The second TNA Impact of the new era will feature the in-ring promotional debut of Nic Nemeth, the return of NJPW legend Kazuchika Okada, and a Knockouts title rematch from Hard to Kill.
In his first TNA bout, Nemeth will go against The Rascalz’ Zachary Wentz after making his surprise debut at Hard to Kill in a confrontation with TNA World Champion Moose. In his debut promo last week, Nemeth was confronted by Steve Maclin.
Okada will team with the Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) against The System (Moose, Brian Myers & Eddie Edwards) in a high-profile trios bout. This will be Okada’s first TNA match since 2011.
Trinity will look to regain the title she lost earlier this month as she faces Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace.
Chris Bey will take on Kevin Knight in singles action while former Knockouts Tag Team Champions MK Ultra (Masha Slamovich & Killer Kelly) face Dani Luna & Jody Threat.
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Impact began with a tribute graphic for Francisco Ciatso alongside a recap of Nic Nemeth’s promo after Hard to Kill promising to become TNA World Champion and his brawl with Steve Maclin. The show is very hit or miss visually with a lot of odd problems happening – so hopefully that gets resolved soon.
Chris Bey defeated Kevin Knight
Bey has been in a groove during his entire Impact/TNA run and Kevin Knight has been a low-key showstealer live when I’ve seen him on NJPW shows – so this should be a lot of fun. Bey got a quick two count off a cradle before Knight gained an advantage with a tornado armdrag. Knight missed a dive to the floor, but did a flatfooted jump to the ring apron before taking a top-rope necksnap. Knight sent Bey into the corner with his gorgeous dropkick before a floating Stinger splash landed perfectly. Knight double-stomped the arm to avoid a backdrop and landed a brainbuster for 2. Bey avoided a frog splash and landed a corner enzuiguri before hitting a draping second-rope elbow drop. The Art of Finesse hits for the win.
After the win, the Grizzled Young Veterans attacked Bey before taking out Ace Austin. Gibson and Drake took out Bey with Grit Your Teeth – the double-team codebreaker to boos. An Ash By Elegance cheesecake video aired to hype her eventual in-ring debut.
A recap of Kazarian turning on Eric Young and being a heel for the first time in many years in TNA airs. Kazarian said that he has nothing to explain right now and he’ll explain it next week. Swann interrupted him and Kazarian tells him to join him because he’s doing nothing. AJ Francis told Swann that he’ll be there for him when he faces Hendry. Francis asks where they met and it was in the back row of a plane five years ago and now he flies first class while Swann flies at the back. Well that sure makes the former TNA World Champion look great.
Dirty Dango and Oleg Prudius defeated Dante King and Darian Drake
Prudius demolished both opponents while Dango sat on the apron talking on his phone. Prudius is working this in a way that reminds me of something Wade Keller said about Kevin Nash where you could place a camera above him and see how little he’s actually moving. Dango tagged in and hit an Eye of the Hurricane to win.
The Grizzled Young Veterans complained about being put into a four-way title match on day one, while Santino let them know that a best two out of three series will begin next week between the GYVs and ABC for the tag titles. Backstage, Gia Miller interviewed the Motor City Machine Guns and Kazuchika Okada and they’ll show everyone what nonstop action is.
Jordynne Grace defeated Trinity to retain the Knockouts Title
A “knockouts” chant started the match off before Trinity worked as a heel landing forearms during a handshake. Trinity landed a V trigger and got Starstruck on early before Grace got to the rope quickly. Grace escaped a corner charge with a massive forearm and got two off a Double A spinebuster. Grace hopped up top, but got kicked down before sending Trinity down and getting two off a Vader bomb.
Grace went for a vertebreaker before Trinity rolled out and landed an enzuiguri. Trinity trapped her in the ropes and landed a headscissor variant of the Heatseeker for two. Grace backed her into the corner off a full nelson bomb attempt and wanted a superplex, but settled for a few headbutts and knee strikes before finally landing a delayed superplex and Juggernaut jackhammer for two.
They go back and forth on slaps before Trinity fell and Grace yelled at her to get up and see if she wants it. Trinity got a desperation full nelson bomb for 2, but couldn’t follow up with Starstruck. Grace wanted a muscle buster, but Trinity got two off a sunset flip off the top before a slew of one count cradles. They lead to a two count, then a cradle that Trinity turned into Starstruck, but was then turned into a pinfall to win it for Grace. This was one of the better matches in either woman’s careers and the best knockouts title match on TV in many years.
Gisele Shaw and her goons beat up both women and she V triggered Trinity down and out. Backstage, the System said that they’re the standard bearers in TNA and Moose as the TNA World Champion proves that the System works. Josh Alexander talked about living his dream since he was 15 – wrestling in a TNA ring and then wrestling the best in the world in Will Ospreay and putting him down to become the world beater. Alan Angels let him know that he could be the first guest on his new show the Sound Check and Alexander agrees. The announcers hyped up Nemeth’s first TNA match being his first match outside of WWE ever.
Nic Nemeth defeated Zachary Wentz
A giant “wanted man” chant started things off hot with just a tie-up. Zentz got out and wanted a superkick, but ate a dropkick. A Trey Miguel trip on the outside led to Wentz getting an edge with a pumping knee strike. Wentz wore him down with a kneeling surfboard before Nemeth slugged away to escape. Nemeth landed a stinger splash and Rude awakening out of the corner for two. Wentz avoided a corner charge and got a schoolboy with the trunks for two. Nemeth’s leaping DDT got two. Wentz got a slick handspring knee strike and a half-nelson slam for two. A snapmare driver from Wentz was countered into the Zig Zag/Danger Zone for the win.
Miguel came in and took a Danger Zone before a Maclin run-in took out Nemeth. He wanted KIA, but ate a Danger Zone instead. Well, other than this continuing the formula of a winner having their heat cut off by a run-in and beatdown tonight, this did at least get the Danger Zone name over. A Crazzy Steve video airs saying that Tommy Dreamer held him back. He is going to use the Digital Media Title to carve a scar into the history books of TNA Wrestling. Rhino confronted him and wants the title. Well, that’s better than Steve wanting to scar TNA by having a Digital Media Title match with Cheex. A Decay video airs saying that they’re here to be reborn in the reborn TNA.
MK Ultra defeated Dani Luna and Jody Threat
Luna started off with Slamovich and a tie-up that Luna turned into a fireman’s carry. Threat tagged in for a quick two. MK Ultra double-boots Luna down for two. Threat comes in and lands a pump knee and shotgun knees on the second rope for two on Kelly. MK Ultra hits a slick double-team short-drop powerbomb on Threat for the win. This was pretty fun and a nice showcase for everyone involved. After the match, instead of a run-in, MK Ultra just keeps beating up Dani Luna and hit the same short-drop double powerbomb.
The Motor City Machine Guns and Kazuchika Okada defeat Moose, Brian Myers, and Eddie Edwards
The Machine Guns’ entrance gained so much with the fans chanting “motor city” alongside their theme and Hannifan openly talked about how much Okada hated his first TNA run – but loves the company in its current incarnation. Shelley started the match off working over Edwards’ arm before Myers is tagged in to face off with Sabin. Sabin ran wild with fast backhands before Okada and Moose go at it mid-ring. Moose got a quick two off a schoolboy and avoided a Rainmaker.
Shelley and Edwards came in with the Guns taking down Edwards with a series of kicks to the body. Okada tagged in to drop elbows on Edwards’ knee before Shelley lands a grounded dragon screw. Myers came in and locked on a chinlock before they returned from a break with Shelley sending him down with a boot before Sabin tagged in and ran wild. Sabin landed an apron PK on Moose before a tornado DDT to Edwards got two.
Eddie got Shelley stuck in the corner and a Sabin helluva kick hit Shelley by mistake. I love this – they’re setting up Shelley vs. Sabin, possibly Shelley getting the X Title from him and then can go with Option C to get Shelley a World Title match. Sabin landed a big top rope crossbody on Myers and Edwards before a run-up tornado DDT! Moose and Okada came back in before Moose got spiked on a DDT. An Okada flapjack hits Myers before landing the air raid crash neckbreaker to Moose for 2.
Okada landed the diving elbow before the rainmaker pose, but Moose avoided the rainmaker but ate the dropkick. Moose responded in kind with one of his own! Edwards avoids shell shock and the backpack stunner gets two. A ___the System chant got muted before Moose ate a double superkick from the Guns. Combo dropkick lands before Myers hits a jumping knee to Shelley. Roster Cut misses on Okada, but the Rainmaker doesn’t and the Shell Shock wins it! The faces close the show out with a hug and Okada gets one last rainmaker pose on US TV while in New Japan.
Mustafa Ali
A video teasing Ali’s TNA debut aired after the post-show credits.
The following are spoilers from TNA’s Snake Eyes TV taping in Las Vegas, Nevada, Sunday — the follow-up to Saturday’s Hard to Kill that saw nearly every title change hands.
While most of the matches were taped for the weekly TNA Impact TV show on AXS TV, several matches were also taped for Xplosion — their former secondary show in the previous TNA era. It’s unknown if that will replace Before The Impact on AXS TV.
The following come courtesy of Fightful’s Joel Pearl.
Rhino defeated Shera
Joe Hendry defeated Rich Swann
Jake Something defeated KUSHIDA, El Hijo Del Vikingo, Trey Miguel, Laredo Kid & Mike Bailey in a multi-man match
Nic Nemeth cut a promo about wanting to become the TNA World Champion before he was interrupted by Steve Maclin. Maclin called Nemeth a phony and that it’s his time as Nemeth had 20 years to tell his story. Nemeth hit a Zig Zag on him to end the segment.
