Tessa Blanchard is getting a World Championship shot at Impact Wrestling’s next pay-per-view.
Impact confirmed today that Sami Callihan will defend his World title against Blanchard in the main event of Hard to Kill. The PPV is taking place at The Bomb Factory in Dallas, Texas on Sunday, January 12, 2020.
The match is being promoted as “the first time in professional wrestling that a woman will challenge a man for the top title live on pay-per-view.”
“IMPACT Wrestling has always been a trailblazer in the professional wrestling world, from our Knockouts division to never-before-seen matches like Ultimate X,” Impact executive vice president Scott D’Amore said. “In her short career, Tessa Blanchard has already demonstrated that she is not only one of the best female professional wrestlers in the world, but one of the very best, period. On January 12th, she will get the opportunity to make history when she challenges for the World Championship live on pay-per-view.”
Callihan won the Impact World Championship from Brian Cage in a steel cage match at last month’s television tapings in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
This will be the second PPV that a Callihan vs. Blanchard match has headlined. Callihan defeated Blanchard in the main event of Slammiversary XVII this July, with that show also being held in Dallas.
General admission tickets for Hard to Kill will go on sale on Monday, November 18. Titanium tickets are going on sale next Friday (November 15).
Impact returns from the St. Clair College in Windsor, Ontario, Canada for the first episode in the Sami Callihan world championship reign. Opening video recapped Callihan winning the title, Ace Austin defeating Eddie Edwards in a Street Fight, and Suzie’s debut. Twitter stream was hosted by Melissa Santos. She ran down the show along with the Twitch chat.
Show opened with Callihan and oVe celebrating Callihan’s win in some street with their posse. Callihan took a shot at Jericho’s ‘bubbly’ phrase. Callihan said, that now that he’s champion, they’re taking over everything.
Moose defeated Willie Mack
I thought this was going to be a hoss fight, but Mack went straight for the lucha ranas and reversals, sending Moose to the outside. Mack went for a Tope con Giro and just fell when Moose couldn’t catch him properly, but nonetheless, Moose sold it.
Back in the ring, Mack got a couple of running clotheslines, but Moose came back with a running dropkick to take control of the match. From here on, Moose worked over Mack’s head with punches and stomps. Moose whipped Mack from corner to corner until he hit the Go To Hell for a two count.
Moose started talking trash and smacking Mack, which woke him up, he Mack’d up, and finally came back and started trading chops with Moose. They transitioned into kicks and out of nowhere Mack hit a Stunner and a big lariat. Mack hit the Samoan drop and moonsault combo for a two count.
Mack went for the 6-Star frog splash, but Moose moved away before Mack could go for it. Moose hit the third rope and hit a Superplex on Mack, but couldn’t follow up.
Both men nipped-up, Moose hit the No Jackhammer Needed and took the win. Good opener.
Backstage, Alisha was talking with Alexia Nicole about her date tonight with Ace. She’s heads over to cancel with him, and accidentally walks into Reno Scum and Ace Austin talking about Alisha. Ace Austin said that he’s been ‘banging Alisha for weeks’ (not true) and tonight is the last night since he’s finally done messing with Eddie Edwards. Alisha FINALLY figured out what everyone already knew.
We got the commercial for the next pay-per-view, Hard To Kill, which is confirmed to take place on January 12 from Dallas, TX.
Backstage, Madison Rayne was complaining to Kiera Hogan that she got injured. Taya walked up and started talking fashion-trash about each other’s attire with Rayne. Taya complained that she was left alone last week, to which Madison tried to get herself a title shot, but Taya walked away ignoring her.
Taya walked on and now found Jordynne Grace, who claimed the title shot she deserves from pinning the champion last week. Taya told her she will actually wrestle Madison Rayne after all.
Josh Matthews ran down the card for the Impact Plus special show — Turning Point, this upcoming Saturday. Brian Cage vs Sami Callihan rematch, Jake Crist gets his rematch versus Ace Austin, and Rhino vs Rob Van Dam.
Michael Elgin defeated Fallah Bahh
Match started with both men trading strikes and shoulder tackles. Elgin got some kicks in, but Bahh blocked them and taunted Elgin. Bahh got a couple of chops in and a kick to the gut. Bahh dropped Elgin with a scoop slam and got a one count after a headbutt.
Elgin side stepped Bahh and hit a dropkick to the back of Bahh, went for a huge Suplex, but couldn’t and instead dropped Bahh to the floor. Elgin followed with a baseball slide.
Back in the ring, Elgin hit a springboard footstomp for a one count.
Elgin and Bahh traded chops once again, with the former getting the better of the exchange. Elgin hit a running clothesline to the corner and finally got the suplex on Bahh for a two count.
Back from commercial, both men kept trading strikes and slamming each other into turnbuckles as Bahh was making his comeback. Elgin hit an exploder, but Bahh recovered and hit a desperation crossbody to drop Elgin. Bahh came back with more chops and a clothesline.
Bahh went for another crossbody, but Elgin blocked him, attempted a powerbomb, but doesn’t even come close before Bahh flips him over. Elgin tried to bring over Bahh with a sunset flip, but Bahh simply dropped with the sit-down pin for a two count. Elgin caught Bahh with a knee, superkick, and German suplex, only to get a two count.
Elgin hit a super belly-to-belly on Bahh, but Bahh fired up, only to take a clothesline and a Death Valley driver by Elgin for another one count. Bahh is on fire!
Elgin hit some strikes, but Bahh countered with a Samoan Drop and a running hip attack to the corner. Bahh hit a Rikishi Driver, but Elgin kicked out at two. Bahh went for the second rope Banzai Drop, but Elgin moved away, went to Powerbomb Bahh, but Bahh blocked him. Elgin instead pulled him over the ropes, kicked the injured arm, countered a DVD into a Crossface and finally tapped out Bahh. Awesome showing for Fallah Bahh, I wouldn’t mind seeing him in a Strong Style match one of these days.
Backstage, Ace Austin told Alisha he had great plans for tonight. Alisha told him to skip dinner and just meet her in her hotel room.
oVe arrived to the arena with beer and cake. They made fun of Jimmy Jacobs and Tommy Dreamer as they walked around the hallways. Dreamer had awesome Mantaur T-shirt.
Impact Plus Flashback Moment of the Week was Moose defending the Impact Grand Championship against Naomichi Marufuji. ECIII was on commentary during his happier days.
Gabbi Loren interviewed The North, who said that if they wanted, they’d have any of the championships in Impact. Page told Marufuji to get himself a partner and face them next week. Alexander put the titles on the line.
Ken Shamrock defeated Joey Ryan
Shamrock just wore workout shorts and tennis shoes to the ring, from his mannerisms, he’s not looking forward to dealing with Ryan tonight. Understandable, Ryan started the match by oiling up his chest. Joey Ryan offered Shamrock a handshake, but only gave him a high five.
Match started with a respectful collar and elbow lock up. Shamrock mostly getting the better of Ryan with some arm drags. Shamrock with a shoulder tackle, followed by a sunset flip, transitioned into the ankle lock, but Ryan got the ropes. There was dueling chants of ‘You Still Got it’ and “Touch It’.
Ryan caught Shamrock with a dropkick. Shamrock offered Ryan another handshake, but Ryan pulled his hand to his penis and hit the dick flip. Shamrock, surprised, woke up and went straight for the ankle lock, tapping out Ryan immediately. Let me repeat that — Ken Shamrock took the Dick Flip.
Backstage, oVe walked into the locker room and bullied Aiden Prince with beer. Jake Crist got into Daga’s bag and put on his vest. Daga walked up and stood up for himself. Callihan ordered Crist to give him back his vest, but the offered a spat-up beer. Callihan and Daga got face to face before Swann came in and broke the fight up, pulling Daga away.
Knockout Champion Taya Valkyrie (w/John E. Bravo) defeated Madison Rayne in a non-title match
Taya started the match literally kicking Madison’s butt, and proceeded to toss around Rayne around the ring, dropping her with a dropkick for an early two count. Taya kicked and punched Rayne, even hit the stinkface to mock Rayne.
Taya hit a big backbreaker and stomped around Rayne in the corner. She prepped for the running hip attack, but Rayne finally dodged her and got some strikes in. Rayne locked in a cravate with some kicks and turned the match around.
Back from commercial, Rayne was still in control of the match, but Bravo grabbed her foot, giving Taya the opening to retake the match. Rayne locked in an octopus hold, but Taya countered dropping her like a Celtic cross. Taya and Rayne traded some strikes before Taya landed a big spinning sky high for a two count.
Rayne hit a tornado DDT, but couldn’t follow up with the pin quickly enough. Taya hit a Pop-up Knee to the face for a two count. Taya chased the Road To Valhalla, but Rayne reversed into a roll up, Enzuigiri, and the ripcord cutter, but Bravo interrupted the pin by tossing that toy dog into the ring. The distraction gave Taya the opening to hit a huge knee to the face and the Road To Valhalla for the win. This was far better than I expected and from what we usually get with the Knockouts. I guess you could say that Rayne was kinda dumb for getting distracted by a toy.
After the match, Jordynne Grace walked down. Took out John E. Bravo on the ramp and told Taya that she was next.
Backstage, Gama Singh berated Rohit Raju and Raj Singh for embarrassing him for losing all the time. Raj tried to bring Shera into the conversation, but Gama excused him that at least he looked great at the Rumble. Gama said that Shera has gone to India on a spiritual voyage and will come back stronger. Gama then introduced his new protege — Bhupinder Singh. I love that Gama has an endless flow of talent in his stable.
Somewhere in the Undead Realm, Rosemary was talking to Suzie, blaming her for all the things Su Yung did to her for the last year. Suzie had no idea what Rosemary was talking about. Suzie kept walking and stumbles upon Havok, but also failed to recognize her.
Petey Williams defeated Bhupinder Singh (w/ Desi Hit Squad)
The referee for this match was Cameron, a double leg amputee.
Bhupinder tried jumping Petey before the bell, only for Petey to escape, hit a rana and a dropkick to Singh’s back. Bhupinder rushed Petey, but the latter dodged and sent out Bhupiknder to the outside. Petey went for a springboard rana to the outside, but Singh caught him and powerbombed him into the apron.
Back in the ring, Singh hit a couple of knees and elbows for a two count. Singh hit a backbreaker and followed with a swinging flatliner for a two count. He went for another, but Petey blocked, kicked Singh, hit a Tilt-a-whirl and transitioned out into a low Flatliner.
Petey prepped for the Canadian destroyer, but Singh caught him with a powerslam for a two count. Petey locked in the Sharpshooter and tapped out Bhupinder. I guess Gama will just send him back to India now.
After the match, Bhupinder teased attacking the referee until Petey came for the win. The referee hit a 619 on Bhupinder, followed by a Canadian Destroyer. Petey set him up for the ref Cameron to hit 450 Splash.
Ace Austin arrived at Alisha’s hotel. Alisha told Ace to get comfortable while she did the same in the bathroom. She told Ace to wear a blindfold. Ace immediately undressed down to his underwear and wore the blindfold. For the totally expected swerve, out the bathroom came Eddie Edwards, with really soft hands. Eddie beat up Ace, but when he went for the kendo stick, Alisha said she wanted to do it. Alisha chased off Ace with the Kendo Stick. Eddie and Alisha then refound their love and made out in the hallway. See, this was a lovely “marriage trouble” story that didn’t make anyone feel awkward and disgusted.
Backstage, Johnny Swinger tried to recruit Petey Williams to be his young boy. Petey told him off until oVe came down and berated both Swinger and Petey. Callihan said he was headed to the ring.
Josh Matthews announced for next week that The North defends the tag titles against Marufuji and Eddie Edwards.
Impact World Champion Sami Callihan and oVe came down to the ring. Jake Crist introduced Callihan as the new Impact World Champion. Callihan asked for a standing ovation.
Callihan said that they’ve been partying since last week because he did as he promised he would, and walked out the world champion.
Suddenly, Tommy Dreamer interrupted Callihan. Dreamer said that last week, Callihan ruined Impact’s big debut on AXS by being a bully. Dreamer put over the crowd and the roster for being the real draw of Impact. I partially disagree.
Callihan told Dreamer if he had a problem with him, to get in the ring. Dreamer called out a referee and some friends out. Pretty much the same Inner Circle vs Cody angle, but leading to a match.
Rich Swann, Tommy Dreamer, Daga and Tessa Blanchard defeated oVe (Impact World Champion Sami Callihan, Jake Crist, Dave Crist & Madman Fulton) in a Street Fight
They started the match brawling all around the ring, Tessa went straight for Jake Crist, Daga faced off with Fulton, Swann and Callihan went at it, and Dreamer hit a cutter on Dave Crist on Callihan’s cake.
Back in the ring, Jake Crist superkicked Dreamer and went for a moonsault, but Dreamer blocked him, set him in the tree of woe, and hit a Sliding Dropkick to a chair on Jake’s face. Dreamer bit Crist and went for the DDT onto a chair, but Fulton blocked him and chokeslammed Dreamer into such chair. Fulton hit the End of Days on Dreamer.
Daga came in and hit a tilt-a-whirl DDT on Fulton, top rope Missile Dropkick and sent him out of the ring.
Callihan came in and took out Daga, only to take a rana from Swann, followed by a dropkick, but once again, Callihan sent him packing.
Tessa now got in the ring and got face to face with Callihan. She went forearm strike crazy on Callihan, hit a cutter, sent Callihan to the floor, where she followed with a top rope senton on everyone.
Rich hit the top rope, only to get stopped by Fulton. Tessa somehow saved Swann by powerbombing fulton in a Tower of Doom spot. Daga hit a corkscrew to the outside, taking out most of oVe.
Callihan and Jake Crist took out Tessa in the ring, but ended up taking a double Lethal Injection by Swann. Swann missed a moonsault and Callihan went for the Cactus special, but Swann out of nowhere rolled up Callihan and pinned the champion. Not much of a match, they only had about eight minutes to feature eight people and get Swann to pin the champion, so this was all action and spots.
