It’s time for something different, so let’s review Ed in San Antonio’s all-women’s show from WrestleMania week.
We’ll get into the origins of the show, some names who appeared in earlier years who went on to become big stars then get into this year’s edition, where the best match involved the little girl from the front row in NXT who used to hug Bayley all the time.
We’ll also break down the performances of Leva Bates, Nicole Matthews, Amira, Su Yung, Alex Gracia, and Shazza McKenzie. All this and more on the Big Vinny V Show!
WWE’s YouTube page posted the full main event between Randy Orton and Ludwig Kaiser, including the brawl between Orton and Gunther after the match.
In a digital exclusive, Pat McAfee addressed the fans on Raw before taking a hiatus from WWE to cover college football this fall.
TKO announced that COO Mark Shapiro will participate in the Goldman Sachs Communacopia and Technology Conference on September 11.
AFC Bournemouth announced they are collaborating with WWE 2K24: “The groundbreaking collaboration will see the Cherries be the first Premier League club that WWE 2K have formed a tag team with, consequently seeing several digital campaigns that will entertain fans and showcase the immersive experience of WWE 2K24.”
In video footage obtained by TMZ, Hulk Hogan made disparaging remarks towards presidential candidate Kamala Harris while promoting his new beer. He asked the crowd in Ohio if they wanted him to “body slam Kamala Harris.” He also said “is Kamala a chameleon? Is she Indian?” before mocking her Indian heritage. “I’m going to get heat for that one brother,” he said immediately after. “That was not me, that was the beers talking.”
AEW has a timelines video focusing on the relationship between Toni Storm and Mariah May.
Preston Vance announced he is now taking independent bookings: “Looking to do independent promotions around the world. Ever since getting signed 4 years ago I have taken a hiatus from indy bookings. I am now taking indy bookings. I want to represent AEW while facing the best the world has to offer.”
El Phantasmo has been announced for Maple Leaf Wrestling’s Forged in Excellence events on October 19 and 20.
Mojo Rawley’s Paragon Talent Group, in conjunction with Black Label Pro, will hold a wrestling combine on September 4. Those announced include Jordynne Grace, Parker Boudreaux, Xia Zhao (Xia Li), and Moose.
Su Yung appeared and attacked Brandi Lauren and Kimber Lee with supernatural powers, then revealed that she is expecting a child at the conclusion of this week’s Impact Wrestling Best of 2021 part two special episode.
Su Yung’s pregnancy appears to be a real-life event incorporated into storyline, as she has been retweeting congratulations and well wishes on social media. Additionally, she has posted an Amazon wishlist which lists partner Rich Swann as a parent and a due date of February 14, 2022.
Yung told Lauren and Lee that their time has come, then attacked. She then revealed her stomach and said “Your time is near,” indicating the impending birth.
The two-time Impact Knockouts Champion last wrestled on the July 8, 2021 episode of Impact, which was taped at an earlier date. She appeared as her Susan alter ego and teamed with Kimber Lee in a losing effort against Havok and Rosemary.
Two matches have been announced for Tuesday’s Impact.
Eric Young will face Rhino in a singles match. This follows their match from this weekend’s Hard to Kill pay-per-view event, when Eric Young, Deaner, and Joe Doering defeated Rhino, Cousin Jake, and Tommy Dreamer in a six-man old school rules match.
Another match that has been announced is Kimber Lee and Susan (Su Yung under a new persona) taking on Jordynne Grace and Jazz. The latter team competed in the Knockouts Tag Team title tournament, but lost in the semifinals to Havok and Nevaeh. Jazz and Grace then had a match at Genesis on January 9, with Grace scoring the win.
In the main event of Hard to Kill, AEW World champion Kenny Omega teamed with The Good Brothers (Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows) to defeat Impact World champion Rich Swann, Chris Sabin, and Moose, with Omega pinning Swann. The next pay-per-view from Impact will be Rebellion, which takes place on April 24.
Two new champions were crowned tonight at Impact’s Turning Point event.
The Good Brothers (Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows) won the Impact Tag Team titles, defeating the North following a Magic Killer on Ethan Page. The North only held the titles for 21 days, regaining the titles in a fatal four way match on Impact that also involved Ace Austin & Madman Fulton and The Good Brothers.
This marks the first time both Gallows and Anderson have won the Impact Tag Team titles.
Deonna Purrazzo regained the Knockouts title at Turning Point, defeating Su Yung to win the championship for the second time. In this no disqualification match, Purrazzo pinned Su Yung after catching her with a cradle piledriver. Yung held the championship for 21 days, winning the title at Bound for Glory.
Yung was a replacement at Bound for Glory for Kylie Rae, who did not appear at the event. Rae later announced on her Patreon page that she had retired from wrestling.
After a failed threat of legal action on Tuesday’s Impact Wrestling, Deonna Purrazzo will get her rematch against Knockouts Champion Su Yung on next week’s show.
Flanked by Kimber Lee, Purrazzo’s attorney stated his case to Impact general manager Scott D’Amore and threatened litigation due to Yung beating Purrazzo for the title in an open challenge at Saturday’s Bound For Glory. D’Amore said they could be in legal action for years or Purrazzo could exercise her rematch clause next week which she accepted.
Other action announced for next week:
In a match featuring current and former world champions, Impact World Champion Rich Swann will team with Eddie Edwards against Eric Young and Sami Callihan. Swann defeated Young in an impromptu rematch to open Tuesday’s show and had a backstage run-in with Callihan later on the show.
Ethan Page will face Doc Gallows, made after Impact Tag Team Champions The North and the Good Brothers had a backstage skirmish Tuesday.
