Former TNA and NWA World Champion Nick Aldis made his WWE TV as an on-screen authority figure during Friday’s season premiere episode of SmackDown.
Aldis was introduced as the new general manager of SmackDown during an in-ring promo segment involving WWE chief content officer Triple H, and the newly-crowned general manager of Raw, Adam Pearce.
Triple H noted that Pearce had done a thankless job overseeing both brands on-screen for years and said that he was being promoted to GM of Raw. Aldis was then introduced as SmackDown’s new GM.
In his first act as GM, Aldis introduced Kevin Owens as the newest member of the SmackDown roster to complete the Jey Uso to Raw trade initiated last month at Payback.
In a backstage segment later in the program, Aldis made and IYO SKY vs. Charlotte Flair WWE Women’s Championship match official for next week’s SmackDown.
Aldis called his new role “The opportunity of a lifetime” in a social media post:
The opportunity of a lifetime. Thank you @TripleH @WWE
Onwards and upwards for the blue brand! #SmackDown
Aldis’s wife Mickie James posted:
Im’ma lookin… & Im’ma likin. @RealNickAldis
I love you! I’m so happy right now!!! Can we celebrate already?! Ps… Aldis Family Business just picked up!!
Aldis joined WWE in an audition for a producer’s role in August of this year.
Aldis finished a run with Impact Wrestling in July after losing a World title match to Alex Shelley at Slammiversary. He had appeared on and off for the company since 2008 and held the promotion’s World title for four-plus months between December 2013 and April 2014. He also worked for NWA from 2017 to 2022 and held the promotion’s World title twice, including a 1000-plus day run from 2018 to 2021.
The opportunity of a lifetime. Thank you @TripleH@WWE
Im’ma lookin… & Im’ma likin. @RealNickAldis 👀♥️ I love you! I’m so happy right now!!! Can we celebrate already?! 💋🎉 Ps… Aldis Family Business just picked up!! 🔝 pic.twitter.com/pI0YneBpQh
Nick Aldis is reportedly set to debut on WWE television imminently.
PWInsider reported on Friday that Aldis is scheduled to make his WWE TV debut on SmackDown tonight. The report states that Aldis will be an on-screen authority figure for the SmackDown brand going forward.
Tonight’s SmackDown is the show’s season premiere. It’s taking place from the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Aldis is a former World Champion for both the NWA and TNA Wrestling. This August, he was brought into WWE for a potential producer’s role.
During an appearance on Insight with Chris Van Vliet last month, Aldis described his WWE role as a “handshake situation” between the two sides.
“But it’s all very much a sort of handshake situation at the moment,” Aldis said. “Very much a, ‘Hey, why don’t you come in and see how all this works? See if you like it.’ I will say this, they’ve been very, very good to me and very, very accommodating as far as they’ve said, ‘Look, this is as much about whether you like it.’ Now, where that goes, I don’t know. And I’m okay with that.”
Aldis told Van Vliet that he would obviously love to wrestle for WWE, but until that happens or doesn’t happen, he’s going to explore other opportunities like the potential behind-the-scenes role.
Aldis wrapped up a stint with Impact Wrestling this July. He lost to Impact World Champion Alex Shelley at Slammiversary.
Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns is returning to WWE TV on SmackDown tonight. The show will also include an appearance by Paul “Triple H” Levesque.
Nick Aldis’s behind-the-scenes role with WWE is currently a “handshake situation.”
Last month, it was revealed that Aldis was being brought into WWE for a potential producer’s role. Aldis has been at WWE events in recent weeks and shadowing producers to see how he likes it.
Aldis opened up about the role while appearing on the latest episode of Insight with Chris Van Vliet. Aldis clarified that it’s a handshake situation between the two sides at the moment. Aldis said he doesn’t know what this is going to lead to, and he’s okay with that. Aldis noted that WWE has been very good to him and very accommodating.
They just invited me to come and, you know, see how everything works and shadow as a producer and just sort of be part of the meetings and oversee the whole television operation, which is — I’ve done a lot, I’ve worn a lot of hats. I think people who have followed my career, particularly in the last few years, know that in addition to wrestling I was wearing a lot of hats behind the scenes at my last place [the NWA]. So I certainly don’t feel like it’s a completely new sort of situation for me. Having said that, there’s pro wrestling and then there’s WWE. So, you know, just taking in the sheer sort of volume of the operation, and the number of people involved, the scale of everything. Just that alone has been the basis of my time so far.
But it’s all very much a sort of handshake situation at the moment. Very much a, ‘Hey, why don’t you come in and see how all this works? See if you like it.’ I will say this, they’ve been very, very good to me and very, very accommodating as far as they’ve said, ‘Look, this is as much about whether you like it.’ Now, where that goes, I don’t know. And I’m okay with that. It’s tough with the internet and social media because people want to put this sort of definitiveness on everything and this finality like, ‘Oh, that’s it. He’s with WWE. That’s it. Game over,’ you know? And so now, people [ask], ‘Are you not wrestling anymore? Have you retired? Are you not wrestling?’ I mean, even the boys are saying that. Like, ‘Are you done wrestling?’ And it’s like, slow down.
The 36-year-old Aldis recently stated that he feels like he’s “very much in his prime” and isn’t retired from in-ring competition. During his interview with Van Vliet, Aldis reiterated that he’s not done in the ring. Aldis added that he would obviously love to wrestle for WWE, but until that day comes or doesn’t come, he’s going to explore other opportunities like this potential behind-the-scenes role. Aldis said producing is something that he would want to do in the end. The question is whether or not he’s ready to do it now.
The full interview with Aldis is available to watch below:
Nick Aldis is not looking at retiring from the ring anytime soon.
In the wake of reports that he has been working backstage in WWE as a producer, Aldis emphasized during a recent podcast appearance that he still has more to accomplish in the ring.
“I guess because of the discussions about a different role, immediately it sort of jumps the conversation to, ‘Oh, he’s not wrestling anymore, he’s retiring, that’s it, is he done wrestling?’ And I’m going like, ‘Hold on, I’m 36 years old, guys,'” he told the Niko Knows Best show on YouTube.
“I think sometimes I get put in the generation ahead of me in terms of age. I’m 36, I’m very much in my prime. I sort of go, ‘Wait a minute, where does all this discussion about being done wrestling come from?’ Everyone just needs to chill.”
Aldis finished up with Impact Wrestling in July and as first reported by PWInsider, started working as a WWE producer on a trial basis earlier this month.
When asked if he has signed with WWE, Aldis responded, “I can neither confirm nor deny that. It’s nothing official.”
Since leaving the NWA last summer, Aldis has performed with Impact, Glory Pro, Dreamwave, and other promotions. He also won The Stu Hart Heritage Championship last October for the Hart family’s Dungeon Wrestling promotion out of Calgary. He pulled out of bookings in Chicago and Puerto Rico earlier this month due to a back injury.
It appears that former NWA World Heavyweight Champion Nick Aldis will be backstage for tonight’s episode of WWE Raw.
PWInsider reports that Aldis is in Minneapolis ahead of tonight’s Raw taking place in the city. The report states that Aldis is being brought in for a potential producer role, and Aldis will be at a number of upcoming WWE events.
It was first reported last month that WWE had interest in Aldis as a producer. Aldis finished up a short-term run with Impact Wrestling in July, losing to Impact World Champion Alex Shelley in the main event of Slammiversary.
Aldis tweeted last week that, due to a back injury, he had to pull out of bookings in Chicago and Puerto Rico.
“I’m sorry to report that I have to pull out of my bookings in Chicago this weekend for @DWWrestling & Puerto Rico later this month; I’ve been dealing with a back injury for a while and it’s at a point where I can’t deliver at the level I deem acceptable for fans,” Aldis wrote on August 2. “I’m sorry to let people down especially the promoters who have been so understanding and professional. See you down the road.”
During a recent interview on K100 with Konnan & Disco, Aldis was asked about WWE’s reported interest in him. Aldis said he could neither confirm nor deny the interest.
Aldis is a two-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion and a one-time Impact World Champion.
