At Impact Wrestling’s Victory Road event on Friday night, the 52-year-old Dreamer defeated Kenny King to win the Digital Media Championship. It was a title vs. career match where Dreamer would have retired if he lost.
An assist from Heath helped Dreamer win the match. When Sheldon Jean interfered on behalf of King, the referee ejected Jean from ringside. With the referee’s attention turned away, Heath ran in and dropped King with the Wake Up Call. Dreamer then hit a DDT and pinned King to win the Digital Media title.
Dreamer paid tribute to his late friend Terry Funk during the match, including wearing Funk-inspired ring gear with a Funk shirt.
The Dreamer vs. King match was set up after Emergence this August. At Emergence, King retained the Digital Media title against Johnny Swinger. King and Jean then beat down Swinger. Dreamer made his way out to protect Swinger but was attacked by King.
On Impact last week, Dreamer offered to put his career on the line for a shot against King. King mocked Dreamer for being old and taking up a spot on the roster.
Victory Road took place in Dreamer’s home state of New York. In a post-match interview, Dreamer said he will defend the Digital Media title at every show he’s on:
Tonight’s Impact Victory Road from White Plains, New York, will feature several title defenses, a return, and a match months in the making.
Former Impact World Champions Josh Alexander and Steve Maclin will go head-to-head in a match that originally slated to happen at April’s Rebellion.
Jordynne Grace will return to the ring for the first time since May as she faces rival Deonna Purrazzo.
X-Division Champion Lio Rush will defend against KUSHIDA.
Knockouts Champion Trinity will defend against Alisha Edwards while Knockouts Tag Team Champions Killer Kelly & Masha Slamovich defend against Gisele Shaw & Savannah Evans.
Impact Tag Team Champions The Rascalz defend their gold for the first time as they face the Motor City Machine Guns.
Digital Media Champion Kenny King will put his title on the line against Tommy Dreamer’s career while Bully Ray takes on PCO under anything goes rules.
The show will also include Crazzy Steve vs. Black Taurus and two pre-show matches.
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Alan Angels defeated Little Guido Maritato
Little Guido facing Alan Angels on am Impact preshow was not something I had on my calendar for 2023, but as the match was about to start, the picture went out with this message being displayed:
he first (and hopefully only) production problem tonight. Thankfully a few moments after that, the show came back on as Guido was working over the shoulder of Angels. As Guido let the referee check on Angels, Angels stood up, raked the eyes, and hit Angels Wings for the win.
–PCO was wandering in the parking lot, and apparently this parking lot in the New York area is the cousin of the NXT parking lot, as PCO was hit by a car driven by Bully Ray.
ABC (Ace Austin & Chris Bey) defeated Moose & Brian Myers
Perfectly fine tag match here, though it does make me wonder what Impact is doing with Moose, given his main event status. I would much rather seem him teaming with Eddie Edwards more often than Myers.
Bey out maneuvered Moose at the start of this match, frustrating him. Bey and Austin continued the assault against Myers, with Moose looking increasingly frustrated on the apron. Moose was able to drop Austin when the referee was distracted and they got the heat on Bey for the next few minutes. Moose slowed it down against Bey and hit a chop, but Bey ducked the next and fired back with 3 chops before Moose raked the eyes and tagged out to Myers.
Bey countered a powerbomb and tagged out to Austin, who immediately ran wild. As this was happening, for a split second, the announcer audio came through the house mic loudly, and then there was awkward silence in the audience as it was a jarring noise. Austin, however, floated through the ropes, bounced of the middle rope, and hit a kick on Myers. Not long after, Bey was able to roll up Myers for the pin as Moose made the dive to try and make the save.
Impact Wrestling Victory Road Main Card
Impact X-Division Champion Lio Rush defeated KUSHIDA to retain
This match ruled. Rush and KUSHIDA are both so good, and I know KUSHIDA has fallen into his role as gatekeeper to the starts in New Japan, but he still has plenty left in the tank. I hope we see him get another run as IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion or something on NJPW Strong, or even here in Impact. Great match.
KUSHIDA started the match chasing after Rush all over ringside and in the ring, but using speed that is not the typical chase, as they weaved in and out of the ropes and the ring in a really cool way. After another chase, KUSHIDA almost punted the arm of Rush, but Rush pulled away to the apron at just the right moment. KUSHIDA grabbed him and put the Hoverboard Lock on, and let go before 5, only to kick the arm and start working Rush over. That opening sequence was so awesome.
KUSHIDA hit a shotei palm strike and put Rush on the top ropes before knocking him off to the apron. Rush had to gouge the eyes to get KUSHIDA away from his arm. KUSHIDA however, was able to go right back to the left arm, and then did an armbar across the bottom rope and turnbuckle on Rush. As KUSHIDA brought Rush back into the ring, Rush rolled KUSHIDA up and hit a spinning kick and a clothesline for a 2-count.
Rush grabbed the X-Division title but the referee did not let him use it. Rush grabbed KUSHIDA’s sunglasses instead, and danced around ringside to boos from the crowd. KUSHIDA rolled Rush up in response for a 2-count and went right for the Hoverboard Lock out of it. Rush countered and sent KUSHIDA to the apron before hitting a handspring kick. Rush went for a lowpe but KUSHIDA caught him with the Hoverboard Lock on the floor.
Back in the ring, Rush went for the Spanish Fly, but KUSHIDA countered again into the Hoverboard Lock. The fans went crazy with how often KUSHIDA was able to counter into it. Rush and KUSHIDA both hit kicks from their backs, trying to spring up to hit their opponent and both were down. Both wrestlers exchanged forearms in the middle of the ring. KUSHIDA caught Rush in a cravat and then hit a series of knees. KUSHIDA accidentally swung his arm into the referee, and Rush low blowed KUSHIDA and hit the Final Hour for the win.
–Santino was backstage with the medical team as PCO laid on a gurney, apparently dead (or unconscious), bur PCO stat right up as soon as the doctor said he couldn’t compete and he screamed for Bully Ray and walked away with the doctors looking completely shocked. He’s basically a zombie, this really shouldn’t surprise anyone in Impact.
Impact Knockouts World Tag Team Champions MK Ultra (Masha Slamovich & Killer Kelly) defeated Gisele Shaw & Savannah Evans (w/ Jai Vidal)
Impact made the right call with MK Ultra continuing to win, as they are two of the best characters and workers in the division.
Slamovich and Kelly dominated Shaw in the early part of this match, including Kelly hitting a stalling fisherman’s suplex for a 2-count. Evans low bridged Kelly and they were finally able to get some offence against Kelly. Evans hit a butterfly suplex on Kelly for a 2-count. After kicking Shaw, Slamovich tagged in for the hot tag and ran wild, hitting yakuza kicks all over the ring, but Jai Vidal got on the apron and distracted the referee, allowing them to double team Slamovich.
Evans then accidentally hit a big boot on Shaw after Slamovich ducked. Kelly took out Vidal on the apron, but Evans recovered enough to hit a big boot on Slamovich. Evans picked Slamovich up with a fireman’s carry, but Slamovich countered into a sleeper, so Evans threw her off. Slamovich got up, hit a spinning hook kick and then the Snow plough on Evans for the pinfall.
