A pair of former Rascalz are the winners of the men’s 2021 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.
In the finals of the men’s Dusty Classic, MSK (Wes Lee & Nash Carter) defeated The Grizzled Young Veterans (Zack Gibson & James Drake) at NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day tonight. As the men’s Dusty Classic winners, MSK will get a future shot at Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch’s NXT Tag Team titles.
MSK debuted for NXT in this year’s Dusty Classic. They defeated Isaiah “Swerve” Scott & Jake Atlas in the first round, Drake Maverick & Killian Dain in the quarterfinals, Legado Del Fantasma (Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde) in the semifinals, and The Grizzled Young Veterans in the finals.
It was announced in December that MSK (former Rascalz Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz) had signed with WWE. Their farewell match for Impact Wrestling aired in November.
MSK are the sixth team to win the men’s Dusty Classic since it was first introduced in 2015. Finn Balor & Samoa Joe, The Authors of Pain, Undisputed Era’s Adam Cole & Kyle O’Reilly, Aleister Black & Ricochet, and Matt Riddle & Pete Dunne won the tournament in previous years.
The finals of the first-ever women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic also took place at TakeOver: Vengeance Day tonight. Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez defeated Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon in the finals and will get a future shot at the WWE Women’s Tag Team titles, which are currently held by Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler.
Trey Miguel returned to Impact on Tuesday, scoring the pinfall for his team in the main event.
Miguel teamed with Impact World Champion Rich Swann, Willie Mack & Tommy Dreamer to take on Moose, Sami Callihan, Ken Shamrock & Chris Bey in the main event of Tuesday’s Impact. Miguel ended up pinning Callihan following a hurricanrana. The show ended with an angry Shamrock putting the referee in an ankle lock submission.
Miguel had been off television since it was announced in November that The Rascalz would be leaving Impact. In The Rascalz’s farewell match, Swann & Miguel defeated Zachary Wentz & Dezmond Xavier on the November 17 episode of Impact.
It was announced in December that Miguel’s Rascalz stablemates Wentz & Xavier had signed with WWE.
Wentz & Xavier made their NXT debut on the January 13 episode of NXT. Going under the names Nash Carter (Wentz) & Wes Lee (Xavier), the team now known as MSK defeated Jake Atlas & Isaiah “Swerve” Scott in the opening round of the men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic tournament.
A new tag team debuted as the 2021 men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic kicked off on NXT last night.
Former Rascalz Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz debuted with new names and defeated Isaiah “Swerve” Scott & Jake Atlas to advance to the second round of the Dusty Classic. Xavier & Wentz are now using the name MSK as a team, Xavier’s new name is Wes Lee, and Wentz is now Nash Carter.
It was announced last month that Xavier & Wentz had signed with WWE. Their farewell to Impact Wrestling aired in November.
Two other men’s Dusty Classic first round matches took place on last night’s NXT. In the main event of the show, undisputed Era’s Adam Cole & Roderick Strong defeated Breezango. The Grizzled Young Veterans also defeated Ever-Rise
Pete Dunne appeared to emerge as NXT Champion Finn Balor’s next challenger. Dunne, Oney Lorcan, and Danny Burch confronted Balor and attacked him until Undisputed Era made the save. Dunne, Lorcan, and Burch then took out Kyle O’Reilly at ringside while last night’s main event was going on. Balor tried to help O’Reilly but was also laid out.
Two members of The Rascalz have signed with WWE and been introduced as part of the latest class of Performance Center recruits.
WWE unveiled their latest group of signees today, confirming that The Rascalz’s Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz have signed with the company. Their farewell match for Impact Wrestling aired two weeks ago and featured Wentz & Xavier losing to Trey Miguel & Rich Swann.
Xavier & Wentz are the current PWG Tag Team Champions and have held the titles since April 2018. PWG is currently on hiatus from running shows due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Alex Zayne, Jiro “Ikemen” Kuroshio, and Rust Taylor have also signed with WWE, along with former college basketball and WNBA player Anriel Howard. WWE’s full announcement is available below:
The latest class of recruits has reported for training at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Fla. The group brings a wide array of experience to the WWE PC, including independent and international wrestling experience as well as in professional sports.
Deveon Everheart Aiken, better known to fans as Dezmond Xavier, brings a dazzling array of aerial offense to the PC. Aiken, a nine-year-veteran of the squared circle, has competed for promotions including Combat Zone Wrestling, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla and Impact Wrestling.
Zachary Green, aka Zachary Wentz, is a frequent tag team partner of Aiken’s. The 26-year-old Ohio native is also a former MMA fighter.