Final Thoughts —
Enjoyable show, went by fast. Second show after Bound For Glory and they’ve now set up two new title contenders for Taya and Callihan to go forward towards the end of the year. Michael Elgin vs Fallah Bahh is worth going out of your way to watch for sure.
Sami Callihan is the new Impact World champion following tonight’s tapings.
Callihan faced Brian Cage in a steel cage match during the tapings in Windsor, Ontario Canada. The ending had Callihan cut off Cage and deliver a piledriver off the middle rope, pinning him to win the title. This follows their match from Bound For Glory this past Sunday where Cage successfully retained the title against Callihan.
After the match, Tessa Blanchard came out and stared down Callihan, making it clear she wanted a title shot in the future. The two faced each other in the main event of Slammiversary back in July, with Callihan scoring the win.
Brian Cage held the Impact title for 180 days, defeating Johnny Impact back on April 28 at Impact’s Rebellion PPV.
Impact officially starts this Tuesday on AXS TV. A special aired last Tuesday that went over current storylines, while also airing a few exclusive matches.
Impact Wrestling returns from the Sam’s Town Hall and Casino from Las Vegas, Nevada, for tonight’s episode, on the road to Bound For Glory. Opening video took focus on the ongoing story with Eddie Edwards and Ace Austin, The North’s beatdown of Konnan, and the events that led to Brian Cage getting arrested last week.
Twitch stream was hosted by Melissa Santos as usual, she ran down the show and hyped up Bound For Glory, as well as talking about the press conference yesterday.
Ace Austin defeated Eddie Edwards to qualify to the Bound For Glory X-Division title ladder match
Ace Austin made out with some groupies during his entrance. Ace got some more kisses while he had the upper hand during the outside brawls.
Match started with both men going for a strike exchange, which quickly led to Eddie tossing Ace to the outside, hitting a dive, and following him around the ring delivering chops. Eddie crotched Ace on the post, but when he tried to get the match back in the ring, Ace caught him with a kick to get some space.
Eddie went back to the offense and continued to chop Ace in and outside the ring, where Ace managed to snatch a cup with ice and smash it in Eddie’s face, slowing him down.
Back in the ring, it was now Ace that had control, delivering constant kicks to Eddie. Ace’s momentum didn’t last long when Eddie came back with Kobashi-like chops on the corner. Ace caught Eddie with a kick and uppercut in the corner, but Eddie slipped out and dropped him on the turnbuckle. Eddie followed with a super backplex.
Suddenly, out came Reno Scum to the ring, which distracted Eddie enough for Ace to sneak up a two count. Eddie hit a blue thunder bomb for a two count. Ace caught Eddie with a spinning kick for a two count. Eddie finally hit the Boston Knee Party, but Reno Scum pulled the referee to break the count.
Eddie dove on Reno Scum to take them out, but given the chaos, Eddie now went for his kendo stick. Eddie took out both Reno Scum, but lost the stick in the action. Ace hit The Fold, but Eddie kicked out. Thornstowe gave Eddie a piece of metal, which he placed in his armband, hit a hidden blade style strike to Eddie, and pinned him for the win. Good opener, but I’m surprised the finish is not leading to a one-on-one match between these two at Bound For Glory.
After the match, Reno Scum hit a Super Curb Stomp on Eddie, while Ace mocked him. I really wouldn’t mind if these three become a proper stable going forward.
Backstage, Taya is preparing for her match with Havok, when Rosemary walks up to her. Taya pretends she wasn’t looking for her, and tells her that ‘they’ have a problem because she has to fight Havok tonight. Rosemary tells her that life is not fair and she gets to watch. I love their relationship.
The Desi Hit Squad (Mahabali Shera, Rohit Raju & Raj Singh) w/ Gama Singh defeated The Rascalz (Dezmond Xavier, Zachary Wentz & Trey Miguel)
Desi Hit Squad jumped The Rascalz to start the match, eliminated Dezmond and Wentz in order to cut off Trey and focus on him. Miguel tried to fight them off and make a comeback against Rohit, but after dodgin a couple of moves, Raju swept the leg and tagged in Raj.
Raj continued the work over Trey, hitting a deadlift suplex for a two count. Raj and Rohit continued with quick tags and quick pin attempts, a couple of tag moves here and there.
Eventually, Trey managed to take down both Rohit and Raj and tag in Wentz for the hot tag. Wentz and Dezmond both came in and took out Raj with a kick combo, made sure that Shera wouldn’t come in, but when they both went for a dive on all Desi Hit Squad, Shera caught them both with Chokeslams. Trey followed and took out Shera.
Back in the ring, Trey took out Raj. All three Rascalz superkicked Shera, but he wouldn’t go do. Shera took Trey and Xavier down, hit a powerslam on Zachary, and dragged Raj on top of Wentz for the pin. Pretty good match, they’re going strong with Shera again.
It was officially announced that Dr. Wagner’s partners versus The Rascalz are going to be Aerostar and Taurus.
Backstage, Jordynne Grace is working out when Katie Forbes arrives and tells her to park her car. Grace tells her she is going to kick her ass tonight, which Forbes tells Grace that she’s going to need a bigger boot and then started twerking. This is gonna be bad.
Havok (w/ Father James Mitchell) defeated Impact Knockout’s Champion Taya Valkyrie (w/ John E. Bravo) by DQ
As the match was about to start, Tenille Dashwood walked out and joined commentary. Taya berated Havok to start the match, but Havok just went after her and started tossing her around the ring by the hair. Dropped her in the corner with a running splash, followed by running boots, and got a quick two count. Havok hit a Backbreaker, but Bravo distracted Havok, giving Taya the opening to hit a big knee to the face and turn the match around.
Taya hit a couple of running knees for a two count, tried to follow by choking Havok and hitting a couple of elbows, that they did nothing to Havok, who easily came back in control with a kick and another Backbreaker.
Havok now in control again, went for a Superplex, but Taya escaped by climbing the ring post from the floor side, kicked out Havok’s leg, and hit the Footstomp on the Tree of Woe for a two count.
Taya went for Road To Valhalla, but couldn’t keep Havok still, who took her out with a lariat and a Chokeslam, but Bravo pulled the ref and attacked him, causing Kid Ref to DQ Taya.
James Mitchell cornered Bravo, allowing Havok to pull him in the ring and take him out with a Chokeslam. Taya attacked Havok with the title. Tenille went after Taya and they had a terrible brawl that ended with Tenille running off Taya.
oVe cut a video promo saying that what Cage did last week is unacceptable. Fans shouldn’t be getting attacked by animals like Cage. Callihan said that tonight, while Cage is in jail, they take out Tessa and Daga once and for all.
Gabbi Loren interviewed The North backstage, asking if they should be focusing on their BFG match and not Konnan. Page acted like he didn’t know about Konnan. Rich Swann and Mack walked up and said that they’ll take the win at the PPV. Josh Alexander tried to add some fuel to the fire and say that Rhino and RVD are skipping the line while Mack and Swann had to fight to get their shot. Rhino and RVD walked up and said that they’ve been in line for decades.
Stephen Bonnar defeated Moose (w/ Frank Trigg) by DQ
Trigg joined the commentary table, he was really really good.
Moose easily took down Bonnar, messed around with him getting his back, but went to play to the crowd instead of focusing on Bonnar, so the MMA vet came back with a couple of kicks and slammed Moose to the outside. Moose raked Bonnar’s eyes to regain control. Followed with a couple of hooks to the ribs.
Back in the ring, Moose worked over Bonnar, striking him, but he kept mocking him and thus getting distracted, so once again, allowing Bonnar to comeback with a spinning kick.
Moose had to rely again to raking the eyes, but Bonnar kept coming back, now with a Spinerbuster. Bonnar went for a diving rlbow, so Moose desperately tossed the ref to the ropes, tripping Bonnar down, and getting DQ’d in the process. Bonnar was busted open bad over the right eyebrow.
After the match, Moose went to hit Bonnar with a chair, but Ken Shamrock ran down for the save. Shamrock dodged Moose’s chair shot and hit a belly-to-belly. Shamrock locked in the Ankle Lock, tapping out Moose. Bonnar made sure Trigg couldn’t make the save. It may be the shorts, but it looks like Shamrock has been skipping leg day.
Jordynne Grace defeated Katie Forbes
Katie Forbes came out with a pair of those new Kazuchika Okada ‘Rainmaker’ money guns and twerked her way to the ring.
Collar and elbow lock up to start the match, Forbes showed that she had some wrestling skill, but she was no match for Grace. Forbes has added some twerking into her lock reversals.
Jordynne took down Forbes with a shoulder tackle, then with a second rope dropkick, provoking Forbes to leave the ring. Grace went for a dive, but Forbes caught her with a strike as she was crossing the ropes, managing to turn the match.
Forbes went for some chokes and shoulder tackles in the corner, she hit a Handspring Elbow, but then started twerking again, giving Grace the time to recover, wedgie Forbes, and toss her shoulder first into the ringpost, which she followed with a running knee and elbow combo, ending with a Vader Bomb for a two count.
Forbes hit a Tornado DDT for a two count. She mocked Grace, but when she went for a fireman’s carry, Grace escaped, hit Grace Driver, and took the win. This was a lot better than I expected, but then again, I expected something terrible.
Backstage, Johnny Swinger tried hitting on Katie Forbes. She told him she dates RVD, to which he asked if they swing. Jordynne Grace followed and just pushed him down.
Impact Plus Flashback Moment of the Week was Christopher Daniels, Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin, Homicide, Suicide, and Amazing Red in an Ultimate X Match.
Backstage, Daga thanked Tessa for the help, but he can fight his own battles. Tessa told him that tonight they’re teaming, but at Bound For Glory, to each their own.
Backstage, Fallah Bahh was training while TJP is eating doughnuts. Next week, Bahh is wrestling Michael Elgin. Also next week, Rich Swann vs Josh Alexander vs Rhino, Rohit vs Sabu for another X-Division qualifier. Plus a battle royal for the #20 spot for the Call Your Shot Gauntlet at Bound For Glory, which was also announced that the shot won is open to any division, and across them.
Tessa Blanchard & Daga defeated oVe (Jake Crist & Madman Fulton) w/ Dave Crist
Daga and Jake started the match, pushing and slapping each other before Jake asked for Tessa, which was an obvious swerve to tag in Fulton. Tessa and Fulton got face to face.
Tessa went for to hold Fulton, but he just swung her around. Tessa took out Jake with a big tope suicida, but distracted herself from Fulton.
Daga did a blind tag on Tessa and joined her to drop Fulton, but the big man quickly recovered and took out Daga, ramming him to the ring post back first. Fulton hit a huge chokeslam on Daga, who tried to make a comeback, but Fulton kept control and Dave Crist made sure Tessa wasn’t there for the tag.
Daga went for a top rope hurricanrana, but Fulton blocked it and was going for a Powerbomb, but Daga escaped and hit a desperation Cutter. Tessa and Jake both tagged in and Tessa just went crazy on both Crist brothers, getting a two count on Jake after a DDT. Daga and Tessa teamed against Fulton and took him out with an assisted rana, tossing him to the outside, which Daga followed with a corkscrew press. In the ring, Tessa dropped Jake Crist with Magnum for the win. This was an awesome sprint, great stuff, but they had so little time.
After the match, Fulton returned and attacked both Tessa and Daga, hitting a chokeslam on Daga and the End of Days on Tessa.
We got video that Brian Cage had arrived at the arena and he was on his way to the find Callihan and his crew. Cage got to the ring and took out Jake, hit the F-5 on Fulton, and interrogated Dave about Sami, who came out with a chair, but the chair didn’t do anything to Cage, who choked Callihan.
All of oVe ganged up on Cage, allowing Callihan to low blow him a couple of times. oVe handcuffed Cage to the ropes, while Callihan fetched his trusty baseball bat. Melissa Santos came out trying to protect Cage from being hit, and as much as Callihan told her to leave, she didn’t, and ended up taking the Cactus Special in the middle in the ring, as they made Cage watch. Cage screamed for the referees to take her away as oVe posed over her body.
Final Thoughts —
This was a really fun show for Impact, it had some down moments with some of the Knockout matches, but the rest was really packed. Opener and main event matches were fantastic. Everything is heated up for the PPV, as we head to the go-home show next week.
Impact Wrestling comes from St. Clair College in Windsor, Ontario, Canada as the road to Bound for Glory continues. Opening video covered all championship matches from last week and the setups to tonight’s matches.
Twitch stream tonight was hosted by Melissa Santos, who is at the Impact tapings from Fronton Mexico in Mexico City. We had cameos from Ethan Page and Rich Swann.
Moose defeated Fallah Bahh
Bahh has dropped a lot of weight and he was showing a more serious side coming in to this match.
Match started with both men going for the strike exchange. Moose immediately went for the tricks as he tried to step on Bahh’s barefeet and raked the eyes. Moose got control by throwing Bahh to the outside and ramming him against the rails, but Bahh came back with a big running crossbody when Moose started to play to the crowd. Bahh dropped Moose with an over-the-head toss.
Back in the ring, Moose took out Bahh’s knee to regain control of the match. Moose worked over Bahh for a while with stomps and chokes until Moose once again started talking trash, provoking Bahh to hulk up and comeback with a Samoan Drop. Bahh hit a rolling Belly-to-belly for a two count. The exchanced running strikes in the corner before Moose hit a huge Superplex. Moose went for the No Jackhammer Needed, but Bahh dodged it and hit a running hip attack in the corner instead. Bahh went for the Banzai Drop, but Moose got up and hit the NJN for the win. Pretty good opener. Bahh was busted open at the top of the nose, but nothing serious.
Backstage, Dreamer approached Tessa, who told Tommy that she didn’t need his help out there last week. Tommy gave Tessa a history lesson about her grandfather. He told Tessa that he’s not out there because Tully and Magnum asked him to take care of her, but because he believes in her and he wants to stand along Tessa. Good promo, but a bit overdramatic.
We got a video from a forest with Su Yung talking in tongues to her bridesmaids as they carry a coffin with Havok’s name on it.