Xia Brookside defeated Tasha Steelz
Grizzled Young Veterans (James Drake & Zack Gibson) defeated Eric Young & Frankie Kazarian. After the match, Kazarian turned on Young.
PCO defeated Jai Vidal
Chris Bey defeated Kevin Knight. Afterward, the Grizzled Young Veterans laid out Bey and Ace Austin.
On a night when Impact Wrestling officially rebranded to TNA Wrestling and set course on a new path, several title changes took place at Saturday’s Hard to Kill including their top two championships.
Moose became a two-time TNA World Champion with his win over Alex Shelley in the night’s main event while Jordynne Grace ended the 182-day run of Trinity as Knockouts Champion to begin her third reign with the gold.
It’s Moose’s first run with the top title since April 2022, ending Shelley’s 218-day reign. Moose earned the shot by gaining a briefcase containing a contract in last October’s Feast or Fired match at Bound for Glory.
After the match, the debuting Nic Nemeth (the former Dolph Ziggler in WWE) made his promotional debut and confronted Moose.
In the co-main event, Grace picked up the win over Trinity after hitting a deadlift German suplex, spinning backfist, and her Juggernaut Driver to get the victory.
It’s the third Knockouts title reign for Grace and her first since last January’s Hard to Kill when she lost the title to Mickie James in a title vs. career match.
After a months-long feud, Crazzy Steve finally defeated Tommy Dreamer to win the Digital Media title in a no DQ match on the pre-show. Steve had won a title opportunity in the aforementioned Feast or Fired match but in their initial match in November, he won by DQ, leaving Dreamer with the title.
It’s Steve’s first title run of any kind since a Tag Team title run in 2016 with Abyss. Dreamer’s reign ends at 127 days and ten successful defenses.
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The Knockouts Tag Team titles also changed hands as Decay (Havok & Rosemary) regained the gold by defeating MK Ultra (Masha Slamovich & Killer Kelly) in a match that was previously not announced.
With the win, Havok & Rosemary begin their third reign with the titles and their first since February of 2023 while MK Ultra’s reign ends at 182 days and four successful defenses.
Two champions did leave Hard to Kill with their reigns intact including TNA Tag Team Champions ABC and X-Division Chris Sabin who both retained in multi-person matches.
Impact Wrestling turns back the clock once again with a special edition focusing on their alternate 1980s universe: the Impact Provincial Wrestling Federation.
The Canadian-based IPWF features Impact talents under alter egos. While Impact has yet to release any detailed preview for tonight, Eddie Edwards (“Cowboy” Colt McCoy), Jordynne Grace (Georgia Cobb), Rich Swann (Rapid Delivery Pete), Josh Alexander (Tim Burr), and Santino Marella were featured on the promotional images.
The history of Throwback Throwdown dates back to 2019. After a year off, the second edition (2021) was held in Louisville, Kentucky, while last year’s event took place in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This year’s show was taped at Santino Marella’s Battle Arts Academy in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada — the location of the inaugural edition.
The company is beginning their final stretch under the Impact Wrestling banner as their previously announced branding change back to TNA Wrestling kicks off in January 2024.
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IPWF opened with Giuseppe Scovelli, Jr. (Josh Matthews) and Ignatius Quigley (Alex Shelley) on commentary, as they ran down the show.
Rapid Delivery Pete (Rich Swann) defeated Kamikaze
They pretty much worked this exactly like an 80s match, which I am sure if it
The fans chanted “We want Pizza” at Pete, who presumably brought the three boxes of pizza to ringside because he was in between deliveries as he came down to the ring. Kamikaze attacked Pete from behind to get the heat. Pete hit an armbar and then a bodyslam, but Kamikaze rolled to the apron to escape.
Kamikaze locked on an abdominal stretch and then grabbed the ropes a few times for the heat. The referee caught him on the last one, and Pete was able to hip toss out of it. Kamikaze did a nerve hold on Pete, who fought out as the fans clapped, but Kamikaze locked on a sleeper hold. Pete got his hands up before the third drop, and the fans chanted “Pizza!” because they wanted free pizza from Pete. Pete fought out and hit a running splash for the win.
–A hype video aired for Boris Alexiev (Santino Marella), talking about how he killed Muscles McGee, and he threatened to kill Tim Burr (Josh Alexander).
–George the Iceman brought out DJ 2Large (Moose) for an interview. He was dancing his way to the interview set, so it appears we have seen Dancing Moose again. DJ said that he was happy because he defended his gold, the International Commonwealth Television Championship. He welcomed all challengers, and the 361,000 Man was aiming to take the title, but he promised to squeeze the soul out of him.
The 361k Man (R.D. Evans) came out and said that everyone had a dollar amount, but he was renamed the 369k man now, because of some investments. He offered to buy the title from DJ 2Large. DJ refused. DJ rapped his answer. This segment was terrible, but Moose was funny as he danced. 369k Man introduced his new talent who attacked DJ called The Masked Brother. DJ said he was going to beat up The Masked Brother later.
–Walter Chestnut (David Penzer) was backstage with Neptune (Shera), his client, hoping to terrorize the IPWF as Giuseppe Scovilli Sr. put them out of business. Neptune was going to face Frank the Butcher later.
–Giuseppe Scovilli Sr. (Scott D’Amore) said that Frank the Butcher (Rhino) was going to beat Neptune and leave them without a job.
–Red Letter (Jody Threat) was with George the Iceman and she said she might as well be Rapid Delivery Red Letter for how fast she was going to beat her opponents, and Rapid Delivery Pete walked up and claimed he was the only Rapid Delivery around. Iceman and Letter did not recognize him.
Frank the Butcher (w/ Giuseppe Scovilli Sr.) defeated Neptune (w/ Walter Chestnut)
Rhino actually hit a really nice clothesline in this match to win. That’s about all I can say.
Butcher and Neptune brawled around ringside at the opening of the match, and Neptune got the heat after shoving Butcher into the ring post. The Butcher hit a back elbow, a chop to the head, and a nice clothesline for the win.
–Giuseppe Scovilli then made Chestnut and Neptune janitors for the company.
The Sunday Morning Express (The Editor in Chief (Chris Sabin) & The Paper Boy (Jack Price)) defeated The Hard Workers (Otis Oates (Deaner) & Harry Hall (Jake Something)
Deaner was utterly ridiculous in this, and the bright spot of the show thus far. Oates did the classic spot with the Editor where he fed Editor’s arm to Paper Boy, who wasn’t looking, and ended up doing several arm breakers on his own partner. The Sunday Morning Express put Oates in an adominal stretch and made Oates read their paper. The Editor went to the top rope, but it was a bit too high, so he went down to the second, but caught the foot Oates put up and missed an elbow. The Paper Boy got a cheap shot on Hall and the Editor got the pinfall with a roll up.
–I refuse to recap the segment that followed which involved a wrestler vomiting on another wrestler in response to a prank.
Colt McCoy (Eddie Edwards) & Georgia Cobb (Jordynne Grace) defeated Rusty Iron (Gia Miller) and Rip Razor (Ace Austin)
There is really not a lot to say about this match, other than I’m not used to seeing Gia Miller wrestle. Iron hit a low blow on McCoy when Razor got the attention of the referee, and Iron did her best impression of Luna Vachon. Rip Razor, smoking in the ring, beat on McCoy, but missed a corner charge letting McCoy roll him up for a two. Cobb tagged in and hit a Vader bomb on Iron for a two count. Razor pulled a knife on the referee, but ate a forearm from Cobb, which let him get hit with a cutter. Cobb then hit an airplane spin on Iron for the win.
The Masked Brother (w/ the 369k Man (R.D. Evans)) defeated DJ 2Large (Moose) to win the International Commonwealth TV Championship
The Masked Brother had several weapons concealed in his gear, and 2Large forced him to dance with a full nelson. The referee caught the 369k Man putting the feet on the roes and ejected him. Brother locked on a chin lock, but before he passed out, 2Large started dancing to break out, and danced up and hit a big boot but missed a leg drop and The Masked Brother hit an elbow for 2.
The referee went down with a missed knee strike by The Masked Brother, causing the clothesline from 2Large not to work for the pinfall. The Masked Brother fell to the floor after an atomic drop, and Chestnut and Neptune came out cleaning the floor and distracted the referee, letting two masked men come in as henchmen but DJ took them out. DJ missed a clothesline and The Masked Brother hit DJ with a cellphone to get the win.
–Tim Burr (Josh Alexander) cut a promo on Boris saying that the Fall Maul tournament got out of hand, as Muscles McGee was murdered by Alexiev). The Walking Lumber said he would not go down so easily, and he was going to beat Alexiev.
Tim Burr (Josh Alexander) defeated Boris Alexiev (Santino Marella) (w/ Col. Corn (Johnny Bravo)
Alexiev basically worked as Santino in the early part of the match, unable to shove Tim Burr or hurt him with chops. Burr dropped him with a chop, and then dropped him again with several. Burr hit two overhead chops in the corner, and Burr chopped both his legs before hitting a chop block. Very chop based offence from the lumberjack here. Burr went to the top rope and Corn pulled Burr of the top rope.
Alexiev missed with the Iron Claw, and accidentally grabbed the top rope and he couldn’t let go because of a neurological defect that makes it difficult for him to let go of the hold. Burr hit the ropes when Alexiev was on the top rope, causing him to crash to the mat. Burr continued to chop, something The Chop and Roll Express would be proud off, including a chop as Alexiev came off the top rope.
