Impact Wrestling returned to the Rebel Entertainment Complex in Toronto on Sunday for their first of two nights of television tapings.
Impact tapings —
– X Division Champion Brian Cage defeated Fenix (w/ Pentagon Jr.) to retain his title
oVe and Sami Callihan attacked Fenix and Pentagon after the match until Cage made the save.
– Eddie Edwards came out with a kendo stick. He mentioned being beaten down by Austin Aries and Killer Kross, but he said he’s again looking for a fight and called either of them out or he’s going to come find them. He said a lot of people call him crazy, but he loves what he’s become.
Aries and Kross entered. Edwards punched Aries, Kross took Edwards out, and Aries and Kross beat Edwards down before Moose made the save.
– Kiera Hogan (w/ Allie) defeated Alisha Edwards
Allie said she was proud of Hogan for winning and cut a promo setting up her triple threat Knockouts Championship match against Su Yung and Tessa Blanchard for later.
– Brandon Tidwell & Mr. Atlantis defeated The Cult of Lee (Trevor Lee & Caleb Konley) w/ Eli Drake
Tidwell rolled up Konley for the pin while Lee was distracted outside of the ring.
– Fallah Bahh & KM defeated The Desi Hit Squad
Gama Singh cut a heel promo on Toronto before this started.
– Matt Sydal defeated Zachary Wentz
– Rich Swann defeated Petey Williams
– Eli Drake defeated Brandon Tidwell
Drake got on the mic and mentioned that he never said he was friends with the Cult of Lee. He brought up this being one more test for Tidwell and Mr. Atlantis, then defeated Tidwell quickly after Atlantis was the one to accept his challenge.
– Tessa Blanchard defeated Su Yung (w/ the Undead Bridesmaids) and Allie (w/ Kiera Hogan) in a triple threat match to win the Knockouts Championship
Blanchard rolled up Allie to win the title. Yung will get her rematch against Blanchard at tonight’s tapings.
– A video aired showing that Moose had been attacked by Killer Kross backstage.
– Impact World Champion Austin Aries & Killer Kross vs. Eddie Edwards & Moose
Moose came out with a bandage on his head during the match. He turned heel on Edwards, joining Aries and Kross in beating him down. Alisha Edwards came down and slapped Moose.
– Sami Callihan defeated Pentagon Jr. in a Mexican Death Match
After Pentagon defeated him at Slammiversary XVI, Callihan won their rematch by hitting a top rope piledriver through a table.
The first show after Slammiversary XVI featured a heavy dose of self-praise for the company’s pay-per-view event and the setting up of several new feuds leading into the next big PPV, Bound For Glory, on October 14.
Impact World Champion Austin Aries opened the show. He called Slammiversary the “PPV of the year.” Without mentioning other companies by name he ripped on them, saying no one hands him a script and tells him what to say before he talks.
“You want to call yourself the best, you have to step into the ring with the best,” Aries said.
Eddie Edwards, fresh off a feud with Tommy Dreamer, snuck up behind him and hit him with a kendo stick in the stomach and then landed the two-arm DDT, setting up the next title feud.
Commentators Don Callis and Josh Mathews were at ringside instead of in the studio for the show.
Taiji Ishimori defeated Petey Williams
The crowd was totally behind Williams, chanting “Petey, Petey,” throughout the match.
This was a display of high-flying moves. Ishimori went for a hurricanrana that Williams turned into a powerbomb. Ishimori got the win after he blocked Williams’ Canadian Destroyer attempt and hit a suplex into a DDT. In a show of respect, the two men hugged but were then attacked by the Desi Hit Squad, leaving them laid out in the ring.
Backstage, they interviewed Anthony Carelli, formerly Santino Marella in the WWE. Carelli was there to promote some of his wrestling students, when Aries picked a fight with him. Carelli said he would love to fight Aries but that he isn’t medically cleared because of a neck injury.
“If you are too old and broken down to step into the ring with the champ, I understand,” Aries told him.
Instead his student, Dustin Cameron, challenged Aries to a fight. Aries accepted and walked away.