Alex Brandenburg competed under the name Alex Zayne on the independent scene. The Kentucky native has made a name for himself in promotions like Game Changer Wrestling, Black Label Pro and Ring of Honor during his 15-year career.
Sojiru “Ikemen” Higuchi is a 26-year-old wrestler from Japan who was trained by former United States and WWE Tag Team Champion Tajiri, and he has competed for Wrestle-1 and All-Japan Pro Wrestling.
Twenty-three-year-old Georgia native Anriel Howard played college basketball at Mississippi State and Texas A&M. She was selected in the 2019 WNBA Draft, and played professionally for the Seattle Storm.
Russ Taylor of Phelan, Calif. brings plenty of global experience to the WWE PC. Taylor has competed for wXw in Germany, as well as in Japan and across the United States.
Zayne and Taylor have also wrestled for NJPW of America. Taylor was an entrant in ROH’s Pure title tournament this year, losing to Tracy Williams in the first round.
The Rascalz, along with Rich Swann, will compete in a match next week that will serve as the Rascalz’s Impact farewell match.
During a Treehouse segment that took place tonight on Impact, it was revealed that the Rascalz were evicted from their treehouse, and were out of Impact Wrestling.
The expectation right is that their Impact deals are up, and barring a change, are leaving the company, according to Dave Meltzer.
Later in the show, Dez, Wentz, and Trey Miguel came to the aid of Rich Swann after he was attacked by Sami Callihan, Ken Shamrock, and Chris Bey. Callihan was going for a baseball bat and was set to attack Swann when the trio showed up.
Backstage, Swann thanked the Rascalz for showing up. After they mentioned that next week would be their final day with Impact, Swann suggested a tag team match to close out their tenure with the company: Swann & Trey Miguel vs. Dezmond Xavier and Zachary Wentz. Everyone ended up agreeing.
As a trio, The Rascalz have been regularly wrestling for Impact Wrestling since the fall of 2018. Earlier this year, Miguel was a part of a scramble elimination match for the Impact World title, however that was won by Eddie Edwards.
Tag team action is set for Saturday’s Bound for Glory pre-show.
Impact Wrestling has announced that The Rascalz (Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz) vs. The Deaners (Cody Deaner & Cousin Jake) will take place on Countdown to Glory this Saturday. Countdown to Glory is airing live on AXS TV and Impact Wrestling’s digital platforms starting at 7 p.m. Eastern time.
Countdown to Glory will also feature Ken Shamrock’s Impact Wrestling Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
AXS TV hyped Countdown to Glory when it was first announced: “Leading into the Bound For Glory pay-per-view broadcast on Saturday, Oct. 24, AXS TV presents the first-ever, hour-long pre-show Live Countdown to Glory at 7 p.m. ET. The excitement builds as expert panelists weigh-in on all the Bound For Glory championship matches, IMPACT stars walk the red carpet, and IMPACT kicks off the live action with the first match of the night, plus more surprises to be announced.”
The Bound for Glory main card will begin on PPV at 8 p.m. Eastern this Saturday. Here’s the updated lineup for the show:
Impact World Champion Eric Young defends against Rich Swann
Knockouts Champion Deonna Purrazzo defends against Kylie Rae
Impact Tag Team Champions The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) defend against The Good Brothers (Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows), The North (Josh Alexander & Ethan Page), and Ace Austin & Madman Fulton in a four-way match
X-Division Champion Rohit Raju defends against Jordynne Grace, Chris Bey, Trey Miguel, Willie Mack, and TJP in a six-way scramble match
EC3 vs. Moose in an undisclosed location
Eddie Edwards vs. Ken Shamrock
Call Your Shot gauntlet match
The Rascalz vs. The Deaners (Countdown to Glory)
Ken Shamrock Impact Wrestling Hall of Fame induction ceremony (Countdown to Glory)
The Rascalz will be in action at Slammiversary this Saturday (July 18), but their opponents haven’t been revealed.
Impact Wrestling announced today that The Rascalz (Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz) have issued an open challenge for the pay-per-view: “BREAKING: The Rascalz have issued an Open Challenge for #Slammiversary THIS SATURDAY LIVE on PPV and @FiteTV!”
Trey Miguel, who is also part of The Rascalz, will be part of the main event for Slammiversary. He’s facing Eddie Edwards, Ace Austin, and a mystery opponent in a fatal four-way match for the vacant Impact World Championship. Tessa Blanchard had held the title prior to Impact terminating its relationship with her.
Impact has teased that Slammiversary will feature involvement from wrestlers who were released by WWE in April. It’s also been announced that a former World Champion will make his return at the PPV, with Impact saying that he isn’t coming alone.
