Tag: Rich Swann

Impact Wrestling results: Johnny & Elgin vs. Swann & Mack

Posted on by Antonio Garza

This week’s Twitch stream was hosted by Melissa Santos. She ran the show and gave a small update on Brian Cage, who will defend his Impact World Championship against Michael Elgin at Slammiversary XVII on July 7. They also showed an Impact Plus Flashback from Jeff Hardy’s debut for TNA, challenging AJ Styles for the X-Division title.

Rob Van Dam, Tommy Dreamer & Sabu (w/ Super Genie) defeated Moose & The North (Ethan Page & Josh Alexander)

Page and Dreamer started the match with a quick exchange for wrist control. It quickly became Sabu vs. Alexander, who easily overpowered Sabu at first, but Sabu would use his style to drop Alexander with a tornado DDT.

Moose came in and asked for RVD. They went for the collar-and-elbow lock, with RVD being fast enough to escape Moose’s strength. RVD hit a Rolling Thunder on Moose, along with a Sabu leg drop. Dreamer came in and went for the atomic elbow, but Moose pulled the referee in front of them to distract him. Moose hit Dreamer with a low blow.

Back from commercial, Moose and The North were still in control of Dreamer. Moose went for a Rolling Thunder on Dreamer with a chair, which Dreamer managed to toss to Moose’s head. Dreamer got an opening to drop Moose with a DDT, then made the tag to RVD.

RVD ran wild on Page, getting a two count with a split-legged moonsault. Sabu dropped Alexander with a DDT while Page and RVD spilled to the outside.

Sabu got a couple of chairs and did a couple of his signature jumps — even Super Genie joined in for a corner splash on Alexander. Sabu did a step-up dive over The North on the outside. Sabu was just throwing chairs everywhere while Dreamer was setting up a table now with Page on it.

Sabu went for a dive, but Alexander blocked him. Dreamer dropped Alexander with the Spicolli Driver, only to take a spear from Moose. RVD took out Moose while Sabu set up a table inside the ring, again with Page on top. Sabu hit the Arabian facebuster. RVD hit the Five Star Frog Splash on Page for the win.

Not exactly a great match, but it was a nostalgia showcase for the ECW originals.

– Impact World Champion Brian Cage gave an update from his house. He told us that he feels better. He’s been cleared to train again, but not to wrestle. He cut a promo on Michael Elgin, who has bragged about attacking Cage and said he’s going to send Cage’s friends to the hospital. Cage claimed that no matter what, he’ll be at Slammiversary defending his championship.

On Twitch, Melissa Santos unofficially said that as of today, Cage has been cleared to wrestle again and is currently in Germany.

– Backstage, Moose cut a promo saying that he has thought about this all wrong. He misjudged Killer Kross and The North’s ability to help him, and so now he’s going solo.

Tessa Blanchard defeated “Disco Inferno” Glenn Gilbertti

Total squash. Disco started the match cutting a promo, telling Blanchard that he gave her credit for being one of the most talented women out there — but then Disco brought her down saying it doesn’t really count for much. He made fun of women drivers and the women’s revolution. He then brought up that Blanchard had daddy issues, and so tonight, he was going to be her daddy.

Blanchard took him down with strikes and pinned him after an elbow about 30 seconds in.

– LAX cut a promo from their clubhouse. They were talking about going back to New York when smoke appeared on the screen, but it wasn’t Scarlett Bordeaux, it was The Rascalz.

The Rascalz told LAX that they’re ready for a Tag Team title shot. LAX denied offering them a title shot, but as it happened in the tree house, no one can remember. They all agreed and Konnan confirmed the match.

– Melissa Santos interviewed Rich Swann and Willie Mack about their match with Elgin & Johnny Impact. Swann said that as much as Elgin has tried to injured them, they’re still standing. Swann and Mack said that tonight, they win.

The Deaners defeated The Desi Hit Squad (Rohit Raju & Raj Singh w/ Gama Singh)

Cody Deaner and Raju started the match with a short sequence of counters and reversals, fighting for wrist control, but Raju infuriated Cody when he grabbed him by the beard. The Deaners went for a double team, but Raj pulled out Raju to save him, only to be taken out by a dive from each of the Deaners.

Back in the ring, Cody hit a gutbuster on Raju and a big boot. Raj pulled Cody’s leg, giving Raju the opening for a running kick and a two count.

From here on, Desi Hit Squad worked over Cody for a couple of minutes. Cousin Jake came in with the hot tag and overpowered both Desi Hit Squad members, hitting a huge spear on Raj. The Deaners went for their finish, but Raju returned for the save and hit a foot stomp for another two count when Jake broke up the pin.

Jake hit a Black Hole Slam on Raj for a two count. Raju tricked Jake into running into the post. In the ring, Cody rolled up Raj for the win with a schoolboy. Okay match.

– Killer Kross cut a promo on Eddie Edwards. He pretty much said that tonight, he’ll punish Edwards in their street fight. Awesome promo by Kross.

– Santos interviewed Elgin about teaming with Johnny Impact, but instead, Elgin addressed Cage returning. Johnny interrupted and said that at Slammiversary, he may cash in his X for a shot at Rich Swann’s X-Division title. They agreed that tonight they will send Swann and Mack to the hospital.

– Elgin & Johnny are also taking on Tommy Dreamer & The Great Muta at Impact’s A Night You Can’t Mist, which is airing live on Impact Plus on June 8.

Other matches announced for A Night You Can’t Mist are Eddie Edwards vs. Sami Callihan in a street fight, Rich Swann vs. Willie Mack vs. Teddy Hart for the House of Hardcore title, Taya Valkyrie vs. Jordynne Grace for the Knockouts title, and Billy Gunn vs. Joey Ryan.

Eddie Edwards defeated Killer Kross in a street fight

Edwards ran into the ring and a brawl started immediately. Edwards hit an early pescado to gain control. He dropped Kross with a couple of backbreakers on the apron before pulling out a bunch of weapons from under the ring.

Kross returned with a suplex on the floor and Edwards started clutching his ankle. Kross hit a couple of knee strikes and rammed him into the ring post. Edwards tried to hit a suicide dive on Kross, only to be met by a trash can. Kross then dropped Edwards with a brainbuster on the floor.

Back in the ring, Kross went for a slam, but Edwards escaped and hit a Blue Thunder Bomb onto a trash can. Edwards hit Kross with the trash can lid a couple of times, but Kross wouldn’t drop until the third try. Edwards only got a one count.

Edwards brought out a small ladder. He went for more trash can lid attacks, but Kross locked in the straightjacket lock instead, only for Edwards to get released after about 10 strikes with a baking board.

Kross brought out two chairs and set up a table with the ladder, then hit a two-handed chokeslam onto the ladder. Kross brought out a bunch more chairs and set up a pile in which he went to hit a second rope brainbuster, but Edwards managed to fight back and escape. He dropped Kross with a sunset bomb onto the pile of chairs, getting a two count.

Eddie went for a Tiger Driver onto chairs, but instead Kross reversed and dropped Edwards in a weird version of a Vertebreaker. Kross delivered a second two-handed chokeslam onto more chairs. Kross hit a Doomsday Saito, but he still wouldn’t go for the pin.

Kross went for the kill, but suddenly The Sandman hit the ring. Sandman hit Kross with a kendo stick, giving Edwards the opening to hit the Boston Knee Party and get the win. This was a great and really violent match. Sandman gave Edwards a new kendo stick — don’t enable this man!

– During the commercial, there was a special Twitch post-match celebration with Sandman and Edwards. They played “Enter Sandman “by Metallica and did the beer can gimmick.

– Somewhere in the Undead Realm, James Mitchell met with Rosemary. Mitchell told Rosemary he was tired of her and reminded her that everything that has happened was all Allie’s fault for not following on his warnings. Then it was Allie that went looking for him. He even gave her back as they agreed, but it was still Rosemary that kept making things wrong and blaming him.

