PCO recently discussed why he is leaving Impact Wrestling during an appearance on Les Anti-Pods de la Lutte.
The 55-year-old’s contract expires on October 30 and he says negotiations for a new deal broke down over recent weeks. PCO told Pat Laprade and Kevin Raphael that he asked for a salary increase and more control over his character when the promotion approached him about re-signing.
“The company began approaching me in White Plains on the weekend of September 8 and 9. They said they wanted to re-sign me, that they wanted me to stay and all that,” PCO said on the show. “And that it was important for the company. I asked if they could increase my salary, and creatively speaking, if I could get more involved with my character.”
“The next day, I thought we were going to agree on terms. It came close twice, then it drew on a bit. Then, I was told that we had to reach an agreement, at least on the phone, before Memphis, which was the 22 or 23, in order to know how to book Memphis and Bound for Glory. On Saturday no news, no phone calls, radio silence in a sense. There are a lot of people around me in the locker room who have not been renewed yet and who finished on the 22. So I figured I wasn’t going to stretch it until Bound For Glory, since my contract finishes on October 30. I felt negotiations were tough so I decided to control how I was gonna leave.”
“I think that’s part of the negotiations too. When there’s radio silence after they tell you ‘We want you and we will sign you’. There’s like some kind of a war of nerves that is being played. Who will break first? If they show too much interest, they know you’re going to ask for the moon, but if they show less, they think you’re going to feel less important. The goal is to find the right balance.”
PCO was asked if he felt the recent WWE releases influenced his negotiations with Impact Wrestling.
“Of course it did,” he responded. “Already there were names mentioned by people close to the office. The names that were circulating were (Matt) Riddle, (Dolph) Ziggler and Mustafa Ali. These are the three names that supposedly Impact would try to sign.”
PCO was on our podcast and talked about his negotiations with Impact, where he’s at now, AEW in Montreal, and by which former WWE wrestlers Impact would be interested.
News broke last week that PCO would be testing free agency when his contract expires. PCO says that he’s in a good position to choose the best possible offer.
“There has been some kind of a movement since I submitted my resignation. It seems that everyone has realized that PCO is leaving. It reopened the discussions a bit,” he said.
“Therefore, it puts me in a position where I can take the best offer possible. There are many things to consider. How are you going to be used, how much are they willing to invest in a character like mine, which is a character that’s extremely expensive because sometimes, it takes pyrotechnics, sometimes it takes a coffin, sometimes it takes a hearse. It takes a lot of creativity. It would take me the equivalent in another company.”
AEW is set to debut in Montreal, Quebec on December 5 and 6 from the Bell Centre. PCO says he could help move tickets for the shows if he is on them.
“I’m sure that if I’m on the shows, I would (sell) tickets. We could do a lot of promotion, a media tour, conventional media, and then explain what All Elite Wrestling is. I think it could make a big difference. Because we see it when Kevin and Sami come to Quebec, Quebecers get behind us in a strong way.”
Trey Miguel and Ashley D’Amboise were involved in a traffic accident on Wednesday.
Miguel posted to social media that the couple were sent “spiraling into a pole” after being hit by a Ford F150, which fled the scene after.
“Was involved in a hit and run tonight that sent my fiancée and I into a pole on the Florida turnpike. The Ford F150 hit a car that hit us and sent us spiraling into a pole before fleeing. No reports from witnesses have been made. Such good people we live amongst. 10 cars, 0 eyes,” Miguel wrote.
Was involved in a hit and run tonight that sent my fiancée and I into a pole on the Florida turnpike. The Ford F150 hit a car that hit us and sent us spiraling into a pole before fleeing. No reports from witnesses have been made. Such good people we live amongst. 10 cars, 0 eyes
Myron Reed, Velvet Sky, Brandon Tolle, and David Penzer all replied to Miguel’s post.
“So happy you guys are ok. Pretty sure most of the Turnpike is covered with video cams,” Penzer wrote.
“I’m glad to hear y’all are okay,” wrote Reed.
