UNDER SIEGE!
If there is ever an apt description for the main event of an Impact Wrestling event, it is perhaps the official title of Impact's return to FITE this Friday evening, live from London, Ontario Canada.
After all, how else would one correctly describe the unfortunate fate that is rapidly approaching the reigning and defending Impact Wrestling World Champion, Steve Maclin? After defeating KUSHIDA to ascend to Impact's ultimate throne, there was, indeed, no rest for the wicked. After choosing to run afoul of Scott D'Amore, Maclin was told that his first official challenger for the Championship would be, PCO, Perfect Creation One.
Since then, Maclin and his new associates Mahabali Shera and Champagne Singh, have attempted to neutralize the French Frankenstein, learning the hard way that no matter how battered, how beaten, how decimated PCO may be, he always regenerates and rises, seeking to continue the battle - which leaves the Impact World Champion with a seemingly impossible riddle: how do you defeat the unbeatable?
Maclin has always been a grizzled, laser focused veteran who excels at studying and breaking down his opposition en route to victory, but this Friday, the newest Impact Kingpin may find himself battling against an inevitable defeat. Maclin has fought his way out of impossible situations before, but this may be the roughest battle of his entire life. FITE fans across the globe will witness the crowning of a new champion or Maclin's greatest victory, live as it happens.
While the winner will emerge from the battlefield as the truly undisputed World Champion, whether they will be able to survive the next challenger waiting for them will be a true question all Impact Wrestling fanatics will be waiting to answer. During Under Siege, six of Impact Wrestling's most valiant competitors will enter the fray, seeking to earn their position as the new top contender.
For Moose and Eddie Edwards, this battle represents an opportunity to return to the hallowed ground they once ruled over. For Alex Shelley, long considered one of the most gifted in-ring wizards worldwide, it provides a path to the ultimate singles championship glory. For Yuya Uemura, this battle is his greatest chance to date to shock the entire world and become an instant hero back home in Japan. For Jonathan Gresham, this is his first attempt to earn a World Championship opportunity and to show once and for all that he is the greatest scientific grappler in the world.
Most interestingly, however, is that what this match represents for Frankie Kazarian, who chose to forgo the easier path and returned to Impact in order to forge the harder battles in an attempt to earn his place at the top of the industry and accomplish the one goal he's yet to achieve - the World Heavyweight Championship.
These six warriors will all stand tall when the bell rings but only one man will emerge as the gravest threat to the Impact Wrestling Champion when Under Siege goes off the air on FITE this Friday evening.
Jordynne Grace finds herself Under Siege as well, with her back up against the wall when she battles Impact Wrestling Knockouts World Champion Deonna Purrazzo. Grace has agreed that should she now power her way to victory, she will never receive another championship for as long as Purrazzo grasps the Championship. Purrazzo has long celebrated herself as the greatest wrestling talent on God's Green Earth, but to achieve ultimate victory this Friday, Purrazzo will have to evade the Grace Driver and somehow lock her in the Venus de Milo. This colossal battle will set the trajectory for the summer and beyond for the Knockouts division - and may very well change the lives of two of the most explosive Knockouts of all time.
While those competitors may have hit the apex of their Impact journey, Trinity is only beginning her tenure this week at Under Siege. Already a world renowned star with major victories under her belt, Trinity's arrival in Impact has created global headlines, something that hasn't been well received by Gisele Shaw. Shaw's disrespect led to Trinity throwing down the gauntlet for a showdown at Under Siege. History will be made when Trinity competes in her first milestone Impact Wrestling event live on FITE and finds out how she will fare against one of Impact's most cunning Knockouts competitors. Will Jai Vidal be the deciding factor against Trinity or will Shaw find herself trapped and tapping out to Starstruck, just as KiLynn King did on Impact on AXS? History happens before everyone's eyes this Friday, live on FITE!
History will be made as well when former NWA and Impact Wrestling World Champion Nick Aldis returns to the ring against Kenny King this Friday at Under Siege. The National Treasure has returned to Impact, making his goal of once again reigning supreme as the World Champion immediately known. The always cocky and confident King warned Aldis he wasn't going to just walk into a championship opportunity when competitors like King were more deserving, setting the stage for a showdown spawned by disrespect. With Sheldon Jean at his side, King is looking to propel himself into the World title picture at Aldis' expense - but to do so means he'll have to defeat one of the most decorated professional wrestlers of the modern era. Aldis has carried entire promotions on his back and now seeks to ascend to the rarified air that World Champions enjoy. At Under Siege, he takes his first major step towards that goal, but to do so, he'll have to defeat one of the most versatile and dangerous competitors in all of Impact, Kenny King.
The X-Division Championship will also be on the line this Friday as the embittered defending Champion Trey Miguel, who's ego has risen to levels only matched by his pure talent, enters the squared circle to face one of the more celebrated Impact Wrestling Champions of all time - Chris Sabin. Over the course of Impact's 20+ year existence, Sabin has captured every major title, including the World Championship, as well as helping to define the greatness of both the X-Division and The Tag Team divisions. Now, Sabin is seeking to again make history by becoming the first-ever nine-time X-Division Championship. Miguel is incredibly talented, but Sabin is one of Impact's most beloved talents of all time. Can the legacy of Sabin overcome the greatness of Miguel today? FITE viewers will discover for themselves this Friday.
Impact Wrestling's stars are indeed Under Siege this Friday on FITE, meaning they will all have to dig down deep to find a way to achieve ultimate victory. London, Ontario will be the epicenter of courageous acts, violent brawls and championship excellence as Impact and FITE kick off an incredible summer of action!
Mike Johnson is the lead reporter for PWInsider.com and has been writing about professional wrestling since 1996. He can be found on Twitter @MikePWInsider and MikeJohnsonWrites.com.