Mitchell kept saying the truth until Rosemary got tired of him and attacked him. This really made Rosemary seem like the heel since Mitchell was making a really good point there.

– The Impact Plus Flashback of the Week was Raven vs. Rhino in a Raven’s Rules match from TNA Unbreakable 2005.

– oVe cut a video promo. Sami Callihan addressed Fallah Bahh and Scarlett Bordeaux. He talked trash to the Knockouts like if they’ve been hanging out with Glenn Gilbertti. Please tell me we’re not doing Sami Callihan vs. Tessa Blanchard. Bahh & Bordeaux will face Jake & Dave Crist next week.

Also next week: Knockouts Champion Taya Valkyrie vs. Rosemary in a non-title match, and Impact Tag Team Champions LAX will defend their titles against The Rascalz.

Rich Swann & Willie Mack defeated Michael Elgin & Johnny Impact (w/ Johnny Bravo) 

Swann and Mack surprised Elgin and Johnny with topes to start the match. In the ring, Mack and Swann worked over Johnny with quick tags. Mack got a one count after a rolling cannonball. Mack and Johnny traded slaps — and Johnny actually got in Mack’s head, distracting him and getting the upper hand.

Elgin and Swann came in, with Swann having the speed advantage, but Elgin used his strength to block Swann’s moves. Swann managed to hit a suplex on Elgin.

Johnny and Elgin had a bit of miscommunication that ended with Johnny being tossed to the floor — where Swann dove on him. Mack came in, only for Elgin to hit a DVD on Mack onto Swann (who was in the corner), earning a two count.

Elgin and Johnny kept control of Swann for a couple of minutes, also working with quick tags, big spots, and making sure that Swann stayed away from Mack. Swann would end up finding the opening to tag Mack, who came in and ran wild with exploder suplexes on both Elgin and Johnny.

Mack went for a double stunner, but he got blocked and hit a double lariat instead. Mack hit a couple of fireman’s carries and a gutbuster for a two count.

Johnny went for Moonlight Drive, but Elgin blind tagged in and caught Mack with a handspring back elbow. He caught Swann with a powerslam, then dove over Mack and Johnny. Swann followed with a dive while Elgin and Johnny argued about that last dive.

Back in the ring, Swann and Mack went for a slingshot neckbreaker and big time elbow combo for a two count on Elgin. Swann went for the Phoenix Splash, but Elgin dodged and hit a couple of superkicks to take out Swann. Johnny tagged in, and along with Elgin, hit a Disaster Kick and German suplex combo for a two count.

Johnny hit Moonlight Drive for a two count and went for Starship Pain, but Swann dodged and caught Johnny with a kick. Mack returned and hit a step-up enzuigiri on Elgin, then gave Johnny a Samoan drop and moonsault.

Elgin chopped both Mack and Swann and got a double superkick in return. Mack and Swann hit Johnny with a Rock Bottom and neckbreaker for a two count, with Elgin breaking up the pin.

Elgin took out Swann with a chop. Mack hit a meteora on Elgin. Johnny hit a Spanish Fly on Mack, only to get taken out by a spinning kick by Swann.

All four men traded strikes in the middle of the ring, ending with tandem superkicks by Elgin and Johnny. Elgin went for the Elgin Bomb, but Swann rammed Johnny into Elgin, who decided to walk out on Johnny. In the ring, Swann caught Johnny with a cutter and a 450 splash for the win. This was an awesome match.

Final thoughts —

A great show inside the ring thanks to the main event and the street fight. Storyline developments are still in a weird place, but it does feel like things are moving forward.

MLW Fusion results: Pillman vs. Swann in National title semifinals

Posted on by Iain Oliver

Mance Warner & Sami Callihan defeated El Hijo de LA Park & Ricky Martinez (presented by Salina de la Renta) (8:09)

Before they entered, we saw a pre-taped meeting of the minds between Warner and Callihan in the parking lot. They talked strategy before taking off for the liquor store.

We also saw a pre-tape from earlier this evening where the cameras caught up with Salina de la Renta and Martinez. De la Renta was asked about Low Ki’s contract status, when LA Park will be cashing in his title shot, and if they will be at next week’s World Championship match between “Filthy” Tom Lawlor and Avalanche Robert Dreissker. De la Renta just laughed and walked off.

If you were looking for a traditional two-on-two tag team encounter featuring Mance Warner and Sami Callihan, please think again. This match started as you would expect given that Warner and Callihan were teaming together. From the opening bell, these four went to the outside to brawl, chop, whip each other into the guardrail, chop some more, whip with camera cables, hit each other with umbrellas, and hit a few double-team moves before chopping each other some more.

They eventually made their way into the ring at the five-minute mark, with Hijo getting a two count after catching Warner with a superkick. Hijo was so enraged with the official’s apparent slow count that he began to grind above Warner, who showed his appreciation by punching Hijo in the groin.

Traditional tag rules were then in play as Callihan got on the apron and reached for a tag. Jim Cornette questioned why Callihan would now start following the rules after the wild brawl. Meanwhile, Warner was beat down some more with a double-team low blow into the ring post and a frog splash by Hijo, but after another grind by Hijo, Warner fought back with a headbutt to create a double down.

Callihan and Martinez got the hot tags, but it was Callihan who ran wild, eventually hitting Martinez with a piledriver to pick up the victory.

The brawl continued after the bell. Hijo jumped Callihan, Callihan tried to rip Hijo’s mask off, and Martinez tried to tear Callihan’s nose off his face. They brawled on the outside and then through the crowd and out of sight.

– The cameras caught up with the four wrestlers backstage, but LA Park joined the fight and a three-on-two beatdown followed. While Callihan was floored, de la Renta joined her henchmen and grabbed him by the face and rubbed salt into the wound. Promociones Dorado walked off with Warner and Callihan laying on the floor.

– Another hype video aired for the returning Austin Aries.

Minoru Tanaka defeated Daga (10:18)

A fantastic technical matchup that turned very stiff towards the end. The commentary team hyped this being Mexican strong style vs. one of the originators of Japanese strong style.

Tanaka took the early advantage after a spinning side kick and a middle rope missile dropkick. After Daga kicked out at two, Tanaka immediately locked in an armbar, but Daga then rolled through and switched to a rear naked choke.

Daga had the advantage and hit a running headscissor takedown, then two dives to the outside: a suicide dive through the ropes and a middle rope springboard corkscrew splash that floored both of them.

Back inside, Daga missed a double foot stomp. Tanaka was able to roll him up in a heel hook, but Daga stretched and just about reached the rope to break the hold. Tanaka kept his attack focused on the lower limbs of Daga with a dropkick to the knee. Daga tried to take a breather on the outside, but Tanaka hit him with an Asai moonsault from the middle rope down to the floor.

Daga had to fight through the pain in his ankle to eventually get Tanaka with a double stomp to the neck and a superkick to the jaw, but he only managed a two count. Daga then got an ankle lock of his own and a dropkick to the knee. But as Cornette called it, “When Daga goes low, Tanaka goes high” when Tanaka caught Daga with a kick to the face.

They traded forearms until Daga flipped Tanaka over in a hurricanrana and got the closest two count of the match so far. He came millimeters close again seconds later with a German suplex, but again Tanaka kicked out at the last possible moment.

Daga was looking to finish Tanaka off but ran straight into an enzuigiri to the back of the head. Tanaka then rolled up Daga in a cross armbreaker and grabbed the leg, which rolled Daga onto his shoulder for the referee to count the three.

– We had MJF on his cell phone cutting a promo on the Von Erich brothers, who are coming to MLW. He said the Von Erich dynasty is a thing of the past and there is only one true Dynasty in MLW — and that is his.