Alexiev ended up locking a crossface on Burr, but Burr made the ropes. Burr dodged a claw attempt, and Alexiev accidentally put it on Corn, who went into convulsions. Burr then hit a chop off the top rope for the pinfall.
Before their Knockouts Championship match at Hard to Kill, Trinity & Jordynne Grace are set to team up at Final Resolution.
Impact Wrestling announced today that Trinity & Grace will face Deonna Purrazzo & Gisele Shaw in a tag team match at Final Resolution 2023 on Saturday, December 9. The show is taking place from Don Kolov Arena in Toronto.
At Bound for Glory last month, Grace won the Call Your Shot gauntlet match. Grace then immediately declared that she would be using her title shot to face Trinity at Hard to Kill in January 2024. Impact Wrestling is officially rebranding back to TNA Wrestling starting with that pay-per-view.
Trinity won the Knockouts Championship from Purrazzo this July. Since then, Trinity has successfully defended the title against Purrazzo twice. As a stipulation of her loss to Trinity at Turning Point, Purrazzo can not challenge for the Knockouts title again while Trinity is still champion.
Final Resolution will stream live on Impact Plus, Impact’s Ultimate Insiders YouTube service, and Fite TV. Here’s the updated card for the show:
Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) vs. Josh Alexander & Zack Sabre Jr.
Trinity & Jordynne Grace vs. Deonna Purrazzo & Gisele Shaw
“Speedball” Mike Bailey vs. Trey Miguel
Moose vs. Rhino
Digital Media Champion Tommy Dreamer defends against Deaner
Trinity made her Impact Wrestling debut this past April, eventually following up by winning the Knockouts title after defeating Deonna Purrazzo at Slammiversary.
Since then, the former Naomi in WWE has successfully defended her title against Purrazzo in a rematch, Mickie James, Alisha Edwards, and Emerson Jayne.
However, this January at TNA Hard To Kill in Las Vegas, she has perhaps her toughest challenge yet as she defends against former two-time Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace.
In a recent conversation you can watch in full above, Trinity spoke about becoming champion, leading the Impact women’s division, her favorite career moments this year, and more.
Winning The Knockouts Championship
She explained that her goal coming into Impact was to win the Knockouts title, but she had no idea how long that journey could take.
“I was willing and ready to do whatever I had to do to accomplish this goal, and it’s just been an incredible journey, all of it, the whole the whole experience with Impact.”
Fatu said winning the championship felt “very, very surreal” and described feeling nervous in preparation for the big moment.
“I was so nervous and there was so much to prepare for — so much unexpected things that I stress about because I want every performance to be perfect and be my best. But you just have no control over that when you’re wrestling in front of a live crowd. You never know what’s going to happen. So I really didn’t have time to think or process the getting good in the wind. I was just so…just in it. And then when it was finally over, it was such a lot of surreal and relief and happiness and just an overwhelming flow of joy and tears and everything.”
She went on to credit Purrazzo for elevating her and being one of her favorite people to wrestle because she has learned so much from her.
“She’s one of the best, one of my favorite people to fight because she just elevates anybody she’s in there with. She’s such a phenomenal wrestler and I feel that I’ve grown and learned so much having to go against her more than once.”
Leading the “fierce” Knockouts division
As Knockouts Champion, Trinity is at the mountaintop of the women’s division. She explained that she does feel an “incredible amount of pressure” because the locker room is filled with so many women that are capable of being in her spot and leading the division.
“It’s an incredible amount of pressure because I feel that we have such an incredible roster, locker room, strong talent, and every woman is capable of leading and holding it down. So it definitely makes me want to just continue to be my best, because the second I’m not there, there’s going to be someone there to to fill that role.”
She went on to add that having that kind of division pushes her to be better in every way.
“They really push me to be better in every aspect of the division and wrestling. I want to represent our ladies the best way I possibly can. And, we’re fierce. The whole locker room is fierce.”
Challenges she has faced since joining Impact
Joining a new promotion can be challenging as you find your way and work with new people. Trinity described what the biggest challenges have been for her so far while working with Impact including wrestling longer, main event matches.
“I definitely think the the type of matches that I have been in that I have never experienced before. Also, getting more time, main eventing shows, it’s not easy. But I also feel that that’s what I needed to grow and also to believe in myself. And, to be put in those positions to prove to myself and everyone that I’m capable. I’m very thankful for Impact for giving me that space and opportunity to just show who I am without limitations.”
The best version of her
When Trinity had just signed with Impact, we had spoken about the big career change in her life, going from WWE to her new home. She had mentioned in our last interview that she didn’t know if she was going to actually return to pro wrestling.
I asked her about how she felt going from that period in her life to where she is now, both holding gold and main eventing.
Fatu agreed that this is the best version of herself so far, but that she is still “growing and evolving” and that she feels this isn’t the “last evolution” of her that fans will see.
“I think that the time away and that time off (between WWE and Impact) really helped me to navigate, to figure out what I really wanted and what I needed to do for myself and just as a performer and the impact I wanted to have on women’s wrestling. I was able to really think about all those things and process it all and really miss it.”
Fatu added that she had gotten to a point where she was just very “burned out mentally, physically and emotionally” and thought she might be done.
“But having that time away really helped me through to just see clearly that I wasn’t done. And there’s more of me to give in the wrestling business, and to my fans and to just come back and finish in a way that I feel is really respectable and good for me.”
She further explained that it didn’t feel right to her to just stop and end her career.
“It didn’t feel right to me, you know, stopping where I was. It just wasn’t sitting right in my spirit, and so it motivated me to come back and I’m here and I’m so happy that I did. But I also I’m happy for that experience.”
Hard To Kill
On January 13th, Trinity kicks off the year with one of her toughest challenges to date against Jordynne Grace at Hard to Kill.
Grace won the Call Your Shot gauntlet at Bound for Glory which earned her a championship opportunity of her choosing. Grace chose to come after Trinity and the Knockouts title.
She has never faced Grace before, but said she’s going to practice very hard so that’s she confident when she gets into the ring with her.
“Jordynne is definitely someone that I have never faced and never faced anyone like her. And I’m going to be training and practicing very hard so that I’m confident in myself when I step in that ring with her. I think she may be one of my toughest challengers so far, and I just want to make sure that I’m prepared. When I step in the ring with her in Vegas in January. I got a couple of months to get some new stuff down that I think I’m going to need for her because baby girl is strong and baby girl is one of the best.”
Trinity is officially set to put her Knockouts Championship on the line against Jordynne Grace at Hard to Kill.
Impact Wrestling has confirmed that Trinity vs. Grace for the Knockouts title will take place at Hard to Kill on Saturday, January 13, 2024. The pay-per-view is taking place at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. It marks the start of a new era with Impact Wrestling changing its name back to TNA.
Trinity vs. Grace became official for Hard to Kill after Trinity retained her Knockouts Championship against Deonna Purrazzo at Impact’s Turning Point special in the United Kingdom. Gail Kim was the special guest referee for the title bout. Following the match, there was an angle between Purrazzo and Kim. It ended with Kim laying out Purrazzo with Eat Defeat.
Grace earned a title shot of her choosing by winning the Call Your Shot gauntlet match at last month’s Bound for Glory PPV. Immediately after her win, Grace declared that she would challenge for the Knockouts Championship at Hard to Kill.
Trinity defeated Mickie James at Bound for Glory to remain Knockouts Champion. She’s held the title since July.
Two new matches have been announced for Impact Wrestling Turning Point 2023.
Impact revealed on Wednesday that Jordynne Grace vs. Dani Luna, and The Motor City Machine Guns vs. Moose & Brian Myers have been added to the lineup for the show.
Turning Point takes place Friday, October 27 at the Walker Activity Dome in Newcastle Upon Tyne. It will air on Friday, November 3 on Impact Plus. The show is part of Impact’s UK Invasion tour, which also stops in Glasgow on October 26, and in Coventry for shows on October 28 & 29.
Moose & Myers are coming off a win over PCO & Rhino at Impact’s tapings from Memphis last month. The MCMGs lost an Impact Tag title match to the Rascalz at Victory Road in their last match for the promotion.
BREAKING: @JordynneGrace will face @DaniLuna_pro at #TurningPoint at the Walker Dome in Newcastle on October 27 as part of the UK Invasion Tour, airing November 3 on IMPACT Plus.
This will be just the second time Grace and Luna have wrestled each other. Grace defeated Luna in the Revelations Of Divine Love Tournament semifinals at Progress 94 in 2019.
Grace has only wrestled one singles match since returning to Impact last month. She defeated Deonna Purrazzo at Victory Road. Luna has yet to win a singles match in Impact, having dropped matches to Purrazzo and Jody Threat.
Impact Wrestling Turning Point 2023 lineup:
Will Ospreay vs. Eddie Edwards
Jordynne Grace vs. Dani Luna
The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) vs. Moose & Brian Myers
Eric Young & Josh Alexander vs. Subculture (Flash Morgan Webster & Mark Andrews)
Tonight’s Impact Victory Road from White Plains, New York, will feature several title defenses, a return, and a match months in the making.
Former Impact World Champions Josh Alexander and Steve Maclin will go head-to-head in a match that originally slated to happen at April’s Rebellion.
Jordynne Grace will return to the ring for the first time since May as she faces rival Deonna Purrazzo.
X-Division Champion Lio Rush will defend against KUSHIDA.
Knockouts Champion Trinity will defend against Alisha Edwards while Knockouts Tag Team Champions Killer Kelly & Masha Slamovich defend against Gisele Shaw & Savannah Evans.
Impact Tag Team Champions The Rascalz defend their gold for the first time as they face the Motor City Machine Guns.
