A Impact World title match has been announced for Bound for Glory.
Eric Young will defend the title against Rich Swann. After announcing his retirement following the events of Slammiversary, Swann told Scott D’Amore tonight on Impact that he wanted to unretire and face Young for the championship, as it was Young that destroyed his knee at Slammiversary back in June. Young also attacked Swann after Swann announced his retirement on Impact weeks later.
D’Amore told Swann that he was not cleared by the doctors. Swann countered that he would be ready by Bound for Glory, and that he already has a pin over Young, as it was him who eliminated Young at Slammiversary. He told D’Amore that he didn’t care if he ended up crippled, he wanted the World title match.
Young then came down and struck D’Amore, leading Swann to attack Young, forcing Young to retreat. D’Amore then announced the title match for Bound for Glory.
Impact Wrestling returns from Nashville, TN for this week’s episode. The show opened with a graphic for Barry Scott, who the show was dedicated to.
The opening video recapped Eric Young’s attack on Eddie Edwards and the subsequent old school rules match with Tommy Dreamer from last week, which led to Rich Swann’s return.
Kylie Rae & Susie defeated Deonna Purrazzo & Kimber Lee
Purrazzo and Rae started the match with a lockdown. Purrazzo quickly gained advantage with her technical skill, and as much as Rae had a chance to reverse, Purrazzo still had the advantage. Rae nonetheless went for a small package for a two count, enraging Purrazzo who tagged out.
Kimber Lee came in and got taken down by Rae with a rana and an arm drag into an armbar before tagging in Susie. The babyfaces hit a couple of running clotheslines on Lee, ending with a double bulldog for a two count. Susie held her own against Lee, but Purrazzo got her with a knee to the back allowing Lee to hit a big boot for a two count.
Lee, now in control, locked a deep single leg and a couple of clubs to the back. Purrazzo tagged in for a double suplex and a near fall. Purrazzo punished Susie with strikes while Susie would find some hope spots, such as a sunset flip pin out of nowhere for a two count. Purrazzo and Lee, however, kept her down.
Susie started to make a comeback with punches, hit an atomic drop, and a flatliner to get Purrazzo off and tag in Rae, who came in hot against Kimber Lee. Rae went for the Kylie special, but Lee blocked it, so instead Rae did a cartwheel to escape Lee and superkicked her, hit a cannonball, and got a two count when Purrazzo broke it off. Rae got rid of Purrazzo from the ring, but Lee was there to hit a German on Rae.
Susie tagged in, but went straight into another German Bridge by Lee for a two count. Lee went for the swanton bomb, but Susie hit the arachrana and the panic switch for the win.
After the match, Susie had some Su Yung episodes, but Kylie Rae calmed her down.
Josh Matthews and Madison Rayne ran down tonight’s card and told us that Rich Swann is in the arena, ready to address the audience.
Backstage, Rohit Raju was confronted by Trey Miguel, who told him that he’d been dodging everyone. Trey asked Rohit for a shot, but Rohit told him that it was still between TJP and Bey who were in front of the line. Trey told Rohit that he wanted a shot after he defeated TJP tonight.
In another part of the arena, Kiera Hogan and Tasha Steelz approached John E. Bravo, who told them they weren’t the best men. He picked Fallah Bahh, who happened to be there.
XXXL (Acey Romero & Larry D) defeated The Deaners (Cody Deaner & Cousin Jake)
Acey and Cody started the match, with the latter offering a truce, but Acey wasn’t having it and instead kicked him, tossed him to the corner, and along with Larry D, sent him flying and into an Acey senton for an early two count.
XXXL worked over Deaner for a while, mostly strikes, clubbing him on the back to keep him down. Cody eventually managed to escape and tagged in Jake, who hit a corner spear and sidewalk slam on Larry D for a two count. Deaners double-teamed Acey and went to finish Larry D, but Acey recovered and pounced Cody out of the ring.
Cousin Jake slammed Acey Romero, but Larry D was there to knock him out with a straight right to the face for the win.
Trey Miguel defeated TJP
Match started with a great sequence of chain wrestling into pin exchange into a battle for wrist control and into the fast-paced sequence of counters and reversals ending with Trey getting a two count after a standing moonsault.
TJP came back with some beautiful submission work into a sharpshooter, then transitioned into a last chancery for a submission tease, but Trey made the ropes. TJP hit a senton atomico for another two count. TJP kept working the legs, locking in a knee bar with a butterfly. Trey escaped and went for the crossbody, but TJP was ready with a dropkick.
TJP went for the corner ten punches, but Trey blocked, hit some cheeky nandos and went for the Trey19, only for TJP to block it. Trey recovered and hit a spinning kick. Followed with a rana to the floor and a tope suicida.
Back in the ring, Trey went to the top rope, but TJP blocked him and hit a superplex, transitioned into an octopus stretch, but as Trey approached the ropes, TJP transitioned into an ankle lock. Trey made the ropes.
TJP kicked Trey’s hamstrings, hit a knee breaker, but Trey still hit a desperation dropkick. TJP with a big tornado DDT, went for the mamba splash. Trey dodged, hit a standing meteora and a top rope meteora for the 1-2-3.
Commentary sent us backstage to where The North, Ace Austin, and Fulton were taking out The Rascalz. MCMG arrived afterward to check on them. After commercials, a doctor told MCMGs that The Rascalz were not cleared to compete tonight. He gave no answers when Shelley asked about the CT scans.
Shelley and Sabin were approached by Karl Anderson and Gallows and offered to help. Karl is a machine gun, they are machine guns, it all works out.
Rich Swann came down to the ring, still in crutches. Swann said he wanted to do this in the ring and not an office, and so he called out Scott D’Amore to the ring. Swann told D’Amore that not long ago he had to come down here and retire, but as he was home, he saw the man that killed his career become the Impact World Champion, so Swann requested a chance to get in the ring again and fight EY.
D’Amore told him that he was not cleared by the doctors. Swann said that he will be ready for Bound For Glory and that he has a pin over EY, so he deserves a shot. D’Amore doubled down that he is not cleared and that in his condition, going against EY would leave him in a worse situation. Swann said he didn’t care if he ended up crippled after BFG, he wanted his hands on EY. He begged for the match.
Before D’Amore could answer, EY came down and struck D’Amore, but in the distraction, Swann jumped at him and took him down, punched him, forcing EY to run away. EY said that Swann won’t leave BFG alive. D’Amore shut them both up and confirmed the match for Bound for Glory.
Taya approached Rosemary and asked her why she wasn’t there with her for the match with Tasha Steelz. Rosemary said that she had been busy doing a resurrection. Taya asked her to join her. Rosemary agreed but first, she had to do some more wedding stuff.
Willie Mack defeated Brian Myers
Mack punched Myers to start the match, hit an armdrag and dropkick before sending Myers to the floor, where he hit a pescado.
Outside the ring, Myers hit a side leg sweep on the ramp. Mack made it back before the 10 count, but Myers started working over him with a suplex for a two count. Knee to the back and sleeper, but Mack made it to his feet and punched Myers away, only to get his leg swept and Myers went back to controlling the match.
Myers pulled the turnbuckle off and tried to slam Mack, but was blocked. Myers still kept control, taking down Mack with a back elbow, and once again, into the knee to the back and head submission.
Mack powered up and hit a backplex to break Myer’s submission. He hit a clothesline, spinning back elbow, scoop slam, and leg drop for a two count. Mack went for the Samoan drop, but Myers dodged, hit an enzuigiri and big scoop slam for another two count.
Myers went for a DDT, but Mack countered with an exploder. Myers kicked the rope between Mack’s legs and hit the DDT, but could only get a two count. Myers accidentally ran into the exposed turnbuckle and Mack got him with the stunner for the win. Boring match.
Rosemary approached Havok, who she asked for help to resurrect Mitchell since Havok had done the killing. Havok said she wouldn’t help, so Rosemary had to insist, provoking Havok to get physical with her. Nevaeh pulled Havok off and they left.
Moose went to D’Amore and told him that he needed to do something about ECIII, who had been stalking Moose. D’Amore didn’t believe Moose and told him that maybe this was all in his head.
ECIII then showed up in a projector telling Moose that the clock was ticking and that he’d destroy the title soon. Moose called the “Demo God” asking about who to call about stolen title belts, and finally Moose knew what he had to go.
Rhino snuck Heath into the arena, they’re gonna try and get some money from Hernandez.
We got a photoshoot with Tenille Dashwood that was interrupted by Jordynne Grace, who asked why she wasn’t wrestling. She told Tenille that they have a match next week.
Taya jumped Hogan to start, carrying her to the corner and delivering a couple of boots and kicks to the back. Taya slammed Hogan to the turnbuckle and tossed her to the floor.
Hogan tried to build some momentum, but Taya easily stopped her with a back elbow and double foot stomp to the back for a two count.
Hogan caught Taya with a low kick and a running boot for another two count, but when she went for the swinging neck breaker, Taya blocked, hit a big knee, and once again tossed her to the floor.
Taya hit a running clothesline, then a running hip attack to the corner, but when she went for the running knees Tasha pulled Hogan out and distracted Taya, allowing Hogan to run around the ring. Tasha kicked Taya behind the referee. Hogan caught her with a swinging neck breaker and picked up the win. Rosemary never came out to support Taya.
Rhino and Heath approached Hernandez for a rematch. Rhino tricked Hernandez to set with his back to the door so Heath could sneak in and steal the money from the table. Rhino stalled a lot until Heath took the money. Once stolen, Rhino bailed.
Chris Bey confronted Rohit Raju about the rematch he was owed. Rohit told him that TJP defeated him, and so TJP approached them about it. Rohit eventually called for a three-way number one contender match.
Matthews and Rayne ran down next week’s card with Kimber Lee vs Susie, TJP vs Trey Miguel vs Chris Bey for the #1 contendership of the X-Division title on the line, the number one contender then getting their title match against Rohit Raju, and Tenille Dashwood vs Jordynne Grace.
Ace Austin, Madman Fulton, & The North (Ethan Page & Josh Alexander) defeated The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) & The Good Brothers (Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows)
Anderson and Ace started the match with the former getting the early upper hand, whipping and striking Ace around. Gallows tagged in and kept working over Ace in their corner. Anderson tagged in again and kept the work, but suddenly, with no provocation whatsoever, Anderson tagged in Sabin the hard way.
On the other side, Alexander tagged in, who was taken down quickly by Sabin and a couple of MCMG double team moves. Page jumped in and also took a combo by Shelley and Sabin. Ace followed suit and suffered the same fate. Finally, it was Fulton’s turn, who also ended up on the floor.
Back from commercial, the referee regained control. Shelley and Alexander went at it, but just in time, Page tripped Shelley, which allowed Anderson to cut him off and gain control of the match.
Fulton tagged in and punished Shelley, who tried to chop his way to his corner, but Fulton was unmoved. Fulton and Ace kept working over Shelley, and much like the babyface teams, Ace and Fulton started to have problems with The North on their corner, stealing each other’s tags.
Page and Josh Alexander worked over Shelley until he managed to hit a dragon screw on Alexander and a backplex on Ace to get the tag to the Good Brothers.
Anderson took the hot tag and ran down everyone, getting a two count on Page with a big spinebuster at the end. Gallows tagged in, kicked Fulton down to the floor, hit an assisted backplex on Page for another two count.
GB went for the magic killer, but Josh broke it off. Sabin blind tagged himself in and took out The North with a crossbody and tornado DDT. Sabin sent Ace and Fulton to the floor, followed by a suicide dive.
In the ring, The North attacked Shelley, who managed to counter and, along with Sabin, hit the reverse STF and dropkick combo on Alexander.
In the end, it was Sabin getting a Northern Pass by The North. Ace Austin, who blind tagged himself in, stole the pin over the tag champs.
The North were mad that their pin was stolen, and the Good Brothers are mad that they lost because of the MCMGs. We may be heading into a five-way for the tag titles.
Final thoughts —
Ok show by Impact. Mostly focused on advancing storylines towards Bound For Glory, but we did have some strong wrestling on the show.
Impact Wrestling returns from Nashville, TN for the first episode since Eric Young dethroned Eddie Edwards and successfully became the Impact World Champion.
Opening video touched upon ECIII’s threats to Moose; plus Eric Young defeating Eddie Edwards to win the Impact World title.
Eric Young came down to the ring to open the show. EY said that he was a world class wrestler and champion. He said that ever since his return, it was all by design that he’d end up the World champion.
Alisha Edwards interrupted EY and came down to the ring with a mic in hand. Alisha said that EY was a coward for injuring Swann and Eddie, but Eddie wasn’t going to just sit there, he was going to come back and take what was his, like when he came back from taking a baseball in the eye. Alisha said EY hurt her family, to which EY responded that he didn’t care.