–PCO was screaming for Bully Ray backstage, and Ray ran up behind him and started beating on him with a chair, screaming that he was just a man. Ray then brought some gasoline out and poured it on PCO. PCO spit gasoline into the eyes of Bully Ray after that though, saving himself from being set on fire.
Crazzy Steve defeated Black Taurus
This wasn’t bad. Steve’s new character is working, I think, as the audience seems to be genuinely creeped out by Steve.
Taurus did not waste any time waiting for Steve, attacking him as soon as the bell rang. Steve bailed to the floor and Tom Hannifan stood up ready to run away. Steve told him to relax and that he was witnessing something beautiful be born. He then got back in the ring and sent Taurus to the corner, setting Taurus on the top rope before hitting a springboard clothesline for a 2-count.
Steve then said he was going to take the eyes of Taurus, but Taurus countered it for a bit until Steve hit a Russian legsweep. After some brief exchanges, Taurus went for a Samoan drop, but Steve countered with a crucifix driver for a 2-count. Taurus managed to hit the pop up Samoan drop after a reset, so the first one may have been a botch, and both men were down. Taurus hit a hard forearm to drove Steve, and hit a second after blocking a punch.
Taurus hit two sling blades, and a Knightfall backbreaker. Steve screamed he was sorry at this point, saying he didn’t want to fight. Taurus turned around, unsettled, so Steve attacked him from behind and went to the floor to pull out a fork he hid under the announce table. Steve’s usage of the fork was blocked, letting the referee take it out of the ring, but Steve gouged the eyes and hit a tornado DDT for the win.
–Gia Miller was with Tommy Dreamer talking about his match with Kenny King. Dreamer said that if tonight was his last match, he was very proud to have it in front of his fans in New York, in the same building he became a wrestling fan when he was 10-years old.
Tommy Dreamer defeated Kenny King (w/ Sheldon Jean) to win the Impact Digital Media Championship in a Title vs. Career match
This was all smoke and mirrors, as it needed to be, despite not being a hardcore match. King got a lot of heat on Dreamer until the end, not dissimilar to a Terry Funk babyface match. This will probably be the worst match on the card, but the crowd was red hot, and Dreamer did work very hard in it. Heartwarming finish, and that is all we need sometimes.
Tommy Dreamer came out wearing Terry Funk inspired gear, and his daughters were in the front row to cheer him on. The crowd was very hot for this, as King hit an arm drag and the fans exploded into “Tommy Dreamer” chants while one person cheered for King. That was amusing. There’s always one fan that has to cheer the heel.
Dreamer hit an arm drag of his own before hitting a Cactus clothesline to the floor on King. Dreamer requested a bottle of water from the fans, spitting it into the face of King. Dreamer then hit the ropes going for a tope by King cut him off with a kick. Credit to Dreamer, he had me believing he was running full force for a dive.
King went to the top rope buy spent too much time trash talking the fans and got hit with a gorilla press. King rolled to the floor and managed to suplex Dreamer on the ramp. King hit an Eddy Gordo kick on Dreamer, and faced off with Dreamer’s daughters, saying he was their father now.
King ended up getting hit with a superplex from Dreamer for a 2-count. Dreamer and King then exchanged punches, with Dreamer hitting his Dusty style punches before hitting a bionic elbow. King got up and hit a spinebuster after a kick for a two count. King went for a superkick, saying “I’m sorry, I hate you!” but Dreamer hit a cutter for a 2-count.
King got out of a Death Valley Driver, and taunted Dreamer’s daughters again after necking Dreamer on the ropes. King then hit a blockbuster for a 2-count. The announcers completely missed Kenny King going for the spinning toe hold, calling it a figure four, but Dreamer rolled him up for a two count.
Dreamer then hit a Death Valley Driver and a Terry Funk style piledriver for a 2-count. Dreamer looked at his Terry Funk shirt and called for a moonsault, but Sheldon Jean distracted the referee, allowing King to cut him off. The referee ejected Jean, and as he was doing that, Heath ran in and hit the Wake Up Call, allowing Dreamer to hit a DDT for the pinfall.
–The hype video for this match was awesome, with Purrazzo doing an awesome voiceover about how Grace couldn’t beat her, while Grace is seen training with the images of her previous losses to Purrazzo playing. This was great.
Jordynne Grace defeated Deonna Purrazzo
Really good match from Purrazzo and Grace here, with Grace finally getting a one on one win over Purrazzo.
Grace hit a northern lights suplex on Purrazzo right away to start the match for a 2-count. Grace fell short on a dive and Purrazzo took advantage, locking on a double wristlock and driving Grace back into the apron. Grace and Purrazzo exchanged elbows as they ran the ropes until Purrazzo tried to hit a head scissors into an armbar, but Grace shoved her off and hit a bodyslam. Purrazzo’s work over the arm made Grace hesitate, but Grace was able to hit a Michinoku driver for a 2-count.
Purrazzo hit a suplex and transitioned to an armbar as soon as Grace kicked out. Purrazzo called for the Queen’s Gambit, but Grace shoved her back to the corner and went for a superplex after driving the face of Purrazzo into her knee. Grace then rolled through straight into a Jackhammer for a 2-count.
Purrazzo and Grace exchanged attempts at the Juggernaut driver, but it ended with Purrazzo hitting a coup d’état for a two count. Grace hit forearms from the apron before both wrestlers hit a clothesline and were down. Purrazzo ran the ropes, but Grace countered and hit a Deadeye for a two count.
Purrazzo was able to hit a head scissors into an armbar, but Grace immediately countered into a pinfall attempt. Purrazzo did not let that stand, transitioning back to the armbar. As Grace tried to escape, Purrazzo went for the Queen’s Gambit. Grace then countered a few attempts at this before finally hitting the Juggernaut driver for the pinfall.
PCO defeated Bully Ray in a No DQ Match
This is what you would expect it to be, but was fun.
PCO attacked Ray as he tried to leave the building, and they ended up on the ramp with Ray throwing PCO down the ramp. He then screamed “Do you know who I am?” with all of his fear suddenly gone. Oops. Should have kept the attack up looking scared to be consistent there. Ray pulled a garbage can out from under the ring and hit PCO with it and the camera shook as he hit it, making me dizzy, though it was not Kevin Dunn production bad.
Ray put three tables in the ring while PCO setup chairs on the floor. Ray punched PCO off the apron, and PCO fell off into the chairs. That was a quick payoff. Ray setup tables in each corner of the ring, except one. Ray setup a fourth table on the floor, but PCO hit him with a garbage can. The bell finally rang as they went into the ring, and Ray sent PCO throw all three tables that he setup.
Ray sent PCO out of the ring through the fourth table, and PCO sat up like nothing, and Ray tried to run away again. Santino Marella came out with security and told him that he had to finish the match. Ray slapped Santino, and Santino pulled out the cobra, and hit it on Ray, sending him right to the feet of PCO. PCO setup a ladder in the ring and tried to hit a flip off the top rope onto Ray on the ladder, but Ray got up and threw PCO onto the ladder and pulled more tables into the ring.
