Mickie James’ Last Rodeo came to an end at Impact Hard to Kill, but not in the way many expected as she defeated Jordynne Grace in the main event to regain the Knockouts title.
In the match’s latter stages, James fought out of two rear naked choke attempts including one where it looked like she tapped out. Grace had her in a fireman’s carry, but James escaped and dodged a Grace charge into the corner. She then hit her tornado DDT to get the pin and win.
James is now a five-time Knockouts Champion with this marking her first reign since March 2022. She had begun this Last Rodeo run last year, saying she wanted to regain the title but would retire if she lost before that happened.
After the win, James’ family, sans husband and former Impact star Nick Aldis, celebrated in the ring with her.
How the rules have changed and what did and didn’t work this year
The copies of War Games
Why WWE didn’t do War Games on the main roster, and why they started it on NXT
Business notes on how the show did, live, streaming, PPV
Crossover audience between War Games and Full Gear and Crown Jewel
Full show coverage with poll results
The story behind William Regal’s AEW departure
Why many questioned the MJF booking
Best of Seven notes
PPV number updates, as well as updates on the last four AEW PPV shows
Who bought Full Gear, Forbidden Door or All Out and patterns
Revenue, movie gate numbers and more
Notes behind the title changes
Match by match coverage and poll results on the show
Updates on the Royal rumble, ticket sales and more notes
New Japan and Stardom Historic X Over
The story behind Kairi winning the IWGP title and not Mayu Iwatani
The story behind Omega vs. Ospreay
Match by match coverage and poll results
C.M. Punk mocks the brawl, Young Bucks & Kenny Omega mock C.M. Punk, and more
TV ratings over the past two weeks, including where AEW faltered this week and did great the week earlier and it’s the same group, the huge drop during the show of Raw, what about Smackdown was the best of the year for the show, and where wrestling ranked in the sports charts and the entertainment charts the past two weeks
Wrestling legend gets honored by an international embassy
Cain Velasquez wrestling and the story behind it
Stardom PPV show coverage
Updates on all the traditional Japanese tournaments
Update on Kota Ibushi
Fantastica Mania news
Generational legends battle this past week
Ricky Steamboat comes out of retirement
Plan for a statue of iconic wrestler to be built in his home town
Battle of Los Angeles news
Mayor Glenn Jacobs in the middle of controversy
Injury changes the winner of a tournament
Major WWE legend coming out of retirement in December
One of the most well traveled wrestlers of all-time passes away
Former ECW and WWE star retiring
Thoughts on wrestlers whose contracts are coming due
New angle off television for recently signed AEW wrestler
International TV ratings
AEW & WWE streaming numbers
Lots of new UFC main events
Conor McGregor gets sued twice
UFC gaming controversy
MMA returns to CBS prime time
PFL season finale
Paul Levesque talks WWE future
Big stock rise for WWE and why
Nick Khan and Stephanie McMahon talk WWE business, international, buying companies and more
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Sunday News Update
We have a show up from yesterday with Garrett Gonzales talking about all the business news from the last week in wrestling, William Regal, AEW booking, WWE pie in the sky winter and more. Bryan and I will be up tonight with more weekend news. We will likely have time for questions on the show as well, so if you are a video subscriber you can send questions during the show.
The Hall of Fame issue of the Wrestling Observer will be out on Thursday night. There are eight new entrants into the Observer Hall of Fame this year.
We have a new book out for the Christmas season, the Wrestling Observer 1995 yearbook, available here and here. The book covers the entire year of 1995 similar to other other yearbooks that have been put out in recent years.
Want to send our sympathies to Mickie James whose family had a tragedy a few days ago with her brother and her 16-year-old niece being killed in an auto accident. Her sister-in-law was also injured in the accident. Her sister-in-law is in serious condition. A friend of her niece who was 15 also passed away in the accident.