– A pre-taped video promo from Contra Unit aired next. They called out Barrington Hughes again and brought up Jacob Fatu’s quick victory last week. They turned their attention to Tom Lawlor and warned the MLW Heavyweight Champion that Contra Unit are here, and the mighty will fall next week.

– We then had a rebuttal from Lawlor, who said that he has been all around the world in the best countries in the world, and also some war zones and he is ready for his next challenger: Avalanche. He said that, like an Avalanche, when Robert Dreissker reaches the top of the mountain, he will crumble.

– We then saw a quick shot of a poll given to the MLW fans, asking who should be Lawlor’s next opponent. Davey Boy Smith Jr. won the poll and Rich Bocchini said officials were discussing potential dates for that match.

Brian Pillman Jr. defeated Rich Swann (w/ Myron Reed) in a National Openweight Championship tournament semifinal match (6:44)

Referee Doug Markham inspected Swann and Reed for foreign objects, only furthering their hatred towards the MLW officials. Markham threatened to raise Pillman’s hand if Swann didn’t get into the ring and start the match. He did — but it wasn’t long before Reed was interfering, helping Swann to kick out of an early pinfall attempt.

Reed got on the apron and distracted the official, which helped Swann kick out of another pin. Pillman got his revenge when, after dodging a clothesline from Swann, he dropkicked through the ropes right into Reed’s face.

Pillman then hit a springboard crossbody for a close two count, but when hitting the 10 punches in the corner, Reed pulled Pillman off the ropes behind the referee’s back.

Swann had the advantage again after Reed’s continued interference and kept on the Hart Foundation member, wearing him down and distracting the referee whenever he could so Reed could get his cheap shots in.

Swann hit a huge kick to the head and a DDT, then got in the referee’s face and told him to count the pinfall correctly. Pillman kicked out at two, so Swann was enraged with the referee, who was having none of Swann’s intimidation games and shoved him down to the mat.

Reed got on the apron, but Pillman ran Swann into Reed and O’Connor rolled him up for the win — with assistance from the quick count from the referee.

– Backstage, Kaci Lennox was with Alexander Hammerstone. She asked him about Pillman being his opponent in the finals of the National Openweight title tournament. Hammerstone talked up being bigger than Pillman and said just because Pillman’s dad was a great wrestler, doesn’t make Pillman one himself.

Hammerstone said Pillman will have the best seat in the house — lying on his back looking up — when Hammerstone is crowned the National Openweight Champion. He said when that happens, Pillman will not be making his dad proud.

Next week —

  • MLW World Heavyweight Champion Tom Lawlor defends against Avalanche Robert Dreissker
  • Ace Romero & Barrington Hughes vs. Contra Unit (Jacob Fatu & Josef Samael)

Impact Wrestling results: Rich Swann vs. Michael Elgin

Posted on by Antonio Garza

The fallout from Rebellion continued as this week’s Impact took place from the former ECW Arena.

This week’s Twitch stream was hosted by Melissa Santos, who celebrated her birthday tonight with the stream. Later in the broadcast, Don Callis joined in to give his post-show analysis. 

“Disco Inferno” Glenn Gilbertti defeated Alisha Edwards, Ashley Vox, Jordynne Grace, Karissa Rivera, Kiera Hogan, Madison Rayne, Scarlett Bordeaux, Solo Darling, Tasha Steelz, and Tessa Blanchard in a Knockouts battle royal

When the episodes started, half of the participants were already in the ring. Disco Inferno came out at the end and cut a promo saying that when Scarlett Bordeaux defeated him, it was a fluke. He talked trash about women’s wrestling, saying that this should be a bra and panties battle royal. He got tons of heat.

The bell sounded and all the women kicked Disco out, but he left from under the ropes and joined commentary. For the entire match, he was an insufferable barrage of misogynist comments, with Josh Mathews and Don Callis making fun of him. Disco did bring up that he was still in the match halfway through it, killing the swerve.

Back in the ring, half of the wrestlers ganged up on Blanchard an the others focused on Grace. Blanchard and Grace broke out at points and went to get face-to-face, but they got taken out by the rest of the wrestlers.

Bordeaux and Kiera Hogan did some synched buttocks-themed moves. From there on, each woman started taking turns to get some moves in until Blanchard eliminated Vox and Rivera.

Darling eliminated Steelz, only to get eliminated by Grace. Blanchard eliminated Alisha Edwards with a military press.

The newly heel Kiera Hogan faced off with and eliminated Grace. Knockouts Champion Taya Valkyrie ran in and attacked Rayne and beat her up around the ring, tossing her back for Blanchard and Bordeaux to eliminate her.

Back from commercial, the final three — Hogan, Blanchard, and Bordeaux — were all fighting in the ring. Blanchard hit a codebreaker on Hogan, only to take a powerbomb and a plancha by Bordeaux. Hogan clotheslined Bordeaux, eliminating her from the match.

Blanchard went to powerbomb Hogan out of the ring, but they both landed on the apron, where they traded strikes, ending with Blanchard blocking a kick and tossing Hogan. Suddenly, Disco ran back in, clotheslined Blanchard, and eliminated her to win the match and earn all of tonight’s available heat.

Blanchard returned to the ring to beat him up, but Disco ran away from her.

– We got footage from last week with Michael Elgin attacking Willie Mack in the parking lot after the show. They brawled for a bit until Elgin powerbombed Mack into a truck.

– Back from commercial, Rolando Menendez interviewed Elgin about his hit list. Elgin said that he has learned that when he wants something, he needs to take it for himself, and so he has been taking out the competition. Rich Swann walked up to Elgin in defense of Mack and got in a fight with Elgin. They got into a pull-apart.

Rosemary defeated Su Yung in a Demon Collar match

As soon as the chain was locked, there was a short tug of war and they went quickly into strikes. Rosemary had the upper hand early, choking Yung with the chain and tossing her around. Rosemary locked in the Upside Down and tried hanging Yung over the ring post.

Back in the ring, it was Yung who pulled the chain to ram Rosemary into the post over and over again. Yung brought out a chair, where she sat Rosemary and took her out with a stiff rolling senton when the chair didn’t give. They brawled into the ramp and took each other out with a double clothesline.

Once again in the ring, they traded strikes until Yung took down Rosemary. Yung tried to use the chain as a whip, but Rosemary dodged and hit a Russian side leg sweep. Yung used the chain as a brass knuckle to earn a two count.

Yung hit the Spider Crawl and a draping Pedigree for another two count. Yung brought out her glove. Rosemary escaped the Claw and hit the Red Mist and a spear. Rosemary then hit the Red Wedding and picked up the win.

This was Rosemary’s best performance since coming back from injury. Rosemary won possession of Yung and can now use her as a bargaining chip against James Mitchell and her father — Kevin Sullivan.

– Backstage, Melissa Santos went to talk with Madison Rayne, who said that Taya Valkyrie is avoiding her and hiding behind this 30-day no defense clause. Rayne said when the day comes next week, she will be taking the Knockouts Championship.

Madman Fulton (w/ Sami Callihan) defeated Randy Shawn

Shawn tried attacking Fulton, but he didn’t even get the attention of the big man, who was just waiting for Callihan to give him the green light. Once he did, Fulton tossed Shawn around, no sold some strikes, hit a couple of chokeslams right from the canvas, and hit the End of Days to win the match. Great and total squash.

After the match, Fulton went to attack Shawn again, but Callihan pulled him off.

– Santos interviewed RVD about coming back to the 2300 Arena. RVD said that him and this arena made each other famous. He said that Tommy Dreamer asked him, and so next week, they’re going one-on-one.

– Menendez interviewed the Impact medic about Brian Cage’s condition. We were told that he had a radical spinal contusion and some issues with his sciatica. The medic said that Cage is already walking, but that he can’t properly predict when, and if, he can return to action.