For the first time since 2014, two Impact World Champions will clash as Eric Young takes on Nick Aldis on tonight’s Impact on AXS TV.
The two last wrestled one-on-one on a September 2014 One Night Only pay-per-view when Aldis was known as Magnus. Tonight’s match was made after a backstage challenge last week.
After the closing events of last week’s show, The Time Splitters (Impact World Champion Alex Shelley & KUSHIDA) will unite to face Moose & Brian Myers.
Gisele Shaw will face Masha Slamovich after a backstage confrontation last week.
In a loser leaves Impact bout, friends will turn foes as Zicky Dice will take on Johnny Swinger.
Knockouts Champion Trinity will team with Subculture’s Dani Luna against former Knockouts Tag Team Champions The Coven (KiLynn King & Taylor Wilde).
Digital Media Champion Kenny King & Sheldon Jean will take on former champion Joe Hendry & Yuya Uemura on the BTI pre-show.
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George Iceman talked about Deonna Purrazzo losing the Knockout’s championship at Slammiversary, and said we would hear from her soon about what she was going to do next.
Joe Hendry & Yuya Uemura defeated Kenny King & Sheldon Jean
Uemura got a big win over Kenny King in this one, presumably setting up a future Impact Digital Media Champonship match.
Impact Wrestling
Trinity opened the show, making her entrance to the ring to team with Dani Luna from Subculture.
Trinity & Dani Luna defeated The Coven (KiLynn King & Taylor Wilde)
This wasn’t very good. I’m not sure if it was the extended heat on Luna, or something else, but this was fine at best.
King managed well against both Luna and Trinity in the early part of the match, but was dropped after a flying back elbow from Luna. King rolled the corner to escape and tagged out, only for Wilde to get caught on a crossbody attempt and hit with a fall away slam. Luna hit a sliding clothesline for a 2-count. King necked Luna on the top rope, letting Wilde get control. After several minutes of heat, Luna managed to dump King to the floor while Trinity hit a full nelson bomb on Wilde before rolling over into a pinfall.
–Deonna Purrazzo came down to the ring to announce that she was getting her rematch for the Knockout’s championship at Impact Emergence.
–Lio Rush was backstage and Moose & Myers walked up, complaining that Rush left them hanging last week. Rush said, “Why would you align yourself with someone like him?” and Bully Ray walked up behind him, “Who?” right into his ear. Moose said they weren’t asking to be friends, and Ray said that he was with them or against them, so he would need an answer by the end of the night.
–Dirty Dango was with Johnny Bravo, and talked about why he needed security because Scott D’Amore has been hitting people with chairs, and Santino is attacking people lately. He introduced Bravo’s new name, Alpha Bravo.
Johnny Swinger defeated Zicky Dice in a Loser Leaves Impact Match
Dice and Swinger feigned not wanting to fight, and then Swinger did the finger poke of doom, but Dice cradled Swinger when he went for the pinfall. Dice and Swinger then exchanged eye rakes. Dice slammed Swinger and said, “I’m sorry, I love you.” Swinger kicked out at 2. Swinger rolled to the floor and said, “I’m done, count me out.” Dice looked really sad as Swinger tried to take his cart and go home.
Swinger said it was Dice’s time and told him to ride the cart. Dice rode the Cart and Swinger pushed it before hitting Dice with a lariat. Swinger then threw Dice into the ring and pinned Dice with his feet on the ropes, and Zicky Dice must leave Impact. Dice looked heartbroken as Swinger celebrated.
–Yuya Uemura & Joe Hendry were backstage with Santino and he made a triple threat for the Impact Digital Media Championship next week between Kenny King, Hendry, and Uemura.
This was a great match. I’m excited to see more between these two as the Knockouts tag title feud was advanced here.
Shaw had a surprising amount of intensity in this, taking it right to Slamovich. Shaw dumped Slamovich to the floor and when they came back from break, Shaw continued the assault with a European uppercut. The announcers noted that this was a new level of intensity for Slamovich, which his what Shaw needs to compete against such a strong wrestler.
Shaw missed a running knee and ate a spin kick from Slamovich. Slamovich setup for the Snow Plough, but Jai Vidal came up on the apron to distract Slamovich. Killer Kelly pulled Vidal from the apron, but Savannah Evans dropped Kelly, and Shaw rolled up Slamovich and hit the Denoument for the pinfall.
–A video aired for Jake Something, hyping up his return to Impact.
–Frankie Kazarian was with Traci Brooks backstage and they were talking about how much trouble Alisha Edwards and Eddie Edwards was giving them, and Kazarian had to talk Brooks out of wanting to fight Alisha.
Time Splitters (KUSHIDA & Alex Shelley) defeated Moose & Brian Myers
Moose was able to get some heat on KUSHIDA due to his size, but the Time Splitters proved to be a more experienced tag team, soon taking advantage of Myers. Myers ran around the ring trying to escape Shelley, which baited Shelley into a clothesline from Moose who was somehow hiding near the corner. Myers tagged back in to take on Shelley, but as he tried to tag out to Moose, Shelley manage to pull him into a crucifix pin, outwrestling him.
–Bully Ray immediately ran in and started beating on Shelley. Josh Alexander ran down to make the save. Lio Rush ran down and jumped Alex Shelley, making his decision by siding with Ray and his crew. Chris Sabin ran in to make the save, and suddenly Lio Rush was left in the ring with nowhere to run, and Sabin hit a superkick and threw him from the ring.
–Alan Angels cut a promo via pretaped video, saying that Heath is an imaginary rockstar while he was a real one, calling himself the Celestial again. He still needs to find his way with his promos, but this is the best way for Angels to learn.
Zachery Wentz (w/ Trey Miguel) defeated Mike Bailey
Wentz had some offence early, but did not account for Bailey being able to kick very hard, and after getting hit with several kicks, Bailey got a two count. Bailey attempted to kick Wentz in the face, but Wentz kept ducking close to the mat. Bailey then faked him out, paused mid kick, waited for Wentz to look up, and kicked him right in the face for another 2-count, where Trey Miguel made the save.
Bailey got into an argument with Miguel on the floor after hitting a trianagle moonsault on Wentz. Wentz responded by hitting a slam onto the apron. Bailey and Wentz exchanged kicks, with Miguel pulling Wentz from the ring to avoid a tornado kick. The referee sent Miguel to the back, who blamed Bailey for everything. Bailey turned around into spray paint in his eyes from Wentz, who hit a cravate into a DDT for the win.
Eric Young defeated Nick Aldis
Eric Young got the win here, with Nick Aldis on his way out of Impact almost as fast as he arrived. This was a good match though. I wish Aldis had more time in the company, and maybe they will come to a new deal, but for now, it seems his short-term deal is up.
The first part of this match featured Young and Aldis both trying to one up each other, with Young and Aldis both skinning the cat. Aldis did it back into a punch from Young, so he bailed to the floor as they cut to a break. As they came back, Young dumped Aldis to the floor, but got caught in the apron when Young went for a baseball slide dropkick.
Aldis hit a big clothesline back in the ring for a 2-count. Young hit a flying forearm off the ropes, and Young followed with a belly-to-belly suplex for a 2-count. Young went to the top rope for an elbow drop, but Aldis cut him off and hit a superplex. Aldis hit a Michinoku driver on Young for a near fall. Aldis locked on the Kingsland cloverleaf, but Young fought out. Aldis went for the figure four leglock, but Young cradled him and then hit a piledriver out of the cradle for the win.
–Deaner ran down to the ring and attacked Eric Young, and Kon chokeslammed Young at Deaner’s directions. I’m not sure if this was the feud I would go with, despite it making sense due to Deaner killing Young months ago. Young could have a better feud given he just beat the person who main evented Slammiversary a few short weeks ago. Kon chokeslammed Young twice and then sent him into a DDT from Deaner.
Final Thoughts
I am really disappointed with Young immediately stepping into a feud with The Design, rather than doing something new. The rest of this show was pretty good, including the main event match, but that angle did not work for me. I can say at least Deaner is giving it his all with this gimmick. He has since day one in Impact, back when he was the redneck with ODB. The guy always gives it 100%. It’s just too bad this character really doesn’t work for me. Hopefully Young can get beyond this feud quickly and move onto better things.