The Impact Tag Team and Knockouts titles changed hands tonight at Bound for Glory.
Su Yung won the Knockouts championship for the second time from Deonna Purrazzo after hitting the panic switch in a back and forth match. The match was originally advertised as Kylie Rae vs. Purrazzo. Before the match, Purrazzo cut a promo saying that Rae had no showed and issued an open challenge, which Yung accepted. No one, including the announcers, discussed Rae’s status.
Purazzo held the title for 98 days, defeating Jordynne Grace at Slammiversary on July 18.
The North regained the Impact Tag Team titles, defeating the Motor City Machine Guns, Gallows & Anderson, and Ace Austin and Mad Man Fulton in a four way match.
As the Machine Guns made their entrance, The North jumped the team, with Josh Alexander laying out Alex Shelley with a piledriver on the entrance stage, taking him out of the match. Sabin opted to wrestle on his own.
The finish had Anderson rolling up Alexander, but Alexander kicked out, sending Anderson into the ropes. Page took one of the titles and smashed it into Anderson, allowing Alexander to cover for the win.
MCMG won the titles for the second time on the July 19, 2020 Impact tapings, defeating The North, who previously held them for 380 days.
Yung, whose real name is Vannarah Riggs, had announced in March that she was a free agent. She tweeted today about re-signing with Impact: “What the fans want, the fans get. Peridodt. @IMPACTWRESTLING #KODivision”
Yung has been with Impact Wrestling since 2018. She’s held the Knockouts Championship once during her time with the company, winning it from Allie in April 2018 and losing it to Tessa Blanchard in August of that year. Jordynne Grace currently holds the Knockouts title.
While wrestling as her Susie alter ego, Yung lost to Kiera Hogan on the Impact episode that aired on April 7. That was filmed at Impact’s television tapings in Atlanta, Georgia in March. Impact is currently airing episodes from their closed set tapings that were held in Nashville, Tennessee in April.
Impact Wrestling returns from Fronton Mexico in Mexico City for tonight’s episode.
Opening video focused on highlighting the Elgin vs Edwards feud that kicked off the best-of-five series last week with Elgin winning.
Tessa Blanchard came out to start the show. Tessa addressed Ace Austin’s comments from last week, saying he doesn’t have to play games with her, if he wants to fight, she’s easy to find. They have a match scheduled for Sacrifice, but Tessa called him out for tonight.
Out came Ace Austin, along with Reno Scum. Ace sent out Thornstowe to fight Tessa instead.
Tessa Blanchard defeated Adam Thornstowe (w/ Ace Austin & Luster The Legend)
Thornstowe started the match overpowering Tessa a bit and getting a cheap shot, but Tessa brought the match back with strikes. She went for the running knees, but Luster distracted Tessa, only to dodge Thornstowe who accidentally took out Luster. Tessa followed with the running knees.
Tessa hit a tilt-a-whirl headscissors on Thornstowe, then followed with a dive on Luster, but he caught her in the air and slammed her against the apron.
Back in the ring, Thornstowe worked a bit on Tessa, mostly strikes and stomps, but also a couple of headlocks in between. Thornstowe got a two count by stomping on Tessa’s arm. Thornstowe started to get cocky with Scoop Slams, but when he mocked Tessa’s pose and went for a standing moonsault, Tessa dodged and made her comeback with strikes and clotheslines.
Tessa hit a rana and a samoan drop. Superkick and Thornstowe fell on both Luster and Austin, followed by two Suicide Dives by Tessa, and a final Somersault from the top rope to the floor.
Back in the ring, Tessa got a two count with a cutter. Thornstowe went for an Impaler DDT, but Tessa reversed into the Buzzsaw DDT for the win. Ok opener.
After the match, Luster grabbed Tessa from behind with a bearhug. She took him out with a low blow, but Ace Austin was there to take her out. Reno Scum held Tessa while Ace prepared to hit her with his stick, but Dreamer came down for the save.
Backstage, Taya approached Rayne and Hogan to ask them to take out Jordynne Grace again. This time, Rayne and Hogan tell Taya that they’re not doing it again.
We got footage from ‘during the break’ where Tommy Dreamer challenged Ace Austin to a street fight for tonight. Callis and Matthews confirmed the match, but the screen was interrupted by a QR Code that said ‘scan me’. They also announced that Rhino vs Moose has been signed for Sacrifice.
Rhino defeated Taurus by DQ
Collar and elbow to start the match, both men seem at the same level. They do a couple of Japanese shoulder tackle challenges to each other until Rhino gets the better of the exchange, only for Taurus to return with one of his own and send Rhino to the outside, where Taurus tries to follow, but gets tripped out by Rhino.
Both animals brawled outside the ring. Rhino accidentally clotheslined the ringpost and ran back in the ring, but Taurus was right behind him as he started working over Rhino’s arm.
Taurus took out Rhino’s knee and hit a shining wizard for a two count. Taurus followed with a twisting moonsault, but Rhino moved out of the way. Both men traded chops and Rhino started his comeback with clotheslines and a belly-to-belly for a two count. Taurus hit a Diamond-giri for a two count.
Rhino came back with a big Spinerbuster, set up the Gore, but Moose came down and attacked Rhino for the DQ. Moose attacked Taurus too, but then Moose started to play to the crowd and allowed both men to recover. Taurus hit a headbutt and Rhino the Gore to send Moose packing.
Michael Elgin cut a promo against a mirror saying that he used to look up to Eddie Edwards, but now it’s Eddie that looks up to him. He said he’s going 3-0 on the series and will finally claim the world championship soon after.