DirecTV and FOX came to a carriage agreement right at the wire for several more years so the idea FOX stations will be off DirecTV as had been talked about during the week isn’t happening. It really couldn’t happen as neither side could have afforded it with the big football games this weekend.
Dustin Rhodes was at a Great Lakes Championship Wrestling show last night and announced he will close out his career in 2023. Rhodes still works for AEW as a coach and trainer.
The Cincinnati Bengals tweeted this out today as Jon Moxley and Renee Paquette were part of their pre-show activities:
Results from last night’s AAA show in Tempe, AZ: Mascarita Sagrada & Willie Mack & La Perruska b Latigo & Demus & King Drago, Lady Maravilla & Chik Tormenta b Sexy Star & Lady Shani, Sanson & Forastero & Cuatrero b Dave the Clown & Arez & Komander, Cain Velasquez & Blue Demon Jr. & Pagano b Taurus & Sam Adonis & Gringo Loco, El Hijo del Vikingo & Pentagon Jr b Daga & Flip Gordon (thanks to Andy Nemmity and Thomas DeCenso)
They did live commentary over the speakers. The show got great reviews. That’s how AAA does it these days. Velasquez was over like crazy. Not one person booed him and he was treated like he was a conquering hero. I was told this was something to see live. The match was also said to be great. I was told he was better in the ring than before even with spending so much time out of the ring and in jail. He was flying around, although at times he was stiff moving. Sam Adonis did a great job with him, and Taurus is the most unheralded super worker around as far as the ability to make people look good The main event was said to have been the best match.
JBL will be doing a high stakes poker game skit on Raw tomorrow night from Washington, DC.
We’re looking for reports from the WWE weekend shows in Rochester, NY last night and Petersburg, VA tonight to [email protected]
At last night’s show, after Seth Rollins lost the main event to Austin Theory in a U.S. title match due to a low blow, Rollins curb stomped him after. He then talked about how Rochester is a special place to him because Mr. Brodie Lee/Luke Harper is from here and he was one of his best friends and said that was the first time since his death he’s wrestled in the city and said he wanted to tell everyone that he missed and loved Lee.
The only stuff regarding wrestling, MMA or boxing to make the Google Searches for the week was both yesterday. The UFC show, likely because it was back on ESPN, had 500,000 searches even though it wasn’t a PPV show. It was sixth place yesterday. That was well ahead of both Survivor Series and Full Gear. Tyson Fury’s challenge was No. 9 at 200,000.
The city of Stockton gave Nate Diaz the keys to the city yesterday. Mayor Kevin J. Lincoln presented them to him at a Stockton Kings (Sacramento Kings G-League team) game and Lincoln praised Diaz for his grit and determination every time he fought.
The New Japan tag team tournament continues with a 4:30 a.m. Eastern show Monday morning from Sasebo with the junior heavyweight tournament. The bouts are Kushida & Kevin Knight vs. champs TJP & Francesco Akira, Ryusuke Taguchi & Clark Connors vs. Yoh & Lio Rush, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Douki vs Sho & Dick Togo, Tiger Mask & Robbie Eagles vs Titan & Bushi and Alex Zayne & Lindaman vs. Ace Austin & Chris Bey.
Drew McIntyre was announced as replacing Braun Strowman in the main event of the 12/26 show in Madison Square Garden. It’s McIntyre & Sheamus & Butch & Ridge Holland vs. Sami Zayn & Solo Sikoa & The Usos, plus they announced Bray Wyatt would be on the show. (Thanks to Mike Omansky)
The retirement match of Mike “Nova” Bucci took place last night in Toms River, NJ Eddie Edwards & Davey Richards b JP & Tommy Grayson Tommy Dreamer b Warhorse, Miranda Alize b Christina Marie, Jerry Lawler (managed by former major league baseball star Todd Frazier) b Rik Ratchett, Dave McCall & Nate Carter b The SATs, Anthony Greene won over Alec Price, Ant Bennett, Dan Maff, LSG and Myles Hawkins to be Skywalker champion, Nick Aldis b Shawn Donovan to win the SAW title, Mike Bucci & Aron Stevens & Frankie Kazarian b Pat Buck & Matt Cardona & Brian Myers. Bucci gave a speech after the show, talking about being from Toms River, and talked about Frankie Edgar and Frazier working his retirement show.
