New Impact Wrestling Tag Team Champions were crowned at Sunday’s Emergence in Toronto as The Rascalz became titleholders for the first time with their win over Subculture.
The end came when Zachary Wentz & Trey Miguel isolated Flash Morgan Webster, finishing him off with a double stomp into a burning hammer to pick up the win and their first ever run with the titles.
Wentz and Miguel earned the opportunity against Webster and Mark Andrews by winning the recent four-team Tag Team title eliminator tournament, defeating Rich Swann & Sami Callihan in the finals.
The two have a history with former champions ABC (Chris Bey & Ace Austin) after both costing them the titles at Slammiversary and then in their subsequent rematch with Subculture, setting up a potential battle in the future.
Webster and Andrews held the gold for over 40 days, defending the titles four times but just once in Impact itself.
********* Steve Maclin made his return to Impact Sunday after being away for several months due to injury.
Maclin made a surprise appearance to attack Josh Alexander on the ramp during an eight-man tag team match, going after his previously injured left arm. The two had a brawl on the stage before being separated. Alexander then finished the rest of the match, eventually getting pinned by Moose after Impact World Champion Alex Shelley walked out on his team.
Maclin and Alexander were supposed to wrestle for Alexander’s-then Impact World title at April’s Rebellion until he had to withdraw. Maclin defeated KUSHIDA for the vacant title before losing it to Shelley in June. He was then inured during the company’s mini-tour of Australia, putting him on the injured list.
In the night’s other title matches, Knockouts Champion Trinity retained her title with a submission win over Deonna Purrazzo in the main event while Digital Media Champion Kenny King defeated Johnny Swinger to retain, and Knockouts Tag Team Champions MK Ultra (Masha Slamovich & Killer Kelly) retained in a four-way that included The Death Dollz, Jody Threat & KiLynn King, and Gisele Shaw & Savannah Evans.
The Knockouts title will be on the line in the headliner for Sunday’s Emergence streaming special from Impact Wrestling.
After defeating Deonna Purrazzo for the gold at July’s Slammiversary, Trinity will defend for the first time and against the former champion in a rematch.
Impact World Champion Alex Shelley will be in eight-man tag team action as he teams with former champion Josh Alexander, KUSHIDA & Chris Sabin against Bully Ray, Moose, Brian Myers & Lio Rush.
Impact Tag Team Champions Subculture (Flash Morgan Webster & Mark Andrews) will defend against The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz) while the Knockouts Tag Team Champions MK Ultra (Masha Slamovich & Killer Kelly) will defend in a four-way.
IWGP World Champion and former X-Division Champion SANADA will make his return to Impact as he faces Jake Something in a non-title match.
The rest of the card from Toronto features a Kenny King Digital Media title defense, a no DQ battle between Eric Young and Deaner and more.
*********
Mike Bailey defeated Alan Angels
This match was awesome, and they will be hard pressed to have a better one on the main card.
Mike Bailey was very over with this Canadian audience for Impact Emergence. Bailey took most of the early portions of the match, hitting kicks, a triangle moonsault to the floor, and many other fast paced moves. Angels managed to trap Bailey’s head in the top turnbuckle, but instead of the superkick to the face, Angels hit a dropkick. Angels and Bailey then exchanged a series of strikes, which included an awesome spinning kick from Bailey, before Angels hit a lariat and both men were down.
Angels went to the top rope, but Bailey cut him off. Angels trapped the head in the turnbuckle again, but Bailey fought out. Angels pulled Bailey from the top rope, sending him crashing back first onto the turnbuckles. Angels then hit a frog splash and a twisting butterfly suplex for a 2-count. Angels went for a it a second time, but Bailey back body dropped Angels and hit a moonsault into double knees on Angels.
Bailey missed a tornado kick but managed to hit a standing Spanish fly on Angels for a 2-count. Angels went behind Bailey and snapped his neck like a movie neck break. This did not break Bailey’s neck and kill him, thankfully. Bailey hit a tornado kick in the corner before hitting Ultima weapon for the win.
while Canada was not. This got heat in Canada, as America is the foreign heel outside of the US.
This led to Joe Hendry and Yuya Uemura making their entrance to a brand new theme played by and produced by Joe Hendry. Hendry and Uemura came out with matching gear and danced like a boy band down to the ring, and it was incredible.
JoYa (Joe Hendry & Yuya Uemura) defeated The Good Hands (Jason Hotch & John Skylar)
This was a ton of fun, and there is absolutely a tag team title run in waiting for Hendry and Uemura eventually. It must happen.
Hendry and Uemura were very over with the audience, easily getting the crowd behind them no matter what they did in this one. It was not long before Hotch and Skylar were getting the heat on Uemura. Hendry kept getting fired up and trying to save his partner, but the official kept cutting him off. However, this referee was a smart one, and she noticed that Hotch and Skylar changed places without tagging, and demanded they switch, which allowed Uemura to recover enough to escape their grasp and tag out to Hendry.
Hendry sent Hotch into a front facelock by his own partner, and then hit a neckbreaker on Skylar to drive Hotch down with a DDT. Hendry then picked up Skylar in a running powerslam position and launched him into a cutter from Uemura for the 3-count.
Impact Emergence 2023 Main Card
–The show opened with a very nice tribute picture to Terry Funk and Windham Rotunda before having a 10-bell salute.
Eric Young defeated Deaner (w/ Kon) in a No DQ match
Young hit the ropes as the match started and hit a tope suicida to the floor on Kon. Young pulled a ladder out from under the ring and hit Kon with it before coming back in the ring. Young dumped Deaner onto the ladder, but as Young hit the ropes, Deaner responded with a drop toe hold that sent Young face first onto the ladder. Kon pulled the ladder through the ropes while Young was on it, sending him crashing to the floor.
Deaner hit Young with some cookie sheets in the ring. Deaner grabbed a staple gun and tried to use it on Young. Young tried to fight out of it, so Deaner raked his eyes and stapled the hand of Young. Deaner sent Young into a chair in the corner. On the outside, Kon got involved again, but Young managed to handcuff him to the corner. Young stapled the hand of Deaner, and was about to piledrive him on a pair of chairs, but Kon ripped and broke the handcuffs, came into the ring, and chokeslammed Young through the chairs for a 2-count.
Deaner tried to get Kon to help him with a spike piledriver, but Young fought out and hit a Death Valley Driver on both men onto a barbed wire board before hitting a piledriver on Deaner on the board for the win.
–Gia Miller was backstage interviewing Joe Hendry & Yuya Uemura and Uemura asked if Gia could give him a JoYa, and Gia proceeded to sing it with gusto. This was great.
–We got a video of Taylor Wilde sitting on the floor as doctors checked on her, and KiLynn King blamed Jody Threat for it. Threat denied it. Santino showed up and made them a team to replace Wilde, while calling Threat “Jody Treats.”
