Alex Shelley will look to defend his Impact Wrestling World title on this Thursday’s Impact Wresting on AXS TV as he faces Jonathan Gresham.
Shelley will be hoping to pick up the sixth title defense of the championship he won in June. He is coming off a successful defense against former titleholder Josh Alexander at last month’s Bound for Glory.
Gresham, the former Ring of Honor World Champion, is still looking for his first taste of Impact gold. This is his first shot at the company’s biggest championship.
In a clash of former Knockouts Champions, Deonna Purrazzo will take on Tasha Steelz.
In a match that has been building for weeks and intensified due to several attacks, Digital Media Champion Tommy Dreamer will defend against Crazzy Steve who earned the shot via a Feast or Fired briefcase.
Here’s the current lineup that was taped following last month’s Bound for Glory:
Impact World Champion Alex Shelley defends against Jonathan Gresham
Deonna Purrazzo vs. Tasha Steelz
Impact Digital Media Champion Tommy Dreamer defends against Crazzy Steve
Alex Shelley vs. Jonathan Gresham will be taking place at Impact’s TV tapings in Cicero, Illinois on Sunday, October 22. If Shelley is still champion, his Impact World title will be on the line in the match.
Shelley is defending the Impact World Championship against Josh Alexander in the main event of Bound for Glory on Saturday, October 21. The pay-per-view is being held in Cicero as well.
Alexander vs. Will Ospreay is also set to take place at the October 22 tapings. That will be an Impact World Championship match if Alexander wins the title from Shelley at Bound for Glory.
Shelley became Impact World Champion by defeating Steve Maclin this June. In March, Alexander had to vacate the title due to a torn triceps. Alexander made his return at July’s Slammiversary PPV.
The updated card for Impact’s Bound for Glory fallout tapings is listed below:
Josh Alexander vs. Will Ospreay
The Rascalz (Trey Miguel, Zachary Wentz & Myron Reed) vs. Black Taurus, Laredo Kid & Juventud Guerrera
LuFisto and Jonathan Gresham are both off Beyond Wrestling’s upcoming show but for very different reasons.
The promotion released a statement on Monday that Gresham is injured and will miss the show on 8/13 in Worcester. He was injured during training and will be out for four to six weeks.
Impact Wrestling has yet to comment on Gresham’s status for upcoming shows in Philadelphia and Toronto later this month.
BREAKING: Jonathan Gresham sustained an injury yesterday during training and will be out 4-6 weeks.
LuFisto will also miss Sunday’s show but her situation is quite different. She has been the center of controversy recently after making several comments critical of AEW’s women’s division.
After a fan’s sign reading “Book Women’s Division Better” was shown on AEW Dynamite last week, LuFisto wrote on Twitter:
“It’s cute how people blame booking for a bad women’s division. Talent with too much power; talent denigrating each other; talent trash-talking potential employees so they never get in as soon as they walk in…It starts here. – The one you called FN French Canadian asshole,” she wrote. (LuFisto has since deleted her Twitter/X).
She was again critical of the company earlier this week during an interview with Fightful. She recounted her experience backstage during her lone AEW appearance on the 4/6 show in Boston, this time specifically mentioning Ruby Soho and Dustin Rhodes as those she took issue with.
Several members of the AEW roster responded to LuFisto’s comments over the weekend, with MJF writing:
If you listen to miserable people who never made it in this sport that’s not exactly the brightest thing to do. Use your brain. If someone’s been in professional wrestling for over a decade and you find them to be talented but they’ve never truly “panned out” there’s a reason for it. 1. Lack of talent. 2. Difficulty to work with. 3. Delusional Just to name a few. People love to talk ill of companies and will say things like “I’m the only person who’s brave enough to speak up.” When in reality the only reason you’re spewing bullshit is because you are aware deep down you aren’t going to make it so what’s the harm in spewing reckless lies and trying to hurt hard working talented people on your way down to obscurity. We have an amazing women’s locker room. Sorry not sorry.
Beyond Wrestling confirmed on Saturday that LuFisto has pulled out of its upcoming show:
Sad to announce that LuFisto has withdrawn from Americanrana next Sunday in Worcester.
We will work to find a suitable replacement for her scheduled opponent Dan Barry.
I hope that she will return to compete for Beyond Wrestling again when she is ready.
For 26 years, I did everything I could so that the women wrestling environment wouldn’t be so damaging as it was for me.
Fights with wrestlers, fights with promoters, fights with the government, fights with fans… I was a problem child to many as I was seeking for change, truth and respect.
My “career” was a series of trials and errors as I had to learn most of it on the job while dealing with physical, sexual and mental abuse. I was so determined to be taken seriously and be respected as an equal athlete that I accepted things no human being should.
I’m not perfect but I did my best.
Today, because I set out to fight for women’s wrestling again, with my own story but also with what was confided in me, I have nothing left. There is no more legacy.
I called out a system where many women said they were miserable and I shared my own experience. Everyone wanted “names” but when it turned out to be someone you should not mention, everyone followed the PR memo and did everything they could to kill any credibility I had left.
Wrestlers so desperate for a job or a push, that I wrestled when no one else would, that I always showed respect to but also ones who already hated me to the point where they kept laughing at the fact that I had almost killed myself at Shimmer 83 on that terrible moonsault to the outside, made sure to add more fuel to the fire.
Just like a woman wearing revealing clothes that gets raped, I brought this upon myself, many say.
When confronted with the truth and not accepting that sometimes, a “nice” person is only nice to those who can benefit her and will throw under the bus anyone or anything that could stand in her way, they all got together to make sure people would know how terrible of a person I am, a piece of shit human being and that I had absolutely no credibility.
The legacy they are leaving me with is the one of a terrible wrestler that thought she was good.
An indie lifer who never elevated anyone and was just a selfish and narcissist prick.
I was a always a problem backstage, always complained about my booking, never delivered.
I am bitter, old and ugly.
I am a liar because, unlike speaking out, I’m standing there alone with no one backing me up.
I was never signed because I make up stories and no one actually talked or wrote to me. I imagined all that. I’m delusional.
I never wanted to make women’s wrestling better.
26 years of enduring bullshit and talking for others for this.
The harassment is not stopping. They set out what they planned to do yesterday and they will all party tonight at the tapings like there was never a problem there… They are on TV and I never will so, they are right. I’m wrong.
Who cares anyway? It’s just the failure. Who? Yeah, who the fuck is LuFisto?
A four-team tournament to crown the number one contenders for the Impact Tag Team titles will begin on tonight’s Impact Wrestling on AXS TV.