Alisha slapped EY, so he went to hit a piledriver on her, but Dreamer, who gets involved in every feud ever, came down for the save and ran away EY with a kendo stick.
Tommy Dreamer cut a short promo that said that the Edwards and Swann are like their family. He said that when EY decided to leave, it was Swann and Eddie that kept Impact going for him to return. Dreamer said he was using his influence with the company to get a fight with EY tonight.
Josh Matthews and Madison Rayne introduced the show and ran down tonight’s card.
We saw Moose traveling by plane to where he believes ECIII is holding his TNA World Championship belt.
Rosemary, Bravo, and Taya talked about their upcoming wedding. Rosemary told Bravo and Taya that they could take care of the wedding planning while Rosemary would resurrect James Mitchell to officiate a demon wedding.
TJP defeated Chris Bey
Match started with them exchanging strikes when Bey tried to rush TJP, but the latter got the better of Bey sending him flying with an over the head toss and a pancake, quickly followed by going for an armbreaker, but Bey escaped.
Rohit Raju came out to watch the match.
Bey turned the offense around, catching TJP with an elbow, sending him to the corner. TJP reversed with a rana, an armdrag, and a springboard dropkick to the floor.
TJP went for the top rope, but Bey pulled the referee over. But when Bey went to attack TJP, he was caught by an armbar. TJP went for another armbreaker, but Bey raked his eyes and dropped him with a clothesline.
Back from commercial, Bey had been working on TJP by stomping on him, getting a two count. Snapmare and diving lariat for another two count. Bey went for a Gory bomb, but TJP rolled through into a yoshi tonic and into a last chancery. Once again, Bey raked TJP’s eyes and caught him with kicks, covering for another two count.
Bey locked in an abdominal stretch, countered into a backplex by TJP. Atomic bomb and springboard crossbody by TJP, followed by a modified version of the three amigos, and finally the mamba splash. Bey moved away, hit a spinning kick, and into a springboard cutter, but TJP countered into an armbar, rolled over by Bey into a pin attempt.
Bey got a torture rack into a cutter for yet another two count. Bey tried to slingshot sunset flip, but TJP used the momentum to roll Bey for the pin. Great opener.
We got a new episode of Locker Room talk with Madison Rayne and the returning Johnny Swinger. The guests this week were Kylie Rae and Susie. Madison asked about Wrestle House, but didn’t really let them answer and implied that Rae went to Wrestle House to dodge Deonna Purrazzo. Speaking of, Purrazzo and Kimber Lee interrupted the interview and challenged them to a tag match. Rae and Susie accepted. Purrazzo and Lee are great.
Bravo was on the phone when Tasha Steelz and Kiera Hogan interrupted him and started bullying him about being invited to the wedding. Bravo brought up Taya and both Steelz and Hogan told Bravo that he needed to be his own man and that they could be their best grooms-women. They are continuing the story that Bravo can’t stand up against Taya.
Brian Myers came down to the ring. He addressed Wilie Mack, telling him that they got off on the wrong foot. He said that he is a superstar so Mack shouldn’t be upset about losing to him, but that Mack should follow the tradition to pay respect to those who paved the way for the new guys like him, and so he called out Mack to shake his hand.
Mack came out and said that he wasn’t there to shake no hands nor be professional, but that Impact gave him a rematch, right there and now. Myers said that he wasn’t even wearing his gear. Mack is the worst promo on Impact.
Brian Myers defeated Willie Mack
Myers tried to get Mack to shake his hand, but Mack refused, so instead he tried to kick him. Mack caught him with a lariat and a back elbow. Myers dropped to the floor, followed by Mack hitting a pescado.
Myers dodged Mack getting back in the ring, pulled him out again and dropped him on the apron.
Myers started stomping and punching Mack, hitting a suplex for a two count. Myers locked a headlock for about 3 hours until Mack tried to come back. Myers tried to clothesline Mack, but missed him, giving Mack the opening to come back with a couple of clotheslines and back elbows. Mack hit a leg drop for a two count.
Mack hit the Samoan drop and moonsault combo for another near fall. Mack went for the stunner, but Myers raked Mack’s eyes, but when he tried to rush Mack, he got taken out by a huge spinebuster.
Mack ripped Myers shirt off and threw it, making the referee to turn around and get the shirt of the ring, giving Myers the opening to low blow Mack and hit his DDT finisher for the win. Mack looked like a geek.
Gia Miller interviewed Jordynne Grace about last week’s confrontation with Purrazzo. Jordynne said that she had an issue with Tenille about not being on Impact and then just thinking she can come in and get a title shot. Jordynne told Miller to follow her to Tenille’s locker room so they could ask her right there and now.
The returning Kaleb Conley answered the door instead, he said that he is now Tenille’s personal photographer and that Tenille wasn’t there. They played a vignette for Tenille’s return next week, and went back to Jordynne’s reaction. This was nice.
Hogan and Steelz planned out how they’d coach Bravo, but Taya confronted them and told them to not talk to Bravo, if they wanted something, they needed to talk to her. She told them they were not invited. Steelz and Taya got face to face and will wrestle each other later tonight.
Impact World Tag Team Champions Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) defeated The Rascalz (Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz) to retain the titles
The Rascalz jumped MCMG with dropkicks while the latter were still mid-entrance, followed by tope suicidas. They hit a couple of running elbows and dropkicks on Shelley, kick combo on Sabin for a two count.
Dezmond started working over Sabin, got a tag on Wentz for a kick combo and a moonsault for a two count. Shelley blind tagged in and along with Sabin, worked on Wentz’ leg so that he couldn’t even stand up anymore, but he still tried to fight through. MCMG kept the offense on the knee with bars, kicks, and dragon screws. Sabin tagged in and stomped the knees. Shelley hit a rana into a knee stomp, followed by a PK kick from Sabin, and once again, dropped him knee first into the mat.
Shelley locked in a kneebar, and when Dez tried to make the save got caught with an octopus stretch. Wentz finally managed to get Sabin off and hit a standing SSP on Shelley to save Wentz, who hit an enzuigiri to get Shelley off and finally tag out.
Dezmond and Sabin tagged in with the former getting the upper hand with a couple of punches and a kick to Sabin’s spine. Xavier followed with back elbows for a two count.
Wentz and Shelley got involved with the former taking out the latter, then setting up Sabin for a bridged footstomp for a two count.
Xavier hit a superkick on Sabin, followed by a jumping knee (the good knee) from Wentz, and went for a hot fire flame, but Sabin moved away, letting Wentz crash and burn. Shelley came back and they hit the reverse STF into a dropkick combo on Xavier, hit the ASCS rush and a new double driver move on Wentz for the win. Great match.
After the match, The North jumped MCMGs and The Rascalz. MCMGs managed to turn things around, but Ace Austin and Madman Fulton came down and attacked them too. The North and Ace & Fulton had a face off before Page told them that each team could get their own Machine Gun to attack. Eventually, The Good Brothers came down and took care of The North, Ace Austin, and Fulton. Rascalz made sure to get the last shot with a couple of dives. Strong display of Impact’s tag team division.
Rob Van Dam and Katie Forbes announced that they got picked for a series, the Whole F’n Talk Show, debuting next week.
We saw Sami Callihan in his computer room cutting a promo about getting his ass kicked last week because Katie Forbes was there, and she’s becoming a pain to deal with. He said that next week, RVD and Forbes are debuting their show, but that he promises not to hack the show because he has other plans. This was kinda bad, not the promo, but the presentation, Callihan has cooled off so much since his feud with Tessa Blanchard.
Taya Valkyrie (with John E. Bravo) defeated Tasha Steelz (with Kiera Hogan)
Taya and Steelz talked some trash to start the match, but quickly got into strikes with Taya getting the better of Tasha with a shoulder tackle. Taya did some lucha arm drags on Tasha and a running dropkick for a two count.
Taya was going for a running lariat, but Hogan tripped her, allowing Tasha to get the better of Taya with some European uppercuts and a neckbreaker for a two count. All the while, Bravo is on his phone planning his wedding.
Tasha went for a bulldog, but Taya managed to block and drop her with a sitout powerbomb. Taya confronted Bravo and got annoyed that Hogan was shouting that the wedding was more important than her, so she focused that anger to chop Tasha, hit a pop-up knee for a two count. Tasha hit a big elbow to rock Taya off her feet, but she wasn’t able to follow as Taya hit a huge spear and the road to Valhalla for the win. Taya looked amazing here, total dominance.
After the match, Kiera Hogan jumped Taya, aided by Steelz, but Bravo finally got involved and pulled Taya away. Is this a Taya face turn?
We went back to Moose who went to see his old high school football coach, who he asked for a favor. Moose asked if he had seen ECIII but the coach hadn’t, but before Moose left, the coach told Moose to ‘control his narrative’ and that he had been warned. He ran into several men who wore a hoodie similar to E3 and quickly took them out before leaving.
Impact Plus Flashback Moment of the Week was ECIII & Eddie Edwards vs Moose & Mike Kanellis from 2016.
Rhino and Heath met outside the building talking about last week’s tag team. Rhino told Heath that last week’s stunt kinda upset management, so they talked about what other stuff they can do. Heath said that he needs to start earning some money for more ads and Rhino knew exactly where to get it.
Matthews and Rayne ran down the card for next week, with Purrazzo and Kimber Lee vs Kylie Rae and Susie, Brian Myers vs Mack again, Taya vs Kiera Hogan, The North, Ace Austin, and Fulton vs The Rascalz and MCMGs, and XXXL vs The Deanears.
Impact World Champion Eric Young defeated Tommy Dreamer in an old school rules match to retain the title
EY rushed Dreamer at the bell, but Dreamer caught him with an arm drag and a couple of scoop slams before going for the kendo stick. EY dodged the attacks and went for the top rope, but Dreamer caught him coming down and sent him to the floor.
Dreamer pulled out a chain and got it around EY’s eyes. EY came back and attacked Dreamer around the ring. He slammed Dreamer on the apron then rammed him to the ring post. EY pulled the mats and tried to piledriver Dreamer, but was countered with a backdrop.
Dreamer hit EY with a street sign, pulled out some chairs and went back to the ring where he used some kitchenware to continue the attack. Dreamer set up a superplex onto chairs, but EY blocked him and dropped Dreamer.
EY, now in control, stomped around Dreamer, going after his head. EY landed a slingshot under the ropes for a two count. EY started using some of the weapons now, hitting Dreamer with a chair on the back, even a second rope steel chair buster, but Dreamer blocked and hit a cutter.
They exchanged strikes in the middle of the ring until Dreamer hit the atomic elbow and falling elbow for a two count. EY clipped Dreamer’s knee and locked in the figure four leg lock, but Dreamer reached the kendo stick and hit EY until he was released, yet EY kept his offense on the knee with a dropkick.
EY was whipped into a trashcan, followed by a DDT for another two count. Dreamer brought out a table and set it up on the corner, but EY got him with a low blow before Dreamer could do anything. EY went for the top rope, but now it was Dreamer that dropped him on to the ropes.
Dreamer went for the DVD to the table, but EY had his hockey mask which he used on Dreamer, followed by the piledriver for the win. One of Dreamer’s better matches as of late.
After the match, EY went after Dreamer’s knee with a Pillmanizer. Rich Swann came down limping and attacked EY with only one foot. They exchanged some words before the show went off the air.
Final Thoughts —
Good show by Impact, really strong inside the ring. Storyline wise, they’d set up the seeds heading towards Bound for Glory and it looks promising.
Impact Wrestling returns from Nashville, TN for tonight’s episode, where both the TNA World Championship and Impact World Championship will be defended.
Opening video focused on Eddie Edwards’ successful defense against Trey Miguel from last week. There was also footage of Heath getting a shot at the TNA World Championship, Jordynne Grace’s return, The Good Brothers’ in-ring debut, and ECIII’s warning video.
Self-Proclaimed TNA World Champion Moose defeated Heath to retain his title
Moose started the match pushing around Heath, who had to come back with strikes and a clothesline to send Moose to the floor. They brawled around the ring, ramming each other into the barricades and stomping each other into the apron.
Back in the ring, Heath continued with momentum, striking around Moose. But out of desperation, Moose tossed Heath throat-first into the ropes and cut him off.
Moose worked on the throat for a while, choking Heath against the ropes. Heath tried to strike his way back, but was easily cut off again.
As Moose kept working over Heath, he started getting cockier, talking trash after whipping him from corner to corner. But after talking trash about Heath’s family, Heath fired up and started going at him with running strikes, a running knee, and a sidekick to finally bring down Moose for a two count.
Heath followed with another school boy for a second two count. Heath then accidentally tossed Moose into the referee and hit the wake-up call for a visual pin, but the referee was down. Heath woke up the referee, but Moose took advantage to low blow Heath and steal the win.