Johnny Swinger walked up to the Desi Hit Squad and challenged them to a tag match, but when Shera stood up to him, he backed out and made it Willie Mack vs Mahabali Shera.
Impact Plus Flashback Moment of the Week was Team 3D vs Beer Money vs Motor City Machine Guns from Sacrifice 2010.
Taya was now trying to get Rosemary to help her with Jordynne, but Rosemary wasn’t even paying attention to her, she was stalking James Mitchell, who she locked inside a room. Taya was fantastic.
Back from commercial, Havok tried to free Mitchell, but Rosemary jumped her and choked her out. Rosemary now has Susie all to herself.
Rosemary vs. Susie ended in a double countout
Man, I hope Su Yung comes back, Susie’s song is terrible.
Rosemary offered Susie a free slap, but Susie only offered to shake her hand. Rosemary pulled her hands to choke her, but Susie didn’t want to hurt her. Eventually, Rosemary slapped Susie with Su Yung’s dirty glove.
Susie took the glove, put it on, screamed, and jumped on Rosemary, attacking her. Susie hit a huge Shotei and choked Rosemary. Susie locked in the Mandible Claw until Rosemary broke it and ran out of the ring.
Both women started brawling up the ramp and into backstage, and into the same stairwell where Havok ‘killed’ Su Yung last time they were in Mexico. We started getting flashbacks of that match, as Rosemary tried to hang Susie again until she finally brought back Su Yung.
Havok joined the fight and had a staredown with Yung. Visually, this was great, but the whole thing was all around terrible.
Back from commercial, we just saw the aftermath of the chaos as Rosemary, Havok, and two staff members having been all taken out by Su Yung, who is nowhere to be seen. Mitchell gets there only to see Rosemary laughing. Mitchell tells her we’re all doomed.
TJP (w/ Fallah Bahh) defeated El Hijo del Vikingo
Match started with a fast-paced mat wrestling sequence with both men wrestling for wrist control. This sequence transitioned into some lucha spots with tons of counters and reversals. Vikingo got into TJP’s guard and the match became a short slap fest until they both went for the dropkick and the standoff.
TJP tried to fake out Vikingo to the outside, but Vikingo hit a springboard spear, sent him out with a rana, followed with a tope con giro and a shooting star press from the apron to the floor.
Back in the ring, Vikingo went for a springboard 450, but TJP dodged and pinned him with a senton atomico. TJP went for a butterfly lock submission, but Vikingo got out and locked in a version of the Mecedora, but TJP actually escaped into a sunset flip, rolled over, and did the Pentagon armbreaker on Vikingo.
TJP hit a side leg sweep for a two count. He continued working on Vikingo’s now injured arm with a shoulder breaker. TJP and Vikingo started exchanging strikes, Vikingo relying on kicks, eventually, TJP hit a punch and Vikingo countered into an armbar, but TJP escaped and transitioned into the last chancery, working the arm. Vikingo made the ropes.
Both men went back to the chops, but Vikingo has a chest plate, so he obviously won the exchange. There was a quick spot with TJP chasing Vikingo to the outside, where Vikingo kicked TJP and followed with an over-the-turnbuckle tope con giro. This is awesome chants.
Back in the ring, Vikingo set TJP in the ropes, kicked him in the back then hit a second rope leg drop for a two count. TJP jumped from the second rope with a wheelbarrow, and hit a Tombstone Piledriver, followed by a top rope elbow for a two count.
TJP went for the third rope, but Vikingo knocked him down and hit the running knees, only to get a two count. Vikingo went for the top rope, but TJP jumped and hit a superplex out of nowhere. TJP transitioned into the Octopus Stretch, but Vikingo made the ropes.
Vikingo hit a spin kick then went for a springboard, but TJP caught him, went for the detonation kick, but Vikingo reversed it into the Dragonrana, only for TJP to catch Vikingo’s leg and locked in the submission for the win. Awesome match!
After the match, The North jumped Vikingo, but Fallah Bahh was there to save both TJP and Vikingo.
Backstage, Katie Forbes approached Joey Ryan about Joey’s comments when he said she wanted to touch it. Forbes distracted Ryan enough until RVD jumped him from behind.
Gabi Loren tried to interview RVD about losing his cool with Ryan, but RVD said that he’s still cool. Ryan vs RVD next week.
Daga & Dr. Wagner Jr. (w/ Galeno del Mal) defeated oVe (w/ Madman Fulton)
Wagner and Dave Crist start the match. They did a little bit of lockup before Wagner dropped Dave with a toehold and followed with a low kick. Wagner powerslam for a one count before tagging in Jake Crist.
Wagner got the better of Jake with clotheslines. Wagner hit a cutter on Jake and tagged in Daga. He and Jake did a quick sequence of kicks and counters that ended with both men hitting DVDs one after the other. Jake left the ring, but Daga followed with a baseball slide. Daga chased after Jake, but Dave was there to clothesline him and cut him off.
Back in the ring, oVe seemed to start working on Daga, but he quickly took out Dave with a kick combo and tagged in Wagner for the warm tag. Wagner did dragon screws on both Crists, German suplex on Jake Crist, and tagged Daga back in again.
Daga hit a running boot, followed by a running kick by Wagner. tilt-a-whirl backbreaker by Daga on Jake, followed by a Brainbuster for a two count when Dave broke it off. Jake Crist hit a kick combo on Daga and tagged in Dave.
