7 Ups & 5 Downs From IMPACT Slammiversary 2023 (Review)

2. The '90s Called...

Joe Hendry has been genuinely incredible as IMPACT's Digital Media Champion. He took an inconsequential belt that had endured a lifespan of negligence and inferiority, and turned it into a worthwhile title that has since produced a glut of good-to-great defences. So, why did he drop it on a pay-per-view pre-show in a storyline that's focus has been Hendry mocking his opponent, Kenny King, by deeming him a stripper?

Again, like the knockouts trios match, it wasn't a terrible bout. Hendry did some great beefer work and King played the cowardly heel role well, benefitting from Sheldon Jean running amok. The finer details are what stopped this from being an Up, though, as Kenny dressed Joe in a Chippendales bowtie, which Joe was fine with.

So why did he begin the mocking in the first place if there's nothing wrong with it?!

It was stupid. Plain stupid. Not fun stupid; Vince McMahon growing out a moustache stupid. So, naturally Kenny King won the match and the title - ending Hendry's stance as the current longest-reigning champion in IMPACT - with his feet on the ropes.

Joe's face told the entire story. It was a senseless piece of booking that did nobody any favours.