Impact Wrestling – August 3, 2023
Impact Digital Media Championship: Kenny King (c) vs. Joe Hendry vs. Yuya Uemura
Impact Wresting x NJPW MultiVerse United II – August 20, 2023
Impact World Championship: Alex Shelley (c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi
Impact Wrestling Emergence – August 27, 2023
Time Machine (Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin, & KUSHIDA) & Josh Alexander vs. Bully Ray, Moose, Brian Myers, & Lio Rush
Impact Knockouts World Championship: Trinity (c) vs. Deonna Purrazzo
Three matches have been announced for next Thursday’s Impact on AXS TV including a clash between former World Champions.
Made during a backstage segment during Thursday’s show, Eric Young will take on Nick Aldis.
It will be Young’s first singles match since making his surprise return at Slammiversary, made possible after he quietly requested his release from WWE after signing there late last year. His last Impact TV match was in late-October and he was eventually killed off by Deaner before he left.
For Aldis, he will be looking for redemption after he failed to defeat Alex Shelley for the World title at last Saturday’s Slammiversary. His status with the company has also been a point of discussion.
In a loser leaves Impact match, Johnny Swinger will take on his friend, Zicky Dice. With a win, Swinger also earns a future title shot, thanks to Scott D’Amore’s decision on Thursday.
In women’s tag team action, former Knockouts Tag Team Champions The Coven (KiLynn King & Taylor Wilde) face Knockouts Champion Trinity & Dani Luna of Subculture.
Here’s the current card:
Johnny Swinger vs. Zicky Dice loser leaves Impact match
The Coven (KiLynn King & Taylor Wilde) vs. Trinity & Dani Luna
Nick Aldis has wrapped up a short run with Impact Wrestling and is now a free agent following this weekend’s action, according to PWInsider’s Mike Johnson.
His next destination might be one he has never appeared for: WWE.
Aldis was unsuccessful in wresting the Impact World title from Alex Shelley at Saturday’s Slammiversary and after appearing and wrestling at Sunday’s follow-up TV taping, the report emerged that he was free and clear to work anywhere.
Johnson reported that WWE sources confirmed that the 36-year-old Aldis is drawing “high interest” from them and has been discussed internally as a potential producer.
After his long run with the NWA ended unceremoniously at the end of 2022, Aldis made his return to Impact at April’s Rebellion by confronting then-World Champion Steve Maclin at the end of the show. He wrestled eight times in his three-month run.
Aldis isn’t the only wrestler to wrap up with Impact over the weekend as PWInsider reported Zicky Dice is done as well. A match taped Sunday will explain his departure.
The following are spoilers from Sunday’s Impact Wrestling TV taping in Windsor, Ontario, Canada — the fallout from Saturday’s Slammiversary that saw multiple new champions crowned.
These matches will air over the next two weeks of TV and featured a Tag Team title match in addition to a rematch made for next month’s Emergence.
BTI:
Alan Angels defeated Crazzy Steve. Heath Slater attacked Angels after the match.
Yuya Uemura & Joe Hendry defeated Digital Media Champion Kenny King & Sheldon Jean
Main Show:
Scott D’Amore started the show by thanking the fans and announcing he was back in his previous position as Impact president. The Good Hands come out to interrupt which led to a match.
Sami Callihan & Rich Swann defeated The Good Hands (Jason Hotch & John Skyler)
Courtney Rush defeated Savannah Evans. Jody Threat came out to aid Rush after she was being attacked by Evans’ heel team.
Dirty Dango defeated Santino Marella after an assist from John E. Bravo.
Impact Tag Team Champions Subculture (Flash Morgan Webster & Mark Andrews) defeated ABC (Chris Bey & Ace Austin to retain the titles. The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz) interfered.
Josh Alexander did an in-ring promo and said he was 100% cleared. He mentioned Impact World Champion Alex Shelley who then came out. X-Division Champion Lio Rush came out and said he might use Option C to cash in his title for a World title match. KUSHIDA then came out and said he couldn’t because he was going to cash in his title shot he earned by winning Ultimate X. Eventually, Bully Ray, Moose and Brian Myers came out and a huge brawl broke out.
Jake Something defeated Kevin Knight
Knockouts Champion Trinity & Dani Luna defeated The Coven (Taylor Wilde & KiLynn King). Afterward, Deonna Purrazzo came out and said she was getting her rematch against Trinity at August’s Emergence.
Johnny Swinger defeated Zicky Dice in a loser leaves Impact match
Gisele Shaw defeated Masha Slamovich
The Time Splitters (Alex Shelley & KUSHIDA) defeated Moose & Brian Myers. Another big brawl took place afterward featuring the talent from the Alexander promo segment.
Zachary Wentz defeated Mike Bailey
Eric Young defeated Nick Aldis. Deaner & Kon attacked Young afterward.
Tommy Dreamer & Darren McCarty defeated Champagne Singh & Shera
Impact Wrestling will celebrate their 21st anniversary at Slammiversary from Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
In the main event, Impact World Champion Alex Shelley will defend against former champion Nick Aldis while Shelley’s Motor City Machine Guns teammate Chris Sabin will defend his X-Division title against Lio Rush.
Knockouts Champion Deonna Purrazzo will defend against Trinity who is looking for her first run with the gold.
Tag Team Champions Ace Austin & Chris Bey will defend against Subculture (Flash Morgan Webster & Mark Andrews), Sami Callihan & Rich Swann, and Brian Myers & Moose in a four-way.
Knockouts Tag Team Champions The Coven (Taylor Wilde & KiLynn King) will defend against Masha Slamovich & Killer Kelly.
Digital Media Champion Joe Hendry will defend against Kenny King on the pre-show.
Also part of the ten-match card is a five-way Ultimate X match with Mike Bailey vs. Jonathan Gresham vs. Angels vs. Kevin Knight vs. KUSHIDA.
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Jody Threat & The Death Dollz (Courtney Rush & Jessicka) defeated The SHAWntourage (Gisele Shaw, Savannah Evans, & Jai Vidal)
Jai Vidal got in the ring with Jessicka, and it did not end well for him, with Jessicka hit a series of punches that dropped him. Vidal tagged out to Shaw soon thereafter. Jessicka resumed handing out beatings, driving Shaw’s head repeatedly into the turnbuckle before tagging out to Rush, who hit a bulldog on Shaw across the knee of Jessicka. Jai Vidal distracted Rush, leading to Savannah Evans hitting a big boot on Rush on the floor.
The SHAWntourage draped Rush across the middle ropes in their corner and hit several moves as they tagged out to each other. Rush managed to slip out of a Fireman’s Carry from Evans and then hit an inverted DDT to tag out to Jody Threat. Threat ran wild, hitting suplexes on everyone before tagging back out to Rush, who hit a spear on Vidal for the win.
–We saw video of Trinity and Deonna Purrazzo arriving at the arena.
–A video aired about Joe Hendry and Kenny King, and they added some unnecessary goofy music, but thankfully the music didn’t last long, and they retained the humour of this angle.
–Joe Hendry grabbed a mic and talked about Kenny King liking it when he lost his clothes, and this infuriated Kenny King. He said King wanted him to lose some of his clothes – the Impact Digital Media Championship, and since he wasn’t Stripper Hendry, it would be ridiculous for him to lose. This was entertaining.
Kenny King defeated Joe Hendry to win the Impact Digital Media Championship
Rather than being worried about losing his shirt this time, Kenny King threw the shirt at Hendry, but Hendry ducked and hit a stalling vertical suplex on King. Sheldon Jean got the attention of Hendry by running through the ring, leading to King attacking Hendry from behind and then taking out the knees and kicking King in the chest for a 2-count.
Sheldon Jean got on the apron to distract the referee, and he handed King a bowtie, which King used to choke Joe Hendry before putting it on Hendry’s neck. King put a guillotine choke on Hendry, who powered out and hit another vertical suplex out of the choke. Hendry caught King on a crossbody and hit a fallaway slam. Hendry did a hip swivel after realizing he had a bowtie on, and hit King with a back body drop.