Dave came in with a Meteora into Jake’s knees on Daga, hit a spike piledriver on Daga, but Wagner broke up the pin. Diamond-giri by Wagner on Jake, followed by a rolling senton to the floor. In the ring, Daga hit the Daga driver on Dave Crist for the win.
Fulton attacked them both after the match, going after Daga. Fulton hit the End of Days, then went after Galeno del Mal. Fulton was the last man standing.
Backstage, Swinger tried to play it out that it was Mack’s fault that Shera was after him. Mack said it was cool, he’d take on Shera, but he didn’t need Swinger out there with him.
Next week: Taya vs Jordynne Grace for the Knockouts title, RVD vs. Joey Ryan, Madman Fulton vs Daga, and match 2 of the Elgin vs. Edwards series.
X-Division Champion Ace Austin defeated Tommy Dreamer in a non-title street fight
Everyone is banned from ringside according to Josh Matthews.
Dreamer started the match by pushing into Ace, tossing him out of the ring early on and following through to the floor for the brawl. Dreamer spat water on Ace’s face, but Ace recovered for a bit until Dreamer hit a suplex on the ramp.
Dreamer brought out a garbage can of weapons, which he slammed on Ace’s back. Dreamer’s first weapon was a crutch while he used a Mexican sombrero. The brawl went into the stage area where Ace started going into the crowd, only for Dreamer to chase after him, choking him across the rafters.
After some brawling around the crowd, Ace caught Dreamer with a kick, sending him down to the floor and back into ringside where Ace hit a huge crossbody over the crowd. Ace followed up with punches and chops, but Dreamer came back and dropped him while Ace did his apron headstand tricks.
Dreamer pillmanized Ace’s wrist. Dreamer went for a DDT on the chair, but Ace blocked it and did the paper cut on Dreamer’s forehead, busting him open pretty bad. Ace followed with chair shots to the back of Dreamer. Ace then went for a table.
Ace went for another chair shot, but Dreamer kicked it into Ace’s face, but was smart enough to follow with an elbow drop on the chair, which probably hurt him more. Dreamer hit the Bionic Elbow. Dreamer hit a cutter for a two count.
Dreamer rushed at Ace with a Kendo stick, but Ace dodged and took him out with a famouser for a two count. Ace started swinging at Dreamer with the kendo stick until Dreamer connected with a side Russian leg sweep with the kendo stick. Dreamer went for the top rope kendo shot, but Ace caught him with a kick as he came down. Ace continued with paper cuts, but Dreamer hit the groin claw and a huge DDT for a two count.
Dreamer whipped Ace into a chair in the corner and used the momentum to go and power slam Ace into the chair, but he only got a two count. Out came the ladder.
Ace hit a Backstabber, went to the top rope, but Dreamer stopped him. Dreamer set up the ladder in the middle rope where Dreamer stood to superplex Ace, but Ace hit him with his magic stick, dropping Dreamer onto the ladder. Ace followed with The Fold and picked up the win.
Final Thoughts —
Go watch TJP vs. Hijo del Vikingo now. The rest of the show was good, we got some good wrestling and some storyline developments heading into Sacrifice, with only small hints towards Rebellion.
Impact Wrestling has added four matches to their television tapings in Mexico City, Mexico.
Impact is taping TV at Fronton Mexico tomorrow and Friday. Michael Elgin vs. Rhino, Impact Tag Team Champions The North (Josh Alexander & Ethan Page) vs. LAX (Santana & Ortiz), and Rich Swann & Willie Mack vs The Rascalz (Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz) are set for Thursday’s tapings.
Jessicka Havok vs. Su Yung has been confirmed for Friday.
As was previously announced, Tenille Dashwood vs. Kiera Hogan and RVD vs. Madman Fulton are set for Thursday. Dr. Wagner Jr. will be appearing on Friday.
Elgin and Rhino’s feud began when Elgin was Gored at Slammiversary XVII. Elgin lost to Impact World Champion Brian Cage at the pay-per-view, then hit Cage with the title belt after the match and went to attack Don Callis. A masked man then appeared and gave Elgin a Gore.
Impact didn’t specify if The North vs. LAX is a title match. The North won the titles from LAX at Bash at the Brewery last month.
At Slammiversary, The North retained against LAX and The Rascalz in a triple threat match. There was an injury angle with Santana during the match. In his place, Daga teamed with Ortiz as they unsuccessfully challenged for The North’s titles on the Impact episode that aired last week.
LAX’s contracts with Impact are set to expire this summer.
This week’s Twitch stream was hosted by Melissa Santos. Don Callis, who is in Japan doing commentary for the New Japan Cup, made a cameo.
The post-show interview was former Impact wrestler Crimson, who promoted the upcoming Salute to the Troops show on May 11.
X-Division Champion Rich Swann defeated Ethan Page in a non-title match
This was a speed vs. power bout. Swann got the advantage every time he had the space to run around Page, but when Page would get his hands on Swann, he would strike or drop Swann with power moves.
Page gained control by hitting a set of backbreakers and continued working Swann’s back with knees and forearms to the lower back. As the match went on, Page started getting cocky, taking his eyes off Swann, who finally got enough space to connect with a jumping neckbreaker to take Page off his feet.
Swann dodged an incoming Page, tossing him outside and connecting on a tope con giro. Back in the ring, Swann hit a frog splash for a two count. Swann went for the 450, but Page pushed the referee to the ropes, dropping him. Page followed up by tossing Swann to the mat for a two count.
Page and Swann traded some strikes in the middle of the ring that ended with both men kicking each other and Swann dropping Page with a Lethal Injection. Swann connected with the Phoenix Splash for the win. Okay match — it picked up towards the end.