“At least he paid for his membership in advance,” a surprised Carelli said to end the interview segment.
Tessa Blanchard defeated Rebel
Blanchard won with a DDT. Rebel got most of the offense in during the match, allowing Blanchard to show her exceptional selling skills. Blanchard oozes charisma and ring presence, and she appears to be in a league of her own in the Knockouts division.
They showed a package hyping Bound for Glory.
Scarlett Bordeaux appeared in an interview segment looking like a “Price is Right” model in lingerie.
She asked to be referred to as “The Smokeshow.” They set up a fan at her feet to blow her hair as she was being interviewed.
“I want to be an inspiration to little girls everywhere,” she said. “I want to be remembered as the greatest women’s activist of all time like Marilyn Monroe or Cardi B.”
She said she would not be “hot shamed” and that “The Smokeshow is here to make wrestling sexy again.”
Johnny Impact defeated Trevor Lee (w/ Caleb Konley)
The crowd was very much into Impact. Lee resembles a young Bruiser Brody. Impact hit a million corkscrew dives in and out of the ring on Lee.
Impact used the top rope to springboard off of, showing his remarkable athleticism. He also hit an amazing corkscrew splash from the top rope outside of the ring onto both Lee and Konley. Impact won the match with the Starship Pain off the top rope.
After the match, Impact grabbed the microphone. “I can’t even begin to tell you how good it feels to be back in Impact Wrestling,” said the 38-year-old veteran.
He said he wants to become the Impact World Champion, but first he has some unfinished business to take care of against Kongo Kong.
Allie was interviewed and she confessed guilt for not being able to stop Madison Rayne from getting locked in the coffin by Su Yung at Slammiversary. She made a promise to stop Yung. Kiera Hogan showed up and said that Allie was not alone and that she would help her put an end to Yung’s reign as Knockouts Champion.
Flashback Moment of the Week: Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) defeated Generation Me (Max & Jeremy Buck) (No Surrender 2009)
Tazz referred to Generation Me, better known today as The Young Bucks, as “these two young bucks” who were “Christian athletes.” The Motor City Machine Guns won after they hit a “skull on bones” on Jeremy Buck.
X Division Champion Brian Cage defeated Matt Sydal to retain his title
Cage looked big and bloated, but it’s hard not to be impressed by his physique and ability to move like a small guy, even though he’s not. Sydal continued his new age, third eye gimmick and put on a high-flying clinic against the bigger man. At one point, Cage caught Sydal in mid-air and slammed him into the turnbuckle outside the ring.
Later, Cage hit an impressive 619 on Sydal. Cage hit an F-5 that Sydal kicked out of. Cage eventually won with a suplex into a piledriver.
The show ended with Mathews saying Cage had never been submitted or pinned.
Mil Muertes has been removed from the Gift of the Gods title match, and he can’t be pleased. The Mack better watch out, as Muertes has a history of killing anyone that opposes him. Muertes clearly wants to challenge for the Lucha Underground Championship again, and The Mack just got in his way.
We also saw the feud between the Worldwide Underground and the Reptile Tribe continue, with some tension between Jack Evans and Ricky Mundo. It has been heavily implied that Ricky murdered Angelico. Meanwhile, Pentagon Dark has continued to defend his championship successfully, but Cage was not content with the loss and beat down Pentagon after the match. It looked like that feud is far from over.
The Recap —
The show opened with Paul London making his entrance.
Dezmond X defeated Paul London (w/ The White Rabbit Tribe) for a Gift of the Gods medallion
London started the match by having the White Rabbit Tribe distract Dezmond. Dezmond is learning quickly that the Temple is a place that doesn’t necessarily offer a fair fight. Dezmond had to constantly fight against interference from the White Rabbit Tribe, and managed to hit a hurricanrana on London to get the advantage.
X hit an enzuigiri in the corner and a back handspring Pele before missing a 450 splash. London hit double knees to the chest of Dezmond. Dezmond reversed a suplex attempt into a cradle for the pinfall.
Antonio Cueto entered and asked all the winners of the Gift of the Gods medallions to come out and place their medallions in the belt. Dragon Azteca Jr., King Cuerno, Ivelisse, Dezmond X, Son of Havoc, The Mack, and Mil Muertes all came out and placed their medallions into the Gift of the Gods Championship.
Cueto wanted to have a little fun, and announced that only six people will compete for the championship. He announced all seven people will wrestle in an over-the-top rope battle royal, with the winner choosing who does not compete.
The Mack won a battle royal (the winner decides who doesn’t compete for the Gift of the Gods Championship)
Mil Muertes ran wild early on, eliminating Cuerno, Ivelisse, and Dezmond X. Muertes tried to powerbomb Dragon Azteca Jr. over the top rope, but as he did so, Havoc and The Mack sent Muertes flying outside of the ring. The Mack and Son of Havoc were left in the ring. They are two-thirds of the Trios Champions, so Son of Havoc decided that he would dive over the top rope onto everyone, eliminating himself.
The Mack then cut a promo saying he’d like to say that he isn’t scared of anyone, but Mil Muertes scares the crap out of him. The Mack then chose Muertes, so Muertes will not be competing in the match. Muertes did not take kindly to this. Catrina left ringside angry, and Muertes proceeded to attack everyone on the outside.
Vibora (w/ Kobra Moon) defeated Johnny Mundo (w/ Taya Valkyrie)
Mundo tried to use his speed to overcome the bigger man, but Vibora hit a big forearm and sent Mundo to his knees. Taya grabbed Vibora’s feet, and Kobra Moon grabbed Mundo’s. Taya and Moon both got in the ring and fought each other.
Mundo hit a sequence of kicks, ending with a standing Shooting Star Press. Vibora caught Mundo and hit a fallaway slam. Vibora hit a big boot and a killer knee right to Mundo’s face. Vibora hit a Burning Hammer, but Mundo kicked out. This was followed up with a chokeslam attempt, but Mundo slid out and hit a reverse hurricanrana and another hurricanrana. Mundo climbed onto the top rope, but Vibora recovered.
Mundo, with nowhere left to go, dove onto Kobra Moon instead. Vibora chased Mundo around the ring, and PJ Black nailed Vibora with a chair. Mundo hit the End of he World back in the ring, but Vibora kicked out.
Johnny Mundo decided to superkick the referee. Black and Taya held Vibora as they put a chair on his head, looking to injure him.
Drago and Daga saved him, sending the Worldwide Underground to the back. Vibora blocked a chair shot and hit a superkick and a chokeslam, but Mundo kicked out. Ricky Mundo pulled Johnny out of the ring, but Vibora hit a triangle moonsault to the outside. Back in the ring, Mundo hit a series of superkicks, but Vibora managed to grab him as he went for a springboard, and hit a chokeslam. He then pinned Mundo. This was a very good match.
Both groups ran down to the ring, and the Reptile Tribe and Worldwide Underground had a huge brawl.
Ricky Mundo was backstage with his doll and Jack Evans. Ricky confronted Evans about not being there to help the rest of the group. Evans said he doesn’t mess with Reptiles. Ricky’s doll suggested that he do to Evans what he did to Angelico. It’s heavily implied that Ricky killed Angelico.
Lucha Underground Champion Pentagon Dark defeated Brian Cage to retain his title
Cage went right after Pentagon, using his superior strength to toss Pentagon around ringside. Cage slammed him on the floor. Pentagon ended up hitting a few chops and choking Cage with a camera wire. Cage slammed Pentagon on the apron, then threw him into a row of chairs. Pentagon was sent flying into the barricade at ringside, and Cage tied Pentagon’s mask to the guardrail.
Cage borrowed Matt Striker’s chair, but he didn’t get to use it. Pentagon used the chair and hit a slingblade on the outside before hitting a double stomp from the top rope. Cage kicked out. Pentagon hit a leg kick and went for the package piledriver, but Cage hit a flying knee and a pumphandle slam. Cage hit a bucklebomb and a deadlift suplex from the apron into the ring.