Digital Media Champion Kenny King will put his title on the line against Tommy Dreamer’s career while Bully Ray takes on PCO under anything goes rules.
The show will also include Crazzy Steve vs. Black Taurus and two pre-show matches.
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Alan Angels defeated Little Guido Maritato
Little Guido facing Alan Angels on am Impact preshow was not something I had on my calendar for 2023, but as the match was about to start, the picture went out with this message being displayed:
he first (and hopefully only) production problem tonight. Thankfully a few moments after that, the show came back on as Guido was working over the shoulder of Angels. As Guido let the referee check on Angels, Angels stood up, raked the eyes, and hit Angels Wings for the win.
–PCO was wandering in the parking lot, and apparently this parking lot in the New York area is the cousin of the NXT parking lot, as PCO was hit by a car driven by Bully Ray.
ABC (Ace Austin & Chris Bey) defeated Moose & Brian Myers
Perfectly fine tag match here, though it does make me wonder what Impact is doing with Moose, given his main event status. I would much rather seem him teaming with Eddie Edwards more often than Myers.
Bey out maneuvered Moose at the start of this match, frustrating him. Bey and Austin continued the assault against Myers, with Moose looking increasingly frustrated on the apron. Moose was able to drop Austin when the referee was distracted and they got the heat on Bey for the next few minutes. Moose slowed it down against Bey and hit a chop, but Bey ducked the next and fired back with 3 chops before Moose raked the eyes and tagged out to Myers.
Bey countered a powerbomb and tagged out to Austin, who immediately ran wild. As this was happening, for a split second, the announcer audio came through the house mic loudly, and then there was awkward silence in the audience as it was a jarring noise. Austin, however, floated through the ropes, bounced of the middle rope, and hit a kick on Myers. Not long after, Bey was able to roll up Myers for the pin as Moose made the dive to try and make the save.
Impact Wrestling Victory Road Main Card
Impact X-Division Champion Lio Rush defeated KUSHIDA to retain
This match ruled. Rush and KUSHIDA are both so good, and I know KUSHIDA has fallen into his role as gatekeeper to the starts in New Japan, but he still has plenty left in the tank. I hope we see him get another run as IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion or something on NJPW Strong, or even here in Impact. Great match.
KUSHIDA started the match chasing after Rush all over ringside and in the ring, but using speed that is not the typical chase, as they weaved in and out of the ropes and the ring in a really cool way. After another chase, KUSHIDA almost punted the arm of Rush, but Rush pulled away to the apron at just the right moment. KUSHIDA grabbed him and put the Hoverboard Lock on, and let go before 5, only to kick the arm and start working Rush over. That opening sequence was so awesome.
KUSHIDA hit a shotei palm strike and put Rush on the top ropes before knocking him off to the apron. Rush had to gouge the eyes to get KUSHIDA away from his arm. KUSHIDA however, was able to go right back to the left arm, and then did an armbar across the bottom rope and turnbuckle on Rush. As KUSHIDA brought Rush back into the ring, Rush rolled KUSHIDA up and hit a spinning kick and a clothesline for a 2-count.
Rush grabbed the X-Division title but the referee did not let him use it. Rush grabbed KUSHIDA’s sunglasses instead, and danced around ringside to boos from the crowd. KUSHIDA rolled Rush up in response for a 2-count and went right for the Hoverboard Lock out of it. Rush countered and sent KUSHIDA to the apron before hitting a handspring kick. Rush went for a lowpe but KUSHIDA caught him with the Hoverboard Lock on the floor.
Back in the ring, Rush went for the Spanish Fly, but KUSHIDA countered again into the Hoverboard Lock. The fans went crazy with how often KUSHIDA was able to counter into it. Rush and KUSHIDA both hit kicks from their backs, trying to spring up to hit their opponent and both were down. Both wrestlers exchanged forearms in the middle of the ring. KUSHIDA caught Rush in a cravat and then hit a series of knees. KUSHIDA accidentally swung his arm into the referee, and Rush low blowed KUSHIDA and hit the Final Hour for the win.
–Santino was backstage with the medical team as PCO laid on a gurney, apparently dead (or unconscious), bur PCO stat right up as soon as the doctor said he couldn’t compete and he screamed for Bully Ray and walked away with the doctors looking completely shocked. He’s basically a zombie, this really shouldn’t surprise anyone in Impact.
Impact Knockouts World Tag Team Champions MK Ultra (Masha Slamovich & Killer Kelly) defeated Gisele Shaw & Savannah Evans (w/ Jai Vidal)
Impact made the right call with MK Ultra continuing to win, as they are two of the best characters and workers in the division.
Slamovich and Kelly dominated Shaw in the early part of this match, including Kelly hitting a stalling fisherman’s suplex for a 2-count. Evans low bridged Kelly and they were finally able to get some offence against Kelly. Evans hit a butterfly suplex on Kelly for a 2-count. After kicking Shaw, Slamovich tagged in for the hot tag and ran wild, hitting yakuza kicks all over the ring, but Jai Vidal got on the apron and distracted the referee, allowing them to double team Slamovich.
Evans then accidentally hit a big boot on Shaw after Slamovich ducked. Kelly took out Vidal on the apron, but Evans recovered enough to hit a big boot on Slamovich. Evans picked Slamovich up with a fireman’s carry, but Slamovich countered into a sleeper, so Evans threw her off. Slamovich got up, hit a spinning hook kick and then the Snow plough on Evans for the pinfall.
–PCO was screaming for Bully Ray backstage, and Ray ran up behind him and started beating on him with a chair, screaming that he was just a man. Ray then brought some gasoline out and poured it on PCO. PCO spit gasoline into the eyes of Bully Ray after that though, saving himself from being set on fire.
Crazzy Steve defeated Black Taurus
This wasn’t bad. Steve’s new character is working, I think, as the audience seems to be genuinely creeped out by Steve.
Taurus did not waste any time waiting for Steve, attacking him as soon as the bell rang. Steve bailed to the floor and Tom Hannifan stood up ready to run away. Steve told him to relax and that he was witnessing something beautiful be born. He then got back in the ring and sent Taurus to the corner, setting Taurus on the top rope before hitting a springboard clothesline for a 2-count.
Steve then said he was going to take the eyes of Taurus, but Taurus countered it for a bit until Steve hit a Russian legsweep. After some brief exchanges, Taurus went for a Samoan drop, but Steve countered with a crucifix driver for a 2-count. Taurus managed to hit the pop up Samoan drop after a reset, so the first one may have been a botch, and both men were down. Taurus hit a hard forearm to drove Steve, and hit a second after blocking a punch.
Taurus hit two sling blades, and a Knightfall backbreaker. Steve screamed he was sorry at this point, saying he didn’t want to fight. Taurus turned around, unsettled, so Steve attacked him from behind and went to the floor to pull out a fork he hid under the announce table. Steve’s usage of the fork was blocked, letting the referee take it out of the ring, but Steve gouged the eyes and hit a tornado DDT for the win.
–Gia Miller was with Tommy Dreamer talking about his match with Kenny King. Dreamer said that if tonight was his last match, he was very proud to have it in front of his fans in New York, in the same building he became a wrestling fan when he was 10-years old.
Tommy Dreamer defeated Kenny King (w/ Sheldon Jean) to win the Impact Digital Media Championship in a Title vs. Career match
This was all smoke and mirrors, as it needed to be, despite not being a hardcore match. King got a lot of heat on Dreamer until the end, not dissimilar to a Terry Funk babyface match. This will probably be the worst match on the card, but the crowd was red hot, and Dreamer did work very hard in it. Heartwarming finish, and that is all we need sometimes.
Tommy Dreamer came out wearing Terry Funk inspired gear, and his daughters were in the front row to cheer him on. The crowd was very hot for this, as King hit an arm drag and the fans exploded into “Tommy Dreamer” chants while one person cheered for King. That was amusing. There’s always one fan that has to cheer the heel.
Dreamer hit an arm drag of his own before hitting a Cactus clothesline to the floor on King. Dreamer requested a bottle of water from the fans, spitting it into the face of King. Dreamer then hit the ropes going for a tope by King cut him off with a kick. Credit to Dreamer, he had me believing he was running full force for a dive.
King went to the top rope buy spent too much time trash talking the fans and got hit with a gorilla press. King rolled to the floor and managed to suplex Dreamer on the ramp. King hit an Eddy Gordo kick on Dreamer, and faced off with Dreamer’s daughters, saying he was their father now.
King ended up getting hit with a superplex from Dreamer for a 2-count. Dreamer and King then exchanged punches, with Dreamer hitting his Dusty style punches before hitting a bionic elbow. King got up and hit a spinebuster after a kick for a two count. King went for a superkick, saying “I’m sorry, I hate you!” but Dreamer hit a cutter for a 2-count.
King got out of a Death Valley Driver, and taunted Dreamer’s daughters again after necking Dreamer on the ropes. King then hit a blockbuster for a 2-count. The announcers completely missed Kenny King going for the spinning toe hold, calling it a figure four, but Dreamer rolled him up for a two count.
Dreamer then hit a Death Valley Driver and a Terry Funk style piledriver for a 2-count. Dreamer looked at his Terry Funk shirt and called for a moonsault, but Sheldon Jean distracted the referee, allowing King to cut him off. The referee ejected Jean, and as he was doing that, Heath ran in and hit the Wake Up Call, allowing Dreamer to hit a DDT for the pinfall.
–The hype video for this match was awesome, with Purrazzo doing an awesome voiceover about how Grace couldn’t beat her, while Grace is seen training with the images of her previous losses to Purrazzo playing. This was great.