Impact Knockouts World Tag Team Champions MK Ultra (Masha Slamovich & Killer Kelly) defeated Death Dollz (Jessicka & Courtney Rush), Jody Threat & KiLynn King, & Gisele Shaw & Savannah Evans
This wasn’t too bad, and was given enough time for the fans to get into it, especially with getting the heat on Kelly. MK Ultra is a great team, and Impact is doing a great job establishing them.
Shaw and Slamovich started the match, but the action got particularly violent once Slamovich and King were in the ring beating on each other. King and Kelley ended up in the ring, but the Death Dollz baited King in and tagged in on King, letting Jessicka hit a running crossbody on Kelly, but she missed the Evans blind tagged in. Shawn and Evans then targeted Kelly, getting the heat.
King managed to tag back in and resume beating on Kelly. Threat asked for the tag, but King kept refusing. Threat protested again, and King tagged her hard, so Threat continued working over Kelly. Threat hit a German suplex on Kelly before tagging out to Rush, and cheering before realizing that King was her partner, and not Death Dollz.
The announcers noted this was the second time Death Dollz lured an opponent in for a tag. Kelly managed to hit a double DDT on Death Dollz and the tag was made to Masha Slamovich, who started murdering everyone. As Slamovich was taking everyone out, Rush rolled her up for a 2-count. Everyone started hitting big moves after this, ending with Kelly dumping Threat to the floor with a lariat. After clearing the ring MK Ultra hit what looked like a double team Ganso bomb/Kawada driver for the win.
–Johnny Swinger was with Gia Miller, and he called her Vanna, before saying that he told Greg Gagne to take a year off and come back as a tag rope, and asked Miller to smarten him up to “this internet gimmick”. Miller then asked if Swinger had what it took to win, and Swinger suddenly got serious, saying he has wondered that since he was 12 and his uncle was wrestling in Maple Leaf Gardens. He said that he used to sleep in ring trucks and setup the ring before he broke in, and that he was going to win tonight because it all came to this for him. This was actually awesome.
Impact Digital Media Champion Kenny King (w/ Sheldon Jean) defeated Johnny Swinger
I wanted Swinger to win this match so badly, and it made me sad that he lost here.
King was surprisingly aggressive in this match, but soon paid for it, as Swinger kicked the middle rope into King’s lower regions. Swinger then said he was going to use his head and fell over hitting a headbutt to the breadbasket. King didn’t go down for a shoulder tackle, and Swinger protested. King told him to stay there, and they hit the ropes and did a crisscross until Swinger jumped over a drop down and hit an elbow.
King distracted the referee, allowing Sheldon Jean to choke Swinger on the ropes. Swinger ended up hitting a slingshot into a flipping leg drop on King, which was entirely unexpected. Swinger said he was going to go for a dive, and King was pulled out of the way by Jean. Swinger went to the top rope, and Jean got on the apron to try and get involved, and as he jumped off he shoved the ropes and Swinger crashed on the ropes. The referee ejected Jean, and as she was doing that, Heath ran in and hit a Wake Up Call on King. Swinger then went to the top rope to try a moonsault, but King cut him off and hit the Royal Flush for the win.
–King and Jean continued beating down Swinger after the match. Tommy Dreamer and security came out to defend Swinger, and King laid out Dreamer. I am not a fan of this transition unless Swinger and Dreamer become a team and Dreamer helps him win this Digital Media title.
–Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin, Josh Alexander, and KUSHIDA were backstage talking about how Bully Ray, Moose, Lio Rush, and Brian Myers were facing them tonight. KUSHIDA promised that they would not escape.
The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachery Wentz) defeated Subculture (Mark Andrews & Flash Morgan Webster) (w/ Dani Luna) to become the Impact World Tag Team Champions
This match was awesome. A little overbooked with false finishes, but it was excellent. I expected the Rascalz to win here, and it was the right call for now. Subculture are definitely an act that Impact should keep using though, as they are consistently great.
Miguel and Andrews started the match, with Miguel surprisingly engaging in the ground game with Andrews. Andrews can high fly well, but the ground game usually goes far for those trained in the British style, and Andrews did not disappoint, hitting a dead arm drag on Miguel. Wentz pulled Miguel from the ring to help them reset. The reset worked and the Rascalz were able to isolate Flash Morgan Webster and get the heat on him for several minutes.
Wentz almost got a kimura on Webster, but Webster made it to the ropes to escape, Miguel hit a back suplex onto the apron on Webster before hitting a slingshot senton from the apron to the inside. Wentz hit a double stomp to the arm of Webster, continuing where he left off with the submission.
Webster managed to kick away from Wentz and tag out to Andrews, who ran wild taking both men out, and then Subculture hit stereo tope con giros to the floor on both men. Webster missed a 450 splash, but rolled through and tagged out to Andrews, who hit a double team blue thunder bomb on Miguel for a 2-count.
Both teams exchanged strikes in the middle of the ring until Subculture hit stereo headbutts, but then all 4 kicked up, and The Rascalz hit a spectacular series of kicks. Miguel and Wentz went for a double team move where Miguel did a moonsault and Wentz shoved him in midair into landing on Webster. However, he got the knees up and a Canadian destroyer was hit. Subculture missed a tope, letting the Rascalz hit hot fire & flame from the ramp to the floor onto both men.
Miguel hit a Cross Rhodes on Andrews but it was broken up. While Miguel sprayed Andrews with paint, ABC came down to keep The Rascalz from cheating to win. The Good Hands came down and everyone brawled around until Dani Luna hit a crossbody off the top rope onto the Good Hands. Andrews hit Miguel with the Stundog Millionaire and Webster hit a senton for a 2-count. Wentz ran in and they isolated Webster again and hit a double stomp into burning hammer on Webster for the win.
Bully Ray, Brian Myers, Moose, and Lio Rush were backstage and Ray was thrilled about Rush being there, saying that he was smiling because he was glad to finally be on their side. Ray said he was now included in the group text, and Rush said that he had always been ready, but he wondered if Bully Ray was because of PCO. Moose said not to worry about that, and that they were all scumbags while Rush was a scumbag in training.
–We saw Deonna Purrazzo & Trinity preparing for their match.
Eddie Edwards defeated Frankie Kazarianin a Back to School match
This would have been much better as a live match, but honestly, it wasn’t bad. I hope their next match is live and given time, as they’re both great workers.
When the announcers pitched to the match, they had tech trouble and couldn’t get the video to play right away. We saw Kazarian entering the school with a voice over from an old Killer Kowalski promo before entering the school. It fade to Eddie Edwards pulling up to the school with a Jeep the same colour as he green gear. Colour coordination in the heel here, while the same nostalgic music played.
Edwards paused at the same places Kazarian did, noting the photographs of their trainer, and the one signed to Kazarian. The music then got serious as they both entered the gym. Kazarian tried to explain what happened with him accidentally hitting Alisha Edwards. Edwards asked if it hurt Kazarian when he beat Bobby Lashley for the Impact title, or when he became the first foreigner to win the GHC championship in NOAH, rather than him. Edwards than sat in Kowalski’s chair, essentially saying that he was the true successor to their trainer.