Killer Kross defeated Eddie Edwards

Edwards tried to rush the ring, but Kross caught him and took him down early. Edwards recovered and sent Kross to the outside, then followed with a pescado and a dive.

Back in the ring, Kross hit a suplex and stomped on Edwards. Kross got a two count with a clothesline and continued working on Edwards until Edwards fired up and hit a desperation Blue Thunder Bomb. Edwards hit a Frankensteiner for a one count, then hit a Tiger Driver for two.

Edwards went for the Boston Knee Party, but Kross blocked him. Edwards went for his kendo stick, but Kross blocked him again and hit the Doomsday Saito for the win. This was a dominant win for Kross — good match until Edwards went for the stick.

After the match, Kross took out Edwards with a kick. He zip-tied Edwards on the ropes. When Kross went to deliver a series of kendo stick shots — reminiscent to the Tommy Dreamer ECW angle many years ago — Kross instead broke the kendo stick in front of Edwards.

It seems like Kross has taken over the angles Eli Drake had that could progress Edwards out of his hardcore gimmick.

– The Rascalz were in the Treehouse, with Dezmond Xavier and Trey Miguel arguing about eating. Zachary Wentz was nervous about getting a Tag Team title shot against LAX. Wentz and Xavier agreed to go train. We then got a ’90s training montage with all three Rascalz.

– The Impact Plus Moment of the Week was Brian Cage vs. Kongo Kong from the July 5, 2018 episode of Impact.

– Backstage, Josh Alexander was berating Ethan Page about refocusing on the tag titles. Page said he’s not done with RVD. Moose walked up and told them that LAX can wait, but they only have one chance to be the first to take out RVD. Moose said that next time, he’ll be there with them.

Rich Swann defeated Michael Elgin by DQ

Swann came out dancing, so I guess he wasn’t as mad as he was earlier.

This was a power vs. speed match. They started with a shoulder-and-elbow lock-up. Elgin easily overpowered Swann, who used his speed to get around Elgin. They did a sequence of reverses and counters to show that Elgin also has some speed, but Swann took him down with a rana regardless.

Elgin blocked a Lethal Injection and went for a delayed suplex, but Swann got out. Elgin set up Swann in the ropes, then hit an elbow and a release German suplex where Swann landed right on the top of his head. Scary spot.

Elgin gave Swann a chop that was high on the WALTER scale. Elgin whipped him around the corners, then hit a springboard plancha for a two count. Swann hit a jawbreaker to get some space from Elgin, but Elgin caught Swann in the corner and went for a superplex. Swann managed to take down Elgin from the corner and went for a dive, but Elgin caught him with a dropkick in the middle of the air for another two count.

Swann countered a powerbomb into a DDT to finally take Elgin down. Swann dodged an Elgin charge, sending him outside the ring, then proceeded to follow with two topes and a top rope Swanton to the floor.

Back in the ring, Swann hit a flying elbow for a two count. Swann went for the Phoenix Splash, but Elgin dodged. Elgin hit a couple of clotheslines in the corner and a Falcon Arrow for a two count.

Elgin hit a couple of stiff clotheslines in the middle of the ring, but Swann countered the last one and hit a couple of kicks himself. Elgin delivered the last clothesline and followed with a swinging side slam for two.

Elgin went to hit a move from the top rope, but Swann escaped and hit a rana instead. Swann hit a Lethal Injection and a second rope 450, but Elgin kicked out at 2.99. Swann went for another Phoenix Splash, and once again, Elgin dodged. Elgin hit a running lariat and a sit-down crucifix bomb, but Swann kicked out at 2.99 this time.

Elgin hit a Buckle Bomb. Swann hit two poison ranas, but he still couldn’t keep Elgin down for the three. Chants of “this is awesome” filled the arena.

Swann went for a rana from the apron, but Elgin caught him and powerbombed him into the ring post. Elgin hit a second powerbomb into the post and received a warning from the referee. Elgin attacked the official and hit a third powerbomb to the post, getting himself disqualified.

Even with the finish, this was an awesome main event.

Elgin ran off the referee and went to attack Swann in the ring with an Elgin Bomb, but Willie Mack came out and attacked Elgin. Mack hit a Samoan drop and a moonsault, but when he went for the cannonball, Johnny Impact came out and attacked Mack and Swann. Elgin and Johnny got face-to-face to close the show.

Final thoughts — 

Great episode for Impact. There was a tease of the ECW nostalgia that will play out in the coming weeks, but the meat of the show with Swann and Elgin was top-notch wrestling. 

Flamita replacing Yamato at Impact United We Stand

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Rich Swann has a new challenger for Impact Wrestling’s WrestleMania week show.

Impact has announced that Swann will now defend his X-Division Championship against Flamita at United We Stand. The show is taking place at the Rahway Recreation Center this Thursday. It’s airing as an iPPV on Fite TV and will begin at 11 p.m. Eastern time.

Swann defending the X-Division title against Dragon Gate’s Yamato was originally announced for United We Stand. Yamato was supposed to be one of Dragon Gate’s wrestlers taking part in WrestleCon, but WrestleCon announced last Friday that Dragon Gate talent wouldn’t be able to appear due to visa issues.

With King Cuerno (El Hijo del Fantasma) getting his release from Lucha Underground, the Team Impact vs. Team Lucha Underground match at United We Stand is now advertised as Brian Cage, Moose & Eddie Edwards vs. Aerostar, Drago, Daga & Marty the Moth. Johnny Impact was announced as a member of Team Impact at first, but there was a storyline where he said he didn’t want to team with Cage and was going to be in the Ultimate X match at United We Stand instead.

Johnny Impact will defend his World title against Cage at Impact’s Rebellion pay-per-view in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on Sunday, April 28.

Here’s the updated card for United We Stand:

  • The Lucha Bros (Pentagon Jr. & Fenix vs. Rob Van Dam & Sabu)
  • Team Impact (Brian Cage, Moose & Eddie Edwards) vs. Team Lucha Underground (Aerostar, Drago, Daga & Marty the Moth)
  • Johnny Impact vs. Jake Crist vs. Dante Fox (AR Fox) vs. Jack Evans vs. Kotto Brazil vs Pat Buck in an Ultimate X match (winner gets a future X-Division title shot)
  • Knockouts Champion Taya Valkyrie defending against Jordynne Grace, Rosemary, and Katie Forbes in a fatal four-way match
  • X-Division Champion Rich Swann defending against Flamita
  • Sami Callihan vs. Jimmy Havoc in a Monster’s Ball match
  • Tessa Blanchard vs. Joey Ryan
  • LAX (Santana & Ortiz) vs. Low Ki & Ricky Martinez

Impact Wrestling results: Johnny Impact explains his actions

Posted on by Antonio Garza

Impact Wrestling returned from Sam’s Town Hotel and Gambling Hall in Las Vegas, Nevada this week.

The opening video touched on all ongoing feuds as we head into next week’s Against All Odds special episode — with an emphasis on Johnny Impact’s turn and what he has to say about it tonight.

The Twitch stream was hosted by Melissa Santos. She was live from St. Clair College in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, where Impact is taping their next set of shows. There was a St. Clair E-Sports Team vs. Team Impact Wrestling competition going on, with Santos interviewing some of the players from both teams. At one point, Melissa played games while Kid Ref hosted the show.

Moose defeated Trey Miguel

The story of the match was that Trey had to overcome Moose’s size, which helped Moose block most of Trey’s offense. They started with Trey going after Moose’s legs with kicks. When Moose stopped him, Trey went for quick moves and ranas, managing to toss Moose outside the ring. But as he went for a dive, Moose cut him off.

Trey got himself a second chance and hit two suicide dives. But on the third dive, Moose caught him in the middle of the air and hit an apron bomb. Trey seemed like he wasn’t making the count, but Moose stopped it and went for another apron bomb, waking up Miguel. Miguel went for yet another dive. Moose caught him again — but this time he swung Trey into the steps.