Ray pulled a cowbell out and went to hit PCO with it, but PCO grabbed Ray and chokeslammed him for a 2-count. PCO pulled a cheese grater out and hit a low blow with it. PCO then hit a flip off the top rope onto Ray through a table, but the table didn’t break. PCO set it up in the corner instead and sent Ray through it for the win.
–Eric Young and Scott D’Amore were with Gia Miller talking about Impact 1000, saying that they were there for the very first episode of Impact, and they were going to be there, while D’Amore screamed “Yes! Yes! Yes!” at the camera like he used to as the leader of Team Canada.
Impact World Tag Team Champions The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachery Wentz) defeated The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin)
The story of this match is that the Motor City Machine Guns outclassed The Rascalz, who, while talented, were not able to compete without cheating. Unfortunately, they basically got screwed by a dumb referee in the finish, but it does add to the heat for The Rascalz. Sabin and Shelley were honestly unbelievably great in this match, and this was probably the best match on the show thus far, giving Lio Rush and KUSHIDA a run for their money. The Rascalz were good too, but all the little things Sabin and Shelley do really set them apart. Impact is fortunate to have them.
Sabin started the match with Miguel, and the announcers noted that the last time they were one-on-one on Impact, Zachery Wentz debuted and attacked Sabin. Sabin and Shelley used their great teamwork to counter all the attempts of the Rascalz to get on top of the early portion of the match, but after Sabin and Shelley pulled them to the floor, the Rascalz ducked under them and hit stereo superkicks.
Sabin and Shelley didn’t let that advantage last long though, hitting dragon screws on the legs of Wentz, starting to tear apart his knees. Shelley made sure Wentz’s back was to the referee, and he pulled Wentz by his face to the corner to tag out to Sabin. That was a really well done spot, and Shelley is only repaying them for their cheating, while being better at it than the younger wrestlers ala a babyface Ric Flair. That was great.
Shelley did a spinning toe hold on Wentz, and the announcers got the move right this time, but did not note the Terry Funk reference. Shelley and Sabin then got stereo figure four leglocks on both men to the delight of the fans. The story of the match is that thus far is that Shelley and Sabin are far above both Wentz and Miguel in terms of their technique, including using the rules and referee blindness to their advantage.
Wentz managed to hit a handspring into a knee, and tagged out to Miguel. Miguel posed on the floor, so Shelly brought Miguel onto the apron via face pull, but Miguel gouged the eyes and suddenly Miguel and Wentz had some measure of control for a little bit, sending each other into dropkicks on Sabin and Shelley both, who were in opposite corners.
Sabin was able to hit a dragon screw on Miguel, and hit a second on Wentz, and then one on both of them at the same time, as again, the Motor City Machine Guns had an answer to everything the Rascalz were doing. Sabin then hit a tope suicidia to the floor on both wrestlers. Sabin and Shelley hit a double team dropkick and flatliner for a 2-count. Wentz went to the eyes of Shelley, in a bit of revenge, and superkicked Sabin and hit a double stomp for a 2-count.
Miguel went for the belts to try and hit Sabin, but the referee took his belt away. Unfortunately, he missed Wentz hitting Sabin with the belt for a 2-count. Miguel called for spray paint, and as Wentz went for it, Shelley pulled him to the floor and Sabin and Shelley hit a combo superkick and PK. Miguel hit a handspring kick to knock both men off the apron and then hit a tope con giro to the floor.
Miguel went to hit Sabin with the belt again, but Sabin and ducked and then hit a tornado DDT on Miguel onto the belt. As Sabin was going for the pin, John Skylar pulled the referee from the ring. The referee was a complete idiot here, as he thought Shelley may have pulled him out, costing himself the match, rather than Skylar who was right there, and the referee questioned both men. While this was going on, Wentz sprayed paint into the eyes of Sabin and Miguel rolled him up for the 3.
Impact Knockouts World Champion Trinity defeated Alisha Edwards
This was far better than it had any right to be, and it’s because Trinity is so likable and Alisha Edwards did a wonderful job being a heel. The in ring was rough in a few spots, but they worked very hard and had the audience the whole time. This was great. Not a great match, but great for how hot the crowd was.
Trinity was cheered wildly by the fans as she came out, and they threw glowsticks into the ring as she posed with the Knockouts championship. That was great. Edwards grabbed the mic and said she didn’t understand the New York’s fans booing because of their dumb accents. Again, great.
Trinity hit some kicks in the corner, a PK, and a legdrop while doing the splits as the fans chanted “Ucey” which brought a big smile to Trinity’s face. Edwards managed to hit a neck breaker on Trinity out of the corner for a two count. Edwards hit some weak chops to Trinity before going for a tornado DDT, but Trinity countered and shoved Edwards away.
Trinity charged the corner, but ate a drop toe hold into the bottom turnbuckle. Edwards locked on a body scissors and hit forearms to the back of Trinity. The crowd booed her loudly. Trinity hit some short arm clotheslines and a back suplex into a back breaker across both of knees for a 2-count. Edwards countered a full nelson bomb and Trinity went for a kick well above her head and took the head off the referee by accident.
Trinity locked on starstruck and even locked hands together to crank it in even more, but Eddie Edwards broke it up and then setup a table on the floor to put Trinity through. Frankie Kazarian and Traci Brooks ran out and made the save, putting Eddie Edwards on the table and then telling Trinity to hit a dive off the top rope, hitting Edwards with a splash that only broke the table legs. Poor Trinity screamed “Ow!” after that.
Alisha Edwards, meanwhile grabbed a kendo stick and hit Trinity with it. Trinity kicked out to a huge reaction from the crowd. Trinity then hit a full nelson bomb, and I think they were supposed to roll over into starstruck, but something went wrong, so Trinity smartly adjusted and pinned her, and only people watching closely would see it.
–A video played announcing the new inductees to the Impact Wrestling Hall of Fame, announcing Mike Tenay and Don West. This was so perfect. The video then faded out to Tom Hannifan and Matt Rehwoldt, with Hannifan clearly emotional, saying that there was no Impact Wrestling without the voices of Tenay and West, and they were walking the roads that they paved. This was really nice, and I found myself tearing up too because we lost Don West far too soon.
Josh Alexander defeated Steve Maclin
This match ruled. Oh my goodness, I missed Alexander in the main event having these kind of matches. Steve Maclin looked incredible too, as Impact really does have two main eventers who can deliver every time they are out there. This main event was absolutely fantastic and my favourite match of the show, as they wrestled a G1 level main event. Watch this match and enjoy great pro wrestling.
It only seems right for Josh Alexander to be in the main event of an Impact show, and here he was starting where he left off – in a match with Steve Maclin. Both men wasted no time going for hard chops and strikes, with Alexander hitting several hard ones on Maclin on the floor before Maclin drove him into the apron.
Alexander hit a brainbuster on the apron and threw Maclin into the ring. As Alexander got back on the apron and looked back to the audience for a split second, Maclin jumped up and yanked the left arm of Alexander across the ropes and then drove him into the ring post. Excellent spot. Maclin hit a knee drop on the arm of Alexander, and Alexander immediately slapped Maclin in response, so Maclin returned the strike and hit a uranage into a backbreaker on Alexander.