“Jesus!! Are you both ok my friend??” Tolle wrote.
“Oh my goodness I hope you are both OK! I am so sorry that happened to you guys!” Velvet Sky wrote.
“Hope you guys are ok!” Wrote Mikey Whipwreck.
Miguel and D’Amboise announced their engagement this summer while in Paris. D’Amboise suffered a broken ankle later that weekend on a show for APC (Association les Professionnels du Catch).
Miguel is currently one-half of the Impact Wrestling Tag Team Champions along with his Rascalz teammate, Zachary Wentz. They won the titles last month by defeating Subculture at Impact Wrestling Emergence.
Impact Wrestling will be holding two days of tryouts during its upcoming tour of the United Kingdom.
It was announced today that Impact will hold Gut Check tryouts in Glasgow, Scotland on Wednesday, October 25 and Coventry, England on Sunday, October 29. The winners of the tryout will receive an Impact developmental contract, up to six months of training at the Can-Am Dojo, and a bursary toward living expenses in Canada.
“IMPACT Wrestling Gut Check, launched in 2012, gives pro wrestlers around the world a chance to showcase their skill and ability in front of a distinguished panel of judges,” Impact wrote. “The winners will receive a Developmental Contract and bursary with IMPACT Wrestling in Canada, training at the Can-Am Dojo and the possibility to earn a contract to join the IMPACT Wrestling roster.”
Scott D’Amore, Gail Kim, and Joe Hendry will be the judges for the tryouts.
Wrestlers can participate in Gut Check for a $100 fee. Registration is now open.
“Fans with tickets to either of the shows in Coventry are invited to watch Gut Check for free,” Impact wrote. “No fans will be admitted to the Glasgow Gut Check session.”
Impact’s UK Invasion tour features four shows from October 26-29. There is one show in Glasgow, one in Newcastle, and two in Coventry.
Fightful reported over the weekend that there was interest from both Callihan and Impact Wrestling in reaching a deal that would keep the 36-year-old in the company. However, PWInsider reported that the feeling backstage at Impact’s TV tapings in Memphis this weekend is that Callihan was finishing up with the promotion.
News that Callihan could be departing Impact soon comes just days after Pat Laprade reported that PCO has given notice to the company. PCO’s contract is believed to expire on October 30.
Callihan’s potential departure also comes after the promotion announced it will be running fewer dates than originally expected in 2023 due to making upgrades to its production.
Callihan first debuted with Impact Wrestling in 2017 and held the promotion’s world title from October 25, 2019, until January 12, 2020.
Sami Callihan could be leaving Impact Wrestling soon.
The 36-year-old’s contract with the promotion is expiring at the end of the month, Fightful is reporting. While there is said to be interest on both sides in reaching a new agreement, Callihan is believed to be free to speak with other companies.
PWInsider is reporting that the belief at this weekend’s television tapings in Memphis was that Callihan was finishing up with the company.
Callihan joined the Impact roster in 2017. He won the Impact World Championship in a steel cage match to headline Impact’s first show on AXS TV on October 25, 2019. He later dropped the title to Tessa Blanchard at Hard to Kill 2020. He has been teaming with Rich Swann in recent weeks.
Callihan also headlined Slammiversary 2021 when he challenged Kenny Omega for the Impact World Championship in a no-disqualification match. Our own Dave Meltzer rated the match four and one-quarter stars.
X-Division Champion Chris Sabin defeated Alan Angels to retain his title
After the match, KENTA was announced for Bound for Glory
Tasha Steelz defeated Killer Kelly w/Masha Slamovich
Joe Hendry and Yuya Uemura did an in-ring promo. Uemura got the “Fired” briefcase in the Feast or Fired match and they were sad that their Joya tag team was coming to an end. Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz came out and talked down to them leading to a brawl. Santino Marella came out and booked The Rascalz vs. Joya with the stipulation that if Joya wins then Uemaru can stay in Impact.