Back in the ring, Moose worked over Trey for a bit before he reversed Moose’s Go To Hell into a pinning attempt. Moose seemed to regain control by hitting a huge lariat, but Trey finally got an opening and hit a top rope dropkick and a springboard dive to get Moose down for a frog splash.

Moose hit a pop-up powerbomb for a two count. They traded a few kicks before Trey hit a reverse rana for two. Moose blocked a codebreaker, then tossed Trey into the ring post twice before hitting the spear for the win. The match had several spots that were botched, or looked botched, but aside from that, it was good action.

Sami Callihan cut a promo in their oVe TV. Callihan gave Rich Swann one final threat that he will take the X-Division Championship tonight. Okay promo.

Back from commercial, Santos interviewed Tessa Blanchard about Gail Kim being suspended. Blanchard said that Kim being suspended is not enough for her and said that if Impact doesn’t want to be sued, they’ll send Kim to the ring to publicly apologize to her and then fire Kim for good.

Josh Mathews made the announcement that Johnny Impact defending his World Championship against Brian Cage will be the main event of next month’s Rebellion pay-per-view.

Eddie Edwards & Eli Drake defeated KM & Fallah Bahh

Drake and Bahh started the match, with Bahh using his size to counter Drake going for a shoulder block and a crossbody. KM and Edwards came in, with Edwards gaining control. With quick tags, Edwards and Drake started working over KM’s arms until he got away to tag Bahh. They traded control of the match for a bit with quick tags, mostly when KM and Bahh tagged in and out.

Drake hit a fantastic superplex on KM. Bahh came in and took out Drake with a crossbody. Edwards hit a tope suicida to Bahh, completely wiping him out. Edwards went to get Kenny the Kendo Stick, the most famous Kenny in the world according to Don Callis. The referee tried to stop Edwards, but he tossed the kendo stick to Drake, who hit KM and set him up for Eddie’s Boston Knee Party for the win.

The match wasn’t much, but the chemistry between Edwards and Drake is really good.

Rolando Melendez, investigative reporter, tried to interview Johnny Impact and Taya Valkyrie outside the venue as they arrived, asking about them turning against Brian Cage. Johnny just blew him off and told him he’ll find out with the “rest of the marks.”

The GWN Flashback Moment of the Week was Cage vs. Fenix from last year’s ReDefined special episode.

Melendez once again tried to interview Johnny Impact — but this time, Valkyrie literally pushed him into a trash can.

Backstage, Rich Swann was with Willie Mack, who told Swann that he has his back tonight when Swann takes on Callihan. Ethan Page walked up and told Mack that he won’t get a chance to go fight oVe because Page is what Mack needs to worry about.

Ace Austin defeated Damian Hyde

Austin started the match by hitting several kicks from complicated positions, ending with a Space Flying Tiger Drop. Back in the ring, Hyde tried to get some offense in, but Austin easily dodged him and hit a springboard boot.

Austin hit a senton, a kick combo, a two-foot Curb Stomp, and finally The Fold for the win. Total squash — Hyde had no offense. Austin has a basic moveset, but he makes everything look incredibly complicated.

We got a vignette for Madison Rayne’s return.

We also got a video package going over the story between Swann and Callihan.

In the ring, Mathews brought out Johnny Impact and Taya Valkyrie. Johnny said that he turned because of the fans. He said that even though he came out and defended the title against everyone, fans didn’t care about him, they only wanted to see crash TV and see him get hurt.

Impact said that as soon as a new big meathead came up, they all turned to the new flavor of the month — except Brian Cage actually believes the fans like him. Johnny said he can’t be loyal to the fans because the fans were never loyal to him.

Mathews then asked Valkyrie about facing Jordynne Grace next week for the title. Valkyrie just kind of blew off the question and also went into attacking the fans and defending her husband. Valkyrie said that once she is done with Grace, she won’t allow Impact to decide for her who she faces and when she defends.

Finally, Mathews asked Johnny about the Rebellion match with Cage. Johnny said that Cage will get his match, one-on-one, and he’ll once again defeat Cage. He threatened that Cage may not make it to Rebellion, implying that accidents happen.

Johnny closed the promo by saying he used to care for all the fans, but now he just cares about Valkyrie and the World Championship. Overall, a good interview — Johnny was great.

Somewhere in the realm of the living, Rosemary met with Father James Mitchell. Rosemary confronted Mitchell about getting the empty vessel that Dark Allie is, but not her actual soul. Mitchell told Rosemary if she wants Allie back, she needs to go talk to his boss. Rosemary hinted she will go talk to “him” in the realm of the undead and get Allie’s soul back. Interesting turn of events.

Willie Mack defeated Ethan Page

Page jumped Mack before the bell. Page manage to keep the momentum for a while until Mack countered a shoulder tackle into a Samoan drop and moonsault combination. Page left the ring, but Mack followed and they exchanged a few shots, ending with Page having the advantage.

Back in the ring, Page worked over Mack, cutting off any chance for a comeback. Page locked in a sleeper, but Mack managed to escape and turned the match with a couple of running strikes and an atomic drop.

Mack hit a shotgun dropkick and the running cannonball to the corner for a two count. Mack then hit a DDT for another two count. Page hit a flying elbow for two after tossing Mack from the top rope. They traded a few kicks before Mack hit the stunner for the win. Okay match — nothing special.

Backstage, Melendez tried to interview Johnny and Valkyrie one last time, but up walked Killer Kross, who said something in Johnny’s ear that seemed to benefit him. Johnny walked away while Kross gave the camera a mad look.

We got a video package hyping up next week’s Disco Inferno vs. Scarlett Bordeaux match. Melendez interviewed Disco, who was just drinking. Disco said he doesn’t need to train since he’s fighting a girl and he is going to prove to Bordeaux she doesn’t belong in the ring.

Santos interviewed Gail Kim, who was coming out of a meeting with Impact management. She said that management was taking things seriously. Suddenly, the camera turned to the back where LAX and the Lucha Bros were brawling until security pulled them apart. Konnan came out and said that this is what the Lucha Bros wanted — LAX just wanted a rematch.

Willie Mack was making his way back to the locker room, but he was followed by Jake and Dave Crist. They closed the door and we heard a brawl go on inside before Mack walked out and locked the door.

X-Division Champion Rich Swann defeated Sami Callihan to retain his title

They started quick, with both men trading fists and a quick cutter from Swann to set up Callihan receiving a tornillo dive on the outside. Swann and Callihan then brawled outside the ring — and within a minute, they made their way to the steel steps. Callihan went for a piledriver, but Swann escaped and used the steps instead to hit a flying elbow.

The brawl outside continued with both trading strikes. Callihan dropped Swann with an exploder on the ramp.

Back from commercial, Callihan was choking out Swann in the middle of the ring, while also working on Swann’s back with knee strikes. Callihan did his spit chops and hit a big scoop slam before going back to working on Swann’s head — this time twisting the neck.

Callihan got a second sleeper, but Swann reversed it into a stunner and finally got an opening to strike down Callihan and build momentum to take down Callihan with a headscissors.

Swann and Callihan traded strikes until Swann got another headscissors takedown for a two count. Callihan hit a powerbomb, a knee to the jaw, and the Get Outta Here for a close near fall.

Callihan finally chased the piledriver, but Swann escaped and superkicked Callihan. After a few more kicks, Swann hit a second rope 450 for a two count. Swann went for another, but Callihan recovered. Swann went for Checkmate, but Callihan countered and hit a top rope powerbomb, and after a two count, transitioned into a crossface and into an STF. Swann escaped by reaching the ropes.

