Lone Star Stampede. August 26th and 27th, in Dallas, Texas what the wrestling community would come to know as Impact Faithful would gather to attend the tapings leading to Victory Road. Live in the Factory, Impact stars would put on one of the most anticipated live events to outset the start of Bound for Glory!
Lone Star Stampede Card:
Highlights Must See Matches:
- Aussie Open Matches:
Incredible debut from NJPW’s Strong tag champions. Aussie Open delivered 2 fantastic matches one defeating Bullet Club. The other match faces Motor City Machine Guns. Once that match airs, there is no doubt it will go down in Impact history as one of the greatest tag matches to air.
- Mickie James Announcement:
Announces Last Rodeo matches. Meaning she will start from the bottom and work her way to Knockouts’ contender. James also provided a heartfelt speech regarding this area of her career.
- Motor City Machine Guns vs. Good Brothers
The First time these two teams have faced off in an Impact ring. This might be considered the last match from The Good Brothers currently at Impact. Motor City Machine Guns would defeat the veterans of Bullet Club.
- Bhupinder Gujjar vs Brian Myers: Ladder match
Solid match Gujjar did slightly injure his nose. However, he is okay and well. The match between him and Myers is interesting in how it was delivered.
- X-Division Champion Mike Bailey vs Mascara Dorada – X-Division Championship
- Yuya Uemura vs Raj Singh (Filmed for BTI)
YUYA would make his Impact debut in Before the Impact.
- HONOR NO MORE:
Winner of the Tag Team belts after facing The Good Brothers. In addition, King would have won the X-Division Title. However, that was overturned by the ref.
- Masha Slamovich vs Deonna Purrazzo
Amazing women’s wrestling match. Solid delivery from both contenders. Masha would pick up the win.
Overall Review: (SCALE 1-10 *10 BEING THE HIGHEST*)
Lone Star Stampede was an event to kick off the start of the storylines that would lead to Victory Road and join the road to Bound for Glory. The card on both nights was very well put together and the crowd was responsive to every match announced. Some were a little expressive but a reaction was provided in every manner. The talent that entered the ring delivered in both technicality and entertainment. There was not a quiet moment during any match, which displays a positive reaction.
The card on both nights was dominated by Honor No More. However, these matches are important in the aspect of what is to come. Honor No More would gain the Tag Team Championships which leads into their main story Bound for Glory. Mickie James’s Announcement was touching, fulfilling, but most of all an important discussion to all women involved in pro-wrestling. This would include talent, production, and media. Her message was of importance to all entertainment.
The Next major point was the debut and highlighted talent, that received their shot to either return to The Impact Zone or make their first Impact on the world. All talent, including debuting talent was incredibly smooth when delivering their move-sets. Construction of production, such as ring, seats, and floor area was managed very well. Allowing the appearance to be pleasing in a crisp manner.
The show was done in a decent size venue and provided a more intimate feel to the fans. Meet and Greets were done in an orderly fashion. They were done appropriately, and fairly to each fan, and the performers were incredibly welcoming.
The card for both nights was very well put together. Night one was a longer night than night two. The cards contained an extraordinary amount of tag team matches and a solid amount of knockout women’s matches. Everyone booked for the cards on both nights was well utilized to lead to the next Impact Plus event.
As the nights closed. I witnessed a lot of familiar faces and a lot of new faces. People I was unfamiliar with. By observation, I found that there were more positive reactions than negative reactions to Lone Star Stampede. Impact Wrestling has a long history of pro wrestling and longevity. For 20 years they have continued to make changes and deliver the best they can for the times.
During my observation after the show on night one. I asked a few of these unfamiliar faces these main questions.
Have you ever seen Impact Wrestling? If answered no
Will you come back? A majority said Yes…
Final Question…
What did you like? To summarize that answer. It was not a wrestling company that can be compared to the other ones. The wrestling was great and most of all the intimate setting. Not too large but not too small. They felt more seen.
These of course are all positives.
That being said …8.9 is my final rating for both nights.