Hendry hit a standing ovation on King, but Sheldon Jean put King’s foot on the ropes to break the pinfall. King tried to hit a corkscrew plancha on Hendry who was on the floor with Jean, but Hendry moved. As they got back in the ring, Kenny King rolled up Joe Hendry with his feet on the ropes, and Jean held onto the feet of King to maintain leverage, and King won!
–The great hype video for Alex Shelley and Nick Aldis aired to close the preshow.
Impact Slammiversary Main Card
Impact Slammiversary wasted no time getting into the action, with the Ultimate X match to determine the #1 Contender to the Impact X-Division Championship.
KUSHIDA defeated Jake Something, Mike Bailey, Kevin Knight, Jonathan Gresham, & Alan Angels in an Ultimate X Match
Very good match to open the PPV, with KUSHIDA getting the shot at the X-Division Championship. Love to see KUSHIDA getting used in a top position in Impact.
Jake Something joined the match as a surprise right when the referee went to ring the bell. Kevin Knight almost got the X immediately by climbing Jake Something, but Something grabbed him in a powerbomb position and threw Knight over the ropes onto everyone. Gresham and Bailey ate a double shoulder tackle as Something tried to figure out how to get the X. Gresham, KUSHIDA, Bailey, and Knight hit a quadruple dropkick on Something, only driving him back into the ropes, where Angels hit a Cactus clothesline to take him to the floor.
Gresham and Bailey seemed to team up against Knight and KUSHIDA, forming tag teams briefly. Gresham then hit a suicide dive on Something followed by Mike Bailey hitting a triangle moonsault to drop Something again. Gresham and Bailey started to fight on the ropes a bit about who would grab the X, so they started righting on the top ropes. Angels ran up the ropes and hit a Spanish Fly, and I think he planted himself head first on the mat, as he did not land on his stomach.
KUSHIDA put Angels on his shoulders and Knight hit a standing dropkick on Angels, leading to Angels moonsaulting backwards onto everyone on the floor. Bailey and KUSHIDA fought on one of the posts, with Bailey knocking KUSHIDA off with a kick. Bailey climed to the topand hit a moonsault onto everyone on the floor. That was insane.
Angels grabbed a chair and started hitting everyone, including hitting 5 chair shots on Something. Angels was on the ropes and shimmied over to where Kevin Knight was climbing the ropes and jumped into a poison rana on Knight. Jonathan Gresham tried to cut off Angels, but Angels hit him low. Something climbed the ropes, but Angels jumped off the top rope and hit a low blow. Bailey tried to bring Angels down, but Angels hit him with a low blow too. KUSHIDA punched Angels right in the face and dropped him from the ropes, letting KUSHIDA grab the X for the win!
–Tom Hannifan pointed out former Team Canada member, A1 in the crowd with his family.
–Gia Miller was with Kenny King and Sheldon King backstage, and King said that he did strip – he stripped Joe Hendry off his Impact Digital Media Championship. King cut a promo on Shelley, calling him MySpace, and saying Sabin used to be cool, as X-Division Champion, but he’s like Twitter, whereas King is cutting edge and hit title is the only one that matters. This was a good promo!
Killer Kelly & Masha Slamovich defeated The Coven (Taylor Wilde & KiLynn King) for the Impact Knockouts World Tag Team Championship
This was pretty good, by all standards. Killer Kelly and Masha Slamovich were awesome in this, and putting the tag titles on them is a good call for match quality in the women’s tag division.
Slamovich and Kelly immediately charged The Coven, throwing them around the ring before Kelly hit a pump kick on Wilde and a suplex for a 2-count. Kelly continued the assault, hitting knees and elbows to the face of Wilde. Wilde tagged out after hitting an inverted DDT on Slamovich, telling King to get in there. Slamovich got briefly laid out by King, but Slamovich hit a forward roll into a pinfall on King and immediately leaped into the air and hit a double stomp before tagging out to Kelly.
King dropped Kelly with a boot, but Kelly got right up. King sort of botched a stun gun, so she quickly recovered and hit a flatliner into the middle rope instead. Wilde and King got the heat on Kelly for the next few minutes. King hit running double knees to the face of Kelly in the corner. King missed a senton off the middle rope and it led to Kelly tagging out to Slamovich, who hit a superkick on Wilde, a clothesline on King, a mafia kick on Wilde, followed by a climb up knee strike in the corner and spinning wheel kick for a 2-count on Wilde.
Slamovich hit a buzzsaw kick on Wilde, but King broke up the pinfall attempt. King hit Kelly with a headbutt, and helped set Wilde up to hit a code breaker on Slamovich. King hit a German suplex on Slamovich, but missed her corner knees. Slamovich hit a missile dropkick on King, while Kelly hit a dropkick on Wilde. Kelly and Slamovich tried to hit a double powerbomb on Wilde, but King broke it up. Wilde hit the Witch’s Wrath on Slamovich for a 2-count, but she kicked out. Kelly pulled King from the ring and Slamovich countered the Witch’s Wrath into a Snow Plough for the win.
Team Canada (Scott D’Amore & Eric Young) defeated Deaner (w/ Kon) & Bully Ray
This was all sorts of fun. Not a great match in terms of star ratings, but fun. As a Canadian, it made me smile to see all the Canadiana in it too.
Scott D’Amore came out wearing a robe that he last wore in 2004 when facing Dustin Rhodes. The Canadian National anthem hit, and Eric Young came out to team with his mentor. The announcers were baffled that Eric Young was back from the dead as the crowd (including A1) cheered on the old Impact Wrestling stable reunited. Young started the match with Deaner as the crowd chanted loudly for Young.
Deaner looked terrified, and immediately tagged out to Ray. Young got an arm wringer and tagged out to D’Amore, who did a jumping splits when in the ring. I did not expect that. Deaner tagged back in and ate a leaping kick from D’Amore. Young tagged in and a backdrop into a neckbreaker with D’Amore while pointing at Ray.
D’Amore hit a sky high powerbomb on Deaner for a 2-count. Kon got on the apron and Darren McCarty, the special enforcer, came in to get rid of him, but the referee got distracted by it, letting Ray attack D’Amore from behind. Bully Ray got in the face of Scott D’Amore’s mom, who was in the front row, taunting her while beating on D’Amore.
Eric Young led the crowd in singing “O Canada,” but Ray responded with low blowing D’Amore. Ray did it right in front of the referee, and demanded to be disqualified, but after being shoved a few times, the referee took off his shirt and threw it across the ring. Darren McCarty grabbed the shirt and put it on to become the referee.
D’Amore speared Ray and then made the hot tag to Eric Young, who ran wild, taking out both Deaner and Ray, hitting a rolling lariat on Deaner. Young followed this with a piledriver and got a 2-count as Kon pulled McCarty from the ring. A1 ran in and clotheslined Kon over the top rope, while McCarty hit a stunner on Bully Ray. Young and McCarty split Ray’s legs and D’Amore hit a headbutt to the lower regions off the top rope. D’Amore, Young, and McCarty screamed “Get the tables!” and set one up in the ring as Eric Young ran around the ring waving a Canadian flag.
McCarty and D’Amore hit a chokeslam on Ray through the table. D’Amore hit a Canadian Destroyer on Deaner, and Young flew off the top rope with a flying elbow on Deaner for the win. This was lots of fun. A1, Young, D’Amore, and McCarty all celebrated after the match before putting the Canadian flag on Ray.
Lio Rush defeated Chris Sabin to win the Impact X-Division Championship
I did not expect this to be what it was, but Sabin has an excuse for losing because Rush jumped him before the bell and knocked him out.
Lio Rush attacked Sabin before the bell, hitting a suicide dive on Sabin on the floor, driving Sabin backwards into the ramp. Sabin sold this like he was knocked out. The doctor said Sabin shouldn’t wrestle, so Sabin shoved him away and made his way into the ring. Rush immediately hit a running kick and Sabin went down. Rush hit a spinning kick and then hit the Final Hour, but Sabin kicked out at 2. Rush hit a second Final Hour and won the X-Division title.
