In wrestling’s history, there have been plenty of colorful behind-the-scenes reasons for world title changes. But this week may have been a first.
Rob Van Dam, holding both the WWE and ECW titles after five years of largely being in mid-card limbo, had both titles taken from him due to a change of plans stemming from his being pulled over and charged with possession of marijuana on 7/2 after a show in Huntington, WV. After dropping both titles, he was then suspended for 30 days, joining Kurt Angle as the two top ECW stars serving suspension time. Van Dam’s suspension is without pay, which will cost him more than $20,800 minimum, based on his down side guarantee. It is not known if Angle’s suspension is without pay, although the strong presumption is it would be, and his downside is considerably larger.
In a story that made the national wires and was covered in many newspapers and on several radio stations throughout the country, Robert Alex Szatkowski and Terry Michael Brunk (Sabu) were pulled over for speeding at about 10:15 p.m. that night in Hanging Rock, OH, traveling from the house show that night, presumably to Columbus, OH, where they would likely fly to Philadelphia.
After going to war in a violent strap match at All Out, Bryan Danielson and Ricky Starks will escalate things even more in a Texas Death Match on next Saturday’s AEW Collision.
Starks got one over on Danielson on Saturday’s Collision by delivering a low blow and then the Roshambo to pick up the win in a tag match featuring himself and Big Bill against Danielson and Claudio Castagnoli.
Next Saturday’s show from Grand Rapids, Michigan, will also feature an AEW Tag Team title match as FTR will defend against The WorkHorsemen.
After FTR’s win over The Iron Savages Saturday, Anthony Henry and JD Drake confronted FTR to put the match in motion given FTR’s recent open challenge decree.
Hometown favorite Rob Van Dam will also return to action for AEW for the the first time since losing to then-FTW Champion “Jungle” Jack Perry.
In a singles match, Jay White will return to action against Andrade El Idolo. White’s Bullet Club Gold confronted Andrade after his win over Scorpio Sky Saturday, leading to the match.
Here’s the current lineup:
Bryan Danielson vs. Ricky Starks in a Texas Death Match
AEW Tag Team Champions FTR defend against The WorkHorsemen (Anthony Henry & JD Drake)
Jack Perry defends the FTW Championship against Rob Van Dam on tonight’s AEW Dynamite.
RVD made his AEW debut last week in confronting Perry and standing up for Jerry Lynn, and issued the challenge for this week.
Also set for the show, The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson) will face The Hardys (Matt Hardy & Jeff Hardy) in a battle of future Hall of Fame tag teams.
New Women’s World Champion Hikaru Shida will defend her title against Anna Jay.
World Champion MJF & number one contender Adam Cole will appear on the show for a promo segment.
Jon Moxley & Claudio Castagnoli of Blackpool Combat Club will face Penta El Zero Miedo & Rey Fenix of The Lucha Bros in tag team action.
Chris Jericho and The Jericho Appreciation Society will have a mandatory meeting on the show.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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AEW Dynamite comes on the air with Excalibur welcoming us alongside Tony Schiavone and Taz, as they throw it to the ring where the Jericho Appreciation Society are already there with Matt Menard introducing their leader, Chris Jericho.
The Jericho Appreciation Society Mandatory Meeting
Everyone is wearing black but Jericho, who tried to start explaining himself, only to be cut off by Daniel Garcia, who said he chose Jericho before everyone else and questions why Jericho won’t do the same for them? Garcia thrusted at Jericho and walked to the back, as Jake Hager took the mic and said that everyone knows they have a lot of options. Everyone knows that Hager “liked that hat” but he doesn’t like Jericho and also walks off. Jericho said to the rest in the ring that everyone had to admit they are bigger stars because they joined the J.A.S. Tay Conti said she used to be proud, but not any longer, she feels sick and not because of her child. Conti said she will go and have her baby, come back next year and win the title without Jericho and quits. Anna Jay said tonight she’s being selfish, tonight she’s winning the AEW Women’s Title, it’s not about Jericho.
Conti & Jay walked off as Angelo Parker said he hates doing this, as he loves being a sports entertainer. Parker did everything he could to make Jericho proud, even hanging upside down in Blood & Guts and almost bleeding out last year, but what has Jericho given him? Parker said he has nothing left to give. Menard said Jericho was his childhood hero, whose t-shirt he bought from his first paycheck as a teenager. When his wife was 8 months pregnant, Jericho heard his story and gave him a job. Menard mentions guys like Eddie Kingston & Kevin Steen, who hate Jericho’s guts and now he understands why.
This leaves Guevara, who immediately slapped the mic out of Jericho’s hands and told him to listen. Guevara put Sting through a table because he’s loyal and he’s not walking out on Jericho. Deep down he thought Jericho would do the same for him, but doesn’t know anymore. Guevara said if Jericho decides to do the right thing, maybe he’ll be there for Jericho before he left through the crowd. The segment ended with Jericho alone, with no one to plead his case to.
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-Renee Paquette tried to get a word with Chris Jericho backstage but Don Callis appears, apologizing if he caused any of what just happened. Jericho said he has an answer, but wants to tell Callis next week, as Callis said he’ll take care of everything.
