Is IMPACT Wrestling’s Digital Media Title the perfect next step?
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Ever since the unification of the Impact Grand Championship with the IMPACT World Title back in 2018, Impact has only been running with two singles titles in their male division (The World Title and the X Division). This has definitely put more focus on both of these titles and made each one feel more important, however as the roster has grown larger over this past year, there has been a lot of talent who feel like they’re a little lost in the shuffle.
With a few wrestlers recently who feel like they are in feuds over nothing just to keep them on TV or others who maybe feel like they’re a little misplaced as they need a direction after lots of momentum (like maybe Maclin going for the X Division which still feels like an odd fit), this may be just what the doctor ordered. The introduction of a brand new title opens up many new avenues for wrestlers who may be a little unsuited (or if title pictures are full) plus it will also give a reason for matches and feuds if the writers are scratching their heads a little.
All of this as a start is very positive for Impact Wrestling, many fans have been calling for an extra title to fill the gap that there seems to be and they have damn well answered. IMPACT has also added some extra editions to the title rather than just making this your everyday “another” title. Impact have looked at what they are doing successfully and taking advantage of that to make that the focus of this brand new Digital Media Championship.
IMPACT has really taken into account that their online platforms are slowly growing and they are aware that if they can capitalize on this then it will only continue to grow. So far IMPACT has been having qualifying matches that air on Tuesday and Wednesday via Impact Plus, then 24 hours later on YouTube for Ultimate Insider members. These matches are leading to a six-way match at their Countdown To Glory pre-show of Bound For Glory which is being held on October 23, this match will crown the inaugural Digital Media Champion.
The interesting thing going forward is that IMPACT has announced that the Champion will defend their title on their digital media platforms, this will be interesting to see if IMPACT keep the format they are currently using with these qualifying matches or if they have a new plan for maybe a second show up their sleeve. IMPACT could definitely utilize its assets better when it comes to this. From what we’ve seen from the qualifiers with a single 7-minute match, they could easily make space on Before the Impact (with 40 minutes of the show being highlights). However maybe Impact have more of a plan to turn what we’ve seen into an extra 30-minute show, that would definitely feel like something a little more special, especially if there’s some build to the match.?
While Impact have named the title The Digital Media Championship (there have been many ups and downs on this name, personally I have no issue with it), thankfully the digital media title defenses and appearances will be treated as an extra addition. This meaning that they will not be a champion who appears only on Tuesday or Wednesday nights (as of now) defending their title on their Digital platforms then make the odd appearance on Impact (so you never really see the Champion if you only watch Impact TV). It’s quite the contrary, they will be on Impact weekly, defend the title on Impact, Impact Plus events, and Impact PPV’s. Then the champion will put in extra shifts defending it on Tuesday or Wednesday nights.
Another interesting thing that Impact has added to this title is that it is open to anyone. Inter-gender wrestling is something that has had it’s lovers and it’s haters however you can’t deny that Impact wrestling does Inter-gender wrestling incredibly well. This certainly opens the door for some very unique match ups and as we spoke about, Knockouts who may be a little lost in the shuffle (take Taylor Wilde at the moment) you could place them into the direction of this title? It’s open to anyone and this will really showcase (so long as Impact uses it correctly) how good Impact are with this style of wrestling, it also has reason as to why Impact have put a lot of focus on Inter-gender wrestling, to build towards this.
Impact do have a track record with new titles to drop the ball however (and especially one’s they try to treat as “midcard”) so it will definitely be a wait and see on the execution,. Even now 2 weeks in the build has been a little up and down with the second round matches only being announced at the 11th hour. However by by Hard to Kill we’ll have a good idea of what Impact’s mind set is and if this has broken the mould or if it’s sadly rinse and repeat again.
Currently though there is so much positive feeling around this title and what it can do for so many of the wrestlers (male or female) going forward, such as giving more purpose to wrestlers that feel that are just missing something or even adding something to other titles by freeing up space so less people are crowding round each title? A great looking title, a name that in my opinion is very fitting and works and overall so far it’s top work Impact Wrestling on this one.
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