NXT from last night in Gainesville, FL: Mandy Rose b Ivy Nile-DQ to retain the women’s title, Ivy Nile & Roxanne Perez & Tatum Paxley b Mandy Rose & Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley & Sol Ruca b Cora Jade & Kiana James, Scrypts b Ikemen Jiro, Carmelo Hayes b Andre Chase, Axiom & Oro Mensah b Charlie Dempsey & Taivon Heights, Alba Fyre b Isla Dawn-DQ, Wes Lee & Bron Breaker b Tony D’Angelo (back wrestling) & Channing Stacks Lorenzo (thanks to Matthew Ray)
Other Notes
TripleMania from Mexico City aired Friday night on television in Los Angeles. (thanks to Mike Lano)
Konosuke Takeshita was announced for the 1/21 Warrior Wrestling show in South Bend, IN.
Results from today’s Stardom PPV show at the Makuari Messe: AZM & Miyu Amasaki b Saki & Waka Tsukiyama, Mirai & Amy Sohrei b Hanan & Saya Iida, Hazuki & Koguma b Maika & Himeka, Nanae Takahashi & Yuu b Natsuko Tora & Ruaka, Syuri & Tomoka Inaba b Mai Sakurai & Lacy C, Mayu Iwatani & Momo Kohgo b Saki Kashima & Fukigen Death, Momo Watanabe & Starlight Kid b Giulia & Thekla, Utami Hayashishita & Saya Kamitani b Tam Nakano & Natsupoi, Nanae Takahashi & Yuu b Utami Hayashishita & Saya Kamitani to win the long tag team tournament, Kairi faces Hayashishita on the 12/29 show at Sumo Hall. It is a non-title match as the title mach for the IWGP belt will be on 1/4 at the Tokyo Dome against Tam Nakano. (thanks to Shannon Walsh, David Popper, David Hayter, and Tim Hunter)
Kirk White’s family presented Big Time Wrestling Friday night in Newark, CA: Truex b D-Rouge, Viva Van b Mylo, Dave Dutra b EOC, Eddie Cuervo b Ishmael Vaughn, The Freaks b Ballard Twins, Shane Kody & Patrick Fitzpatrick b The Honor Society, Aaron Solo b Bobby Fish. the next show is 1/20 featuring a Battle Royal for the famed Roy Shire Battle Royal trophy (thanks to Jim Davis)
The new Black Belt magazine has a tribute to Gene LeBell.
IWS from last night in Montreal before 650 fans: Dani Leo b Katrina Creed, Sway Archer b Leon aver, Sexxxy Beasts b Casanova Productions and Bay City Choir Boys in a three-way, Alex Maze & Sonny Solay b Nathan Yarymovitch & Steven Manzano, Lince Dorado & Fresh Air b TDT & Buxx Belmar, Green Phantom b LuFisto to keep the IWS Canadian title, Melanie Havok b Kristara to keep the women’s title, Benjamin Tull over FTM, Myung Jae Lee and Karl Jepson in a four-way, Jay White b Zak Patterson. They will be working with GCW on shows 3/11 in Montreal and 3/19 in Toronto (thanks to Pat Laprade)
Asuka, also known as Venny (not the WWE wrestler obviously or Lioness Asuka the 80s and 90s star) captured the Sendai Girls world title yesterday from Chihiro Hashimoto. As Venny, she was in an AEW women’s tournament for a title shot in the past.
Mickie James will face her toughest test yet as part of her “Last Rodeo” series as she is set to challenge Impact Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace at January’s Hard to Kill.
It will be Grace’s title against James’ career per the self-induced stipulation by James several months ago that her next loss would send her into retirement.