Jordynne Grace defeated Deonna Purrazzo
Really good match from Purrazzo and Grace here, with Grace finally getting a one on one win over Purrazzo.
Grace hit a northern lights suplex on Purrazzo right away to start the match for a 2-count. Grace fell short on a dive and Purrazzo took advantage, locking on a double wristlock and driving Grace back into the apron. Grace and Purrazzo exchanged elbows as they ran the ropes until Purrazzo tried to hit a head scissors into an armbar, but Grace shoved her off and hit a bodyslam. Purrazzo’s work over the arm made Grace hesitate, but Grace was able to hit a Michinoku driver for a 2-count.
Purrazzo hit a suplex and transitioned to an armbar as soon as Grace kicked out. Purrazzo called for the Queen’s Gambit, but Grace shoved her back to the corner and went for a superplex after driving the face of Purrazzo into her knee. Grace then rolled through straight into a Jackhammer for a 2-count.
Purrazzo and Grace exchanged attempts at the Juggernaut driver, but it ended with Purrazzo hitting a coup d’état for a two count. Grace hit forearms from the apron before both wrestlers hit a clothesline and were down. Purrazzo ran the ropes, but Grace countered and hit a Deadeye for a two count.
Purrazzo was able to hit a head scissors into an armbar, but Grace immediately countered into a pinfall attempt. Purrazzo did not let that stand, transitioning back to the armbar. As Grace tried to escape, Purrazzo went for the Queen’s Gambit. Grace then countered a few attempts at this before finally hitting the Juggernaut driver for the pinfall.
PCO defeated Bully Ray in a No DQ Match
This is what you would expect it to be, but was fun.
PCO attacked Ray as he tried to leave the building, and they ended up on the ramp with Ray throwing PCO down the ramp. He then screamed “Do you know who I am?” with all of his fear suddenly gone. Oops. Should have kept the attack up looking scared to be consistent there. Ray pulled a garbage can out from under the ring and hit PCO with it and the camera shook as he hit it, making me dizzy, though it was not Kevin Dunn production bad.
Ray put three tables in the ring while PCO setup chairs on the floor. Ray punched PCO off the apron, and PCO fell off into the chairs. That was a quick payoff. Ray setup tables in each corner of the ring, except one. Ray setup a fourth table on the floor, but PCO hit him with a garbage can. The bell finally rang as they went into the ring, and Ray sent PCO throw all three tables that he setup.
Ray sent PCO out of the ring through the fourth table, and PCO sat up like nothing, and Ray tried to run away again. Santino Marella came out with security and told him that he had to finish the match. Ray slapped Santino, and Santino pulled out the cobra, and hit it on Ray, sending him right to the feet of PCO. PCO setup a ladder in the ring and tried to hit a flip off the top rope onto Ray on the ladder, but Ray got up and threw PCO onto the ladder and pulled more tables into the ring.
Ray pulled a cowbell out and went to hit PCO with it, but PCO grabbed Ray and chokeslammed him for a 2-count. PCO pulled a cheese grater out and hit a low blow with it. PCO then hit a flip off the top rope onto Ray through a table, but the table didn’t break. PCO set it up in the corner instead and sent Ray through it for the win.
–Eric Young and Scott D’Amore were with Gia Miller talking about Impact 1000, saying that they were there for the very first episode of Impact, and they were going to be there, while D’Amore screamed “Yes! Yes! Yes!” at the camera like he used to as the leader of Team Canada.
Impact World Tag Team Champions The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachery Wentz) defeated The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin)
The story of this match is that the Motor City Machine Guns outclassed The Rascalz, who, while talented, were not able to compete without cheating. Unfortunately, they basically got screwed by a dumb referee in the finish, but it does add to the heat for The Rascalz. Sabin and Shelley were honestly unbelievably great in this match, and this was probably the best match on the show thus far, giving Lio Rush and KUSHIDA a run for their money. The Rascalz were good too, but all the little things Sabin and Shelley do really set them apart. Impact is fortunate to have them.
Sabin started the match with Miguel, and the announcers noted that the last time they were one-on-one on Impact, Zachery Wentz debuted and attacked Sabin. Sabin and Shelley used their great teamwork to counter all the attempts of the Rascalz to get on top of the early portion of the match, but after Sabin and Shelley pulled them to the floor, the Rascalz ducked under them and hit stereo superkicks.
Sabin and Shelley didn’t let that advantage last long though, hitting dragon screws on the legs of Wentz, starting to tear apart his knees. Shelley made sure Wentz’s back was to the referee, and he pulled Wentz by his face to the corner to tag out to Sabin. That was a really well done spot, and Shelley is only repaying them for their cheating, while being better at it than the younger wrestlers ala a babyface Ric Flair. That was great.
Shelley did a spinning toe hold on Wentz, and the announcers got the move right this time, but did not note the Terry Funk reference. Shelley and Sabin then got stereo figure four leglocks on both men to the delight of the fans. The story of the match is that thus far is that Shelley and Sabin are far above both Wentz and Miguel in terms of their technique, including using the rules and referee blindness to their advantage.
Wentz managed to hit a handspring into a knee, and tagged out to Miguel. Miguel posed on the floor, so Shelly brought Miguel onto the apron via face pull, but Miguel gouged the eyes and suddenly Miguel and Wentz had some measure of control for a little bit, sending each other into dropkicks on Sabin and Shelley both, who were in opposite corners.
Sabin was able to hit a dragon screw on Miguel, and hit a second on Wentz, and then one on both of them at the same time, as again, the Motor City Machine Guns had an answer to everything the Rascalz were doing. Sabin then hit a tope suicidia to the floor on both wrestlers. Sabin and Shelley hit a double team dropkick and flatliner for a 2-count. Wentz went to the eyes of Shelley, in a bit of revenge, and superkicked Sabin and hit a double stomp for a 2-count.
Miguel went for the belts to try and hit Sabin, but the referee took his belt away. Unfortunately, he missed Wentz hitting Sabin with the belt for a 2-count. Miguel called for spray paint, and as Wentz went for it, Shelley pulled him to the floor and Sabin and Shelley hit a combo superkick and PK. Miguel hit a handspring kick to knock both men off the apron and then hit a tope con giro to the floor.
Miguel went to hit Sabin with the belt again, but Sabin and ducked and then hit a tornado DDT on Miguel onto the belt. As Sabin was going for the pin, John Skylar pulled the referee from the ring. The referee was a complete idiot here, as he thought Shelley may have pulled him out, costing himself the match, rather than Skylar who was right there, and the referee questioned both men. While this was going on, Wentz sprayed paint into the eyes of Sabin and Miguel rolled him up for the 3.
Impact Knockouts World Champion Trinity defeated Alisha Edwards
This was far better than it had any right to be, and it’s because Trinity is so likable and Alisha Edwards did a wonderful job being a heel. The in ring was rough in a few spots, but they worked very hard and had the audience the whole time. This was great. Not a great match, but great for how hot the crowd was.
Trinity was cheered wildly by the fans as she came out, and they threw glowsticks into the ring as she posed with the Knockouts championship. That was great. Edwards grabbed the mic and said she didn’t understand the New York’s fans booing because of their dumb accents. Again, great.
Trinity hit some kicks in the corner, a PK, and a legdrop while doing the splits as the fans chanted “Ucey” which brought a big smile to Trinity’s face. Edwards managed to hit a neck breaker on Trinity out of the corner for a two count. Edwards hit some weak chops to Trinity before going for a tornado DDT, but Trinity countered and shoved Edwards away.
Trinity charged the corner, but ate a drop toe hold into the bottom turnbuckle. Edwards locked on a body scissors and hit forearms to the back of Trinity. The crowd booed her loudly. Trinity hit some short arm clotheslines and a back suplex into a back breaker across both of knees for a 2-count. Edwards countered a full nelson bomb and Trinity went for a kick well above her head and took the head off the referee by accident.
Trinity locked on starstruck and even locked hands together to crank it in even more, but Eddie Edwards broke it up and then setup a table on the floor to put Trinity through. Frankie Kazarian and Traci Brooks ran out and made the save, putting Eddie Edwards on the table and then telling Trinity to hit a dive off the top rope, hitting Edwards with a splash that only broke the table legs. Poor Trinity screamed “Ow!” after that.
Alisha Edwards, meanwhile grabbed a kendo stick and hit Trinity with it. Trinity kicked out to a huge reaction from the crowd. Trinity then hit a full nelson bomb, and I think they were supposed to roll over into starstruck, but something went wrong, so Trinity smartly adjusted and pinned her, and only people watching closely would see it.
–A video played announcing the new inductees to the Impact Wrestling Hall of Fame, announcing Mike Tenay and Don West. This was so perfect. The video then faded out to Tom Hannifan and Matt Rehwoldt, with Hannifan clearly emotional, saying that there was no Impact Wrestling without the voices of Tenay and West, and they were walking the roads that they paved. This was really nice, and I found myself tearing up too because we lost Don West far too soon.
Josh Alexander defeated Steve Maclin
This match ruled. Oh my goodness, I missed Alexander in the main event having these kind of matches. Steve Maclin looked incredible too, as Impact really does have two main eventers who can deliver every time they are out there. This main event was absolutely fantastic and my favourite match of the show, as they wrestled a G1 level main event. Watch this match and enjoy great pro wrestling.
It only seems right for Josh Alexander to be in the main event of an Impact show, and here he was starting where he left off – in a match with Steve Maclin. Both men wasted no time going for hard chops and strikes, with Alexander hitting several hard ones on Maclin on the floor before Maclin drove him into the apron.