Josh Mathews and Don Callis ran down the card and announced the Cali Combat special episode for next Friday.
Okay match, it was more of a squash since the story was that Grace was kept caged while Hogan and Rayne worked over Nicole.
The heels started the match getting a cheap shot on Nicole while the referee distracted himself getting Grace out of the ring. After a double team move, Rayne worked over Nicole first, but it didn’t last long as Rayne distracted herself with the crowd and Nicole reversed Rayne’s attack, hit a couple of kicks and a running Meteora for a two count. Rayne managed to push Nicole back to her corner and get Hogan in.
Back from commercial, Rayne and Hogan kept control over Nicole with quick tags, but they started to get frustrated that they couldn’t keep Nicole down for the pin. Nicole finally reversed.
Grace came in and took out both Hogan and Rayne, getting a two count on the latter with a Grace Driver. She quickly tagged in Nicole back again, who pinned the wrong woman in the chaos, allowing Hogan to get rid of Jordynne, leaving Rayne to take out Nicole for the pin.
After the match, Hogan and Rayne teamed up attacking Jordynne until the lights went out and thus returned Rosemary, who speared Rayne and took out Hogan with a Butterfly Suplex.
Kiera Hogan got some “Girl on Water’ chants now that she has blue hair.
Impact Plus Flashback Moment of the Week was the first ever Super X Cup Finals between Chris Sabin and Juventud Guerrera.
Backstage, Alisha Edwards confronted Ace Austin, but Ace made himself the victim saying he didn’t feel safe anymore with Eddie, he said he only wanted to be friends and that he was concerned about her safety too. Alisha’s acting is terrible.
Back from commercial, Ace pretended to had been attacked for Alisha to find him, but unfortunately for him, Eddie also showed up. Eddie was taken away by security and a shouting Alisha.
We got a vignette of Taya walking down Venice Beach with John E. Bravo being a stooge. The stuff with Taya was great, the stuff with Bravo was overly comedic for its own good.
We were getting a card announcement when Josh had breaking news that Rhino and Elgin were brawling outside the building. Elgin rammed Rhino to a truck before getting dragged away from security. Man, this security team is really having a rough night.
Rich Swann, Willie Mack & Rob Van Dam defeated The Rascalz (Dezmond Xavier, Zachary Wentz & Trey Miguel)
All the Rascalz were marking out at RVD before the match, they all wanted to fight him first. This got ‘This is Awesome’ chants before the match even started.
RVD started the match against all three men when they were all taken out with one kick. Mack and Dezmond tagged in and they actually started the match now.
Mack and Swann had control over Dezmond for a while with quick tags and some double team moves. Swann and Dezmond had a nice exchange that lead to the Rascalz gaining control. Now it was time for the Rascalz to do a series of tags and double team moves on Swann, earning Miguel a two count on Swann. Trey Miguel and Rich Swann had another short sequence with reversals, that ended with Swann making a comeback on all three Rascalz.
RVD got the hot tag. He ran over Xavier and Miguel, hit the Split-legged Moonsault on Wentz for a two count. Mack came in illegally and hit the Samoan Drop and Moonsault combo on Wentz, RVD followed with Rolling Thunder, and Swann finished it off with another Moonsault.
Swann setup Wentz for RVD’s Frog Splash, but Miguel took him out, allowing the Rascalz to got for Hot Fire Flame on Swann, now with Mack making the save by pulling Dezmond out of the ring. Miguel hit a Tope Suicida on Mack, leaving Wentz and Swann alone in the ring to get into a great strike-off. Swann won with a great kick combo. RVD finally hit the Five Star Frog Splash, followed by a Phoenix Splash by Swann for the win.
Replace RVD for someone else, and this Swann/Mack vs Rascalz feud could be fantastic.
Melissa Santos interviewed The North. She asked about what is next for them after defeating LAX and The Rascalz. Josh Alexander answered that they’re going to California and taking on all challengers. Next week, they expect competition at Cali Combat. Alexander and Page were awesome here.
Backstage, Rascalz, Swann, and Mack all congratulated each other when Jake Crist came out and teased them all about the X-Division Championship.
The Deaners (Cody Deaner & Cousin Jake) defeated Desi Hit Squad (Rohit Raju & Raj Singh) w/ Gama Singh in a match where the losing team would become the other’s servants
The match started with all four men brawling outside the ring. Deaners took out Rohit early on and hit a couple of double team moves on Raj. Rohit returned to the match and took a gutbuster. Referee tried to get the match in order, sending Cody to the corner, but the distraction allowed the Desi Hit Squad to jump Cousin Jake, but to no avail as the bigger Deaner overpowered them both with a double Suplex.
Back from commercial, Cody Deaner and Rohit Raju are going at it in the ring, with the former getting the better of both Desi Hit Squad members. They’re both sent outside, but as Cody goes for the Tope, Gama grabs his leg from behind. Cousin Jake chases Gama, allowing Raj and Rohit to return and double team Cody and turn the momentum to their side.
Desi Hit Squad kept Cody from his corner with quick tags and occasionally taking out Jake, but after Raj distracted himself with Gama, Cody finally dodged Raj’s running attack and got the tag.
Cousin Jake came in and once again tossed both Raj and Rohit to the outside, with Cody successfully landing the Top this time. Jake followed with a plancha. Jake hit the spear to the corner and a Michinoku Driver for a two count.
Gama once again distracted Jake, allowing Rohit to get a roll up two count. Cody tagged in and set the Time To Give ’Er, but Raj made the save, following with a Rohit Footstomp and Raj Flatliner combo for a two count. Rohit hit a jumping knee and a cannonball on Jake, but failed to land a codebreaker. Deaners then hit the TTG and got the win.
Backstage, Dave Crist told Sami that Fulton is not here, which was Callihan’s plan for tonight’s match. Callihan then cut a promo on Dreamer and Tessa, telling them that they’re taking out Dreamer and that Tessa will never beat Callihan.
Deaners in the back gave the Desi Hit Squad some tools to head over to the farm and start working.
Josh Mathews announced that next week, Rhino vs Elgin takes place. Also, Jake Crist vs Rich Swann for the X-Division title, The North’s open challenge, and a big announcement by Taya Valkyrie concerning the Knockout’s Championship.
Tessa Blanchard & Tommy Dreamer defeated oVe (Sami Callihan & Dave Crist)
Dreamer and Tessa rushed the ring to start the match, sending out both Callihan and Crist to the outside, for Dreamer to land a jumping clothesline and a Sunset Somersault by Tessa.
Back from commercial, Tessa is brawling with Dave outside the ring, Dreamer with Callihan inside the ring. Tessa sneaks up on Callihan, who offers Tessa a handshake, but Tessa rejects it and goes after Sami. Tessa and Dreamer take out Crist, hit Callihan with a double elbow, but before they can follow up, Dreamer is sent to the outside where Callihan hits a Scoop Slam and successfully cut the ring in half on him. Several quick tags between Callihan and Crist, going after Dreamer’s arm.
Dreamer lands a desperation kick and elbow on Crist, but fails to tag Tessa when Sami pulls Tessa off the apron. Dreamer gets another shot with a double bionic elbow and Tessa gets tagged.
Tessa comes in and hits the DDT and Neckbreaker combo on both Callihan and Crist. Tessa lands the corner Magnum on Crist for a two count when Callihan takes out the referee. Tessa and Dreamer hit DDTs on both oVe members to a two count when a second referee comes out. Tessa and Dreamer go for Cactus Specials, but Callihan and Crist low blow their opponents, with only Dreamer getting taken out, but it’s enough distraction for Callihan to return with a kendo stick and take out Tessa. As they go to take out Dreamer, Tessa recovers, takes the kendo stick, sends Callihan to the floor, and hits Magnum on Dave Crist for the pin.
Tessa and Dreamer celebrate in the ring as the show goes off the air.
Final Thoughts —
Okay show, not exactly newsworthy, but the action inside the ring was solid. They sold next week’s episode as a big event that will transition to the Mexico set of tapings.
– Ahead of a number one contender’s match to determine the next challenger for the title, Josh Mathews hyped up Jake Crist winning the X-Division Championship last week.
Aiden Prince defeated Zachary Wentz, Rohit Raju, Chuck Mambo, Cody Deaner, and Petey Williams
Williams and Prince ate a big dive from Wentz. Don Callis talked about Wentz and The Rascalz being on the cutting edge — but instead, Wentz was on the end of a Williams hesitation dropkick against the rope. Williams got a Sharpshooter and Raju got a crossface, but it was just a transitional spot here.
Williams teased a dive, but Deaner put the Canadian flag on him like a cape and they both dove on the heels.
Raju also teased doing a dive but denied it before letting the fans know where they can shove it. Wentz dove on the pile, and Prince landed an Asai moonsault to the pile as well. Mambo hit a standing 450 on them all.
Deaner hit a big running lariat to Raju before Prince chopped away at Mambo. Williams got a tilt-a-whirl Russian leg sweep and hit the Canadian Destroyer on Wentz. Raju went to steal the pin, but Deaner nixed that. Raju hit a helluva kick, but he missed a cannonball and Deaner hit a DDT.
Mambo went for a GTS, but Prince hit a brainbuster and a 450 for the win. For a match with a ton of guys who aren’t usually on the show, most of the folks here got over with the crowd in just one match.
– Sami Callihan said that Jake Crist brought gold to oVe. Callihan wanted to see the X-Division title, but Jake told oVe he’ll knock them out if they try to take it. Jake said the title is the greatest thing to ever happen to him, even putting it over his wife and kids.
Callihan said that now it’s time to let the Madman out of his cage to face Tessa Blanchard later — basically turning Fulton into a modernized version of what Abyss was at the start of his TNA run.
– Rich Swann talked to Blanchard about how unwise it is to face Fulton and he’s worried because Fulton is tall, crazy, and has oVe on his side. Blanchard said she appreciates the help, but she wants to do it on her own. Blanchard as a babyface is odd to me.
– John E. Bravo came out to Taya Valkyrie’s theme and threw streamers for himself.
Jessicka Havok defeated John E. Bravo
Callis buried Bravo for dressing like Josh Mathews before Bravo took his shirt off and got kneed in the face. Havok hit a corner avalanche and got her eyes raked, but she beat Bravo quickly with a chokeslam.
– A creepy Su Yung video aired with her somewhat speaking in tongues.
– Josh Alexander told Ethan Page that the Tag Team titles prove that they’re the best in the world. Page calmed Alexander down and said they debuted in Windsor, won the titles, and they’ve done everything they set out to do. Alexander said he’s ready for them to go down in the history books as the best team in Impact history.
– Stone Rockwell came down and thanked the fans. Callis buried him on commentary. Ace Austin entered, with Callis saying that Austin calls himself “Ace” because that’s the top spot in Japan.
Ace Austin defeated Stone Rockwell
Rockwell got a slam and an atomic noogie. He caught Austin on a dive and went for a pose, so Austin just kneed him in the head. Austin hit a series of chops and kicks but ate a fallaway slam into an Irish Curse backbreaker. Austin hit Black Out, then The Fold ended it.
Rockwell is great as a modern-day Bushwhacker-style act. Austin feels like a guy who would be best-built in AEW as he isn’t even in the main X-Division title picture.
After the match, Eddie Edwards came out and attacked Austin for going after his wife Alisha.
– Madison Rayne walked up to Tessa Blanchard and disingenuously said that, as the locker room leader, she congratulates Blanchard on breaking down barriers and shattering glass ceilings. Blanchard didn’t buy her BS and told her she doesn’t have time for it. When Blanchard walked away, Rayne hoped for her demise.
– A tremendous video package aired hyping up the history of the Knockouts and how the division has made history and will change it.
– With some terrible acting, Alisha got pissed at Eddie Edwards for defending her honor.
– Stone Rockwell was still down about 15 minutes after the match. He was then laid out by Moose, who cut a promo calling himself a five star athlete. To Callis’ joy, Moose went for Rockwell’s eye. A slimmer Fallah Bahh then came down and Moose insulted him.
Fallah Bahh defeated Moose
Moose, who wasn’t wearing his wrestling gear, went for a spear, but Bahh sidestepped it and avalanched him. Bahh hit a hip attack in the corner and then a Banzai Drop to win. Well, this sure didn’t help Moose. It somewhat helped Bahh, but it still felt kind of random.
– Blanchard taped up to face Fulton next.
– Moose said that wasn’t a match and no one signed it. He then threatened Bahh.
Tessa Blanchard vs. Madman Fulton ended in a no contest
Callis made a great point about Blanchard losing to Sami Callihan being something that has led to her trying to prove herself here. That one loss had great meaning and still has importance now.
Blanchard ran wild with all kinds of strikes. They registered, but Fulton didn’t sell them. He caught Blanchard off of a Magnum and hit a deadlift chokeslam. Fulton tried to get an oVe chant going, but he got met with “no!” before Blanchard got tossed around.
Blanchard gave Fulton the thumbs down before Fulton got the Brock Lock bear hug and ragdolled her. Blanchard pulled out one of his dreadlocks, so Fulton bear hug slammed her. He went for a PRIDE stomp, but Blanchard evaded and hit a tornado DDT.
Blanchard slugged him and hit a running forearm, but she then ate a big boot. Sami Callihan grabbed a chair and wanted death, but Tommy Dreamer made the save.
Callihan lariated Dreamer down and went for a chokeslam, but Fulton ate a ton of kendo stick shots from Blanchard and they send Fulton packing. Other than Fulton selling for Dreamer in 2019, this was great stuff.
– Michael Elgin talked about Rhino attacking him — not the X-Division Champion and not the World Champion, but he went after the big dog. Elgin said he doesn’t know how it was in WWE. He knows Rhino was a man-beast before, but he doesn’t compare to Elgin.
– Kiera Hogan bullied a new wrestler. Madison Rayne asked who the new girl was and was mad that she didn’t introduce herself. Rayne again called herself the locker room leader before we got more catty bickering. This is the worst of what this division has been before — and it undercuts the video package hyping up the division and the entire push of Blanchard breaking down barriers.