The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz) defeated Joya (Joe Hendry & Yuya Uemura)
Tommy Dreamer & Heath defeated Kenny King & Sheldon Jean in a Memphis Street Fight
Eric Young, Jordynne Grace, Dango, Champagne Singh, & Jake Something defeated Mahabali Shera, KiLynn King, Jody Threat, Brian Myers & Bully Ray
After the match, Shaw, Vidal, & Evans ganged up on Trinity until Mickie James made the save. James then challenged Trinity for a Knockouts title match.
Moose w/Brian Myers defeated Bhupinder Gujjar
Steve Maclin came out after the match and stated he has the briefcase which guarantees an Impact World title match. PCO’s music hit and he and Maclin then attacked Moose and Brian Myers.
Rhino then gored Maclin as he was coming up the entrance ramp.
ABC (Chris Bey & Ace Austin) defeated John Skyler & Jai Vidal in a Country A** Whoopin’ Lumberjack Strap Match.
Tommy Dreamer called out Crazzy Steve and told him if he wanted a shot at the Digital Media Championship all he had to do was ask. The segment ended with Steve attacking Dreamer.
Josh Alexander defeated Kon w/Deaner
Saturday, September 23:
Before the Impact:
Alan Angels defeated Laredo Kid
KiLynn King defeated Jody Threat
Impact Wrestling on AXS TV:
Jonathan Gresham defeated Mike Bailey
Impact Tag Team Champions The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz) defeated Rich Swann & Sami Callihan to retain their titles
Tasha Steelz w/Deonna Purrazzo defeated Courtney Rush w/Jessicka
ABC (Chris Bey & Ace Austin) defeated John Skyler & Jai Vidal in a Country A** Whoopin’ Lumberjack Strap Match
Dirty Dango defeated Eric Young, Jordynne Grace, Champagne Singh, and Jake Something in a Call Your Shot Entry Match to earn the last spot in the Call Your Shot Battle Royal. Jake Something will now enter the match last.
Crazzy Steve defeated Black Taurus in a no disqualification match
Masha Slamovich w/Killer Kelly defeated Jessicka w/Courtney Rush
Moose & Brian Myers defeated PCO & Rhino
Frankie Kazari defeated Eddie Edwards 2-1 in a Best two-of-three falls match where the first fall was pinfalls only, the second was submissions only, and the third fall was a Last Man Standing match.
Journalist and author Pat Laprade reported on Saturday that the 55-year-old PCO has given his notice to Impact Wrestling. PCO’s contract with Impact is set to expire near the end of October. He’s been with the promotion since the beginning of 2022.
“BREAKING NEWS: After speaking with sources very close to the situation, I can confirm that PCO has given his notice to Impact Wrestling. His contract ends on October 30,” Laprade wrote. “Real name Carl Ouellet, the veteran from Montreal had started with Impact in January 2022.”
A three-time WWF Tag Team Champion as part of The Quebecers in the 1990s, PCO has gone through a career resurgence over the last several years. That resurgence included PCO holding the ROH World Championship one time. He was with ROH from 2018-2021.
PCO defeated Bully Ray in an anything goes match at Impact Victory Road earlier this month. On the first week of Impact’s 1000th episode, PCO was one of the participants in a Feast or Fired match. PCO didn’t get one of the briefcases in the match.
Kim returned to the ring for the first time since 2019 at the tapings on September 9. She teamed with Trinity, Jordynne Grace, Mickie James, and her longtime rival Awesome Kong in a win over Angelina Love, Gisele Shaw, Deonna Purrazzo, Tasha Steelz, and Savannah Evans on the show.
During the match, Kim was pulled off the ring apron by Velvet Sky and hit her head on the floor. She finished the match and posted an update on her condition two days later.
“I’m ok just so everyone knows and is updated. I woke up to a lot of people concerned. So yes, I got rattled but I’m ok,” she wrote.
On Friday, Kim revealed that she was diagnosed with a concussion.
“Professional Wrestling is a career we all enter knowing the risks we take when we perform for the fans. Shit happens. It’s not my first concussion and perhaps not my last,” she wrote on Instagram.