Kazarian hit a cheap shot and they got into the ring and started fighting. Kazarian dumped Edwards to the floor but ate a drop toe hold into Kowalski’s chair from Edwards. Kazarian used the gym equipment to hit a hurricanrana on Edwards before throwing him into a pillar. Kazarian hit a springboard leg drop before going for the chicken wing. Edwards fought out and hit a backpack stunner for a 2-count. Edwards went for a Tiger driver, but Kazarian hit an inverted piledriver. Alisha Edwards came in and distracted Kazarian at this point, letting Edwards hit the Boston Knee Party for the win. He then kissed his wife over Kowalski’s chair and left.
Kazarian sadly went back to the photo table, and Alisha Edwards hit Kazarian with a kendo stick while Edwards taunted him, calling him a failure. Eddie Edwards then broke the photo Kazarian brought to the gym over Kazarian’s head, leaving him laying.
SANADA (Just 5 Guys) defeated Jake Something
This was a very good match, with SANADA being treated as a star by the Impact audience and Something looking like he could keep up with the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. Something didn’t win, but he definitely walked out of this with higher stock. SANADA also got a bit of a nice homecoming with Impact, since he spent his excursion there.
SANADA entered wearing his Great Muta tribute gear. It wasn’t long into the match before SANADA tied Something up in the ropes with the paradise lock. SANADA hit a dropkick to release him and then a few elbows. Something flipped backwards out of a back suplex and then hit a Vader body press and a clothesline for a 2-count.
Matt Rehwoldt noted that Something would get a championship opportunity at the IWGP World Heavyweight Champinship if he beat SANADA. You can take the man out of WWE, but it’s harder to take the WWE speak out of the man. To his credit, Hannifan called the title a belt after this though, so take that Vince McMahon!
SANADA hit a plancha to the floor on Something, which got the crowd on their feet. SANADA hit a forearm from the apron but missed a dive off the top ropes, causing him to roll through and end up in the opposite corner, with no time before Something hit a huge spear in the corner on SANADA. SANADA managed to hit the ropes and float over from a Destino into a skull end on Something. Something managed to power out, but SANADA hit a magic whip on Something.
SANADA hit a TKO on Something, but Something kicked out at 2. SANADA then followed up with a big moonsault, but Something kicked out again to the surprise of the fans. SANADA almost hit deadfall, but Something countered out and then caught a moonsault attempt with a Greetings from Asbury Park for a 2-count.
SANADA hit a dropkick, and tried to hit a hurricanrana, but Something rolled through it, hanging onto SANADA’s leg, and hitting a powerbomb for 2. The crowd started to get into Something more here, beyond just cheering SANADA, which I think is the point of this match. Something went for into the void, but SANADA hit an enziguri and a shining wizard before going for deadfall again, but Something powered out yet again and hit a big right hand on SANADA. Something went for into the void again, but SANADA quickly countered into deadfall for the win.
Josh Alexander & Time Machine (Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin, & KUSHIDA) defeated Bully Ray, Lio Rush, Moose, & Myers
I’m really not sure about pinning Alexander right now when you’re probably warming him up to face Shelley, but they got time to warm him up again before Bound for Glory in October. This was a fun, but definitely overbooked, tag match. That said, it was still quite good.
Ray, rather nicely, said into the camera during his entrance, “God bless the Funker, and God bless the Fiend” before going right back into character and hugging Lio Rush, which Rush did not look thrilled about.
Myers spent the early parts of the match getting beaten up by the entire babyface turn, which is his role, and Shelley continued working over the arm like he did on Impact on Thursday. Myers protested this attack, as one does, and tagged out to Moose. Moose then pointed at Alexander. Alexander put Moose in the tree of woe and then did the “O Canada” that Petey Williams used to do.
Sabin tagged in and went to the top rope, but Bully Ray cut him off and tagged in. The announcers noted how Ray hated Sabin since Sabin beat him for the Impact World Championship years ago. The announcers speculated that this was only a team for Ray until something more valuable was presented to him, which is actually a great point about his character. It’s a little thing, but a way for new viewers to become acquainted with characters. Really good job by Rehwoldt here.
Ray decided to pull a table out despite this being a normal tag match. Josh Alexander responded to Ray by pulling out a table of his own. Sabin went for a sunset flip on Myers, but Myers tagged out to Moose before the move was hit and was able to resume beating on Sabin. Nice little spot to keep the heat. Sabin managed to hit an enziguri on Myers, which finally let him tag out to Alexander who suplexed everyone all over the ring, including catching Rush as he went for Rush Hour.
Moose tried to powerbomb Alexander, but Alexander countered and tried for a C4 Spike. Moose countered out and ran up the ropes to try and hit his crossbody, but Alexander dodged and locked on an ankle lock. Myers ran all the way around the ring, climbed the ropes, and hit a flying elbow on the referee to save Moose.
Time Machine took out Myers with a triple kick in the corner. Sabin tried to hit a suicide dive on Moose, but Moose caught him and hit a uranage through the table that Ray setup earlier. That looked brutal, as the table broke in several places and Sabin went through it like butter. Moose fought off the hoverboard lock from KUSHIDA and walked him around the ring to place him on the other table allowing Rush to hit the Final Hour off the top rope to the floor through the table.
Ray then went directly after Shelley, and asked for another table from Moose. Ray went to powerbomb Sabin off the ramp and through the table, but Shelley tried to fight back, hitting a superkick on Moose. Right as Ray cut him off and went for the powerbomb though, the lights went out and came back up with PCO fighting with Ray on the ramp.
PCO then tried to chokeslam Ray off the ramp and through the table, but Myers made another save, low blowing PCO. Ray, Moose, and Myers then powerbombed PCO off the stage through the table, but PCO immediately sat up and no sold it and the crowd roared. That was awesome. As PCO chased after Bully Ray, Steve Maclin ran in and took out PCO from behind before brawling with Alexander. Unfortunately, as this happened, the camera caught PCO just standing up and walking off stage casually.
Security ran out to break them up, as they continued to try and brawl. Everyone seemed to forget there was a match going on, and again, to the credit of the announcers, they pointed this out. Alexander walked back to the ring and got hit with a uranage from Moose. Moose missed a spear, but got his feet on the ropes for a pinfall attempt. Alexander kicked out. Shelley and Alexander crashed into each other when Myers shoved Alexander, leading to Shelley and Alexander arguing. Alexander turned around and got hit with a spear from Moose, and managed to get the pin.
–Impact aired a video, showing that Jordynne Grace was returning to Impact at Victory Road. It seems she has signed with Impact again.
Impact Knockouts World Champion Trinity defeated Deonna Purrazzo to retain
This was a decent match. Trinity’s in ring still isn’t quite there, but that doesn’t really matter if you are over, and she absolutely is. She comes across as a star, and she is so easy to root for, so all of that overcomes a lot. This was still a perfectly fine match, and both women worked very hard, and I’m happy to see them both be highlighted as a main event act. You have to think Trinity vs. Jordynne Grace will happen down the line with Grace coming back to Impact as well.