Here’s the updated card for Slammiversary:
Eddie Edwards vs. Ace Austin vs. Trey Miguel vs. a mystery wrestler for the vacant Impact World Championship
Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace defending against Deonna Purrazzo
X-Division Champion Willie Mack defending against Chris Bey
Impact Tag Team Champions The North (Josh Alexander & Ethan Page) defending against Sami Callihan & Ken Shamrock
Number one contender’s Knockouts gauntlet match (Rosemary, Nevaeh, Susie, Kiera Hogan, Taya Valkyrie, Tasha Steelz, Alisha Edwards, Kylie Rae, Kimber Lee, Jessicka Havok, and Madison Rayne)
TNA World Heavyweight Champion Moose defending against Tommy Dreamer
New number one contenders to the Impact World Championship and Tag Team titles were decided on this week’s episode of Impact.
In the main event of this week’s show, Ace Austin defeated Zachary Wentz to become the number one contender to Tessa Blanchard’s Impact World title. Austin vs. Trey Miguel was supposed to be the finals of Impact’s number one contender’s tournament, but there was an angle where — as he was supposed to be making his entrance — it was found that Miguel had been attacked by someone backstage.
Austin wanted to be declared number one contender, but Wentz came out to confront Austin and thought he was the person who attacked Miguel.
Miguel is part of The Rascalz with Wentz and Dezmond Xavier. Wentz & Xavier had just defeated TJP & Fallah Bahh on last night’s show to become the number one contenders to the Impact Tag Team titles, which are held by The North (Josh Alexander & Ethan Page).
Earlier in the show, Moose interrupted a backstage interview with Austin. He called the Impact World Championship a second-rate title and said Austin should come after his TNA World Heavyweight Championship instead. Austin said that maybe he will.
Moose has been calling himself TNA World Champion since night two of Rebellion in April. Blanchard was supposed to defend her title against Michael Elgin and Eddie Edwards in a triple threat match at Rebellion, but neither Blanchard nor Edwards attended Impact’s tapings for the show due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Austin replaced Ken Shamrock in the number one contender’s tournament after Shamrock was attacked by Elgin. Austin defeated Rhino and Hernandez in the first two rounds to get to the finals.
Impact returns to the Fronton Mexico in Mexico City to continue the fallout of Hard To Kill and kick-off the new set of tapings. Opening video featured last week’s angle where Sami Callihan stalked Tessa Blanchard during her sitdown interview.
Tessa Blanchard opened the show coming down to the ring. Tessa cut a promo saying that it felt good standing in the ring as the World Champion. She said that winning the title was just the beginning because now she has a target on her back and that she knows Callihan has a rematch coming. He told Callihan that he is the one that needs to look out for his own good. She said that she can’t wait to be done with Callihan so she can move on to the rest of the roster. Tessa called out Callihan for the rematch, but instead, out came Taya Valkyrie!
Now the longest reigning Knockout’s Champion, Taya, got face to face with Tessa. This being Mexico, Taya was way more over than Tessa. Taya said that she took the Knockout’s Championship in Mexico, and in their last match, she took the AAA Reina de Reinas title in MSG, and she was the one making history. Tessa challenged Taya a match, but they got interrupted by a third champion — Ace Austin.
Ace said that he is also had a good night at Hard To Kill. Ace said that he and Taya have a thing in common, they’ve both defeated Tessa before. Ace said that he could beat Tessa again. Tessa attacked Ace when he implied a night at the hotel, but Taya and Ace teamed up on Tessa until Trey Miguel came out for the save and took out Ace. Strong opening.
Tessa and Trey Miguel team up tonight to take on Ace Austin and Taya Valkyrie in the main event.
We got a video recap of Willie Mack failing to capture the titles from The North at Hard To Kill. This led to Jimmy Jacobs interviewing Willie Mack, telling him that he was incredible at the pay-per-view. Mack said that he was waiting for Rich Swann to come back from his injury. Jacobs asked what he would do for now, to which Mack said he was going to keep on training.
Johnny Swinger walked up and offered to be Willie Mack’s partner if he wanted to chase after the titles, but Mack told him he’d pass. The interview had potential, but then they turned it into a Swinger comedy skit.
Backstage, Taya is arguing with John E. Bravo about being tired of Tessa and wanting recognition. Madison Rayne and Kiera Hogan walked up to Taya trying to recollect their bounty, but Taya told them they had to wait until she was done with Tessa tonight. Taya told them to face off to figure out the order in which she’d fight them.
Taurus defeated Moose and Rhino
The animal kingdom match. Moose started the match by leaving the ring for both Rhino and Taurus to go at it. Taurus early on showed some athleticism, but Rhino had the size advantage. Moose kept trying to trip both men by pulling on their feet. Rhino and Taurus kept going at it.