Heath will remain unemployed for now, but this was a good showing for Heath, he looked like a completely different person.
Josh Matthews and Madison Rayne ran down tonight’s card, as well as announce the Emergence shows on August 18 and August 25, where Purrazzo defends against Jordynne Grace.
Gia Miller interviewed Willie Mack about Rich Swann’s announcement for tonight. Mack said he didn’t know much, Rich was keeping it to his own. Mack said that he was pissed at Eric Young for what he did to Swann.
We got another promo by ECIII. He said that he achieved all he wanted, but ever since, he got punished by the fanbase and management who were fighting for control of the company, punished because of his last name. He said he would regain the TNA World Championship and finally burn and bury the legacy of that title. He told Moose he was going after him.
Jimmy Jacobs brought out Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin for a sitdown interview. Jacobs asked them about returning to Impact. Shelley said that after all these years, their hard work was paying off and that their separate work had taken them to a lot of success. But after injuries and rehab, they gravitated to each other and started wondering if they could do it again against the Impact roster.
The North finally interrupted them and came down to the ring. Page is still quiet, not even wearing The North’s uniform, so Alexander did the talking. He said that MCMG were being given things by management without earning them, while The North had to earn their shots and keep the titles for so long. Page finally snapped and said that they didn’t beat The North, they beat a North that were not at 100%.
Shelley said that they would give them their rematch whenever they wanted, even now. Alexander said that they would return at 100% and reclaim the titles at Emergence.
Backstage, Kimber Lee walked into Deonna Purrazzo’s locker room. She said that she doesn’t trust Purazzo can retain against Jordynne Grace at Emergence, so she offered to take Jordynne out if Purrazzo gives her a shot at the title.
We got another installment of Wrestle House. Taya is trying to get everyone together for some bonding exercise and get some of these people to take a shower, so she passed around soap for everyone. Meanwhile, Susie and Cousin Jake are flirting, Kylie Rae is trying to get back to Impact for her title match, and Johnny Swinger is antagonizing Alisha Edwards and getting himself into a handicap match. This is still bad, but at least they’re starting to introduce some stories and motivations for the characters.
Wrestle House: Alisha Edwards & Susie defeated Johnny Swinger
Swinger figured he would start the match by showing his guns, but Alisha and Susie teamed up and went for double team moves. Swinger kept hitting on them, so they pulled his legs and hit a double splash for the pin. This was terrible, worse actually.
Back in the house, Kylie Rae tried to get Bravo to take the hints that Rosemary was tossing at him, so they could all go home.
Impact Plus Flashback Moment of the Week was Sami Callihan winning the Impact World Championship from Brian Cage.
Outside the building, The Good Brothers realized that someone had broken into their car and left opened beers on the floor. Sheriff and security approach them, just in time for Ace Austin to trick Gallows into getting arrested when he accidentally punched the sheriff.
We got another vignette for Brian Myers. Still no debut date.
Eddie Edwards came down for his open challenge, which was answered by Sami Callihan. Iin an awesome visual, when the lights flickered during Callihan’s entrance, there was another shadow there with a chair — Rob Van Dam. RVD took out Callihan with the chair until security took him away. Regardless, Callihan still accepted the challenge.
Impact World Champion Eddie Edwards defeated Sami Callihan to retain the title
Eddie tried to talk him out of the match, but Callihan responded with a slap. Eddie hit a tiger driver immediately for a two count. Eddie kept Callihan down with punches and dropping knees. Eddie went for a running shoulder tackle to the corner, but Callihan sidestepped, sending Eddie shoulder first into the corner and out to the floor. Callian followed with a suicide dive. Eddie managed to recover quickly and return the favor with a dive of his own.
They brawled a bit outside and onto the apron where Eddie went for another tiger driver, but Sami blocked and went after Eddie’s eye. Instead, it was Callihan who dropped Eddie with a Cactus special on the apron. Since Callihan couldn’t pin Eddie outside, he decided to keep brawling and tossed Eddie into the guardrail.
Back in the ring, Callihan dropped an elbow for a two count, then went right into the choke. They traded boots until the double clothesline left them both down for the ten count tease. They continued trading strikes, but Eddie was trying to chop a protecting vest, so instead he hit a blue thunder bomb for a two count.
Eddie looked for another tiger bomb, but Callihan blocked. Eddie tried to roll him up instead, but again Sami countered with a kick and a brainbuster for a two count. They traded more strikes. Callihan seemed to try to hit the DVD, but instead hit a version of the GTS and a running forearm for another two count.
Eddie caught Sami with two elbows and a jumping kick and hit the tiger driver for yet another two count. Sami hit a second cactus special, but Eddie was next to the ropes.
Callihan brought out a chair, but had second thoughts. He got rid of it, but all the distraction gave Eddie the opening to hit the Boston Knee Party and a shining wizard for the win. Pretty good match, though this could have been promoted for a week.
Back at Wrestle House, Bravo decided to leave both Taya and Rosemary, who were onto Rae for getting involved. Rosemary asked Dreamer for a match with Rae. See, this installment was perfect! Short and Rosemary and Rae played their parts well.
Wrestle House: Kylie Rae defeated Rosemary
Taya is the referee for the match. She antagonized and distracted Kylie Rae to allow Rosemary to jump her from behind. Kylie recovered and took down Rosemary with a nice headlock, leading to some nice mat wrestling with Rae countering Rosemary over and over. Rae covered Rosemary, but Taya wouldn’t count, saying her hand hurt.
Kylie Rae distracted Rosemary telling her she had stolen her nose, but once again, Taya helped Rosemary to realize that it was a trick. Rosemary blocked a superkick and stomped on Rae for a bit, but as she rushed at Rae at the corner, Kylie dodged and hit a running European uppercut, followed by a cannonball, and once again, Taya didn’t count the pin.
Rosemary hit a spear, but Kylie kicked out at the fast count. At this point, Bravo joined the crowd and by chanting for Rosemary, he distracted Rosemary who took a superkick. Taya was forced to count the pin since Rosemary was completely out. Ok comedy match.
After the match, Bravo looked after Rosemary. Bravo said that he couldn’t choose between Rosemary and Taya since Taya had done so much for him. Taya berated Bravo after.
Backstage, Karl Anderson was on a call with Gallows, telling him that he’s getting things fixed. Ace Austin approached him. Anderson replied with an elbow to the face. Fulton jumped Anderson from behind, taking out Anderson.
Hernandez tried to recruit Reno Scum to help him get his money back from Rhino. Reno Scum agreed.
TJP & Fallah Bahh defeated X-Division Champion Chris Bey & Rohit Raju
Bey and TJP started the match, wrestling for wrist control with a series of counters and reversals. It later transitioned into a sequence of ranas and reversals, but it was TJP who drew first blood when he tricked Bey, locked in a quick Pentagon armbreaker, and snapped Bey’s arm. Bahh tagged in and hit a belly-to-belly on Raju, a falling elbow.
Back from commercial, TJP and Bahh have been working on Bey, but thanks to the distraction from Rohit, Bey manages to dropkick TJP and cut him off, finally separating him from Bahh.
Rohit hit a low superkick for a two count. Pancake and a running dropkick for another two count.
Bey came in, but TJP caught him with a donkey kick and a tornado DDT to get the opening to tag out.
Bahh ran wild over Rohit, but when he went for the running cannonball, Rohit caught him with a great jumping knee.
Bey and TJP tagged in again. TJP hit two amigos and a backplex, then went for a swanton. Bey moved, hit TJP with a spinning kick, then set him up for a flatliner by Rohit for a two count when Bahh broke it up. Bey went for an ozcutter, but TJP reversed it into the cross armbreaker and submitted Bey for the win. Great match.
After the match, Chris Bey threw a fit. TJP vs Bey seems to be where this is going.
Matthews and Rayne ran down some of the matches for next week, including Havok and Nevaeh vs. Tasha Steelz and Kiera Hogan in a No DQ match, Jordynne Grace vs. Kimber Lee, and Eddie Edwads’ open challenge.
Rich Swann came down to the ring for his announcement, back in crutches. Swann said that thanks to heart, love, and support, he was able to become a wrestler. In January, he got injured and was told that he’d be walking with a limp for the rest of his life and thus no more wrestling. He worked hard to rehab and prove that doctor wrong, and finally, he was able to return at Slammiversary XVIII. He managed to pin Eric Young in that match, and EY’s jealousy came back at him and brought him back to seven months ago with a potential career ending injury.
Swann announced that he is retiring. Thanked everyone who supported him, to all the talent in the back who bust their ass for Impact Wrestling. Out came the roster to applaud. Swann made it up the ramp for the final goodbye, and suddenly EY jumped him, broke the crutch on his leg. The whole roster went after EY while Mack and Eddie tended to Swann. Eric Young is making an argument for heel of the year.
Final Thoughts —
Pretty good show by Impact, miles better than last week. Good action inside the ring, several storyline developments as they start to build towards Emergence, and even Wrestle House was watchable.
Impact Wrestling returns from Nashville, TN for tonight’s episode, main evented by the newly crowned Impact World Champion Eddie Edwards defending against Trey Miguel. Also, the in-ring debut of Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows.
Opening video recapped ECIII’s return to the promotion, Trey Miguel challenging Eddie Edwards to a title match, the developing feud between The Good Brothers and Ace Austin, and the Motor City Machine Guns defeating The North to end their record breaking reign with the tag team titles.
Impact World Champion Eddie Edwards defeated Trey Miguel to retain the title
Good opener, it started slow, but it picked up towards the end.
Collar and elbow to start the match, clean break and a bit of a stalemate until Trey went for the lucha armdrag to change the pace. Trey landed an early bulldog, rana, and dropkick combo for a quick pin attempt, and back into the headlock.
Eddie started to come back with strikes, hit an atomic drop, and over-the-head belly-to-belly to turn things around. Blue thunder bomb for a two count. Eddie continued with chops and whipping Trey from corner to corner, going for pin attempts here and there.
Trey finally found an opening to dodge Eddie’s attack and went for the comeback with a kick combo into a neckbreaker for a two count. He went for the top rope split-legged moonsault, but Eddie caught him with his knees. Trey and Eddie exchanged forearms and superkicks, ending with a Pele kick by Trey.
Back from commercial, Eddie and Trey continued to trade strikes in the middle of the ring. Trey dropped Eddie and hit a low cutter for a two count.
Trey went for the meteora, but Eddie dodged and went for the tiger driver. Trey reversed into a roll up for a two count. Eddie caught Trey with a clothesline then landed the tiger driver, getting a two count.
Eddie went for the Boston knee party, but Trey caught him with a jumping knee, sending him to the ropes. Eddie used that momentum to come back with the BKP for the win.
After the match, Eric Young came out again. Eddie called him into the ring, but Young walked away.
Josh Matthews and Madison Rayne ran down tonight’s card.
We got the debut of Wrestle House. Taya is trying to leave the house, but Rosemary turned the doors into portals to hell where Abyss was. At this point, everyone realized that this is no one’s house and that they can’t leave. Tommy Dreamer is the host since this is apparently this is his house, not the House of Hardcore though.
Deaner and XXXL got into a fight and everyone called for them to have a truce, which they obliged. Dreamer announced that the winner of Wrestle House will win one million dollars, though Rosemary told Dreamer that he knew that wasn’t true.
Everyone fought over who would be sleeping where. Acey Romero and Crazzy Steve argued over who would sleep in the ring. Suddenly, Acey and Steve were in their wrestling gear and were about to do a match.
Acey Romero defeated Crazzy Steve
Kylie Rae was the referee of the match.
Match started with Crazzy Steve telling Acey that they could share, but Acey didn’t want to and went after Steve, who managed to dodge for a bit, but eventually, Acey got a hold of him and tossed him around.
They did some comedy, making Acey run the ropes, but Acey caught Steve, hit a Bubba bomb, locked in a sleeper, and Rae called for the bell early. Taya talked some trash to Rae.
This whole thing was terrible, mainly because half of these people can’t act. Kylie Rae, Taya, and Johnny Swinger made it worth it.
Backstage, Bahh and TJP messed with Rohit Raju for not wearing a mask. Rohit told them to join him going after Chris Bey, but TJP said he was happy in the tag team division. Rohit talked him into getting into the X-Division again.
Rohit ran around looking for Chris Bey to tell him that TJP was coming after Bey’s title and that he had Bey’s back to protect him from Fallah Bahh.
Gia Miller interviewed Ace Austin and Madman Fulton. Ace said that he had problems with The Good Brothers who arrived and disrespected them.
We got a great video package about the careers of the Motor City Machine Guns.
The North cut a promo backstage. Page had nothing to say, but Alexander said that they were still the best tag team in the company’s history. They wanted their rematch against the MCMGs.