James defeated Deonna Purrazzo in Thursday’s main event on AXS with Grace coming out afterward to congratulate James and offer up a challenge for the title at the January 13th pay-per-view.
James is a four-time Knockouts Champion and has never faced Grace before. Grace will be looking for the seventh defense of the title she won at June’s Slammiversary.
The title match is the second made for the January show from Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia.
Here’s the current card:
Impact World Champion Josh Alexander defends against Bully Ray
Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace defends against Mickie James in a title vs. career match
Mickie James has been announced for Impact Lone Star Stampede.
The promotion revealed on Wednesday that James will make an announcement at the television tapings from Dallas on Friday, August 26.
James has been teasing retirement in recent weeks as well. On August 8, she responded, “No. I feel I’m done in wrestling” when asked if she would return to WWE for the Women’s Tag Team Championship tournament. She followed that up with a post about why it might be a good time for her in-ring career to end.
“I appreciate you. Honestly I’ve been so blessed & love my fans so much! I wouldn’t have had all this without you. What is left for me to prove anymore? What else can I do? Id rather bow out screaming ‘Womens Wrestling Matters’ from the top of the mountain than the valley,” James wrote.
Impact Lone Star Stampede takes place on Friday, August 26 & Saturday, August 27 from the Factory in Dallas. Also announced for the first night of tapings is Deonna Purrazzo vs. Masha Slamovich and The OGK (Mike Bennett & Matt Taven) challenging the Good Brothers (Doc Gallows & Karl Anderson) for the Impact World Tag Team Championships.
A tag team match is the latest addition to Impact Wrestling’s Against All Odds special.
Deonna Purrazzo & Chelsea Green will team up as they face Mickie James & Mia Yim at Against All Odds this Friday night. The match was announced after a challenge that was issued by Purrazzo & Green.
Purrazzo & Green claimed that James & Yim were the reason they weren’t able to win the Queen of the Mountain match at Slammiversary. Jordynne Grace won the match to become the new Impact Knockouts Champion.
James was the special guest enforcer for the Queen of the Mountain match. There was a spot during the match where Yim knocked over a ladder that Purrazzo & Green were on, sending them crashing through two tables on the outside.
Against All Odds is taking place in Atlanta this Friday night and will air live on Impact Plus/Impact’s Ultimate Insiders YouTube service. The updated lineup for the show is listed below:
Impact World Champion Josh Alexander defends against Joe Doering
Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace defends against Tasha Steelz
Raven’s Clockwork Orange House of Fun match” Moose vs. Sami Callihan
Honor No More vs. The Good Brothers, James Storm & two mystery partners
Deonna Purrazzo & Chelsea Green vs. Mickie James & Mia Yim
Though she won’t be wrestling at the pay-per-view, Mickie James will be playing a role at Impact Wrestling’s Slammiversary 2022.
James announced during an appearance on the Battleground Podcast that she’ll be the special guest enforcer for the first-ever Queen of the Mountain match at Slammiversary. The PPV is taking place in Nashville, Tennessee on Sunday, June 19.
The Queen of the Mountain match will see Tasha Steelz defend her Knockouts World Championship against Deonna Purrazzo, Chelsea Green, Mia Yim, and Jordynne Grace.
James brought up during her Battleground Podcast appearance that she has history with Steelz, Purrazzo, and Green. James said that, in addition to making sure the match is fair, she wants to make sure whoever wins is on notice. James said she always has her eyes on the prize.
James lost the Knockouts title to Steelz at Sacrifice this March.