Callihan spat on Swann, finally pushing him to the limit. Swann hit a Lethal Injection for a two count. Swann went for the Phoenix Splash. Callihan dodged and went for the piledriver, but because he had to do his taunt, he got distracted and Swann rolled him up to retain the X-Division title.

After the match, Callihan went to attack Swann with a chair, but Swann stopped him. Swann had the opportunity to take out Callihan with the chair, but suddenly, Mad Man Fulton, formerly Sawyer Fulton in NXT, debuted and took out Swann with a one-handed chokeslam.

Mack came out for the save, but Fulton hit an End of Days to take him out too. Callihan hit Swann with a bat to the jaw to finish the job and close out the show. oVe just got a bit stronger.

Overall, this was a good show — mostly when it comes to storyline development heading into next week’s Against All Odds special episode and the upcoming Rebellion PPV.

Yamato to challenge for X-Division title at Impact United We Stand

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A Dragon Gate star will be challenging for the X-Division title at Impact’s WrestleMania week show.

Impact announced last night that Rich Swann will defend his X-Division Championship against Dragon Gate’s Yamato at United We Stand. The show is taking place at the Rahway Recreation Center in Rahway, New Jersey at 11 p.m. Eastern time on Thursday, April 4. It will air live as an iPPV on Fite TV.

There will be an Ultimate X match at United We Stand with a future X-Division title shot on the line. Jake Crist (representing Impact), Kotto Brazil (MLW), Jack Evans (AAA), AR Fox (as his Lucha Underground character Dante Fox), and Pat Buck (WrestlePro) have been announced for Ultimate X.

The final Ultimate X participant will be a “mystery opponent.”

Pentagon Jr. & Fenix vs. RVD & Sabu, Team Impact (Johnny Impact, Brian Cage, Moose & Eddie Edwards) vs. Team Lucha Underground (Aerostar, Drago, Daga & King Cuerno), Tessa Blanchard vs. Eli Drake, and Sami Callihan vs. Jimmy Havoc in a Monster’s Ball match have also been announced for United We Stand, and Impact has set up a tag match between LAX (Santana & Ortiz) and Low Ki & Ricky Martinez.

Bound for Glory notes: Willie Mack, Eli Drake open challenge, more

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Open challenges, tag team partners and a visit to the Undead Realm were set for Bound for Glory on tonight’s episode of Impact.

It was announced that Allie will meet Su Yung inside the Undead Realm during the show. Allie met with Father James Mitchell and pleaded with him to take her to the Undead Realm so that she could save Kiera Hogan, who was sent there through a coffin by Su Yung. Mitchell agreed to take her there on Sunday.

Eil Drake announced during the show that he will be issuing a special New York open challenge. He made sure to note that the open challenge would only be open to those who were from New York and nowhere else. Drake has been issuing open challenges as of late, most recently losing to La Parka last week on Impact via count out.

Rich Swann meanwhile revealed his partner for Bound For Glory. After the returning Ethan Page was revealed as Matt Sydal’s tag team partner last week, Swann announced this week on Impact that Willie Mack will be teaming with him. 

Here is the full card for this Sunday’s Bound For Glory event, which will take place at the Melrose Ballroom in Queens, New York:

  • Austin Aries vs. Johnny Impact for the Impact World title
  • oVe vs. Brian Cage, Fenix and Pentagon Jr.
  • LAX vs. The OGz in a Concrete Jungle death match
  • Eddie Edwards vs. Moose
  • Tessa Blanchard vs. Taya Valkyrie for the Impact Knockouts title
  • Allie vs. Su Yung
  • Eli Drake vs. a mystery opponent

Rich Swann signs ‘long-term contract’ with Impact Wrestling

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Another member of the Impact Wrestling roster has agreed to a deal with the company.

Though the exact length wasn’t disclosed, Impact announced on Twitter today that Rich Swann has signed a “long-term contract” with the promotion: “We are absolutely delighted to announce that @GottaGetSwann has signed a long-term contract with IMPACT Wrestling.”

Swann made his Impact debut in June and was supposed to be in action at Slammiversary XVI this month, but a concussion that he suffered on the Thursday before the pay-per-view kept him from wrestling.

WWE and Swann parted ways in February following domestic battery and false imprisonment charges against Swan being dismissed due to insufficient evidence to sustain a conviction. The December 2017 arrest was made after an argument between Swann and his wife, Vannarah Riggs (current Knockouts Champion Su Yung). The arrest report alleged that Swann grabbed Riggs and dragged her back into their vehicle after she had gotten out due to fearing the argument was going to escalate. Swann denied physically touching Riggs.

Tessa Blanchard also signed a two-year contract with Impact earlier this month, while Eli Drake agreed to a new multi-year deal in June.

Rich Swann off Impact Wrestling’s Slammiversary due to concussion

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Rich Swann is officially off Sunday’s Impact Wrestling Slammiversary XVI pay-per-view due to a concussion he suffered when working at an MLW event in Long Island, NY, Thursday night.

In a tag team match between Swann and ACH vs. Teddy Hart and Davey Boy Smith Jr., Swann hit his head on the guardrail badly during a spot. He was hospitalized and released that night, and Impact management was in contact with him immediately after.

For Slammiversary, Swann was booked for a potential show-stealer in a four-way that also includes Rey Fenix, Johnny Impact, and Taiji Ishimori. (Ishimori will also be working this week’s TV tapings as he’s not booked for the NJPW G1 tour.) 

Slammiversary XVI is scheduled for Sunday from Toronto, Canada, and features Impact World champion Austin Aries vs. Moose, Knockouts Champion Su Yung vs. Madison Rayne, X Division champion Matt Sydal vs. Brian Cage, Pentagon Jr. vs. Sami Callihan in a mask vs. hair match, and more.

UPDATE: Impact officially announced that Swann is off the PPV this afternoon and revealed that Petey Williams will be added to the four-way in his place.

Impact Wrestling results: Fenix and Rich Swann tear down the house

Posted on by Josh Molina

Some surprises and a good match spotlighted this week’s Impact. The show built strong leading into Slammiversary on July 22. 

Fenix defeated Rich Swann

The former WWE Cruiserweight Champion Rich Swann and Fenix conjured up memories of the famed first Ricochet vs. Will Ospreay match.

These two light heavyweights were in sync with an array of aerial moves better than most 205 Live matches. Swann, wrestling for the second time on Impact, made his entrance a la No Way Jose, dancing and getting the crowd into the match. 

This was full of dynamic aerial moves. Fenix walked the tightrope on the top rope and then bounced three times before flipping Swann into an arm drag early in the match. He hit a standing dropkick that sent Swann crashing outside of the ring. Swann hit a moonsault off the apron, but Fenix caught him. Fenix then tried the same move but missed and landed on his feet — only to receive a well-executed corkscrew splash from Swann off the top rope. 

Fenix got up and hit his own divingsplash over the top that he turned into a modified slingblade

Fenix performed a moonsault inside, but instead of landing with a body splash, he landed on his feet and rolled the move into a diamond cutter. He tried it again, but Swann countered with a handstand instead of landing face first. 

The two rested from the high-flying moves for awhile, trading chops like they were Steamboat and Ric Flair in Nashville.

The match was an aerial move clinic, with hurricanranas followed by moonsaults and several near falls. Although Swann’s facial expressions after Fenix’s power moves bordered on over-acting, this was as good as any of his WWE matches. At one point, Swann kicked out of a tombstone piledriver into a pin. Fenix got the win after executing a perfect spinning Muscle Buster.

“This is the way you start a wrestling show, ladies and gentleman” Josh Mathews said.

The Crist brothers then quickly attacked Fenix after the match, leading to Pentagon Jr. making the save — or so we thought. It turned out that it was Sami Callihan under the mask. Swann tried to help Fenix, but Callihan spit into Swann’s face. He was about to take Fenix’s mask off, when the real Pentagon Jr. made the save, getting the crowd to chant “Pentagon.”