Gail Kim joined the commentary team for the match, talking about her own history with both Trinity and Purrazzo, back to the start of their careers. Purrazzo took down Trinity, but Trinity managed to hit an axe kick, and also two kicks from the ropes on Purrazzo. Purrazzo slowed it down after this for the next few minutes, taking it to the mat. Both went down with a double clothesline, and I think one fan screamed “Double clothesline!” ala MJF/Cole, which made me chuckle.
Trinity was able to get back on top with a Samoan drop and then a crossbody off the top rope for a 2-count. Purrazzo went right to the arm of Trinity, hitting a Pentagon Jr. style arm breaker on Trinity before hitting a Russian legsweep and floating over into a Fujiwara armbar. Trinity managed to make it to the ropes to break the submission.
Trinity drove Purrazzo face first into the mat and then hit a split legged moonsault for a 2-count. Purrazzo hit a superplex on Trinity, who went back to the top rope. Trinity blocked a strike after an exchange and went for a full nelson bomb, but Purrazzo blocked it. I’m not sure what the next move was, but it got a two count. A sort of flipping STO?
Purrazzo and Trinity ended up back-to-back and stood up leaning on each other. Purrazzo went for the Fujiwara armbar again, but Trinity countered in into starstruck. They were close to the ropes, and the damage done to the arm of Trinity earlier all played into why Purrazzo was able to escape. Trinity blocked Queen’s Gambit and then hit the full nelson bomb for a 2-count. Trinity tried to hit a full nelson bomb off the ropes, but Purrazzo managed to puller her down back into an armbar, but Trinity countered again, hit a Code Red, and locked on Starstruck right out of it, forcing the tap out for the win. The show faded away as Trinity celebrated.
–The show then closed with Impact announced that Will Ospreay was returning to Impact Wrestling on October 21 for Bound for Glory!
Final Thoughts
This was a fun show, overall. It will be greatly overshadowed by the phenomenal AEW All In earlier today, but Impact still delivered a quality outing here. They are definitely starting to setup the card for Bound for Glory, and starting to put all the pieces together. Where they struggled in the early part of the year with some of what they are doing, they seem to be in a much better place now, selling out shows, and generating some buzz online. This was another easy thumbs up show.
Two pre-show matches were made official for Sunday’s Impact Emergence streaming special from Toronto, Canada.
Former X-Division Champion “Speedball” Mike Bailey will take on Alan Angels, formerly of The Design. These two initially hooked it up in Angels’ first-ever Impact bout in July 2022 after he had departed AEW. Bailey was champion at that time and picked up the win.
In a tag team bout, The Good Hands (Jason Hotch & John Skyler) battle former Digital Media Champion Joe Hendry & Yuya Uemura.
Here’s the full lineup for Sunday night’s event:
Impact Knockouts Champion Trinity defends against Deonna Purrazzo
Alex Shelley, KUSHIDA, Chris Sabin & Josh Alexander vs. Bully Ray, Moose, Brian Myers & Lio Rush
Impact Tag Team Champions Subculture (Flash Morgan Webster & Mark Andrews) defend against The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz)
IWGP World Champion SANADA vs. Jake Something in a non-title match
Knockouts Tag Team Champions Masha Slamovich & Killer Kelly defend against Gisele Shaw & Savannah Evans, The Death Dollz (Jessicka & Courtney Rush), and The Coven (KiLynn King & Taylor Wilde)
Eric Young vs. Deaner in a no DQ match
Digital Media Champion Kenny King defends against Johnny Swinger
Back to School match: Eddie Edwards vs. Frankie Kazarian
Pre-show: Mike Bailey vs. Alan Angels
Pre-show: The Good Hands (Jason Hotch & John Skyler) vs. Joe Hendry & Yuya Uemura
What’s believed to be the final match for this Sunday’s Emergence streaming special was announced during Thursday’s Impact on AXS as former Impact World Champion Eric Young will take on Deaner in a no DQ match.
In storyline, Deaner “killed” Young late last year on Impact to explain Young leaving to sign with WWE. However, Young was granted his release earlier this year and returned at Slammiversary. His non-death was later explained in a taped vignette to reveal he never actually died.
In his absence, Deaner took over Young’s Violent by Design group and renamed it The Design, aligning with Kon and Angels, the latter of which just left the group.
Here’s the updated card for Toronto, Ontario, Canada:
Impact Knockouts Champion Trinity defends against Deonna Purrazzo
Alex Shelley, KUSHIDA, Chris Sabin & Josh Alexander vs. Bully Ray, Moose, Brian Myers & Lio Rush
Impact Tag Team Champions Subculture (Flash Morgan Webster & Mark Andrews) defend against The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz)
IWGP World Champion SANADA vs. Jake Something in a non-title match
Knockouts Tag Team Champions Masha Slamovich & Killer Kelly defend against Gisele Shaw & Savannah Evans, The Death Dollz (Jessicka & Courtney Rush), and The Coven (KiLynn King & Taylor Wilde)
Eric Young vs. Deaner in a no DQ match
Digital Media Champion Kenny King defends against Johnny Swinger
Back to School match: Eddie Edwards vs. Frankie Kazarian
Eddie Edwards and Frankie Kazarian are heading back to where their careers began.
Impact Wrestling has announced that Edwards and Kazarian will face off in a Back to School match at Emergence this Sunday (August 27). The match is being filmed at Killer Kowalski’s wrestling school in Massachusetts. Both Edwards and Kazarian were trained by the late Kowalski.
During a segment on Impact last week, Edwards and Kazarian agreed to fight in the ring at Kowalski’s school. Kazarian tried to get Edwards to drop their feud and said they should go their separate ways. Kazarian said it’s what Kowalski would have wanted. Edwards responded by saying that Kowalski would have wanted them to settle their issues in the ring once and for all.
The segment took place one week after Kazarian accidentally struck Edwards’ wife Alisha with a kendo stick.
At Slammiversary last month, Edwards defeated Kazarian after using a kendo stick while the referee was out.
Emergence is airing live on Impact Plus, Impact’s Ultimate Insiders YouTube service, and Fite TV. The rest of the show besides Edwards vs. Kazarian is taking place from the Rebel Entertainment Complex in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Here’s the updated card:
Impact Knockouts Champion Trinity defends against Deonna Purrazzo
Alex Shelley, KUSHIDA, Chris Sabin & Josh Alexander vs. Bully Ray, Moose, Brian Myers & Lio Rush
Impact Tag Team Champions Subculture (Flash Morgan Webster & Mark Andrews) defend against The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz)
SANADA vs. Jake Something
Knockouts Tag Team Champions Masha Slamovich & Killer Kelly defend against Gisele Shaw & Savannah Evans, The Death Dollz (Jessicka & Courtney Rush), and The Coven (KiLynn King & Taylor Wilde)
Digital Media Champion Kenny King defends against Johnny Swinger
Back to School match: Eddie Edwards vs. Frankie Kazarian
For the first time since 2015, SANADA will return to Impact Wrestling at this month’s Emergence and with the IWGP World Championship in tow.
While his presence was announced some time ago, his opponent for the non-title match was confirmed Thursday: Jake Something.