Alexander hit a brainbuster on the apron and threw Maclin into the ring. As Alexander got back on the apron and looked back to the audience for a split second, Maclin jumped up and yanked the left arm of Alexander across the ropes and then drove him into the ring post. Excellent spot. Maclin hit a knee drop on the arm of Alexander, and Alexander immediately slapped Maclin in response, so Maclin returned the strike and hit a uranage into a backbreaker on Alexander.
Alexander, however, had a series of German suplexes ready to unleash, hitting ten rolling suplexes with a bridge for a 2-count, and Maclin in kicking out immediately went to an arm lock on Alexander who had to make the ropes. Fantastic spot that highlights Alexander’s ability while showing Maclin’s clear headed thinking.
Maclin hit a lowpe on Alexander and then wrapped Alexander’s arm up in the ring steps before kicking them. Alexander blocked an arm lock with some chops, but fell to the mat when going for a float over at the turnbuckle, and Maclin ran in and locked on the London Dungeon. Alexander was able to dodge a kick and hit a back suplex with his right arm.
Maclin went for an armbar, but Alexander scrambled and hit some palm strikes to the face of Maclin. Maclin went for a busaiku knee on Alexander, but he caught him and went for the ankle lock. Maclin rolled forward, sending Alexander crashing into the middle turnbuckle. Alexande dodged a charge, hit a hard forearm to the back of Maclin’s head, and then hit a torture rack bomb for a 2-count.
Alexander went for a moonsault, but Maclin put Alexander in the tree of woe. Alexander hit a spear in the corner and then hit a KIA on Alexander, but Alexander fell to the outside. As Maclin went for a lowpe in response, Alexander caught him and swiped him aside, forcing Maclin to crash to the floor in brutal fashion. As Alexander tried to drag himself into the ring, Maclin hit a chop block, and Alexander barely made it back in. Both men exchanged forearms in the middle or the ring before trading hard strikes and chops.
Maclin went for a hard haymaker, but Alexander instinctively blocked it with his left arm, letting Maclin hit a brainbuster before going for a diving headbutt. Alexander got his feet up, and rolled him up. Alexander then kicked the inner thigh of Maclin, forcing him to drop to his knees, targeting the formerly injured groin of Maclin, and then hit the C4 Spike for the pinfall.
Final Thoughts
Impact is really on a roll with their specials and PPVs right now, as was another great one. Between their shows and the big AEW shows the last few weeks, I have seen so much good wrestling that it’s almost overwhelming. I’m not complaining though, as this was a delight to watch and I highly recommend checking this show out if you get the chance, especially the main event.
Nearly the full card for next Friday’s Victory Road streaming special was announced during Thursday’s Impact on AXS TV.
After a spirited promo exchange Thursday, former ECW icon Tommy Dreamer will put his career on the line against Digital Media Champion Kenny King’s title. Dreamer said this has been the hardest year of his life and maybe he could do something great for this business and for King’s future by putting his career on the line.
The streaming special from White Plains, New York, will also feature several other key title matches in addition to a high-profile match months in the making.
After winning a battle royal on Thursday’s show, Alisha Edwards will challenge Knockouts Champion Trinity. Trinity successfully defended her title for the first time when she defeated Deonna Purrazzo at last Sunday’s Emergence. Edwards has never held Impact gold.
Purrazzo faces rival Jordynne Grace who will be making her return to Impact for the first time since late-May when she lost to then-champion Purrazzo.
In a match that was planned for April but had to be pushed back due to injury, Josh Alexander vs. Steve Maclin will clash in a meeting of former Impact World Champions.
X-Division Champion Lio Rush will finally defend his title against no. 1 contender KUSHIDA who earned his opportunity by winning an Ultimate X match at July’s Slammiversary.
New Tag Team Champions The Rascalz will put their titles on the line for the first time as they defend against former champions Motor City Machine Guns (Impact World Champion Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin).
PCO will finally get his opportunity to gain revenge on Bully Ray as they go one-on-one after PCO has stalked Ray for weeks.
Here’s the current card:
Digital Media Champion Kenny King defends against Tommy Dreamer in a title vs. career match
Knockouts Champion Trinity defends against Alisha Edwards
Deonna Purrazzo vs. Jordynne Grace
X-Division Champion Lio Rush defends against KUSHIDA
Impact Tag Team Champions The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz) defend against Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley)
Hall of Famers and both past and current Knockouts Champions will be part of an all star 10-woman tag team match on the 1000th episode of Impact Wrestling.
Current champion Trinity will team with former champion Jordynne Grace, Hall of Famers Gail Kim and Awesome Kong and a mystery partner against former champions Deonna Purrazzo and Angelina Love, Gisele Shaw, Savannah Evans and a mystery partner.
The episode is being filmed at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, New York on Saturday, September 9th, to air the following Thursday.
This will be Kim’s first match since 2019’s Rebellion and Kong’s first since 2020. Love will be making her return to the company for the first time since 2017.
Grace will make her return to the company the night before at Impact’s Victory Road in her first appearance since late-May while Trinity will defend her title against a battle royal winner.
Here’s the current lineup:
Impact World Champion Alex Shelley defends against Trey Miguel
Trinity, Jordynne Grace, Gail Kim & Awesome Kong and a mystery partner vs. Deonna Purrazzo, Angelina Love, Gisele Shaw, Savannah Evans & a mystery partner
As of now, Impact has not announced whether the 27-year-old has signed a new contract with the company. She became a free agent in May and it was reported she was taking some time away from wrestling to focus on other projects.
The last time that Grace wrestled saw her lose to then-champion Deonna Purrazzo with a stipulation: that she was unable to challenge Purrazzo for the title as long as she was champion.
As of now, Grace’s appearance is the only thing announced for Victory Road with the majority of the card expected to be revealed during Monday’s post-Emergence TV taping.
Former Impact Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace has become a free agent, first reported by Fightful.
Grace was unsuccessful in her challenge of current champion Deonna Purrazzo at Friday’s Impact Under Siege and thus was ineligible to face Purrazzo again as long as she was champion.
Fightful reported that Grace’s deal expired this month and that she is going to take some time away from wrestling to work on outside projects. In April, she took first place in several categories in her first bodybuilding competition and has also become a millionaire through her OnlyFans page.
The 27-year-old both debuted for the company and signed her first deal there in 2018, followed by her signing a multi-year extension in 2021.
She departs as a two-time Knockouts Champion, first holding the title during the height of the pandemic era of wrestling in 2020 and then again in the second half of 2022 before losing it to Mickie James in a title vs. career match at this past January’s Hard to Kill.
She was also a Knockouts Tag Team Champion with Rachael Ellering and Impact’s first Digital Media titleholder.
Impact Wrestling returns tonight with Under Siege from London, Ontario, Canada.
The event will feature nearly every championship defended with Impact World Champion Steve Maclin putting his title on the line against PCO in a no DQ match.
Knockouts Champion Deonna Purrazzo gets a big test in her latest run as champion as she defends against Jordynne Grace. If Grace cannot regain the belt, she can’t challenge Purrazzo again as long as she is champion.
X-Division Champion Trey Miguel will defend against former multi-time champion Chris Sabin while Impact Tag Team Champions Chris Bey & Ace Austin will defend against the debuting Subculture (Flash Morgan Webster & Mark Andrews).
In a six-way to determine the next World title challenger, it will be Eddie Edwards vs. Moose vs. Jonathan Gresham vs. Yuya Uemura vs. Frankie Kazarian vs. Alex Shelley.
The 10-match card will also feature Trinity looking to go 2-0 in her early run as she takes on Gisele Shaw.
**********
Countdown to Under Siege:
The pre-show for Under Siege began with The Coven making their entrance.
Death Dollz (Courtney Rush & Jessicka) defeated Knockouts Tag Team Champions The Coven (Taylor Wilde & KiLynn King) in a non-title match
I like this presentation of Rush far more than her Rosemary character. This was a fun match.
Rush and Wilde started the match. After a brief exchange, Jessicka & KiLynn King tag in and start hitting some hard strikes. Jessicka gets the better of it and this leads to some double team offence from Rush and Jessicka. Rush went for a sharpshooter on Wilde, but King ran up and hit a big German suplex on Rush. Wilde and King got the heat on Rush for the next few minutes, including missing a tag by Jessicka, as the referee was distracted by KiLynn King.
Jessicka managed to tag in and hit a big kick to the face of King before hitting a low cross body to the seated King for a 2-count. Wilde and Rush both tagged in again, and Wilde tried to setup a double team move with King, Jessicka ran in and took out King while Rush countered and locked a sharpshooter on Wilde for the submission.
– Joe Hendry came out and cut a promo about how Dango was experiencing an identity crisis recently, attacking Santino. Hendry said that it didn’t matter if he came out as a ballroom dancer, a fake police officer, or a list of others jobs, because the only job he needed to worry about was coming down to the ring to get beat by Joe Hendry. This was a good promo.
Impact Digital Media Champion Joe Hendry defeated Dirty Dango via DQ to retain
There was not a lot to this match, but it was highlighted by Dango working over the left arm of Joe Hendry repeatedly. Dango hoped to get the win that way, but as he was on the middle turnbuckle holding Hendry’s arm, Hendry pulled him off and hit a cutter. Dango responded by low blowing Hendry for the DQ.
Dango continued the assault after the match, stomping on the arm of Hendry. As he went to the top rope, Santino’s music hit and he ran down and made the save. Dango ran away before Santino could attack, and handed Hendry his title.
Main Card:
Nick Aldis opened the show with his entrance and a great reaction from the Canadian audience.
Nick Aldis defeated Kenny King (w/ Sheldon Jean)
Good opening match here with Aldis and King. Kenny King has really been working different since his MMA style match with Mike Bailey. Aldis looked quite good here as well.