Impact Plus Flashback Moment of the Week was Beer Money, Inc vs MCMGs from Victory Road 2010.
We saw Rob Van Dam getting ready to reveal Katie Forbes new set of photographs.
We got a promo by ECIII, talking about his history, a history that he was here to destroy and start from scratch, calling his own shots. He said the old ECIII was a reflection of failure because he sold his soul to achieve those wins. He will destroy his past to carve a new future.
Moose got interviewed by Miller. Moose put himself over for defeating Fallah Bahh last week and that he would make another invitation for his TNA World title. Miller asked about ECIII, but Moose said he didn’t want to talk about him and said he wouldn’t be getting a title shot.
Heath approached Moose and asked for the invitation. Heath tried to trick Moose into saying that there was no TNA Championship, so Moose gave him the title shot.
Scott D’Amore approached Heath and told him that next week, if he wins, he gets a roster spot.
Knockout’s Champion Deonna Purrazzo defeated Kimber Lee in a non-title match.
Pretty good for the short time it got. Lee rushed Purrazzo to start the match with strikes and pushed her to the ropes, dropping her with a tilt-a-whirl headscissors, forcing Purrazzo to escape the ring to get a breather. Lee dropped her with a big boot for a two count.
Kimber Lee started going for Purrazzo’s arms with a full nelson body-scissors submission. Purrazzo started to punch herself free, and managed to stomp Lee’s elbow to incapacitate her. Purrazzo started kicking and stomping on Lee’s arm, snapping it against the ropes.
Lee locked in a desperation tarantula on the ropes to get a quick opening and dropped Purrazzo with a kick combo, but only for a two count. Kimber Lee got a bit cocky for her own good, and got into a striking battle with Purrazzo who got the last kneelift and side leg sweep. But when she went for the Fujiwara armbar, Lee reversed into a crucifix pin for a two count.
Lee went back for the strikes, but her arm was hurting. She went to the top rope, but Purrazzo pulled her off, snapped Lee’s armbar a la Pentagon Jr, locked in the Fujiwara armbar and submitted Lee for the win.
After the match, Jordynne Grace returned with her arm in a sling. She then took it off and took down Purrazzo. Grace punched Purrazzo, sending her packing. Grace still sold the arm after the fight.
Backstage, Katie Forbes stumbled upon Sami Callihan, who she thought was a fan.
We got another vignette for Brian Meyers. He really doesn’t look impressive.
We got another installment of Wrestle House, with Johnny Swinger giving Crazzy Steve a chance to be his young boy in exchange to stay with him. In another room, Cody Deaner couldn’t sleep because Cousin Jake snores. They argued about who woke up who with Jake’s snores. Dreamer was in Jake’s bed for a reason and said they’ll be wrestling in the morning.
We then saw a cartoon rooster announcing that it was morning. This is bad, really bad.
Cousin Jake defeated Cody Deaner
They started arguing about who snores more, then they pushed each other a bit. Cody offered Jake a truce, but when Jake bent over, Cody rolled him to a small package for a two count. Cody poked Jake’s eyes, went for the ten punches then hit a palm strike, but Jake recovered and hit a body block to take down Cody.
Cousin Jake hit the give’er, but Cody kicked out. Jake locked in a submission, but Cody powered up, hit a jawbreaker and hit the Dusty punches. Cody went for a tornado DDT, but Jake blocked, hit the sidewalk slam and won the match.
After the match, Cody Deaner found an RV to sleep in. I have a bad feeling this Wrestle House is going to derail the good will Impact has gained.
Ken Shamrock and Sami Callihan met backstage. Callihan wanted an explanation by Shamrock, but Ken blew him off and left. Katie Forbes told RVD that Callihan was creeping on him. RVD told Callihan to keep his distance.
Forbes then came down to the ring, along with Rob Van Dam. They’re here to promote Forbes’ new website by showing off some of her photos. When the photos showed up, Callihan hacked the video and put his face all over Forbe’s pictures. Katie had the worst acted breakdown in Impact history, while RVD tried to calm her. This was worse than Wrestle House.
Xavier and Wentz were in the treehouse. They talked about Trey not being there and being somewhat distant. Xavier invited Suicide to join them instead, but Wentz was freaking out about the mask. Suicide was smoking inside the mask. They all got high. Xavier was freaked out by Suicide and Wentz started conspirying that Suicide and Acey Romero were the same person.
Next week, TJP and Bahh vs Rohit Raju and Chris Bey, Moose vs Heath, a MCMG interview, and another Eddie Edwards open challenge.
Josh Matthews interviewed Rich Swann via Skype. Swann said he was disappointed that it took him 7 months to recover, and in one match, Eric Young took him out. He said that he will be on Impact next week to address his future.
The Good Brothers (Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows) defeated Reno Scum (Luster The Legend & Adam Thornstowe)
The Good Brothers were billed from Tokyo, Japan.
Anderson and Thornstowe started the match with a collar and elbow lock up, but Adam pushed Anderson to the ropes and raked the eyes for the early advantage. Anderson recovered quickly and took down Thornstowe with a shoulder tackle. They exchanged some strikes in the corner before Anderson took down Adam again and tagged in Gallows.
Gallows punched around Thornstowe and dropped some elbows repeatedly, getting a two count. Anderson tagged in again for a double team kick combo, but at this point, Ace Austin walked out to the ramp to watch the match, distracting Gallows and Anderson. This allowed Reno Scum to cut off Anderson with the battering ram.
Reno Scum worked over Anderson with quick tags and mostly strikes. Thornstowe got a two count with a standing moonsault.
Anderson eventually managed to block a DDT from Thornstowe and hit a spinebuster, getting the opening to tag in Gallows, who took out Luster with a big boot, dropped Thornstowe with an elbow hit the magic killer on Thornstowe and picked up the win.
After the match, Ace distracted Anderson and Gallows, allowing Reno Scum to attack them, who they took out easily. Madman Fulton then emerged. Both teams brawled backstage, out of the building, and into the street as the show went off the air.
Final thoughts —
This was a bad show for Impact. The Wrestle House and the Katie Forbes angle really brought down the show that otherwise, was having good action inside the ring and some developing storylines.
We’re doing polls today on NXT Takeover Blackpool and Impact Hard to Kill, so you can send a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected]” target=”_blank”>[email protected]
We’re looking for reports on these shows:
NXT Friday night in Pittsburgh
Dark matches from Smackdown Friday night in Evansville
ROH FROM CONCORD, NC AT 7 P.M. EASTERN ON HONOR CLUB
Marty Scurll & PCO & Brody King vs. Rush & Dragon Lee & Kenny King for six-man titles
Mark & Jay Briscoe vs. Dalton Castle & Joe Hendry
Flip Gordon vs. Flamita
Alex Zayne vs. Bandido
Mark Haskins & Tracy Williams vs. Bateman & Vincent
Rey Hours vs. Andrew Everett
IMPACT HARD TO KILL PPV SUNDAY AT 8 P.M. EASTERN
Sami Callihan vs. Tessa Blanchard for Impact title
Ace Austin vs. Trey Miguel for X title
Taya Valkyrie vs. Jordynne Grace vs. ODB for Knockouts title
Ethan Page & Josh Alexander vs. ? & Willie Mack for Impact tag titles
Eddie Edwards vs. Michael Elgin
Rob Van Dam vs. Brian Cage
Moose vs. Rhino
Ken Shamrock vs. Mad Man Fulton
Raw is a loaded show on Monday from Lexington, KY with Big Show & Kevin Owens & Samoa Joe vs. Seth Rollins & AOP in a fist fight, Bobby Lashley vs. Rusev and Aleister Black vs. Buddy Murphy and Brock Lesnar is on the show.
Looking back at the year WWE has had, you get a better sense of how much talent is in the company.
Main roster television and storylines have their problems, but narrowing the list of my favorite WWE matches of the year down to 10 was still incredibly difficult. The company produces so much product and has so many great wrestlers spread across Raw, SmackDown, NXT, and NXT UK. NXT was the standout in what was a transformative year as it moved to airing live on the USA Network, but all four brands were still represented on my list.
Here are my picks for WWE’s 10 best matches of 2019:
With coverage of WrestleKingdom, pro wrestling in Japan and the death of Pampero Firpo, we’ve got another double issue of the Observer this week.
Our lead story looks at the legacy of Pampero Firpo, one of the top stars of the 60s and 70s. We look at his character, the Randy Savage connection, the start of his career in Argentina, how he got started in the U.S. and was a star in week one, his forgotten world title win, the story behind his getting the Pampero Firpo name and the legendary boxing match it came from, his first run with Vince McMahon Sr. in 1960, his second run in 1972, the angle that turned him babyface in Detroit, and his life after wrestling working at the post office.
The issue also covers:
The wrestling scene in Japan, wrestling around the city, the wrestling stores, the advertising, the business from the Tokyo Dome, doing two WrestleMania in two days, why it worked for New Japan and why such a great first show ended up as a handicap. We look at what got over the biggest, probably why main roster PPVs struggle the day after blow away NXT shows, as well as tickets sold outside of Japan for he two shows and growth of the overseas audience.
New Japan’s expansion into the U.S., original booking plans for 2019, how Jericho and Tanahashi were able to do an angle involving the AEW belt, the political issues between AEW and NJPW, New Japan’s 2020 schedule, and the future of the junior heavyweights.
A pension fund suing WWE and why, with the story behind it as well as the launch of the XFL and its new rules, we’ve got DVR numbers for AEW & NXT, a wrestler who may be leaving WWE and contract status, crazy stuff some in WWE have been brainwashed on, lots of new lineups in WWE, Punk vs. Miz, Lesnar gets honored by University of Minnesota, new WWE signing, WWE awards, Ryback’s latest issues with WWE, Canadian ratings for all the top U.S. shows, WWE and Russian television plus a rundown of the holiday season house shows.
Complete rundowns of both Dome shows, with match-by-match coverage, poll results and star ratings.
Upcoming major New Japan events.
WWE’s traditional biggest house show of the year, the holiday event in Madison Square Garden.
Compiled lists of the wrestlers with the most great matches from the past year, the past decade and over the course of a career.
Regarding the Wednesday numbers, we’ve got full details, demos that each side won, how every segment did and what match ended up as the difference maker.
Full coverage of all the WWE and AEW television shows from the past week.
In-depth looks at the ratings of all the major shows, the key demos and quarters for AEW and WWE, what happened head-to-head and what can be learned from them.
Results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week.
ORDERING INFO: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].
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If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.
SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE
Bryan and I will be back tonight talking Impact, NXT UK, Raw tomorrow, Kendo Nagasaki, Pampero Firpo, La Parka and many other topics with Wrestling Observer Radio.
We’re sorry to report on the death of Kazuo Sakurada, who was the wrestler known in the U.S. and Japan as Kendo Nagasaki. This is not the Kendo Nagasaki who was a legend in the U.K. Sakurada was 71. Early reports have his death attributed to an issue with his pacemaker. Sakurada came from sumo and had a rep as a tough guy. He formed a tag team of Hito & Sakurada in a number of territories, beset known in Stampede Wrestling. He was one of the original trainers of Bret Hart. Just before his 47th birthday he did his nly MMA fight. The Kendo Nagasaki name and gimmick came from Dusty Rhodes. Rhodes and Great Kabuki had a big feud in Georgia, but Kabuki had other commitments and couldn’t come to Florida. So as Gary Hart took Akihisa Mera and made him a headliner, Rhodes took Sakurada and made him a headliner to feud with him in Florida. He became far more famous as Nagasaki and used that name most of the rest of his career, including forming a top tag team with Mr. Pogo in Puerto Rico.
There have been reports out of a return to Saudi Arabia on 2/20. We’re told that it could be 2/20 or could be 2/27 but there is a show scheduled there on a Thursday afternoon but the date we were given was 2/27, with the idea they’d once again have to rush people back for the 2/28 Smackdown TV show in Boston. With the tension in the Middle East right now and the problems after the last show, you can imagine a lot of WWE families not being thrilled with this. That may be why it’s been kept so low-key.
With no UFC or major boxing this weekend, the only thing that made the Google trends was the death of La Parka, since CNN picked up on it. La Parka was the No. 11 most searched for topic on the Internet yesterday in the U.S. with more than 100,000 searches. That is actually an incredible number for anything in pro wrestling other than a WWE PPV show or something major involving a WWE main roster star or historical American star.
Rich Swann suffered an ankle injury at the Impact show in San Antonio so he was questionable regarding tonight’s tag title match where he was to team with Willie Mack vs. Ethan Page & Josh Alexander. There was talk of Mack doing a handicap match.
Dragon Gate’s Open the Twin Gate title tournament semifinals and finals on Wednesday in Korakuen Hall. The semis have BxB Hulk & Kazma Sakamoto vs. Kzy & Dragon Dia and Yamato & Ben K vs. Masato Yoshino & Susumu Yokosuka.