The streaming special is set for Sunday, August 27th in Toronto, Canada.
SANADA is a former X-Division Champion, feuding with Austin Aries and others over the title in 2014 through early-2015. This will be his first meeting with Something who recently returned to Impact at July’s Slammiversary after leaving the company a year ago.
Impact Tag Team Champions Subculture (Flash Morgan Webster & Mark Andrews) now know who they will be defending the titles against as they will take on The Rascalz.
Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz picked up a victory in the finals of the four-team Tag Team title eliminator tournament Thursday, defeating Sami Callihan & Rich Swann to earn the shot.
The two used spray paint in Callihan’s eyes, leading to them hitting their Hot Fire Flame finisher to get the pin and win. They are in search of their first-ever run with the gold while Subculture is looking for their third title defense.
Here’s the current card:
Impact Knockouts Champion Trinity defends against Deonna Purrazzo
Impact World Champion Alex Shelley, KUSHIDA, Chris Sabin & Josh Alexander vs. Bully Ray, Moose, Brian Myers & X-Division Champion Lio Rush
Impact Tag Team Champions Subculture (Flash Morgan Webster & Mark Andrews) defend against The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz)
IWGP World Champion SANADA vs. Jake Something in a non-title match
Knockouts Tag Team Champions Masha Slamovich & Killer Kelly defend against Gisele Shaw & Savannah Evans, The Death Dollz (Jessicka & Courtney Rush) and The Coven (KiLynn King & Taylor Wilde)
Johnny Swinger is getting his chance to win gold at Impact Wrestling Emergence.
Impact Wrestling has announced that Swinger will challenge Kenny King for the Digital Media Championship at Emergence on Sunday, August 27. Along with announcing the bout, Impact released a match graphic that was allegedly designed by Swinger.
BREAKING: @swinger_johnny has chosen to use his title shot to challenge @KennyKingPb2 for the Digital Media Championship at #Emergence on August 27 in Toronto and he’s so excited that he made his own graphic!
Swinger earned a title shot when he defeated Zicky Dice in a Loser Leaves Impact match in July. Swinger using that shot for a Digital Media Championship match comes after a segment between Swinger and King on last week’s Impact. The stuck-in-the past Swinger wasn’t sure what the internet is.
Before Emergence, King will defend the Digital Media Championship against Yoshinobu Kanemaru on the pre-show for Impact x NJPW Multiverse United 2 this Sunday (August 20). King has been Digital Media Champion since winning the title from Joe Hendry at Slammiversary last month.
Emergence is airing live on Impact Plus, Impact’s Ultimate Insiders YouTube service, and Fite TV. The updated lineup for the show is listed below:
IWGP World Heavyweight Champion SANADA in action
Impact Knockouts Champion Trinity defends against Deonna Purrazzo
Impact World Champion Alex Shelley, KUSHIDA, Chris Sabin & Josh Alexander vs. Bully Ray, Moose, Brian Myers & X-Division Champion Lio Rush
Knockouts Tag Team Champions Masha Slamovich & Killer Kelly defend against Gisele Shaw & Savannah Evans, The Death Dollz (Jessicka & Courtney Rush) and The Coven (KiLynn King & Taylor Wilde)
Impact Tag Team Champions Subculture (Mark Andrews & Flash Morgan Webster) defend against winners of number one contender’s tournament
Digital Media Champion Kenny King defends against Johnny Swinger
Masha Slamovich & Killer Kelly will now have three other teams to contend with when they defend the Knockouts Tag Team titles at Impact Emergence.
The streaming special is set for Sunday, August 27th from Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Originally set to be Slamovich & Kelly defending for the first time against Gisele Shaw & Savannah Evans, the events of Thursday’s Impact on AXS TV caused Director of Authority Santino Marella to make the match a four-way that will include former champions The Death Dollz (Jessicka & Courtney Rush) and former champions The Coven (KiLynn King & Taylor Wilde).
Slamovich & Kelly defeated King & Wilde for the titles at last month’s Slammiversary.
Here’s the current card for the show:
IWGP World Heavyweight Champion SANADA in action
Impact Knockouts Champion Trinity defends against Deonna Purrazzo
Impact World Champion Alex Shelley, KUSHIDA, Chris Sabin & Josh Alexander vs. Bully Ray, Moose, Brian Myers & X-Division Champion Lio Rush
Knockouts Tag Team Champions Masha Slamovich & Killer Kelly defend against Gisele Shaw & Savannah Evans, The Death Dollz (Jessicka & Courtney Rush) and The Coven (KiLynn King & Taylor Wilde)
Impact Wrestling has announced that Slamovich & Kelly will defend the titles against Gisele Shaw & Savannah Evans at Emergence on Sunday, August 27. The show is airing live on Impact Plus, Impact’s Ultimate Insiders YouTube service, and Fite TV.
Slamovich & Kelly were crowned the new Impact Knockouts Tag Team Champions last month, winning the titles from Taylor Wilde & KiLynn King at Slammiversary.
After a backstage confrontation between the teams the previous week, Shaw defeated Slamovich in a singles match on Impact last Thursday. Shaw won after interference from SHAWntourage member Jai Vidal.
Emergence will take place from Rebel Entertainment Complex in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Here’s everything that’s been announced for the show so far:
IWGP World Heavyweight Champion SANADA in action
Impact Knockouts Champion Trinity defends against Deonna Purrazzo
Alex Shelley, KUSHIDA, Chris Sabin & Josh Alexander vs. Bully Ray, Moose, Brian Myers & Lio Rush
Knockouts Tag Team Champions Masha Slamovich & Killer Kelly defend against Gisele Shaw & Savannah Evans
In another new bout announced Thursday, Time Machine (Impact World Champion Alex Shelley, KUSHIDA & Chris Sabin) will team with Josh Alexander to take on Bully Ray, Moose, Brian Myers & X-Division Champion Lio Rush.
After things started simmering last Thursday, the eight-man bout was made Thursday after KUSHIDA and Shelley defeated Moose and Myers. Ray started attacking Shelley which brought out Alexander to even the odds. Rush then joined the fray and attacked Shelley which brought out Sabin to even things out and run Rush off.
It was Sabin’s first appearance since Rush jumped him before their Slammiversary match which saw Rush defeated a weakened Sabin for the title. KUSHIDA has the next shot at Rush after winning an Ultimate X match at Slammiversary.
Alexander has yet to wrestle since March due to a torn triceps that forced him to relinquish the Impact World title. There is also intrigue between himself and Shelley as the former has made his intentions clear that he wants his title back.
Here’s the current card:
IWGP World Champion SANADA in action
Impact Knockouts Champion Trinity defends against Deonna Purrazzo
Time Machine (Alex Shelley, KUSHIDA & Chris Sabin) and Josh Alexander vs. Bully Ray, Moose, Brian Myers & Lio Rush
IWGP World Champion SANADA will make his return to Impact Wrestling for their Emergence streaming special, set for Sunday, August 27th in Toronto, Canada.