Alexander, however, had a series of German suplexes ready to unleash, hitting ten rolling suplexes with a bridge for a 2-count, and Maclin in kicking out immediately went to an arm lock on Alexander who had to make the ropes. Fantastic spot that highlights Alexander’s ability while showing Maclin’s clear headed thinking.
Maclin hit a lowpe on Alexander and then wrapped Alexander’s arm up in the ring steps before kicking them. Alexander blocked an arm lock with some chops, but fell to the mat when going for a float over at the turnbuckle, and Maclin ran in and locked on the London Dungeon. Alexander was able to dodge a kick and hit a back suplex with his right arm.
Maclin went for an armbar, but Alexander scrambled and hit some palm strikes to the face of Maclin. Maclin went for a busaiku knee on Alexander, but he caught him and went for the ankle lock. Maclin rolled forward, sending Alexander crashing into the middle turnbuckle. Alexande dodged a charge, hit a hard forearm to the back of Maclin’s head, and then hit a torture rack bomb for a 2-count.
Alexander went for a moonsault, but Maclin put Alexander in the tree of woe. Alexander hit a spear in the corner and then hit a KIA on Alexander, but Alexander fell to the outside. As Maclin went for a lowpe in response, Alexander caught him and swiped him aside, forcing Maclin to crash to the floor in brutal fashion. As Alexander tried to drag himself into the ring, Maclin hit a chop block, and Alexander barely made it back in. Both men exchanged forearms in the middle or the ring before trading hard strikes and chops.
Maclin went for a hard haymaker, but Alexander instinctively blocked it with his left arm, letting Maclin hit a brainbuster before going for a diving headbutt. Alexander got his feet up, and rolled him up. Alexander then kicked the inner thigh of Maclin, forcing him to drop to his knees, targeting the formerly injured groin of Maclin, and then hit the C4 Spike for the pinfall.
Final Thoughts
Impact is really on a roll with their specials and PPVs right now, as was another great one. Between their shows and the big AEW shows the last few weeks, I have seen so much good wrestling that it’s almost overwhelming. I’m not complaining though, as this was a delight to watch and I highly recommend checking this show out if you get the chance, especially the main event.
Two matches have been added to Friday’s Impact Victory Road card, including a Knockouts World Tag Team title defense.
As announced during Thursday’s Impact Wrestling episode, MK Ultra’s Killer Kelly & Masha Slamovich will defend the Knockouts World Tag Team Championship against Giselle Shaw & Savannah Evans at Victory Road. Evans & Shaw earned the shot by eliminating MK Ultra from a battle royal on last week’s Impact Wrestling.
Also added to Friday’s show, Crazzy Steve will face Black Taurus in singles competition.
Victory Road is set for Friday, September 8 at 8 p.m. Eastern time on Impact Plus & FITE, with Countdown to Victory Road beginning at 7:30 p.m. Eastern time on Impact Plus & YouTube.
The updated lineups for Friday:
Victory Road, 8 p.m. Eastern time on FITE & Impact Plus —
Josh Alexander vs. Steve Maclin
Knockouts World Championship: Trinity defends against Alisha Edwards
Impact World Tag Team Championship: The Rascalz defend against Motor City Machine Guns
Deonna Purrazzo vs. Jordynne Grace
Anything goes match: Bully Ray vs. PCO
X Division Championship: Lio Rush defends against KUSHIDA
Digital Media Championship title vs. career match: Kenny King defends against Tommy Dreamer
Knockouts World Tag Team Championship: Killer Kelly & Masha Slamovich defend against Gisele Shaw & Savannah Evans
Crazzy Steve vs. Black Taurus
Countdown to Victory Road, 7:30 p.m. Eastern time on YouTube & Impact Plus —
ABC (Austin Ace & Chris Bey) vs. Moose & Brian Myers
Two matches have been announced for Friday’s Countdown to Victory Road, the pre-show for Impact Wrestling’s Victory Road pay-per-view.
In tag team action, ABC (Ace Austin & Chris Bey) will face Moose & Brian Myers. These two teams will look to establish themselves as potential contenders for the Tag Team titles which will be on the line on the main card, with The Rascalz defending against Motor City Machine Guns.
Also announced for the Countdown show, Alan Angels has issued an open challenge. Angels issued the challenge in a social media angle on Thursday, and the open challenge was confirmed by Impact during Thursday’s Impact Wrestling episode.
Countdown to Victory Road will air at 7:30 p.m. Eastern time on Friday, September 8 on Impact Plus and Impact’s YouTube channel. The main card will begin at 8 p.m. Eastern time on FITE TV and Impact Plus.
The updated lineups for Friday:
Victory Road, 8 p.m. Eastern time on FITE & Impact Plus —
Josh Alexander vs. Steve Maclin
Knockouts World Championship: Trinity defends against Alisha Edwards
Impact World Tag Team Championship: The Rascalz defend against Motor City Machine Guns
Deonna Purrazzo vs. Jordynne Grace
Anything goes match: Bully Ray vs. PCO
X Division Championship: Lio Rush defends against KUSHIDA
Digital Media Championship title vs. career match: Kenny King defends against Tommy Dreamer
Knockouts World Tag Team Championship: Killer Kelly & Masha Slamovich defend against Gisele Shaw & Savannah Evans
Crazzy Steve vs. Black Taurus
Countdown to Victory Road, 7:30 p.m. Eastern time on YouTube & Impact Plus —
ABC (Austin Ace & Chris Bey) vs. Moose & Brian Myers
Nearly the full card for next Friday’s Victory Road streaming special was announced during Thursday’s Impact on AXS TV.
After a spirited promo exchange Thursday, former ECW icon Tommy Dreamer will put his career on the line against Digital Media Champion Kenny King’s title. Dreamer said this has been the hardest year of his life and maybe he could do something great for this business and for King’s future by putting his career on the line.
The streaming special from White Plains, New York, will also feature several other key title matches in addition to a high-profile match months in the making.
After winning a battle royal on Thursday’s show, Alisha Edwards will challenge Knockouts Champion Trinity. Trinity successfully defended her title for the first time when she defeated Deonna Purrazzo at last Sunday’s Emergence. Edwards has never held Impact gold.
Purrazzo faces rival Jordynne Grace who will be making her return to Impact for the first time since late-May when she lost to then-champion Purrazzo.
In a match that was planned for April but had to be pushed back due to injury, Josh Alexander vs. Steve Maclin will clash in a meeting of former Impact World Champions.
X-Division Champion Lio Rush will finally defend his title against no. 1 contender KUSHIDA who earned his opportunity by winning an Ultimate X match at July’s Slammiversary.
New Tag Team Champions The Rascalz will put their titles on the line for the first time as they defend against former champions Motor City Machine Guns (Impact World Champion Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin).
PCO will finally get his opportunity to gain revenge on Bully Ray as they go one-on-one after PCO has stalked Ray for weeks.
Here’s the current card:
Digital Media Champion Kenny King defends against Tommy Dreamer in a title vs. career match
Knockouts Champion Trinity defends against Alisha Edwards
Deonna Purrazzo vs. Jordynne Grace
X-Division Champion Lio Rush defends against KUSHIDA
Impact Tag Team Champions The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz) defend against Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley)
As of now, Impact has not announced whether the 27-year-old has signed a new contract with the company. She became a free agent in May and it was reported she was taking some time away from wrestling to focus on other projects.