After the match, oVe came out. Sami Callihan cut a promo saying that tonight is the night that Swann finally joins oVe. Callihan said that family is everything — and Swann and Callihan hugged it out in the ring.
Swann put the oVe shirt on and started chanting with them, but behind their backs, he superkicked Callihan and hit a double cutter on the Crists before ripping the shirt off. The crowd popped.
Backstage, Konnan told Santana and Ortiz that he is getting them their rematch against the Lucha Bros. He told them to just pay attention to tonight’s Lucha Bros vs. Rascalz match.
Josh Mathews told us that Brian Cage is next in line for a shot at Johnny Impact’s World Championship as soon as Johnny can return.
Ace Austin defeated Jake Atlas
Austin made his Impact debut tonight with his X-Men Gambit gimmick.
The match was fast paced. Austin and Atlas had a few reversals and counters to begin things — but quickly enough, Austin hit a few unique looking kicks to gain control. Atlas had some hope spots as he caught Austin with a kick and chops, but Austin used his athleticism to dodge Atlas’ offense, jumping around the ropes.
Atlas hit a big Fireman’s Carry for a two count. Atlas went for a kick, but Austin countered with a kick combo, ending with an interesting looking Curb Stomp and finishing Atlas with a running blockbuster, which he calls The Fold. Good showing for Austin, but Atlas looked even better if you asked me.
Rolando Melendez interviewed Johnny Impact and Taya Valkyrie, who were in their house in Los Angeles, California. Melendez asked about letting Brian Cage down, to which Johnny answered that he did, but it was an accident.
Melendez asked about working injured like others do, and Valkyrie brought up that Johnny is getting neck fusion surgery. Yikes — bad timing to make that the kayfabe injury after Tommaso Ciampa’s legit injury.
Johnny said that Cage will get his title shot when he is ready to return. Rolando Melendez is a great character.
Reno Scum cut a promo backstage. Adam Thornstowe said that it took them two years to come back to Impact and that Fallah Bahh and KM were their unfortunate victims. They accepted a rematch against Bahh & KM.
Alisha Edwards came out for a special announcement. Alisha thanked Impact Wrestling and said that her contract is expiring at the end of the month. She said that she enjoys coming out every week, but she also has considered staying home and starting a family. Suddenly, the Desi Hit Squad interrupted.
Rohit Raju cut a promo against the women’s empowerment movement and said that Alisha should indeed go home because it’s her job. Raj Singh said that all the women in wrestling should follow in her footsteps. Gama Singh said that God created women to serve men. Alisha finally had enough and slapped Gama in the face.
When Raj and Rohit got in Alisha’s face, Eddie Edwards came out to help her, but the numbers game was too much for Eddie until Eli Drake came down.
Eli Drake hinted at joining in with the Desi Hit Squad on the attack, but Drake attacked them and defended Eddie Edwards. Drake told Eddie that this was “something to think about” before walking to the back.
Rolando Melendez interviewed Brian Cage, who shut him down about his investigative approach. Melendez showed him the Johnny video from earlier, but Cage blew him off.
Backstage, Eddie and Alisha were talking when Drake walked up to them. Eddie thanked Drake for helping them both. Drake once again suggested they team up and chase the Tag Team, titles.
Alisha actually agreed with Drake and pushed for the tag team too, bringing up that Drake is the only man Eddie has left. Eddie agreed to team with Drake and take on the Desi Hit Squad next week.
The GWN Flashback Moment of the Week was The Wolves vs. The Hardys vs. Team 3D in a ladder match for the Tag Team titles from No Surrender 2014.
Melissa Santos interviewed Killer Kross and Moose. She asked about what is next for them now that they have taken out Johnny Impact and Brian Cage. Moose celebrated with a new suit. Killer Kross said if he or Moose can’t get title shots, then no one is getting title shots, and so if he doesn’t get a shot once Johnny returns, Johnny is going back to the hospital.
The Rascalz were in their roundtable. Dezmond Xavier said that in order to win tonight, they need masks to gain lucha powers — and Xavier revealed he had Kikutaro’s mask. They made fun of Moose’s Pepto-Bismol colored jacket. Zachary Wentz told Xavier to just give Kikutaro his face back. This was funny, but not a lot of substance.
Rosemary, Kiera Hogan & Jordynne Grace defeated Su Yung, Dark Allie & The Undead Maid of Honor (w/ Father James Mitchell) to gain control over Allie in the Dark War
The Undead Maid of Honor was Buggy Nova, formerly known as NXT’s Skylar Moon. Rosemary came out with a big entrance attire — she got a huge pop from the crowd.
The match started with all six wrestlers in the ring, with the babyfaces getting rid of the heels quickly. Alone in the ring, Hogan beat on Yung for a bit. Allie and Rosemary tagged in, but Allie ran away and tagged in the Undead Maid of Honor.
Rosemary easily got the upper hand and locked in the upside down choke. Allie and Grace tagged in. Grace dropped Allie with a German suplex and tagged in Hogan, who also went crazy over Allie, but she got caught in the ropes and the heels took control.
Back from commercial, Yung worked over Hogan. Allie tagged in and got a two count after a clothesline. Team Yung kept working on Hogan for a couple of minutes, getting a near submission and two counts in the process. Eventually, Hogan made a comeback on Allie and worked her way to tag Rosemary.
Rosemary finally had Allie for herself and dropped her with a reverse DDT. Every woman came in and hit their finishers on each other, leaving Rosemary and Allie at the end. Yung went for the mist, but she hit the Undead Maid of Honor instead.
Hogan took out Yung while Grace held Allie, allowing Rosemary to pin the Undead Maid of Honor and win the match.