Aldis caught King on a crossbody, and picked it up into a nice vertical suplex. King rolled the floor and let Jean roll into he opposite side of the ring to distract Aldis, but Aldis responded and turned to elbow King as he was rolling back into the ring to attack. Aldis followed King to the floor and got hit with a drop toe hold that drove Aldis face first into the steps.
King managed to hit a great flip over the top rope to the floor on Aldis. King missed a springboard leg drop and Aldis got up and hit a suplex. Aldis went to the top rope for a flying elbow, but King cut him off and went for a superplex. Aldis shoved King off the ropes, but King landed in a back handspring and landed on his feet before running up the ropes with an enziguri. Both men stood up and started exchanging punches. King hit a powerslam for a 2-count.
Aldis hit a Michinoku driver and then an elbow drop off the top rope, but Sheldon Jean got on the apron to distract the referee. Aldis knocked Jean off the apron but gold rolled up by King, who put his feet on the ropes. The referee noticed and broke up the pinfall. King tried to hit a dropkick off the top rope, but Aldis caught him and locked the Kingsland Cloverleaf on for the submission win.
As Aldis was leaving, he noticed something in the audience, and it was Masha Slamovich and Killer Kelly brawling through the crowd. They brawled to ringside and Kelly hit a suplex on the floor that dropped Slamovich. Kelly grabbed a steal chain from ringside and wrapped it around the mouth and neck of Slamovich, attempting to choke her out, and a whole bunch of security and referees ran down to break it up as the fans chanted “Let them fight!” This was a great angle.
– Jordynne Grace was with Gia Miller backstage, and she talked about the potential of losing the match tonight against Deonna Purrazzo. If Grace lost, she would never be able to challenge for the title again as long as Purrazzo was champion, and that would mean her admitting that she wasn’t the best, and she didn’t know what to do if she wasn’t. She was quite emotional here, and Gia Miller looked ready to cry.
Sami Callihan, Rich Swann & Jake Crist defeated The Design (Deaner, Kon & Angels)
This was a really good tag match, with non-stop action and tons of time for everyone to shine. Kon was booked to hide his weaknesses and highlight his strengths, which was no selling and throwing people around. This was very well done.
Crist and Callihan double teamed Angels in the early portion, but it broke down to all 6 men being in the ring soon thereafter and the action spilled to the floor. Angels hit a tope on Callihan while Crist went for a suicide dive on Kon, but Kon hit a forearm to the face of Crist to drop him. Crist got up quickly as Callihan hit Kon with a kick and hit a springboard moonsault to finally drop Kon.
Callihan then power bombed Angels over the top rope onto everyone. Rich Swann was bleeding a lot from the mouth as he, Callihan, and Crist rolled Kon into the ring and hit a triple superkick that Kon no sold. Swann jumped onto the back of Kon and put him in a sleeper while Callihan and Crist hit two superkicks which failed to knock Kon down again. Kon then slammed Swann over his head and onto Callihan and Crist.
Deaner tagged in and got a big reaction, as he worked the Canadian indie scene for years. The Design isolated Crist, who was now bleeding from the ear. Crist managed to hit a flying forearm on Deaner and tag out to Callihan. Callihan signaled he wanted to fight Deaner, offering his chin for Deaner to punch. Both men started brawling, but Crist and Angels came back in again, and soon Callihan and Crist were hitting stereo Death Valley Drivers.
Kon chokeslammed both men, and Angels hit a huge spinning kick on Callihan before hitting a low down for a 2-count. Kon missed a corner charge and Swann came in and superkicked everyone before hitting a double handspring cutter on Kon and Deaner. Angels took out Swann but ate a superkick and a tiger suplex from Angels. Callihan came in and hit a Cactus driver on Deaner. Angels hit a half nelson suplex on Swan, and went for another, but Swann countered into a forward cradle for the pinfall. Good match.
– Gia Miller was with Santino backstage, and he talked about how Dango attacked him. Santino threatened to punch the lights of Dango out.
Trinity defeated Gisele Shaw (w/ Savannah Evans & Jai Vidal)
Trinity looked so happy as the fans cheered, and started the match hitting a nice leg drop on Shaw. Shaw rolled from the ring to regroup. Trinity dodged a corner charge and hit a Stinger splash before hitting flying head scissors on Shaw. Shaw rolled to the floor to regroup again, so Trinity tried to hit a basement dropkick.
Shaw moved, and Trinity came face to face with Savannah Evans. Trinity launched over Evans and hit a Thesz press on Shaw. After rolling Shaw back into the ring, Evans pulled Trinity from the apron onto the floor. Shaw got the heat over the next few minutes, slowly shoving Trinity with kicks.
Trinity blocked the next kick and hit a torture rack backbreaker on Shaw. Trinity hit a series of forearms and a dropkick before spiking Shaw with a head scissors takedown. Trinity hit the split legged moonsault for a 2-count. Shaw cut Trinity off and hit a draping DDT for a 2-count. Trinity dodged the running knee and hit two enziguris to take down Shaw and Vidal, who got on the apron. Trinity then reversed an attempt at a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker into a sunset flip before locking on Starstruck for the submission win.
– Gia Miller was with Subculture backstage, talking to Mark Andrews, & Flash Morgan Webster, & Dani Luna. Brian Myers and The Good Hands came up and said that they should be getting the tag title match first. Subculture then offered The Good Hands their first defense once they beat ABC.
Impact Tag Team Champions ABC (Ace Austin & Chris Bey) defeated Subculture (Mark Andrews & Flash Morgan Webster) (w/ Dani Luna) to retain
What a fantastic tag team title match. This was fantastic, and I hope we see more of Subculture in Impact. This is a team that and act that fits in very well with Impact, and they could use some more great tag teams.
Austin and Andrews started with Austin seeing a drop toe hold blocked, leading to Austin to kick Andrews in the back before tagging out to Bey who continued the assault. Subculture quickly hit some double team moves that involved several moonsaults and sentons on Bey, ending with a North Lights suplex on Bey from Andrews for a 2-count.
Austin managed to tag in and ABC hit the Click Click Boom on Webster, stealing from the Motor City Machine Guns. Austin low bridged Webster to send him to the floor, letting Chris Bey hit a tope con giro. Austin captured Webster’s head between his feet and stomped it down to the mat for a 2-count.
Webster managed to slip through the legs of Bey and tagged out to Andrews. Andrews can in and hit a moonsault to the floor on Bey before hitting a code red on Austin for a 2-count. Austin dodged a corner charge from Andrews and hit a springboard dropkick. Austin and Andrews both tagged out, and Bey and Austin hit a combo enziguri and torture rack bomb for a 2-count.
Andrews was sent to the floor after a low bridge from Austin. Bey and Austin were both sent to the floor by Webster, who hit a flip dive off the corner post to the floor. Andrews managed to hit Bey with a Stundog Millionaire and Webster hit a senton bomb on the back of Bey for a 2-count. Subculture went for a combo knee on Bey, but Bey ended up hitting a poison rana on both men before Bey and Austin hit the One Two Sweet for the win.
– An excellent hype video aired for Trey Miguel vs. Chris Sabin
Impact X-Division Champion Trey Miguel defeated Chris Sabin to retain
This was another excellent match. Impact’s show thus far has been a huge thumbs up, as Sabin showed why he still one of the best going, and Miguel was right there with him.
Sabin quickly outwrestled Miguel and sent him to the floor with an arm drag. Miguel went to the floor again after getting in the ring, thinking he escaped Sabin, but Sabin followed him and hit a running kick off the apron on Miguel. Sabin put Miguel in the tree of woe and hit a hesitation dropkick in the corner.
Miguel was able to get the advantage after sweeping the legs of Sabin with a tiger feint kick on the apron. Miguel hit a senton and a running knee drop in the ring, and locked on a dragon sleeper. Miguel switched to a sleeper hold, but Sabin fought out. Sabin hit a sunset flip for a 2-count and followed up with a DDT. Sabin hit a missile dropkick off the top rope on Miguel and a boot in the corner that Hannifan called a “hell of a kick” in the corner. I see what you did there, Tom.
Sabin hit a German suplex. Sabin and Miguel exchanged uppercuts and strikes back and forth running corner to corner, and it ended when Miguel hit a flying kick and a brainbuster for a 2-count. Sabin rolled under a meteora and hit a dropkick to the knees of Miguel before stomping on the legs of Miguel.
Miguel got hit with a dragon screw by Sabin before getting locked in a sharpshooter. Miguel got to the ropes to escape. Both men ended up fighting on the turnbuckle and Miguel tried to hit a sunset flip bomb off the corer, but Sabin countered. Miguel hit a cheeky nandos kick before hitting a meteora for a 2-count. Miguel slid on his knees through the lower ropes into a tornado DDT on the floor. Miguel missed a second meteora, landing right on the injured knee.
Sabin and Miguel started to exchange chops in the middle of the ring. Sabin kicked the knee of Miguel and hit a chop to drop him. Miguel went for the lightning spiral, but Sabin countered it into a Canadian Destroyer. Sabin hit a massive lariat and went for the Cradle Shock, but Miguel raked the eyes to escape.
Sabin grabbed the referee and thought it was Miguel, but put him down. Miguel dropkicked Sabin into the referee, and Sabin hit the Cradle Shock on Miguel, but there was no referee to make the count. Miguel rolled to the floor and grabbed his spray paint and sprayed it into the eyes of Sabin before rolling him up for the win.