The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson w/Brandon Cutler) vs. The Hardys (Matt & Jeff w/Brother Zay & Ethan Page)
(I’m happy they got to have this match on Dynamite, as this was a solid opening contest, but not a blow away barn burner. I liked the post match show of respect, as the crowd was into this and cheered both teams throughout. With the lack of tag matches The Bucks have had the past year, this was a good first step ahead of the now official Tag Team Title match happening at All In.)
The Hardys were able to control the action early with double teams that sent Nick to the floor before hitting a double wheelbarrow suplex on Matt for a near fall. A pulling sit out powerbomb in the corner led to a double team cover on Matt that for some reason Rick Knox counted, but Nick broke it up. The Hardys tried Poetry in Motion, but Matt moved and Nick popped Jeff with a corner enzugiri. Nick made the tag and ran wild with his slingshot face buster and moonsault to the floor before laying out Matt Hardy with the Risky Business. Matt faked out a dive and it was Nick that hit a twisting plancha to wipe out both Hardys heading into commercial.
Back and forth action during break with Nick avoiding a Twist of Fate, but Matt Hardy adjusted and spiked Nick with a DDT. Right as Jeff was about to make the tag, Matt Jackson pulled the leg out and The Bucks kept Matt briefly isolated before a double clothesline led to the reset. Both Matt’s slugged it out until Jackson ran right into a Side Effect. Nick & Jeff made simultaneous tags with Jeff dishing out the offense with a legdrop low and snap dropkick to follow. Jeff fought off both Bucks and wiped them out with Whisper in the Wind, but Nick & Matt avoided double Twist of Fates into superkicks and then a 3-D on Jeff. The Hardys avoided the Meltzer Driver and hit dueling Twist of Fates, as Jeff hit a Swanton on Nick for a close two that Matt broke up.
After all of that, Matt Hardy made a legal tag, as Nick was dropped with multiple Twist of Fates, but Matt was able to superkick the leg out from under Jeff, who was going for another Whisper in the Wind. Matt Jackson hit a backslide on Matt Hardy, but rolled through and The Bucks hit the BTE Trigger for the victory.
Post match, The Bucks were about to answer FTR’s challenge from Collision when the AEW Tag Team Champions came out to the ring. After a stare down by both teams, Nick said All In, so the challenge was officially accepted as FTR held their titles high.
-We see footage of Hikaru Shida winning the Women’s Title last week and Excalibur informs us that the title will be defended at All In in a Four Way match. The participants will be Toni Storm, who is exercising her rematch clause, the winner of Saraya & Skye Blue on Rampage, the winner of The Bunny & Britt Baker next week on Dynamite and finally the winner of the Women’s Title match tonight between Shida & Anna Jay.
-Last week Adam Cole & MJF are shown celebrating their announcement of the main event of All In, as Cole has brought MJF to a trampoline park. Cole thinks the place is so cool when MJF seemed visibly annoyed before learning there’s dodgeball. MJF ends up having a field day lighting children up with not only the dodgeball, but with insults as well. Cole said MJF can’t do that, as a little girl walks up, calls them both losers and flips them both off as the bodies of the kids MJF hit with the dodgeball are all laid out behind her. Cole told MJF its ok for one more, as a delighted MJF launched the ball right into commercial. This was a glorious segment; I can’t say enough good things about it. MJF was Adam Sandler in Billy Madison during this video.
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-The Blackpool Combat Club are backstage and said they hope the Best Friends learned their lessons after the Parking Lot Brawl on Rampage. Moxley hopes Trent’s mom Sue got the flowers they sent. Tonight, they pick the bones of their kill and bring up PAC, who they trash talk and said it sucks he won’t be at All In. The BCC doesn’t fear death, death fears them.
Jack Perry defeated Rob Van Dam in a FTW Rules to retain the FTW Title
(This match didn’t go long, but I was really entertained by it. RVD got off his greatest hits and Perry was able to weasel his way to a victory. I have no idea if this was a one off for RVD, but it was great to see him back on a big stage again.)
FTW Rules means anything goes, falls count anywhere, as Perry, who is wearing new gear, attacked during RVD’s intro, but RVD fought back and got his leg trap roll up for a quick two. Perry retreated and wanted a handshake, but RVD was having none of it and was about to hit Rolling Thunder, with Perry bailing outside. On the floor, RVD draped Perry over the barricade and absolutely destroyed Perry with a spinning legdrop off the apron into commercial.
Back from break, Perry was in control, but missed Rolling Thunder. A chair was stuck in the corner and table set up on the floor, as RVD hit a huge monkey flip and running dropkick with a chair in the corner. With a chair on Perry, RVD hit Rolling Thunder, but Perry avoided the split legged moonsault. Perry ducked the Van Daminator and Perry chucked a chair right at referee Bryce. Perry cut off RVD in the corner, but was launched off the top through the table on the outside. RVD rolled Perry back inside and hit the Five Star Frog Splash, got the visible pin, but the ref was down. Referee Aubrey hit the ring for the count, as RVD got two and argued the count. This allowed Perry to hit a low blow and send RVD into the corner chair into a school boy for the win.