Rosemary put a collar on Allie and dragged her to the back as James Mitchell had to hold off Yung.
Backstage, Glenn Gilbertti asked Konnan about Don Callis. Konnan instigated Gilbertti by telling him that Callis said he had been hired to become a mascot. Konnan told Gilbertti to go into a room and call out Callis. Gilbertti went in and saw a bald person, who he said his piece to, but the bald person turned out to be Killer Kross, who kicked Gilbertti’s butt.
Back from commercial, Gilbertti walked out from his beating. He was hallucinating and confusing people with Vince Russo, Jeff Jarrett, Cody Rhodes, The Young Bucks, and name dropping AEW. He finally found Scott D’Amore, who talked him down. Gilbertti walked out and joined Callis on commentary.
In the ring, Josh Mathews introduced Scarlett Bordeaux. Matthews asked about Bordeaux’s talent search, to which Bordeaux responded that none of the entries showed any potential to win a championship. Bordeaux made fun of Gilbertti wearing the turkey suit on Thanksgiving.
Gilbertti got in the ring and asked why Bordeaux would want to wrestle. He said that just by walking around she was the biggest deal, but the only thing that would happen if she wrestled is that she would just suck. Gilbertti said that women’s wrestling hasn’t been good since the last bra and panties match. Bordeaux, in the name of all women, slapped the misogynist Gilbertti.
Bordeaux challenged Gilbertti to her debut match. Gilbertti talked some more trash, telling Bordeaux to go home and do the dishes. He said if after all that she still wants to wrestle, he’ll be there waiting.
Disco Inferno and Scarlett Bordeaux just had one of the best angles I’ve seen in a while on TV — they were both great. I’m sold on that match, which takes place in three weeks on the Against All Odds special episode.
Rosemary, Hogan, and Grace dragged Allie outside. Rosemary told Hogan and Grace that she will take it from there. Grace agreed that they had only signed up to get Allie back. Hogan did not want to let Allie go until she got the old Allie back.
Melissa Santos interviewed Tessa Blanchard about a number one contender’s match she has against Grace. Blanchard said that Impact management is screwing her over for what she did to Gail Kim. Blanchard said that she will defeat Grace and get her rematch.
Impact Tag Team Champions The Lucha Bros (Pentagon Jr. & Fenix) defeated The Rascalz (Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz) in a non-title match
Fenix and Xavier started off, but not with the usual reversals and counters one would expect from them. Xavier tried to trick Fenix and caught him off guard with a superkick, but the Lucha Bros were on the top of their game and got control, getting a quick two count with the assisted wheelbarrow slam.
The Lucha Bros took out Wentz, leaving Xavier to take on both Penta and Fenix. He actually managed to dodge them, tossing Fenix into Pentagon with a spear. Wentz came in with a combo on Fenix, a huge running knee, and a springboard knee for a two count.
Fenix caught Wentz with some chops and tagged in Pentagon, who took out Wentz’s knee, but as he went to follow up, Wentz kicked him outside. Fenix went for a jump outside, but Wentz hit an uppercut and tossed him to his brother. Xavier hit an assisted senton over the ring post on both Lucha Bros.
Back in the ring, the Rascalz got a near fall after each guy hit a senton on Pentagon, but Fenix broke up the pin. Finally, after exchanging some strikes, Pentagon picked up the win on Wentz after the superkick and Penta Driver combo. Great short match — the Rascalz looked awesome in defeat.
Backstage, the Lucha Bros were greeted by Konnan. Pentagon and Fenix told Konnan to tell Santana and Ortiz to never touch their masks again. Konnan asked for the rematch, but the Lucha Bros told Konnan to wait.
Konnan said he wasn’t asking, he was telling them and that the next time he saw them, he wanted a date. Konnan walked away. Pentagon told Fenix that they’re not going to take orders from Konnan.
Overall, this was a great show. Impact Wrestling low-key made a big deal of International Women’s Day by putting their own female roster over and not just selling a women’s revolution. While the main event was great, the storyline developments of tonight were the stronger parts of the show.
Next week: Johnny Impact returns, oVe takes on Willie Mack, Rich Swann & Tommy Dreamer, and Tessa Blanchard and Jordynne Grace face off in a Knockouts Championship number one contender’s match.
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
The show opened with a new video and musical vignette. The special episode was named “Impact ReDefined,” with lots of news and new directions coming out of the show.
X Division Champion Brian Cage defeated Fenix to retain his title
Solid match. Commentator Josh Mathews said of Cage, “He’s never been pinned. He’s never been submitted. He is the machine. He is the X Division Champion. He is Brian Cage.”
At 275 pounds, Cage somehow works like a small guy. He hit a 619 early on Fenix.
Fenix tried everything he could to take out the big champ. He hit several spinning kicks. Despite Fenix’s high-flying moves, this was a showcase match for Cage. He hit a delayed vertical superplex. Cage threw Fenix over the top rope onto the ramp. Fenix hit a rolling cutter on the ramp. The crowd chanted “fight forever.”
Fenix dove through the ropes, but Cage caught him in a suplex position and suplexed him on the floor. Cage hit a flying DDT. He then powerbombed Fenix from the top rope for the win.
After the match, oVe (Sami Callihan and the Crist brothers) attacked Fenix and Pentagon, who were saved by Cage. He cleaned house on oVe.
There was another advertisement for Chris Jericho’s wrestling cruise.
In the GWN Flashback Moment of the Week, Grado pinned Al Snow inside the hexagon after a kick to the head. Following the match, Low Ki, Kenny King, and Samoa Joe attacked Grado and Snow. Drew Galloway ran into the ring to make the save.
