NHL games cause ripple effect on Impact PPV

The National Hockey League is becoming enemy #1 for promotions scheduling wrestling events. First, AEW was affected. Now, Impact is caught in the in the rip tide and forced to adjust.

When TNT inked a deal to air NHL games, it left wrestling fans wondering if that would affect Dynamite. The concern was answered by AEW advertising a Saturday night show for October 23 due to a scheduling conflict for Wednesday night of that week. It just so happens that Impact’s next PPV is also scheduled for October 23.

Being cozy partners with Forbidden Door action, Impact shuffled the PPV start time to accommodate for Dynamite. Impact’s Bound for Glory will begin at 10 pm ET.

No matches have been announced yet for the Bound for Glory PPV. Impact’s Victory Road special event on the Impact Plus app goes down next weekend on Saturday, September 18. That card should give us an idea of what to expect for the future.

Victory Road includes:

  • Impact World Championship: Christian Cage (c) vs. Ace Austin
  • X-Division Championship: Josh Alexander (c) vs. Chris Sabin
  • Knockouts Tag Team Championship: Rosemary & Havok (c) vs. Tasha Steelz & Savannah Evans
  • Moose & W. Morrissey vs. Eddie Edwards & Sami Callihan
  • Hikuleo & Chris Bey vs. FinJuice

I think it is a safe bet that Christian will retain. That means he’ll need a marquee opponent for the PPV title defense. I’m leaning toward Alexander retaining as well, but it is never smart to count out an 8-time X-Division champion. If Sabin did manage to win the belt, a rematch could be in order for the PPV. One other championship bout that seems to be picking up steam is Deonna Purrazzo versus Mickie James. That is a money match that demands PPV action.

What’s your take on the 5-hour block of wrestling with AEW and Impact? Are you willing to stay up past your bedtime to consume all the fun?