The first bout will see The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz) take on former X-Division Champion “Speedball” Mike Bailey. The winners will face the winners of ABC (Chris Bey & Ace Austin) vs. Rich Swann & Sami Callihan which doesn’t have a date yet.
Ahead of her title rematch against former champion Deonna Purrazzo at this month’s Emergence, Knockouts Champion Trinity will open the show with something to say.
Digital Media Champion Kenny King will defend his title for the first time as he takes on former champion Joe Hendry and Yuya Uemura in a triple threat.
Now free of The Design, Alan Angels will return to singles action as he faces Heath in what has turned into a grudge match.
The BTI pre-show will see Gisele Shaw take on Heather Reckless.
**********
George Iceman told us Trinity would open Impact to address her rematch with Deonna Purrazzo, while saying Impact Emergence would have a special guest for only the live audience.
Gisele Shaw defeated Heather Reckless
Shaw gave Reckless a lot in this match before winning, which goes to show that they must see something in Reckless. Shaw got the win after a good match.
Impact Wrestling Main Show
–Trinity came out to open the show, and talked about how Chicago was important to her because she made her Impact debut there a few months ago. Trinity said that the last time she was there she promised she would come back Knockout’s Champion, and she did.
Deonna Purrazzo’s music hit and she made her way down to the ring. Purrazzo said that if they were recreating Trinity’s debut, it’s only appropriate that she came out. She congratulated Trinity on her win, but said the difference between the two of them was that she wasn’t a quitter. The fans chanted “You tapped out” at Purrazzo, which Trinity noted her quitting by submission.
Purrazzo said no one beat her twice, and Trinity said that would. The Coven came out, and both Trinity and Purrazzo looked on annoyed at them, uniting them against the two heels immediately, which was quite funny. KiLynn King reminded Trinity that she faced Trinity on the night of her debut, but King insisted Trinity got lucky.
Wilde decided to give them a card reading, and threw the tarot cards at Trinity and Purrazzo, breaking it down into a brawl. Santino Marella came out as security was trying to keep them apart, so he made a tag match after Purrazzo demanded a tag match right now, even without her gear.
The Coven (KiLynn King & Taylor Wilde) defeated Trinity & Deonna Purrazzo
I am really not sure about the booking of this match. Having your #1 contender lose to someone before the title match means Trinity is defending against someone who lost.
King and Trinity started the match with King using power to overwhelm Trinity. The Coven went for a double clothesline, but Trinity slid underneath both arms and brought Wilde to her corner to hit 6 punches before Purrazzo tagged herself in. Purrazzo ate a flatliner into the middle turnbuckle from Wilde after charging the corner and the Coven started to get the heat on Purrazzo.
Purrazzo made a tag a minute or so later, shoving Wilde back towards her own corner. Trinity came in and hit a bulldog into the middle turnbuckle on Wilde and went to the top rope. King cut Trinity off, and Wilde threw Trinity off the top rope. King tagged in and hit a running knee on Trinity and tagged out to Wilde. Trinity did what was essentially a DDT with her legs on Wilde to tag out to Purrazzo, and she hit a series of moves on King before locking on the Fujiwara armbar.
King spiked Purrazzo with a DDT for a two count after escaping the submission. Purrazzo hit a pump kick but ate a code breaker from Wilde. Trinity hit a flying kick on Wilde, but got caught going for the hip attack on King, who hit a German suplex and everyone was down. King went for the Excalibuster on Purrazzo, but Purrazzo countered into an armbard. Wilde broke it up, and Trinity ran in and tried to kick Wilde, but she ducked and Trinity dropped Purrazzo by accident. KiLynn King then hit an Excalibuster on Purrazzo for the pin.
–The Rascalz were talking about their upcoming match with Mike Bailey and Jonathan Gresham, and Scott D’Amore came up and fined them two weeks pay for interfering in matches last week. He then promised to indefinitely suspend them if they do anything else.
–Alisha Edwards and Eddie Edwards were backstage and Alisha claimed that she ran Tracey Brooks out of Impact again. Jody Threat walked up and said that she did nothing of the sort. Edwards and Threat will be having a match in the near future.
Heath defeated Alan Angels
If you are trying to do something with Angels, this is not the way to get his new character over. The fans love Heath, which is awesome, but with giving Angels a new act, it is critical to get over that he is in a better position. Losing like this (and as often as he has since leaving The Design) tells me he is in a worse position.
Alan Angels left The Design, turning babyface, and then turned heel again within a few weeks with his new rockstar character. Apparently, it wasn’t a babyface turn. I’m also a bit baffled The Design just let him go.Heath was in control for the early parts of the match, but Angels got the heat after dropkicking the stairs into the knee of Heath.
When Heath tried to make a comeback, Angels hit a dropkick to the knee of Heath and hit a DDT for a 2-count. Angels hit an enziguri from the apron and went to the top rope, but ate a powerslam from Heath when he went for a crossbody. Heath went for a wakeup call, but Angels slipped out and hit a backslide. Angels went for a halo strike, but Heath ducked under and hit the wakeup call for the win.
–Eric Young was backstage with Gia Miller to talk about why he wasn’t dead. Only in wrestling. Eric Young promised to show what really happened, and that he wasn’t surprised by what The Design did last week.
Jake Something defeated Davey Vega
This was an awesome squash.
Davey Vega refused a handshake from Something, so Something proceeded to murder him by throwing him around the ring. Vega went for a sunset flip, but Something caught him, lifted him into the air, and hit a huge forearm. Something hit a Vader body press and screamed “What’s my name?” and the fans screamed “Something” before he hit a black hole slam for the win.
–Bully Ray, Moose, & Myers walked up to Lio Rush and said they were happy he made the right decision last week. Rush said again that he wasn’t there to make friends, and Moose said that they didn’t need to be friends, they just needed to be on the same team at Emergence. Ray said that he wanted Rush to experience the trust they had with each other, so there is a six-man tag that was arranged for next week.
–Joe Hendry came to the ring and said that life is short, so you should tell your friends what you think, and that includes letting your friends insert themselves into your contractually entitled rematch for a title they lost. Yuya Uemura came to the ring and turned towards the camera like Joe Hendry, and said, “I am Yuya Uemura! Champion!”
Kenny King (w/ Sheldon Jean) defeated Joe Hendry & Yuya Uemura
This was a really good match. Yuya Uemura is the ace New Japan is looking for, if you ask me. Him and Yota Tsuji really have the charisma part figured out, which is so important. Ren Narita and Shota Umino are great, but they are missing something at the moment.
This was Uemura’s first ever triple threat, though not his first multi-man match as he did several of the Impact six person matches for title shots. Hendry sang his theme at one point and chopped Uemura twice to the beat, which was funny. King said the intro to his theme, and the fans screamed King with him. He’s the heel, so he did not expect this, but then yelled “Chicago knows!” I laughed.