Alex Shelley defeated Moose, Eddie Edwards (w/ Alisha Edwards), Jonathan Gresham, Yuya Uemura and Frankie Kazarian to become the no. 1 contender to the Impact World title
Impact is in London, Ontario tonight, which is not far from Detroit, MI. Shelley spent a lot of time working Ontario indies in his career, so the right call was having him win here. This was fantastic.
Kazarian and Edwards immediately started brawling around ringside. Shelley and Gresham dropkicked Moose off the apron before locking up to start their technical wrestling exchange. Moose came in and tried to chokeslam both of them while Kazarian was suplexed on the floor by Edwards. Shelley and Gresham managed to block the chokeslam and hit dropkicks to Moose’s knees. Shelley hit dragon screw leglocks on everyone before Kazarian came in to cut him off.
Shelley hit a drop toe hold and Kazarian and locked a single leg crab on both Uemura and Kazarian. Moose pulled Shelley to the floor and drove him into the apron. Edwards tried to run at Kazarian, but Kazarian dodged and Edwards spilled to the floor and nailed Moose with an accidental tope suicida.
Gresham hit a hurricanrana on Kazarian but got hit with a big boot from Edwards. Kazarian fought back and hit his draping legdrop on Moose before hitting a springboard legdrop on Edwards. He went for the chicken wing, but Edwards fought out. Kazarian hit an unprettier on Edwards, but Shelley broke up the pinfall attempt. Kazarian hit a backstabber on Gresham and sent him into a flatliner into the turnbuckle by Shelley.
Uemura came into the ring and started exchanging chops with Kazarian and hitting a shoulder tackle. Moose came in and hit a huge uranage on Edwards before power bombing Uemura. Moose rolled through a backslide from Kazarian and hit yet another power bomb. Moose went for another power bomb on Gresham, but Gresham hit a hurricanrana. Moose held on, however, and picked Gresham up and hit yet another power bomb for a 2-count.
Moose tried to hit Uemura with a spear, but Uemura rolled out of the way and hit a flying forearm on Moose. Uemura went for a bulldog on Moose, but Moose shoved him off and Uemura ducked a clothesline from Edwards before hitting a capture suplex on Edwards and the bulldog on Moose for a 2-count.
Moose hit a sky high out of the corner on Uemura, but Shelly broke up the pinfall. Kazarian hit an O’Connor roll on Shelley and a Northern Lights suplex on Edwards at the same time for a 2-count. Gresham hit a few dives, but Kazarian hit slingshot cutter. Everyone hit big moves after this ending with Shelley hitting Shell Shock on Uemura and getting the win!
– Trey Miguel was met by Gia Miller backstage, and Miguel mocked Chris Sabin, leading to Sabin running up to him and attacking. Referees and security came in to separate them.
Impact Knockouts Champion Deonna Purrazzo defeated Jordynne Grace to retain
This match was awesome. Grace and Purrazzo have a ton of chemistry, and the finish was spectacular. I can only imagine what this match would have been like in front of 10,000 people instead of the 1000 or so here at this show, but regardless, the fans loved this one.
The story of the early parts of this match featured Jordynne Grace trying to keep the match hard hitting while Purrazzo tried to turn it into a technical affair. Purrazzo hit a neck breaker on Grace on the apron before hitting a flipping senton off the apron to the floor on Grace. Grace tried to hit a clothesline or punch, but Purrazzo kicked the arm to stop it. However, Purrazzo unwisely tried to hit a head scissors takedown on Grace, but Grace caught it and dumped Purrazzo across the top rope.
Grace went up and over Purrazzo in the corner and hit a German suplex for a 2-count. Grace put Purrazzo on the top rope and went for a muscle buster, but Purrazzo fought out of it and tried to kick the left arm of Grace while coming off the turnbuckle, but Grace dodged and hit a lariat that sent them both over the top rope to the floor. Grace and Purrazzo came back into the ring and started exchanging forearms.
Purrazzo hit a running knee but was unable to hit a Russian leg sweep. Purrazzo hit a head scissors into a Russian leg sweep that she immediately transitioned into a Fujiwara armbar, but Grace countered into a roll up. Grace hit a torture rack bomb for a 2-count. Grace went for a tombstone piledriver, but Purrazzo countered into one of her own for a 2-count.
Grace hit a power bomb and a jackhammer for a 2-count. Grace picked Purrazzo up in a fireman’s carry and tried to climb the ropes, but Purrazzo slipped out and hit a cheeky nandos kick in the corner before hitting a power bomb. Purrazzo went for the Queen’s Gambit, but Grace countered into a Jackknife pin, which Purrazzo countered into Queen’s Gambit for a 2-count. Grace hit a reverse piledriver for a 2-count.
Grace went for the Grace driver, but Purrazzo blocked it. Purrazzo and Grace hit open handed strikes at the same time and both went down. Grace tried to hit the Grace Driver off the middle ropes, but Purrazzo countered out of it and hit Queen’s Gambit off the middle ropes for the pinfall.
– Victory Road is set for Friday, September 8th in White Plains, New York, with the 1000th Impact being taped the following night. I remember the first episode, so this makes me feel very old.
Impact World Champion Steve Maclin defeated PCO in a no DQ match to retain
This is one of the bloodiest matches I’ve seen in Impact ever, and that includes all of Abyss’s wars, and Raven’s insanity. This is not my kind of match, with some of the things that happened, but holy cow they worked hard. Absolutely brutal war between the two, and if you ever doubted the toughness of either Maclin or PCO, then you really shouldn’t.
Maclin and PCO started brawling right away, with PCO hitting a clothesline that took them both to the floor. PCO hit a cannonball through the ropes on Maclin, leading to a huge reaction from the crowd. Maclin suplexed PCO into the ring steps, and it sounded horrifying. Maclin nailed PCO with a cookie sheet and sent PCO flipping to the floor in a horrific thud. It is hard to believe PCO has been taking that bump since the 90s.
Maclin went for a tope suicida and PCO nailed Maclin with a cookie sheet that busted him wide open. There looked to be a huge cut on his forehead, leading to the blood. Maclin hit a low blow and nailed PCO with a chair. Maclin was nailed PCO with the chair several more times and got a 2-count out of it. Maclin hit a spear in the corner on PCO into a garbage can for a 2-count.
Goodness gracious, Maclin took a staple gun and stapled PCO’s mouth shut. PCO grabbed pliers and took the staples out. That was horrifying. Maclin hit PCO with a sledgehammer, and then pulled slabs of concrete out from under the ring. Maclin then put the concrete on PCO’s back and hit it with a sledgehammer like he did on Impact 2 weeks ago, but only got a 2-count.
PCO fired up and hit a DDT on Maclin and then hit a lung blower off the middle ropes. PCO hit a leg drop to the back of the neck of Maclin for a 2-count. PCO hit a senton bomb off the top rope onto Maclin on the apron. Maclin then hit an iconoclasm off the top rope onto the apron on PCO.
PCO somehow got up after this and hit an inverted DDT on Maclin before setting up a series of cinder blocks in the ring. PCO went to the top rope but Maclin cut him off and threw PCO off onto the cinder blocks before hitting the KIA on the blocks for the pinfall.
Maclin grabbed a mic and demanded that Scott D’Amore keep his promise and come down to the ring to put the belt around Maclin’s waste while blood poured down his face and covered the ring. I can’t say that is an image I will ever forget, as D’Amore strapped him up. D’Amore offered to shake his hand, but Maclin refused, leaving the ring and a pool of his own blood behind. Maclin left screaming that he was D’Amore’s boss now.
As Maclin left, Bully Ray came out from the crowd and wrapped a strap around the neck of D’Amore and choked him out in the ring. Maclin said he liked the way Ray thought, and Ray told Maclin to get the tables. Bully Ray pulled out lighter fluid and went to light the table on fire Matt Rehwoldt ran in and told Ray and Maclin to stop. Ray took out Rehwoldt. PCO got back in the ring and briefly tried to fight back, but they took him out.
The Motor City Machine Guns tried to make the save, but they were fought off too. Ray and Maclin lit the table on fire and power bombed D’Amore through it, with Ray getting in the face of D’Amore after, saying that D’Amore would never get rid of him, and he was going to tag the entire company down around him. Ray then held Maclin’s hand up, celebrating with the bloody champion.
Maclin will defend against Shelley at next month’s Against All Odds.
Final Thoughts:
Well, a lot sure happened on this show. After a few shows that felt inconsequential, Impact fired back with this, literally in the case of D’Amore going through a flaming table. I know they tried this angle a few months back with Ray, but the table wouldn’t light. This time it did, and it made it better. The violence against D’Amore escalated from going through a table to going through a flaming table, and now it appears Bully Ray will be aligned with Steve Maclin going forward, hopefully in a more managerial role, with the occasional match.
If you are into great wrestling, this show had plenty of it, and it you are into freak show matches, that main event was definitely one of those. With the angles put forward, and with the quality of matches this didn’t feel like a monthly special, but a big time PPV for Impact. This show was a home run.
On the last stop before her high stakes challenge of Deonna Purrazzo at Under Siege, Jordynne Grace will be in action on this Thursday’s Impact on AXS TV.
Grace will face Alisha Edwards in singles competition the night before she challenges Purrazzo for the Knockouts Champion title. If Grace is unable to win on the streaming special from London, Ontario, Canada, she will be unable to challenge Purrazzo for the title as long as her reign continues.
Grace will be looking for her second straight win while Edwards is trying to rebound from a loss to Jody Threat.
The match was made due to a backstage confrontation Thursday where Edwards claimed Grace hit Purrazzo on purpose during their recent challenge for the Knockouts Tag Team titles.
It’s the latest edition to the Under Siege go-home show that will feature the following lineup:
