For the first time in the AXS TV era, Impact Wrestling will go live Thursday for a special edition, priming fans for the Impact x NJPW Multiverse United pay-per-view happening directly afterward.
While the show will preview the live PPV from Los Angeles, several never-before-seen matches will take place including one between now-former Impact World Champion Josh Alexander and KENTA from their Las Vegas tapings.
Alexander had to relinquish the title last week due to a torn triceps while KENTA will defend his NJPW Strong title against Minoru Suzuki on the PPV.
In another match featuring someone not on the show, Will Ospreay will take on Homicide. Ospreay had to pull out due to a shoulder injury as Hiroshi Tanahashi will take his place against “Speedball” Mike Bailey Friday.
Miyu Yamashita will also make her Impact in-ring debut while the BTI pre-show will see Brian Myers against Jack Price.
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BFI Preshow
George Iceman told us that Mickie James was in Los Angeles for Impact x NJPW Multiverse United tonight, and he speculated what role she would have on the show.
Brian Myers defeated Jack Price
This was a good match, with Myers doing a great job getting heat for Price’s comeback. At some point, the fans spontaneously started chanting “The Price is right!” getting into his comeback. This was a good showing for Price, who could be something if they decide to push him. He’s good in the ring, has a good look, and can get the crowd behind him. Myers did a great job being the heel foil for him though, necking him on the ropes and then hitting a Roster Cut for the pinfall.
Main Show
This episode of Impact featured a lot of recap videos from NJPW and Impact both highlighting the matches leading into the PPV. The first 30 minutes of the show featured that with the occasional commentary from Fred Rosser and others about the show, who is wrestling, and the stories of the characters heading into the matches. It would have been good to have character videos like this for a few weeks heading into this show to give the matches a bit more of an emotional stake.
–A Jody Threat video aired, as she discussed her upbringing and taking what she wants by force, debuting next week.
–Mickie James joined the studio to discuss her injury.
Miyu Yamashita defeated Killer Kelly
Very solid match here. Yamashita looked good in her Impact debut, and Killer Kelly didn’t lose a thing in losing here, as she was able to get a ton in and looked like she just barely lost. Getting over in losing!
Yamashita got a great reaction from the Canadian audience, feeling right at home. Yamashita was not intimidated by Kelly at all. Yamashita and Kelly exchanged strike attempts early on, before Yamashita decided to take it to the ground with submissions where Kelly is comfortable. Kelly trapped the arms of Yamashita and hit capture headbutts before suplexing Yamashita into the corner and hitting a dropkick for 2.
Yamashita and Kelly exchanged hard forearms in the middle of the ring before both went down and rolled to the floor. The crowd applauded loudly for it. Kelly and Yamashita hit hard kicks outside the ring, ending with Kelly hitting a PK from the apron. Kelly hit a fisherman’s suplex for a 2-count.
Kelly kicked the legs out from under Yamashita and locked on the Killer clutch, but Yamashita rolled out of it and picked Kelly up with a deadlift German suplex before hitting the skull kick for the pinfall.
–A hype video and promos aired for Moose and Jeff Cobb.
Impact World Champion Josh Alexander defeated KENTA to retain
Man, Impact is going to miss Josh Alexander while he is out with injury because this match was fantastic. KENTA brought it in this one, working a main event level match, and Alexander did everything to make him look good in losing, showing KENTA as the legend he is. This will be overshadowed by Alexander’s injury and the Multiverse United show taking place after, but it is worth watching regardless, as it was likely Alexander’s last title defence before his injury.
This match was taped prior to Alexander’s injury and surgery. KENTA immediately went to the eyes of Alexander and both men started exchanging holds. As soon as KENTA got caught in an ankle lock, he grabbed the ropes and hit a drop toe hold to start getting the heat on Alexander. When they came back from break both men were exchanging hard strikes, ending when KENTA hit a series of hard kicks that sent Alexander to the floor.
KENTA sent Alexander face first into the ring post. KENTA hit a hard kick to the back and then a knee drop to Alexander. KENTA weakly kicked Alexander to taunt him before hitting some hard ones to the chest. Both men then exchanged hard strikes. Alexander hit a rolling fireman’s carry, which Hannifan called a senton, for a 2-count. Alexander went for a German suplex and KENTA ripped off the turnbuckle trying to block it.
KENTA went for a tornado DDT, but went over to the apron, necking Alexander on the ropes and then went for a crossface, but Alexander made the ropes. KENTA continued to hit hard kicks, but Alexander drove KENTA back to the corner. As they came back from break, Alexander was attempting to hit the C4 Spike but KENTA responded with hard strikes to break out, and then both men hit strikes at the same time and went down.
KENTA and Alexander exchanged hard strikes before KENTA was able to hit the draping DDT on Alexander. KENTA hit a Mafia kick in the corner and then a hesitation dropkick followed by the flying double stomp for a 2-count. KENTA called for Go to Sleep, but Alexander slipped out. KENTA responded with hard palm strikes, rocking Alexander. KENTA went for Go to Sleep again, but Alexander caught the leg and went to the ankle lock.
KENTA rolled out and sent Alexander into the exposed turnbuckle that KENTA accidentally exposed earlier for a 2-count. KENTA hit the Busaiku knee for a 2-count. KENTA hit a spinning back fist, but Alexander responded with hard strikes of his own before finally hitting the C4 Spike. This match was awesome.