-Renee Paquette is backstage with The Lucha Bros and Alex Abrahantes, who said the Lucha Bros fight in the spirit of competition but the BCC fight to hurt people like PAC. Fenix & Penta said tonight they’ll show Moxley & Castagnoli why they’re the best team in the universe.
MJF & Adam Cole make a Zero Hour challenge
MJF welcomed the fans of the Midwest and said previous footage of him saying they are Mid has been heavily doctored. In fact, MJF’s favorite place in the entire U.S. is the Midwest. Cole mentions making history at All In, in a match he’ll beat MJF for the AEW title. MJF asked if Cole wanted to promo battle and said Cole is so skinny and white if this was the 80s, Hogan would’ve snorted him. MJF called him a noodle arm, bobble head, but was cut off by Cole who said he didn’t want a promo battle, as MJF said that he misread the situation.
Cole said he how everyone wanted MJF & himself to win the AEW Tag Team titles, but Cole said he has his eye on another set of tag titles, the ROH Tag Titles, as Cole owes his career to Ring of Honor. Cole ran down his ROH resume and said the only title he never won was the tag titles, which has been held by great teams like the Kings of Wrestling, reDragon & The Briscoes. Cole said they should challenge for the ROH Tag Titles at Zero Hour before All In and head into the main event of the show draped in even more gold. MJF called Cole a sick pervert for wanting him to wrestle twice in one night. MJF said since Cole is his brochacho and he’s a sucker for a cheap pop, as the fans scumbag, they are officially challenging Aussie Open for the ROH Tag Titles at the All In Zero Hour.
Roderick Strong came out from the back screaming, insulted that Cole would want to challenge for the ROH Tag Titles with MJF and not his best friend, a ROH legend like himself. MJF told Strong to get in his car, go home, run up the stairs, cry into his Hello Kitty headphones and listen to Taylor Swift so he can Shake It Off like a bland b*tch. Strong asked if Cole was going to allow MJF to talk to him like that and said The Kingdom was right about him. Matt Taven & Mike Bennett walked out and hugged Strong as MJF said Cole didn’t need him, as Cole shoved MJF and said he didn’t need to say that to Strong as he’s both of their friends. MJF had to be calmed down and they hugged it out before MJF told Cole to go check on his boy.
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Jon Moxley & Claudio Castagnoli defeated The Lucha Bros (Penta el Zero Miedo & Rey Fenix w/Alex Abrahantes)
(Commentary really put over early how it was Castagnoli responsible for PAC’s injury and this action packed tag match is the second dominating victory for the BCC in the past week. The momentum they lost at Blood and Guts has been regained, as Moxley & Castagnoli have been killers, first at the Parking Lot Fight and now tonight.)
Fenix & Penta snuck up from behind and wiped out Moxley & Castagnoli with double dives to gain control right at the opening bell. Penta delivered a top rope double stomp to Castagnoli, while Moxley was flattened by another Fenix dive, which to the surprise of no one, busted Moxley opened. Penta connected with Made in Penta, but Castagnoli kicked out at two. Castagnoli ducked a double superkick and the Lucha Bros collided, as Moxley made the tag and dropped both with a double DDT. Penta spun out of a Death Rider into Sling Blade, as Castagnoli was backed up by referee Aubrey in the ropes, allowing Yuta to pop Fenix in the head with the ROH Title. A press slam into a cutter led to Fenix being isolated during commercial.
Back from break, Fenix was planted with a spike piledriver and Taz talked about how he broke his neck because of a move like that. In a Doomsday Device position, Moxley missed the clothesline and Fenix hit a roll up double stomp onto Castagnoli. Penta ran wild off a hot tag with a cazadora face buster on Moxley and backstabber on Castagnoli. Fenix made the tag and the match broke down before Moxley laid out Penta with a cutter, Fenix kipped up into a huge superkick before all four men were down. Fenix & Castagnoli had a strike battle that led to the comeback spin kick from Fenix as Penta leapt off the top, but was uppercut in mid air.
It was Penta & Moxley’s turn to chop it out, as they teed off on one another before Moxley was planted with a double team stalling piledriver. Right in front of the ref, Yuta grabbed Fenix on the top rope, as Abrahantes started going at it with him, only for Yuta to get hit with a moonsault. As Penta wanted Fear Factor, Castagnoli ripped the mask off, which allowed Moxley to get a roll up and the tights to win it. Post match, The BCC kept attacking, with Castagnoli wearing Penta’s mask as it happened. Moxley screamed that zero respect is what happens.
-Kenny Omega is backstage walking when Alex Marvez approaches and talks about The Young Bucks challenging FTR at All In. Omega said next week he’s sitting down with Jim Ross to discuss his future, Don Callis, Konosuke Takeshita and plans for All In. Marvez wanted a scoop, but he didn’t get it.