Back from commercial, commentary tells us that Rhino and Taurus had been going at it during the break. We see that Rhino is starting to set up the Gore, but Moose trips him up again, and finally Taurus and Rhino are tired of Moose and they decide to chase after him.
Moose tried to fight off both men, but he just got beat up and double teamed by both men, at least until they went for pins and the team broke up, which gave Moose the opening to take them out and get them with some kicks and punches.
Moose did good keeping them down, but when he went to try and suplex them, he failed on both accounts, with Rhino actually reversing the Suplex and making a comeback.
Taurus came back and got a two count with a Springboard plancha. Moose hit the Go To Hell for a two count on Taurus. Moose went for the No Jackhammer Needed, but Rhino blocked it, hit a belly-to-belly and set up the Gore, but Moose hid behind the ref.
Moose low blowed Rhino, but Taurus was there to cut him off. Rhino hit the Gore, but in came Taurus with a headbutt and took the pin over Moose. Did not see this coming.
On commentary, Don Callis tried to sell that Moose needed a manager to finally seal the deal with a championship. We’ll see if this goes anywhere.
Gabbi Loren interivewed Jordynne Grace about her future plans. Grace said she’s not done chasing the Knockout’s championship. She said that when Bravo is not in the picture, she knows she can defeat Taya, and said she wants in on that Rayne vs Hogan match for next week.
Joey Ryan was called in for another wrestler’s court, but in Spanish, by a Tommy Dreamer wearing a sombrero that Mexicans don’t really use at all. Ryan just walked out and said he wasn’t doing this again.
Joey Ryan defeated Maximo
Oh boy, this is a pair up for ages. The crowd immediately called for the kiss. Joey called for Maximo to touch it, and Maximo didn’t actually go for it.
Maximo and Ryan traded some lucha arm drags and quick pin attempts before the stand-off. Maximo hit a top rope elbow, but went for the atomic drop and his knee took the force of Ryan’s penis. Joey came back with a dropkick and a dive to get in the offense.
Joey pulled Maximo to his penis, but Maximo countered, kissed Joey, and got a two count from a roll up.
Joey finally made Maximo touch it, hit the Dong-plex, hit Sweet-Tooth-Music, and picked up the win. Short fun match, I honestly expected less of a match.
Loren interviewed RVD and Forbes. Rob said that he hated what he saw in the ring just now, and before Loren could ask a question, RVD walked away.
Michael Elgin cut a promo telling Eddie Edwards that he pinned him and tapped him out at Hard To Kill. He said he is coming for Eddie’s trophy.
Havok (w/ Father James Mitchell & Susie) defeated Rosemary
Rosemary started the match dodging Havok and going after Susie, telling her to leave Mitchell. Rosemary got back in the apron and hit a scary looking jumping rana on Havok. Rosemary jumped on Havok with the headlock, but Havok crushed her against the apron and they started brawling up the ramp. Rosemary went for a German in the ramp, but Havok blocked and hit a samoan drop instead
Back in the ring, Rosemary caught Rosemary with a plancha and a running elbow combo. Rosemary hit a version of the slingblade and the running Last Chancery for the submission tease. Havok broke off and came back at Rosemary with a running clothesline. Havok hit a backbreaker and running kneelift.
Rosemary made a comeback with a desperation jawbreaker, but when she went for the ten punches, Mitchell distracted her. Rosemary hit her mist on Mitchell, but the distraction was enough for Havok to turn the table and Tombstone Rosemary for the pin. Maybe it’s the Mexican fans, but this whole angle feels like it has overstayed their welcome.
After the match, Susie ran away and Mitchell ran out to find her.
Backstage, Gama Singh is telling Rohit and Shera that he’s proud of them winning. Shera told Gama that Raj has been sent away on a spiritual journey. Gama wasn’t happy about it.
The Rascalz are in the Treehouse. Dezmond and Wentz are making fun of Trey’s crush on Tessa. Wentz said he had hooked up from peyote. We got trippy visuals until Pagano and Murder Clown joined them and freaked them out.
Eddie Edwards addressed Elgin’s promo. He said that he is calling his shot on April 19th in New York, but Elgin interrupted him before he did and they started pushing each other until the big pull apart.
Rohit tried to jump Mack, but Willie was ready and got the better of Rohit with some lucha arm drags, a hurricanrana, and sent him out with a dropkick. Mack went for the dive, but Shera got in the apron and distracted Mack, allowing Rohit to comeback and take down Mack.
Rohit had a lot of kicking offense, getting a quick two count with a foot stomp. Rohit went for the Headlock, but Mack was too big for him. Mack came back with some clotheslines, and running elbows. Shera pulled Rohit out of the ring, but Mack hit a tope con giro on both.