– The Impact Plus Flashback Moment of the Week was The Young Bucks facing The Motor City Machine Guns for the Tag Team titles at Bound for Glory 2010.
– Jimmy Jacobs traveled to Brian Cage’s home to get an update on Cage’s health. Melissa Santos answered the door and said that they just want privacy. Jacobs saw Cage and wanted answers, but Santos wanted more privacy and said she’ll answer his questions next week.
Impact Tag Team Champions The North (Josh Alexander & Ethan Page) defeated The Rascalz (Dezmond Xavier & Trey Miguel) to retain their titles
Alexander forearmed Miguel down to start. Miguel did a pose and got clubbed in the back before landing a pop-up rana and a 450 rana to Page. Xavier hit a somersault senton for two before each Rascal hit a pair of short-stopping swantons for two.
Alexander held onto Page to prevent an O’Connor roll, then Alexander hit an apron powerslam. Alexander backflipped off of both North guys to tag in Miguel. He ran wild on both Alexander and Page.
Alexander got two off a Blue Thunder Bomb. Miguel went for a desperation tag, but Xavier was knocked down. He then got back up for stereo tags. Xavier wheelbarrowed Alexander into Page in the corner.
Alexander ate a boatload of kicks and a basement double stomp for two. Page caught Xavier off the apron, powerslammed him on the floor, and apron powerbombed Miguel. Alexander landed a big backbreaker for two and got an ankle lock.
A head-trap superkick led to a 619 from Miguel that was countered by Alexander into a backbreaker/powerbomb for two. The North hit their back suplex/powerslam combo for 2.9 before Xavier broke it up.
Things broke down into a forearm exchange, so Alexander took his elbow pad off and knocked down Miguel before he ate a ton of Kobashi machine gun chops. Alexander hit a double shoulder-mount powerslam on the Rascalz for 2.9!
Alexander slammed the Rascalz on each other, but then missed a moonsault. The Rascalz hit a pair of uppercuts in the corner to Alexander and a head-trap superkick and double 619s to him. Miguel landed a meteora off the top before Xavier hit a crazy flip dive onto him for two.
Xavier hit a crazy low-pe to Page, with Page almost losing him completely and Xavier almost sliding right off of him. Miguel got a jackknife cradle for two.
The North hit a wheelbarrow cutter into a wheelbarrow German and a wacky double Dominator for the win. Alexander & Page as tag champs is a great role for them at this point — they are a hell of a working team even if they aren’t the most bombastic team in the world.
– Backstage, Ortiz attacked The North before they choked him with a cable. Daga then made the save for Ortiz. Good stuff overall. They teased that Konnan was trying to force Ortiz & Daga to be a team and now with this, it shows that Daga is at least willing to be on Ortiz’s side for mutual gain and doesn’t want him to get injured going into a title match.
Impact Wrestling continues with the fallout of Slammiversary and the Mash-Up tournament. This week’s episode kicks off the St. Clair College set of tapings from Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Twitch stream was hosted by Melissa Santos.
Opening video had a different feel from the usual opening video, this one had classical music, with quick cuts to an orchestra. It built three of tonight’s matches and the fallout of Tessa and Callihan heading into a number one contendership match at Unbreakable a week from tonight.
Jordynne Grace defeated Kiera Hogan
Before the match can start, Madison Rayne came down and joined the commentary table.
Match started with both women rushing at each other, they exchanged some strikes and tackles that ended with Grace in the floor taking a suicide dive from Hogan, but Hogan blocked it and hit a Belly-to-belly on the floor. Grace went for a Apron-slam, but Kiera escaped, kicked her off, and hit a second Suicide dive. This one was a bit ugly when Hogan went head first into the guardrail.
Back in the ring, Hogan got a two count and started working over Grace with kicks and chokes. Jordynne nailed Hogan with a big right to the jaw, but Hogan came back with a couple herself. Hogan hit her running hip attack combo to the corner. Hogan went for a Monkey Flip, but Jordynne finally blocked her, overpowered her, and dropped her with a powerbomb.
Jordynne hit the Grace Driver for a two count. Grace kept the offense, but Hogan kept dodging with desperation strikes to get some distance. Hogan finally caught Grace’s arm on the ropes and got the chance to hit three running dropkicks to the corner for a big near fall.Hogan delivered a big kick to the back of the head and went for a neckbreaker, but Jordynne blocked it and hit the Vader Bomb for another big near fall. Jordynne went for the Grace Driver once again, but Hogan escaped and hit a superkick to once again send Grace to the floor. On the floor, Grace delivered an Electric Chair drop, teasing the countout. Grace made the count, but Madison had to help Hogan in the ring.
Back in the ring, Grace pinned Hogan with the O’Connor Roll into the European Clutch. Really good match by these women, Kiera Hogan has improved so much.
– Brian Cage cut a promo from the locker room. He said that tonight, he’s going to send Elgin to the hospital in the street fight main event.
– Taya and Rosemary talked about their match at Slammiversary. Taya told Rosemary that Havok won’t stop following her and she needs Rosemary’s help. Rosemary said there is no deal because they’re contract ended at the pay-per-view unless Taya were to offer her the championship. Johnny Bravo said he’ll take care of it.
– Sami Callihan came down to the ring and called out Tessa Blanchard. Callihan said that he originally thought that wrestling Tessa was going to be easy, but he was wrong and Tessa showed that she had fire and heart. He said that they earned the right to fight one more time for the No. 1 contendership spot at the Impact World title. He said that he is a hero for giving Tessa equality, not like other people that wouldn’t give Tessa the credit. He said that there is no intergender wrestling, it’s just professional wrestling, and told Tessa that he respects her.
Sami Callihan offered a handshake, but told her that next week, there is no respect. They shook hands professionally, but Callihan slapped Tessa’s behind and called her ‘toots’. Tessa didn’t let go of the handshake and in return, beat up Callihan, dropping him with the Magnum.
– oVe talked plans backstage. Callihan berated the team for not backing him, but Dave reminded Callihan he told them to stay backstage. Callihan addressed Tessa, telling her that he tried to be a good guy, but Tessa sucker punched him and has now infuriated him. He said Tessa takes on Madman Fulton next week.
Moose defeated Ray Steel
Moose overpowered Steel from the get go, blocked the Irish whip, picked him up, dropped him on the ropes, and hit No Jackhammer Needed for the win. Total squash.
After the match, Moose cut a promo saying that he sees things clearer now and he has realized that the only way to get a title shot is not not be loyal to this company. He said that all the former champions are now gone, yet he, who has been there for years, who calls himself Mr. Impact, has nothing. Instead he gets a local jobber. Moose went to Apron-bomb Steel before walking out.
– Johnny Bravo found Havoc and told her to leave Taya alone, pretty much offering his body instead. Havoc beat him up and so Bravo ran away shouting they’ll do this the hard way then. Bravo is hilarious in his own way.
– We got a video package of The North defending their championship titles at Slammiversary. They made no reference of Santana’s injury, making it seem like a strong win for the team.
– The Rascalz were at their Treehouse talking about how last week was really weird. They talked that the weird thing was another team being added to their Slammiversary match. Dezmond told them that they have a match against The North next week. Once again, they argued about who would be the team, but this time, Wentz offered his spot because he’s going to a Jonas Brothers concert with Gail Kim, who made a cameo. The North vs Dezmond and Trey Miguel for the titles next week.
– Impact Plus Flashback of the Week was James Storm vs Bobby Roode Street Fight at Bound For Glory 2012.
– Melissa Santos interviewed Kiera Hogan about losing tonight. Madison Rayne came out talking trash, but they both just ended up dissing Santos instead.
– Backstage, Ace Austin tried to do magic tricks to Alisha Edwards, trying to invite her out for dinner. He got rejected. Another woman walked up to him, but Austin said that he’s not into single women.
Rob Van Dam defeated Willie Mack
Given that Willie Mack calls his Frog Splash the 6-star Frog Splash, it took forever to get to this match. Most of RVD’s promos when he returned were about people trying to imitate him and he being here to show how things are done.
Match started with a collar and elbow tie up that was followed by a shoulder tackle by Mack and a consequent spinning kick by RVD. They exchanged a couple more locks until Mack hit a big Wheel kick, dropping RVD. Mack copied RVD’s taunt.
They went for more headlocks and a Jr. Heavyweight sequence of reversals and counters that ended in a standoff. They exchanged forearms before the match spilled to the outside. RVD slammed Mack into the ring post and hit a rolling senton from the apron on Mack.
Back in the ring, Mack hit a running elbow and kick combo, followed with the cannonball to the corner, and ended with the Samoan Drop and Moonsault combo for a two count. Mack rushed the corner, but RVD dodged and kicked Mack down. RVD hit the Split-legged Moonsault, but Mack got his knees up. Mack hit a Backstabber for another two count.
RVD hit a springboard kick and a top rope senton for a two count. RVD followed with some running lariats, superkick, and the Rolling Thunder, but Mack countered the pin for a near fall. Mack hit a desperation cutter to get some space. The exchanged strikes once again, but Mack hit an Exploder. Mack went for the 6-Star Frog Splash, but RVD moved out of the way and scissored Mack for a two count. RVD kicked Mack and hit the 5-Star Frog Splash for the win. Long match, it felt slow at points, making RVD look old, but overall an ok performance.
– Ace Austin tried to do the ‘put your hand in the box’ trick, he even took his hands off the box. Stone Rockwell interrupted him.
– LAX talked backstage. Konnan told Ortiz that he’s been drinking too much. Ortiz told him that he has too much in his mind, he wants revenge on The North. Konnan told him to not let his emotions get in the way. Konnan told Ortiz that Daga is taking Santana’s place for now. Ortiz rejected the idea and walked out. Happy to see Daga back on Impact.
– Santos interviewed Michael Elgin about tonight’s match with Cage. He said that both Cage and Impact management are stupid for allowing him to use weapons when he’s already been dangerous without them. He said that Cage needs to focus on him and not his fiancee.
Jake Crist defeated Rich Swann to become the NEW X-Division Champion.
This match comes from Jake Crist pinning Rich Swann at last week’s Mash-Up Tournament.
Side headlock takedown from Crist to start the match. Swann and Crist exchange a couple of reversals fighting for control. Crist maintained neck control for a good amount of time, always regaining it after Swann would escape. Swann would get control until he sent Crist outside and followed with a Twisting dive.
Dave Crist interfered behind the referee’s back, but Swann took him out with a superkick, yet unfortunately, it was enough of a distraction for Jake to hit a Tope Suicida.
Back from commercial, Jake Crist is working over Swann in the corner, with constant interference of Dave Crist. Jake locked in a modified Koji Clutch for a submission tease, but Swann managed punch himself out. Jake locked in a Camel Clutch, but Swann once again escaped, only to take a superkick, knocking him down to the corner. Jake rushed the corner, but Swann caught him with a kick and hit a big clothesline to finally get some momentum.
Swann hit a couple of strikes and a kick combo for a two count.
Both men traded kicks before Jake Crist hit a DVD for a two count. Jake hit a huge powerslam into the buckles for another near fall. They traded forearms in the middle of the ring until Swann got a Spinning kick in and went for the Macho Man Diving Elbow for a two count. Swan went for a Phoenix Splash, but Jake cut him off, hit a Superplex and neckbreaker for a two count. Jake got yet another with a Sunset Flip.
They traded kicks until Swann finally got the Phoenix Splash, but Dave Crist helped his brother put his leg on the ropes. Swann went after Dave, which ended with Swann hitting a double Os Cutter on the Crists. Fulton came down tossing Swann into Crist’s Cutter. Jake Crist hit another cutter and pinned Rich Swann to win the X-Division Championship! This was a great match. Jake Crist had been an underrated talent for so long.
– Backstage, Jake Crist told Sami that he won, only for Sami to tell him that ‘they’ did it. Sami said he was proud until he accidentally said that he did what Sami wasn’t able to do. Jake Crist said he wants to be called the ‘Golden Draw’. Sami was just incredibly annoyed by Tessa and wasn’t happy for his friend.
Brian Cage vs Michael Elgin Never Started.
Brian Cage didn’t come out during his entrance; he instead dragged himself to the ramp and out behind him was Michael Elgin with a chair. Elgin hit Cage with the chair as they approached the ring.
Finally in the ring, Elgin choked out Cage and called out for a mic. Elgin talked trash about this match not being non-title, proving that Cage was weak, and so tonight he is going to break the machine again.
Elgin continued torturing Cage with a one man Con-chair-to. Security came out, but Elgin took them all out. They were actually big dudes. Once he cleared the ring, he set up Cage for a kill shot. Melissa Santos came out trying to stop Elgin but suddenly the masked man from Slammiversary came out. He went for the Gore only to be met by Elgin’s chair.
A second masked man came out and unmasked, revealing Rhino, who Gored Elgin before heading to the crowd to celebrate. Wait, so who was the other masked man?
Final Thoughts:
Great show by Impact. It was really strong inside the ring, and the storylines building towards Unbreakable were solid.
Next week, Tessa battles Madman Fulton, plus The Rascalz challenge for the tag team championships against The North.
Impact returns from the Melrose Ballroom in Queens, NY, as they continue the build towards Slammiversary, just nine nights away. Opening video featured the build up to Tessa Blanchard vs Sami Calliahn at the pay-per-view, the backstage angle between Eddie Edwards and Killer Kross, the announcement of the Knockout’s Monster’s Ball match, and the return of TJP and Brian Cage.
Twitch stream was hosted by Melissa Santos. She hyped up all of the matches being built for Slammiversary.
The North (Ethan Page & Josh Alexander) defeated The Deaners (Cody Deaner & Cousin Jake)
Jake and Alexander start the match with the latter having the technical advantage, while Jake had the strength advantage, earning him control early on. Deaners kept control over both Page and Alexander with quick tags and a couple of tag team moves, earning a two count on Page.
Page turned the match around on Cousin Jake. They went for a double piledriver, but Jake outpowered them, escaped, and got Cody the tag, who took out Page with a dive. Inside the ring, Josh Alexander took out Jake with a running crossbody.