Pentagon hit a lung blower and a codebreaker. He played to the crowd, but Cage grabbed him and hit an electric chair drop. pentagon hit an enzuigiri, a superkick, and two Canadian Destroyers on Cage! Pentagon then hit a package piledriver on Cage and got the pinfall. Really solid match here.
Cage tried to hit Pentagon after the end of the match. Pentagon ducked and hit him with the title belt. The fans chanted “Break his arm!” Pentagon went for it, but Cage powered out and hit an F5 right onto the title. The show ended with Cage holding up the Lucha Underground Championship.
Matanza continued his warpath as Antonio Cueto had another sacrifice to the gods. Ivelisse earned a Gift of the Gods Medallion — as did The Mack and Son of Havoc.
In a must-see match, Mil Muertes and Cage tore the house down in the main event. Muertes entered the arena with Catrina, who has now returned to the land of the living, and he defeated Cage. Catrina did not give Cage the lick of death. Muertes now holds an Aztec Medallion, continuing his momentum. Pentagon Dark will be facing Cage for the Lucha Underground Championship next week.
The White Rabbit Tribe murdered Mascarita Sagrada at the request of Killer Kross. Odd segment, but very bloody. I’m interested to see where they go from here.
The Recap —
Mil Muertes will be taking on Brian Cage in the main event of this episode, challenging for a Gift of the Gods medallion.
Cortez Castro opened the show in the ring. Antonio Cueto confronted Castro and accused him of being a police officer. Antonio wanted to report a homicide, as he booked Matanza in a Sacrifice to the Gods match.
Matanza Cueto defeated Cortez Castro via Death
This match only lasted a few seconds, and Matanza hit the Wrath of the Gods for the pinfall victory.
Matanza raised his hands to the sky, and the lights flashed red, went out, and Castro was gone. Matanza has made his second sacrifice, solving the police problem (for now) for Cueto.
Ivelisse defeated Joey Ryan via Code Red for a Gift of the Gods Medallion
Ivelisse tried to slap Ryan, but he blocked it and tried to get her to grab him by his junk. She fought it off, and was soon hitting a series of hurricanranas. Ryan hit a right hand. Striker said, “Don’t feel sorry for her, she’s been in tougher fights.” Vampiro said, “Punch her harder, I mean it’s good for the business, right?” That was super uncomfortable.
Ivelisse locked on a headscissors submission, but Ryan hit a superkick. Ivelisse kicked out. Ryan hit a spinebuster a little while later, but Ivelisse kicked out again. Ivelisse ended up hitting a massive German suplex, but Ryan kicked out. Ivelisse countered a powerbomb and hit a Code Red and scored the pinfall, winning one of the medallions.
This was a decent match, but it was harmed greatly by Striker and Vampiro’s commentary, which was advocating for violence against women. If Ivelisse is the babyface (which she was), saying “Don’t feel sorry for her” completely takes the sympathy off her.
The Mack defeated Son of Havoc and Killshot via Stunner for a Gift of the Gods Medallion (Havoc also won a medallion)
This match saw the Lucha Underground Trios Champions facing off against each other for a chance at the Gift of the Gods. The one that isn’t pinned or submitted will also receive a medallion. This match was incredibly fast paced with all three trying to drop one another. Havoc hit the ropes, and Killshot went over with a leap frog while Havoc did a suicide dive onto The Mack.
The Mack hit a killer kick and did a tope con giro to the outside onto Killshot and Havoc both. Killshot hit a big kick to the arm of the Mack, then began to work over the Mack’s arm. He hit a superkick that sent the Mack to the floor. Havoc and Killshot exchanged blows, and Havoc hit a tornado DDT. The Mack dodged a handspring elbow from Havoc and hit The Pounce. Killshot hit a German suplex on the Mack, but he no sold it and hit a lariat. Killshot hit a double stomp in response.
Havoc went for a Shooting Star Press on The Mack, but Killshot grabbed him by the beard and hit a Death Valley Driver on the apron. Killshot hit a double stomp on Havoc, and The Mack hit a stunner on Killshot for the pinfall victory.
The Mack hesitated about which guy he should pin. Mack and Havoc walked out with a medallion each, while Killshot was angry at both men. This was an excellent match.