Back in the ring, Mack hit the samoan drop and moonsault combo for a two count. Mack went for the stunner, but Rohit blocked, hit a knee and a cannonball, but missed the foot stomp. Mack hit the stunner and picked up the win.
After the match, Shera attacked Mack until Johnny Swinger came out and actually managed to fend off the Desi Hit Squad for a bit, but Shera dropped him with the Sky High. Gama took out Swinger and Mack with big punches.
Impact Plus Flashback Moment of the Week was the Motor City Machine Guns vs Beer Money Inc from Genesis 2011.
Backstage, The North are making fun of Swann breaking his leg, talking to Hijo del Vikingo, who challenged Alexander to a match.
Announced for next week: Elgin and Edwards start a best of five series, Rayne vs Hogan vs Grace in a Knockout’s championship number one contendership match, and the return of Dr. Wagner Jr..
Knockouts Champion Taya Valkyrie (w/ John E. Bravo) & X-Division Champion Ace Austin defeated Impact World Champion Tessa Blanchard & Trey Miguel in a non-title match
I don’t fully understand why Taya is wrestling with Ear Muffs, but they look fabulous. Tessa’s entrance had some glitches, obviously coming from Callihan messing with her.
Taya and Tessa started the match with elbows and clotheslines. Taya quickly tagged in Ace, who else fell to Tessa’s headlock takedowns. Trey tagged in and took down Ace with a jumping knee and dropkick. Trey hit a rana and sent Ace to the outside, went to follow with a dive, but Taya blocked him. Tessa sent Taya down too with Ace, and followed with synched dives on Ace and Taya.
Back from commercial, Trey and Tessa have been working on Ace with some double teams, but outside the ring, we see Taya take out Tessa, allowing Ace to get the better of Trey in the ring and turn the momentum on him.
Ace Austin worked over Trey for a while, getting quick two count attempts here and there. Taya came in and also worked on Trey, but the latter would get some openings to get the better of Taya until Ace made the assist. Trey nailed Taya with a forearm, but Taya came back with a big kneelift for a two count.
Ace tagged back in and worked over Trey’s midsection, hanging him on the Tree of Woe for some kicks and a dropkick from Taya. Ace got a two count with a backplex. Submission by Trey that allowed him to to the paper cut spot between the fingers, but Trey finally dodged Ace’s attacks and hit a desperation kick, but unfortunately, Bravo distracted the ref who called the tag illegal. Trey kept fighting and hit a double foot stomp on Ace, and finally got the tag to Tessa.
Tessa and Taya came in with the former catching Taya with a crossbody from the top rope. Rana by Tessa, followed by an elbow and a cutter. Tessa went for the Magnum, but Taya moved and tagged in Ace. Tilt-a-Whirl DDT by Tessa and stereo dropkicks along with Trey.
Trey tagged in and went for a meteora, but Ace dodged. Trey hit a moonsault and flatliner for a two count. Trey went for meteora again, but Taya blocked it and dropped him instead. Tessa took out Taya with a big boot and followed with a dive.
Back in the ring, Ace hit The Fold on Trey and picked up the win. Pretty good match, especially towards the end.
After the match, Tessa and Ace stood tall in the ring.
Final Thoughts —
Ok show by Impact, nothing particularly special. We seem to have a direction for Tessa with Taya, Ace, and Callihan as chasers, and the Elgin vs Edwards Best-of series should be amazing. It’s always fun to see the AAA wrestlers mix it up in these tapings.
– One of the matches that was scheduled for tonight’s Bound for Glory pay-per-view will instead air on television this week.
Instead of it being on the PPV, Impact Wrestling taped The Rascalz (Dezmond Xavier, Zachary Wentz & Trey Miguel) vs. Dr. Wagner Jr., Aerostar & Taurus before Bound for Glory went on the air. The six-man tag match will be shown as the main event of the “This is Impact” special that’s airing on AXS TV and Twitch from 8-10 p.m. Eastern time this Tuesday (October 22).
The special is described as: “A preview of IMPACT Wrestling ahead of the weekly debut on AXS TV, plus a look back at Bound For Glory, IMPACT Wrestling’s biggest pay-per-view event of the year on Oct. 20 in Chicago, which featured Brian Cage vs. Sami Callihan for the IMPACT World Title and Ken Shamrock vs. Moose.”
Impact will officially begin airing on AXS TV and Twitch on Tuesdays starting on October 29.
– During Bound for Glory, it was announced that Impact’s next PPV will be called “Hard to Kill.” It will take place in January 2020, though further details about the PPV haven’t been revealed.