It’s the latest talent exchange for Impact and NJPW with the two companies also set to come together for their second co-promoted Multiverse United event the week prior in Philadelphia.
SANADA was with Impact for a good portion of 2014, aligning himself with The Wolves (Davey Richards & Eddie Edwards) and winning the X-Division title in Japan by defeating Austin Aries. He held the title for three months before losing it back to Aries.
His last appearance was in February 2015 as part of the USA vs. The World One Night Only pay-per-view where he also lost to Aries.
The 35-year-old is currently part of the annual NJPW G1 tournament and is about to pass the 100-day threshold as IWGP World Champion.
It will be the fifth promotion he will be working for this year which includes NJPW, All-Japan, NOAH and AEW where he successfully defended the title against “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry at June’s Forbidden Door.
He is the first participant announced for the Emergence special.
On a relatively quiet Impact Emergence from a news perspective, one title did change hands among the five title bouts on the show — and it came on the pre-show.
Former Impact Knockouts Champions Deonna Purrazzo & Chelsea Green added Knockouts Tag Team title matches to both their resumes for the first time as they defeated Taya Valkyrie & Rosemary for the titles.
The end came when Rosemary accidentally misted Valkyrie instead of Green, leading to a double-team suplex to give Purrazzo & Green the win.
The loss ends the near two-month reign for Valkyrie & Rosemary. They had just one successful title defense during that time.
Later on the show, Honor No More staved off faction elimination once again with their win over Bullet Club, earning longtime tag team partners Matt Taven & Mike Bennett a future Tag Team title match as a result.
The two picked up the win for HNM as they hit the Climax on Doc Gallows for the pin. Gallows’ partner and fellow Tag Team Champion Karl Anderson will face Mike Bennett Saturday during their TV taping to help further the storyline.
The show also set up a future title match between Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace and Masha Slamovich. After Grace’s win over Mia Yim Friday, Slamovich emerged and handed the champion a black envelope which is her way of challenging someone. Slamovich has been on a major winning streak as of late.
Five titles will be on the line at Impact Wrestling’s Emergence, live from Chicago’s Cicero Stadium.
Impact World Champion Josh Alexander will defend against Alex Shelley while Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace defends against Mia Yim.
X-Division Champion “Speedball” Mike Bailey will defend his gold against the returning Jack Evans.
The pre-show will feature two title matches as Digital Champion Brian Myers defends against Bhupinder Gujjar while Knockouts Tag Team Champions Rosemary & Taya Valkyrie defend against Deonna Purrazzo & Chelsea Green.
Honor No More will again have to avoid disbandment as they face Bullet Club in a ten-man tag. If HNM loses, they must break up while Matt Taven & Mike Bennett can earn a future Tag Team title shot with a victory.
Former ROH World Champion Bandido will take on Rey Horus in both men’s Impact debuts.
In a pair of grudge matches, Sami Callihan will finally get his hands on Steve Maclin while Chris Sabin & KUSHIDA battle Violent by Design’s Joe Doering & Deaner.
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Brian Myers defeated Bhupinder Gujjar to retain the Digital Media title on the Countdown to Emergence pre-show
Before the match began, Brian Myers took the mic and put down the city of Chicago and Gujjar.
After the bell rang, Gujjar immediately started using his power game and tossed Myers around like he was an amateur before setting up for an early Gargoyle Spear. Myers quickly escaped the ring and nailed Gujjar with a low blow on the way back in, settling the match back down and in his favor.
Myers followed up with a suplex before setting Gujjar up on the top rope looking for a suplerplex but Gujjar was able to block the attempt and nailed Myers with a missile dropkick to change the momentum of the match. Gujjar hit a samoan drop but could only land a two count.
Myers took over from here and nailed Gujjar with a spear. Myers followed it up with a drop into an exposed turnbuckle before rolling him up with a hook of the tights for the three count to retain the Digital Media championship.
VXT (Chelsea Green & Deonna Purrazzo) defeated Taya Valkyrie & Rosemary (w/Jessicka) to become the new Knockouts world tag team titles on the Countdown to Emergence pre-show
Valkyrie and Green started the match but after some quick offense by one-half of the champions, Green quickly tagged out to Purrazzo.
Purrazzo didn’t fare much better as Rosemary was tagged in and both teams attempted to gain the early advantage before action spilled on the outside and Rosemary was met with some miscommunication from Jessicka who accidentally pancaked her.
Back on the inside, VXT was looking strong as they began dominating Valkyrie with some double team offense. Jessicka was then taken out on the outside by Green as Rosemary finally managed to get tagged back in.
After failing to gain the momentum back in their favor, Rosemary attempted to nail Green with her mist but ended up nailing Valkyrie instead. VXT took advantage of a stunned Rosemary and finished her off with a double suplex and Green made the cover to give us new Knockouts world tag team champions.
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Mike Bailey defeated Jack Evans to retain the X-Division title
After Bailey attempted to shake hands after the bell rang, Evans tricked him and rolled up Bailey several times but only managed two counts.
With both men being technically sound, Evans continued with his shady tactics to attempt to ground Bailey but the current X-Division champion managed to nail back to back suicide dives much to the delight of the Chicago crowd.
Evans persevered however and slowed things down using his submission game but Bailey just wouldn’t give up and nailed Evans with running twisting corkscrew moonsault for a two count.
After both men nailed one another with kicks, they were able to continue the match at the count of six before Evans was sent to the outside and Bailey landed a moonsault to the outside. Evans countered on his way back into the ring by landing a blockbuster off of the top rope.
Evans followed it up with a top rope german suplex but that still wasn’t enough as Bailey was able to recover and nail Evans with his spinning corner kick. Bailey quickly followed it up with his Ultimate Weapon to finally score the win to retain the X-Division championship in this huge back and forth matchup.
– Backstage, Honor No More was receiving words of wisdom from Eddie Edwards going into tonight’s war against Bullet Club.
Steve Maclin and Sami Callihan went to a no contest
As Callihan was making his entrance, Maclin attacked him and the two started brawling on the entrance ramp before the bell could even ring.
Callihan nailed Maclin with a suplex on the outside before tossing him into the ring but instead of following suit, Callihan grabbed a chair from underneath the ring before tending to Maclin.
Callihan failed to land a chairshot to Maclin while Maclin did the same. With the bell never ringing, the referee attempted to gain order but was tossed aside by Maclin before Callihan and Maclin were brawling on the outside of the ring once again.
Callihan and Maclin brawled through the crowd and no official announcement was made by the ring announcer but it was stated that the show must go on and our next match was previewed.
Violent By Design (Eric Young & Deaner w/Joe Doering) defeated Chris Sabin & KUSHIDA
KUSHIDA and Young began the match but before they could lock up, the crowd started chanting “KUSHIDA” and Young took off to the outside to yell at the crowd.
After a quick lockup, Young tagged in Deaner but KUSHIDA started working the arm and Sabin and KUSHIDA started with some quick double team attacks on Deaner. Young decided that enough was enough and as KUSHIDA hit the ropes, Young nailed him in the back giving VBD some momentum.