Hendry hit a vertical suplex on King when they came back from break. King and Hendry exchanged uppercuts and strikes in the middle of the ring until King hit a powerslam on Hendry for a 2-count. Uemura hit a crossbody on both men, hitting forearms on both King and Hendry. Uemura hit a back suplex on Hendry for a 2-count.
Uemura went to the top rope again, and Hendry hit a cutter when Uemura came off the top rope. Hendry went for the pinfall but Sheldon Jean pulled him from the ring and King tried to steal the pin, but Uemura kicked out. King shoved Uemura into Hendry and then hit the royal flush for the pinfall.
–Gia Miller was with Mike Bailey and Jonathan Gresham to talk about their match with the Rascalz. Bailey noted that Gresham was unhappy because the rules were not being enforced in Impact, and that they are more than talented enough to overcome any cheating from their opponents. Gresham said that optimism didn’t win matches, but if Bailey had his back, he had Bailey’s. Good promo.
–Josh Alexander, Chris Sabin, Alex Shelley, and KUSHIDA talked about how they were on the same page for Emergence. Sabin said he would be the first ever 10-time X-Division champion, and KUSHIDA responded with “Maybe.”
–Kevin Kelly joined to talk about the G1 Climax match between Jeff Cobb and Zack Sabre Jr. and Eddie Kingston vs. Tomohiro Ishii, both which are great.
–The Death Dollz were backstage and talked about how they needed a gameplan to get themselves into the knockout’s tag team title match. They went into a huddle to discuss strategy, and said “We want the shot and we’re awesome.” That was funny. They turned around and Crazzy Steve was there, so Rush jumped into Jessicka’s arms. Steve said he needed to talk to Rosemary, but Rush said that they had business to take care of with Santino but would talk soon since they were family. Steve said sadly, “I understand” to end the segment.
The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachery Wentz) defeated Jonathan Gresham & Mike Bailey
Holy cow, this match ruled. What a great match between the two teams. The finish was expected but the match was very good.
Gresham came out with a flag that said, “The Foundation,” his old ROH group. Smoke was pouring out of his octopus mask which looked really cool. The Rascalz sure are a bunch of rascals, as they tried to cheat immediately, but it backfired and Gresham and Bailey were able to hit dropkicks on both.
Bailey did not fall for Wentz bowing to him, and both guys started running the ropes before Bailey hit a kick to the chest of Wentz to drop him. Bailey tagged out to Gresham, who started working over the arm of Wentz. Gresham tied Wentz up like a pretzel, locking in a series of brutal submissions.
The Rascalz hit a low blow on Gresham by kicking the ropes when he was in the ropes and Miguel launched Wentz into a dropkick on Bailey that drove him to the floor. The Rascalz got the heat on the Rascalz, but Gresham escaped by hitting a deadlift vertical suplex on Miguel. Bailey tagged in and hit a running shooting star press on Miguel for a 2-count.
Miguel figure foured the legs of Bailey with his arms from behind and lifted him into a suplex. That looked brutal. Wentz went into a cravate into a DDT again, but Bailey countered out. Wentz and Bailey exchanged strikes including Bailey trying for a thrust kick that Wentz nearly bridged backwards to avoid with it just short of his face. That was awesome.
Gresham and Miguel came in and Bailey sent Gresham into a cutter on Miguel that got a 2-count when Wentz hit a senton bomb off the top rope to break it up, nearly crushing the referee. Gresham hit a powerbomb on Miguel for a 2-count, but Miguel kicked out. Wentz tossed a can of spray paint into the ring as Bailey hit a triangle moonsault on Wentz to the floor, but Miguel sprayed Gresham in the eyes with the spray paint and pinned him for the win.
–A video aired of when Deaner supposedly killed Eric Young, but it showed Young randomly waking up and coughing up blood after the supposed stabbing after Deaner left. Young only had blood on his face, and then dragged himself to a motorcycle before driving away. The video was narrated at this point by Young, asking “What is it to die? What is it to live? Is death final? Why are we so scared of it?” He then said death is final, but he is not dead yet. He said a body can be disposed of, but an idea can’t die. He said he was an idea, and he will live forever. This explained absolutely nothing and was incredibly dumb. What a way to end the show.
Final Thoughts
In all seriousness, I would have rather had James Mitchell conduct some sort of evil ceremony to resurrect Young or something than this. This had no explanation for why Young was still alive, and how he survived a stabbing. Though we never saw a stab wound, it was still implied that he was stabbed based on how Young sold it. This ruined what was otherwise a good episode of Impact for me. Remove this nonsense from the show and it would have been an easy show to recommend.
Impact Wrestling – August 10, 2023
#1 Contender Tag Team Tournament: Rich Swann & Sami Callihan vs. ABC
Samuray Del Sol, Laredo Kid, & Black Taurus vs. Bully Ray, Moose, & Brian Myers
Impact x NJPW MultiVerse United 2 – August 20, 2023
Impact World Championship: Alex Shelley (c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi
TMDK (Zack Sabre Jr. & Shane Haste) vs. Moose & Eddie Edwards
Impact Wrestling Emergence – August 27, 2023
Time Machine & Josh Alexander vs. Bully Ray, Moose, Brian Myers, & Lio Rush
Impact Knockouts World Championship: Trinity (c) vs. Deonna Purrazzo
Impact Knockouts World Tag Team Championship: MK Ultra (c) vs. Gisele Shaw & Savannah Evans
A tournament to crown the number one contenders for the Impact Tag Team titles will begin on tonight’s Impact on AXS TV.
The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz) will take on the team of “Speedball” Mike Bailey & Jonathan Gresham in the semifinals of the tournament.
The winners will eventually take on the winners of Rich Swann & Sami Callihan vs. ABC (Ace Austin & Chris Bey) in the finals.
Also set for tonight, Kenny King will defend his Digital Media Media Championship for the first time as he squares off against former champion Joe Hendry and Yuya Uemura in a triple threat match. King won the title from Hendry at Slammiversary last month.
Knockouts Champion Trinity is set to kick off tonight’s show. She was confronted by former Knockouts Champion Deonna Purrazzo last week when Purrazzo explained she wanted a rematch for the title she lost to Trinity at Slammiversary.
Heath will also take on Alan Angels in a grudge match while Gisele Shaw will go up against Heather Reckless on Before The Impact.
