Photo Credit: impactwrestling.com
Impact Wrestling’s “Victory Road” Event comes to us Live this Friday, September 23rd, 2022, from Skyway Studios in Nashville at 8 pm on Impact Plus. Here are the Experts on the Eastern Observer’s “Essential Wrestling Podcast,” sponsored by ProWrestlingPickem.com, who are picking this event.
Photo Credit: impactwrestling.com
**Barbed Wire Massacre**
**SAMI CALLIHAN vs. MOOSE vs. STEVE MACLIN**
“I know Sami usually loses these gimmick matches, but I can’t think of a good reason for either Moose or Maclin to win more than the other…so I’ll go with Sami.” – John D’Aconti, EWP Senior Impact Correspondent.
Pick: SAMI CALLIHAN
“I can state cases for all three to win. But I’m going to take the one no one expects to win here: Maclin. This is going to come to a head at Bound For Glory somehow (not sure how they top Barbed Wire Massacre Main Eventing a PPV, so maybe I’m wrong with that). But Sami and Moose don’t necessarily need wins all the time. Maclin can establish himself big time with this match, especially after a loss at the last PPV in a No DQ match with Sami. Give me Maclin getting some steam going into Bound For Glory.”
Pick: STEVE MACLIN
“I’ve been wrong too many times picking against Sami in these matches. Have I learned my lesson? Nope! Give me Maclin!” – John Smith, EWP Correspondent.
Pick: STEVE MACLIN
Photo Credit: impactwrestling.com
**JOSH ALEXANDER, RICH SWANN & HEATH vs. HONOR NO MORE**
“I don’t see a need for this match as it pertains to any ongoing storyline. I mean, I don’t see Josh pinning Eddie or vice versa. So maybe Heath gets the pin on Taven or Bennett to lead to a tag title shot when Rhyno returns (hopefully soon)?” – John D’Aconti, EWP Senior Impact Correspondent
Pick: JOSH ALEXANDER, RICH SWANN & HEATH
“The champ will pin one of OGK, but this will be just a minor speed-bump on Eddie Edwards’ road to winning the world title at Blind For Glory” – John Smith, EWP Correspondent.
Pick: JOSH ALEXANDER, RICH SWANN & HEATH
“I feel like Heath has been too emotional throughout his mission in trying to take out Honor No More, and he’s making mistakes. Kind of like what Jessicka has been doing lately with Taya and Rosemary, but on a more subtle level. Heath’s actions have been upsetting both Josh and Swann recently, so with good intentions, Heath is going to make a mistake and cost them the match.” – Al Karl, EWP Host.
Pick: HONOR NO MORE
Photo Credit: impactwrestling.com
**Pick Your Poison (Masha Slamovich was allowed to Pick Jordynne’s Opponent)**
**JORDYNNE GRACE vs. MAX THE IMPALER**
“This match will be aesthetically interesting as Max will dwarf Jordynne, and the power advantage will be a wait-and-see proposition. I don’t see Jordynne getting Max up for a Grace Driver, so maybe she’ll borrow from hubby’s playbook & bust out a submission to get the job done.” – John D’Aconti, EWP Senior Impact Correspondent.
Pick: JORDYNNE GRACE
“Max seems pretty tough and intimidating, but I still see no reason to pick against Jordynne.” – John Smith, EWP Correspondent.
Pick: JORDYNNE GRACE
Photo Credit: impactwrestling.com
**Impact X-Division Championship**
**Champion MIKE BAILEY vs. DELIRIOUS**
“I’m not familiar with Delirious; he could be awesome for all I know. One thing I DO know, though, is that he’s not as awesome as my man Speedball!” – John Smith, EWP Correspondent.
Pick: MIKE BAILEY
“Seems like a barn burner on paper! And I know Delirious has name value with the ROH fans. Still, I don’t see Speedball’s reign ending with someone Impact hasn’t even brought in for a ‘getting to know you’ match for their viewing audience before this Supercard event.” – John D’Aconti, EWP Senior Impact Correspondent.
Pick: MIKE BAILEY
Photo Credit: impactwrestling.com
**#1 Contender’s “Triple Threat Revolver” for Impact X-Division Championship**
**TREY MIGUEL vs. KENNY KING vs. BLACK TAURUS vs. LAREDO KID vs. MIA YIM vs. YUYA UEMURA vs. ALEX ZAYNE vs. FRANKIE KAZARIAN**
“There are so many good possibilities that could come out of this match. I think Bailey/Uemura would be outstanding! But I’m going with the idea that we’ll go into Bound For Glory with the threat of Honor No More leaving with a whole bunch of gold.” – John D’Aconti, EWP Senior Impact Correspondent.
Pick: KENNY KING
“These matches are so hard to call; anything can happen depending on the order of participants. Since the match is for an X division title shot at the biggest show of the year, I’m going to go with the guy they want to keep in the spotlight for years to come.” – John Smith, EWP Correspondent.
Pick: TREY MIGUEL
“Kenny King has the only story going here. I know that usually doesn’t matter for the X-Title, but if Bound For Glory is going to be one-on-one and not an Ultimate X-type gimmick match, then I think you have to go Kenny King on this. I guess you could go Kazarian, too, in this case. Smarter money is on Kenny, though.” – Al Karl, EWP Host.
Pick: KENNY KING
Photo Credit: impactwrestling.com
**Career Threatening Match**
**MICKIE JAMES vs. GISELE SHAW**
“Dare I say, potential ‘Show Stealer’ here?! Excited about this! I’m Big on the Quintessential Diva, and I think this is a Great PPV Opponent for Mickie during this last run with a chance for Gisele to shine! But no way Mickie loses until its Title vs. Career.” – Al Karl, EWP Host.
Pick: MICKIE JAMES
“It’s good to see Mickie move past the “In Action” phase of her Last Rodeo, but I don’t think it ends here.” – John D’Aconti, EWP Senior Impact Correspondent.
Pick: MICKIE JAMES
Photo Credit: impactwrestling.com
**KILLER KELLY vs. TASHA STEELZ.”
I love this creepy character of Kelly! And Tasha’s response has been a lot of fun, too! I think Kelly gets a big notch on her belt by taking down a former Knockout Champ.” – John D’AConti, EWP Senior Impact Correspondent.
PICK: KILLER KELLY
“This is probably the easiest match to pick of the whole weekend. 🎶 Kelly’s going to kill you!🎶” – John Smith, EWP Correspondent
Pick: KILLER KELLY
“I hope she enjoys that. I’ll be watching. Heard she likes that kinda thing!” – Al Karl, EWP Host
Pick: Killer Kelly
Photo Credit: Eastern Observer
Be sure to catch the “Essential Wrestling Podcast” on Tuesday Evenings at 5 pm on all of the Eastern Observer Platforms, and join the EWP Public Pool on ProWrestlingPickem.com to Play Against our Team of Experts!
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