Dr. Wagner Jr.’s partners for Bound for Glory were officially confirmed on last night’s episode of Impact.
Wagner will team with Aerostar & Taurus as they take on The Rascalz (Dezmond Xavier, Zachary Wentz & Trey Miguel) at the pay-per-view. It’s taking place at the Odeum Expo Center in Villa Park, Illinois on Sunday, October 20.
The match was first announced last month, with it being teased that Wagner would be bringing two partners to the PPV. Aerostar and Taurus had been featured on advertising for Bound for Glory.
Jake Crist will defend the X-Division title against Tessa Blanchard, Daga, Ace Austin, and one more opponent in a five-way ladder match at the PPV. Austin defeated Eddie Edwards in a qualifying match that aired on last night’s Impact.
Here’s the updated card for Bound for Glory:
Impact World Champion Brian Cage defending against Sami Callihan
Knockouts Champion Taya Valkyrie defending against Tenille Dashwood
X-Division Champion Jake Crist defending against Tessa Blanchard, Daga, Ace Austin, and one more wrestler in a five-way ladder match
Impact Tag Team Champions The North (Josh Alexander & Ethan Page) defending against Rich Swann & Willie Mack and RVD & Rhino in a triple threat match
Michael Elgin vs. Naomichi Marufuji
Moose vs. Ken Shamrock
The Rascalz (Dezmond Xavier, Zachary Wentz & Trey Miguel) vs. Dr. Wagner Jr., Aerostar & Taurus
Call Your Shot Gauntlet match (winner gets a future shot at the Impact title of their choosing)
Dr. Wagner Jr. will be in action in a six-man tag match at Bound for Glory 2019.
Impact Wrestling has announced that The Rascalz (Dezmond Xavier, Zachary Wentz & Trey Miguel) will team against Wagner and two partners at Bound for Glory. Wagner wrestling at the pay-per-view was announced when he appeared at Impact’s television tapings in Mexico City last month. Wagner said that he and other wrestlers from Lucha Libre AAA would be at Bound for Glory.
Wagner defeating Texano Jr. aired on this week’s episode of Impact.
Wagner is facing Blue Demon Jr. at AAA’s Invading NY show at the Hulu Theater this Sunday (September 15). Impact Wrestling is partnering with AAA to promote the event. Wagner had to shave his head after losing to Blue Demon Jr. in the main event of Triplemania XXVII last month.
The Odeum Expo Center in Villa Park, Illinois is hosting Bound for Glory on Sunday, October 20. Brian Cage will defend his Impact World Championship against Sami Callihan, Ken Shamrock will face Moose, and Impact has set up a match between Naomichi Marufuji and Michael Elgin.
Impact Wrestling has added four matches to their television tapings in Mexico City, Mexico.
Impact is taping TV at Fronton Mexico tomorrow and Friday. Michael Elgin vs. Rhino, Impact Tag Team Champions The North (Josh Alexander & Ethan Page) vs. LAX (Santana & Ortiz), and Rich Swann & Willie Mack vs The Rascalz (Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz) are set for Thursday’s tapings.
Jessicka Havok vs. Su Yung has been confirmed for Friday.
As was previously announced, Tenille Dashwood vs. Kiera Hogan and RVD vs. Madman Fulton are set for Thursday. Dr. Wagner Jr. will be appearing on Friday.
Elgin and Rhino’s feud began when Elgin was Gored at Slammiversary XVII. Elgin lost to Impact World Champion Brian Cage at the pay-per-view, then hit Cage with the title belt after the match and went to attack Don Callis. A masked man then appeared and gave Elgin a Gore.
Impact didn’t specify if The North vs. LAX is a title match. The North won the titles from LAX at Bash at the Brewery last month.
At Slammiversary, The North retained against LAX and The Rascalz in a triple threat match. There was an injury angle with Santana during the match. In his place, Daga teamed with Ortiz as they unsuccessfully challenged for The North’s titles on the Impact episode that aired last week.
LAX’s contracts with Impact are set to expire this summer.
– Ahead of a number one contender’s match to determine the next challenger for the title, Josh Mathews hyped up Jake Crist winning the X-Division Championship last week.
Aiden Prince defeated Zachary Wentz, Rohit Raju, Chuck Mambo, Cody Deaner, and Petey Williams
Williams and Prince ate a big dive from Wentz. Don Callis talked about Wentz and The Rascalz being on the cutting edge — but instead, Wentz was on the end of a Williams hesitation dropkick against the rope. Williams got a Sharpshooter and Raju got a crossface, but it was just a transitional spot here.
Williams teased a dive, but Deaner put the Canadian flag on him like a cape and they both dove on the heels.