For a second time in the match, the North gained control, this time over Cody, cutting the ring in half on him with quick tags and power moves. Cody made a comeback with a desperation Swinging Neckbreaker to get the tag to Cousin Jake, who ran wild over both Page and Alexander. Deaner tagged in and hit a Flying Headbutt for a near fall. Jake hit the corner spear and the Dearners went for their finisher, but Page interrupted them. Alexander and Jake traded strikes, Alexander hit a deadlift German, but Jake stood up and hit a desperation lariat for a two count. Cody hit a Deaner DDT and went for top rope move, but Page blocked him, North hit the tag finisher, and picked up the win. Pretty good opener, the Deaners are better than they get credit for.
Josh Alexander got busted open over the nose early in the match, he already had the cut, so he just reopened the wound.
– Taya and Rosemary met in Rosemary’s lair to plan for tonight’s match. Taya is arguing that she doesn’t want to be there. Rosemary tells her to just keep her word that if Rosemary protects her, she’ll get a shot at the Knockout’s title. Really great interaction between the two.
– Rolando Menendez interviewed Brian Cage’s doctor, who said that Cage’s actions last week were irresponsible as he is still not cleared to return to action.
– We got footage from a House of Hardcore show where Moose attacked Tommy Dreamer, blaming RVD for the attack.
– Commentary announced that Killer Kross will face Eddie Edwards at Slammiversary in a First Blood Match.
Knockout’s Champion Taya Valkyrie & Rosemary defeated Su Yung & Havok by DQ
Rosemary and Taya start arguing over who starts the match, but on the other side, Havok attacks them both. She took focus on Taya, making quick work of her with chokes and backbreakers before tagging in Su Yung. Taya made a small comeback, but failed to tag in Rosemary and kept getting worked on, eating the turnbuckle by a Spiderrana by Yung, who immediately went for the Mandible Claw, except Havok tagged herself in and shouted at Yung.
Taya finally managed to escape from Havok, doding a Banzai Drop, and tagged in Rosemary. She went with lariats against Havok, but failed with each one, until she changed her offense into a Slingblade instead. Rosemary to Havok down with a dropkick to the knee and locked in a Last Chancery, but Yung broke it up.
Rosemary sent Havok to the outside and went for a dive, but Havok blocked her with a forearm as she was coming down. Rosemary and Havok started brawling outside the ring. Havok grabbed a chair, but Rosemary dodged. Su Yung took down Rosemary with the chair for the DQ loss.
Taya and Su Yung brawled inside the ring with Yung locking in the Claw on the champion, while Rosemary and Havok brawled outside. Rosemary took out Havok and speared Yung, keeping her promise to protect Taya, but she got distracted, leaving Havok to pick up chairs. Havok returned to the ring and went for Rosemary, but now it was Taya that made the save, and took out Havok with a chair. Rosemary brought out thumbtacks. Taya and Rosemary teased dropping Yung on the tacks, but Havok stopped them. There was some miscommunication with Havok and Yung and it led to Havok wanting to chokeslam Yung, but James Mitchell ran down to break up the fight. Match wasn’t much, but the post-match angle was good.
– Melissa Santos interviewed Ace Austin about his first loss. Austin said that he lost because he couldn’t prepare for someone he wasn’t even in the company prior to last week. TJP interrupted him, took some shots at 205 Live, and said that they can have another match next week so Ace has time to properly prepare.
– The Deaners recovered at a bar and talked about their loss. They were interrupted by the Desi Hit Squad, who made fun of them.
– Impact Plus Moment of the Week was the Mixed Tag Monster’s Ball from Slammiversary 2009 between Taylor Wilde and Abyss vs Raven and Daffney.
– Eddie Edwards was in a church in Boston, MA. He confesses that he has lost everything and he doesn’t care because the voice in his head keeps telling him to do bad things. Suddenly, Kross is there, who teases Eddie, but they agree to not fight inside the church. Kross’s wardrobe makes him look like part of the Deaners now. I miss black suit Killer Kross.
– Backstage, Johnny Bravo is showing off to the other refs and staff. The refs call him a stooge and make fun of him. He talks trash about Rich Swann, who shows up, along with Johnny Impact, as they get into a pull apart. Swann challenges Impact to a tag match between Swann and Mack vs Johnny Impact and Bravo, who accepts in behalf of Impact.
Sami Callihan (w/Madman Fulton) defeated Fallah Bahh (w/Scarlett Bordeaux)
Callihan tried to jump Bahh, but Fallah Bahh was ready for him and started the match hitting a flurry of strikes instead. Callihan tried to chop Bahh, but it didn’t work and Bahh kept the offense. It wasn’t until Fulton tripped Bahh, that Sami got the opening to drop Bahh with a Lariat. The referee ejected Fulton to the back.
Bahh had time to recover and get back in the offensive with some clotheslines, but Sami tricked Bahh and dropped him again. We got the visual of Callihan’s snot drooling out.
Callihan kept control with stomps and sleepers. Bahh eventually powered up and made a comeback, dropped Sami with a Belly-to-belly and followed with a running splash and running hip attack on the corner. Bahh hit a Samoan Drop and went for the Banzai Drop, but Callihan got out of the ring.
Bahh chased Callihan to the outside, bringing him back the hard way. Bahh went to suplex Sami to the outside, but Callihan bit him, got a couple of kicks in, and a rope assisted Cactus Special for the win. Decent match for the time it got. Bahh has improved a lot after losing weight.
After the match, Callihan cut a promo. He said that the Knockouts are not created equal and tried to hijack the show until the fans would stay quiet. He called out Tessa, who took no time to come out.
Callihan told Tessa that she won’t do anything to him because he is a man and he IS Impact Wrestling. Sami said that if Tessa wanted to be treated like an equal, he would oblige, and superkicked Tessa. Callihan kept talking, giving Tessa the time to recover, get up, and take down Callihan. The rest of oVe came out and held Tessa, allowing Callihan to take out Tessa with the bat and deliver the Cactus Special after Tessa spat on him. Pretty strong angle, this is going to be controversial. Even in defeat, Tessa looked incredibly strong.
LAX and Rascalz face off in the center of the ring, allowing Laredo Kid to start the match hitting a flying crossbody on all of the Rascalz, sending them to the outside, set up for Santana to take them out with a tope con giro. Inside the ring, Kid and Trey exchanged a series of counters, with Kid getting the upper hand with a couple of kicks and ranas. With everyone outside, Laredo Kid hit a moonsault to the outside as he and LAX gain control of the match.
Back from commercial, Trey Miguel is being worked on with a series of team moves by all three men opposite his corner. After some chaos with all six men in the ring, Trey gets the tag to Dezmond, who gets a quick pin attempt on Ortiz after Wentz took out Kid and Santana with a huge dive.
Santana came in and ran wild over Trey Miguel with a kick and a Death Valley Driver. Wentz takes him out, and followed one after the other taking each other down until they all laid on the mat to chants of ‘Fight Forever’.
All six men traded strikes in the ring, ending with LAX getting the upper hand with super kicks. Laredo Kid hit a 450 over all three Rascalz stacked up for a two count. LAX and Kid went for a team move on Trey, but Dez and Wentz blocked them and hit a kick combo on Ortiz instead, setting him up for a Meterora by Trey for the win.
Another incredible match between these two teams. Their Slammiversary match has a big change of stealing the show.
– Melissa Santos interviewed Madison Rayne about defeating Jordynne Grace. Madison said that win was soured by Kiera Hogan’s interference and offered Grace a rematch. Hogan interrupted her and said that all the Knockouts are ‘selfish bitches’, except she doesn’t mind accepting she is. Rayne challenged Hogan to a match.
– Back at the Treehouse, Rascalz recovered, but argued that Trey won’t be at the tag match in Slammiversary, leading to a discussion about what the pair at the pay-per-view. They agree to a 3-way match next week with the loser being out of Slammiversary. This is going to be great.
Also for next week, we have the TJP vs Ace Austin rematch, Johnny Impact and Johnny Bravo vs Rich Swann and Willie Mack, and Madison Rayne vs Kiera Hogan.
– Rolando Menendez tried to interview Cage as he came in to the building. Cage’s doctor told him that he wasn’t cleared, so Cage just picked him up and got him out of his way.
Brian Cage came out to the ring and addressed Michael Elgin. He said that it’s taken him 14 years to claim his position as World Champion, but Elgin took away his biggest win from him and sent him to the hospital. He said that he was injured at that time, but he is ready and it won’t happen again.
Impact’s team doctor came out and told Cage that he is not cleared to compete. Cage hit an F-5 on the doctor. Elgin then jumped Cage from behind, he hit the Buckle Bomb and Elgin Bomb combination for a visual 3-count. Elgin posed with the World title. Cage showed signs of not being done, so Elgin hit a second Elgin Bomb and went for a table this time around. Elgin hit a powerbomb from the ring to the table outside on the floor. Crazy spot given Cage’s real injury a couple of months ago.
Don Callis told Elgin to leave, provoking Elgin to attack Callis with a forearm. Elgin went for an Elgin Bomb on Callis, but Cage stood up with a neck brace, ripped it off, got in the ring, and brawled with Elgin to close off the show.
Final thoughts —
This was a really packed show, both inside and outside the ring. Just like last weekend, this could have been a really strong go-home show, yet we still have one more week to go before the pay-per-view. If anything else, the angles tonight really escalated some of the ongoing feuds.
Impact Wrestling has officially announced an intergender match for Slammiversary XVII.
Tessa Blanchard vs. Sami Callihan is set for Slammiversary. The pay-per-view is taking place at Gilley’s Dallas in Dallas, Texas on Sunday, July 7.
Blanchard vs. Callihan was set up when Callihan challenged Blanchard to a one-on-one match at Slammiversary on last week’s episode of Impact. Blanchard tweeted out a video today accepting the challenge and saying that she’ll see Callihan in Dallas.
Blanchard defeated Callihan’s oVe stablemate Jake Crist in a match that aired on last Friday’s Impact.
The night before Slammiversary, the American Airlines Center in Dallas is hosting the opening night of this year’s NJPW G1 Climax. WWE Raw is also taking place at the American Airlines Center next Monday.
Here’s the updated card for Slammiversary:
Impact World Champion Brian Cage defending against Michael Elgin
X-Division Champion Rich Swann defending against Johnny Impact
Knockouts Champion Taya Valkyrie defending against Su Yung, Jessicka Havok, and Rosemary in a Monster’s Ball match
Impact Tag Team Champions LAX (Santana & Ortiz) defending against The Rascalz (two of Dezmond Xavier, Zachary Wentz & Trey Miguel)
Impact Wrestling returns from Sam’s Town Hotel and Gambling Hall in Las Vegas, Nevada. Opening video recapped the state of all ongoing championship feuds as well as the angle between Scarlet Bordeaux and Disco Inferno setting up their match for the Against All Odds special episode.
Twitch stream tonight was hosted by Melissa Santos with a cameo from Don Callis. Alisha Edwards was the special guest for the post-show interview.
oVe (Sami Callihan, Jake Crist, Dave Crist) defeated Rich Swann, Willie Mack, & Tommy Dreamer
Match started with the babyfaces clearing the ring. Dreamer and Callihan went at it first, with Callihan getting the better of Dreamer with a few strikes, but as soon as he tagged in Jake Crist, Dreamer caught him and tagged in Swann. The babyfaces proceeded to punish Jake Crist for a bit with quick tags and wrist control. Eventually, Dreamer got too funny and gave Jake enough time to recover and turn the match around.
Willie Mack got the hot tag and took out both Crist brothers. Mack hit a Samoan Drop and Moonsault combo on Callihan before tagging in Swann, who hit a Rolling Thunder. Dreamer came in again and did some comedy trying to do a nip up. Mack hit a Corkscrew Plancha on oVe, followed by a Phoenix Splash to the outside, and to a big pop, Dreamer hit a rolling senton from the apron.
Back from commercial, oVe had turned the match around, now with Callihan choking out Swann with a sleeper. Jake and Dave came in and out with quick pin attempts and submissions on all of Swann’s limbs. Eventually, Swann managed to escape Dave Crist and tag in Dreamer for another hot tag, taking out Jake and Dave with atomic elbows. Callihan spit on Dreamer, who lived up to his ‘hardcore’ nickname actually eating Callihan’s spit.
All men came in and hit their finisher, ending with all of oVe taking out Dreamer with several clotheslines. Dreamer dodged them to set up Willie Mack’s cannonball on all three. Mack and Swann hit stereo Frog Splashes on Dave and Jake respectively, while Dreamer hit his on Callihan. When Dreamer went to finish Callihan with the DVD, Callihan recovered, did a Groin Claw and hit the piledriver to pin Dreamer. Good match, quick paced, Dreamer’s comedy felt out of place, since Swann and Callihan’s feud is pretty heated.
Backstage, Johnny and Taya are in their locker room, Cage comes up and asks if Johnny is ready for tonight. Johnny simply responds to Cage that he’s the one that needs to be ready.
We got a video package recapping the story between Brian Cage and Johnny Impact up until last week. Good production here.
The Rascalz did their smokeout round table. They talked about losing to the Lucha Brothers. Moose appeared out of nowhere and asked about where the smoke was coming from, he started talking about Melissa Santos, and it all led to all Rascalz just laughing about Moose. All Rascalz got beat up by Moose in a comedic way.
Glenn Gilbertti came out to the ring. He talked trash to Scarlett Bordeaux before asking for competition for an exhibition of skills.
“Disco Inferno” Glenn Gilbertti defeated Kikutaro
Match started with both men doing a series of reversals and counters, not at the level of the X-Division, but the basics were all there. Kikutaro ended with the upper hand and mocked Disco by dancing. Kikutaro kept making fun of Disco until Gilbertti got mad and took out Kikutaro with a clothesline. Gilbertti punished Kikutaro, whipping him to all corners until Kikutaro just dropped. Gilbertti hit a neckbreaker for a two count. Gilbertti hit a Russian Leg Sweep and hit the Village People’s Elbow, but Kikutaro got out of the way.