The last time that Grace wrestled saw her lose to then-champion Deonna Purrazzo with a stipulation: that she was unable to challenge Purrazzo for the title as long as she was champion.
As of now, Grace’s appearance is the only thing announced for Victory Road with the majority of the card expected to be revealed during Monday’s post-Emergence TV taping.
On a night where all the champions retained their titles, a new number one contender for the World title was made during Friday’s Impact Under Siege and thus, a main event was confirmed for next month’s Against All Odds.
In a six-way match, Alex Shelley picked up the win over Moose, Eddie Edwards, Jonathan Gresham, Yuya Uemura and Frankie Kazarian. The Motor City Machine Guns member got the pin after hitting Shellshock on Uemura.
It was announced shortly after Under Siege that Shelley will face reigning champion Steve Maclin at the Against All Odds streaming special on Friday, June 9th in Columbus, Ohio. Shelley has held the X-Division and Tag Team titles, but never the big prize. He unsuccessfully challenged then-champion Josh Alexander at last August’s Emergence.
Maclin successfully defended the World title against PCO in a no DQ match Friday — one of five champions that left London, Ontario, Canada, with their title reigns intact.
**********
Bully Ray has returned to Impact.
The former title challenger made a surprise return after Maclin’s victory, attacking Impact president Scott D’Amore. He and Maclin put D’Amore through a flaming table despite the best efforts of the Motor City Machine Guns, PCO and Matthew Rehwoldt. He told D’Amore he would take down the whole company around him.
Ray feuded with then-champion Josh Alexander earlier this year with Alexander successfully defending the title against Ray in a Full Metal Mayhem match. After losing in a Hardcore War match with Tommy Dreamer earlier this year, Ray disappeared for some time only to return tonight.
It was announced that Impact’s Victory Road event streaming special will take place on Friday, September 8th in White Plains, New York. The 1000th episode of Impact will taped the following night in the same venue. Tickets go on sale for both shows on June 2nd.
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Jake Crist made his return to Impact as the mystery man to team with Sami Callihan and Rich Swann in a win over The Design’s Deaner, Kon and Angels. Callihan’s oVe teammate was last seen in the promotion in August 2021 after spending the better part of five years there. He is a former X-Division and Tag Team Champion.
The clues to the “White Rabbit” on SmackDown lead to another show. These clues need to be more than just promos for the next episode, otherwise WWE risks fans turning on this angle. So far, it’s turned out to be just a carny trick in the digital age. Fans need to be rewarded for their time, not used.
Plus, a monologue from three weeks ago turns out to be prophetic when it comes to the CM Punk controversy, The Great Muta and Bobby Fish make surprise appearances on AEW and IMPACT respectively, the lineup for EXTREME RULES so far, and more. Check it out.
For just the fifth time in Impact history, they will host a Barbed Wire Massacre match as Steve Maclin, Moose and Sami Callihan will go to battle in the main event of Victory Road.
In the only title match on the Impact Plus special, X-Division titleholder “Speedball” Mike Bailey will defend against former ROH mainstay and booker Delirious. The champion’s next challenger at Bound for Glory will be determined in a Triple Threat Revolver match.
Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace will face Max The Impaler in non-title action as part of Masha Slamovich’s pick your poison stipulation ahead of their title match at Bound for Glory.
Mickie James will look to stave off retirement as she faces Gisele Shaw while Killer Kelly faces Tasha Steelz.
Honor No More’s Eddie Edwards, Matt Taven & Mike Bennett will face Josh Alexander, Heath & Rich Swann in trios action while the faction’s Vincent & PCO face the Motor City Machine Guns.
The countdown show will feature Bullet Club in a trios match.
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Countdown to Victory Road
The familiar Bullet Club theme hit as the Coundown to Impact began.
Bullet Club (Juice Robinson, Ace Austin, & Chris Bey) defeated Jason Hotch, Shogun, and Jack Price
This was a showcase match for Bullet Club with Hotch and Shogun getting the most offence from the opponents. Robinson was put over as a big time star, and hit heel run with Bullet Club is paying dividends as the fans treated him like one too.
Austin started the match with Hotch, with Austin scratching Hotch’s back. Bullet Club used a lot of Greco Roman back rakes. Bey was dropped by the larger Shogun, giving them a hope spot. Hotch hit a nice neckbreaker on Bey and knocked the rest of Bullet Club off the apron. Bey avoided a shoulder from Price and then tagged out to Austin. Robinson leveled Shogun with lariat, and nailed Price with the Left Hand of God before hitting the Rockslide for the pinfall.
–Gia Miller was with Heath, Rich Swann, and Josh Alexander, and asked them if they could co-exist tonight when they face Honor No More. All three men insisted that they could, and they would bring it to them like no one else ever has.
Tasha Steelz w/ Savanah Evans defeated Killer Kelly by DQ
The presentation of Killer Kelly here was incredible. She came across as a massive star and, pardon the pun, a killer. The finish of this match was horrible, though. The last thing I wanted to see in this match was a non-finish or a DQ (they weren’t clear on what it was).
Killer Kelly started the match sitting in the middle of the ring and begging Steelz to hit her. Steez came in and tried to kick Kelly, but Kelly immediately countered into a choke. Steelz escaped but it didn’t do her much good as Kelly hit a big boot and Steelz went to the floor. Steelz caught a kick and drove Kelly to the apron.
Steelz stomped on Kelly in the corner, and Kelly just smiled. Steelz hit a Sliced Bread #2 on Kelly for a 2-count. Kelly sat up smiling after a headbutt, so Steelz kicked her for a 2-count. Kelly hit a fisherman’s buster in the middle of the ring. Kelly got a cravat and hit some knees and hit a German suplex. Kelly hit a dropkick in the corner, but Evans distracted Kelly and Steelz hit a bulldog for a 2-count.
Kelly went for the Killer Clutch, but Evans wrapped a chain around her neck. Kelly necked Evans on the ropes and then grabbed the chain and tried to choke Steelz, but the referee stopped her and was going to DQ her, so Kelly choked out the referee with the chain and a Killer Clutch. What a horrible finish. Agents ran out and pulled Kelly off as the main card started.
Impact Wrestling Victory Road Main Card
The main card started with the X-Division Championship match.
Mike Bailey defeated Delirious to retain the Impact X-Division Championship
Bailey and Delirious were fantastic in this match, told the story of Delirious working over the back of Bailey, and delivered some great action. That was a fantastic opening to the Victory Road show.
Bailey used a series of hard kicks on Delirious. Delirious hit a dropkick off the middle rope and a neckbreaker on Bailey. Delirious was locking on a hand and arm choke, keeping Bailey from the ropes. Both men stomped on each other’s bare feet until Delirious released him. Bailey hit a series of kicks to knock Delirious down.
Delirious kept dodging kicks by changing directions as he ran the ropes and responded with a flying clothesline. Bailey hit a springboard moonsault over the ropes on Delirious after he rolled to the outside. Delirious decided to grab Bailey’s foot and bite it. Delirious hit big back suplex on the apron and then one on the floor on Bailey. Delirious ate a spinning kick in the corner, but Delirious pulled him from the ropes and hit a running knee in the corner before hitting shadows over hell for a 2-count.