Raju also teased doing a dive but denied it before letting the fans know where they can shove it. Wentz dove on the pile, and Prince landed an Asai moonsault to the pile as well. Mambo hit a standing 450 on them all.
Deaner hit a big running lariat to Raju before Prince chopped away at Mambo. Williams got a tilt-a-whirl Russian leg sweep and hit the Canadian Destroyer on Wentz. Raju went to steal the pin, but Deaner nixed that. Raju hit a helluva kick, but he missed a cannonball and Deaner hit a DDT.
Mambo went for a GTS, but Prince hit a brainbuster and a 450 for the win. For a match with a ton of guys who aren’t usually on the show, most of the folks here got over with the crowd in just one match.
– Sami Callihan said that Jake Crist brought gold to oVe. Callihan wanted to see the X-Division title, but Jake told oVe he’ll knock them out if they try to take it. Jake said the title is the greatest thing to ever happen to him, even putting it over his wife and kids.
Callihan said that now it’s time to let the Madman out of his cage to face Tessa Blanchard later — basically turning Fulton into a modernized version of what Abyss was at the start of his TNA run.
– Rich Swann talked to Blanchard about how unwise it is to face Fulton and he’s worried because Fulton is tall, crazy, and has oVe on his side. Blanchard said she appreciates the help, but she wants to do it on her own. Blanchard as a babyface is odd to me.
– John E. Bravo came out to Taya Valkyrie’s theme and threw streamers for himself.
Jessicka Havok defeated John E. Bravo
Callis buried Bravo for dressing like Josh Mathews before Bravo took his shirt off and got kneed in the face. Havok hit a corner avalanche and got her eyes raked, but she beat Bravo quickly with a chokeslam.
– A creepy Su Yung video aired with her somewhat speaking in tongues.
– Josh Alexander told Ethan Page that the Tag Team titles prove that they’re the best in the world. Page calmed Alexander down and said they debuted in Windsor, won the titles, and they’ve done everything they set out to do. Alexander said he’s ready for them to go down in the history books as the best team in Impact history.
– Stone Rockwell came down and thanked the fans. Callis buried him on commentary. Ace Austin entered, with Callis saying that Austin calls himself “Ace” because that’s the top spot in Japan.
Ace Austin defeated Stone Rockwell
Rockwell got a slam and an atomic noogie. He caught Austin on a dive and went for a pose, so Austin just kneed him in the head. Austin hit a series of chops and kicks but ate a fallaway slam into an Irish Curse backbreaker. Austin hit Black Out, then The Fold ended it.
Rockwell is great as a modern-day Bushwhacker-style act. Austin feels like a guy who would be best-built in AEW as he isn’t even in the main X-Division title picture.
After the match, Eddie Edwards came out and attacked Austin for going after his wife Alisha.
– Madison Rayne walked up to Tessa Blanchard and disingenuously said that, as the locker room leader, she congratulates Blanchard on breaking down barriers and shattering glass ceilings. Blanchard didn’t buy her BS and told her she doesn’t have time for it. When Blanchard walked away, Rayne hoped for her demise.
– A tremendous video package aired hyping up the history of the Knockouts and how the division has made history and will change it.
– With some terrible acting, Alisha got pissed at Eddie Edwards for defending her honor.
– Stone Rockwell was still down about 15 minutes after the match. He was then laid out by Moose, who cut a promo calling himself a five star athlete. To Callis’ joy, Moose went for Rockwell’s eye. A slimmer Fallah Bahh then came down and Moose insulted him.
Fallah Bahh defeated Moose
Moose, who wasn’t wearing his wrestling gear, went for a spear, but Bahh sidestepped it and avalanched him. Bahh hit a hip attack in the corner and then a Banzai Drop to win. Well, this sure didn’t help Moose. It somewhat helped Bahh, but it still felt kind of random.
– Blanchard taped up to face Fulton next.
– Moose said that wasn’t a match and no one signed it. He then threatened Bahh.
Tessa Blanchard vs. Madman Fulton ended in a no contest
Callis made a great point about Blanchard losing to Sami Callihan being something that has led to her trying to prove herself here. That one loss had great meaning and still has importance now.
Blanchard ran wild with all kinds of strikes. They registered, but Fulton didn’t sell them. He caught Blanchard off of a Magnum and hit a deadlift chokeslam. Fulton tried to get an oVe chant going, but he got met with “no!” before Blanchard got tossed around.
Blanchard gave Fulton the thumbs down before Fulton got the Brock Lock bear hug and ragdolled her. Blanchard pulled out one of his dreadlocks, so Fulton bear hug slammed her. He went for a PRIDE stomp, but Blanchard evaded and hit a tornado DDT.