Subculture (Mark Andrews & Flash Morgan Webster) (w/ Dani Luna) defeated ABC (Ace Austin & Chris Bey) (Bullet Club) Moose & Brian Myers, and Sami Callihan & Rich Swann to win the Impact World Tag Team Championship
Chris Bey and Mark Andrews started the match with fast offence, before Bey tagged out to Austin, who hit a kick to the face of Andrews, and tried a head scissors. Andrews and Austin exchanged some headlocks while Webster tagged in blind and both men hit a series of high flying moves on Austin.
Webster hit a lionsault on a standing Austin, who rolled to the corner and Rich Swann tagged in. Moose came in and tried to send Swann to the floor, but Swann blocked it and then hit a cannonball off the apron onto Myers. Moose charged ABC, but they low bridged him and sent him to the floor. Bey tried to hit a flip dive, but Moose caught him and powerbombed Bey on the apron.
Myers speared Austin on the apron, and Andrews hit a flip dive on Myers. Callihan grabbed Webster and dumped him over the top ropes onto everyone before hitting a flatliner and DDT on Subculture. Callihan hit a DVD on Webster while Swann followed with a splash for a 2-count. Austin and Bey hit some double team moves on Swann before Moose and Myers ran in and hit stereo powerbombs on Bey and Austin.
Swann tagged out to Andrews because he was about to be killed by Moose and Myers, and Andrews tried to fight Moose, but ate a pump kick. Andrews hit a Stundog Millionaire, while Webster hit Shadows over Malice on Moose for a 2-count. This match completely broke down at this point with everyone hitting big moves, and I can’t keep up with it. Moose ran up the ropes and went for a crossbody to Bey and Swann, but Swann and Bey responded by both hitting a cutter on Moose.
ABC went for the fold/art of finesse on Myers, but The Rascalz ran out and pulled them from the ring, before sending Austin into the steps and neutralizing Bey. Webster responded by hitting a senton bomb onto everyone on the floor leading to Andrews hitting a shooting star press on Myers for the win.
This was a very good match that felt like it could have been better.
Edwards and Kazarian exchanged some basic holds to start, but Alisha Edwards tripped Kazarian, leading to Edwards hitting Kazarian with a brutal chop. Edwards hit the ropes, and Brooks tripped Edwards, letting Kazarian hit a back stabber. Edwards got the advantage back on the floor and hit several hard chops again.
Kazarian ate a Manhattan drop and belly-to-belly from Edwards for a 2-count. Edwards followed up with another hard chop and Kazarian collapsed to the mat. Edwards hit a running back elbow for a 2-count. Edwards continued his attack with hard chops for the next minute until Kazarian ducked under a lariat attempt and hit a German suplex on Edwards.
Every time Kazarian would try to get the advantage back, Alisha Edwards would get involved, including raking the back of Kazarian, which led to Edwards hitting a suicide dive on Kazarian, absolutely crushing him with it. That looked brutal. Edwards trash talked Kazarian’s son while the fans chanted “Boston sucks!” As a Toronto Maple Leafs fan, I can get behind that chant.
After this extended heat on Kazarian, both men ended up facing off in the middle of the ring, hitting Yakuza kicks until Kazarian hit a back elbow and then a clothesline. Kazarian hit a springboard leg drop for a 2-count. Edwards hit a series of enziguris in the corner before hitting the backpack stunner for a 2-count.
Edwards hit a big top rope superplex on Kazarian. Edwards went for the chicken wing on Kazarian, but Kazarian shoved him off and went for the Boston Knee Party, but Edwards ducked. Edwards suplexed Kazarian over the top rope, and both men went tumbling to the floor. Brooks and Alisha Edwards looked on concerned for their husbands, but as they came back into the ring, Kazarian managed to hit a slingshot cutter on Edwards for a 2-count.
Kazarian went for a flying forearm but accidentally hit the referee, then both men hit clotheslines at the same time. Alisha Edwards grabbed a kendo stick and entered the ring. Traci Brooks came into the ring and took the legs out of Edwards and started fighting with her. Brooks hit a clothesline that sent Alisha to the floor. Kazarian locked on the chicken wing and got the tap out, but the referee was out. As Kazarian tried to wake up the referee Edwards hit Kazarian with a kendo stick and followed up with the Boston Knee Party of the 3-count.
Trinity defeated Deonna Purrazzo to win the Impact Knockouts World Championship
Solid match here, with Trinity going over and winning the Knockouts title. This was easily one of the better matches in Trinity’s career, and my recap really didn’t do it justice.
Purrazzo almost got an armbar early on, but Trinity managed to get out. As Trinity tried to pick up the pace, Purrazzo broke it down and started working over the arm of Trinity. This is a very different style match than Trinity would be used to working in WWE, as Purrazzo worked over the arm, continually getting heat as Trinity sold. Trinity got a leg trip, but missed a leg drop and ate a basement dropkick from Purrazzo for a 2-count.
Trinity rebounded with a kick when Purrazzo tried to put her on the top rope, and she hit clotheslines with hir right arm rather than her left. Purrazzo got hit with a face buster and a split legged moonsault for a 2-count. Purrazzo managed to hit the Queen’s Gambit on the apron, and got a 2-count. Purrazzo went for the Queen’s Gambit off the middle ropes, but Trinity hit a series of headbutts on Purrazzo before hitting a full nelson bomb off the middle ropes before rolling into Starstruck, and Purrazzo tapped out.
Impact World Champion Alex Shelley defeated Nick Aldis defeated to retain
This was a very good match, with Shelley working a mat based style and viciously attacking the arm, while Aldis clearly underestimated Shelley’s ability and paid for it. Aldis’ cheating backfiring leading to Shelley hitting Shell Shock proved to be a great finish on a show that had a lot of heel heat.
Shelley started the match spitting water into the eyes of Aldis, but Aldis powerbombed Shelley off the top rope right away, and Aldis locked the Kingsland Cloverleaf on Shelley. Shelley managed to drag himself to the ropes to escape, and the crowd showered Aldis with boos. Aldis slowed the match down and acted as the bully to Shelley for the next few minutes, including catching Shelley as he jumped from the ropes and turning it into a vertical suplex.
Shelley managed to get Aldis’ knee caught in the ropes, and hit a dragon screw through the ropes to begin an attack on Aldis’ left leg. Aldis managed to trap Shelley in the apron and hit a punch before shoving Shelley back first into the ring post. Aldis hit a snake eyes into the apron on Shelley. Aldis tried to suplex Shelley to the floor, but Shelley responded with a stunner across the ropes and hit a slingshot stomp to the arm of Aldis.
Aldis tried to send Shelley into the post again, but he slipped out and sent Aldis face first into the post. Shelley stuck the fingers of Aldis into the turnbuckle and twisted the metal to work over the hand. The fans in the front row told him to break his fingers, so Shelley stomped on the hand to their delight. Shelley hit another dragon screw in the ropes, going back to the leg. Shelley hit a chop block to the knee of Aldis, and Aldis collapsed in a heap. As he was struggling, he raked the eyes of Shelley.
Shelley went back to the hand and wrist of Aldis, snapping the wrist with his feet. Shelley hit a superplex on Aldis. Aldis and Shelley got up and they started exchange punches and chops. Shelley hit Sliced Bread #2 on Aldis before transitioning into the Border City Stretch, but Aldis countered into a pinfall attempt. Aldis went for the Kingsland Cloverleaf, but Shelley went after the fingers and snapped them.
Shelley went for Sliced Bread #2 again, but Aldis caught him and hit a tombstone for a 2-count, and then followed with an elbow drop for another 2. Aldis grabbed the Impact World Championship and went to hit Shelley again, but Shelley kicked Aldis in the gut and went to hit Aldis with the title while the referee protested. Shelley gave the title to the ref, but as he was putting it aside, Aldis low blowed Shelley and hit a Michinoku driver for a 2-count. Aldis tried to hit Shelley with the belt again, but Shelley stopped him and hit a DDT onto the belt by accident, busting Aldis open. Shelley hit the Shell Shock and got the pin to retain his title.
