9 Ups & 2 Downs From IMPACT Wrestling (23 Sep)
2. An Angel Rises
The return of Christopher Daniels to IMPACT Wrestling was done without flaw.
Whether intentional or not, his absence from AEW programming benefitted this return massively, as did a promo package posted to Daniels' Twitter page. This felt like a proper return as opposed to a one-off appearance.
He came to Josh Alexander and Christian Cage's aid in a tremendous show-closing segment, saving Josh from Ace Austin and Madman Fulton's attempted Chokeslam/Fold combination. The 'Fallen Angel' hit a sweet STO on Fulton, though Ace would thwart any attempt at following that with an Angel's Wings. Daniels now faces the former Sawyer Fulton next Thursday in his first IMPACT match since 12 April 2014.
The reaction for Daniels was impressive. His and Frankie Kazarian's old Bad Influence theme began, Daniels' name popped up on the entrance wall, and the crowd went as nuts as an IMPACT crowd of this size typically goes. The noise level was difficult to judge onscreen, but they certainly sounded louder for the former Curry Man than they did for Kaz's return a few weeks ago.
It's this sort of moment that has created a neat year for the Anthem-helmed promotion. Here's hoping Daniels sticks around for Bound For Glory.