Impact Wrestling preview (Jan. 11, 2018): The fate of the Grand Championship

Impact Wrestling returns tonight (Jan. 11) with the eighth episode from the November set of tapings (meaning this is not content from last night’s taping).

Here’s what’s advertised for tonight:

• Eli Drake’s championship address
• EC3 issues an open challenge
• Laurel Van Ness vs. KC Spinelli
• Dan Lambert kicks off Impact
• Hakim Zane, Trevor Lee, & Caleb Konley vs. Sonjay Dutt, Dezmond Xavier, & Garza Jr.

As per usual, here are our five questions about Impact tonight:

1) What’s the future of the Grand Championship?

The feud between Matt Sydal and Grand Champion EC3 has been a good one. It’s been a strong tale about Carter’s accusations that Matt Sydal has an inability to get it done when it counts. Given the fact that Sydal has been unable to take the belt from Carter in two tries lends some credence to Ethan’s claims.

While the story is good, the belt itself is an odd one. It’s got a three round format where judges make the decision if no one can score a pinfall or submission after those rounds. While I’ve appreciated what they’ve done with the actual matches, the title itself doesn’t seem to have a place.

It looks like this feud may be leading to a match without the three round format given a Matt Sydal promo last week saying he wants a regular match for the title. If they strip down the rules, it pretty much becomes a TV title. Also, one must question if the championship surrounding this fun feud has a future. Don Callis, who is taking over alongside Scott D’Amore this week with a new set of tapings (we won’t see those just yet), mentioned on Talk Is Jericho that he thinks wrestling in general has too many championship titles. He pointed out the Grand Championship as the one too many in Impact. That doesn’t bode well for the future of the title.

Tonight, EC3 will issue an open challenge for his title. Check it out while you still can.

2) Was Alberto El Patron’s title shot at an indie in NJ his only shot?

OK, I’m sure the answer to this is no.

However, that house show title match between Drake and Patron last week is part of the canon. And Alberto lost. Meaning as of now, Alberto will have to find another way to get an opportunity at the championship he claims is his.

Johnny Impact is still out there and he wants a chance at the gold just as badly. Will these guys have to earn an opportunity at Eli Drake’s gold? It seems like a three man game at the top right now.

3) What does Dan Lambert want now?

Last week, Dan Lambert retired James Storm from Impact. It sucked.

He’ll kick off the show tonight. What’s left for him? Why is he still in Impact? Lambert’s entire goal was to get Lashley to leave the promotion and now he can’t stay away. The irony is mildly appreciated, but we need to know what his end game is. If his character is someone who is using Lashley so he can live his personal fantasy wrestling camp, I may be able to get behind that. But we need to know his reason for sticking around.

4) How soon will Allie get her title shot?

Last week, Knockouts Champion Laurel Van Ness attacked her #1 contender backstage. Tonight, she’ll face Impact newcomer KC Spinelli in a (I believe) non-title match. Allie isn’t the type to get revenge, but tonight would be a good chance to do so.

Is her title shot coming soon? Or are they going to take some time to build it prior? (Since I don’t follow the tapings to avoid spoilers, I’m not even sure that the match has taped yet.)

5) Where’s Petey?

It’s week 2 of Petey Williams watch. Ever since getting abducted by Kongo Kong, the Canadian Destroyer has not been seen. If you have any leads on the whereabouts of Mr. Destroyer, please call, 1-888-798-9484. That’s 1-888-Pete-Huh?. (Please don’t actually call that number.)

Impact Wrestling airs tonight at 8 EST on Pop TV. Who’s watching?