Kikutaro made a comeback hitting a Dragon Screw and a Shining Wizard for a two count. Kikutaro went for a moonsault, but Disco dodged, hit a Stunner, and picked up the win. This was actually well wrestled and a lot more competitive than you would imagine.
Backstage, Rolando Melendez interview Taya Valkyrie. Rolando asked about the Tessa Blanchard vs Jordynne Grace match tonight for the Knockout’s No 1 contendership spot, but she said that she was more worried about Johnny’s health and match tonight.
Fallah Bahh & KM defeated Reno Scum
Bahh and KM actually came out ready for business and were met on the ramp by Reno Scum for a small brawl before starting the match. Reno Scum took out Bahh before getting in the ring where they worked over KM as the match started. Lester The Legend and Thornstowe beat down KM with a series of strikes and quick tags. The beatdown went on for several minutes, with KM having a couple of hope spots, but Bahh was still down. Eventually, Bahh made it to the apron and got the hot tag, taking down both Scum guys with running splashes to the corner.
Bahh hit a Samoan Drop on Thornstowe for a two count. Fallah hit a body-to-body suplex to pick up the win over Thornstowe after KM had taken out Lester The Legend. Quick match, felt like a reverse squash match since Bahh’s comeback was so short at the end. Reno Scum lost their second match since returning, so let’s see where that goes.
Backstage, Konnan met up with Pentagon and Fenix. He said that he told them he wanted a date for a rematch, but Pentagon was tired of getting bossed around by Konnan and mocked him with the Cero Miedo sign instead. They walked out while Konnan shouted at them.
Back from commercial, Santana and Ortiz were talking about their rematch before Konnan came in and told them that Pentagon and Fenix were going to pay for disrespecting them. Konnan said he didn’t have the rematch yet, but he wanted a Street Fight.
Jordynne Grace defeated Tessa Blanchard in a Knockout’s Championship No. 1 Contendership Match
They started locking in and challenging each other with shoulder tackles with Jordynne easily won and gained control of the match. Grace hit a Stalling Jackhammer for at two count. Jordynne tossed Tessa around the ring with huge whips, provoking Tessa to use the ref to shield herself from Grace, and using the distraction to cheap shot Grace to get some momentum back.
Tessa worked on Jordynne’s head with forearms and slaps. Tessa hit the draping codebreaker fo a near fall. Tessa unloaded on Jordynne with a series of strikes, but got distracted with the ref as usual, allowing Grace to recover and hit a huge Spinebuster.
Back from commercial, both women are going back and forward in a striking contest. Jordynne keeps going for scoop slams, getting a two count with one that looked more like a Michinoku Driver. Jordynne went for the Muscle Buster, but Tessa got free and dropped her with a DDT. Tessa once again got distracted shouting at the ref, giving Grace enough time to recover and tossing her with a Press Slam. Jordynne Grace hit the Grace Driver and pinned Tessa for the win. This match was great for the time it got. These two need to get more time at a PPV one day.
After the match, Tessa attacked the referee. Tessa had a meltdown in the ring. Attacked the ring bell keeper, she was beating up this kid pretty bad until Gail Kim came out for the save. Tessa went to attack Gail Kim, but Gail caught her and ran her off the ring instead.
We got a great commercial for Impact and company’s United We Stand show on April 4th. They also announced that Impact will be taping from the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia on May 3rd and 4th.
Backstage, Scott D’Amore checked on Tessa Blanchard, who only berated D’Amore claiming that he allowed to be attacked by an official. Gail Kim confronted them both, and D’Amore actually backed up Tessa Blanchard’s claim and suspended Gail Kim for a week for attacking an active competitor. D’Amore’s wording actually works great to push Gail Kim back into the active roster.
GWN Flashback Moment of the Week, voted by the Twitch fans, was Sting vs RVD from 2010’s Slammiversary PPV.
From an undisclosed location, Rosemary had Dark Allie chained up and they talked about Allie losing her soul, in a way, recapping their story by conversation. Allie was trying push Dark Allie’s buttons while Rosemary kept interrogating her about the real Allie’s whereabouts.
Callihan cut a promo on the oVe Cam. Callihan said that he gave Swann the opportunity of a lifetime when he asked him to join oVe, and instead, Swann messed everything up. Callihan said that starting next week, Calliahn will take everything from Swann’s life, and he will start with the X-Division championship.
Eli Drake & Eddie Edwards defeated Desi Hit Squad (Rohit Raju & Raj Singh) w/Gama Singh
Raj and Eddie started the match with the former getting the early upper hand due to his size, but Eddie quickly turned it around. Eli Drake came in and also got overpowered by Raj, but once Rohit Raju came in, his speed wasn’t enough to control Drake, who took him down with a Swinging Neckbreaker.
Eddie Edwards came in and worked over Raju, but Raj jumped in with the blind tag and blindsided Eddie. Raj worked on Eddie’s neck for a bit. Desi Hit Squad did some double team moves on Eddie while Raju kept teasing Eli Drake in the corner. Raju hit a big cannonball on Eddie and Eli Drake finally got tired of Raju’s antics and jumped in, took out both Desi Hit Squad members, tossed Kenny to Eddie, who used it on Rohit Raju to pick up the win. Ok match, it was short. After the match, Drake told Eddie Edwards to think about teaming more.
Back from commercial, Johnny’s entrance theme came up for his main event, but he wasn’t coming out, instead, out came Killer Kross carrying Johnny’s unconscious body and a cinder block. Killer Kross attacked a group of security guards that tried to stop him. Seems like Kross is keeping this promise from last week.
Kross set up Johnny’s head against the cinderblock and was going to smash Johnny’s head in, but Taya brought out Cage with her. Taya went to cover Johnny with her body as Cage just watched from the ramp. Taya attacked Killer Kross, but didn’t do anything to him, and finally, before Kross could hurt Taya, Brian Cage came to the aid of Johnny and Taya, taking out Killer Kross with a chair.
Taya thanked Brian Cage, but out of nowhere, she low blowed Cage as Johnny nipped up like nothing. He took off his neck brace and attacked Brian Cage!
Johnny hit a Shining Wizard, and now it was him setting up the cinder block against Cage’s head. Johnny slammed the cinder block, which didn’t break. Outside the ring, Killer Kross looked on with a huge smile on his face as Johnny and Taya posed over Cage’s body as the show went off.
Good strong show, big storyline developments with all the championships and a big heel turn by both the world champion and the Knockout’s champion. Wrestling-wise, Tessa Blanchard vs Jordynne Grace was great for the time it got, with the rest of the matches being ok.
Impact returned this week with their “Uncaged” special episode. This was the final show from last month’s tapings at Fronton Mexico in Mexico City.
Tonight’s Twitch stream was hosted by “Disco Inferno” Glenn Gilbertti and Melissa Santos live from the Las Vegas tapings. They answered questions, interviewed several wrestlers throughout the show, and talked to some of the people involved with the NFL Las Vegas Alumni affiliation.
After the show, they featured each of the main event’s competitors doing post-match thoughts. Impact is really making great use of Twitch, having an open time slot, and having live contact with fans.
Knockouts Champion Taya Valkyrie defeated Tessa Blanchard in a street fight to retain her title
Blanchard came out wearing, according to Don Callis, an original Four Horsemen T-shirt from one of Tully Blanchard’s street fights. Valkyrie came out with a Perros del Mal T-shirt and sporting face paint that looked more like Rey Bucanero than anything else. There was a huge board in the ring with Wera Loca vs. Diamond spray painted on it.
Blanchard tried to attack Valkyrie with a chair on the ramp during Valkyrie’s entrance, but Valkyrie was ready for her, took her down, and beat her up back into the ring. Blanchard set up a chair in the corner and they did a few spots trying to ram each other on the chair.
Valkyrie went after Blanchard’s back with kicks before throwing Blanchard to the outside. Valkyrie went for a tope suicida, but Blanchard caught her with a chair. Blanchard started to beat up Valkyrie, throwing her to the ring post and barricades. Blanchard hit a huge running dropkick to Valkyrie that found herself between the barricade and a chair.
Valkyrie made a small comeback using a cooking plate. Blanchard put a chair around Valkyrie’s neck and rammed her into the ring post — just like Killer Kross did to Johnny Impact a month ago.
Back in the ring, Blanchard choked out Valkyrie with an electrical cord. The cord went around her face, looking a lot more painful than if it had been the neck. Blanchard ripped the Perros del Mal shirt to huge boos by the fans. Blanchard went for a spear, but Valkyrie dodged and Blanchard flew into the chair that was previously set up in the corner.
Valkyrie made a bigger comeback this time. She started throwing Blanchard around the ring, connected with a few clotheslines, and hit the running meteora to the corner. Valkyrie set up the cooking pan between Blanchard’s legs and hit it with a chair.
Blanchard woke up a bit and took down Valkyrie with a chair for a two count. Blanchard started to bring more weapons into the ring. She climbed to the top rope, but Valkyrie caught her with a chair and hit a dangerous looking Samoan drop onto the chairs.
Back from commercial, both were going at it trading forearms. They even did the sit-down strike off, slapping each other back and forth. Valkyrie got the final shot for a two count.
Blanchard speared Valkyrie into the board that was in the corner, but it didn’t break. They went for a second one — and it still didn’t break. It just looked brutal. Blanchard got a two count from both spears.
Blanchard then went to get a table from under the ring. She went to foot stomp Valkyrie’s head on the table, but Valkyrie recovered, threw Blanchard to the outside, and followed with a top rope crossbody.
Back in the ring, Valkyrie set up Blanchard on the table and hit a top rope foot stomp for the pin.
This was a straight up fight. All the spots looked brutal — more than they usually do in other street fights. Great opener.
The GWN Flashback Moment of the Week (as voted by the Twitch viewers) was Dezmond Xavier vs. Taiji Ishimori from the Super X Cup finals at Destination X 2017. Fun match.
Team Impact was interviewed by Melissa Santos. Sami Callihan proclaimed himself as the leader of the team, then Fallah Bahh did some comedy and Eddie Edwards and Callihan almost restarted their rivalry. Eli Drake cut a great promo actually hyping up the team and getting them all together.
Willie Mack defeated Ethan Page
This was a slow, okay match — nothing special to it. They started by chasing each other around the corner — where Mack did a headstand on the top rope, swerving Page, taking him down with a kick, and getting control of the match.
Mack hit a few chops and an actual nipple-twister. Page swept Mack and hit a DDT to turn the match. Now it was Page that got a few chops in. He went for a suplex, but Mack countered with one of his own.
Page hit a second rope enzuigiri for a two count. Mack hit a running cannonball and a Samoan drop/moonsault combination for a two count. Mack went for the stunner, but Page countered with a kick and a suplex for another two count. Mack finally hit the stunner and got the win.
Killer Kross cut a promo telling Johnny Impact that he will need a miracle to win tonight — because if he’s not focused, Kross will take him out and take his championship. Great short promo.
The camera turned, and we saw Mack walk to the locker room. Dave and Jake Crist followed him in and closed the door.
Team AAA was interviewed by Santos. Psycho Clown cut a promo hyping up the team, saying that this is their territory and they will win tonight. Puma King said that this goes beyond AAA — this one is for Mexico.
Sami Callihan came out to the ring. Callihan cut a promo, addressing Rich Swann. He said that everything that Swann said in last week’s interview was “fake news.” Callihan said that for the last few weeks, he’s been offering Swann a chance to join their group, but he gets rejected over and over. He called out Swann.
Callihan told Swann that if their relationship means anything to Swann, he will come out and accept the offer.
Swann came out and rejected once again. Callihan attacked Swann with the microphone. Swann made a small comeback and hit a Phoenix Splash to the outside.
They brawled around ringside and up to the ramp — where Callihan dropped Swann with a piledriver. He then tossed Swann off the ramp onto a table. Good angle — this is surely going all the way to Impact’s Rebellion PPV in April.
Team AAA (Psycho Clown, Hijo del Vikingo, Puma King & Aerostar) defeated Team Impact (Sami Callihan, Eli Drake, Eddie Edwards & Fallah Bahh) in an elimination match to win the World Cup
Callihan and Psycho started the match striking. Callihan had the upper hand until Psycho hit a plancha from the top rope. Aerostar got tagged in and hit a few tornillos and a wacky looking codebreaker on Callihan.
Drake came in and fought Aerostar with some great looking power moves. Hijo del Vikingo then got tagged in. Drake went for the same moves on him, but Vikingo turned a pop-up powerslam into a DDT.
Edwards came in and paired up with Vikingo for a bit before Puma King came in. Puma hit Edwards with a delayed vertical suplex. Edwards hit a backpack stunner and tagged in Bahh. Finally, Bahh and Puma did some lucha teases before the match broke down with all eight men in the ring — where they started brawling.
Team AAA cleared the ring until Drake and Callihan attacked them from behind to keep the brawl going outside the ring.
Psycho hit a tope con giro on Callihan and Bahh. Puma King hit a springboard plancha. Aerostar hit a double-jump plancha, Bahh hit a plancha from the apron, and — finally — Hijo del Vikingo hit an impressive Imploding 450 to the outside. Vikingo went for another one, but Drake cut him off and tossed him on top of everyone.
Back in the ring, Edwards had his kendo stick. Drake took it from him, and as he was about to use it on Puma King, Edwards took the stick from Drake. Amid all this distraction, Puma King pinned Drake with a wacky pin to eliminate him from the match.
Back from commercial, Callihan was working over Puma King. Bahh and Vikingo tagged in, with Vikingo doing speed spots, dodging Bahh, and hitting Callihan with a springboard codebreaker. Vikingo hit a running double knee on Edwards in the corner, but after that great sequence, Bahh caught Vikingo in mid-air and dropped him with a slam for the elimination.
Aerostar came in, but Bahh cut him off with a crossbody. As Bahh went for the Banzai Drop, Aerostar dodged him and used the momentum to roll Bahh up for the elimination.