This year’s Slammiversary is Impact Wrestling’s 20th anniversary celebration. Here’s the updated card for the PPV:
Impact World Champion Josh Alexander defends against Eric Young
Queen of the Mountain match: Knockouts World Champion Tasha Steelz defends against Deonna Purrazzo, Chelsea Green, Mia Yim, and Jordynne Grace
Ultimate X match: X-Division Champion Ace Austin defends against “Speedball” Mike Bailey, Kenny King, Trey Miguel, Jack Evans, and Alex Zayne
Impact Tag Team Champions The Briscoes defend against The Good Brothers
Impact Digital Media Champion Rich Swann defends against Brian Myers
Monster’s Ball match: Moose vs. Sami Callihan
Honor No More (Mike Bennett, Matt Taven, Eddie Edwards, PCO & Vincent) vs. Impact Originals (Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin, Frankie Kazarian & two wrestlers to be announced)
Aron Stevens opened the show with May Valentine. He announced that he was done with wrestling. Stevens said the NWA was a place for him to be revitalized, but it was time for him to be done. Valentine started crying, and Stevens asked for the camera to be cut. It looked like Valentine had feelings for Stevens, and she asked him to go to Brazil with her. Stevens said it was a solo thing, and Valentine cried. This was bizarre.
Billy Corgan was on commentary, and briefly discussed what Stevens said, saying he wasn’t sure Stevens was done, but for now he was.
A brief recap of La Rebelion and The Briscoes from last week was shown.
Nick Aldis defeated Mike Bennett
Great match to open the show with Bennett getting a lot of shine in this one. Aldis won after selling for the most of the match and just scraped by with a win due to his toughness. A nice little self-contained story in this one.
Bennett started the match charging at Aldis before he could get his jacket off, but Aldis moved and Bennett crashed into the middle turnbuckle. He staggered around at the start of the match, but Aldis immediately hit him with a Michinoku Driver for a 2-count. Aldis hit a clothesline for a 2-count.
Aldis caught a crossbody attempt and moved it into a vertical suplex for a 2-count. Bennett locked a kimura on Aldis while Aldis tried to superplex him, then snapped the arm over the top rope to begin working it over. Bennett hit a forearm that dropped Aldis and continued to attack the arm, including hitting a baseball slide into the arm.
Bennett went for a spear but Aldis got a knee up. Aldis went for a vertical suplex, but was unable to lift Bennett due to the damage to his arm, and Bennett hit a suplex of his own. Alids hit some clotheslines with his good arm, but landed on the bad one after a flying European uppercut. Bennett went for a sleeper but Aldis drove him back into the turnbuckle. Bennet jumped over Aldis and then hit a spear for a two-count.
Bennett hit a rolling elbow to Aldis and went for a piledriver, but Aldis blocked it and attempted to counter into the Cloverleaf, but his arm prevented him from locking it on. Aldis rolled through a sunset flip attempt by Bennett and went for the cloverleaf again, but managed to lock it on this time, and Bennett tapped out.
Matt Cardona was backstage and claimed that Aldis lost, and he will not be getting a rematch. Cardona told Aldis to get to the back of the line.
The Fixers (Wrecking Ball Legursky & Jay Bradley) defeated The Rude Dudes (Jamie Stanley & El Rudo)
Rudo kicked Wrecking Ball and Wrecking Ball just yelled. This distressed El Rudo. Jay Bradley threw Stanley around the ring as El Rudo was beaten up by Wrecking Ball. Corgan claimed that Wrecking Ball got his email and sends him an email saying “Fixers Rule!” everyday. I somehow don’t doubt this story.
Rudo and Stanley locked on some headlocks, but failed when they attempted shoulder tackles a few times. The Fixers yelled “Fixers!” every time they didn’t sell the tackle. Rudo ran up the ropes and hit a crossbody, this actually worked for him. Rudo and Stanley managed to throw the slightly smaller Jay Bradley into Wrecking Ball, but the advantage didn’t last long as Wrecking Ball hit a gorilla press on Rudo and hit a cannonball on Stanley.
Stanley tried to Irish whip Bradley, but Bradley sat down and then threw Stanley face first into the chest of Wrecking Ball. In a confusing spot, Stanley kicked out of an O’Connor Roll from Bradley which somehow sent Bradley flying through the middle ropes into a suicide dive that hit his own partner. It also ended up being a pointless spot as The Fixers hit a knee drop and splash combo on Stanley a few minutes later for the pin.