They showed several backstage segments, including ones with LAX and Tessa Blanchard.
Wearing street clothes, Eli Drake went to the ring and introduced hometown wrestlers Mr. Atlantis and Brandon Tidwell, who surprisingly defeated Caleb Konley & Trevor Lee a week ago.
Drake challenged one of them to step up and fight Drake. Mr. Atlantis volunteered — so Drake picked Tidwell. He pinned Tidwell in seconds with his sideways slam Gravy Train finisher.
Mathews said “Eli Drake sending a message to everyone.” Drake then hit the Gravy Train on Mr. Atlantis.
Impact’s Alicia Atout interviewed Moose and Eddie Edwards. Edwards said he values Moose more than his kendo stick.
Tessa Blanchard defeated Su Yung and Allie to win the Knockouts Championship
Mathews said Blanchard is “next level good.” Yung has a great entrance, led to the ring by her undead zombie bridesmaids.
Blanchard was very vocal in the ring. Allie was noticeably more aggressive in the match. Blanchard threw Yung from the top rope outside the ring onto her bridesmaids. Yung went for her patented four-fingers-in-the-mouth choke hold on Blanchard, but Allie made the save with a superkick.
Yung then applied the move on Allie, but she broke it with a codebreaker. Blanchard took advantage of the moment and rolled up Yung for the victory. The crowd didn’t really pop for the win, probably because the finish was abrupt and there was no build to it.
Commentator Don Callis said of Blanchard, “she’s the best women’s wrestler in the world and one of the best wrestlers in the world period.” Blanchard gave an interview backstage and said she exposed Allie and took Yung’s title and there was nothing she could do about it.
“I am the measuring stick and if anyone wants to see how tough a diamond is, be my guest,” Blanchard said.
Gama Singh attacked members of his Desi Hit Squad because they lost a week ago.
There was another interview segment with Atout, Killer Kross, and Impact World Champion Austin Aries.
Another LAX backstage segment. They hyped the Impact tapings in Mexico City on September 13 and 14.
The Smokeshow with Grado, Katarina, and Joe Hendry
These “Smokeshow” segments featuring Scarlett Bordeaux are probably the worst thing on Impact. Bordeaux whispered into Grado’s ear and Grado squirted water out of a water bottle. Grado was so nervous he left the set. Hendry tried to promote their match with the Desi Hit Squad next week. Hendry chased Grado. Bordeaux tried to offer Katarina a “secret about men,” but Katarina cut her off and told her to stay away from her “boys.”
Odd segment.
Rich Swann defeated Petey Williams
Surprisingly subpar match between the two high-flyers. Williams hit an early codebreaker, which by far is the most overused move on Impact. Swann missed a flip off the apron and landed on his back outside the ring. Williams applied a Sharpshooter on Swann, an homage to Bret “Hitman” Hart, from one Canadian to another.
Swann went for a Phoenix Splash but missed. He recovered, and then Swann hit a standing Shooting Star Press for the win.
Swann gave a backstage interview but was interrupted by Matt Sydal. Sydal said he could help Swann open his third eye. Nearby, a woman was screaming over Moose, who had been laid out minutes before his main event match.
Impact World Champion Austin Aries & Killer Kross defeated Eddie Edwards
Edwards took them on by himself after Moose was injured. Aries oozes arrogance and portrays himself as a big star. Edwards hit several chops. He pushed Aries off the apron into the ringside barrier. He went for a splash through the ropes, but Kross hit him with a knee as he was sliding through the ropes.
Kross hit a fallaway suplex on Edwards outside of the ring. Aries went for a brainbuster, but Edwards countered and hit a double underhook suplex. Moose then ran into the ring to join the match. He went after Aries, but then turned around and speared his partner Edwards.
He then hit him with several right hands. Later, Moose hit Edwards with a steel chair. Edwards’ wife Alisha Edwards ran to the ring and slapped Moose.
“Moose has turned his back on Eddie,” Mathews screamed. The crowd chanted “you sold out,” like it was the 1990s.
“I am shocked at the behavior of Moose,” said Callis. “This is a tandem that scares the hell out of me and should scare the hell out of everyone at Impact Wrestling.”
Fenix defeated Sami Callihan (w/ Jake and Dave Crist)
They saved the best for first on this week’s show. Fenix lived up to his namesake in this match, hitting a series of high-flying aerial moves that had the crowd on their feet. Both guys worked hard.
The crowd at times chanted “Ohio sucks” at Callihan and the Crist brothers and “This is awesome” after Fenix’s aerial moves.
Fenix hit several impressive aerial moves, including a springboard cutter from on the outside, laying out Callihan on the ramp. He landed a hurricanrana. Callihan also worked his part of the match strong. He plays a great heel — and although he overacts at times, shows good ring psychology.
The Crist brothers tried to interfere, but Pentagon Jr. came out to help his brother, allowing Fenix to hit a spinning Muscle Buster suplex on Callihan for the win, in the show’s highlight.
They showed a long series of vignettes featuring the LAX vs. OGz street fight later in the show and then an advertisement for Chris Jericho’s Rock ‘N’ Wrestling Rager at Sea cruise.
The TNA flashback match this week from 2009 was Team 3D vs. Beer Money Inc. vs. The Main Event Mafia vs. The British Invasion.
Then, in an interview segment, Allie said she was going to defeat Su Yung later in the show for Madison Rayne and Rosemary.
“This is for my soul,” Allie said.