Kim also noted that she will not condone any attacks or bullying against anyone involved in the match.
“I didn’t want to initially show the clip but I thought in the end, it’s important to show everything. I want to stress here though: I WILL NOT CONDONE ANY ATTACKING BEHAVIOR OR BULLYING TOWARDS VELVET OR ANYONE ELSE FOR THIS CLIP,” Kim continued.
Kim has been undergoing oxygen treatments in a chamber since suffering the injury. Her Instagram post included video of her undergoing a session at Physical Chiropractic in Tampa.
Numerous wrestlers responded to Kim’s video.
“Ok amazing I need to try this,” wrote Chelsea Green.
Ultimate X winner Alan Angels will challenge for the X-Division Championship on next week’s Impact Wrestling.
Angels captured the Ultimate X victory on night two of Impact 1000 airing this week and announced that he will cash in his title shot on the Thursday, September 28 edition of Impact Wrestling.
Angels came away with a win in Thursday’s Ultimate X match which also included Rich Swann, Samuray del Sol, Mike Bailey, Ace Austin, and Zachary Wentz.
NJPW’s Yuya Uemura’s Impact excursion will come to an end on next week’s episode as well with a goodbye ceremony announced. It was revealed during this week’s show that Uemura’s Feast or Fired briefcase won at Impact Wrestling 1000 night one contained termination papers.
Two additional matches are also set for next week, as Mike Bailey will face Jonathan Gresham, plus Tommy Dreamer & Heath will team against Kenny King & Sheldon Jean.
Next week’s lineup:
Impact X-Division Championship: Chris Sabin defends against Ultimate X winner Alan Angels
Tommy Dreamer & Heath vs. Kenny King & Sheldon Jean
Impact Wrestling revealed the fate of the Feast or Fired briefcase winners on this week’s night two of their 1000th episode celebration.
Moose, Crazzy Steve, Chris Bey, and Yuya Uemura all captured briefcases on night one of the event on last week’s episode, with the big reveal coming on this week’s show in a segment hosted by Busted Open’s David LeGreca.
Moose’s case contained a contract for an Impact World Championship match. Crazzy Steve’s case contained a contract for an Impact Digital Media Championship match. Chris Bey’s case contained a contract for an Impact World Tag Team Championship match that he will cash in with ABC team member Ace Austin. That left termination papers in Yuya Uemura’s case, signaling the end of the NJPW talent’s excursion to Impact.
The Feast or Fired concept made its return to Impact this year for the first time since 2018 marking the eighth time that Impact has held the match. The inaugural Feast or Fired was held in 2007 at the Turning Point pay-per-view. The first three Feast or Fired matches were part of pay-per-views, while the five since have aired on Impact’s television programming.
Will Ospreay and “Speedball” Mike Bailey are set for a big pay-per-view clash.
Impact Wrestling has announced that Ospreay vs. Bailey will take place at Bound for Glory next month. Cicero Stadium in Illinois is hosting the PPV on Saturday, October 21.
Impact revealed this August that Ospreay would be returning to the promotion for a match at Bound for Glory. It marks the first time Ospreay has wrestled for Impact since 2016. That year, he worked a set of Impact shows in the United Kingdom.
Ospreay is the current IWGP UK Heavyweight Champion in NJPW.
The last time Ospreay and Bailey faced off was at Revolution Pro Wrestling’s 10th anniversary show in 2022. They’ve had four singles matches against each other in total.
Bailey is a former Impact X-Division Champion.
The announcement of the Ospreay vs. Bailey match was made during week two of Impact Wrestling’s 1000th episode. Also on the episode, it was confirmed that Alex Shelley will defend his Impact World Championship against Josh Alexander at Bound for Glory.
In March of this year, Alexander had to vacate the Impact World Championship due to a torn triceps. Alexander made his return at Impact’s Slammiversary PPV this July.
Shelley defeated Steve Maclin in June to become Impact World Champion.
Impact Wrestling’s celebration of its 1000th episode concludes with week two airing tonight.