UFC
Dana White praised this woman to the point he’s flying her into Las Vegas for Saturday’s show and said he’s offering her a job.
Former Olympic wrestler Mark Madsen (9-0) faces Austin Hubbard on the 3/7 show in Las Vegas.
MISCELLANEOUS
The 2019 update of the Wrestling Observer Index is out. It lists almost every issue in our history going back almost 38 years with the major headlines by the week. Besides as a guide for ordering back issues, the Index is also a great way to keep a catalog of past issues and use for historical purposes. It is available for $30 from Grant Zwarych, 151 Hart Ave, Peterborough, ON K9J 5C5 Canada. Virtually every back issue from 1982-1990 are available from him at the prices listed in the Index. Issues from 1991 to present are available from us at $4 per issue. If you are ordering back issues from us, please denote back issues on the envelope to ensure the quickest response. All payments to Grant & us must be made in U.S. funds. For those who have a previous Index, the 2019 supplement is available for $5 per year in Canada, $6 in U.S. and $9 internationally. Or you can get the supplement year(s) you are missing for a minimum $50 back issue order. He also has re-issues of some of the most popular Wrestling Observer publications of the past. He has the 1983-1990 Observer yearbooks and the 1986 Wrestling Observer Who’s Who in Wrestling book. Grant also has pre-Observer publications of mine, both the California Wrestling Report & the International Wrestling Gazette. For more info, you can email [email protected]
In the barely better late than never department, the Los Angeles Times published an obit on Dick Beyer this past weekend. It’s about three-quarters of the way down. They got good response. Wrestling historian Steve Yohe wrote it. It had been talked about for nearly a year.
People were raving about yesterday’s ROH show.
Jason Cade is headed to ROH.
Tickets have been put on sale for Expo Lucha on 8/15 and 8/16 at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia. On the first night, Psicosis, Juventud Guerrera, Super Crazy, Sabu, Damian 666 Bestia 666, Mr. Aguila, Dragon Lee, Laredo Kid, Taya Valkyrie, Black Taurus,Demus and more have been announced. The second show is a legends event with Dr. Wagner Jr., Tinieblas Jr., Octagon, Pirata Morgan, Solar, Solar Jr., Mascarita Dorada, Psicosis, Juventud Guerrera, Super Crazy, Damian 666, Bestia 666 and Mr. Aguila
Road Warrior Animal has been announced for the Qatar Pro Wrestling Superslam show on 2/21 in Doha Qatar. He joins nZo, Brian Pillman Jr., Eric Bischoff, Alberto El Patron, Kevin Nash, Mark Henry, Rob Van Dam and Matt Sydal on the show.
PWA from last night in Sydney, Australia: Michael Spencer & Kai Drake b Velocities-COR in a tag title match, Big Fudge b Sam Osborne, Ricky South b Mat Roes, Rhys Angel & Aaron Jake b Prefects, Jessica Troy b Steph De Lander-DQ, Concrete Davidson & Shazza McKenzie b Gavin McGavin & Edit Night, Bel Pierce b Kingley, Mick Moretti & Jack Bonza b Matty Wahlberg & Carter Deams
Melbourne Championship Wrestling from last night before a sellout of 700+ fans: Adam Brooks b Slex to keep the MCW title, Jett Rouka b Leo Pratt, Tome & Stevie Filip b Mike Burr & Ritchie Taylor, Danny Psycho b Royce Chambers, Avary b Kellyanne to get a women’s title shot, Ugg b Harley Jackson no DQ, Will Ospreay b Dowie James. We were told the Brooks match was great and Ospreay match, with a fractured heel, was off the charts. Ospreay cut a promo acknowledging his injury and needing time off but wanted to wrestle in Australia and also challenged Gino Gambino. They gave Slex a sendoff because he’s moving to the U.S. to wrestle for ROH.
MCW has a show on 1/19 at the Melbourne Baseball Arena in conjunction with the Melbourne Aces baseball team. Wrestling takes place after the game and all ticket proceeds go to Blaze Aid, which is a charity supporting recovery from the bushfires. (thanks to Kevin Chiat)
Defy on 1/31 in Seattle at Washington Hall with Luchasaurus, Marko Stunt, Cima, T-Hawk and Lindaman. It’s notable that AEW is allowing its contracted performers to do shows like this.
Stardom from today in Shizuoka: Starlight Kid b Itsuki Hoshino, Hana Kimura won three-way over Bea Priestley and Zoey Skye, Leyla Hirsch b AzM, Kagetsu & Jamie Hayter & Saki Kashima b Riho & Tam Nakano & Saya Iida, Jungle Kyona & Konami b Giulia & Andras Miyagi (Giulia turned on Miyagi after the match and said she will be bringing two mystery partners for the 1/19 show at Korakuen Hall), Mayu Iwatani & Arisa Hoshiki & Saya Kamitani b Momo Watanabe & Utami Hayashishita & Leo Onozaki (thanks to Shannon Walsh and wrestlingwithdemons.net)
Stardom from last night in Osaka: Konami b Itsuki Hoshino, AZM b Death Yama-san, Kagetsu b Saya Kamitani, Giulia & Andras Miyagi b Starlight Kid & Saya Iida, Hana Kimura & Jungle Kyona & Leyla Hirsch b Saki Kashima & Jamie Hayter & Zoey Skye, Mayu Iwatani & Arisa Hoshiki & Riho & Tam Nakano b Bea Priestley & Momo Watanabe & Utami Hayashishita & Leo Onozaki. Kagetsu announced she would team with Iwatani against Watanabe & Kyona in 1/26 in Osaka in her final match with the company.
Mike Mooneyham, who knew Pampero Firpo, wrote about him (thanks to Chris Cruise)
Two more matches have been officially confirmed for Impact Wrestling’s first pay-per-view of 2020.
Impact Tag Team Champions The North (Josh Alexander & Ethan Page) will defend their titles against Rich Swann & Willie Mack at Hard to Kill. Michael Elgin vs. Eddie Edwards has also been confirmed for the PPV.
During an interview that aired on last night’s Impact, Elgin challenged Edwards to put his Call Your Shot title shot on the line against him at Hard to Kill. The title shot lets Edwards challenge for the Impact championship of his choosing.
Swann & Mack defeated oVe (Jake & Dave Crist), The Rascalz (Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz), and Reno Scum (Adam Thornstowe & Luster the Legend) in a fatal four-way number one contender’s match that aired last night. There was an injury angle where Swann won the match on his own after Mack couldn’t continue.
The North have been Impact Tag Team Champions since winning the titles from Santana & Ortiz in July.
Hard to Kill is taking place at The Bomb Factory in Dallas, Texas on Sunday, January 12. The show will be headlined by Tessa Blanchard challenging for Sami Callihan’s Impact World Championship. Ace Austin defending his X-Division title against Trey Miguel and Taya Valkyrie defending her Knockouts title against Jordynne Grace and ODB in a triple threat match are also set.
Impact Wrestling returns from St. Claire College Sportsplex in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Tonight was the big 6-way elimination match to find Callihan’s contender for Hard To Kill. Opening video build such main event, but also recapped Swinger taking a dump in Shamrock’s bag, Jordynne challenging Taya and Bravo, the return of Suzie, and footage of the awesome North title defense from last week.
The Rascalz (Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz) defeated Desi Hit Squad (Rohit Raju & Raj Singh), The Deaners (Cody Deaner & Cousin Jake), and Reno Scum (Luster The Legend & Adam Thornstowe)
Wentz and Thornstowe started the match with the former hitting a couple of arm drags before tagging in Dezmond for a couple of double team kick combos for a two count. Luster tagged in and now it was Reno Scum getting a two count after a double team move.
Cody Deaner tagged in and along with Cousin Jake, got a two count on Thornstowe. Now it was Rohit and Raj that tagged in and together hit a Backbreaker and running knee combo on Deaner for a two count. Cousin Jake tagged in and run wild over both Rohit and Raj with corner spears, but when he went for the Blackhole Slam, Rohit countered and hit a jumping footstomp. Jake came back with a powerbomb for a two count.
The match broke down with everyone getting in the ring, brawling to the outside, only for Deaner to follow with a dive. Jake suplexed Thornstowe over the ropes into the pile, and followed with a dive of his own. Rohit teased a dive, but showed off enough to eat a superkick by Wentz who dove next. Dezmond followed with Space Flying Tiger Drop.
Back in the ring, Desi Hit Squad double teamed Dezmond Xavier, but Jake came in and got rid of Raj, having now the chance to take out Rohit. Reno Scum came in and double teamed Jake, but before they could finish him, Razcals came back, hit Hot Fire Flame on Cousin Jake and took the win. Good action packed opener.
After the match, Reno Scum jumped The Razcals until Trey Miguel came out for the save and took them out with a Double Missile Dropkick. Ace Austin came out and laid out Trey with a belt shot. Ace took out Trey with the loaded backfist. Trey Miguel’s ‘mom’ is in the crowd and she is a terrible actress.
Jordynne Grace defeated Knockout’s Champion Taya Valkyrie & John E. Bravo in a non-title handicap match
Taya started the match for her team, but quickly tagged in Bravo when Grace pushed into her. Bravo came in and tried to bully Grace, only for Grace to dodge him and take out Taya, sending them both to the floor. That was followed by a suicide dive that Bravo barely caught.
Back in the ring, Jordynne tortured Bravo with strikes. Taya tried to help him by distracting Grace, and with the numbers advantage, got some chops in, some running elbows to the corner, but Grace came back, got rid of Taya and once again started torturing Bravo with kicks and a Senton. Jordynne tired of playing with Bravo, toss him to the corner to tag in Taya, but Taya walked out on him.
In the ring, Jordynne kicked Bravo’s toy dog, hit a running double knee to Bravo’s back, sliding elbow, Vader Bomb, and pinned Bravo. Jordynne was dominant, even if it was against a comedy valet.
Backstage, Gama Singh berated Raj and Rohit for losing. Gama told them that they better start producing or they’re being sent back to India. They took it out on Fallah Bahh backstage by jumping him and beating him up in a hallway.
Rob Van Dam cut another promo from his pool. He said that he won’t actually make it to Impact because he had a really late party last night and his flight was too early today. Ok.
Backstage, Suzie was walking around until James Mitchell finds her. They introduce each other and Mitchell asks her what is she doing in a place like this. Mitchell tells Suzie to not trust anyone and instead, let him take care of her and manage her. Suzie agrees and leaves.
Rosemary appears and tells James Mitchell to their master wouldn’t like that Mitchell is trying to get to Suzie’s head, and Rosemary won’t allow it.
Impact Plus Flashback Moment of the Week was Cody Rhodes vs Eddie Edwards for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.
We got The Razcals in the Treehouse talking about why everyone is trying to kick their butts. Trey Miguel’s mom showed up and told Trey that she’s too worried about him. This was funny.
Johnny Swinger defeated Buck Gunderson
Total squash. Swinger hit a couple of clotheslines, raked Buck’s eyes, choked him with his own singlet, hit a headbutt to the groin, raked the back, and after Buck had a hope spot with a couple of Dropkicks, Swinger got the win with the Swinger Neckbreaker.
After the match, Ken Shamrock came out and went after Swinger with some strikes, takedown, and the Ankle Lock. This was what it had to be.
Next week, Impact is taking the week off to show a retro show Throwdown Throwback from IPWF.
Tessa Blanchard won the six-person elimination match to become the number one contender for the Impact title
This match is gauntlet rules with two wrestlers starting, the winner taking on the third seat, and so on.
Moose defeated Daga
Moose early on used his power advantage to overcome Daga and chop him around, but Daga had the speed advantage and dodged around Moose, took out his leg and hit a Flatliner and springboard corkscrew press to the outside. Daga hit a moonsault from the apron, once again taking Moose down.
Back in the ring, Moose pulled Daga into the turnbuckle to turn the match around. Moose chopped Daga and whipped him around the ring. Moose hit a HUGE Dominator. Moose went for the Spear, but Daga dodged, hit a couple of running Superman elbows and kicks, Moose went for the Go To Hell, but Daga countered with a rana and a running delayed dropkick for a two count.
Moose caught Daga and tossed him on the ropes, hit the No Jackhammer Needed and picked up the win.
Rich Swann defeated Moose
Swann took forever to get in the ring, which is just time for Moose to rest and recover. Once in the ring, Moose went for the same approach, using the strength advantage, but Swann was faster than Daga and did better escaping Moose’s moves. Swann got two ranas early on and roll up into the foot stomp. Swann hit a dropkick, only for Moose to come back with a far more impressive one.
Moose now started to work on Swann around and inside the ring with chops. Moose played with the crowd, which allowed Swann to recover and go for a Senton from the apron that Moose caught, but Swann reversed into a rana instead.