KUSHIDA attempted a comeback but Young bit him in the face before VBD started working him with their own double team attacks. Quick tags were being made by VBD and KUSHIDA was in a world of hurt looking to make the hot tag to Sabin. As KUSHIDA got close, Young sprinted across the ring to take out Sabin on the apron.
VBD had KUSHIDA trapped in the corner but KUSHIDA was finally able to make a comeback and used the backs of Young and Deaner as steps to bounce from one corner to the other and make the tag to a fired up Sabin.
After Sabin fought hard to gain momentum for his team including hitting classic Motor City Machine Gun moves with KUSHIDA, VBD was able to counter and landed a diving headbutt from Deaner and a flying elbow by Young to Sabin. KUSHIDA was able to make the save at the count of two but VBD was too hungry at this point.
As KUSHIDA climbed to the top rope, Deaner distracted the referee with the VBD flag as Doering got involved and pushed KUSHIDA down to the floor. Seeing the opportunity, Young capitalized and picked up Sabin and nailed him with his piledriver to pickup a much needed win for VBD proving that the world did indeed belong to him tonight.
– Backstage, Gia Miller was with new Knockouts world tag team champions VXT who bragged about their win earlier tonight.
– Kenny King came down to the ring with a chair in hand and called out Heath. While King waited, we saw Sami Callihan and Steve Maclin still brawling in the crowd. As King was distracted by the brawl, Heath snuck inside the ring. King failed to hit him with the chair and Heath nailed him with the Wakeup Call before heading through the crowd. Gia Miller caught up with Heath in the crowd and Heath grabbed the mic and fired up the crowd in Chicago.
– A video promo aired for Victory Road taking place on September 23rd in Nashville, Tennessee.
– A video promo aired for Bound For Glory taking place on October 7th in Albany, New York.
Bandido defeated Rey Horus in a Lucha Libre AAA Attraction match
After the bell rang, both men shook hands in the middle of the ring as the fans chanted “Lucha”.
As you would expect, it was fast paced action by both men before Bandido was able to land a twisting moonsault over the ropes to the outside to gain momentum.
Back inside the ring and Horus called for a brainbuster but Bandido countered and landed the Three Amigos to pay tribute to the late Eddie Guerrero. Horus mounted a comeback and after nailing a moonsault over the corner to Bandido on the outside of the ring, he followed it up with a twisting 180 back on the inside but only managed a two count.
Bandido switched momentum once again by pressing Horus with a one handed press slam but Horus countered back with a sick twisting tornado ddt off of the top rope. This match was all about power versus speed and every time Bandido landed a huge move, Horus countered with a huge move.
With neither man willing to back off, they eventually knocked one another to the mat and as a show of respect, the referee and fans counted to the count of ten in Spanish with both men dramatically sitting up at the count of nueve.
Bandido followed it up with a frog splash but only managed a two count. Horus attempted a comeback but too much damage had been done as Bandido landed his 21 Flex to put Horus away and get the victory.
– Backstage, Gia Miller was backstage with Moose. After Moose denied further affiliation with Maclin, Callihan and Maclin came brawling into the scene causing Miller to run off. Moose helped Maclin beat down on Callihan before the brawl spilled back to ringside. As security got involved, Scott D’Amore’s music hit and he announced that Moose was now banned from ringside and that we would see Callihan vs. Maclin in a no-dq, anything goes match right now.
Sami Callihan defeated Steve Maclin in a No-DQ, Anything Goes match
It wasn’t long before every weapon around and under the ring was being introduced including a Swiffer.
After Maclin nailed Callihan on the outside with his Caught in the Crosshairs, a bloodied Maclin sent Callihan into the ring. With Sami in no man’s land, Maclin refused to use the Swiffer much to the dismay of the rowdy Chicago fans.
After Callihan made a small comeback, Maclin nailed him a low blow before heading to the outside once again to grab a suitcase full of more weapons including pliers and some zip ties in the shape of handcuffs.
Maclin followed up by hitting the K.I.A. but refused to pin Callihan which may have cost him the match at this point as Callihan started mounting a comeback. Callihan nailed Maclin several times in the lower region before using the zip ties to his advantage.
With Maclin tied up, Callihan started mouthing off to Maclin which lead to Maclin spitting in his face. Callihan decided it was time for the end and nailed Maclin with his Cactus Driver ’97 to pickup the win in this huge all out war tonight.
Honor No More (Eddie Edwards, Matt Taven, Mike Bennett, PCO & Vincent w/Maria Kanellis) defeated Bullet Club (Ace Austin, Chris Bey, Doc Gallows, Hikuleo & Karl Anderson)
If Honor No More wins, they will receive a world tag team championship match. If they lose, they must disband forever.
Maria headed to the back before the bell rang as the match had the makings of pure gang warfare. After a stare down by all ten men to start the match, the brawl began.
After our previous match, it was hard to believe there were still weapons under the ring but Gallows and Anderson ensured they were found including chairs and trash cans. Hikuleo at one point teased hitting a somersault over the top rope but Taven caught him before he could hit the move. Taven was sent flying for interrupting as pure chaos continued outside of the ring.
After PCO missed a PCO-sault onto a trash can that featured Chris Bey, Gallows dragged him to the outside and action now spilled into the crowd. After Gallows and PCO fought deep into the crowd, Gallows tossed PCO off a railing down hard to what appeared to be tables below.
Gallows made his way back to ringside and for his trouble was greeted with REDRUM through a table by Vincent. As chaos continued all over the place, Gallows made his way back into the ring and attempted to nail Taven with the Magic Killer but was way too hurt at this point.
Bennett and Taven capitalized and after hitting Gallows with a knockout blow, they simultaneously pinned one-half of the world tag team champions to keep Honor No More as a whole and pickup a future shot at the world tag team championship.
Jordynne Grace defeated Mia Yim to retain the Knockouts world title
Legendary referee Scott Armstrong was introduced as the official for this world championship match. As the bell rang, dueling chants could be heard as champion and challenger shook hands in the middle of the ring.
As both women attempted to gain the upper hand, Grace switched from her power game to quickness and was able to gain some early momentum in the match. Yim seemingly frustrated, landed a suicide dive to the outside before sending Grace back into the ring.
Back inside and we started to see Yim’s mean streak come about as she was firing up Grace with a series of kicks. Grace followed it up with a nice suplex before landing a running powerbomb to an overpowered Yim.
With Yim stunned in the middle of the ring, Grace started playing her power game once again and nailed Yim with back and forth clotheslines before attempting to get Yim to tapout. Yim countered and both women soon found themselves in reverse chinlock submissions before Yim managed to gain the upper hand and nailed Grace with a headbutt.
Yim followed it up with a tornado ddt and attempted to hit a move off the second rope but Grace caught her with a Muscle Buster for a near three count. Grace attempted to hit the Grace Driver but Yim countered and nailed a Code Blue off the top rope for a two count.
Yim looked to hit Eat Defeat and after some back and forth pin attempts, Grace was finally able to capture and surprise Yim with the Grace Driver to gain the victory and remain Knockouts world champion.
