing real
life characters such as Sami Callihan, Rosemary and even Michael Elgin among others.
And with the return of Rhyno and recent signing of Tenille Dashwood, I'm sure that
there will be plenty more reasons why IMPACT has the most interesting roster of
talent in any promotion other than the big leagues.
What I like the most about IMPACT right now is how it brings its slueth
of action and epicness to thousands across the globe in many ways through its various
broadcast partners, its partnership with Twitch and its online streaming
service IMPACT Plus so that we can choose from a bevy of options where can
watch the piece of the action every week anytime, anywhere. Then there is Josh
Matthews, the voice of IMPACT Wrestling since 2015. Many IMPACT and professional
wrestling fans have never recognized Matthews' hardwork and commitment to the
brand other than D'Amore and Callis but I sure do. Josh is not just the voice of
IMPACT as I first thought. In fact, his expertise in social media and digital
platforms makes the difference why he is known as the unsung hero of the brand and
I respect him for that.
Many professional wrestling fans are comparing IMPACT Wrestling today
to the golden days of ECW and World Championship Wrestling (WCW) back in the mid-90s,
but there are those who think that IMPACT has done more than what these two
brands don't in their time and I agree with these opinions. But for me, what
was once known as Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling is becoming a league of
its own with highly compelling storylines, consistently strong roster of
talent, real life characters, unique homage to the days of extreme and interestingly
enjoyable concepts such as the Mash-Up Tournament. But let's not forget to remember
its own glory days and remind ourselves that there will always be a time for
something new when the struggles are stacked within one sitting. All I can say
in the end is that my rekindled love for IMPACT Wrestling has made me become a
true wrestling fan in my own right and brought me to start my own newfound love
for another.
Catch a new episode of
IMPACT Wrestling every Saturday morning at 10 am (Philippine time) with a
replay on Tuesday at 6:00 am on www.twitch.tv/impactwrestling. For more IMPACT
news and updates, visit www.impactwrestling.com and follow @IMPACTWRESTLING on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Catch up on episode highlights, classic
matches and moments by watching on and subscribing to IMPACT Wrestling's
official YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/impactwrestling).