Johnny Impact defeated Jimmy Jacobs by DQ
Don Callis reminded everyone that Jacobs used to be a very good wrestler. Kongo Kong attacked Impact from behind before the match started as Impact was walking to the ring. Kong kicked him in the face and threw him into the ring. Jacobs tried to cover him for the pin, but Impact kicked out.
Kong then ran in and hit Impact, forcing a disqualification. Kong tried to powerbomb Impact, but he slipped out, countering with a DDT on the stage. Impact then hit Jacobs with the steel steps, knocking him out on the stage and leaving his head dangling on the bottom rope.
Scarlett Bordeaux’s “Smokeshow” debuted, and it wasn’t pretty.
Apparently, both Fallah Bahh and KM thought they would be guests on her show and they ran into each other in the hall. They were both carrying wine. Bordeaux ended up interviewing both of them, where KM said he was frustrated with Bahh because he couldn’t control him.
Bordeaux told him to consider a different way and pretended like she was going to kiss him, but then pulled back. KM, in a trance, walked off the set and then Bordeaux slapped Bahh.
Weird segment.
Impact World Champion Austin Aries introduced Killer Kross as his new insurance policy.
Eddie Edwards then came out and hit Aries with a kendo stick. Kross held Edwards down and choked him out. Aries put his foot on Edwards and posed with the belt.
Eli Drake (w/ Caleb Konley and Trevor Lee) defeated Joe Hendry (Grado and Katarina)
Katarina and Hendry are clearly attracted to each other and Grado keeps doing dumb things to push his girlfriend towards Hendry, in this neverending storyline.
Grado messed up again this week, jumping on the apron while Hendry had the upper hand, distracting Hendry. Drake then rolled up Hendry for the pin.
After the match, Grado, Hendry, and Katarina all argued in the ring before Hendry walked out and Katarina followed him.
They showed Matt Sydal meditating on the beach, and a graphic revealed his third eye.
Allie defeated Knockouts Champion Su Yung by DQ in a non-title match
Yung and her undead bridesmaids have a great ring presence. Allie beat up on Yung for most of the match, firing up the crowd, but Tessa Blanchard ran in the ring and hammered on Allie to cause the disqualification. Initially it looked like a double-team, but Yung applied the mandible claw on Blanchard. Allie made the save, hitting a codebreaker on Yung. This seemed to set up a Blanchard vs. Yung match.
They advertised a Sami Callihan vs. Pentagon Jr. Mexican Death Match for next week with the Crist Brothers banned from ringside.
LAX (w/ Konnan) defeated The OGz (w/ King) in a street fight
This was hard to follow, with no commentary for a match that took place in a parking lot. A few weeks ago, The OGz stole LAX’s title belts from ringside without winning them.
LAX took the titles that already belonged to them back after they beat The OGz down in the parking lot. King then went to Konnan and screamed “this isn’t over.” He told Konnan that he was old and needed to be put down, then begged LAX to take Konnan out and side with the new blood. After they refused, King said “I spit on your soul. I spit on your family” to Konnan.
King got on one knee and begged Konnan to hit him, suggesting he was too scared to do it.
Konnan then seemed to hit him in the head, but the show ended, leaving the audience guessing.
Impact Wrestling returned to the Rebel Entertainment Complex in Toronto on Sunday for their first of two nights of television tapings.
Impact tapings —
– X Division Champion Brian Cage defeated Fenix (w/ Pentagon Jr.) to retain his title
oVe and Sami Callihan attacked Fenix and Pentagon after the match until Cage made the save.
– Eddie Edwards came out with a kendo stick. He mentioned being beaten down by Austin Aries and Killer Kross, but he said he’s again looking for a fight and called either of them out or he’s going to come find them. He said a lot of people call him crazy, but he loves what he’s become.
Aries and Kross entered. Edwards punched Aries, Kross took Edwards out, and Aries and Kross beat Edwards down before Moose made the save.
– Kiera Hogan (w/ Allie) defeated Alisha Edwards
Allie said she was proud of Hogan for winning and cut a promo setting up her triple threat Knockouts Championship match against Su Yung and Tessa Blanchard for later.
– Brandon Tidwell & Mr. Atlantis defeated The Cult of Lee (Trevor Lee & Caleb Konley) w/ Eli Drake
Tidwell rolled up Konley for the pin while Lee was distracted outside of the ring.
– Fallah Bahh & KM defeated The Desi Hit Squad
Gama Singh cut a heel promo on Toronto before this started.
– Matt Sydal defeated Zachary Wentz
– Rich Swann defeated Petey Williams
– Eli Drake defeated Brandon Tidwell
Drake got on the mic and mentioned that he never said he was friends with the Cult of Lee. He brought up this being one more test for Tidwell and Mr. Atlantis, then defeated Tidwell quickly after Atlantis was the one to accept his challenge.
– Tessa Blanchard defeated Su Yung (w/ the Undead Bridesmaids) and Allie (w/ Kiera Hogan) in a triple threat match to win the Knockouts Championship
Blanchard rolled up Allie to win the title. Yung will get her rematch against Blanchard at tonight’s tapings.
– A video aired showing that Moose had been attacked by Killer Kross backstage.
– Impact World Champion Austin Aries & Killer Kross vs. Eddie Edwards & Moose
Moose came out with a bandage on his head during the match. He turned heel on Edwards, joining Aries and Kross in beating him down. Alisha Edwards came down and slapped Moose.
– Sami Callihan defeated Pentagon Jr. in a Mexican Death Match
After Pentagon defeated him at Slammiversary XVI, Callihan won their rematch by hitting a top rope piledriver through a table.