There was a brief interview segment with Madison Rayne and the returning Allie, who vowed to seek revenge on Su Yung, who locked her in a casket to win the Knockouts Championship.

“Su you think that you killed me. No, you just brought another side of me to life,” Allie said.

Killer Kross defeated Fallah Bahh (w/ KM) 

The 425-pound Bahh is one of those wrestlers you can’t take your eyes off because of his girth and size, but he was no match for the debuting Killer Kross. Commentator Matthews declared, “This man is psychotic!”

The two behemoths ran into each other to start the match, but then Kross backed Bahh into the corner and started pounding on him. Bahh reversed it, then delivered several stiff chops that turned Kross’ chest read. Kross dared Bahh to hit him as hard as he could. Mathews said it was “shades ofKenta Kobashi with the rapid-fire chops.”

Kross hit an impressive side suplex on the meaty Bahh and then choked him out with what Don Callis called “an MMA-style choke.” Kross continued to pound Bahh with right hands to his back after the match, prompting KM to make the save. Kross choked him out too.

Finally, Petey Williams rushed the ring with a steel chair; he hit Kross on the back with the chair and eventually threw it into Kross’ face, knocking him out of the ring. Kross then walked backed to the dressing room.

Flashback Moment: Rob Van Dam defeated Sting

Sting wrestled in his shirt in this 2010 match. This was all of RVD’s signature moves on display, with Taz and Mike Tenay on commentary. After RVD accidentally took out Earl Hebner, Jeff Jarrett came to the ring and hit Sting with his own baseball bat, allowing RVD to execute a five-star frog splash for the win. 

Allie & Madison Rayne defeated Su Yung & her Undead Maid of Honor

Su Yung, wearing a bloodied wedding dress, has a great gimmick, although her Undead Bridesmaids should probably stay out of the ring. The Undead Maid of Honor wrestled stiff and slow and no-sold most of the moves. She essentially wrestled like a zombie.

Allie and Rayne mostly had their way with the Undead Bridesmaid. Rayne accidentally took out the referee executing a Cross Rayne. Tessa Blanchard, who Rayne defeated on last week’s episode, interfered, but Allied jumped in and took care of Blanchard, allowing Rayne to hit the Cross Rayne on the Undead Maid of Honor for the pinfall victory. 

Next was an interview segment with LAX and the Desi Hit Squad, who are training under the verbal and physical commands of Gama Singh. 

Then, in one of the highlight’s of the show, we got a video package from Impact World Champion Austin Aries. Aries will defend the title against former NFL player Quinn “Moose” Ojinnaka at Slammiversary.

Aries was great here, saying “This wasn’t my dream. This is what I was born to do.” Aries said he started wrestling when he was 17 and that wrestling was always his first choice, unlike Moose, who he said chose wrestling after his NFL career failed. The video package showed a variety of pictures of a younger Aries with longer hair.

Aries snuck in a great line and shot at his former WWE employer Vince McMahon. “After I beat you, your new dream is to hope the XFL needs a new offensive lineman.”

Advertised for next week was former NFL player DeAngelo Williams, who will apparently help train Moose for his match with Aries. 

Tommy Dreamer cut a taped promo with blood all over his face vowing revenge on Eddie Edwards, who attacked him a week ago with a kendo stick. The two will meet at Slammiversary. 

Katarina (w/ Grado) defeated Rebel

This was a quick match with Katarina winning with a backbreaker onto her knee. 

Brian Cage defeated Kongo Kong

Cage was impressive in this match, executing several high-flying moves. 

The 265-pound Cage hit a somersault plancha over the top rope and Callis said, “I have seen Kenny Omega do that dive but he’s not 265 pounds.” Cage hit a 619 on Kong, landed a belly to back suplex, hit a superplex, and then pinned Kong with an F-5. It was an impressive outing for Cage, who showed he was capable of power and aerial moves, which was not an easy feat on the giant Kong. 

The show ended with an LAX segment. Konnan came out wearing a Mexican flag around his neck. He called out King, whom he suspects “put a hit” on him at the Redemption pay-per-view. Konnan said that King betrayed him after he helped the wrestler earn his first $100,000. 

The rest of LAX, Santana and Ortiz, came out with King, who eventually admitted that he was behind the Konnan attack because LAX needed a new leader. Konnan called King “a walking, talking glory hole,” leading the crowd into a “glory hole” chant. 

“I’m the future, you’re the past,” King told Konnan.

After that comment, Ortiz and Santana flipped King off, but then original LAX members Homicide and Hernandez entered the ring and attacked Konnan, Santana, and Ortiz, setting up a six-man feud between rival LAX members.

Impact adds four-way match to Slammiversary XVI card

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Confirming plans for some of the names who had been announced for the show, Impact Wrestling added a four-way match to the Slammiversary XVI card last night.

It will be John Hennigan (the former John Morrison, who goes by “Johnny Impact” for the company) vs. Taiji Ishimori vs. Rich Swann vs. Fenix at the July 22 pay-per-view. Hennigan is returning to Impact for the first time since filming the next season of CBS’ “Survivor” reality series earlier this year, while this is Ishimori’s first appearance for the promotion since joining New Japan Pro Wrestling.

Swann made his debut on the episode of Impact that aired last night, defeating Trevor Lee. His match against Fenix from the most recent set of tapings in Windsor, Ontario, Canada will air next week. Swann & Fenix also teamed with Pentagon Jr. against Sami Callihan & oVe at the tapings.

Pentagon is facing Callihan in a mask vs. hair match at Slammiversary, which is taking place at the Rebel Entertainment Complex in Toronto. Impact World Champion Austin Aries defending against Moose is set to headline the PPV.

Impact Wrestling results: Rich Swann debuts, Rayne vs. Blanchard

Posted on by Josh Molina

Impact took place this week from Windsor, Ontario, Canada and the St. Clair College Sports Complex.

Madison Rayne kicked off the show in the ring, declaring that she wants to become a six-time Knockouts Champion. 

Rayne said she told her daughter not to be afraid of monsters — so what kind of inspiration would she be if she couldn’t challenge Su Yung, the Knockouts Champion.

Tessa Blanchard interrupted the speech and came to the ring. 

“It’s not 2011 anymore,” Blanchard said. “You are not the best anymore — because I am.”

Blanchard reminded everyone that she is a third-generation wrestler. “I have been in this business since before I was born,” she said. 

Rayne interrupted and reminded Blanchard she defeated her in the past. 

The lights flickered and laughter played through the PA system, hinting that Yung and her Undead Bridesmaids were near, but instead Blanchard smacked Rayne with a forearm. 

Rich Swann defeated Trevor Lee

Swann, who was making his Impact debut, swaggered to the ring doing a dancing gimmick. His head was shaved on the top with longer hair in the back than during his WWE run. 

Announcer Josh Mathews said Swann “has been on one of the biggest stages in the world.”

Swann delivered several stiff kicks, prompting Mathews to say: “with kicks like that I am surprised Rich Swann isn’t playing in the World Cup right now.”

Swann showcased several of his aerial moves, including a tilt-a-whirl into a huricanrana, then an impressive dive over the top rope onto Lee. He pinned Lee with a 720 moonsault splash, landing on his thigh area. 

They showed clips of Sami Callihan attacking Pentagon Jr. after a match inside a steel cage at PCW Ultra in Los Angeles. In the clip, Callihan and the Crist brothers triple teamed Pentagon, and actually removed his mask, sending Pentagon crashing to the ring face forward in shame. 

Slammiversary moment: Raven defeated AJ Styles, X-Pac, Abyss, and Monty Brown in a King of the Mountain match to win the NWA World Championship (2005)

It’s always remarkable to see Styles in TNA, with his short hair. Who knew he’d rule WWE SmackDown 13 years later as champion?