Impact Wrestling on AXS TV lineup:
The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz) vs. “Speedball” Mike Bailey & Jonathan Gresham in a number one contenders tag team tournament match
Digital Media Champion Kenny King defends against Joe Hendry and Yuya Uemura in a three-way
Trinity will address the Impact Zone
Heath vs. Alan Angels
Gisele Shaw vs. Heather Reckless (Before the Impact)
After the events of Thursday’s Impact on AXS TV, X-Division Champion Chris Sabin will defend the title against Lio Rush at next month’s Slammiversary.
After Nick Aldis and Alex Shelley got into a brawl ahead of their own Slammiversary match, Sabin came out to aid his partner as Aldis was about to hit Shelley with the World title belt. Rush then attacked Sabin from behind and he and Aldis laid out the Motor City Machine Guns with Rush knocking Sabin out with the X-Division title.
In a clip released on Twitter, Sabin said he would give Rush what he wanted: to jump to the front of the line and get an X-Division title match. While the two men have battled in multi-man and tag team matches in Ring of Honor, this will be their first-ever singles match.
An Ultimate X match for Slammiversary was also announced Thursday with the winner earning a future X-Division title shot anytime they want.
The match will include former champion “Speedball” Mike Bailey, Jonathan Gresham, Angels, Kevin Knight and the returning KUSHIDA.
It will be the first Ultimate X match for everyone involved with the exception of Bailey.
The pay-per-view is set for Saturday, July 15th in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, with the following announced thus far:
Impact World Champion Alex Shelley defends against Nick Aldis
Knockouts Champion Deonna Purrazzo defends against Trinity
X-Division Champion Chris Sabin defends against Lio Rush
Steve Maclin & Bully Ray vs. PCO & Scott D’Amore with Darren McCarty as special enforcer
Impact Tag Team Champions ABC (Chris Bey & Ace Austin) defend against Sami Callihan & Rich Swann, Brian Myers & Moose, and Subculture (Flash Morgan Webster & Mark Andrews)
Mike Bailey vs. Jonathan Gresham vs. Angels vs. Kevin Knight vs. KUSHIDA in an Ultimate X match
Three matches have been announced for next Thursday’s go-home edition of Impact Wrestling — the final stop before next Friday’s Against All Odds.
After they clashed in a non-title match at Under Siege, Knockouts Tag Team Champions The Coven (Taylor Wilde & KiLynn King) will defend against The Death Dollz (Jessicka & Courtney Rush). The Dollz are also former titleholders.
In a non-title match, Impact Digital Media Champion Joe Hendry will face Sheldon Jean. This was set up in a backstage segment Thursday where Kenny King and Jean confronted Hendry and Director of Authority Santino Marella.
In a preview of the new 8-4-1 match at Against All Odds that will crown a Slammiversary World title contender, Moose & Rich Swann will face Nick Aldis & Jonathan Gresham.
Here’s the current lineup with more expected to be announced in the week ahead:
Digital Media Champion Joe Hendry vs. Sheldon Jean in a non-title match
Knockouts Tag Team Champions The Coven (Taylor Wilde & KiLynn King) defend against The Death Dollz (Jessicka & Courtney Rush)
Moose & Rich Swann vs. Nick Aldis & Jonathan Gresham
The card for next month’s Against All Odds streaming special continues to take shape as Impact Wrestling announced both a new match and match type Tuesday.
Called the 8-4-1, the winner will earn an Impact World title shot at July’s Slammiversary.
Featuring eight wrestlers, the match will begin as an eight-man tag team bout. The winners will then compete in a fatal four-way where the victor will earn the title shot.
The teams are Bully Ray, Jonathan Gresham, Heath & Nick Aldis vs. Moose, “Speedball” Mike Bailey, Rich Swann & PCO. Four of the men have held the Impact/TNA World title before.
It joins the previously announced Steve Maclin vs. Alex Shelley match for Maclin’s World title.
Against All Odds takes place on Friday, June 9th from Columbus, Ohio, and will stream on Impact’s Ultimate Insider and Impact Plus.
Here’s the current card:
Impact World Champion Steve Maclin defends against Alex Shelley
8-4-1 match for Impact World title shot: Nick Aldis, Bully Ray, Jonathan Gresham, Heath, Moose, “Speedball” Mike Bailey, Rich Swann and PCO
After a year away from in-ring action, Trinity (the former Naomi in WWE) will make her Impact Wrestling debut on tonight’s AXS TV show.
She will face KiLynn King, one half of Knockouts Tag Team Champions The Coven along with Taylor Wilde. Trinity laid King out last Thursday as she came to the aid of Deonna Purrazzo and Jordynne Grace after The Coven attacked them.
In a preview of next Friday’s six-way no. 1 contender’s match at Under Siege, Moose, Eddie Edwards & Franke Kazarian will team up against Alex Shelley, Yuya Uemura & Jonathan Gresham.
X-Division Champion Trey Miguel will face Laredo Kid in a non-title match ahead of his title defense against Chris Sabin at Under Siege.
Ace Austin, one half of the Impact Tag Team Champions, will face Jason Hotch of The Good Hands in singles action.
The BTI pre-show will see The Design’s Kon & Deaner take on Zicky Dice & Johnny Swinger.
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Before the Impact:
George Iceman revealed that Dango and Joe Hendry narrowed down the culprit about who attacked Santino.
The Design (Deaner & Kon) (w/ Angels) defeated Johnny Swinger & Zicky Dice
Swinger was an excellent babyface in this match as Deaner and Kon got the heat on him. His selling was fantastic and the crowd actually really got into wanting them to make a comeback. Of course, Dice died after a power bomb from Kon and a DDT from Deaner for the win.
Main Show:
After recapping what happened last week, Impact went directly to Trey Miguel’s entrance.
Impact X-Division Champion Trey Miguel defeated Laredo Kid in a non-title match
This was a great opening match. Miguel and Laredo Kid are both fantastic wrestlers, and I hope we get to see more of these two in the future.
Kid and Miguel had a quick start to the match, with Miguel trying to run away on the floor, and Kid hitting a suicide dive through the ropes at the corner to hit Miguel. As they fought around the ring, Miguel hit a tiger feint kick around the apron onto Kid, who was standing, causing Kid’s legs to be swept out from under him. That was cool.
Miguel and Kid hat some fast exchanges, ending with Kid hitting a flipping DDT on Trey Miguel for a 2-count. Kid hit a few strikes and went for a Michinoku driver, but Miguel slipped out and hit an enziguri. Kid countered at lightning spiral but almost hit the referee. As he turned around, Miguel ripped off Kid’s mask and rolled him up for the pinfall. Excellent match.
Miguel grabbed a mic and trash talked Chicago, saying he was a generational talent, but no one respects him as much as they should. Miguel then said he was going to stay in the ring until everyone respected him. Chris Sabin came out to stop the protest.