Mil Muertes (w/ Catrina) defeated Cage via Flatliner for a Gift of the Gods Medallion
This started with both men brawling and exchanging a series of hard strikes. The crowd came alive for this one, as two of the favorite monsters of the LU fans faced off here. Muertes hit a headscissors takedown and both went to the outside of the ring. Cage was sent into the barricade, but he hit a superkick and threw Muertes into the same barricade before hitting a series of forearms. They continued to brawl at ringside.
Cage hit a big kick and a deadlift superplex from the apron to the inside of the ring. Muertes went for a spear, but Cage leapfrogged him. Unfortunately for the referee, who was behind him. Cage hit a lariat, but Muertes kicked out. Cage killed the second ref, then Muertes hit a flatliner on Cage. A third ref came down, but Cage kicked out. Muertes chokeslammed the ref. All three refs were down. Cage hit a tope con giro, which was absolutely incredible.
Muertes hit a huge lariat and introduced a chair into the equation. He didn’t get to use it, though, as Cage took him out and grabbed the chair. A fan behind Cage stood up and took off his jacket, and it was Pentagon Dark! The crowd exploded as Pentagon hit a kick and a chair shot. Muertes hit a flatliner and got the pinfall, winning the match. This was an absolutely awesome match.
Pentagon said that Cage shouldn’t be sad because he’s going to get a title shot next week. Pentagon then said he was going to break Cage’s arm.
The show closed with a skit with the White Rabbit Tribe, which was all sorts of weird. Paul London asked for guidance after being taken to Killer Kross by Mascarita Sagrada. Killer Kross demanded he kill Mascarita Sagrada, and London did.
The show opened with the over-the-top entrance of Grado, accompanied by Katarina. Eddie Edwards quickly interrupted. He pulled Grado from the top rope and hit him with the Singapore cane.
Edwards called out Tommy Dreamer, calling him a fraud. Edwards was angry that Dreamer interrupted his fight in the woods with Sami Callihan last week.
Dreamer tried to use reason with Edwards. He told him to put the cane down. Edwards called the hardcore legend a fraud for wanting to stop violence when Dreamer made his reputation as a hardcore fighter. Dreamer said we know more about concussions now and head injuries now than in the 1990s.
Dreamer tried praise, telling Edwards that he had all the talent in the world to be Impact Champion. Edwards smacked Dreamer over the head with the cane. Dreamer, once recovered, walked angrily backstage and said he was quitting the promotion.
Taya Valkyrie defeated Rebel
Rebel put on a splits display throughout the match. As the heel, Valkyrie controlled the pace of much of the match. Rebel rallied to hit a Kinshasa that led two a two-count. She went for a moonsault and landed on her feet, but Valkyrie hit a spear, then a double chicken wing front face splash for the win.
An out-of-breath Valkyrie grabbed the mic and challenged Madison Rayne.
“Put your hands together and give Madison Rayne a round of applause because she is back in the Impact Zone,” she said, before telling the crowd to show up. Valkyrie called herself “Lucha royalty,” and said “This is my kingdom.”
Flashback Moment of the Week: AJ Styles defeated Christopher Daniels and Samoa Joe to win the X Division Championship (Unbreakable 2005)
This was a flashback match to when TNA was still the brand and they wrestled in a six-sided ring.
The crowd was totally hot for the match, which was a reminder of the talent that was once in TNA.
In one of the many highlights, Styles hit a Pele kick on Joe, put him in a torture rack backbreaker, and then dropped him on his back. Daniels saved the pin. Styles hit a Styles Clash on Daniels, but Joe broke up the pinfall. Eventually, Styles reversed a double-arm back suplex to drop Daniels on his back for the pinfall to win the X Division Championship.
Cult of Lee (Trevor Lee & Caleb Konley) defeated KM & Fallah Bahh
Bahh was over largely because of his physique, a short, round guy. Commentator Josh Mathews said KM and Bahh were being recruited by Hollywood for a film. During his entrance, Bahh picked up a sign that said “#fat kids rule the world.”
