Points of Impact Wrestling Multiverse United 2023 Results and Biggest Moments

Welcome to a special edition of POINTS OF IMPACT—where this week we’ll be breaking down the biggest matches and must-see moments from the joint show between Impact and NJPW, Multiverse United.

This segment will fill you in on the most important parts of the show worth checking out or keeping up to date with, in case you missed this PPV from two of the top companies in the wrestling world today.

Without further ado, let's inspect the biggest takeaways from Multiverse United!

#5 - Pre Show Delight

Before the show proper got under way, fans were treated to a pre show match between two former Young Lions in Yuya Uemura and Gabriel Kidd. This was, according to commentary, the 18th time the two had faced each other, and there was certainly chemistry there to evidence that. 

This was this writer’s first time seeing a Gabriel Kidd match, and I have to say, I’m a fan already. He was just the right amount of vicious with a sprinkle or two of cowardice, but not to the point of incapability, with the front choke in the corner being a highlight spot. Kidd played the dangerous heel well, and Uemura for his part was incredibly easy to root for, and has probably the best Bulldog in the business today. Uemura would pick up the win with a crossbody, but there were no real losers here.

#4 - X Division Fun

The opener for the show proper was, to anyone who doesn’t mind the X Division style, incredibly entertaining. A six-way Scramble match with the X Division Championship on the line, defending champion Trey Miguel defended against Clark Connors, Kazarian, Kevin Knight, Rich Swann and Rocky Romero, and the bout was, as expected, fast-paced fun from the start.

The match never took itself too seriously either, which really helped to create an air of easy watching throughout. Spots such as everyone attacking irritating champion Miguel, or the Arm Drag Extravaganza that followed soon after made the match feel like a good time for everyone involved, even if the heel champion Miguel retained in the end.

#3 - On A Similar Note

Lio Rush has had a rough career in the past few years hasn’t he? Whether it be arguably deserved backlash, such as his comments about Emma causing the Wrestling Twitter space to descend upon him, BS politics such as legends expecting him to carry their bags, or unfortunate injury after unfortunate injury, it seems Rush can never get momentum going for long before something derails that. In that cycle of disappointment, it can be easy to think that Rush is simply cursed for a reason, a lacklustre talent. His match with Kushida at Multiverse United proved otherwise.

A brilliant battle of the Jr Heavyweights, Kushida continues to prove that WWE wasted an opportunity by letting him go, and the same can be said for his opponent. It wasn’t match of the night, but it was damn close, with arguably the best finish, with Kushida locking in the Hoverboard Lock to counter a springboard attack by Rush. 

#2 - Variety is Key

I want to talk about as many matches as I can, so I’ll use this entry to make a point. This show, and all wrestling shows, work because of variety. There was lots of flippy excellence at Multiverse United, and many matches definitely had the Strong Style spirit in the air. But living up to the Strong in the show’s title, tonight also had something for fans of, to quote Big E, big meaty men slapping meat.

Moose has, over the last few years, become a reliable good match factory for Impact. Ever since his heel turn especially, Moose has been operating at another level, and his athleticism seemed even more impressive when paired up against a man who is arguably his equal in strength and agility: New Japan’s Jeff Cobb.

While both men are heels, the crowd were behind both of them, as the two men stripped several layers of paint off of each other, really laying those chops in throughout the match, when they weren’t performing moves men their size shouldn’t be able to do.

The other match I want to draw attention to is the women’s four way, to determine who would go on to challenge for the Knockout’s Championship at Rebellion. While the women didn’t get much time to shine on this card, they made the most of the time they did have.

Any Impact fan will know that Purrazzo, Slamovich, and Shaw can be relied upon to put on a good match. All three of those women, plus the Pink Striker of TJPW, Miyu Yamashita, in a four way match? Guaranteed banger. There’s no doubt in my mind that Miyu won some new Western fans on Friday, and Purrazzo, Slamovich and Shaw all proved once again why they’re among the best women in the West. 

Purrazzo would pick up the well-earned victory with the Queen’s Gambit on recent rival shaw. It looks like the Virtuosa is championship-bound once more.

#1 - Mike Bailey Does It Again

Mike Bailey has made a tradition of keeping an insane schedule every year when Wrestlemania Week comes around, when travel bans don’t get in the way that is. This year was no different, with Bailey competing in ten matches across three days. His opponent on this card? None other than the Ace himself, Hiroshi Tanahashi.

Filling in for an injured Will Ospreay, Tanahashi was his usual charismatic self, the crowd happy to see him, but clearly also rooting for Bailey also. 

The result of this match was never really in question, this being fifth match of the weekend, and Tanahashi still being the reliable Ace he is, but it was, to put it simply, fun, and deserving of being the main event. It felt like a marquee match, the hot young talent versus the cool, resilient veteran. What a way to close out a hell of a show, and here’s hoping we get another next year.

What did you think of this week's episode of Impact Wrestling?Do you think any other moments stood out on this show?Drop your thoughts in the comments below!

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