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The entire Mogul Embassy made their way to the ring, as Prince Nana ran down the crowd before Swerve Strickland talked about how he, Fox & Nana went to the Buddy Wayne Academy to prove a point and said everyone knows whose house it is. Fox immediately called out Darby Allin, who came out and demanded Fox tell the whole story about how Allin tried to help Fox when he needed it. Fox got to AEW by himself, but is upset Allin didn’t put a word in for him, instead for Nick Wayne. While Fox might have some new friends, Allin has friends too. The lights went out and when they came on, Sting was in the ring, leveling The Gates of Agony & Brian Cage with a bat. AR Fox bailed, as Sting was left alone with Strickland. Sting pointed up to the All In sign, as Strickland was pulled out by Nana as Sting & Allin stood tall. The challenge has been made for London and we learn that Tony Khan made it official, Sting & Allin vs. Strickland & Fox in a Coffin Match.
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Hikaru Shida defeated Anna Jay (w/Matt Menard & Angelo Parker) to retain the AEW Women’s Title
(Every week a match suffers from a lot of it taking place during commercial and unfortunately it was the main event this week. The ending was a little awkward, but Shida ultimately got her first title defense in front of an arena of fans, something she never really got to do during her first title regin.)
Excalibur mentioned how Jay’s debut match in AEW in 2020 was against Shida, as a jumping knee staggered Jay early, following up with ten corner punches. Jay wiggled free and was shoved over the top to the outside where Menard & Parker were quick to trash talk. Jay controlled the entire commercial break, but Shida fired back with a running elbow right when they returned.
Jay rolled to the apron and Shida tried to suplex her back in, but Jay hit a spin kick instead. Both ladies fought on the apron, as Shida hit a pump kick before pulling a chair from under the ring. Shida set it up to launch off of, but Parker jumped in front to run distraction that allowed Jay to smash Shida into the steps. Back inside, Jay got a two count before applying a Queen Slayer, but Shida climbed to the second rope with Jay still on her back and fell off to break the hold. Shida hit the Falcon Arrow, but Jay kicked out. Shida hit the Kitana knee and the ref counted three, despite Parker awkwardly trying to slide in to break up the count.
AEW Rampage 8/11/23
· Saraya vs. Skye Blue with the winner advancing to the Women’s Title All In 4 Way
· Darby Allin takes on Brian Cage
· Orange Cassidy defends the AEW International Title against Johnny TV
AEW Collision 8/12/23
· House of Black (Malakai Black, Brody King & Buddy Matthews) defend the AEW Trios Titles against CM Punk & FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler)
Rob Van Dam has made his AEW debut and already has his first match booked.
On Wednesday’s Dynamite, Jack Perry came out and demanded Jerry Lynn confront him. Lynn came out, but said he wouldn’t fight Perry because no doctor would clear him. He did say, however, that he had a friend who was in ECW that still wrestles.
Van Dam then came out to his old ECW music (‘Walk’ by Pantera). Perry first retreated to the back, but as RVD was in the ring with Lynn, Perry snuck back in and attempted a sneak attack with a steel chair. RVD went for the Van Daminator, but Perry fled before it could happen.
Later in an interview, RVD challenged Perry to a match for the FTW title on next week’s Dynamite that was later confirmed.
Since defeating Hook for the FTW title several weeks ago on Dynamite, Perry has been running down the title and the company it originated from (ECW). On last week’s Dynamite, Lynn came out and defended ECW. Just as it seemed they were ready to fight, Perry backed down, telling Lynn to show up next week.
Van Dam has continued to wrestle across the independent scene in recent years. His most recent high-profile match took place at NOAH’s Destination 2022 event at Budokan Hall last year, where he teamed with Masato Tanaka to defeat NOSAWA and Super Crazy.
According to a report from Fightful Select, the promotion has had internal discussions about bringing in the 52-year-old WWE Hall of Famer. An idea being considered is RVD wrestling Jack Perry at either AEW All In or All Out.
Perry was involved in a segment with one of RVD’s greatest rivals on AEW Dynamite last week. The new FTW Champion was confronted by Jerry Lynn after cutting a promo critical of ECW. Perry and Lynn are scheduled for another face-to-face segment on tonight’s show from Tampa.
Since leaving Impact Wrestling in September 2020, RVD has kept an active schedule including two shows for Pro Wrestling NOAH at the Saitama Super Arena in Japan last summer. He was also inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2021 and was presented with the 2020 Lou Thesz Award from the Cauliflower Alley Club.
F1RST Wrestling presented the first pro-wrestling event at the Mall of America in 27 years with Saturday Night Nitro.
WCW Nitro’s first-ever episode aired from the venue on September 4, 1995, kicking off The Monday Night War. The event saw Hulk Hogan retain the WCW World Heavyweight Championship in a match against Big Bubba Rogers. It also featured the surprise appearance of Lex Luger, who had been with WWE up until a house show the night before.
27 years and six days later, Orange Cassidy, Rob Van Dam, Dante Martin, Ethan Page, Colt Cabana, and more were on the card for wrestling’s return to the Mall of America. The event aired live on FITE TV.