The episode will be headlined by a marquee 10-woman tag match in the Knockouts division. Some of the biggest stars in Impact history will make their return to the ring as Gail Kim, Awesome Kong, Mickie James, Trinity & Jordynne Grace take on Angelina Love, Deonna Purrazzo, Tasha Steelz, Gisele Shaw & Savannah Evans.
Velvet Sky will be at ringside with the heel team.
Ultimate X also returns to Impact as Ace Austin, Zachary Wentz, Rich Swann, Alan Angels, Mike Bailey, and Samuray Del Sol battle for a title shot against new X-Division Champion Chris Sabin.
We’ll learn the results of last week’s Feast or Fired match, which ended with Chris Bey, Crazzy Steve, Yuya Uemura, and Moose obtaining briefcases.
Josh Alexander vs. Trey Miguel, Eric Young vs. Kenny King, and Jake Something vs. Dirty Dango are also set to air.
On Before The Impact, Knockouts Tag Team Champions Masha Slamovich & Killer Kelly defend against The Death Dollz.
BFI Preshow
George Iceman talked about all the returns to Impact for Impact 1000 and talked about how some of those returns were looking for long term deals with Impact.
Impact Knockouts World Tag Team Champions MK Ultra (Masha Slamovich & Killer Kelly) defeated The Death Dollz (Courtney Rush & Jessicka) to retain
A decent tag match that went back and forth for a bit, with MK Ultra retaining in a right call.
Impact Wrestling 1000 Night Two
The first match tonight was an ultimate X match to determine the next challenger for Chris Sabin’s X-Division championship.
Alan Angels defeated Rich Swann, Samuray del Sol, Mike Bailey, Ace Austin, Zachery Wentz in an Ultimate X match
Samuray took out a bunch of people to start the match, hitting a dive to the floor after a hurricanrana on multiple opponents. Rich Swann launched himself off the middle ropes to the floor onto everyone as well, before Mike Bailey and Ace Austin faced off in the ring. Austin hit a Fosbury flop to the floor and started climbing the post to get to the ropes.
Angels cut him off, and then Angels, Bailey, and del Sol were all on the post, and hit stereo moonsaults to the floor on the other three wrestlers. That was incredible. Bailey and Angels ended up fighting on top of the post, well above the ground and ring. Bailey hit some hard forearms and Angels’ leg ended up caught in the post as del Sol and Bailey approached from opposite sides to the X. Wentz and Angels shook the cables, and Austin was able to hit a flying kick to knock Samuray del Sol off.
Swann came in and hit a poisonrana on Wentz before trying to knock Angels off the ropes. Angels wrapped his legs around Swann’s head and hit a top rope hurricanrana off the ropes. Wentz then sprayed Swann with the spray paint, and did the same with del Sol. Angels and Austin climbed the ropes again as Bailey continued to try and make it to the middle. Angels, Austin, Wentz, and Bailey were all at the X and Wentz sprayed Austin with paint before Bailey kicked him off the ropes. Angels then kicked Bailey low and climbed across the ropes for the win.
–Alan Angels announced that he was going to cash in his X for next week against Chris Sabin.
Alpha Bravo claimed Dango had something to get off his chests (yes, chests), and Dango said he hated wrestling. One fan on camera cheered. Why did that fan buy a ticket? This was a 10 minute time limit match with the Fox Box from the original Impact back on Fox Sportsnet back in the day. Chase Stevens, one half of the Naturals, was the judge, and could be seen talking into a headset backstage judging the match.
He was trying to act like he was watching the monitor rather than actually watching the monitor. Stevens, living up to the charisma he was known for back when he was on Impact when folks had difficulty remembering if he was the blonde haired or brown haired Natural. Dango hit a series of uppercuts in the corner on Something here. Dango missed a knee drop and Something worked his way to his feet.
Something hit a big spear in the corner and Dango rolled to the apron. Something shoved Dango off the apron and he took a hard flip bump off the apron. Bravo asked for a timeout, saying Dango was hurt. Bravo threatened Something with a flashlight, but Something ducked and Bravo hit Dango by accident. Something got the pin with Into the Void after.