Callihan and Edwards were left for Impact. Aerostar hit a cutter on Edwards, but he couldn’t follow up on a plancha. Edwards dodged and hit the Boston Knee Party to eliminate Aerostar.
Puma King and Callihan went at it. Callihan hit a powerbomb, V-Trigger, and a piledriver to eliminate Puma King.
Psycho Clown took on both Edwards and Callihan. He initially managed to get some momentum, but the numbers game got to him. Edwards hit the Boston Knee Party, but Callihan threw Edwards out, trying to steal the pin. Psycho kicked out and rolled up Callihan to eliminate him.
The final two were Edwards and Psycho Clown. Psycho hit a big tope suicida. But back in the ring, Edwards capitalized and hit a powerbomb for a two count. Psycho hit a couple of kicks and a Slice Bread Number Two for two.
Edwards hit a few clotheslines, but suddenly, Drake came out with Edwards’ kendo stick and hit him with it, giving Psycho the opening to pin Edwards with La Magistral to give Team AAA the win.
Overall, the match had some good parts with Puma King and Hijo del Vikingo, but it was one of those where the eliminations just happen one after the other because there’s not enough time to properly build any of them.
We got a vignette for the return of Reno Scum in two weeks.
We also got a video recapping the saga between Lucha Bros and LAX, going all the way to the title change from last week. We then got a skit from LAX’s clubhouse with Konnan yelling at Santana and Ortiz for losing the titles. Konnan told them that he is going to get them a rematch, but it’s the last time they face each other, win, lose, or draw.
Allie and Su Yung were talking somewhere in the basement. Allie’s voice has changed. She said that Rosemary is playing mind games. Rosemary crept around the shadows and then disappeared.
Scarlett Bordeaux cut a promo from her hotel room where she was barely waking up.
Impact World Champion Johnny Impact defeated Brian Cage, Moose, and Killer Kross to retain his title
The match started with all four men trading strikes. Johnny took out Moose with a dive. Cage tossed Kross outside and followed with a tope con giro himself. Cage and Johnny went at it in the ring, with Johnny hitting a shining wizard on Cage before Kross and Moose once again got in the ring and double teamed Johnny with a double powerslam.
It was quite early, but they already got the dissension spot between Moose and Kross out of the way with Moose going for the pin on Johnny.
Moose and Kross hit a double powerbomb on Cage, but Moose then tried to roll up Kross from behind. Kross hit a Saito suplex on Moose. Johnny recovered and took out everyone, but he got kicked low by Moose to cut him off. Moose kicked Cage and Kross, then dropped Johnny with a Go to Hell for a two count.
Cage recovered, hitting a Centipede German on Moose and Kross. He brought in Johnny with a deadlift suplex from the apron to the ring. Cage went for the discus lariat, but Kross dodged and hit a Saito suplex on him. All four traded strikes and took each other out. The crowd chanted “Impact Wrestling.”
Johnny made it to his feet first. There was a Tower of Doom spot with Kross as the base and Johnny on top. Kross locked in an armbreaker on Johnny. Moose applied a figure four on Johnny as well, but then Cage went for a dragon sleeper on Kross, breaking the submission chain.
Kross took down both Cage and Johnny in the corner, then hit Moose with a Doomsday Saito. Johnny connected with a springboard kick on Kross for a two count. He went for Starship Pain, but Moose cut him off and hit a senton for a two count.
Moose went for the Game Changer on Cage but got countered with a jumping knee. Cage hit the Drill Claw on Moose for a two count when Kross broke it up. Kross hit a Doomsday Saito on Cage, but Cage fired up and hit a discus lariat.
The finish saw Johnny hit the Starship Pain on one corner on Moose, while Cage hit the Drill Claw on Kross on the other corner of the ring. Johnny went for the pin first, so when the ref counted to three, Johnny got the win instead of Cage.
Overall, a good main event — it was really action packed. The last minutes of the match were really good.
This was a good show — these special episodes are usually good inside the ring. It felt like a mid-season finale heading into the Rebellion PPV, with several storylines escalating into proper feuds, and potentially ending the Taya Valkyrie vs. Tessa Blanchard program.
Next week, Impact returns to Sam’s Town Live in Las Vegas, Nevada with Scarlett Bordeaux’s debut.
The cold open focused on all of the currently announced matches for Homecoming and the debut of The Rascalz, which seems to have garnered more buzz than expected.
Jake Crist (w/ oVe) defeated Willie Mack in an Ultimate X qualifying match
Good opener. The match started with Willie Mack overpowering Crist and using his athleticism to take the early upper hand. Mack got distracted when Sami Callihan grabbed his foot as Mack was running the ropes, allowing Crist to cut off Mack’s dive attempt and get control of the match.
Crist mostly went for quick chokes, distracting the referee every now and then so Callihan could get some cheap shots on Mack. After a few minutes, Mack finally made a comeback by catching Crist with a big lariat, a pop-up forearm, and a Codebreaker for a near fall.
Mack went for a top rope move, but Crist cut him off and went to hit a superplex, only for Mack to counter and hit an ugly looking sunset flip powerbomb — Crist pretty much landed on his head. He managed to get up and hit a superkick to level out Mack, who followed with an exploder to the turnbuckle for a two count.
Mack placed Crist in the tree of woe and went for a Coast to Coast, but he got stopped by the distraction of oVe. That gave Crist the opportunity to hit a top rope cutter for the win. Jake Crist qualifies for Homecoming’s Ultimate X match.
Back from commercial, Tessa Blanchard cut a promo saying that Taya Valkyrie is nothing more than Johnny Impact’s wife because she doesn’t have the Knockouts Championship. Blanchard said that Valkyrie only has Johnny, but she has Mr. Impact Wrestling himself — Moose. Moose cut a promo too, saying he sent Eddie Edwards to a mental hospital, and tonight he defeats Johnny Impact. Good work by both.
Dark Allie (w/ Su Yung) defeated Heather Monroe
Monroe went for the attack early on, hit a flurry of forearms, elbows, and went for a quick pin, only for Dark Allie to kick out at one and hit a backstabber to cut her off. Allie started her offense with strikes on the mat and stomped and choked Monroe against the ropes. When Monroe tried to make a comeback, Dark Allie simply stopped her and stayed on the offensive. Allie hit a neckbreaker and a senton for a two count.
The finish saw Monroe dodge a superkick, only to catch a second one, followed by a Codebreaker, and Allie finally picked up the win. This was somewhat sloppy and longer than it needed to be.
After the pin, Dark Allie put on Su Yung’s dirty glove and locked in the Mandible Claw on Monroe until Kiera Hogan came down for the save. Hogan tried to talk some sense into Dark Allie, only to be taken out with a forearm by Allie. Su Yung joined the attack, and Dark Allie finished Hogan off with a Codebreaker.
Back from commercial, Willie Mack and Rich Swann were talking about oVe interfering in Mack’s match. Swann doesn’t want to start a war with oVe and talked Mack out of doing so too. Swann asked Mack to back him up next week as he takes on Dave Crist in another Ultimate X qualifying match.
The Desi Hit Squad (Rohit Raju & Raj Singh w/ Gama Singh) defeated Damien Drake & Manny Lemons
Raj Singh started the match against Drake, overpowering him and forcing him to tag Lemons, who is somewhat bigger and made a stand against Singh, only to be overpowered too. Drake came in — and once again got overpowered and taken out with a knee version of the Doomsday Device.
The Desi Hit Squad continued with the double team as they stomped Drake in the corner, making quick tags. Lemons came in without a tag, but he got taken out with a series of rolling cannonballs in the corner. The finish saw the Desi Hit Squad win with a fireman’s carry and jumping knee combination. This was an okay squash.
Backstage, Matt Sydal and Ethan Page were getting ready. Sydal was sharing his teachings, pushing Page to open his third eye. Page was doing curls instead and blowed off Sydal, telling him that he needs to get ready too.
Back from commercial, Katarina was being interviewed by McKenzie Mitchell. Katarina talked about Jordynne Grace coming in and using her to try and get over. She warned Grace that when someone crosses Katarina, they disappear, just like Grado and Joe Hendry got taken out by Murder Clown. She introduced Ruby Raze as her new enforcer.
The GWN Flashback Moment of the Week was Chris Sabin cashing in Option C and winning the World title from Bully Ray at 2013’s Destination X.
McKenzie Mitchell was waiting outside the Impact offices, waiting for Eli Drake to come out. Drake has an invitation from Abyss to a Monster’s Ball match for Homecoming, and Drake was complaining to Impact office that a piece of paper is not how a match should become official, but he will take on the challenge and make an example out of Abyss.
Back from commercial, The Rascalz were doing their That 70’s Show skit, but this time, Scarlett Bordeaux was with them, telling them that she was impressed with their match last week. She then suddenly disappeared into smoke.
Ethan Page defeated Matt Sydal in an Ultimate X qualifying match
This started with both men doing a series of locks and reversals, with Page showing that he has learned Sydal’s style and coming to a stalemate. As Page started getting the upper hand, Sydal got more aggressive, showing that he hasn’t taught Page everything that he knows. That prompted Page’s aggressive side to also come out. Both started going back and forth, with Page using his strength advantage and Sydal using his speed and superior technical expertise.
Sydal took Page down with a jumping kick and started his offense, taking out one of Page’s legs and targeting the head, earning a two count after a running knee to the corner. Page made a comeback as he caught Sydal’s plancha into a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker out of nowhere. Page got a near fall after a big boot and hit a cutter on the apron, with both men landing on the floor.
Back from commercial, we found both men chopping each other. Page got the advantage and set Sydal on the corner, only to be countered. Sydal took down Page with a hurricanrana. Sydal started to chase the Shooting Star Press, but Page managed to cut him off and hit a Swanton Bomb for a near fall.
They started trading quick roll-ups and reversals until Page managed to keep Sydal down on one of those for the three count and qualify for Ultimate X. After the match, Sydal put over Page.
We jumped to Shady Acres Psychiatric Hospital with Eddie Edwards playing chess with Raven! Edwards was going crazier saying that he doesn’t belong here, that everyone says he takes things too far, but Raven told him that he hasn’t gone far enough and he shouldn’t allow Alisha or anyone to decide how far he takes his actions.
Raven got Edwards a keycard in order to escape and told him that he owes him one as Edwards ran off.
Back from commercial, Pentagon Jr. and Fenix were backstage and were met by LAX and Konnan, who told them to keep it friendly, even bringing up Daniel Cormier and Cain Velasquez not fighting because they’re in the same camp. He asked both teams that they promise to keep it friendly, but they were already starting to talk about who the best tag team is, and as usual, Pentagon got in people’s faces with his Cero Miedo taunt, causing Konnan to get mad and storm off.
McKenzie Mitchell interviewed Johnny Impact and Taya Valkyrie. Impact said that he is preparing for Homecoming, but tonight he has to take on Moose, and it’s a special night since it’s the first time he and Valkyrie are tagging together. Valkyrie said that tonight, Tessa Blanchard gets a small taste of what La Wera Loca is bringing to Homecoming.
Impact World Champion Johnny Impact & Taya Valkyrie defeated Moose & Knockouts Champion Tessa Blanchard
Impact and Moose started the match, with Johnny getting the upper hand and forcing Moose to run to Blanchard and tag her. The women came in, with Valkyrie working a lucha style and also getting the upper hand until both Moose and Blanchard found themselves outside the ring and taken out by Impact and Valkyrie’s synchronized assault.
Back in the ring, Impact and Valkyrie got distracted playing to the crowd, allowing Moose and Blanchard to attack them and toss them outside the ring.
Back from commercial, Blanchard had control over Valkyrie, working her back with a series of kicks and running knees and taunting Impact to “save her.” Moose tagged in and pretended to attack Valkyrie, but because of the mixed tag rules, he only cheap shotted Impact and tagged in Blanchard again.
Blanchard locked in a really painful looking submission. She started chasing the Hammerlock DDT, but Valkyrie countered, dodged a spear launching Blanchard into the post, and Valkyrie finally made the hot tag to Impact.
Impact came in and ran wild on Moose, hitting a standing Shooting Star Press for a two count. Impact started to chase Starship Pain, but Moose dodged and they began trading kicks. Impact countered a Go to Hell with a rana, but Moose came back with a senton for a near fall, and as he tried to follow with a spear, Impact dodged and hit a neckbreaker, but he was too close to the ropes for the pin.
Blanchard and Valkyrie got tagged in, with Valkyrie controlling the action this time. Blanchard hit a ripcord cutter out of nowhere for a two count and once again looked for the hammerlock DDT. She got countered on and taken out with a German suplex pin by Valkyrie, but Moose pulled the referee out of the ring to stop the count.
Impact dove on Moose, leaving Blanchard open for Valkyrie to hit a curb stomp and lock in an STF for the submission win.
After the match, Moose hit Impact with a spear. Valkyrie got distracted with Moose, allowing Blanchard to hit her from behind. Killer Kross came down, and as Blanchard was about to hit Valkyrie with a chair, Kross stopped her, grabbing the chair off her hands. Brian Cage ran down and took out everyone, sending them away. Cage helped Valkyrie up — and Impact and Cage ended the show by getting in each other’s face.
Overall, this was a fun show for Impact, particularly strong inside the ring and escalating the ongoing stories towards Homecoming. Next week, Moose takes on Cage and Santana faces Fenix. And in the last two Ultimate X qualifiers, Trey Miguel debuts against Trevor Lee and Rich Swann takes on Dave Crist.
This week’s show dragged with too many pre-taped backstage segments promoting next week’s special Final Hour episode. The show’s opener highlighted an otherwise drab Impact.
Rich Swann defeated Willie Mack
The match began with a choreographed sequence where Mack tried to do the same aerial moves as Swann. At 285 pounds, Mack moves impressively. He’s not as agile or smooth as Swann, but he comes close. After the opening spot, Mack started with a series of power moves to slow down the pace of the match. Mack hit a running vertical suplex and threw a heavy frying pan chop that knocked Swann down.