The match took place inside the six-sided ring, with trash cans, tables, ladders and chairs. 

The purpose of this match is to hang the championship above the ladder on a hook, sort of the opposite of Money in the Bank. In one of the several high spots of the match, X-Pac hit Styles with an X-Factor off the top of the ladder. Later, Abyss pushed Styles and X-Pac off the top of a ladder onto a table. Raven got the win, capturing the NWA World Championship. 

The Desi Hit Squad defeated DJ Z & Andrew Everett

Gama Singh introduced Rohit Raju and Gursinder Singh as “the future of tag team wrestling.”

Z&E were fresh off of losing their Tag Team titles against LAX last week. This match was a showcase for Everett’s high flying moves. Z&E hit double moonsaults on Singh and appeared poised for the win, but Gama Singh jumped on the apron and distracted the ref, allowing Singh to roll up Everett in a schoolboy for the victory. 

In a video, Pentagon challenged Callihan to a mask vs. hair match at Slammiversary

They aired a long video package of Quinn “Moose” Ojinnaka, chronicling his family and football career leading into Slammiversary, where he will challenge Austin Aries for the Impact World Championship. 

We then got filmed footage from Philadelphia and a House of Hardcore show where Eddie Edwards pummeled a bloodied Tommy Dreamer with a kendo stick. Edwards had a look of euphoria on his face every time he beat Dreamer.

Moose followed Edwards outside of the arena and Edwards screamed “Leave me the f*ck alone.”

X Division Champion Matt Sydal defeated Dezmond Xavier

Sydal worked a mostly slow-paced match against the high-flying Xavier. He worked Xavier’s knee for most of the match, but Xavier was able to break free, hitting a diving splash over the top rope outside of the ring on Sydal. Announcers Don Callis and Mathews made note that Xavier was attempting high-flying moves, but lacked the ring psychology of Sydal in the match. 

Sydal pushed the referee into the ropes, forcing the top-rope climbing Xavier to fall. Sydal hit a pumphandle slam for the three count. 

Brian Cage then lumbered out to the ring looking to attack Sydal, but was blindsided by Kongo Kong. Jimmy Jacobs walked out to the ring and ordered the nearly 400-pound Kong to deliver a splash from the top rope onto Cage.

Aries in an interview said Moose “failed in his first career” of football and that he would fail again at Slammiversary. “I know when I am looking in a desperate man’s eyes,” Aries said. “You are desperate.”

Madison Rayne defeated Tessa Blanchard

This was a good match, worked tight. Blanchard displayed some incredible angry facials during it. She dominated most of the match, hitting several clotheslines and power moves on Rayne. The two engaged in a good back-and-forth elbow display. 

The finish came after Rayne hit a tornado punch on Blanchard and then a running boot, but Blanchard recovered and countered with a quick kick to the ribs. Blanchard pounded on her with right hands and then went for a standing full nelson. Rayne countered the move into a crucifix for the win. 

After the match, Blanchard attacked Rayne from behind and laid her out in the middle of the ring. 

Blanchard was about to hit Rayne with a chair when champion Su Yung interrupted and came out with her zombie-ish undead brides, covered in bloody dresses.

The group surrounded Rayne in the ring and they all started swinging at her. Suddenly, former Knockouts Champion Allie reappeared, running in to scare the creepy group away.

Rich Swann officially no longer with WWE

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Rich Swann officially won’t be returning to WWE.

WWE posted a statement on their website today where they announced that the company and Swann have “mutually agreed to part ways.” They also wished him well in his future endeavors: “Rich Swann and WWE have mutually agreed to part ways as of today, February 15, 2018. WWE wishes Swann the best in all of his future endeavors.”

Swann was arrested in Gainesville, Florida on charges of domestic battery (touching or striking) and false imprisonment/kidnapping on December 10th following an incident with his wife, Vanarrah Riggs, who wrestles as Su Yung. Those charges were dismissed last month, with court records citing insufficient evidence to sustain a conviction as the reason for the dismissal.

The arrest report from the incident stated that Swann had gotten into an argument with Riggs after she performed at an indie show. The report alleged that Riggs got out of their vehicle due to fearing that the argument was going to escalate, and Swann grabbed her by the arm and around her neck, dragged her back to the car, and pushed her in as she screamed for help. Swann denied physically touching Riggs.

WWE’s zero-tolerance domestic violence policy called for Swann to be immediately suspended after the arrest, and he would have been immediately terminated if there had been a conviction.

All charges against Rich Swann dismissed

Posted on by Joseph Currier

All charges against Rich Swann stemming from his December arrest were dismissed today.

Court records cite insufficient evidence to sustain a conviction as the reason why the case isn’t moving forward. Swann was arrested in Gainesville, Florida on December 10th and charged with false imprisonment/kidnapping, which is a third degree felony, and misdemeanor domestic battery (touching or striking).

The arrest report from the incident stated that Swann had gotten into an argument with his wife Vanarrah Riggs, who wrestles as Su Yung, after she performed at an indie show. The report alleged that Riggs got out of their vehicle due to fearing that the argument was going to escalate, and Swann grabbed her by the arm and around her neck, dragged her back to the car, and pushed her in as she screamed for help. Swann denied physically touching Riggs.

In mid-December, Riggs posted a positive message about Swann on Facebook: “I can not wait to see my husband tomorrow. After such an awesome weekend of wrestling debuting in two different promotions across America, nothing would be better than to see his face.”

Swann was indefinitely suspended by WWE after the arrest, which is what the company’s zero-tolerance domestic violence policy called for. WWE has yet to comment on Swann’s status following the charges being dismissed.

Rich Swann arrested for domestic battery and false imprisonment

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Rich Swann was arrested overnight on domestic battery and false imprisonment charges.

Gainesville Police released the arrest report for the incident, which happened in Gainesville, Florida at 10:30 p.m. last night. The victim is listed as Vannarah Riggs (independent wrestler Su Yung), who Swann has been in a relationship with for approximately five years and has been married to for nine months.

The arrest report states that Swann and Riggs were involved in an argument after Riggs had wrestled at a show in Gainesville. Swann was critiquing Riggs’ performance and began getting angry with her. Riggs got out of the vehicle they were in after getting scared that the argument was going to escalate. He chased her and yelled for her to get back in, then allegedly grabbed her by the arm and around the neck with his arm after Riggs said she didn’t want to get back in, putting her in a headlock and dragging her back to the vehicle.

A witness to the situation said they saw Swann push Riggs back into the vehicle while she screamed for help. They also said Riggs was beating on the window and screaming for help as they drove away. Another witness said they saw the vehicle driving erratically, with Riggs jumping out of it while it was still moving and Swann getting out of it while it was moving to chase her. The vehicle wasn’t put in park and rolled until it hit a telephone pole.

Riggs told police that she was afraid because Swann “has a temper sometimes,” and that she was trying to get away from him because she was afraid the argument would escalate into physical violence. Riggs said she told him to stop the vehicle so she could get out before having to jump out while it was still slowly moving. She said Swann grabbed her by the arm and pulled her back in despite her not wanting to go with him.

Swann denied grabbing Riggs and putting her back in the vehicle, saying she got in on her own and he never physically touched her. He said he was trying to get home and her phone had the GPS on for directions.

The domestic battery charge is listed as a misdemeanor and the false imprisonment charge is a felony. Swann was taken into custody around midnight last night and was in custody as of this morning.

Under their zero tolerance domestic violence policy, WWE issued a statement saying that Swann has been suspended indefinitely: “WWE has zero tolerance for matters involving domestic violence, and per our policy, Rich Swann has been indefinitely suspended following his arrest.”

The policy states that his employment would be terminated if convicted for such an incident, though WWE notes that their ability to fine, suspend, or terminate a talent isn’t limited or compromised if “incontrovertible evidence of such illegal misconduct” is presented to them.