–Steve Maclin was backstage talking about how when he started something, he intended to finish it. He said he failed to end the career of Rhino before, so he was going to now. Rhino screamed “Maclin!” and speared him through some equipment boxes. Apparently he failed to stop him again.
–Santino was with Rhino, and Santino said he went too far. Rhino said that Maclin tried to end his career, so this was on him. I’m with Rhino on this one, given Maclin’s actions.
Eric Young (w/ Scott D’Amore) defeated Kenny King (w/ Sheldon Jean) via DQ
Eric Young came out to the Canadian National Anthem with Scott D’Amore in his corner to a nice pop from the crowd. This match did not last long as Sheldon Jean attacked Young right in front of the referee. Scott D’Amore hit Jean with the Canadian flag to clear the ring.
–Shark Boy came out and restarted it as a tag match, since he was the Deputy Director of Authority.
Team Canada (Eric Young & Scott D’Amore) defeated Kenny King & Sheldon Jean via DQ
The Design immediately ran in and attacked Team Canada for the DQ.
–Shark Boy came out again and said that it would be an 8-man tag now, in the Russo tribute segment with how many non-finishes we got here with wacky booking, but I suspect it’ll end better than Russo’s booking ever did as Shark Boy announced that Team Canada would have tag partners.
America’s Most Wanted (Chris Harris & James Storm) & Team Canada (Eric Young & Scott D’Amore) defeated Kenny King, Sheldon Jean, & The Design (Deaner & Kon)
Chris Harris looked really good in this match. He would get in, hit his spots, and get out with no problems. As did Scott D’Amore. James Storm looked fantastic, and like he could still work main events if they needed him to, so I hope he is one of the guys that sticks around. This was lots of fun, and did indeed end better than anything Russo has booked.
Sheldon Jean raked the eyes of James Storm after some double team offence with Chris Harris before King tagged in and took down Storm with a drop toe hold. Deaner cheated to get the advantage on Young, letting King and co. get the heat on him over the next few minutes. Young hit a Death Valley Driver on Kon after a few moments and tagged out to Storm. Storm ran wild clearing the ring, and taking on both Jean and King. Jean was able to hit a leg lariat and drop Storm.
King hit an incredible blockbuster on Young, and Harris took out King with a lariat. Kon and Harris faced off and started exchanging punches. Harris got the better of it and then sent King to the floor onto his own partner. Deaner went for a DDT, but got hit with a superkick from Storm. Harris saved Storm from an attack, letting Eric Young hit a piledriver on Jean for the win.
–The folks waiting for the Feast or Fired results were backstage.
–A video aired of Brother Devon and Bully Ray in the ring after their reunion match, and Ray talked about how he wouldn’t have wanted to reunite with Brother Devon anywhere else as Ray led the fans in an Impact Wrestling chant. Devon said that the fans were why he came back after having back surgery and a stroke, before finishing the promo with his classic “Oh, my brother, testify!” This was really great.
–David LeGreca presided over the Feast or Fired segment. Each group talked about what they wanted, with no one saying they wanted to be fired, which would have been funny. Everyone was looking for tag title shots, except for Crazzy Steve, who wanted a heart, liver, or lungs. Crazzy Steve got a Digital Media Championship title shot.
Moose got a Impact World title shot, and Myers left with him disappointed. LaGreca kept calling them championship opportunities, which just stop, my dude. This isn’t WWE. ABC then got the Impact World Tag Team title shot, meaning Yuya Uemura was then fired from Impact. Looks like he’s returning to New Japan, hopefully to become on of their aces. Hendry looked sad. Uemura and Hendry were actually great in selling the sadness here, despite it being rather predictable.
Josh Alexander defeated Trey Miguel
Josh Alexander is awesome, and the booking of this make Miguel look like a geek, but since he is a cheating heel, it is okay. Alexander killing Miguel in what was essentially a squash was still awesome.