–As Shelley was celebrating, Josh Alexander’s music hit and he made his way down to the ring to face off with Alex Shelley. It’s clear that we are heading towards a big match between Alexander and Shelley based on this, though I am surprised Alexander is back already after his surgery. The fans chanted “Welcome back” as Alexander grabbed a mic and said “I’m back!”
Final Thoughts
This was a good show, but not a great one. That said, I didn’t feel like my time was wasted, and that the matches had finishes that were mostly satisfying or leading somewhere. I was surprised Shelley retained, as I thought Aldis and Alexander would be a bigger match for upcoming shows, but Impact seems to want to establish Shelley as a viable and real world champion, which I’m in favour of. Shelley is still great, and having some of the best matches of his career, and I can’t wait to see him and Alexander wrestle.
A tag team clash previewing this month’s Slammiversary will highlight tonight’s Impact Wrestling on AXS TV.
The Motor City Machine Guns will take on Nick Aldis & Lio Rush after last Thursday’s incident where Aldis attacked Alex Shelley, was run off by Chris Sabin and then Sabin was laid out by Rush.
Shelley will defend the World title against Aldis while Sabin defends the X-Division title against Rush at the pay-per-view.
After a failed effort to be tag team partners, Frankie Kazarian will have a rematch with Eddie Edwards.
PCO will take on The Good Hands in a handicap match after John Skyler & Jason Hotch tried to bait PCO’s Slammiversary tag team partner Scott D’Amore into a warmup match last week.
In a preview of the Ultimate X match, Jonathan Gresham goes one-on-one with Angels.
Gisele Shaw will battle Courtney Rush while Sami Callihan & Rich Swann will be in tag team action. Dirty Dango vs. Crazzy Steve will be on the BTI pre-show.
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BTI pre-show:
George Iceman promised surprises for Impact Slammiversary.
Dirty Dango defeated Crazzy Steve
Dango came out and said he hated pro wrestling before Steve made his entrance. Dango won this after a few minutes with an inverted DDT.
Dango took a mic after the match and said he was going to enjoy ending Santino’s “puppet,” the cobra, at Slammiversary. Santino came out and claimed that the cobra was martial arts, while listing several others that he trained in. Santino said that he was going make Dango pay as Heath ran out and hit the Wake Up Call on Dango to Santino’s surprise.
Tom Hannifan noted that Heath said he was going to start fighting for what he believed in, which is apparently attacking unsuspecting people from behind.
Main Card:
Eddie Edwards (w/ Alisha Edwards) defeated Frankie Kazarian
This was a great match to open the show. I suspect we’ll be seeing more of these two given the finish.
Alisha was immediately trash talking Kazarian when the bell rang, and it briefly distracted Kazarian, but to no effect as he hit a right hand and some clubbing blows before hitting a suplex. Alisha hit a tornado DDT on Kazarian when she jumped off the apron onto him when the referee’s back was turned.
Kazarian tried to fire back, but Edwards raked the eyes and hit some chops. Alisha kept attacking at several points, always letting Edwards get the advantage, but after Eddie was kissing Alisha, Kazarian managed to hit a slingshot DDT over the ropes onto Edwards on the apron. Kazarian hit a springboard leg drop back in the ring for a 2-count.
Edwards went for the backpack stunner, but Kazarian countered out. After a few more counters, Kazarian hit a Unprettier for a 2-count. Kazarian went for the chicken wing, but Edwards countered out. Kazarian hit a back stabber, and Edwards hit a lariat before hitting a Tiger Driver for a two count.
Edwards went for a Boston Knee Party, but Kazarian ducked under and put on the crossface chicken wing. Alisha got on the apron and distracted the referee as Edwards drove Kazarian backwards into the referee. Kazarian went for the Flux Capacitor but Alisha Edwards hit Kazarian with a kendo stick, and Edwards followed up with the Boston Knee Party for the win.
– In a promo that initially aired on Twitter after last Thursday’s Impact, Chris Sabin cut a promo after being attacked by Lio Rush last week, saying that he was challenging Rush for Slammiversary and put his X-Division Championship on the line.
Rush then talked about how he wasn’t in Impact to make friends when Nick Aldis walked up and said that he didn’t do enough to beat Sabin yet, and they needed to win their tag match tonight. Aldis said that he didn’t want Rush’s ego to get in his way of winning tonight.
– Kazarian was backstage and talked about how Edwards cheated and wanted him one more time. Kazarian said that since Alisha would be at ringside, so he as bringing his wife, former Impact star Traci Brooks, to ringside for the trilogy match at Slammiversary.
Rich Swann & Sami Callihan defeated Champagne Singh & Shera
This was mostly a squash match with Swann and Callihan getting the win with Callihan picking Singh up for a piledriver, then Swann superkicking Singh in the face before the drop down for the win.
Moose & Brian Myers were backstage with Gia Miller scouting the match, and Miller wondered what they were going to do. Moose announced that they would be facing Callihan and Swann next week.
– Dango did another video package promo, talking about the last time he watched wrestling, apparently in 1998. His advice for all the young wrestlers was for them to go back to school. He said talking about the concrete construction of the wall behind him was more interesting than wrestling. Dango claimed Santino Marella wasn’t talented in any way and was just a one hit wonder. He claimed Heath was just hanging on and not a star, and suggested he work at Home Depot.
Jonathan Gresham defeated Angels (w/ the Design)
This was a quick, but fun match. Gresham is always a delight, and Angels is really good too.
The early parts of this match saw Angels getting into arguments with Deaner, with Deaner yelling that Angels should listen to him. Gresham took advantage of this and took control, hitting a dropkick that sent Angels to the floor to face more yelling from Deaner. Both men struggled over a vertical suplex, with neither being able to get it, and Angels hit a hip toss to drop Gresham.
Angels hit a half and half suplex on Gresham and then 10-punches in the corner. Angels hit a Northern Lights suplex for a 2-count. Angels and Gresham exchanged a series of pinfall attempts to no luck from either one until Gresham was finally able to lock on the Octopus stretch and pull Gresham to the mat for the tap out.
Gresham offered a handshake, but Deaner told Angels not to do it. Angels told Deaner that he decides what he does, and shoved Deaner away before shaking hands with Gresham and leaving. Deaner tried to tell Kon to take out Angels, but Kon tried to play peacemaker.
– ABC was backstage and talked about how they would be defending the Impact Tag Team titles and The Rascalz walked up and talked about wanting a shot. ABC said that they couldn’t jump the line, but Trey Miguel challenged Chris Bey, and said that if he won, they would be added to the match at Slammiversary.
– PCO was using car cables to electrocute himself while Scott D’Amore looked on in fear in preparation for PCO’s handicap match against The Good Hands.
– Highlights of the tour of Australia were shown with all the charity work they did, and the great time they had on the tour. This was great.
PCO defeated The Good Hands in a handicap match
D’Amore joined the commentary team for this match as the Good Hands (John Skyler & Jason Hotch) came out and said they were going to slay the monster, PCO. The Good Hands punched PCO, and it hurt them. PCO hit a double lariat and then a cannonball suicida to the floor. PCO hit a moonsault on to both men for the pinfall.
Hotch attacked D’Amore after the bell, but D’Amore responded with a popup sit-out power bomb and was about to hit the Canadian Destroyer when Bully Ray’s music hit and he came out. Steve Maclin came in through the crowd and low blowed PCO before hitting D’Amore with a chair.
Ray and Maclin beat on both men with chairs before handcuffing D’Amore to the ropes and getting a table from Hotch to put PCO through. Maclin and Ray put PCO through the table and then backstage, where they poured battery acid on his face and down his throat. Bully Ray then covered him in lighter fluid and set him on fire as PCO ran at the camera and collapsed in front of it. This was a crazy heat angle, which is fitting for the fire, and for Bully Ray — no pun intended.
Gia Miller met with D’Amore backstage and asked how all that would effect the match at Slammiversary. He said he didn’t know or care at the moment.
Gisele Shaw (w/ Jai Vidal & Savannah Evans) defeated Courtney Rush (w/ Jessicka)
I liked this match. Rush in this character is much needed change for her, and she was a fantastic babyface in this one. Solid performance from both wrestlers!