A highlight video aired of Jax Dane successfully defending his NWA National title against Marche Rockett on NWA USA.
Pope talked about the ups and downs of life, and how despite his loss to Matt Cardona, he was going to keep going.
Mims was there for the Tyrus Slam Challenge. This was actually fun as Mims succeeded in slamming Tyrus on his third try. The first one ended with Tyrus just pushing him away. The second one ended when Tyrus hit him with a forearm. Tyrus then hit the ropes but Mims picked him up and slammed him.
Mims took out BLK Jeez, Clearwater, and then hit the Big Strong Slam on Rockett, securing a title shot against Tyrus. The crowd was going nuts for Mims. This was fantastic, and Mims should absolutely beat Tyrus for the TV title. Austin Idol claimed he was going to sue and not give the match to Mims.
Matt Taven and Jennacide were backstage with May Valentine. Taven wanted to challenge Matt Cardona, so he was going to work his way up the ladder by taking on Judias next week. Jennacide wanted to move up towards the title as well, and announced she would be facing Kilynn King and Chelsea Green.
Billy Corgan then announced that there was going to be a six-man tag next week, with Harry Smith, Doug Williams, and Nick Alids against the Cardonas.
Angelina Love joined the commentary table for the main event.
Mickie James defeated Kenzie Paige
This was a very solid match between James and Pagie. Kenzie Paige was not out of place in the ring with James, which speaks well of how good she is despite her young age.
Mickie James used her experience to keep Paige down with some basic headlocks and wrist locks. Paige sidestepped a dropkick and did a crucifix pin for a two-count. They quickly transitioned into pinfall attempts before Paige tried to lock on a crossface. James made the ropes, but Paige pulled her back into a wrist lock that James cartwheeled out of into an armdrag.
James hit a hard forearm and then hit a running boot. James caught a superkick and transitioned into a half crab, but Paige made the ropes. As Paige got up, she hit a superkick for a two-count. Kenzie had James in a submission, but Mickie ducked down and got out of it before hitting a neckbreaker on Paige. Paige hit a kick to counter James, but ate a flapjack. James went for the Chick Kick, but Paige ducked and hit a clothesline for a two-count. James then hit her DDT for the win.
The show closed as James shook hands with Paige.
Final Thoughts
This was a very solid episode of NWA Power, barring the bizarre opening angle that left me confused. The rest of the show, however, began to set up matches for the June 11th PPV, Alwayz Ready. This was a very enjoyable hour of pro wrestling, and I must say, again, that Billy Corgan on commentary is significantly better than not having him on it because he knows where the stories are going, and tells them fairly well.
Matt Cardona and Chelsea Green will face the team of Nick Aldis and Mickie James over WrestleMania weekend.
Impact Wrestling announced Friday that the match will take place on April 1st at Impact Multiverse of Matches. The show is part of WrestleCon 2022 and will air live beginning at 10 PM Eastern on FITE TV.
On Thursday’s Impact Wrestling on AXS, Green turned on James as she was facing Tasha Steelz for the Knockouts Championship in a street fight. Green faked as though she was coming to James’ rescue as she was being beaten down by Steelz and Savannah Evans, but she simply sat down in the chair she had with her and let them continue their two-on-one attack.
After the match, Cardona delivered a Radio Silence to James just before the show went off air.
The angle is also being playing out in the NWA. At last weekend’s Crockett Cup, Cardona retained the NWA World Heavyweight Championship against Aldis. Guest referee Jeff Jarrett disqualified Aldis after falsely believing James had given him a low blow when it had actually Green who delivered the shot.