Trey Miguel did not really understand what he was getting himself into with this match, as Alexander beat the living heck out of him with hard chops and strikes. Miguel got some brief offence in the opening part, but Alexander threw him around the ring like he weight nothing, hitting a twisting torture rack bomb that sent Miguel across the ring.
Miguel was able to get a brief advantage after attacking the formerly injured left arm of Alexander, but Alexander shrugged him off and killed him with a lariat with his right arm instead. Miguel fought out of a fireman’s carry and hit a headscissors off the top rope before hitting a meteora, but Alexender used Miguel’s momentum to roll into an ankle lock. Wentz managed to help Miguel get away, but as he tried to interfere, Alex Shelley came down and saved him, taking out Wentz. Alexander hit the C4 Spike on Miguel for the win.
–Alexander thanked Shelley for the help, saying that he wished he had it other times from Shelley. Shelley said that he shouldn’t get his signals confused – Shelley did this to hurt The Rascalz instead of helping Alexander. Alexander said that he was going to take his title back at Bound for Glory.
–Mike Bailey vs. Will Ospreay was announced for Bound for Glory.
–Jonathan Gresham walked up to Mike Bailey and the traded some playful barbs about recent losses, before setting a best of 7 matches up for each other,
–The Rascalz were recovering backstage and John Skylar walked up, looking to finally secure a promised title shot for his team. The Rascalz said that it wasn’t the time, and it was then that ABC walked in, catching the Good Hands colluding with The Rascalz, saying that it didn’t matter since they had a guaranteed shot thanks to Feast or Fired. Skylar said that it didn’t guarantee anything, before appealing to The Rascalz, who quietly exited the room while Skylar wasn’t looking, making him look like a total geek. Which was the point, and it was great.
Trinity, Jordynne Grace, Mickie James, Gail Kim, & Awesome Kong (w/ Raisha Saeed) defeated Deonna Purrazzo, Tasha Steelz, Gisele Shaw, Savannah Evans, & Angelina Love (w/ Jai Vidal & Velvet Sky)
This was not the best match in terms of match quality you will ever see, but the nostalgia was strong and it was fun. The legends got a chance to show their stuff, and Awesome Kong did not have to actually take a bump, which was best for her, as she just threw strikes and a few moves.
Trinity started the match with Love, who did not take kindly to Trinity showing her up. Grace and Purrazzo were in next, and Grace slammed and suplexed Shaw all over the ring. Steelz and James were in the ring and picked up where they left off after their last match with James dropping Steez and then facing off against Purrazzo. Evans started getting a little heat on James, which is clearly building to the hot tag for Gail Kim.
Kim got a huge pop for her return for the ring after James shoved Evans Purrazzo away. Kim hit a great headscissors and wrist lock combo on Purrazzo and Shaw. Once they were on the apron, Gail Kim was pulled off the apron by Velvet Sky, and Kim crashed hard to the floor. I suspect this is where she got rocked. Mickie James was immediately at her side, and Tasha Steelz rushed in to slow it down to give her a chance to recover.
Shaw came in and tried to get the better of Kim, but Kim did a rotation into an Octopus stretch. Shaw hit a backbreaker and a flatliner for a 2-count, but it was broken up by James. Kim and Purrazzo both went for crossbodies and crashed into each other. Kim tagged out to Kong, who ran wild, letting everyone run to her. Savannah Evans tried to chokeslam Kong, but Kong clotheslined her as the fans chanted “Kong is gonna kill you!”
Love and Purrazzo dumped Kong to the floor, but James and Trinity made the save, and Trinity hit a tope to the floor on both Love and Purrazzo. Steelz hit a dive onto everyone. Kim climbed to the top rope and hit a plancha onto everyone on the floor. Shaw was left in the ring facing everyone while Awesome Kong emerged behind Shaw. Shaw realized Kong was there and ate a spinning backfist and a chokeslam from Kong. Kong then picked up Shaw and hit the Implant Buster for the win. Awesome Kong looked a bit injured at the end, but celebrated with everyone as the show went off the air.