Back in the ring, Moose hit a turnbuckle Okada-style dropkick, tossing Swann to the floor. Swann came back with a Tilt-a-whirl DDT counter on Moose, a couple of chops and strikes, but when he went for a second DDT, Moose blocked him, lawndarted him into the turnbuckle and got a two count. Moose pounded on Swann with closed fists and went for the Razor’s Edge, but Swann broke out, slapped Moose about six times, they traded kicks, but Moose decided to go for a top rope move that Swann caught with a cutter, followed by the Lethal Injection for a two count. This is Awesome chants.
Swann went for the 450, but Moose got the knees up. Go To Hell on Swann for a two count. Moose went for the No Jackhammer Needed, but Swann caught him with a superkick. Moose went for the same combo as with Daga, but Swann countered the spear into a crucifix roll up for the win.
Rich Swann defeated Michael Elgin by disqualification
Elgin came out with a big smile. Elgin went for an early Burning Hammer, but Swann escaped and superkicked Elgin a couple of times. Elgin hit something like a pop-up thunder bomb. Elgin hit a big clothesline after another until Swann was down.
Elgin went for a Superplex, but Swann dodged out and kicked Elgin in the back. Swann hit a School Boy into a Bomb to finally rock Elgin. They traded strikes until Elgin blocked a rana and hit a Buckle Bomb. Swann tried to comeback with a Rana, but Elgin transitioned into a Crossface for the submission tease.
They fought on the apron with Swann trying to hit a roisonrana, but Elgin blocked it and hit a Tiger Suplex on the apron, tossed Swann back to the ring, went for a Phoenix Splash, but Swann moved and went for a Frog Splash, but Elgin also managed to move away. Elgin hit an Enziguri, they traded kicks, Swann escaped another tiger suplex, they kicked each other again until Elgin got the tiger suplex in and a Lariat for a two count.
Elgin hit a superplex, rolled over for another, but Swann escaped, hit two poinsonranas and got a two count out of it.
Elgin hit a Deadlift Falcon Arrow for a two count. Elgin went for the burning hammer, but Swann grabbed the rope and accidentally tossed Elgin into the ref. Swann hit a Superkick, but caught a Lariat on the comeback. Elgin started punching out Swann, and when the ref told him to stop, Elgin kept doing it and tossed the ref off, getting DQ’d. Elgin, out of anger, hit a powerbomb on Swann, who is spitting blood. The rest of the referees came out to stop Elgin, who should have powerbombed the ref if you ask me. Great match, but the finished sucked, or at least Elgin’s reaction. It also makes it awkward for either of the two babyfaces left to come in and destroy Swann.
Brian Cage defeated Rich Swann
Brian Cage wasn’t happy to have to take on this Swann, he didn’t rush or anything, but offered Swann to give up. Swann decided to strike Cage, forcing Cage to attack with a Lariat, but out of instinct, Swann hit a Codebreaker to Cage’s arm, a couple of kicks, and a 450 only for Cage to kick out at one.
Swann went for the other corner, but Cage caught him, tossed around Swann, rushed him to the corner, but ate a couple of kicks, countered a Pumphandle Slam to another pair of kicks. Swann went for the 450 again, getting a two count this time.
Swann went for the Lethal Injection, but Cage caught him, tossed him, went for the F-5, only for Swann to counter to a cutter and successfully land the Lethal Injection for a two count. Swann went for the Phoenix Splash, but Cage dodged, hit Weapon X, and finally eliminated Swann. At this point, the fans were behind Swann and were not happy about Cage winning, but commentary sold that performance alone, Swann should get a title shot after Hard To Kill.
Tessa Blanchard defeated Brian Cage
Big pop for Tessa now. Tessa was all business and Cage had a cocky confident face. The match started similar with Cage being forced to bring out the moves, except that this time around, Cage was blocking all of Tessa’s moves with sheer power. Tessa could only rely on strikes, managing to get Cage to the floor where Tessa hit two dives and a third one that Cage caught and turned into an F-5 into the apron.
Back from commercial, Cage has brought Tessa to the ring where he has been tossing her around, trying to get quick pins. Tessa tried for a crossbody, but Cage caught her again. Tessa finally manages to drop Cage with a tornado DDT for a two count. Tessa cut Cage with the corner Magnum and went for a top rope crossbody for a two count.
Cage came back with a powerbomb for a two count. Cage hit a deadlift suplex for a two count. Cage’s lip has been busted open.
Tessa dodged a discus lariat, hit a superkick, a cutter, and the buzzsaw DDT for a two count. Cage hit a big Alabama Slam for a two count. Cage went for the top rope Razor’s Edge, but Tessa turned it into a hurricanrana, followed with the Magnum, and pinned Cage, only to get a 2.99 kickout!
Tessa went for a second Magnum, but Cage blocked it, hit a buckle bomb and wanted to follow with the Weapon X, but Tessa rolled over with a Yoshi Tonic and pinned Cage to become the number 1 contender for Sami Callihan’s title.
Wow, that last hour was PACKED! This was a great gauntlet match, every single pairing was a main event worthy match and I wouldn’t really say that anyone looked weak in defeat. My only gripe was Elgin’s DQ.
Final Thoughts —
Tonight’s show was all action. The hour long gauntlet was all great wrestling, not just quick pins to get things over. Storyline wise, the show really kept things on the low, mostly building towards the final match.
The Tag Team title match at Bound for Glory 2019 will be a triple threat.
During last night’s Impact episode, it was announced that The North (Josh Alexander & Ethan Page) will defend their titles against Rich Swann & Willie Mack and RVD & Rhino in a triple threat match at Bound for Glory. The pay-per-view is taking place at the Odeum Expo Center in Villa Park, Illinois on Sunday, October 20.
The North have been Impact Tag Team Champions since defeating LAX (Santana & Ortiz) for the titles this July.
Here’s the updated card for Bound for Glory:
Impact World Champion Brian Cage defending against Sami Callihan
Michael Elgin vs. Naomichi Marufuji
Knockouts Champion Taya Valkyrie defending against Tenille Dashwood
X-Division Champion Jake Crist defending against Tessa Blanchard, Daga, and two other wrestlers in a five-way ladder match
Impact Tag Team Champions The North defending against Rich Swann & Willie Mack and RVD & Rhino in a triple threat match
Moose vs. Ken Shamrock
The Rascalz (Dezmond Xavier, Zachary Wentz & Trey Miguel) vs. Dr. Wagner Jr. and two partners
Call Your Shot Gauntlet match (winner gets a future shot at the Impact title of their choosing)
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.
A title change aired on this week’s episode of Impact.
Jake Crist defeated Rich Swann on the show to win the X-Division Championship. The story of the match was two of Jake’s oVe (Ohio Versus Everything) stablemates interfering to help him win.
Dave Crist got involved in the match and put Jake’s foot on the rope when Swann had him pinned. Swann took out both Crists with a cutter, but Madman Fulton pushed Swann off the top rope while the referee wasn’t looking. Jake then hit a cutter and the Buckeye Drop to win the championship.
The title change took place at Impact’s television tapings in Windsor, Ontario, Canada on July 19.
There was some tension between Jake and Sami Callihan teased during a segment on last night’s episode. Jake said that he won the X-Division title, but Callihan told him that oVe did it. Callihan said he was proud of Jake and happy for him, but Jake then — seemingly innocently — said that he did what Callihan couldn’t by winning the title from Swann.
This is the first singles title Jake has held in Impact. Jake & Dave were previously Impact Tag Team Champions in 2017.
Swann had been X-Division Champion since defeating Jake, Ethan Page, and Trey Miguel in an Ultimate X match at January’s Homecoming pay-per-view. Before losing the title to Jake, Swann retained against Johnny Impact at Slammiversary XVII earlier this month.
Impact Wrestling continues with the fallout of Slammiversary and the Mash-Up tournament. This week’s episode kicks off the St. Clair College set of tapings from Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Twitch stream was hosted by Melissa Santos.
Opening video had a different feel from the usual opening video, this one had classical music, with quick cuts to an orchestra. It built three of tonight’s matches and the fallout of Tessa and Callihan heading into a number one contendership match at Unbreakable a week from tonight.
Jordynne Grace defeated Kiera Hogan
Before the match can start, Madison Rayne came down and joined the commentary table.
Match started with both women rushing at each other, they exchanged some strikes and tackles that ended with Grace in the floor taking a suicide dive from Hogan, but Hogan blocked it and hit a Belly-to-belly on the floor. Grace went for a Apron-slam, but Kiera escaped, kicked her off, and hit a second Suicide dive. This one was a bit ugly when Hogan went head first into the guardrail.
Back in the ring, Hogan got a two count and started working over Grace with kicks and chokes. Jordynne nailed Hogan with a big right to the jaw, but Hogan came back with a couple herself. Hogan hit her running hip attack combo to the corner. Hogan went for a Monkey Flip, but Jordynne finally blocked her, overpowered her, and dropped her with a powerbomb.
Jordynne hit the Grace Driver for a two count. Grace kept the offense, but Hogan kept dodging with desperation strikes to get some distance. Hogan finally caught Grace’s arm on the ropes and got the chance to hit three running dropkicks to the corner for a big near fall.Hogan delivered a big kick to the back of the head and went for a neckbreaker, but Jordynne blocked it and hit the Vader Bomb for another big near fall. Jordynne went for the Grace Driver once again, but Hogan escaped and hit a superkick to once again send Grace to the floor. On the floor, Grace delivered an Electric Chair drop, teasing the countout. Grace made the count, but Madison had to help Hogan in the ring.
Back in the ring, Grace pinned Hogan with the O’Connor Roll into the European Clutch. Really good match by these women, Kiera Hogan has improved so much.
– Brian Cage cut a promo from the locker room. He said that tonight, he’s going to send Elgin to the hospital in the street fight main event.
– Taya and Rosemary talked about their match at Slammiversary. Taya told Rosemary that Havok won’t stop following her and she needs Rosemary’s help. Rosemary said there is no deal because they’re contract ended at the pay-per-view unless Taya were to offer her the championship. Johnny Bravo said he’ll take care of it.
– Sami Callihan came down to the ring and called out Tessa Blanchard. Callihan said that he originally thought that wrestling Tessa was going to be easy, but he was wrong and Tessa showed that she had fire and heart. He said that they earned the right to fight one more time for the No. 1 contendership spot at the Impact World title. He said that he is a hero for giving Tessa equality, not like other people that wouldn’t give Tessa the credit. He said that there is no intergender wrestling, it’s just professional wrestling, and told Tessa that he respects her.
Sami Callihan offered a handshake, but told her that next week, there is no respect. They shook hands professionally, but Callihan slapped Tessa’s behind and called her ‘toots’. Tessa didn’t let go of the handshake and in return, beat up Callihan, dropping him with the Magnum.
– oVe talked plans backstage. Callihan berated the team for not backing him, but Dave reminded Callihan he told them to stay backstage. Callihan addressed Tessa, telling her that he tried to be a good guy, but Tessa sucker punched him and has now infuriated him. He said Tessa takes on Madman Fulton next week.
Moose defeated Ray Steel
Moose overpowered Steel from the get go, blocked the Irish whip, picked him up, dropped him on the ropes, and hit No Jackhammer Needed for the win. Total squash.
After the match, Moose cut a promo saying that he sees things clearer now and he has realized that the only way to get a title shot is not not be loyal to this company. He said that all the former champions are now gone, yet he, who has been there for years, who calls himself Mr. Impact, has nothing. Instead he gets a local jobber. Moose went to Apron-bomb Steel before walking out.
– Johnny Bravo found Havoc and told her to leave Taya alone, pretty much offering his body instead. Havoc beat him up and so Bravo ran away shouting they’ll do this the hard way then. Bravo is hilarious in his own way.
– We got a video package of The North defending their championship titles at Slammiversary. They made no reference of Santana’s injury, making it seem like a strong win for the team.
– The Rascalz were at their Treehouse talking about how last week was really weird. They talked that the weird thing was another team being added to their Slammiversary match. Dezmond told them that they have a match against The North next week. Once again, they argued about who would be the team, but this time, Wentz offered his spot because he’s going to a Jonas Brothers concert with Gail Kim, who made a cameo. The North vs Dezmond and Trey Miguel for the titles next week.
– Impact Plus Flashback of the Week was James Storm vs Bobby Roode Street Fight at Bound For Glory 2012.
– Melissa Santos interviewed Kiera Hogan about losing tonight. Madison Rayne came out talking trash, but they both just ended up dissing Santos instead.
– Backstage, Ace Austin tried to do magic tricks to Alisha Edwards, trying to invite her out for dinner. He got rejected. Another woman walked up to him, but Austin said that he’s not into single women.