Mack went coast-to-coast with a dropkick from one side of the ring to the other on Swann, who was tied up in the turnbuckle. Mack hit a cutter after throwing him up in the air and catching him. Mack got the crowd going with a “This is awesome” chant. After Mack gassed, Swann hit a 360 splash off the top rope leading to a near fall.
Mack rallied and hit a butt bomb in the corner on Swann, then a standing moonsault for a near fall. Mack tried for the pin again after hitting a cutter, but Swann got a leg on the rope.
Mack went to the top rope and missed a frog splash. Swann then hit a phoenix splash (that was slightly botched when his knee hit Mack’s head) for the win.
Commentators Josh Mathews and Don Callis hyped up the quality of the match. “We’re basically starting with main events now, who’s booking this stuff?” Callis said.
We got an Ohio Versus Everyone promo where Sami Callihan tried to bait Brian Cage to meet him for a fight in Ohio.
We then got another long analysis segment with Mathews and Callis.
The Desi Hit Squad (Raj Singh & Rohit Raju) defeated The Beach Bums
Beach Bum member TJ Crawford started the match by simulating a surfing motion. This was a squash match. Raju hit a knee while Sing held one of the Beach Bums up on his shoulders in a Samoan drop position. This is the new version of the Desi Hit Squad, with Raju and Gama Singh’s son, Raj Singh.
We got another pre-taped segment with the OGz walking around the city trying to act like gang members. The segment was filmed in black and white. Then they cut to LAX and Konnan at a bar drinking. If Impact doesn’t survive its current ratings slump, it might be because of these months-long pre-taped segments.
There was another pre-taped segment with Moose talking about how Eddie Edwards wasn’t a true friend. They were hyping next week’s “Final Hour” episode and a match between Moose and Edwards.
Then there was a Rockstar Wrestling pre-taped segment in Ohio where oVe and Callihan challenged a guy that they introduced as Brian Cage, but he clearly was not. Callihan berated the guy for being “15 pounds lighter” than the last time he saw him.
This was basically the Shawn Michaels vs. Bret Hart little person segment from 1997. Callihan pinned the guy quickly after some help from Dave and Jake Crist. Callihan then introduced himself as the new X-Division Champion, in an odd segment. Since it was Ohio, the crowd, those who understood what was happening, cheered for Callihan.
Another — another — backstage segment, Eli Drake encountered Joseph Park. Park tried to take a selfie with Drake. Drake asked Park if he was a real attorney and Park said he was still certified as a lawyer in seven states. He suggested Drake should join a class-action lawsuit to sue Impact Wrestling. Drake walked away and called Park his catchphrase, Dummy.
Another backstage segment.
The Desi Hit Squad was gathering. Gama Singh was explaining to Raju that with his guidance and tag teaming with his son, the team would be successful. Scarlett Bordeaux, who is playing the role of Missy Hyatt in the 1980s, was there.
Gama Singh started singing to Bordeaux and Raju tried to embarrass him, telling Bordeaux that he is a 65-year-old man who is happily married. Singh said “that’s not true.” Bordeaux said to Singh “Aren’t you from India? That’s where they invented the Kama Sutra.”
Singh responded, “of course.”
Bordeaux told him she is holding a talent search and that Singh should send her a video of the Kama Sutra.
Taya Valkyrie defeated Knockouts Champion Tessa Blanchard by DQ
Finally, a match. It’s been said a lot, but Blanchard should be in WWE alongside Charlotte, Becky Lynch, and Ronda Rousey — she has big-league presence.
Blanchard led the match, slowing it down methodically like an old school 1980s NWA match. Valkyrie hit Blanchard with a spear and got a near fall. She hit a couple of chops to the chest. Blanchard sells everything really well. Valkyrie hit a belly-to-back suplex for a near fall.
Valkyrie missed a clothesline and Blanchard hit a cutter. Valkyrie turned the tables and hit a moonsault on Blanchard for another near fall. Blanchard rolled to the outside of the ring and Mathews called her a “third-generation knockout.”
Valkyrie hit a splash off the top rope on Blanchard onto the outside. Blanchard got herself intentionally disqualified when she punched the referee, whom she’s had problems with. That was a true, old-school heel move. Callis mentioned Tully Blanchard about 100 times during her match.
We got another pre-taped segment to hype next week’s main event between Killer Kross and Impact World Champion Johnny Impact. Both of these guys talk too much. Johnny Impact lacks charisma and Kross looks like he is trying to come across meaner than he is.
Both guys were sitting down in different locations talking, while they showed clips of both guys in the ring.
There was a promo for Jordynne Grace, who was working out with weights. She said she has been a wrestler for eight years. Grace said she is the strongest female wrestler in the world.
The Global Wrestling Network Flashback Moment of the Week featured Gail Kim defeating Candice LeRae.
Another backstage promo with Fenix, speaking in English and Pentagon Jr.,who spoke in Spanish.
Brian Cage then cut a backstage promo saying he would defend his X-Division title against Sami Callihan at Rockstar Wrestling next week.
Santana and Ortiz are both really strong wrestlers, which makes the fact that they are caught up in this months-long angle with the OGz even more disappointing.
Sydal is still obsessed with trying to get people to open their third eye.
Sydal and Page worked as a traditional tag team, cutting off the ring and keeping Santana in the ring for most of the match. Santana eventually escaped and made the tag. Ortiz hit a huricanrana, a splash in the corner, and then a stiff-legged splash on Page. Sydal and Page turned the tables after Sydal broke up a pin attempt. They hit simultaneous kicks to Ortiz’s head.
LAX rallied and hit a spinning suplex onto Ortiz’s knee for the victory.
There was another backstage segment with Allie looking into the mirror. Kiera Hogan interrupted her and begged Allie to tell her what is wrong. Allie said she has had some “darkness or void” inside her since the Bound for Glory Su Yung possession vignette.
Hogan promised to help Allie overcome her demons.
Pentagon Jr. (w/ Fenix) defeated Homicide (w/ King and Hernandez)
The OGz are trying to hurt Pentagon Jr. as a way of baiting Konnan to disobey the gang elders and break the ceasefire.
Pentagon hit Homicide with some vicious kicks to start the match. Homicide countered and bit Pentagon’s fingers. Callis said “there were no rules in the street where Homicide grew up.”
Homicide went for a superplex, but Pentagon slipped out underneath and then jumped to the top rope and hit a double stomp for the near fall. The two traded chops, but then Pentagon got the advantage with more hard kicks.
Pentagon snuck a school boy roll-up for the quick three count, prompting Hernandez to jump in the ring, but Fenix fought him off. King then jumped into the ring and hit Fenix with a black sock that had some weapon inside of it. The three of them triple-teamed Pentagon and Fenix and left them in the middle of the ring to end the show.
Impact opened with its usual extended recap of last week’s show.
Tessa Blanchard made her way to the ring first. She hails from Charlotte, North Carolina, and it just feels like one day Blanchard vs. Charlotte Flair is gonna headline a WrestleMania. There’s a good story to tell. But tonight, it’s Blanchard vs. Faby Apache for the Impact Knockouts Championship.
Knockouts Champion Tessa Blanchard defeated Faby Apache to retain her title
It’s been said before, but it’s worth saying again, Blanchard is a star on both sides of the ball. She has great offense and sells brilliantly. Apache has great ring generalship and a sense of charisma in the ring too.
Blanchard hit a couple of short-arm clotheslines, followed by a side suplex. Apache applied a reverse figure four leglock to slow Blanchard down. She hit a double arm front-face slam.
This was a really good back-and-forth match, but Blanchard successfully defended the title with a buzzsaw DDT. Blanchard carries herself like a star. Afterward, she grabbed the microphone and said she is the best wrestler and best athlete in professional wrestling.
“Tessa Blanchard is undeniable and the diamond of the Knockouts division,” she said.
Taya Valkyrie appeared on the big screen and challenged Blanchard to a match at Bound for Glory on October 14. Blanchard seemed to accept before walking away.
There were several video segments with Eddie Edwards, then oVe, then Eli Drake walking around Mexico sight-seeing and sampling Mexico’s foods.
Brian Cage defeated Jake Crist (w/ Sami Callihan and Dave Crist)
Cage is absolutely jacked, but still flies around the ring like a cruiserweight.
He was on offense early, driving Jake into the corner and hitting him with clotheslines. Cage gave him a high back body drop, but missed a spear in the corner and fell outside of the ring. Callihan then threw him into the rail. Crist went for an armbar, but Cage picked him up and slammed him. Cage dropped him with a clothesline and then hit him with a left-footed 619.
Cage delivered an elbow off the top rope for a near fall. He delivered a sit-down Alabama slam for another near fall.
Jake hit a cutter from the top rope, but Cage kicked out after one. Cage hulked up and hit a body slam into a face slam for the win. Callihan then rushed the ring and attacked Cage. Dave Crist hit Cage with a low blow.
The lights went out. And when they returned, Dave’s hat was in the ring and Pentagon and Fenix appeared on the screen, with Dave tied up and gagged in a chair. With Callihan and Jake distracted, Cage hit a dive from the ring to the outside.
There was a backstage interview segment with Austin Aries, Moose, and Killer Kross.
There was another advertisement for Chris Jericho’s cruise.
In the Flashback Moment of the Week, the original LAX battled AJ Styles & Christopher Daniels inside a steel cage. Styles looked more muscular in this match compared to today. Homicide pinned Styles with a wicked-looking reverse butterfly suplex on his neck. Once again, the best match on the show so far featured the champion from another promotion.
There was a backstage segment with Grado, Joe Hendry, and Katarina. Katarina asked to make up with the buddies, but she tricked them and introduced her new friend, Murder Clown. She told Hendry that he would face Murder Clown next week.
Scarlett Bordeaux appeared on location in Mexico City. She issued a global talent search for one local man or woman for her to manage who can get her attention “24/7.”
LAX (Santana & Ortiz) defeated The Desi Hit Squad (Rohit Raju & Gursinder Singh)
They gave LAX a big entrance with a Spanish-language introduction. This was a slow-paced match, largely because of the DHS. Santana is a good high-flyer for his size, although wearing a Puerto Rican-flag arm sleeve wasn’t exactly endearing to the Mexican crowd.
Santana got the win with a reverse neckbreaker from a Doomsday Device position, pinning Raju. Gama Singh, as usual, looked angry with his team after their loss.
The OGz appeared on the big screen. King trashed Konnan, saying he has spent a career leaching off other wrestlers, such as Eddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio Jr. King showed the mask that Konnan used to wear in his early days in Mexico. He lit the mask on fire and watched it burn.
Backstage, Fallah Bahh covered KM with his robe. KM was laid out on the couch wearing a neck brace after last week’s beatdown at the hands of Aries, Moose, and Kross.
We got a backstage interview with Blanchard, sitting down in a red chair. She accepted Valkyrie’s challenge. Earlier, Valkyrie called her a “bitch.” Blanchard said at Bound For Glory, she would show her one.
Kiera Hogan & Allie defeated Su Yung & The Undead Maid of Honor
Allie was not good here, with her chops and offense missing by a mile. Hogan is athletic and carried most of the match. Announcers Josh Mathews and Don Callis spent a good part of the match trying to get people to order merchandise from the Impact website.
Yung applied the mandible claw on Hogan, but Allie hit a kick to the head to break it up. Hogan then hit a reverse neckbreaker on Yung for the win. This was not a good match, with lots of botched spots.
Matt Sydal and Rich Swann appeared on location in Mexico City, and Swann challenged Sydal to a match next week on Impact.
Moose & Killer Kross defeated Johnny Impact & Eddie Edwards
Edwards is essentially doing a Dean Ambrose crazy man gimmick. Moose exudes a lot of arrogance and comes across as a strong heel. Kross lacks charisma, but looks mean. Aries, by the way, looks like a half-pint standing next to the two.
Once again, the show was hurt by the crowd’s lack of enthusiasm.
Impact and Edwards carried this match. Kross and Moose look like the kind of guys who would get big pushes in WWE for their size alone.
All four wrestlers were down towards the end of the match after a series of kicks. Aries then jumped into the ring and acted like he was going to hit Impact with the belt. Impact sprung up and grabbed the belt from Aries. Impact kicked Aries and then hit him with the belt, sending Aries flying out of the ring.
Kross then hit Impact from behind with a side suplex. Edwards clobbered Kross with the kendo stick when the referee wasn’t looking, and Moose hit a spear on Edwards to get the win.
Tessa Blanchard has signed with Women of Wrestling and is set for the promotion’s first television tapings for AXS TV next month.
Blanchard will challenge reigning champion Santana Garrett for the the WOW World Championship at the tapings. Blanchard is also working as a trainer at WOW’s Training Center in Southern California.
The first set of WOW tapings for AXS will take place at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles on October 10 and October 11. WOW will begin airing weekly on AXS in January 2019.
“Knowing the expectations of our WOW fans to see the best in women’s professional wrestling, we are elated to sign Tessa Blanchard,” Women of Wrestling owner Jeanie Buss said in a press release. “Tessa enhances and elevates our athletic roster of talent beyond measure and we can hardly wait to showcase her skills in the series set to broadcast on Mark Cuban’s AXS TV.”
Blanchard will be wrestling for WOW while also being part of Impact Wrestling, where she is the current Knockouts Champion.
“I am grateful to both Impact Wrestling and the WOW executives for working out the details to allow me to pursue my dream of competing at the highest levels within our industry,” Blanchard said in the press release. “The success I’ve experienced in the past month in winning the Impact Championship, winning in Chicago at the ‘All In’ event in front of over 10,000 people, and now signing with WOW is what dreams are made of. My next dream to come true that will top off my year’s success will be when I beat Santana Garrett to win the WOW World Championship.”
The Women of Wrestling promotion is owned by Buss (the owner of the Los Angeles Lakers), with Mark Burnett and David McLane as partners. Burnett is the chairman of the MGM Worldwide Television Group, while McLane is most notable for developing the original GLOW series. WOW originally aired for one season as a syndicated show in 2000-2001, but was revived in 2012 and has been running shows in the Los Angeles area since then.
