6 Ups & 4 Downs From IMPACT Wrestling (19 August)

Downs...

4. Where's The Heat?

Melina's IMPACT debut vs. 2021 WWE release Brandi Lauren wasn't great. The majority of the contest looked sloppy, while the aftermath did little to enhance Melina's Knockouts Championship clash vs. Deonna Purrazzo at NWA Empowerrr.

The former WWE Women's Champion essentially produced her greatest hits here. Her signature - and, at times, innovative - kicks to Lauren's skull were fine, but they needed neatening up to be considered fine. Melina ending the match with a submission was, again, fine, but what point does it prove? Her match vs. Deonna isn't a submissions match. Though 'The Virtuosa' does use a Fujiwara armbar to win matches, she also has a snap Piledriver. Melina didn't prove a single thing with her Muta Lock variant.

What went down post-match set up Purrazzo and Matthew Rehwoldt vs. Melina and Trey Miguel for Emergence, with Trey saving Melina from Purrazzo and Rehwoldt. That'll be alright, but this needed some serious work to suffice. Despite this being a squash match, you can't justify the sloppiness of some of the spots.

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Contributor

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