Rob Van Dam defeated Willie Mack
Given that Willie Mack calls his Frog Splash the 6-star Frog Splash, it took forever to get to this match. Most of RVD’s promos when he returned were about people trying to imitate him and he being here to show how things are done.
Match started with a collar and elbow tie up that was followed by a shoulder tackle by Mack and a consequent spinning kick by RVD. They exchanged a couple more locks until Mack hit a big Wheel kick, dropping RVD. Mack copied RVD’s taunt.
They went for more headlocks and a Jr. Heavyweight sequence of reversals and counters that ended in a standoff. They exchanged forearms before the match spilled to the outside. RVD slammed Mack into the ring post and hit a rolling senton from the apron on Mack.
Back in the ring, Mack hit a running elbow and kick combo, followed with the cannonball to the corner, and ended with the Samoan Drop and Moonsault combo for a two count. Mack rushed the corner, but RVD dodged and kicked Mack down. RVD hit the Split-legged Moonsault, but Mack got his knees up. Mack hit a Backstabber for another two count.
RVD hit a springboard kick and a top rope senton for a two count. RVD followed with some running lariats, superkick, and the Rolling Thunder, but Mack countered the pin for a near fall. Mack hit a desperation cutter to get some space. The exchanged strikes once again, but Mack hit an Exploder. Mack went for the 6-Star Frog Splash, but RVD moved out of the way and scissored Mack for a two count. RVD kicked Mack and hit the 5-Star Frog Splash for the win. Long match, it felt slow at points, making RVD look old, but overall an ok performance.
– Ace Austin tried to do the ‘put your hand in the box’ trick, he even took his hands off the box. Stone Rockwell interrupted him.
– LAX talked backstage. Konnan told Ortiz that he’s been drinking too much. Ortiz told him that he has too much in his mind, he wants revenge on The North. Konnan told him to not let his emotions get in the way. Konnan told Ortiz that Daga is taking Santana’s place for now. Ortiz rejected the idea and walked out. Happy to see Daga back on Impact.
– Santos interviewed Michael Elgin about tonight’s match with Cage. He said that both Cage and Impact management are stupid for allowing him to use weapons when he’s already been dangerous without them. He said that Cage needs to focus on him and not his fiancee.
Jake Crist defeated Rich Swann to become the NEW X-Division Champion.
This match comes from Jake Crist pinning Rich Swann at last week’s Mash-Up Tournament.
Side headlock takedown from Crist to start the match. Swann and Crist exchange a couple of reversals fighting for control. Crist maintained neck control for a good amount of time, always regaining it after Swann would escape. Swann would get control until he sent Crist outside and followed with a Twisting dive.
Dave Crist interfered behind the referee’s back, but Swann took him out with a superkick, yet unfortunately, it was enough of a distraction for Jake to hit a Tope Suicida.
Back from commercial, Jake Crist is working over Swann in the corner, with constant interference of Dave Crist. Jake locked in a modified Koji Clutch for a submission tease, but Swann managed punch himself out. Jake locked in a Camel Clutch, but Swann once again escaped, only to take a superkick, knocking him down to the corner. Jake rushed the corner, but Swann caught him with a kick and hit a big clothesline to finally get some momentum.
Swann hit a couple of strikes and a kick combo for a two count.
Both men traded kicks before Jake Crist hit a DVD for a two count. Jake hit a huge powerslam into the buckles for another near fall. They traded forearms in the middle of the ring until Swann got a Spinning kick in and went for the Macho Man Diving Elbow for a two count. Swan went for a Phoenix Splash, but Jake cut him off, hit a Superplex and neckbreaker for a two count. Jake got yet another with a Sunset Flip.
They traded kicks until Swann finally got the Phoenix Splash, but Dave Crist helped his brother put his leg on the ropes. Swann went after Dave, which ended with Swann hitting a double Os Cutter on the Crists. Fulton came down tossing Swann into Crist’s Cutter. Jake Crist hit another cutter and pinned Rich Swann to win the X-Division Championship! This was a great match. Jake Crist had been an underrated talent for so long.
– Backstage, Jake Crist told Sami that he won, only for Sami to tell him that ‘they’ did it. Sami said he was proud until he accidentally said that he did what Sami wasn’t able to do. Jake Crist said he wants to be called the ‘Golden Draw’. Sami was just incredibly annoyed by Tessa and wasn’t happy for his friend.
Brian Cage vs Michael Elgin Never Started.
Brian Cage didn’t come out during his entrance; he instead dragged himself to the ramp and out behind him was Michael Elgin with a chair. Elgin hit Cage with the chair as they approached the ring.
Finally in the ring, Elgin choked out Cage and called out for a mic. Elgin talked trash about this match not being non-title, proving that Cage was weak, and so tonight he is going to break the machine again.
Elgin continued torturing Cage with a one man Con-chair-to. Security came out, but Elgin took them all out. They were actually big dudes. Once he cleared the ring, he set up Cage for a kill shot. Melissa Santos came out trying to stop Elgin but suddenly the masked man from Slammiversary came out. He went for the Gore only to be met by Elgin’s chair.
A second masked man came out and unmasked, revealing Rhino, who Gored Elgin before heading to the crowd to celebrate. Wait, so who was the other masked man?
Final Thoughts:
Great show by Impact. It was really strong inside the ring, and the storylines building towards Unbreakable were solid.
Next week, Tessa battles Madman Fulton, plus The Rascalz challenge for the tag team championships against The North.
Impact Wrestling returns from the Melrose Ballroom in Queens, NY for the final stop before Slammiversary this coming Sunday. Opening video recapped the ongoing stories surrounding the main championship feuds, the war between Killer Kross and Eddie Edwards, and Tessa Blanchard’s beat down at the hands of oVe.
Twitch stream was hosted by Melissa Santos. She broke the news that The North defeated LAX for the tag team titles at Bash at the Brewery, and showed the post-match promo from Ethan Page and Josh Alexander. There was another earthquake during the broadcast, but Melissa kept hosting.
TJP defeated Ace Austin
Different from other Ace Austin matches, this started with some hold-by-hold series of reversals for wrist and head control. TJP got to display his proficiency, while Ace would fail at trying to copy TJP, playing into Ace’s cockiness, and pushing him to resort to kicks instead.
TJP locked in a really innovative Sharpshooter while holding both of Ace’s hands, and later transitioned into a Last Chancery. Ace once again resorted to use his kicks to take control of the match for a bit, but TJP kept escaping, but it was until TJP went for a springboard dive that Ace got the upper hand. Ace hit a Space Flying Tiger Drop, cut TJP’s finger with a card, and worked over TJP’s arm with an elbow bar.
Ace Austin hit the jumping curb stomp, but TJP dodged it, hit a Springboard dropkick. Ace hit a Disaster Kick for a two count. Ace went for a Superplex, but TJP blocked it, so instead Ace hit a beautiful leg-scissors takedown. Ace went for a roll up with the ropes, but the ref caught him, giving TJP time to recover, take out Ace’s leg and connect with a lungblower for a two count.
Ace and TJP exchanged strikes and kicks with the latter getting the upper hand, as he went for House of Cards, TJP dodged, grabbed the leg, locked in a kneebar, and submitted Ace Austin. Great opener.
– We got a video recapping Brian Cage’s title win, injury, and road to recovery. It also featured Michael Elgin’s path of destruction into Sunday’s title match.
– Melissa Santos interviewed Johnny Impact and Bravo. She asked if he would be able to survive with Bravo as his tag team partner. Johnny said he is the one man Mega Powers. Johnny Bravo had a fake man-bun. This was funny.
Kiera Hogan defeated Madison Rayne
Hogan has dyed her hair blue-ish, so she’s no longer the ‘Girl on Fire’. Jordynne Grace joined commentary for the match.
Match started with Hogan running at Rayne, looking for the quick roll up, and thus they traded a couple of near falls with quick roll-ups until Hogan left the ring. Madison went for the chase, but Hogan caught her with a kick. Hogan antagonized Grace at the commentary table, but it was enough distraction for Rayne to recover.
Back in the ring, Hogan kicked out Rayne’s leg while climbing the turnbuckles, and got a two count after her running hip attack combo. Hogan stayed in the offense, while constantly mocking Jordynne outside. Rayne started a comeback after a desperation enzuigiri, hit a couple of strikes, and landed a cutter for a two count.
Hogan went for a school girl with her legs on the ropes, which prompted Grace to leave the table. Hogan hit a swinging neckbreaker and pin for the win.
After the match, Jordynne went after Hogan, but the Girl no longer on Fire ran off. In the ring, Madison Rayne blamed Jordynne Grace for losing the match.
– Outside the building, Gama Singh gave Rohit Raju a surprise for tonight’s match. It was the Singh Family Tea set, it’s been in the family for generations, while he explained this, the Deaners poured some beer into the teapot behind their backs. The immediately figured out it was beer. Rohit drank it anyway.
– Somewhere in the Undead Realm, James Mitchell is trying to break up the tension between Su Yung and Havok. He tells them that they need to be patient and work together this Sunday. Their plan is for Havok to walk out as the Knockout’s champion.
– Impact Plus Moment of the Week was Jeff Hardy vs Broken Matt Hardy from Slammiversary 2016.
– We got a video recap of the ongoing story with Taya, Rosemary, Su Yung, and the returning Havok.
– We got a showcase video for Sami Callihan that built into the Tessa vs Callihan feud.
Rohit Raju (w/Raj and Gama Singh) defeated Laredo Kid
Match started quick with what would seem to lead to a series of reversals and counters, but Rohit got a quick clothesline to gain control, which didn’t last long as he played to the crowd and got taken out. Laredo Kid jumped on the first rope and the rope snapped on him, but he was safe. Laredo still hit a moonsault from the second rope for a two count. Don Callis said that a two-rope ring is still better than a 6-sided ring.
Rohit regained control of the match and went after Laredo with stomps to the back. Rohit swept the leg, but once again started playing to the crowd. Snap suplex for a two count. Laredo hit a rana and Tope Suicida to get back in the match, earning a two count.
Laredo went for a top rope corkscrew, but Gama and Raj distracted him, giving Rohit the time to recover, dodge the move, hit a big foot stomp, and get the win.
– We got a video recapping RVD’s return and feud with Moose. Good promo by Moose.
Moose came down to the ring, looking amazing like always. He cut a promo saying that he loved RVD as a kid, he put over his matches in ECW, but that was 20 years ago and things have changed. He said that he can’t be a fan of him anymore because he’s now better than him in every sense. He then showed a video of Moose beating up Sabu someone backstage. He told RVD that at Slammiversary, he will retire him.
Rob Van Dam finally came out and brawled with Moose. They got into a short pull-apart.
Zachary Wentz defeated Trey Miguel and Dezmond Xavier, he pinned Trey Miguel to eliminate him from the Slammiversay Tag Team title match.
Match stipulation was that the man taking the fall would sit out the Slammiversary tag title shot. All men shook hands before starting.
All men started the match trying to get quick roll ups on each other. Dez and Wentz hit a combo on Trey, but Wentz was taken out before they could end, leading Xavier and Trey doing a sequence of reversals, with Trey getting the upper hand. Wentz returned and also did a sequence with Trey before Dezmond returned, superkicked Wentz, hit a rana on Trey Miguel, and sending both of them to the outside. Dezmond went for a dive, but Wentz caught him. Trey Miguel instead hit a rana to the outside on Wentz. Dezmond and Wentz got dives in before Dezmond got a two count after a top rope corkscrew on Wentz.
All men traded strikes in the middle of the ring that ended with a double move on Trey and a standing shooting star from Wentz to Dezmond for a near fall. Xavier and Wentz traded strikes until Trey returned with a springboard senton and a double cutter for two separate near falls. Trey went for Meteora on Dezmond, but took enough time for Xavier to dodge. Wentz took him out and together with Dezmond, hit Hot Fire Flame on Trey for the finish.
All men embraced after the match and consoled Trey for losing.
– Tessa Blanchard arrived at the arena with a baseball bat.
– We got the buildup video for Killer Kross vs Eddie Edwards. From start to finish, we got to see how Kross’ character has changed so much in so little time. After the video, we saw Killer Kross at the same church from last week, he cut a promo in the form of mass. He said that at Slammiversary, someone will die and that he is Edward’s only true salvation.
– We got the video building up Johnny Impact chase for Swann’s X-Division championship and the consequent wins they’ve traded. They’re selling this as Johnny wanting to add his name to the X-Division championship’s legacy.
– Commentary ran down the card for Slammiversay, adding an open challenge by TJP.
X-Division Champion Rich Swann & Willie Mack defeated Johnny Impact & Johnny Bravo
Swann and Impact started the match with a quick sequence, trading kicks and a series of reversals. Mack tagged in, but Impact decided to stay in the ring, with whom he traded another sequence of counters and reversals with some Lucha flavor. Swann and Mack hit a double team move, but Bravo finally made his presence felt, distracting Swann and giving Impact the opening to turn things around. Swann was tossed outside where Johnny worked over his neck.