Hell of a match by two talented ladies here folks!
After the match, Grace attempted to shake hands with Yim and as Mia was reluctant, we heard some familiar whistling. The undefeated Masha Slamovich made her way to the ring, stared down the Knockouts world champion, handed her a black folder and left the ring smiling as Grace pondered a future opponent and Slamovich pondered a future championship.
Josh Alexander defeated Alex Shelley to retain the Impact world title
20 years in the business and as Shelley made his way down to the ring, we’re reminded it’s his first shot at the Impact world title. With that being said, we’re reminded that Josh Alexander has only been pinned once in the past 440+ days.
Goosebumps folks!
Chants for both guys are heard even before their intros and after the bell rang, both men shook hands in the middle of the ring. Seemed like a theme tonight, and a great one at that.
We saw a slow paced technical presence in the beginning and it was referenced that we’re watching a chess game. Both men are super talented in various aspects and all it would take was one wrong move to throw the other off their game. With that being said, the head gear came off of Alexander and kicked aside by Shelley.
Shelley followed up with some arrogant aggressiveness but Alexander would hold his own and nailed Shelley with a huge boot to bring the match back to his side. After Shelley had attempted to focus on the left arm of Alexander, Alexander started working not only the leg of Shelley but his whole body, trapping Shelley in a submission in the middle of the ring.
After some back and forth offense, Shelley landed a tilt-a-whirl head scissors and then locked on a quick Border City Stretch but Alexander was able to escape to the outside. Shelley followed but after Alexander was back in the ring, Shelley took too long outside and was nailed with a flying crossbody on the ring apron.
Back inside the ring and Alexander was locked up like a pretzel by Shelley as duel chants were heard again. Alexander escaped but as he setup for the C4 Spike, too much damage had been done and he wasn’t able to pickup Shelley. Alexander persevered and managed to hit a modified fisherman buster but not to the power that Alexander would have had liked.
Shelley was hurt at this point but Alexander was damaged and Shelley managed to send Alexander face first into the middle turnbuckle before nailing a tornado ddt. Shelley followed up with a massive frog splash but not only did Alexander manage to kick out at two, he locked in the ankle lock. Shelley was able to grab the bottom rope and we’re now at a stalemate.
Shelley followed up with Sliced Bread but it was Alexander with the pin attempt, only getting a two count. Shelley with the Air Raid Crash and another two count, this time by the challenger.
We’re now outside the ring and after Shelley is sent into the ring steps, he nailed another Sliced Bread, favoring his knee after he hit the move. Back inside the ring and another Border City Stretch locked in by Shelley but it’s broken up pretty quickly. Shelley follows up with a series of chops and it’s like Rocky 3 in the middle of the ring as Alexander wanted more.
Alexander started to gain momentum and after hitting the ripcord elbow, he couldn’t put away Shelley. Looking like he was in that zone, Alexander locked in the ankle lock followed by a Sharpshooter before Shelley locked in the Border City Stretch once again. Shelley followed it up with two Shell Shocks, Alexander countered with a spinning tombstone but neither man would give up in this spectacular main event for the world championship.
Alexander nailed a Shell Shock of his own, followed it up with his C4 Spike and got the 1-2-3 to retain the Impact world championship in a potential match of the year here!
Final Thoughts
Emergence was everything I hoped for and more.
The main event between two of the best in the industry for the world championship in a promotion that continues to hit homeruns, they hit a grand slam tonight. Matches like Josh Alexander vs. Alex Shelley is why I’m a pro-wrestling fan.
You add the intrigue of an undefeated Masha Slamovich making her presence known to Jordynne Grace and her Knockouts world title, VXT capturing the Knockouts world tag team titles, Mike Bailey continuously dominating the X-Division, the continuation of the group known as Honor No More, VBD and more specifically Eric Young being talked about in Impact Wrestling in 2022, the future of talented guys like Bhupinder Gujjar and it’s easy to see why Impact Wrestling continues to remain one of the greatest promotions 20+ years later.
Go out of your way and watch Emergence when you get the chance folks!
Impact Wrestling has finalized their card for Friday’s Emergence special from Chicago, Illinois, including their two pre-show matches.
On Thursday’s AXS show, one final title match was added as Digital Media Champion Brian Myers will defend against Bhupinder Gujjar after weeks of dodging him.
That will be on the pre-show along with the previously announced Knockouts Tag Team title match between champions Rosemary & Taya Valkyrie vs. Deonna Purrazzo & Chelsea Green.
Another match was finalized as X-Division Champion “Speedball” Mike Bailey will defend against Jack Evans after his successful defense over Rocky Romero Thursday.
Here’s the current lineup, set for Impact Plus & YouTube Insiders:
Impact World Champion Josh Alexander defends against Alex Shelley
Impact Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace defends against Mia Yim
Impact X-Division Champion Mike Bailey defends against Jack Evans
Bullet Club (Ace Austin, Chris Bey, Hikuleo, Doc Gallows & Karl Anderson) vs. Honor No More (Eddie Edwards, Matt Taven, Mike Bennett, PCO & Vincent) – If Bullet Club wins, Honor No More must disband while if Honor No More wins, they earn a Tag Team title shot
Bandido vs. Rey Horus
Sami Callihan vs. Steve Maclin
Violent By Design (Joe Doering & Deaner) vs. Chris Sabin & KUSHIDA
Countdown pre-show: Impact Knockouts Tag Team Champions Taya Valkyrie & Rosemary defend against Chelsea Green & Deonna Purrazzo
Countdown pre-show: Impact Digital Media Champion Brian Myers defends against Bhupinder Gujjar
Three new matches have been added to Impact Emergence.
An X Division title match has been announced for the show, with Jack Evans challenging the winner of next week’s Mike Bailey vs. Rocky Romero title bout for the Championship.
Bailey is the current X Division Champion, but must defend against Romero on next Thursday’s Impact Wrestling episode. Evans will get the winner at Emergence.
Also announced for Emergence, Violent by Design’s Joe Doering and Deaner will take on KUSHIDA and Chris Sabin in a tag team encounter.
In a singles bout, Sami Callihan will take on Steve Maclin in the other new bout added to Emergence.
Here is the lineup for the Emergence Impact Plus streaming special:
Impact Emergence, Friday, August 12, 8 p.m. Eastern time —
Impact World Championship: Josh Alexander (c) vs. Alex Shelley
Impact Knockouts World Championship: Jordynne Grace (c) vs. Mia Yim
Impact X Division Championship: Mike Bailey or Rocky Romero vs. Jack Evans
Impact Knockouts World Tag Team Championship: Taya Valkyrie & Rosemary (c) vs. Chelsea Green & Deonna Purrazzo
Bullet Club (Ace Austin, Chris Bey, Hikuleo, Doc Gallows & Karl Anderson) vs. Honor No More (Eddie Edwards, Matt Taven, Mike Bennett, PCO & Vincent) – If Bullet Club wins, Honor No More must disband, if Honor No More wins, they earn a Tag Team title shot