On the weekend where a documentary on his life will be released, former WWE, ECW and Impact Wrestling star Rob Van Dam kicked off the festivities by getting married to longtime fiance Katie Forbes Thursday in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The two have been together since 2016 and got engaged earlier this year. The 30-year-old Forbes, also a wrestler, appeared with Van Dam during his latest run in Impact.
Former WWE female wrestler Candice Michelle presided over the ceremony.
This is the second marriage for the 50-year-old Van Dam (real name Robert Szatkowski). Diamond Dallas Page, Luke Hawx and Chris Bey were a few of the wrestling talents that attended.
In a clip from the Headstrong documentary, Van Dam revealed that he has been diagnosed with CTE due to his 30-year run in the business. It debuts on Reelz Saturday at 8 PM Eastern.
Van Dam was inducted into the WWE Hall-of-Fame this past March following a prominent run in ECW and a six-year run in WWE that began in 2001. During that span, he won the WWE Championship once, the Intercontinental title six times, the Hardcore title four times, the World Tag Team titles twice, the WWE Tag Team titles once, the European title once, and the revived ECW title once. He is the fifteenth triple crown champion and seventh grand slam champion in WWE history.
Former WWE and ECW star Rob Van Dam will officially be part of the 2021 WWE Hall of Fame class.
WWE announced via Fox Sports today that RVD will be inducted into their Hall of Fame over WrestleMania 37 week. The Hall of Fame ceremony will air on Peacock in the United States and the WWE Network everywhere else on Tuesday, April 6.
“It’s a pretty awesome feeling,” RVD told Fox Sports about going into the WWE Hall of Fame. “Just like you probably would imagine, it feels like I’m being acknowledged and appreciated for my body of work. It feels very good. I’m honored. [Fans have] been calling me future Hall of Famer for years and I always just shrug and say, ‘All right, man. As long as you think so.’ But, glad to be among the chosen few this year.
“I’m glad for me and for all the fans. I feel like them being behind me and wanting to see this happen is a win for them as well.”
After last year’s ceremony was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 and 2021 WWE Hall of Fame classes will both be inducted this year. Here’s the list of inductees:
2020 Hall of Fame class —
The nWo (Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall & Sean “X-Pac” Waltman)
First reported by Fightful and confirmed by Dave Meltzer on Wednesday’s Wrestling Observer Radio, Rob Van Dam will soon be announced as an inductee into the 2021 WWE Hall of Fame class.
The 50-year-old rose to prominence in ECW before signing with WWE in 2001 as part of an ECW faction that was part of the WCW invasion angle. He spent the better part of the next six years in the company, winning the WWE Championship once, the Intercontinental title six times, the Hardcore title four times, the World Tag Team titles twice, the WWE Tag Team titles once, the European title once, and the revived ECW title once.
He is the fifteenth triple crown champion and seventh grand slam champion in WWE history.
He returned for a short run in 2013 before returning to the indies and an eventual second run in Impact Wrestling that ended last year. Van Dam held both the TV title and Tag Team titles in the original ECW and also is a former Impact World champion and X-Division champion.
He joins a class that includes Molly Holly, Eric Bischoff, Kane and The Great Khali. They will be inducted in a pre-taped ceremony that will air on Tuesday, April 6th, during WrestleMania week on WWE Network and Peacock. The 2020 class (the nWo, The Bellas, JBL, Davey Boy Smith, Jushin Thunder Liger) will also be inducted this year as last year’s ceremony was canceled due to the pandemic.
First reported by PWInsider and confirmed by Dave Meltzer, Rob Van Dam and Katie Forbes are no longer with Impact Wrestling.
The two had not been working under a contract and their latest agreement had run out, wrapping up with a storyline that played out on last week’s AXS show. RVD pinned Sami Callihan in a match, giving Forbes five minutes alone with him. Callihan then took out RVD with a chair and hit a Cactus Special on Forbes to close out the angle.
The 49-year-old returned to Impact in 2019 and initially worked in an ECW reunion angle with Tommy Dreamer and Sabu against current day Impact stars. He was also part of the Cancel Culture group with Joey Ryan until Ryan was fired due to sexual assault allegations.
Forbes, Van Dam’s girlfriend, also signed with Impact in 2019 and debuted at their United We Stand event.
A former TNA World Champion and X-Division Champion, Van Dam didn’t hold any titles in his second run.
Impact Wrestling returns from Nashville, TN for chapter two of Emergence, main evented by the first ever 30 minute Knockout ironman match between the Knockout’s champion Deonna Purrazzo and her challenger, Jordynne Grace. Also tonight, Eddie Edwards defends the Impact World Championship in an open challenge.
The opening video was a rundown of tonight’s two big title defenses.
Impact World Champion Eddie Edwards defeated Rob Van Dam (with Katie Forbes) to retain the title
They started up with a lock up and some quick wrestling for wrist control but Eddie hit an atomic drop and belly-to-belly to send RVD to the floor to recover. Eddie tried to follow with a baseball slide, but Rob was ready for him, slammed him around a bit before sending him back to the ring. Rob instead of following up, was distracted by Forbes that wanted some kissing, allowing Eddie to once again try for the dive and succeed.
