Impact Wrestling preview (Apr. 5, 2018): Briefcase vs. Briefcase

Impact Wrestling returns tonight (Apr. 5) from the Impact Zone in Orlando, Florida. It is the tenth episode from the most recent set of tapings.

Here’s what’s advertised so far tonight:

• Eli Drake vs. Moose, briefcase vs. briefcase
• Lashley calls out Brian Cage
• Johnny Impact vs. Taiji Ishimori
• Allie summons the Undead Bride

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

1) Who’s getting the big push?

Eli Drake and Moose are putting both of their Feast or Fired briefcases on the line for a chance to earn multiple title shots. This came about last week when Drake tried to get Moose to trade cases. Moose proposed a case vs. case match instead.

Moose currently holds a world heavyweight title opportunity while Drake holds a tag title opportunity. Clearly, Moose is putting more on the line.

The winner of this match will walk out with two different title shots in their pocket. So who will it be?

My guess is Moose. Drake has been on top for awhile. Moose has held the Grand Championship, but hasn’t had a featured story for awhile. That could change in the upcoming year.

2) What is Johnny Impact doing at Redemption?

The Redemption pay-per-view (PPV) is only a few weeks away and Johnny Impact doesn’t have any clear direction yet.

He’s a main event guy in Impact so he’s likely getting a featured match at the show. However, there’s no hint of anything.

The main title scene is occupied by Austin Aries and Alberto El Patron. The X Division match will be Petey Williams vs. Matt Sydal. The Grand Championship looks like it’s being phased out.

There’s no tag team match scheduled. I suppose Johnny could find himself a partner. Or maybe he revives an old Lucha Underground feud and battles Brian Cage, though there’s not enough time to properly build that match.

Perhaps we’ll get an idea what Johnny’s direction is after his match tonight.

3) What’s the next match for Cage and Lashley?

Despite Cage defeating Bobby Lashley last week, it wasn’t a convincing win. Cage was just able to roll out of the ring to avoid Lashley winning via spear. And when Brian Cage hit his Discus Lariat to get the pin, Lashley kicked out right after three. That is a match that Cage “just won” instead of “decisively won.”

Lashley is calling out Cage this week, likely because he doesn’t feel happy about how it went down.

With another match in their future, I wonder if there will be a stipulation added. That’s usually how these escalation feuds progress. A match like a Last Man Standing feels fitting. But it’s always possible they have another standard regulation match and just go nuts with it.

4) Does Su Yung talk?

Allie is summoning the Undead Bride Su Yung after being attacked by her weeks ago.

This has me wondering if the Su Yung character speaks or is a silent assassin. I’ve never seen her wrestle on the indies, so I’m really curious if she cuts a promo or just stares ominously. Both could work, but sometimes with a gimmick like hers, cutting a promo can kill the vibe. Rosemary made it work though.

5) Is this Friday’s show canon?

Impact doesn’t have a big show like Ring of Honor or NXT in New Orleans. But they have their Lucha Underground vs. Impact show that will air on Twitch.

Most of the matches advertised are exhibition matches between LU guys and Impact guys. But it’s also the first time Eddie Edwards and Sami Callihan will fight since Sami broke Eddie’s orbital with a baseball bat.

This is staying with the LU/Impact theme as Sami is fighting under his Lucha Underground name Jeremiah Crane.

Given all that, will this match be part of the Impact canon? Will this match play heavily into the story they’re telling on TV or will it be treated more like a house show match? When they eventually fight on Impact TV, will it be considered their first or second meeting after the incident?

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