Sabin said that Miguel only gets what he gives, and he disrespected the championship by spray painting it. Sabin said he disrespected everyone who held the title, from AJ Styles, to Josh Alexander. Sabin said he was going to show Miguel respect by saying to his face that he was going to beat him at Under Siege to become the first ever 9-time X-Division champion. Miguel walked away dejected. This was really good.
– Trinity was backstage warming up and Jai Vidal walked up, saying the picture he took with her last week got him in trouble with Gisele Shaw. Trinity said that if Shaw had a problem with it, there was an opening for a match at Under Siege. Vidal said that he would tell Shaw.
– A fantastic interview aired with Rich Swann and Sami Callihan talking about their history on the indies and how long they have been friends, and even when they fought, they had respect for each other. Their relationship is why Swann is standing with him now against The Design.
Jason Hotch (w/ John Skylar & Brian Myers) defeated Ace Austin (w/ Chris Bey)
Good match here, showing that if Jason Hotch was indeed a good hand, and if given time, he’ll use it to get over.
Hotch is a good worker, and kept up with Austin well. Both guys started fast, with Hotch starting to get heat after a blue thunder bomb for a 2-count. Austin responded with a forearm and a few strikes, ending with a knee and going for a spin kick that Hotch ducked. Austin did a head scissors into a side Russian leg sweep for a 2-count.
Austin squeezed Hotch’s head between his angles, jumped into the air, and drove it down into the mat. As Austin signaled for the fold, Myers got on the apron to distract the referee. John Skylar pulled Austin from the ring, leading to Chris Bey running over, launching himself off the back of Austin, and kicking Skylar. That was cool.
As Austin recovered and came back in the ring, he ran into a standing Spanish fly from Hotch for a 2-count. Austin slipped out of a torture rack and hit an O’Connor roll, but Hotch kicked out and as Austin went to the rope, Myers punched him, and Hotch rolled Austin up for the win.
– Steve Maclin was backstage and said Shera and Champagne Singh proved their worth last week, attacking Heath. They were back in his good graces, but needed to follow his orders. They agreed.
– Jordynne Grace was confronted backstage by Alisha Edwards, who mocked her for losing last week. Grace scared Edwards off by feinting a punch, and it looks like we’re going to get a match between the two soon.
Trinity defeated KiLynn King (w/ Taylor Wilde)
This was a great match for Trinity. King did a phenomenal job in this one helping Trinity look great. Trinity did very well working a non-WWE style match, as this was a bit more hard hitting than you would normally get, especially with King. Good stuff.
Trinity got a great reaction from the audience as the bell rang, Trinity was all over King in the early part of the match, dodging everything King tried, and hit a splitting leg drop on King for a 2-count. Trinity hit the ropes, but Wilde caught her foot, leading to King attacking from behind and then hitting a big boot that dropped Trinity hard.
King managed to keep Trinity from making comebacks, hitting hard strikes and chops. King did some sort of finger wagging pose at Wilde, and Wilde started swinging wildly at the air. I don’t know why Wilde flailed at the air around her, but it was funny. Wilde choked Trinity on the ropes behind the referee’s back. The referee finally caught them cheating and sent Wilde to the back, while Trinity fought King off as they were on the ropes. Trinity hit a nice crossbody on King for a 2-count.
Trinity hit a blockbuster off the top rope, which she should use as a finish as it looked awesome, but King kicked out. King fired up and hit some strikes in the corner and then a powerslam. Trinity low bridged King, and then hit a heatseaker as King was draped over the middle ropes for a 2-count. King fought through some forearms and punches before hitting a Death Valley Driver for a 2-count. King went for the Excalibuster, but Trinity flipped out and rolled into starstruck, getting the submission on King.
Jai Vidal came out and said Shaw accepted Trinity’s challenge before trying to hit a slap. Trinity blocked the slap, said that she would see Shaw at Under Siege, and then kicked Vidal in the head. I liked this.
– Maclin, Singh, and Shera ran into PCO backstage and they started brawling which resulted in Shera hitting a chokeslam onto the floor (covered lightly by cardboard boxes) before putting two blocks of concrete onto the back of PCO and breaking it with a sledgehammer. PCO screamed about the pain in his back.
– Jessicka was backstage with the hourglass Rosemary gave her. Wilde and King walked up and offered to open the door to the undead realm for her, but Jessicka noted that Rosemary said they were not powerful enough to open the door. King said Rosemary wasn’t always right. Jessicka pointed out Wilde wasn’t either, since she couldn’t foresee King losing the match against Trinity. They did not like this. Neither did I, to be honest. The segment, that is.
Jody Threat defeated Sierra
I just saw Sierra on NWA Power, which was also filmed in Chicago, and she showed her ability to bump well here too, as Threat squashed Sierra hitting a German suplex and a F416.
– Frankie Kazarian was backstage and Eddie Edwards walked up to him, saying that they had to get along tonight if they were going to win. Edwards suggested that Kazarian follow his lead, and Kazarian said that it wasn’t a problem, but he hoped it would go better than Honor No More did.
– Dango was backstage with Zicky Dice and Johnny Swinger. Dice was trying to hand a bottle full of urine to Dango for his drug test. Dango admitted after wrestling Swinger and Dice that they were totally incompetent, and completely incapable of attacking Santino. Swinger nodded and agreed.
Swinger & Dice accused Joe Hendry, who appeared as his name was said. Dango said that it had to be Joe Hendry because he tried to steal Dango’s spotlight. Hendry went to walk away, and Dango pulled him back, so they scuffled, and Dango’s shirt got ripped off, and he had a patch of hair missing on his chest, meaning Dango attacked Santino. Dango then drove Hendry into the wall as Swinger ran away and screamed, “Call the bossman, man!” The announcers claimed that no one saw this coming. I did.
Jonathan Gresham, Yuya Uemura & Alex Shelley defeated Moose, Frankie Kazarian & Eddie Edwards (w/ Alisha Edwards)
This was an awesome, non-stop action, main event. No pun intended on the old TNA name. Really fantastic stuff here. All six guys got to showcase what they can do, and every one of them looked like they could win at any moment, which is what you want out of these matches to setup their 6-way match at Under Siege.
Eddie Edwards was the victim of the babyface team in the opening parts of the match, as they showed solid teamwork, including Alex Shelley sending Moose into a front headlock on Edwards, and then clotheslining Edwards so he accidentally hit a DDT on Moose. That was fun. Moose decided he had enough and attacked Shelley on the floor, finally letting his team get some offence.