Eddie was starting to get the better of Rob, but Katie distracted him and allowed Rob to ram Eddie face-first into the ring post, to drop him on the guardrail for the leg drop from the apron.
Finally, back at the ring, Eddie and Rob traded strikes, but once again Katie interfered while Rob distracted the referee, setting up Eddie for the split-legged moonsault for the two count.
Eddie hit a blue thunder bomb but wasn’t able to follow up with a pin. Rob rolled up Eddie with some body-scissors for a two count. Eddie hit the tiger driver, but RVD kicked out at two.
Eddie went for a top rope frankensteiner, but Rob blocked twice, dropping Eddie on the ropes for a big jumping kick and rolling thunder. RVD went for the 5-star, but Eddie moved away, hit the BKP and picked up the win to retain the title. Ok match, one of Rob’s better as of late.
After the match, Eric Young rushed the ring and attacked Eddie Edwards from behind. He told Eddie that he was taking next week’s title shot.
Josh Matthews and Madison Rayne ran down tonight’s card.
Over at Wrestle House, Taya organized a team-building exercise, a toga party. Johnny Swinger is wearing a fantastic leopard print toga. Also, Swinger has started ‘Fuji-ing’ people, meaning that he throws powder in people’s eyes and he plans to take out all the men in the house to have all the ladies for himself.
Taya was somewhat inebriated in the party and bullied Kylie Rae. Bravo was apparently sad in his room because Larry D and Rosemary are out on their own. The Deaners and Acey Romero are still having problems over stolen beer, and finally Swinger accidentally Fuji’d Crazzy Steve. Tommy Dreamer declared a blindfold match, with the loser having to dress as the winner next week.
Wrestle House: Crazzy Steve defeated Johnny Swinger in a blindfold match
They did a bad joke with a horn that Steve had. Swinger asked for help from the roomies, but they weren’t much help and only led him to a roll-up from Steve. Bad, but at least it was short.
Backstage, Eddie Edwards was out looking for EY, but he’s nowhere to be seen.
We got a great commercial for Bound For Glory featuring EY.
Rhino cut a promo on Reno Scum, challenging them to a tag team match and he wanted Heath as his tag team partner. Rhino is still great.
Eddie headed to the ring and called out Eric Young to have their title match right there and then. EY came out and called Eddie pathetic. He told Eddie that he was five steps ahead of Eddie and that things were gonna go down by his design. He said his attacks on Swann were orchestrated. Eddie told EY that their title match would be next week, but the ass-whooping would start tonight, and thus they brawled and got into a pull-apart in which Eddie accidentally knocked down Scott D’Amore. Good little angle to add some heat to this match.
Gia Miller interviewed Rohit Raju about his title win. Rohit said that he manipulated Chris Bey and now he’s the X-Division champion. He said that he had been a victim of the political games, and so he got himself in a match. He said he’d give opportunities to everyone who never gets them.
We got a new episode of Locker Room Talk with Madison Rayne and The Rascalz as the special guest hosts. They’re having a miscommunication between pot and decoration, but Rayne didn’t let them smoke.
The special guests were Madman Fulton and Ace Austin. Madison brings up the Good Brothers defeating them, causing The Rascalz to laugh at Fulton and Austin. Fulton got hot and wanted to come to blows, but he was calmed down by Ace. It’s nice to see two teams antagonize each other without doing the usual wrestling shtick that leads to fights.
The Rascalz invited Madison Rayne to the treehouse, but she refused. This was all good.
We got a promo by Sami Callihan in his computer room. He blamed RVD over his loss against Eddie Edwards and thus not being world champion. He said that tonight, RVD lost because he is the one now hunting RVD’s head. He said that next week, he’ll be waiting for RVD in the ring.
We got a promo by ECIII, recapping his first world title win over Kurt Angle, saying that being champion was the happiest moment in his life, his greatest achievement, and he couldn’t let it go. He said that everything after that was downhill and that as long as this championship existed, he wouldn’t be able to move on, but he didn’t know how. He invited Moose to join him in destroying the title. This was kinda confusing.
Brian Myers defeated Willie Mack
They started with some counters and reversals on wrist control until Mack caught Myers with a shoulder tackle and an armdrag to send Myers to the corner to recoup.
Myers caught Mack with a surprise knee to the gut, cutting off Mack with some strikes and choked him against the ropes, but Mack came back with a rana and dropkick combo. Myers started to big time Mack, which ended with them trading strikes and going into the ropes where Myers snapped Mack’s throat against the ropes for a two count.
Now in control, Myers worked over Mack’s throat with a sleeper. He swept Mack’s leg for a two count, and went back to a knee to the back and crossface combo.
Mack surprised Myers with a sunset flip pin, but Myers kicked out and once again brought Mack down with a big elbow and went back to the crossface. Myers decided to go for a running attack, only to get surprised by a desperation sky high from Mack.
Mack hit a clothesline, spinning back elbow, scoop slam, and leg drop for a two count. Mack hit the Samoan drop and moonsault combo for another two count. Myers went for the top rope, but Mack stopped him. They traded some strikes, but it was Myers that dropped Mack and followed with a diving elbow for a two count.