Blanchard slugged him and hit a running forearm, but she then ate a big boot. Sami Callihan grabbed a chair and wanted death, but Tommy Dreamer made the save.
Callihan lariated Dreamer down and went for a chokeslam, but Fulton ate a ton of kendo stick shots from Blanchard and they send Fulton packing. Other than Fulton selling for Dreamer in 2019, this was great stuff.
– Michael Elgin talked about Rhino attacking him — not the X-Division Champion and not the World Champion, but he went after the big dog. Elgin said he doesn’t know how it was in WWE. He knows Rhino was a man-beast before, but he doesn’t compare to Elgin.
– Kiera Hogan bullied a new wrestler. Madison Rayne asked who the new girl was and was mad that she didn’t introduce herself. Rayne again called herself the locker room leader before we got more catty bickering. This is the worst of what this division has been before — and it undercuts the video package hyping up the division and the entire push of Blanchard breaking down barriers.
– The Impact Plus Flashback Moment of the Week was The Young Bucks facing The Motor City Machine Guns for the Tag Team titles at Bound for Glory 2010.
– Jimmy Jacobs traveled to Brian Cage’s home to get an update on Cage’s health. Melissa Santos answered the door and said that they just want privacy. Jacobs saw Cage and wanted answers, but Santos wanted more privacy and said she’ll answer his questions next week.
Impact Tag Team Champions The North (Josh Alexander & Ethan Page) defeated The Rascalz (Dezmond Xavier & Trey Miguel) to retain their titles
Alexander forearmed Miguel down to start. Miguel did a pose and got clubbed in the back before landing a pop-up rana and a 450 rana to Page. Xavier hit a somersault senton for two before each Rascal hit a pair of short-stopping swantons for two.
Alexander held onto Page to prevent an O’Connor roll, then Alexander hit an apron powerslam. Alexander backflipped off of both North guys to tag in Miguel. He ran wild on both Alexander and Page.
Alexander got two off a Blue Thunder Bomb. Miguel went for a desperation tag, but Xavier was knocked down. He then got back up for stereo tags. Xavier wheelbarrowed Alexander into Page in the corner.
Alexander ate a boatload of kicks and a basement double stomp for two. Page caught Xavier off the apron, powerslammed him on the floor, and apron powerbombed Miguel. Alexander landed a big backbreaker for two and got an ankle lock.
A head-trap superkick led to a 619 from Miguel that was countered by Alexander into a backbreaker/powerbomb for two. The North hit their back suplex/powerslam combo for 2.9 before Xavier broke it up.
Things broke down into a forearm exchange, so Alexander took his elbow pad off and knocked down Miguel before he ate a ton of Kobashi machine gun chops. Alexander hit a double shoulder-mount powerslam on the Rascalz for 2.9!
Alexander slammed the Rascalz on each other, but then missed a moonsault. The Rascalz hit a pair of uppercuts in the corner to Alexander and a head-trap superkick and double 619s to him. Miguel landed a meteora off the top before Xavier hit a crazy flip dive onto him for two.
Xavier hit a crazy low-pe to Page, with Page almost losing him completely and Xavier almost sliding right off of him. Miguel got a jackknife cradle for two.
The North hit a wheelbarrow cutter into a wheelbarrow German and a wacky double Dominator for the win. Alexander & Page as tag champs is a great role for them at this point — they are a hell of a working team even if they aren’t the most bombastic team in the world.
– Backstage, Ortiz attacked The North before they choked him with a cable. Daga then made the save for Ortiz. Good stuff overall. They teased that Konnan was trying to force Ortiz & Daga to be a team and now with this, it shows that Daga is at least willing to be on Ortiz’s side for mutual gain and doesn’t want him to get injured going into a title match.
It will be LAX (Santana & Ortiz) defending their Impact Tag Team titles against The Rascalz (two of Dezmond Xavier, Zachary Wentz & Trey Miguel) at Slammiversary XVII. That was announced after the teams brawled on last night’s episode of Impact.
Xavier & Wentz challenged for LAX’s titles in the main event of last week’s Impact. It appeared that The Rascalz won the titles, but — as the first referee couldn’t see — a second ref counted the pin for Miguel despite Miguel not being in the match. The decision was reversed to LAX winning by disqualification.
Gilley’s Dallas in Dallas, Texas is hosting Slammiversary XVII on Sunday, July 7. The PPV is being headlined by Brian Cage defending the Impact World Championship against Michael Elgin.
LAX and The Rascalz (Xavier & Wentz) are also set to face off at PWG’s 16th anniversary event on Friday, July 26. The Rascalz will defend their PWG Tag Team titles against LAX in a ladder match at that show.