The updated lineup for Impact Multiverse of Matches is below:
The Good Brothers (Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows) vs. The Briscoes (Jay & Mark Briscoe)
Ultimate X match: X-Division Champion Trey Miguel defends against Chris Bey, Vincent, Rich Swann, Willie Mack, and Jordynne Grace
Eddie Edwards vs. Tomohiro Ishii
Jay White vs. Chris Sabin
Josh Alexander & Jonah vs. Moose & PCO
“Speedball” Mike Bailey vs. Alex Shelley
Deonna Purrazzo Champ Champ Open Challenge
Mickie James & Nick Aldis vs. Chelsea Green & Matt Cardona
Former WWE and Impact champion Mickie James will make her GCW debut as part of Joey Janela’s Spring Break 6 during WrestleMania 38 weekend.
James will take on Allie Katch as part of the first of two nights of Spring Break action, set to begin next Thursday in Dallas, Texas, and wrapping up on Saturday.
Spring Break 6 is part of GCW’s The Collective series of events that also includes Bloodsport, For The Culture, Wrld on Lucha, and more.
This will be the first time the two have ever faced off and is James’ first indie appearance since 2016.
Here’s the current lineup for next Thursday and next Saturday’s pay-per-views:
Thursday —
GCW World Champion Jon Moxley vs. AJ Gray in a title match
Joey Janela vs. X-Pac
GCW Ultraviolent Champion Alex Colon vs. John Wayne Murdoch in a title match
GCW Tag Team Champions The H8 Club vs. The Briscoes vs. The Second Gear Crew in a title match
Blake Christian vs. AR Fox
Mickie James vs. Allie Katch
Saturday —
Minoru Suzuki vs. Effy
Biff Busick vs. Tony Deppen
“Speedball” Mike Bailey vs. PCO
Matt Cardona vs. Chris Dickinson
The Greatest Clusterf*ck battle royal: Maven, Jimmy Wang Yang, Jazzy Yang, more entrants TBA
Two title matches have been announced for the Thursday, March 24 Impact Wrestling episode, both rematches from Sacrifice.
Tasha Steelz will defend the Impact Knockouts World Championship against Mickie James in a street fight. Steelz defeated James to capture the Knockouts title for the first time at Sacrifice on March 5.
On this week’s Impact episode, Chelsea Green offered to be in James’ corner for the street fight, but James declined, citing Green’s injury.
Also announced for next week’s episode, Violent by Design will defend the Impact World Tag Team Championship against former title holder The Good Brothers in a lumberjack match. Violent By Design defeated The Good Brothers to win the Tag titles at Sacrifice.
The winners of the lumberjack match will go on to defend the Tag titles in an eight-team elimination challenge at the April 23 Rebellion pay-per-view.
Impact Wrestling announced three matches and two segments for Thursday’s show on AXS TV.
An eight-woman tag match featuring the IInspiration (Cassie Lee and Jessie McKay) teaming with Mickie James and Chelsea Green was announced on Tuesday. They will take on new Knockouts Tag Team Champions The Influence (Madison Rayne & Tenille Dashwood), Savannah Evans and new Knockouts Champion Tasha Steelz.
In the first of two qualifying matches for an X-Division title match at Rebellion, John Skyler will face former champion Ace Austin and Crazzy Steve in a three-way.
The matches join two previously announced promos. Fresh off revealing he re-signed with the company, Josh Alexander will return to the Impact Zone while Bullet Club members Jay White, Chris Bey, Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows will also address the Impact Zone after going 1-1 at Sacrifice last Saturday.
The BTI pre-show match will see Jordynne Grace take on Havok.
Here’s the full lineup:
Knockouts Champion Tasha Steelz, Savannah Evans and Knockouts Tag Team Champions The Influence vs. Mickie James, Chelsea Green and The IInspiration
John Skyler vs. Ace Austin vs. Crazzy Steve in an X-Division title match qualifier
It will be Mickie James vs. Tasha Steelz II at Sacrifice.
Tasha Steelz defeated Chelsea Green in a number one contender’s match on tonight’s episode of Impact Wrestling to claim her place in the Impact Knockouts World Championship match at Saturday’s Sacrifice event.