Myers went for a DDT, but Mack dodged, only to take a spinning kick for a two count. Myers started talking trash to Mack, who responded with a strike and a book end, but Myers reversed, rolled over Mack, took the pulled the tights and stole the win. Ok match.
We got a promo by Heath calling for the fans to make #Heath4Impact to trend so he’d get the chance to back up Rhino next week.
Back at Wrestle House, The Deaners are talking about Larry D’s recent changes. Rosemary joined the party and was heading out with Larry D, who was now calling himself Lawrence D, before Alisha Edwards stopped her. She called out Rosemary for trying to make Bravo jealous and she was breaking his heart. Taya got drunk and passed out, giving Bravo some free time to go and take Rosemary back. Rosemary was about to break up with Lawrence D anyway, but Bravo jumped in, slapped Larry D out of the hex, and thus, Dreamer called for match time.
Wrestle House: Larry D defeated John E. Bravo
Bravo tried to elbow Larry D early, but didn’t do much damage and instead got taken down with one headbutt. Larry punched Bravo and knocked him out with one strike for the win.
After the match, Bravo came clean and told Rosemary that he had feelings for her. He told Taya the truth about him and Rosemary. Taya blamed Rosemary that they were all trapped in Wrestle House. She challenged her to a winner takes all match next week. Rosemary didn’t understand what ‘all’ meant, but Valkyrie mentioned that it included Bravo.
Next week we have Sami Callihan vs Rob Van Dam, Ace Austin & Madman Fulton vs The Rascalz, and Eddie Edwards vs Eric Young for the Impact World title.
Knockout’s Champion Deonna Purrazzo defeated Jordynne Grace (2-1) in a 30 minute ironman match to retain the title
Lock up to start the match. They remained in a stand still for some time, even after Grace went for a roll up, they still maintained and got up while locked up. Jordynne broke it up and took control of the wrist. Purrazzo reversed, but Grace quickly broke out with an armdrag. Purrazzo started selling her arm.
Purrazzo took down Grace with a headlock, but Grace reversed it to leg-scissors over the neck. Tight control, but Purrazzo escaped with a headstand. Grace went for the headlock but Purrazzo escaped, only for Grace to connect with a shoulder tackle and a couple of arm drags. Grace blocked a kick by Purrazzo, dropped her, and locked in a single leg Boston crab. Purrazzo made the ropes.
Back from commercial, Jordynne was in control, whipping Purrazzo from corner to corner. Purrazzo escaped and played a bit of cat and mouse, tricking Jordynne into a big boot to the face to finally cut her off. Purrazzo slammed Jordynne’s head on the apron before tossing her back in the ring and started to work over Grace’s arm.
Purrazzo snapped the arm over and over. Stomped on the elbow, snapped it over the ropes, dropped her on the shoulder, and sneaked pin attempts in between. Jordynne would try to strike herself to safety, but Deonna wouldn’t break the armbar until Grace made the ropes.
Deonna hit a couple of short-hand clotheslines for a two count.
At this point, there was 10 minutes to go and they were still 0-0, Purrazzo stomped on Grace’s fingers. Purrazzo kept finding ways to snap every joint in Grace’s arm and back into the armbar or kimura position.
Jordynne finally punched Deonna off of her and started using her good arm to attack with elbows and clotheslines. She went for a superplex, but Deonna pushed her down, only to take a big palm strike from Jordynne and a second rope suplex, but Grace couldn’t follow up with a pin.
Both women started trading strikes in the middle of the ring with Grace getting the upper hand and dropping Deonna with a couple of shoulder tackles, followed by two sentons for a two count. Jordynne got Deonna’s back and locked up a sleeper with leg scissors for a submission fall. Jordynne Grace is 1-0 with 5 minutes left.
Grace followed up with a body attack, but Purrazo countered with a running knee and a reverse STO and into the Koji clutch, but Grace made the ropes. Deonna stomped on Grace in desperation, chopped her, but Grace made a comeback with chops and went for the Grace driver, which Deonna fought free from. Jordynne rushed Deonna on the corner but accidentally took out the referee when Purrazzo pulled him in between them. Jordynne Grace hit the Grace driver, but the referee was down and didn’t count the pin.
Purrazzo, using the distraction, hit Grace with the championship belt and stole her first pin to tie the match 1-1 with only a minute to go.
Purrazzo went for a second pin for a two count, transitioned to the armbar, but Grace broke it off. Purrazzo kicked Grace’s arm off then followed with a big punt kick and a German suplex bridge, but Jordynne kicked out. Purrazzo locked in the Fujiwara armbar and transitioned to the Venus de Milo for a submission win with only 5 seconds left, retaining her championship. Great match, Purrazzo and Grace are fantastic!
Final Thoughts —
Great show, the main event is a must watch. The rest of the show was a lot of build up towards next week’s show, which also seems to have promise.