–The Beautiful People laid out Jai Vidal as he argued with them about the match, and they put a paper bag over his head as the women in the ring celebrated.
Impact Wrestling – September 28, 2023
Impact X-Division Championship: Chris Sabin (c) vs. Alan Angels
Tommy Dreamer & Heath vs. Kenny King & Sheldon Jean
Mike Bailey vs. Jonathan Gresham
Yuya Uemura’s Goodbye Ceremony
Impact Wrestling Bound for Glory – October 21, 2023
Impact World Championship: Alex Shelley (c) vs. Josh Alexander
A stipulation match has been confirmed for this weekend’s Impact Wrestling television tapings in Memphis.
It was announced today that ABC (Ace Austin & Chris Bey) will face off against The Good Hands (John Skyler & Jason Hotch) in a strap match at night one of the Mid-South Mayhem tapings. The tapings are being held at Graceland Live on Friday, September 22 and Saturday, September 23.
Austin & Bey are former Impact Tag Team Champions, holding the titles from February to July of this year.
The Impact Tag Team titles are currently held by The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz). They’re defending against Rich Swann & Sami Callihan at night one of the Memphis tapings.
A 10-Knockouts tag bout, plus the return of the Ultimate X, are among the matches and segments announced for next Thursday’s Impact Wrestling 1000 night two on AXS TV.
Mickie James will return to the ring in the aforementioned tag team match in her first appearance for the company in six months. James will team with Knockouts World Champion Trinity, Jordynne Grace, and Impact Hall of Famers Awesome Kong & Gail Kim against Deonna Purrazzo, Tasha Steelz, Gisele Shaw, Savannah Evans and Angelina Love.
An Ultimate X match will decide the number one contender to new X-Division Champion Chris Sabin’s title. Alan Angels, Ace Austin, Mike Bailey, Rich Swann, Samuray Del Sol, and Zachary Wentz will be the match participants. Sabin defeated Lio Rush on Impact 1000 night 1 to win the title.
The contents of the Feast or Fired briefcase winners from night one of Impact 1000 will also be revealed on next week’s episode. Chris Bey, Crazzy Steve, Yuya Uemura, and Moose each secured a briefcase with three of the cases holding contracts for future title matches with one containing termination papers.
Josh Alexander will be in action, facing former X-Division Champion and current Tag Team Champion Trey Miguel.
Eric Young vs. Kenny King and Jake Something vs. Dirty Dango were also announced for next week’s show.
Here’s the full lineup for next Thursday:
Mickie James, Trinity, Jordynne Grace, Awesome Kong & Gail Kim vs. Deonna Purrazzo, Tasha Steelz, Gisele Shaw, Savannah Evans & Angelina Love
Ultimate X match to determine the X-Division Championship number one contender: Alan Angels vs. Ace Austin vs. Mike Bailey vs. Rich Swann vs. Samuray Del Sol vs. Zachary Wentz
Chris Sabin is once again the Impact Wrestling X-Division Champion.
Sabin extended his all-time record of X-Division title reigns to 10 by defeating Lio Rush in the main event of Impact Wrestling’s 1000th episode, using a Shellshock and a Cradle Shock to pin Rush for the Championship.
The X-Division title match capped night one of a two-night event celebrating 1000 episodes of Impact. Night one aired on Thursday, September 14, while night two will air on Thursday, September 21. Both episodes were taped September 9 in White Plains, New York.
In addition to the all-time record of 10 X-Division reigns, Sabin has also held the title for more overall days than anyone in the 21-year history of the Championship. AJ Styles, Jay Lethal, and Austin Aries rank second in title reigns with six each, while Trey Miguel ranks second in number of overall days as X-Division Champion.
Rush’s first reign with the X title ended at 56 days.
Night one of Impact Wrestling 1000 also featured a Feast or Fired match where Chris Bey, Crazzy Steve, Yuya Uemura, and Moose each secured a briefcase. The contents of the briefcases will be revealed on next week’s episode, where three will contain contracts for future title matches, while one will contain termination papers.