Bailey nailed Delirious with a brutal looking superkick before hitting a moonsault into double knees. Delirious ducked a kick and locked in the Cobra Clutch before suplexing Bailey on his head. Speedball somehow got up and hit a kick before hitting the Flamingo Driver for the pinfall. This match was fantastic.
–The announcers talked about Joe Doering’s second battle with cancer, and a fundraiser auction they were doing on eBay for it.
–Honor No More were backstage, and Maria Kanellis and Kenny King hyped up how they were going to take over the company by taking the gold from everyone. Eddie Edwards asked if Vincent was going to handle business with PCO tonight, unlike last night on Impact. Vincent said that Edwards didn’t trust PCO but could trust him. Edwards than told King, Taven, and Bennet to send a message to Impact.
Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley) defeated Honor No More (Vincent & PCO)
Fantastic tag match, as MCMG remains one of the best tag teams going, and PCO and Vincent are always fun to watch.
Shelley and Sabin were able to move faster than PCO, leaving him reeling after a few kicks from both men. PCO tagged out to Vincent, but MCMG continued their assault. Shelley and Sabin hit a series of double team attacks that ended with Shelley floating over the ropes into a crucifix pin, which was beautiful.
Vincent hit a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker on Shelley. PCO came in and leveled Shelley and they started to get the heat on him. Vincent came back in with a back suplex. They continued to beat on Shelley for several minutes, with PCO using his size and power to keep him isolated. Vincent accidentally hit a pump kick on PCO after Shelley dodged, and Sabin tagged in.
Sabin hit a missile dropkick on PCO and hit a bulldog on Vincent. PCO hit a splash on the back of Sabin, who was draped on the middle ropes after a DDT. MCMG managed to dump PCO through the ropes and to the floor with an ugly back bump before hitting a Corealis type move, learning form Aussie Open the night before.
Mickie James defeated Gisele Shaw
This was an excellent match, with Mickie James winning in the end. I’m quite sure James is heading towards retirement, but James remains fantastic in the ring, still having excellent matches at this stage of her career.
Gisele Shaw hit a lucha arm drag on James, but James was not put off by it for long locking an armbar on Shaw. Shaw hit a shoulder breaker on James, but James kicked out. Shaw drove James into the turnbuckle, targeting the shoulder. James pulled the apron out to trap Shaw after a baseball slide attempt. James hit a superkick on Shaw on the floor, but got driven face first into the middle turnbuckle as Shaw grabbed her arm and sent her into it.
Shaw did a tornillo dive, nailing James with it. James got nailed by the foot of Shaw on the way down, which looked painful. James dodged a knee strike and hit a kick to the face of Shaw for a 2-count. Shaw hit a full nelson into a backbreaker and then a flatliner for a 2-count. That looked awesome. James hit a Thesz press from the top rope for a 2-count. Shaw hit an enziguri for a 2-count on James. James countered a springboard with a kick and hit the MickDT for the pinfall.
Frankie Kazarian defeated Mia Yim, Laredo Kid, Trey Miguel, Alex Zayne, Kenny King, Yuya Uemura, Black Taurus in a triple threat revolver match
Miguel, Yim, and Laredo Kid started the match, with Kid working very fast in the opening moments driving both Yim and Miguel to the floor before hitting an Orihara moonsault to the floor on both of them. Kid hit a 450 splash on Yim and Miguel at the same time for a 2 -count. Kid targeted Miguel, but Miguel hit a cheeky Nandos kick in the corner.
Yim chopped Miguel off the top rope to the floor and hit a hurricanrana on Kid that she followed up with a tornado DDT and eat da feet on Kid for the pinfall. Alex Zayne joined the match next. Zayne hit a uranage on Yim, which landed on Miguel for a 2-count. Yim hit a crucifix bomb on Zayne for another pin, which the crowd exploded for.
Kenny King joined the match next, looking to get a win for Honor No More. Miguel hit a baseball slide dropkick on King. Yim and Miguel fought on the outside about who got to attack King, which seemed foolish as it is an elimination match. King hit a spinebuster on Yim and took out Miguel.
Yim almost got the pin on King, but he got his foot on the ropes to just escape. King rolled Yim up and pulled the tights to get the pin over Mia Yim. Yuya Uemura made his entrance next. King went right after Uemura because he has a victory over King before. Uemura hit a double chickenwing suplex on King. Miguel hit a page turner on Uemura to eliminate him.
Frankie Kazarian was the next entrant, and he went right after King and Miguel. Kazarian hit a DDT on King while Miguel hit a meteora on Kazarian. Kazarian caught Miguel with a crossface chicken wing for a submission and Black Taurus made his entrance. Taurus ran wild, hitting a pop-up Samoan drop and an elevated backbreaker on Kazarian.
Taurus hit several sling blades on King but Kazarian broke up the pinfall. King hit a spinebuster on Kazarian for a 2-count. King hit a superkick that sent Taurus to the floor before hitting a tiger driver on Kazarian. Taurus hit a belly-to-belly on Kazarian into Kenny King for a 2-count. Kazarian hit a Northern Lights suplex on King while bridging backwards on Taurus for a 2-count. That was awesome. Kazarian went for a chicken wing on Taurus, but he powered out. Kazarian hit a slingshot cutter on King got the pinfall.
–Taya Valkyrie asked for a rematch for the Knockouts Tag Team Championship at Bound for Glory. Jessicka said she would be Valkyrie’s partner. VXT showed up and bad mouthed them, so they laid Chelsea Green out.
–Bobby Fish made his way out to the ring, making his Impact debut. He said he was surprised at the controversy surrounding him lately without defining it too much, which is not the kind of insider stuff we need. That said, Fish said he was simply a guy who did his job well. He said Impact couldn’t fire him because he doesn’t work there. He complimented the Impact roster and indicated he was there to fight the best.
Shera & Raj Singh came out and said he was going to put Fish on his slap schedule. Fish asked who they are, and indicated he wanted to fight Shera. Fish kicked Shera in the face and then hit a suplex on Singh before hitting a hard kick to his back. Fish literally suplexed himself out of his shoes and then locked a heel hook on Singh.
The promo part of this sucked, but I liked Fish laying those two out.
Honor No More (Matt Taven, Mike Bennett, & Eddie Edwards) w/ Maria Kanellis defeated Rich Swann, Heath, & Josh Alexander
This was a fantastic six-man tag that setup the stories leading into Bound for Glory with Edwards pinning Alexander, and staking his claim for the Impact World Championship.
Alexander started the match with Mike Bennett and we got some nice technical exchanges. Alexander came face to face with Eddie Edwards, which is his main focus. Alexander tagged out to Swann, who continued the assault of Bennett. The less experienced team did well here, exchanging fast tags and keeping Bennett isolated.
Bennett managed to drive Swan back to his corner and Honor No More pounced and started triple teaming Swann. The OGK attacked Swann on the floor as Edwards distracted the referee. The heat on Swann continued for the next few minutes, with all 3 men of Honor No More getting lots of offence in.
