10 Ups & 1 Down From IMPACT Wrestling Victory Road 2021

7. Maclin Causes Mayhem

Though the story wasn't quite there, Steve Maclin vs. Petey Williams vs. TJP was a great three-way that flowed naturally, beginning Victory Road on a positive note.

The match benefitted from TJP and Petey having this on-again, off-again relationship throughout with regards to downing Maclin. At one stage, they each wanted to give Steve the basic corner ten-punch, ultimately resulting in both hoisting the turnbuckles at the same time. It looked a tad clunky as TJP couldn't get in there properly, but it was a delightful twist on a traditionally basic spot. This also applies to the standard exchange of rollups in fast-paced multi-man bouts. While TJP and Petey attempted to trade small packages, Maclin instead broke it up, rather than get involved. Again, another nice touch to stay away from the norm.

Steve Maclin would eventually win, as should have been the end result, doing so in a brilliant exchange of wrestling brilliance. He avoided TJP's Mamba Splash, who then rolled straight into a Canadian Destroyer. From there, Maclin hit Mayhem For All on Petey, doing so while turning the Canadian away from TJP. It was TJP he pinned because, smartly, he understands the difference a flipping Piledriver will make on a pinfall.

It was such a subtle display of professional wrestling psychology, but it worked incredibly well.

Advertisement
Contributor
Contributor

Can be found raving about the latest IMPACT Wrestling signing, the Saints Row franchise, and King Shark in The Suicide Squad.