There were lots of double team spots with Bahh and KM working over either Konley or Lee. At one point both members of Cult of Lee were laid out inside the ring and the hefty Bahh rolled over them — twice.
Cult of Lee won after Bahh got his eyes raked, and then, unable to see, gave KM a Samoan drop, when KM was trying to help him. Konley pinned KM.
Bahh and KM argued after the match. KM pushed Bahh to the ground and then said he was “done” before walking away from the ring.
Moose defeated Eli Drake
The match took place from the old ECW Arena in Philadelphia. On the line was a title shot against Austin Aries at Slammiversary.
This was a long, methodical match. There was a good spot where Moose swung Drake by the legs, Cesaro style, into the guard rails on the outside of the ring.
Drake hit a cool superplex, but Moose kicked out.
Moose won after a spear for the pin on Drake, and will now challenge Aries at Slammiversary.
Tessa Blanchard defeated Kiera Hogan in a no DQ match
Hogan got the match started quickly with several elbows to Blanchard’s chest outside the ring. Hogan, wearing red and yellow, landed several stiff right hands.
This was a no disqualification match. Blanchard eventually turned the tide, hitting Hogan with two hard dropkicks into her back, as she was leaning up against the ropes.
The two exchanged several hardcore spots using a steel chair.
Blanchard won after throwing Hogan face first onto a steel chair for the pin.
El Hijo Del Fantasma defeated Jake Crist
Fantasma is the AAA Latin American Champion. Not much of a match. Fantasma won with a flying body scissors that he transitioned into a roll-up for the win.
After the match, brother Dave Crist and Sami Callihan triple teamed Fantasma, nearly removing his mask. The lights dimmed and out came Pentagon, chasing Callihan and the Crist brothers from the scene.
X-Division Champion Matt Sydal defeated Brian Cage by countout
Mathews noted that Brian Cage beat Bobby Lashley twice recently. Sydal, with his long hair, was looking a lot like Dolph Ziggler
The match consisted of Sydal trying to stick and move while Cage stalked him. Sydal used his quickness to hit a kick to the head and then a splash. Cage ,however, popped up, and then curled him several times like he was a barbell, before dumping him on his back. Cage then delivered 10 clotheslines to Sydal against the corner turnbuckle.
The match was then interrupted by Jimmy Jacobs and Kongo Kong, who stood on the ramp. Thanks to their presence, Sydal rallied
Cage hit a superplex from the bottom rope inside of the ring. Sydal tried a hurricanrana and Cage caught him and threw him into the turnbuckle.
Cage was exhausted during the match. It spilled to the outside and, when the referee wasn’t looking, Kong threw Cage into the steel steps, forcing Cage to lose by countout. It was Cage’s first loss.
The card for Impact Wrestling’s Redemption pay-per-view now has six confirmed matches.
A six-way match was added to the lineup for the PPV today, with it featuring Brian Cage, Taiji Ishimori, DJ Z, El Hijo Del Fantasma, Trevor Lee, and Dezmond Xavier. Ishimori is working the show despite departing Pro Wrestling NOAH last month, and DJ Z is making another appearance for Impact after returning for the first time in over a year at their WrestleMania week event with Lucha Underground.
Redemption is the company’s first PPV since last November and will take place at the Impact Zone in Orlando, Florida on April 22nd. The main event was originally supposed to be Austin Aries defending his World Championship against Alberto El Patron, but that was changed to Aries vs. Pentagon Jr. vs. Fenix after El Patron was released.
The next match for Redemption will be announced on Monday. Here’s the updated card:
Impact World Champion Austin Aries defending against Pentagon Jr. and Fenix in a triple threat match
Knockouts Champion Allie defending against Su Yung
Eddie Edwards, Moose & Tommy Dreamer vs. Sami Callihan & OVE (Dave & Jake Crist) in a House of Hardcore match
X Division Champion Matt Sydal defending against Petey Williams
Impact Tag Team Champions LAX (Santana & Ortiz) defending against Eli Drake & Scott Steiner
Brian Cage vs. Taiji Ishimori vs. DJ Z vs. El Hijo Del Fantasma vs. Trevor Lee vs. Dezmond Xavier