Shaw was trying to recover from a loss at the Impact Down Under tour, but had to retreat when Rush went for the sharpshooter. Shaw hit several running elbows in the corner before hitting a running European uppercut. Rush was draped across the middle ropes and got hit with a stomp from Shaw. Rush hit a Samoan drop after dodging the Denouement, but Savannah Evans and Vidal distracted Rush by attacking Jessicka on the floor so Shaw was able to roll up Rush and grab the tights for the win.
– Kenny King and Sheldon Jean were backstage when a fan walked up to King and asked for a picture. Then the fan tried to slip him some money because of Joe Hendry’s song exposing King’s time as a dancer. Another person walked up trying the same and said after that video the previous week, they were curious.
King said, “Don’t you dare say his name!” and Hendry showed up. Jean and King claimed that Hendry had no friends or backup, and his music hit again, and Yuya Uemura showed up with a new version of Hendry’s song. Hendry then asked how to say “champion” in Japanese. Uemura replied, “Champion.” I loved this so much.
Nick Aldis & Lio Rush defeated The Motor City Machine Guns
This long run of putting the Machine Guns in long matches on TV is paying off for Impact lately, because they have a fantastic match every single time. Lio Rush and Nick Aldis were excellent as well. This was a really great TV main event.
Aldis and Rush got the heat on Chris Sabin in the early portion of the match, using both Aldis’ size and Rush’s speed to keep the advantage. Sabin was able to break free when he slid to the floor after being Irish whipped and blind tagged by Alex Shelley. Sabin pulled Aldis from the apron before coming back in and hitting a double team PK with Shelley.
Aldis was able to ambush Shelley with some help form Rush before the ad break. When they came back, Rush and Aldis were continuing to get the heat on Shelley. Shelley blocked a punch from Rush and hit a flatliner into the middle turnbuckle on Aldis allowing Sabin to get the hot tag. Sabin ran wild, hitting dropkicks on both Aldis and Rush before punting Aldis from the apron and sending Rush backwards with a sunset flip into a rolling elbow from Shelley followed by a magic killer for a 2-count.
Rush managed to hit a handspring kick on both Machine Guns and then a tope con giro to the floor. Rush hit a Michinoku Driver on Sabin for a 2-count, and then Aldis hit a flying elbow, allowing Rush to get another 2-count. Sabin rolled out of a frog splash attempt and then hit some classic MCMG offence on Rush. Aldis made the save in a pinfall and locked the Kingsland cloverleaf on Shelley, but ate a superkick from Sabin. Rush hit a low blow on Sabin and then hit The Final Hour on Sabin while Aldis managed to keep Shelley from making the save.
Final Thoughts:
This was a very good episode of Impact this week, featuring some great wrestling and good build for Slammiversary. It honestly would have functioned well as a go-home show, but that will be next week. We’ll see if they can top this one.
Next Week:
Zachary Wentz vs. Chris Bey with a Slammiversary Tag Team title opportunity on the line
Kevin Knight vs. Mike Bailey
Moose & Brian Myers vs. Rich Swann & Sami Callihan
Deonna Purrazzo open challenge
New for Impact Slammiversary (July 15):
Impact Digital Media Champion Joe Hendry (w/ Yuya Uemura) defends against Kenny King (w/ Sheldon Jean)
Frankie Kazarian (w/ Traci Brooks) vs. Eddie Edwards (w/ Alisha Edwards)
The final pieces for this Thursday’s Impact Wrestling on AXS TV have come into place with a high-profile tag team match as the main attraction.
The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) will take on Nick Aldis & Lio Rush following the events of last Thursday where Rush assisted Aldis in a beatdown of Shelley and Sabin. Shelley will defend the Impact World title against Aldis at this month’s Slammiversary while Sabin will defend the X-Division title against Rush.
PCO will battle The Good Hands (Jason Hotch & John Skyler) in a handicap match. This was made after Hotch and Skyler challenged Scott D’Amore to a warmup match ahead of he and PCO teaming up against Bully Ray & Steve Maclin at Slammiversary. D’Amore then made the handicap match to their chagrin.
Former Impact World Champions Sami Callihan & Rich Swann will be in tag team action against opponents to be named.
Here’s the current lineup:
Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) vs. Nick Aldis & Lio Rush
PCO vs. The Good Hands (Jason Hotch & John Skyler)
On tonight’s Impact on AXS TV, the road to both Slammiversary and this weekend’s PPVs in Australia continues.
In a rematch from Against All Odds, X-Division Champion Chris Sabin will defend against Trey Miguel. This will be Sabin’s first title defense in his ninth title reign while Miguel is looking for his third run.
Nick Aldis will attempt to explain his actions to Impact World Champion Alex Shelley after laying him out with the title belt two weeks ago. Aldis was not on last week’s show out of fear of retribution from Shelley’s fans.
Trinity will look to remain undefeated as she faces Jai Vidal in an intergender match.
Masha Slamovich takes on KiLynn King of The Coven as King & Taylor Wilde continue to look for new Knockouts Tag Team title contenders.
Kenny King will continue his run toward a Digital Media title shot as he faces Yuya Uemura.
The BTI pre-show features Johnny Swinger vs. Bhupinder Gujjar.
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BTI: Johnny Swinger defeated Bhupinder Gujjar
Swinger’s Road to 50 wins continued with Swinger having Zicky Dice assigned as the referee following his training last week. Swinger was finally able to get his first win after Swinger rolled up Gujjar for the fast pin.
Main card:
X-Division Champion Chris Sabin defeated Trey Miguel via DQ to retain the title
This match picked up right where they last left off at Against All Odds with Sabin and Miguel grappling all around the ring, including rolling onto the ramp without letting go of the lock up. Sabin hit a back suplex in the ring for a nearfall. Miguel hit a low dropkick for a 2-count. Sabin hit some forearms as he got up, but ate a dropkick to the face and a Death Valley Driver for a nearfall.
Miguel missed a lionsault and Sabin got up and hit two big boots, including a boot as Sabin charged the corner. Sabin hit a huge superplex on Miguel for a nearfall. Miguel hit a series of kicks and a double stomp to the back of Sabin for a nearfall. Sabin had an STF on, but Miguel slipped out. Sabin turned it into an STF again, and after another roll through, went for the Cradle Shock. Just as Sabin was going to hit it, the returning Zachary Wentz of the Rascalz ran down and hit a flying knee on Sabin to drop him and cause the DQ. The Rascalz then went to continue their attack on Sabin, but Alex Shelley made the save.
Later, Wentz and Miguel were backstage and claimed The Rascalz were back and were here to take what was theirs.
Trinity defeated Jai Vidal (w/ Gisele Shaw & Savannah Evans)
Deonna Purrazzo joined the commentary desk to talk about the upcoming Knockouts title match against Gisele Shaw (this weekend) and Trinity (Slammiversary). Trinity hit a dropkick on Vidal, but as Shaw was distracting the referee, Evans was able to pull the legs out from under Trinity on the apron, letting Vidal get control.
Vidal hit a running elbow for a 2-count. Trinity managed to duck under an attack from Vidal and hit a springboard kick for a 2-count. Trinity hit a Heat Seeker and then locked on Star Struck for the submission win.
Shaw and Savannah Evans attacked Trinity after the match, and while looking like she was going to ignore it, Purrazzo did come into the ring to make the save.
– Moose was backstage with Brian Myers and The Good Hands who were excited that Moose helped them get a win last week. Moose told Myers that he was glad to be working with Myers, but that he needed to ditch the dead weight, looking at The Good Hands. John Skylar asked what happened and Jason Hotch said “I think we just got jobbed!” Humor!
– Tying back to BTI, Johnny Swinger and Zicky Dice were backstage, and Swinger asked for a “sharpie gimmick” to write a win on his poster. A referee walked up and told Swinger that the win was overturned and that Dice (who called himself Zick Patrick) would lose his referee license if he did that again.
Lio Rush defeated Jack Price
Rush made his debut here and moved so fast that I am going to have difficultly recapping it. He slowed it down with a chop in the corner as the announcers put Rush over as a member of CHAOS in NJPW, and Rush soon thereafter hit a handspring kick on Price. Rush soon hit the Final Hour for the pinfall.
