8 Ups & 3 Downs From Impact Wrestling (Dec 8)

Ups...

8. Cody Almost Prevails

Cody Deaner's match with Eric Young was fine. It didn't need to be flashy - it just needed to be a straight-up fight between two former allies. Not kayfabe allies, but real-life allies. Cody and Young trained together, so it made for an easy story.

Even though his two promos leading to last night's contest gave you the impression that this was a new side of Deaner, it was still surprising to see how much offence he got in against a former two-time World Champion. He was out to prove a point to all the doubters. The Deaners aren't a comedy act. The ending was inevitable, of course, as Young's piledriver claimed yet another victim, but if you ask this writer, Cody Deaner still proved the point he wanted to.

Rhino also returned post-match to save Cody and Jake from any potential harm at the hands of Eric Young and Joe Doering, leading to a bout between him and 'EY' being scheduled for Saturday's Final Resolution special. Cody Deaner was given a decent showing, Eric Young and Joe Doering finally did something different, and Rhino returned to set up a bout that makes sense. When wrestling ticks all the boxes, it's delightful.