Impact Wrestling’s fallout from Rebellion took place on Monday night as they taped television at the Rebel Entertainment Complex in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Impact TV taping spoilers —
– Michael Elgin started off the Impact tapings after making his debut and laying out World Champion Brian Cage at Rebellion. Elgin said he made sure Cage couldn’t be here to celebrate his World title win, then Elgin asked why the fans cheered for Cage when they should be supporting Canadian athletes. Elgin said he came to Impact to win the World title.
Johnny Impact interrupted Elgin and insulted him. They went back and forth on the microphone, with Konnan then coming down to the ring.
Konnan said Pentagon Jr. should get the next World title shot. Pentagon saved Konnan from Elgin, a brawl started, and Elgin attacked security who tried to break it up.
– Ace Austin defeated Petey Williams
– Rosemary (w/ The Undead Maid of Honor) defeated Kiera Hogan by DQ
Su Yung and her Undead Bridesmaids attacked Rosemary for the disqualification. They freed the Undead Maid of Honor. Hogan didn’t make the save for Rosemary.
– Fenix defeated Eddie Edwards
Fenix won after Killer Kross distracted Edwards.
– RVD cut a promo about returning to Impact. He was interrupted by Ethan Page, with Page bringing two chairs with him and inviting RVD to have a face-to-face sitdown. RVD declined that. Page said he never respected RVD and RVD is no hero to him. RVD issued a challenge to Page, but Page said they’ll have their match next week.
Page went to attack RVD with a chair, but RVD gave him a Van Daminator.
– Michael Elgin defeated Johnny Impact (w/ Johnny Bravo) and Pentagon Jr. in a triple threat number one contender’s match
Elgin pinned Johnny to become the number one contender to Cage’s World title. Pentagon was helped to the back after the match.
– Impact Tag Team Champions LAX (Santana & Ortiz w/ Konnan) defeated Josh Alexander & Moose in a non-title match
– Madison Rayne defeated Knockouts Champion Taya Valkyrie in a non-title match
Tessa Blanchard was on commentary for this. Rayne won by submission.
– Jordynne Grace defeated Alexia Nicole
– The Desi Hit Squad (Rohit Raju & Raj Singh w/ Gama Singh) defeated The Deaners (Cody Deaner & Cousin Jake), The Rascalz (Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz), and Aiden Prince & Brent Banks in a four-way match
Gama Singh cut a heel promo before the match started.
– RVD defeated Ethan Page (w/ Josh Alexander)
– oVe (Sami Callihan, Jake Crist, Dave Crist & Madman Fulton) defeated X-Division Champion Rich Swann, Willie Mack, Tommy Dreamer & Fallah Bahh in a no DQ match
Callihan pinned Willie Mack to get the win for oVe.
Rob Van Dam’s return to Impact Wrestling will continue past his appearance at United We Stand.
In an interview with the Sporting News, Van Dam announced that he has signed an extended deal with Impact. Van Dam said the deal has a beginning and an end but can be extended.
“It looks like you are going to be seeing my face around for the foreseeable future. We have an agreement to where I will be sticking after the show on Thursday. It does have a beginning and an end, but they can extend, so this is something to start us off,” Van Dam said.
“I had agreed to one match, and then we talked about and discussed doing their upcoming tapings after the show on Thursday and a couple of television tapings over the next few months. We looked at the schedule moving forward, and they asked if I was available. I told them I was.
“We will see how it goes. It’s a pretty friendly schedule, which has always been important to me. I want to be home more and on the road less. That’s still something I’ve done since I left WWE in 2007. Impact with their schedule and the position they want me to fill for my career seems like a perfect situation. Hopefully it will be mutually beneficial, and we will see ‘The Whole F’N Show’ back on television. Let’s see how all these new guys matchup to me. I’m not there to compete with the guys who have stolen all my moves (laughs). I’m pretty much there to be myself.”
Van Dam has been confirmed for Impact’s post-Rebellion television tapings at the Rebel Entertainment Complex in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on Monday, April 29. He was previously with TNA from 2010-2013, holding their World Championship and X-Division title one time each.
Van Dam & Sabu vs. The Lucha Bros (Pentagon Jr. & Fenix) will take place at Impact’s United We Stand show tomorrow (Thursday) night. The show is taking place at the Rahway Recreation Center in Rahway, New Jersey and will air as an iPPV on Fite TV starting at 11 p.m. Eastern time.
A big tag team match featuring former ECW talent is set for Impact’s United We Stand event during WrestleMania weekend.
Impact announced tonight that Rob Van Dam and Sabu will challenge Penta El 0 M and Rey Fenix at their United We Stand event on April 4. The Lucha Bros are the current Impact tag team champions, with tonight’s episode of Impact showing the title win, but it isn’t clear if the titles will be on the line for this match.
According to Cagematch, the last time Rob Van Dam and Sabu teamed up together was back in 2015 when they defeated the Hardy Boyz at the 2015 WrestleCon Supershow. They also teamed up on an episode of Impact Wrestling in 2010, when they lost to Beer Money.
Tickets are on sale now. It will take place at the Rahway Rec Center in Rahway, New Jersey, and it will stream live on Twitch.