Edwards reluctantly tagged in Kazarian, who hit a few moves on Shelley before chopping Moose to tag in. Moose continued the assault on Shelley. Kazarian tried to keep his team honest, by asking for clean tags, but Edwards and Moose largely ignored him unless the referee is looking. Shelley almost got away from Edwards, but Edwards grabbed a sleeper. Shelley hit a knee breaker on Edwards to break it, but Edwards responded with a Boston knee party and chopped Kazarian hard to tag in.
Kazarian went for an unprettier, but Shelley hit a flatliner on Kazarian and tagged out to Uemura, who went wild, hitting uppercuts and throwing Moose and Edwards all over the ring. Uemura hit a back suplex and got a 2-count on Edwards. Edwards managed a blue thunder bomb and tagged out to Moose. Moose hit a backbreaker and a huge powerbomb on Uemura for a 2-count. Moose missed a spear and Gresham tagged in, hitting dropkicks to the knees of Moose, hyper extending the knee, forcing Moose to tag out to Kazarian.
Gresham went for a dropkick to the knee of Kazarian, and Kazarian jumped and hit a leg drop as he was in midair. That was awesome. Shelley and Kazarian got in the ring, and Kazarian put the chicken wing on Shelley, who drove Kazarian back to his corner. Edwards blind tagged in, breaking the submission. Edwards hit a backpack stunner on Shelley, but Uemura made the save.
Kazarian hit a backstabber on Uemura. Gresham hit a high angle German suplex on Kazarian. Moose tried to powerbomb Gresham on the floor, but he slipped out and was sent into a flying crossbody, Tanahashi style, from Uemura onto Moose. Edwards and Kazarian got into a fight in the ring, and Kazarian hit a lariat on Edwards, leading to Shelley hitting Shellshock on Edwards for the win.
Final Thoughts:
This was a really great episode of Impact tonight with very little that stood out as bad. Really good matches, solid angles, and a good build towards Under Siege. I couldn’t ask for more.
The next no. 1 contender for the Impact World title will be determined at this month’s Under Siege.
Announced Thursday, Eddie Edwards, Moose, Jonathan Gresham, Yuya Uemura, Frankie Kazarian and Alex Shelley will compete in a six-way for the future opportunity against either current champion Steve Maclin or his next title challenger PCO.
The streaming special is set for Friday, May 26th in London, Ontario, Canada.
Edwards and Moose are former Impact World titleholders while Kazarian and Shelley have held other Impact titles but never the big prize. Gresham and Uemura are still in search of their first taste of Impact gold.
The new match joins three title defenses previously announced for the show.
Here’s the current card:
Impact World Champion Steve Maclin defends against PCO
Knockouts Champion Deonna Purrazzo defends against Jordynne Grace
X-Division Champion Trey Miguel defends against Chris Sabin
No. 1 contender’s six-way: Eddie Edwards vs. Moose vs. Jonathan Gresham vs. Yuya Uemura vs. Frankie Kazarian vs. Alex Shelley
For the fourth time, former X-Division Champion “Speedball” Mike Bailey will take on Jonathan Gresham in an Impact Wrestling ring.
The fourth encounter will take place on Thursday’s Impact on AXS.
The two have had an interesting history since January of this year, first teaming up to take on the Motor City Machine Guns. Their first singles match followed which Gresham won. They teamed again and then wrestled against each other again with Bailey taking home the victory.
The two then went to a no contest in a no. 1 contender’s match for the X-Division title before competing in a three-way with X-Division Champion Trey Miguel. All three men then teamed to take on Time Machine (Motor City Machine Guns & KUSHIDA) in a loss.
The match joins a previously announced lineup that includes the on-screen promotional debut of Trinity, the former Naomi in WWE.
Here’s the card:
Trinity in-ring promo
Steve Maclin, Champagne Singh & Shera vs. PCO and two partners of his choosing
Jody Threat vs. Alisha Edwards
Mike Bailey vs. Jonathan Gresham
Moose & Brian Myers vs. Yuya Uemura & Bhupinder Gujjar
Three new title matches and the Impact in-ring debut of Santino Marella were announced for next Sunday’s Impact Rebellion pay-per-view.
After a no. 1 contender’s match between “Speedball” Mike Bailey and Jonathan Gresham went to a no contest Thursday thanks to Trey Miguel’s interference, it was announced that Miguel will defend his X-Division title against both men in a three-way elimination match.
The Impact Tag Team titles will be on the line as Bullet Club’s Chris Bey & Ace Austin will defend against the Motor City Machine Guns in an Ultimate X match following a challenge from Chris Sabin Thursday.
After The Design attacked Marella (Impact’s Director of Authority), Marella made a match where he will team with Dirty Dango and Digital Media Champion Joe Hendry against Deaner’s squad at the PPV.
In a rematch, The Coven will defend their Knockouts Tag Team titles for the first time against former champions The Death Dollz (Rosemary & Jessicka).
The teams for the Hardcore War between Bully Ray and Tommy Dreamer were also revealed as Killer Kelly, Yuya Uemura and Frankie Kazarian will join Dreamer with one spot remaining while Jason Hotch, John Skyler, Masha Slamovich & Kenny King are with Ray.
Here’s the current lineup for the Sunday, April 16th PPV from Toronto, Canada:
KUSHIDA vs. Steve Maclin for the vacant Impact World Championship
Deonna Purrazzo vs. Jordynne Grace, or Purrazzo vs. Grace vs. Mickie James for the Knockouts title
Hardcore War: Team Bully Ray vs. Team Tommy Dreamer
Knockouts Tag Team Champions The Coven defend against The Death Dollz
X-Division Champion Trey Miguel defends against Mike Bailey and Jonathan Gresham in an elimination match
The Design vs. Joe Hendry, Dirty Dango & Santino Marella
Impact Tag Team Champions Bullet Club defend against Motor City Machine Guns in an Ultimate X match
Thursday’s Impact on AXS TV has a little bit of everything on the road to next Sunday’s Rebellion pay-per-view.
“Speedball” Mike Bailey and Jonathan Gresham will battle in a trilogy match with the winner earning a shot at X-Division Champion Trey Miguel at Rebellion.
Impact World Champion Josh Alexander will relinquish his title due to a torn triceps.
Former Impact Tag Team Champions the Motor City Machine Guns will take on TMDK (Shane Haste & Bad Dude Tito) in a non-title match while new signee Jody Threat will make her Impact in-ring debut.
In a trios match, Tommy Dreamer, Yuya Uemura and former NHL enforcer Darren McCarty will take on Bully Ray and The Good Hands. Dreamer and Ray will be on opposite sides of a team Hardcore War match at the PPV.
A grudge may finally be settled in a feud that has been raging for several months as PCO takes on Eddie Edwards.
Former Impact Tag Team Champions Heath & Rhino vs. Shera & Champagne Singh will be on the pre-show.