Swann and Bennett collided with a crossbody attempt and Swann was able to tag out to Heath. The attack of Heath didn’t last long with Taven attacking the knee of Heath, and working over the injury that kept him out for over a year. Edwards and Alexander exchanged some hard chops, and woke up the crowd, with Alexander taking out both members of OGK.
Alexander went for the C4 spike, but Edwards countered into a blue thunder bomb. All six men then hit big moves, ending with Alexander nailing Edwards with a German suplex. Edwards hit a tiger driver on Alexander, but Swann and Heath broke up the pinfall. Swann was on the apron and couldn’t decide if he wanted to tag out to Alexander or help Heath on the floor, and he chose to help Heath.
Alexander had no one to tag, and as he had the ankle lock on Taven, Edwards hit the Boston knee party on Alexander and then hit the die hard driver for the pinfall. Eddie Edwards is the first man to pin Alexander in a long time, setting up their title match for Bound for Glory.
–Mickie James sat down next to Mia Yim and congratulated her on her performance in the Triple Threat Revolver before challenging her to a match at Bound for Glory, because she wanted to face the best.
Jordynne Grace defeated Max the Impaler w/ Father James Mitchell
Despite my criticisms of Max being stiff and a bit reckless in NWA, and even here in this match, Max would be a good fit for Impact. Grace looked good, and got the clean win over a monster heading into her match against Masha Slammovich at Bound for Glory.
Max immediately tried to choke Grace in the corner, which Mitchell made sure to stop Max from doing, as he did not want a DQ. Grace tried to stagger Max with a few shoulder blocks, but failed to do so. Max threw Grace into the apron with a slam out of a fireman’s carry. That looked brutal.
Max picked up Grace by the neck, choking her against the ringpost. Max dragged Jordynne Grace all over ringside, hitting a gut buster before hitting a huge crossface. Grace slammed Max on the ramp but only got a 1-count back in the ring. Grace hit a Vader Bomb on Max for a 2-count.
Max hit a spear on Grace for a 2-count. Max went for a superplex, but Grace hit a powerbomb out of the corner. Grace then hit the Grace Driver on Max for the pinfall.
–Jordynne Grace grabbed the mic after and said the match was difficult but that she was picking the poison for Slammovich, choosing Allie Katch to face Slammovich on the next episode of Impact in a Monster’s Ball Match.
–They announced that Raven was being inducted into the Impact Hall of Fame at Bound for Glory.
–Gia Miller was with Moose talking the main event as they got setup for it. Moose said it was the first time in a barbed wire match, but he was the only guy in the match that has been through everything Impact has to offer, including Monster’s Ball, Lethal Lockdown, and others.
Steve Maclin defeated Sami Callihan, & Moose in a barbed wire massacre match
Impact made the right choice in having Maclin go over here, as it was a chance to really solidify him as a top guy in Impact. They did just that by having him overcome both Moose and Callihan, showing incredible toughness and willingness to fight on, despite being a heel. Hard not to cheer for him when he is really more like a babyface in that regard.
Callihan dodged a charge from Maclin, sending him through a barbed wire wrapped door before hitting a Cactus Driver 97 on Moose. Moose hit a big boot on Callihan but stopped himself from hitting the ropes because of the barbed wire everywhere. Moose kicked up after a clothesline from Callihan and then hit a tope con giro on Maclin on the floor, but almost landed on his head.
Callihan sent Moose crashing into the guardrail and set up a table that had barbed wire all over it. Callihan did an attitude adjustment on Moose through the table, as Moose tasted the barbed wire for the first time. Maclin sent Callihan onto the apron and into the wire on the ropes before throwing the previously broken door at Moose.
Callihan suplexed Maclin on the floor, now covered in blood. Moose grabbed Maclin and sent him into the ropes before grabbing a rolling pin wrapped in barbed wire and rolling it across the face of Maclin. Maclin responded with a lariat that turned Moose inside out and then hit an Olympic slam for a 2-count.
Moose hit a giant super plex into the ring and as soon as he hit, Callihan nailed Moose with a barbed wire covered caution sign. All 3 men started to exchange hard strikes in the middle of the ring, and Callihan flipped them both off, leading to Maclin and Moose temporarily teaming up. Moose front suplexed Maclin on the ropes and turned around into a vertical suplex from Callihan into the ropes.
Callihan grabbed a chair wrapped in barbed wire yelling that this was a party for him. Because he’s wacky, you see. Callihan suplexed Maclin into the barbed wire covered chair. Callihan pulled out a Nintendo 64 controller covered in barbed wire and used it on the head of Maclin. Maclin did a snapmare and dive on Moose on the floor but ate a powerbomb from Moose into the barbed wire ropes.
Moose chokeslammed Callihan onto a ball of barbed wire for a 2-count. Moose went for the spear, but Maclin threw the barbed wire chair into his head. Callihan setup another table on the floor. Callihan laid Moose on the table and went for a Cactus elbow off the apron, but Maclin locked on a rear naked choke pulling him back against the ropes and choking him out.
Maclin went to the top rope with the barbed wire wrapped chair and flew off the top rope, hitting Moose with it, but the table didn’t break. Callihan started yelling for the referee to cut him out of the ropes. Maclin grabbed a trash can lid with barbed wire on it while Callihan grabbed a barbed wire bat. Maclin used the lid as a shield as Callihan used the bat like a sword. Callihan got the better of the exchange.
Callihan powerbombed Maclin into another barbed wire door. Callihan then hit the Cactus driver 97 but Maclin kicked out. Matt Rehwoldt said that this was another level compared to the warzones Maclin was in. It is not. What a ridiculous thing to say. Maclin hit a low blow on Callihan and hit the KIA DDT on Callihan onto the broken door for the pinfall.
Final Thoughts
This was a very good Impact Plus special, and did a lot to advance stories leading into Bound for Glory, and also provided solid action on its own. I give this show two thumbs up easy, and it’s absolutely worth the $5.99 a month for Impact Insider on YouTube, or the $9.99 as a stand alone show. This was a lot of fun to watch.
Chris Bey and Ace Austin wrestled in two tag team matches at Impact’s last set of tapings from Dallas. They defeated Exodus Prime & JD Griffey on August 26 but then dropped a match to Aussie Open the following night.
This will be Robinson’s first time wrestling in Impact since January.
Impact Victory Road takes place Friday, September 23 from Skyway Studios in Nashville, TN. The countdown show will air on YouTube beginning at 7:30 p.m Eastern time. The main card will air on Impact Plus at 8 p.m Eastern time. The announced lineup for the show is as follows:
Steve Maclin vs. Sami Callihan vs. Moose in a barbed wire massacre match
Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace vs. Max The Impaler in a non-title match
X-Division Champion MIke Bailey defends against Delirious
Mickie James vs. Gisele Shaw
Josh Alexander, Heath & Rich Swann vs. Eddie Edwards & The OGK
Killer Kelly vs. Tasha Steelz
Frankie Kazarian vs. Kenny King vs. Laredo Kid vs. Alex Zayne vs. Mia Yim vs. Trey Miguel vs. Black Taurus vs. Yuya Uemura for an X-Division title
Motor City Machine Guns vs. Vincent & PCO
Bullet Club’s Juice Robinson, Chris Bey, & Ace Austin vs. Jackson Stone, Jack Price, & Jason Hotch (Countdown to Victory Road)
After earning an Impact Tag Team title shot at Bound for Glory, the Motor City Machine Guns learned they will be in action on Friday’s Victory Road against Vincent & PCO.
Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin will face Vincent & PCO’s Honor No More factionmates and tag champions The OGK at next month’s pay-per-view. Shelley & Sabin defeated Aussie Open Thursday to earn the shot.
Here’s the new lineup for Victory Road, set for Nashville, Tennessee, on Friday for Impact Plus/Ultimate Insiders:
Steve Maclin vs. Sami Callihan vs. Moose in a barbed wire massacre match
Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace vs. Max The Impaler in a non-title match
X-Division Champion MIke Bailey defends against Delirious
Mickie James vs. Gisele Shaw
Josh Alexander, Heath & Rich Swann vs. Eddie Edwards & The OGK
Killer Kelly vs. Tasha Steelz
Frankie Kazarian vs. Kenny King vs. Laredo Kid vs. Alex Zayne vs. Mia Yim vs. Trey Miguel vs. Black Taurus vs. Yuya Uemura for an X-Division title
While Steve Maclin is no stranger to violence in the ring, he will experience some like no other on Friday, September 23rd at Impact’s Victory Road when he faces Sami Callihan and Moose in a barbed wire massacre match — only the fifth in company history.
The former Steve Cutler and Forgotten Sons member in WWE and NXT has been plying his trade in Impact since June 2021, just a few months after getting released by WWE. Fans saw a new side of Mr. Mayhem that had never been seen before as the past U.S. Marine brought a darker, more menacing presence to the promotion.
Along with the character development has come the opportunity to work with a slew of top talents like Tomohiro Ishii, Alex Shelley, Jonathan Gresham, PCO, Trey Miguel, Eric Young and others.
I caught up with Maclin recently to talk about Victory Road, his character development, and more.
Barbed Wire Massacre
“I am going to get cut, I am going to bleed, I am probably gonna fall off of something, I don’t know,” he joked. “I just have the plan of knowing my body is gonna hurt the next day and it’s going to take time off of our careers, probably. But, it’s gonna be one of those matches where I feel the three of us will go out there and show out but also tell the story we have been telling.”
Maclin said he has gone back to watch past BWM matches in Impact that includes Sabu vs Abyss from 2005’s Turning Point.
“Obviously with Sami having the experience in this, I went and watched some of his matches, I know Moose hasn’t been in one of these matches, so that’s kinda an advantage of mine. The specimen that he is for the “Wrestling God,” that’s an advantage I have over him because I know he probably doesn’t like to get hit or bleed as much because he was a former NFL player.”
Character development
I asked about his character development and having the freedom to showcase this version of himself to the audience.
“It’s funny that everybody keeps saying, ‘Oh, this is a completely different person,’ but no, it’s the same person. I just never got that platform or opportunity to showcase everything that I am about and that’s the one opportunity that I love about Impact. They give guys like me and just all the Impact talent in general, that platform to showcase and whether you can hit the ground running or not.”
Maclin said that when he got fired from WWE, now-fiancee Deonna Purrazzo was there for him as a support system. Her reaction to his firing was that this was his opportunity to show the world what he can do. Maclin got working on vignettes right away to prepare for a debut anywhere, and instantly was thinking of ways to get booked on the independents and get his name out there. When Impact came along, they ended up loving what he had worked up already with his vignettes.
“So, it was one of those moments where I knew the work I put in and the vision that I have of Steve Maclin was going to be showcased.”
For the first time since 2005, Delirious will return to an Impact Wrestling ring at next Friday’s Victory Road in one of five new matches announced Thursday.
The former ROH fixture will challenge “Speedball” Mike Bailey for his X-Division title. The news was revealed by Scott D’Amore on Thursday’s show after Bailey defended his title against Mascara Dorada.
Delirious was an early member of the NWA-TNA era roster from 2003 through mid-2005. His last match was against Samoa Joe in 2005.
Frankie Kazarian will also make his return to the promotion at Victory Road as part of a triple threat match under “revolver” rules with an X-Division title shot at October’s Bound For Glory on the line. The match will include Kazarian, Kenny King, Laredo Kid, Alex Zayne, Mia Yim, Trey Miguel, Black Taurus and Yuya Uemura.
Kazarian made his return to Impact in 2021 after a seven-year absence, making five appearances through June 2022. PWInsider reported he will be making multiple appearances going forward.
Mickie James will continue her run toward what she hopes is a Knockouts title shot as she faces Gisele Shaw. In a recent promo, James said she will continue in Impact until she loses at which point, she will retire.
As part of the build to October’s Bound For Glory, Impact World Champion Josh Alexander will team with Heath & Rich Swann to take on Honor No More’s Eddie Edwards, Mike Bennett & Matt Taven.
Bennett & Taven defeated Alexander & Swann Thursday by DQ in a match that involved interference from Edwards and Heath. Alexander defends the title against Edwards at Bound For Glory.
Also on Thursday’s show, it was revealed that Max The Impaler is Masha Slamovich’s choice to take on Jordynne Grace at Victory Road. This will be Max’s Impact debut.
Slamovich will challenge Grace for the Knockouts title at October’s Bound For Glory, but under a “Pick Your Poison” stipulation, she got to select a Victory Road opponent for Grace.
Additionally, Killer Kelly will take on former Knockouts Champion Tasha Steelz. Kelly targeted Steelz soon after returning to Impact and the two went face-to-face Thursday after Kelly’s win over Alisha.
Here’s the new lineup for Victory Road, set for Nashville, Tennessee on Friday, September 23rd on Impact Plus/Ultimate Insiders:
Steve Maclin vs. Sami Callihan vs. Moose in a barbed wire massacre match
Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace vs. Max The Impaler in a non-title match
X-Division Champion MIke Bailey defends against Delirious
Mickie James vs. Gisele Shaw
Josh Alexander, Heath & Rich Swann vs. Eddie Edwards & The OGK
Killer Kelly vs. Tasha Steelz
Frankie Kazarian vs. Kenny King vs. Laredo Kid vs. Alex Zayne vs. Mia Yim vs. Trey Miguel vs. Black Taurus vs. Yuya Uemura for an X-Division title shot.
The Impact Knockouts title match between champion Jordynne Grace and challenger Masha Slamovich at October’s Bound For Glory saw the ante upped on Thursday’s Impact on AXS.
At the Victory Road special on Friday, September 23rd on Impact Plus, Slamovich will handpick Grace’s opponent using the Pick Your Poison stipulation. The mystery opponent will face Grace that night in non-title action.
Here’s the current Victory Road lineup, set for Nashville, Tennessee:
Steve Maclin vs. Sami Callihan vs. Moose in a barbed wire massacre match
Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace vs. TBA in a non-title match
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Before Victory Road, another recent feud will come to a head as Digital Media Champion Brian Myers will defend against Bhupinder Gujjar in a ladder match on the Thursday, September 22nd episode.
The two battled again Thursday with Myers taking home a DQ win to retain the title. Gujjar left the match with the title in his possession and a brawl broke out backstage as Myers tried to get it back. Impact VP Scott D’Amore took the belt and then made the match to settle things.