– Dirty Dango was backstage cutting a promo on Santino after getting hit by the Cobra last week. Dango talked about how Santino got a job in WWE, and like how Santino was slapped by Jim Cornette, he wondered if someone was doing the same to his daughter in NXT. This was awkward. Santino later responded saying that he was being pulled back into the ring from the comments about his daughter, and in Windsor, Ontario at Slammiversary, he was going to make Dango pay. This was actually a good promo.
– Frankie Kazarian and Eddie Edwards were backstage arguing about what happened in their tag match last week. Edwards said Kazarian’s ego was too big for a tag team, so maybe they’d be better as opponents.
Masha Slamovich defeated KiLynn King (w/ Taylor Wilde)
Slamovich immediately started beating on King, but King was able to cut Slamovich off on a tope suicida to get the heat back in the ring. King put Slamovich in a full nelson, but Slamovich managed to roll forward and hit a double stomp. King hit a lariat to Slamovich for a 2-count. Slamovich countered out of a pump handle into a big sheer drop back suplex.
Slamovich hit a series of kicks on King, including a spinning heel kick for a 2-count. King blocked the Snow plough and hit a big running elbow in the corner and hit a Death Valley Driver for a 2-count. Slamovich hit a series of strikes, ending with a kick to the head of King for a 2-count. King sent Slamovich to the floor with a forearm, but missed a baseball slide attempt. Slamovich hit a twisting tope suicida to the floor on King.
Slamovich sent King into the ring, but Wilde attacked from behind and sent Slamovich face first into the ring post. As King was setting up to hit the Excalibuster, Killer Kelly came out and started choking Taylor Wilde with a chain. Slamovich then took advantage and hit a Snow plough on King for the pinfall.
Kelly and Slamovich faced off, and Kelly had the dog collar and chain around her neck. Slamovich smiled and put the other half of it on her neck again, but this time, it looks like they will be teaming up.
– A fantastic promo video aired about Scott D’Amore and all the people he trained around the world, and how his own wrestling career was significant. He returns to the ring at Slammiversary.
– Scott D’Amore was backstage talking with Gia Miller, and The Good Hands walked up and challenged D’Amore to a warmup match for Slammiversary. Hotch and Skylar soon regretted this as D’Amore accepted the challenge and said they’d have to take on him and PCO. The second half of the team was something The Good Hands did not take into consideration.
Kenny King (w/ Sheldon Jean) defeated Yuya Uemura
Digital Media Champion Joe Hendry was shown in the production truck, waiting to show something relevant to King, King had the advantage throughout the early portion of the match with King hitting a spinebuster for a two count. Uemura hit a dropkick and then a bulldog for another two count before hitting a DDT when they went to break. Uemura missed a crossbody off the top rope and King hit a Royal Flush soon thereafter for the win.
Hendry came out to congratulate King and introduce his new song celebrating the career of King. By celebrating, I mean making fun of him. It was hilarious.
Nick Aldis/Alex Shelley segment
Aldis came out to explain his recent attack on Shelley, and Shelley came out to hear it face to face. Aldis insisted he wanted to be safe, so he secured a seat in the fans for Shelley. Shelley chose to sit with the fans, saying it was an honor. Aldis claimed that Shelley and Sabin tried to show him up in the 10-person tag 2 weeks ago by refusing to tag him in and doing their double team moves.
Aldis said he decided to put Shelley in his place, and that Shelley was a fake revolutionary, as he tried to show up and get rid of people like him. Aldis talked about how all of Shelley’s friends in the wrestling media praised him, but denounced Aldis, and that Aldis represented tradition in wrestling, and the future Shelley wanted to take the business into was a dark place. Aldis called Shelley a transitional champion, and said he was going to humiliate Shelley at Slammiversary.
Shelley told Aldis to shut up, and that he was whining. Aldis said it was his time, and he left the ring to try and shut Shelley up. Aldis and Shelley started brawling, and Aldis raked the eyes of Shelley before sending him into the ring post. Aldis grabbed the Impact World Championship and went to hit Shelley with it again, but Chris Sabin ran down to make the save, pulling the belt out of the hands of Aldis.
Lio Rush then ran in and attacked Sabin and Shelley, and Aldis and Rush beat down both men. It’s notable that Rush was wearing a suit, like Aldis would, so it seems like there is an alliance forming here. Rush hit Sabin in the face the X-Division title like Aldis did to Shelley with the Impact World Championship 2 weeks ago.
Final Thoughts
This was a good episode of Impact, especially with the closing angle where Aldis and Shelley were both fantastic. The addition of Lio Rush into the feud is an interesting one, as they are clearly setting up The Rascalz against the Motor City Machine Guns down the line. I suspect Rush will be getting the X-Division title match at Slammiversary while Shelley of course defends against Aldis.
Next Week:
Jonathan Gresham vs. Angels
Eddie Edwards vs. Frankie Kazarian
Impact Slammiversary
Ultimate X-Match: Mike Bailey vs. Jonathan Gresham vs. KUSHIDA vs. Kevin Knight vs. Angels to determine the no. 1 contender for the X-Division Championship
X-Division Champion Chris Sabin will defend his title against Trey Miguel in a rematch on next Thursday’s Impact Wrestling on AXS TV.
Sabin defeated Miguel to begin his ninth title reign at this month’s Against All Odds, ending Miguel’s second run in the process.
Trinity will continue her march to a Knockouts title shot at Slammiversary as she faces Jai Vidal in an intergender match. She called out Vidal, part of Gisele Shaw’s entourage, on Thursday’s show.
After declining to be on Thursday’s show due to threats from Impact World Champion Alex Shelley’s fans, Nick Aldis will be on hand to explain why he hit Shelley with the title belt last Thursday. He will challenge Shelley for the title at next month’s Slammiversary.
Next Thursday’s show will be filmed this weekend in Atlanta, Georgia.
Here’s the current lineup with more expected to be announced.
X-Division Champion Chris Sabin defends against Trey Miguel
Trinity vs. Jai Vidal
Nick Aldis will explain his actions from last week to Alex Shelley
Impact Wrestling has released a pair of lineups ahead of this weekend’s double-dip of TV tapings in Atlanta, Georgia.
As previously announced, Lio Rush will make his return to Impact on Friday for the first time since Impact x NJPW Multiverse United during WrestleMania weekend.
In a trio of title matches set for Friday, Impact World Champion Alex Shelley will defend his title for the first time as he takes on Brian Myers, Knockouts Champion Deonna Purrazzo defends against former champion Taylor Wilde, and X-Division Champion Chris Sabin defends against former champion Trey Miguel in a rematch.
Here are Friday’s announced matches:
Impact World Champion Alex Shelley defends against Brian Myers
Knockouts Champion Deonna Purrazzo defends against Taylor Wilde
X-Division Champion Chris Sabin defends against Trey Miguel
Lio Rush appearance
Jonathan Gresham vs. Angels
Courtney Rush vs. Gisele Shaw
Masha Slamovich vs. KiLynn King
On Saturday, Rush will officially return to action as he teams with Nick Aldis against the Motor City Machine Guns (Shelley & Sabin). If he defeats Myers Friday, Shelley will next defend against Aldis at July’s Slammiversary, leading to speculation Sabin could defend his title against Rush at the PPV if Sabin successfully defends his title Friday.
Here are Saturday’s announced matches:
Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley) vs. Nick Aldis & Lio Rush
Trinity vs. Jai Vidal
Deonna Purrazzo open challenge
Rich Swann & Sami Callihan vs. Moose & Brian Myers
Mike Bailey vs. Kevin Knight
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Impact’s flagship weekly show will now be seen on DAZN’s linear channel on Sky UK.
The show, seen Thursdays on AXS TV in North America, will now also be available on DAZN HD 1, channel 429 for UK and Ireland viewers on Fridays at 23:00 BST (11 PM).
The latest move is part of a November 2022 deal done between DAZN and Anthem Sports Group which owns Impact. The channel will also air monthly specials, original series, and content from Impact’s library.
DAZN HD 1 was launched on Sky UK in March with a focus on combat sports, women’s football and documentaries.