BTI pre-show:
Heath & Rhino defeated Champagne Singh & Shera
After a good back and forth match, Rhino eventually nailed Shera with the Gore to get the 1-2-3.
Main show:
The opening video focused on Josh Alexander’s torn triceps, forcing him to undergo surgery and ultimately relinquishing the Impact World title later tonight in the Impact Zone.
Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) defeated TMDK (Bad Dude Tito & Shane Haste)
Haste and Shelley began the match but before the two could lock up, Tito interfered and it was all four men in the ring. MCMG managed to land some offense on the outside but it wouldn’t gain them any momentum as the pure power of Tito began dominating the legal man Shelley.
It was quick tags by TMDK and they dominated the match for the next few moments before Shelley was finally able to land the tag to a hot Sabin. Sabin began to school Haste and as Tito attempted to interfere, Shelley stepped up and it was all MCMG at this point.
TMDK attempted to regain momentum but MCMG was simply too much and after isolating Tito, Sabin was able to roll-up Haste for the victory.
– Backstage, Impact Tag Team Champions Chris Bey & Ace Austin confronted the Machine Guns. Chris Sabin stated that at Rebellion for their rematch, why not make it an Ultimate X match for the titles? Bey stated that if they could make that happen, then it’s on.
– Backstage, Eddie Edwards was with Kenny King. Edwards asked if he could rely on King for backup tonight, but King questioned him and walked away.
– Backstage, Scott D’Amore was confronted by Tommy Dreamer. Dreamer wanted D’Amore to step up for Rebellion and the Hardcore War but D’Amore downplayed his in-ring career and walked away.
In a X-Division no. 1 contender’s match, Mike Bailey & Jonathan Gresham went to a no contest
As you would expect, it was quick back and forth stalemate action by both men in the beginning as current X-Division champion Trey Miguel shared his thoughts on commentary.
Gresham was able to nearly score a victory before Bailey was nearly able to score a victory as well before Gresham was able to lock Bailey in a figure-four leglock. Bailey reversed it followed by a Gresham reverse and as you would once again expect several moments into the match, we were still at a stalemate.
The match spilled to the outside and as Bailey almost nailed Miguel accidentally, Miguel decided to take matters into his own hands. As Bailey and Gresham re-entered the ring, Miguel attacked both men causing the match to get thrown out.
– Backstage, Deaner (with The Design) scolded Callihan for losing his last couple of matches. Callihan took exception and told Deaner he wanted Step 7 in his initiation. Deaner challenged him and Callihan said he was ready before walking away from The Design.
– Backstage, Mike Bailey and Jonathan Gresham confronted Santino Marella as Trey Miguel and Dirty Dango interrupted. Marella stated that due to Miguel’s actions tonight, the X-Division title would be defended in a three-way elimination match at Rebellion against Bailey and Gresham.
Jody Threat defeated Tara Rising
Impact was treated to the debut of the one and only “Wild Child.” Threat has been one of the most gifted and rising stars on the Canadian independent wrestling scene in the past several years.
Threat dominated the match in its entirety and after a slew of powerful moves, Threat finished Rising with the F416 for the victory.
– Backstage, Santino Marella was seen recovering from an attack at the hands of The Design. Dirty Dango and Scott D’Amore tended to Marella and Dango told D’Amore he wanted The Design. Marella then made it official that Dango, Joe Hendry and himself would face The Design at Rebellion.
– Backstage, Gia Miller was with Tasha Steelz. Before Steelz could say too much, she was interrupted by Gisele Shaw, Jai Vidal & Savannah Evans. Steelz challenged Shaw to a match next week but before we got an answer, Shaw and company walked off.
Tommy Dreamer, Yuya Uemura & Darren McCarty defeated Bully Ray & The Good Hands (Jason Hotch & John Skyler)
What a sight to see four-time Stanley Cup champion Darren McCarty competing in a match.
Dreamer and Skyler began the match and Dreamer was able to gain quick momentum before making the tag to Uemura. Quick tags were made by both men before Hotch was able to capitalize with a cheap shot and Dreamer was now in no man’s land.
Bully was tagged in and after some Dusty Rhodes tributes, Dreamer was able to land a DDT and we finally got to see McCarty tagged into the match.
After taking out Hotch and Skyler, McCarty wanted Ray. Ray entered the ring and quickly exited as quick as he entered. McCarty soon found himself in the ring with Skyler as Hotch was taken out by Uemura on the outside. McCarty then landed the stunner on Skyler for the 1-2-3.
– After the match, Kenny King hit the ring to attack McCarty as Masha Slamovich and Killer Kelly also joined the melee. Before King and Slamovich could do much damage, Dreamer and Uemura alongside Kelly were able to send them running.
– A video promo aired on the legacy of Josh Alexander’s Impact World championship reign and his upcoming relinquishing of the title due to injury.
– A clip of Deonna Purrazzo was shown winning the four-way match last Thursday at Multiverse United earning her a shot at the Impact Knockouts championship at Rebellion. Purrazzo stated that no matter if it was a one on one match or a three-way match, she would become a three time champion.
Eddie Edwards defeated PCO
As the match started with both men beating on one another, the words “technical classic” definitely weren’t going to apply to this match. With that being said, PCO hit a frankensteiner from the top rope as we headed to a commercial break.
We were back from commercial and the match has now taken to the outside and Edwards was not faring much better as PCO was still on the attack.
Back on the ring apron and Edwards was finally able to ground PCO with a superplex but unfortunately for Edwards, it wasn’t able to ground him for long.
PCO recovered and after a huge chop fest, PCO sent Edwards to the outside and followed up with a PCO-sault through the ropes. If that wasn’t bad enough for Edwards, PCO then landed a chokeslam to the ring apron as we headed to another commercial break.
We were back from commercial and both men were back in the ring and PCO nailed Edwards with a ddt before further punishing him with a Deanimator. PCO attempted to squash Edwards in the corner but Edwards pulled the referee in the way and PCO squashed the referee instead.
PCO thought about going for the PCO-sault from the top but Alisha Edwards ran down to the ring to confront the French-Canadian Frankenstein. Alisha nailed PCO with “Kenny” and Eddie seized the opportunity. Eddie followed up the illegal tactics of his wife by nailing PCO with a buckle bomb followed by the Boston Knee Party to finally gain a much needed victory over the monster.
After the match, as Eddie and Alisha celebrated, PCO came “back to life” and chased the couple from the building and into the parking lot.
Josh Alexander relinquished the Impact World title
Impact Wrestling president Scott D’Amore and KUSHIDA were already in the ring as an aggressive Steve Maclin entered the ring.