Steelz won the match against Green after outside interference from Savannah Evans. James was at ringside for the bout, but promised not to interfere. James looked on as Evans attacked Green, then rolled her back into the ring. Steelz then hit a frog splash for the pinfall win.
The next challenger for Knockouts Champion Mickie James will be determined on next Thursday’s Impact as Chelsea Green takes on Tasha Steelz.
The winner will move on to face James at next Saturday’s Sacrifice.
On Thursday, James and Green petitioned Gail Kim for the match before Steelz and Savannah Evans took issue given Green’s interference in James and Steelz’s title match at last Saturday’s No Surrender. Kim relented and made the match.
Next Thursday is the go-home show for the aforementioned Sacrifice with all bouts acting as previews.
In eight-man action, Bullet Club (Jay White, Chris Bey & Tag Team Champions Good Brothers) will take on former Bullet Club members G.O.D. and Violent By Design’s Eric Young and Doering.
Eddie Edwards, newly of Honor No More, will take on Steve Maclin who was one of the Impact members Edwards turned on at No Surrender.
In a preview of their Knockouts Tag Team title match, Cassie Lee of champions The IInspiration will face Madison Rayne of challengers The Influence while JONAH will face Johnny Swinger.
Here’s the current lineup:
Chelsea Green vs. Tasha Steelz no. 1 contender’s match
Madison Rayne vs. Cassie Lee
Eddie Edwards vs. Steve Maclin
JONAH vs. Johnny Swinger
Bullet Club (Jay White, Chris Bey, Good Brothers) vs. Violent By Design and G.O.D.
The lineup for next Thursday’s Impact Wrestling will feature two women’s matches featuring some of their top stars.
In one, Ring of Honor Women’s Champion and AAA Reina de Reinas Champion Deonna Purrazzo will put either of her titles on the line in an open challenge. In a promo Thursday, she addressed walking out of Mickie James’ “State of the Knockouts division” promo last week and that she is actually the state of the Knockouts division.
In the other, James, the current Knockouts Champion, will be in non-title action as she faces Chelsea Green.
James offered Green the match Thursday after top contender Tasha Steelz and Savannah Evans were confronting her, prompting Green to back her up and offer to face them in a tag team match before they walked away. James thanked her and said she heard last week Green wanted to wrestle her, so they should tear it down next week.
Next Thursday will also see no. 1 World title contender W. Morrissey against Brian Myers in a no DQ match after Morrissey again ripped through Myers’ Learning Tree faction. Myers escaped and Scott D’Amore offered to make the match if Morrissey would calm down.
The show will also feature Honor No More members Mike Bennett and Matt Taven against Rich Swann and Rhino in another preview of the Team Impact vs. ROH faction match at this month’s No Surrender.
Here’s the current lineup:
Knockouts Champion Mickie James vs. Chelsea Green in a non-title match
ROH Women’s Champion/AAA Reina de Reinas Champion Deonna Purrazzo open challenge for either title
W. Morrissey vs. Brian Myers no DQ match
Mike Bennett and Matt Taven vs. Rich Swann and Rhino
The Impact Knockouts title will be on the line as Mickie James will defend the gold against Tasha Steelz at February 19th’s No Surrender.
The Saturday event from Westwego, Louisiana, will air live on Impact Plus.
Steelz earned the opportunity by winning the first-ever women’s Ultimate X match at this month’s Hard to Kill. She and James have exchanged words the past few weeks on Impact TV leading up to the announcement.
James is coming off a successful title defense over former champion Deonna Purrazzo at Hard to Kill in a Texas Death Match. She’ll be looking for her fifth title defense in her fourth reign as champion.
Steelz is a former three-time Knockouts Tag Team Champion, but has not won singles gold yet in Impact. James coincidentally defended the title against Steelz’ former partner Kiera Hogan at NWA Hard Times.
James will be in the women’s WWE Royal Rumble match this Saturday.
The match joins the previously announced Impact World title match between champion Moose and W. Morrissey.