Back in the ring, Impact used Bravo as a weapon, slamming him on to Swann. Bravo tagged in and got a couple of strikes in and a two count. Bravo telling Kid Ref to count faster was great. Bravo choked Swann, but Impact tagged in before Swann could break out. Mack tagged in and ran wild over Impact, but also got distracted by Bravo. Impact went for a Spanish Fly, but was countered into a top rope Neckbreaker instead. Mack hit a running Cannonball, Samoan Drop, and Moonsault combo for a two count when Bravo broke the pin.
Mack got distracted with Bravo again, allowing Impact to hit a Disaster Kick. Swann tagged in and took out Impact with a shotgun dropkick, leaving Bravo stuck between Mack and Swann, who beat him up. Mack hit a stunner on Bravo, and after a Phoenix Splash, Swann picked up another win over Impact. This was surprisingly good considering Johnny Bravo was part of the match, he played his part perfectly.
– Outside the building, Sami Callihan and Jake Crist are celebrating early their win over Tessa, who arrives wielding a bat and tossing Dave Crist over the food table. Tessa takes out Jake first. Sami and Tessa brawl with the former having an obvious strength advantage, but Tessa has no off switch. Jake recovers and holds Tessa for Callihan to get another bat shot, but Tessa low blows Jake, dodges Callihan, and hits him with the bat. Tessa stands tall to end the show.
Final Thoughts –
Impact had been closing feud builds for the last two weeks, so this show mostly consisted of video recaps and a set of good matches. By the time the stream ended, there was unfortunately, no update on the status of the LAX vs Rascalz match for Sunday.
This week’s episode was from Impact’s television tapings at the Melrose Ballroom in Queens, New York. The opening video recapped the ongoing story between Moose and RVD, Jessicka Havok’s return, Sami Callihan antagonizing the Knockouts, the escalating feud between Eddie Edwards and Killer Kross, and Michael Elgin taking out everyone in front of him.
The Twitch stream was hosted by Don Callis at some points. Callis wasn’t in all of the commercial breaks, so we got a couple of Flashback Moments too.
Tessa Blanchard defeated Jake Crist
The match started with fast-paced action as Blanchard went straight for Crist with forearms, a cutter, and a trifecta of suicide dives. Blanchard quickly went for the Magnum, but Crist caught her with a superkick as she came down.
Crist worked over Blanchard and raked his arm all over her face. He got cocky and gave Blanchard a small chance for her to come back with more forearms, but the offense didn’t last long as Crist locked in a great looking modified Koji Clutch until Blanchard made the ropes.
Crist got a couple of moves in, then Blanchard started a slow comeback via strikes, finally managing to take him down with a tornado DDT counter for a two count. Crist caught Blanchard with a Death Valley Driver for two.
Blanchard hit three superkicks and suckered Crist into the Magnum for the pinfall victory. Strong win for Blanchard — the build to Impact’s intergender matches is going good and makes the whole story with Glenn Gilbertti worth it in hindsight.
After the match, the rest of oVe came out to berate Jake Crist. Blanchard got out of the way, but locked eyes with Callihan and called him out.
Without wait, Eddie Edwards came out for the next match.
Madman Fulton (w/ Sami Callihan) defeated Eddie Edwards
Edwards took out Dave Crist and Callihan, then clotheslined Fulton to the outside as they started brawling around the ring before the match started. Fulton chokeslammed Edwards onto the apron and finally tossed him into the ring and the bell rang.
Fulton tossed Edwards around the ring, hit a second chokeslam, and then hit a third vicious one. Fulton hit a double underhook suplex for a two count. As he went for a running clothesline, Edwards hit a desperation dropkick to earn a couple of seconds.
Fulton went to powerbomb Edwards to the floor, but Edwards held on and reversed it into a rana. Edwards landed a German suplex and a Blue Thunder Bomb to earn a two count.
Callihan kept distracting from the outside, so Edwards took him out with a dive. Edwards grabbed his new kendo stick, but suddenly, Killer Kross was on the screen with Sandman tied up. Kross tortured Sandman as he teased Edwards. The distraction gave Fulton the time to recover, hit the End of Days, and pin Edwards.
– Backstage, Alisha Edwards tried to talk Eddie out of getting into another crazy war, now with Killer Kross. Eddie didn’t want to listen to her.
Moose defeated Tommy Dreamer
Dreamer took advantage of Moose coming out hot, but Moose had the power advantage and quickly gained control outside the ring. Dreamer managed to reverse Moose and whip him to the ring post and drop him over the shoulder. Dreamer then started removing the floor pads, only for Moose to drop him back-first onto the apron.
Back in the ring, Moose choked out Dreamer against the ropes and tortured Dreamer with strikes and chokes, but he kept underestimating Dreamer. Eventually, Dreamer hit a desperation cutter, dropping Moose and earning a couple of seconds to recover. They traded blows until Dreamer got the Dusty Elbow and dropped Moose with a DDT for a two count.
Dreamer hit a superplex for another two count. Moose whipped Dreamer into the buckle and went for a spear, but Dreamer blocked it and hit one of his own. After failing to pin Moose, Dreamer went for a steel chair, but Moose pulled the referee to protect himself, kicked the chair into Dreamer’s face, and hit No Jackhammer Needed to pin Dreamer for the win.
This was an okay match — nothing special. Dreamer using the chair felt backwards considering Moose is the heel.
After the match, Moose attacked Dreamer with the chair and went for a Van Terminator, but RVD came out for the save before Moose could hit it.
– Backstage, Taya Valkyrie and John E. Bravo were looking for Rosemary. Taya told Rosemary that she needs her to deal with Su Yung and Havok. Taya offered Rosemary a shot at the gold if she takes care of the pest.
– Melissa Santos interviewed Johnny Impact and Bravo. Impact talked about Elgin making a big mistake by attacking him last week after he helped him. Impact said he gets his payback tonight — and after he’s done with Elgin, he’s cashing in his X-Division title shot at Slammiversary.
Knockouts Champion Taya Valkyrie defeated Su Yung (w/ Father James Mitchell and Havok) by DQ
They started the match by trading slaps and forearms. Yung went for an early Panic Switch, but Taya blocked it and hit a rolling German. Taya went for the running hip attack, but Yung dodged and hit some strikes before Taya once again hit a German, but into the turnbuckles now, getting a two count.
Taya hit the running hip attack and running knees into the corner for another two count. She started getting more and more comfortable, playing to the crowd, until she gave Yung enough time to recover and get some offense in.
Yung hit the turnbuckle crawl rana for a two count and locked in something similar to Napalm, but Taya made the ropes. Yung hit a draping DDT for another near fall. Yung finally went for her glove.
Yung went for the Mandible Claw, but Taya blocked her and hit a Curb Stomp for a two count. Yung kept chasing the Claw, but Taya instead hit an armbreaker and started working on Yung’s arms.
Taya went for a moonsault, but took too long and gave Yung the time to stop her and for Havok to get in the ring and attack Taya for the disqualification. This was pretty good and clean given the participants.
Yung seemed mad with Havok for costing her the title. All three ganged up on Taya, but Rosemary came out for the save.
James Mitchell took the mic and told Rosemary that this was a time for celebration and said that at Slammiversary, all four women present are invited to a Monster’s Ball. Everyone except Taya seemed excited for this four-way Monster’s Ball match.
– Ace Austin cut a promo in the ring. He was arrogant and brought up that he is the only one in Impact that is still unpinned and undefeated. He said that he is the future of the X-Division and beyond, and soon, Impact will be the Ace Division.
Austin made his intentions clear for the X-Division Championship and made an open challenge. Out came the returning TJ Perkins.
TJ Perkins defeated Ace Austin
TJP got the upper hand quickly with speed, tossing Austin outside with a rana and following up with a springboard dropkick to the floor. Austin hit a forearm, rammed TJP into the apron, and landed a knee strike.
Back in the ring, Austin went for a rana, but TJP countered into a powerbomb and followed with a flying crossbody and the Detonation Kick for the win.
This was good, but too short. It was underwhelming for Austin’s first loss, but a great return for TJP. It’s best to get rid of Austin’s streak so he can start a proper feud now.
– Backstage, Eddie Edwards was looking for Kross before going to commercial.
– The Rascalz cut a promo from their tree house. They talked about their upcoming Tag Team title shot at Slammiversary. Konnan joined them and put them over as great upcoming kids, but he said that they lacked respect. Konnan told them to earn respect in the ring and get work done in the ring. Konnan then asked for a hit of whatever they were smoking. Good promo by Konnan.
– The Impact Plus Flashback Moment of the Week was the mask vs. hair match between Pentagon Jr. and Sami Callihan from last year’s Slammiversary.
– Eddie Edwards finally found the hooded man that Kross had, but it was a swerve and Kross blindsided him. They brawled until Alisha Edwards tried to stop Eddie again. Kross was spitting blood asking for more, and it seemed like Eddie drank the blood as he rose with a mouth full of it, scaring his wife away. I don’t think this writes off Kross, but it was pretty brutal.
– Callihan cut a video promo. He said that he is a calculating man and knew that Blanchard wanted to be treated as equal and make history. He challenged Blanchard to a one-on-one match at Slammiversary and promised to treat her like he treated Pentagon Jr., Brian Cage, and Rich Swann.
X-Division Champion Rich Swann defeated Johnny Impact and Michael Elgin in a non-title triple threat match
Elgin and Johnny argued with each other over who would take out Swann first until they decided to work together against him, but Swann smartly decided to exit the ring and let Elgin and Johnny fight it out for a bit until he came back with a flying crossbody.
Elgin was sent outside and kept there while Swann and Johnny traded reversals inside the ring. Swann hit a tornillo on Elgin, followed by one from Johnny. Swann and Johnny started a battle of one-upsmanship until Elgin came back in the ring and took them out with a double German suplex.
Elgin worked on both of his opponents with running clotheslines, but once again he couldn’t handle both of them at the same time. Swann hit a jumping rana on Johnny, tossing him on top of Elgin for a two count. Swann chased the 450, but Elgin blocked him and hit an Air Raid Crash. Johnny hit a running knee and standing splashes on both men.
Elgin went for a German on Johnny, who blocked it and got a discus lariat instead. Elgin hit a Thunder Bomb for a two count. Elgin went for the Elgin Bomb, but Swann stopped him and all three men traded superkicks. Swann got the final hit with a double cutter on both men.
Swann went for a superplex on Johnny, but Elgin got him in an electric chair, setting him up for a Disaster Kick from Johnny, which then became a reverse rana on Elgin. Johnny went for Starship Pain on Elgin, but Elgin dodged. Elgin went for a lariat, but Johnny dodged that.
Johnny and Elgin traded superkicks until Johnny hit a Spanish Fly on Elgin, but as he landed, Swann surprised Johnny with a 450 from the other corner for the win. Great match given the short time it got.
After the match, Swann celebrated — but Elgin stood up behind him. Swann hit Elgin with a roundhouse kick and connected with a spinning back kick on Johnny, but John E. Bravo came in with the big red X and took out Swann.
Elgin and Johnny traded words, but suddenly, World Champion Brian Cage finally made his return, took out Johnny Impact and John E. Bravo, and faced off with Elgin. Elgin went to attack Cage, but Cage took him out with a jumping knee and a powerslam. Cage looked healed and has good motion.
Final Thoughts —
Good episode. It wasn’t the go-home show, but it did a great job at building some of the final touches for Slammiversary with the announcement of new matches and the return of Cage. The show inside the ring was really strong, but the matches were not particularly long.
After it was all but confirmed last week, Impact Wrestling has made Rich Swann vs. Johnny Impact official for Slammiversary XVII.
Swann will defend his X-Division Championship against Johnny at Slammiversary, which is taking place in Dallas, Texas on Sunday, July 7. Johnny is cashing in his X-Division title shot to get the match.
Johnny got the title shot by defeating Jake Crist, AR Fox, Ace Austin, and Pat Buck in an Ultimate X match at Impact’s United We Stand show during WrestleMania week in April.
On last week’s Impact episode, Johnny did an interview saying he was going to challenge for Swann’s X-Division title at Slammiversary. Swann teamed with Willie Mack in the main event of the episode and defeated Johnny & Michael Elgin. Swann got the pin on Johnny after Elgin walked out on the match. Johnny was thrown into Elgin before Elgin walked out.
Elgin will challenge for Brian Cage’s Impact World Championship at Slammiversary. The PPV is being held at Gilley’s Dallas.
The night before Slammiversary, the first day of this year’s NJPW G1 Climax will take place at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. The American Airlines Center is also hosting WWE Raw on July 1.