D’Amore stated that while there was an ending with the historic run of Josh Alexander, there will be a new champion crowned at Rebellion between KUSHIDA and Maclin. D’Amore then called Alexander to the ring.
Alexander, in a sling, came down to the ring with his wife and son. Alexander stated that he has been one of the most decorated champions in the company’s history while the fans followed up with a “Best World Champ” chant.
Alexander stated that he had a torn tricep and that he would go back to where he first started. Alexander stated he would be watching who watching who would become the next world champion as he praised both KUSHIDA and Maclin.
Alexander warned both men to watch out for him when he was cleared again. Alexander then attempted to give D’Amore the title but Alexander’s son intercepted. D’Amore was finally given the title and Maclin grabbed the mic and stated that this was Alexander’s “way out” before putting down his family.
Before Maclin could continue, D’Amore grabbed the mic and defended Alexander and his family and called Maclin a coward. D’Amore reminded Maclin that he recently tapped out to KUSHIDA and Maclin responded that he chose to tap out as nothing was on the line.
KUSHIDA stepped up to Maclin and as the two went face to face, Maclin was sent to the outside. KUSHIDA followed up with a somersault over the top rope to the outside before grabbing the world championship and posing with the title as the show came to a close.
Final Thoughts:
This was an excellent Impact Wrestling setting up for Rebellion in just ten days. As a Canadian, it was sad to see Alexander officially relinquish the title but I was proud to see Threat make her debut and let the pro wrestling world know what she’s all about.
Next week will be the go-home edition going into Rebellion and it’ll be interesting to see whether or not Mickie James is announced in being involved in the Knockouts championship match and if they push the KUSHIDA vs. Maclin feud even further. Both matches are going to worth the cost of the PPV alone.
Happy Easter weekend, everyone!
Next Week:
Tasha Steelz vs. Gisele Shaw
Taylor Wilde vs. Jessicka
Callihan & Angels vs. Joe Hendry & Dirty Dango
Kenny King vs. Frankie Kazarian (Winner gets the advantage for their team in Hardcore War at Rebellion)
The final decision on the status of Mickie James for Rebellion
New for Rebellion:
Knockouts Tag Team Champions The Coven defend against The Death Dollz
X-Division Champion Trey Miguel defends against Mike Bailey and Jonathan Gresham in an elimination match
The Design vs. Joe Hendry, Dirty Dango & Santino Marella
Impact Tag Team Champions Bullet Club defend against Motor City Machine Guns in an Ultimate X match
In a new interview, former ROH World Champion Jonathan Gresham opened up about the end of his time with the Tony Khan regime, including their infamous meeting which Gresham said got away from him.
Speaking to Nick Hausman, Gresham, currently under contract with Impact Wrestling, detailed the events that led up to his meeting with Khan and title defense against Claudio Castagnoli at last July’s Death Before Dishonor and what happened afterward.
“I shouldn’t have yelled or cursed in a professional environment and I deeply regret my behavior. Since then, I’ve gained some introspection through therapy…and self-reflection and I just want to set the record straight,” he said.
Feeling blown off
Gresham said he had been trying to meet with Khan and felt that leading up to the meeting, he was being “blown off in different ways.” He admitted he maybe shouldn’t have expected the same relationship with Khan as he did with previous ROH ownership where communication came more rapidly.
He said he was flown into a show, but never got a time to meet after waiting for essentially three days (fly-in, event day, departure day). The two eventually exchanged messages and Khan suggested meeting another time.
He said he was flown in again for a different show and the same thing happened before he had to hunt Khan down to talk.
“When I finally get a chance to have a face-to-face with him, he introduces me to someone he is close with and as I go to shake her hand, I turn around and TK, from the way it looked to me, was walking away from me.
“So, at this point, I am thinking to myself, ‘This guy must not respect me at all.’ I just started having things roll around in my mind and I think, at the time, I was my own worst enemy with this. There was a lot of stuff going on personally with me. Nobody but the Progress guys know that my mom had a really bad incident. She was in the hospital for like a week and it was the first time I had ever seen my mom so vulnerable with tubes going through her face and stuff. A lot of this was just me under a lot of stress, I believe. But, I really felt I was disrespected.”
Through therapy and self-reflection, Gresham said he realized he was acting unprofessionally in trying to convey his message, but he felt like there wasn’t an interest in him being heard.
“After weeks of feeling like I wasn’t being heard or blown off, I was frustrated, to be honest. All I wanted was to be heard and for the communication to be had. If they had agreed and liked my ideas and what I wanted to say, great, if not, I would have appreciated the time and just accepted the outcome.”
The infamous meeting
Gresham eventually met with Khan prior to Death Before Dishonor which was a surprise because it was unscheduled.
Before the conversation, Gresham said “had already checked out” and knew he was going to ask for his release. Despite what people think, he said he didn’t leave the company because he lost the ROH title to Castagnoli as “that’s just part of business and life in general. You can’t be the champion forever, so, that’s not what it was.”
He wanted to publicly apologize to Castagnoli as it was a difficult day for everyone involved. He said after the one-minute match, he wanted to just get out of there, but talked to Castagnoli, William Regal and eventually Khan himself before he did.
“But, before I did get out of there completely, my wife had my bags and stuff, and TK, he didn’t have to, but he came over to me and said some really nice things. He told me that no bridges were burned, he shook my hand and he said he knows that I am not a bad person.
“I can only imagine him dealing with athletes for so long. He kinda understands how things are, how people are. He deals with people from all different backgrounds. I’m pretty sure he probably saw where I was coming from and he just granted me my release. That was it.”
Outside a few texts with QT Marshall, he hasn’t had contact with anyone from AEW or ROH since.
After this weekend’s Multiverse United event, Impact Wrestling will get back on the road to Rebellion this Thursday — two new matches for which were announced Saturday.
One is an Impact trilogy match as “Speedball” Mike Bailey will take on rival and partner Jonathan Gresham for the third time but with more stakes: an X-Division title shot at this month’s Rebellion pay-per-view.
A high-profile tag team match is also set as former Impact Tag Team Champions Motor City Machine Guns will take on TMDK (Shane Haste & Bad Dude Tito).
TMDK made their Impact debut as a team at last month’s Sacrifice streaming special, losing to current champions Chris Bey & Ace Austin.
The matches join the previously announced trios match involving Tommy Dreamer and Bully Ray, Josh Alexander relinquishing the Impact World title, and Jody Threat’s in-ring debut.
Here’s the current lineup:
Tommy Dreamer, Yuya Uemura & Darren McCarty vs. Bully Ray & The Good Hands
Jody Threat vs. TBA
TMDK vs. Motor City Machine Guns
Mike Bailey vs. Jonathan Gresham
Josh Alexander relinquishes the Impact World title
