The show kicked off with a clip from last week’s episode of Lion’s Break Collision. They aired footage of Karl Fredericks and Jeff Cobb going at it after their tag match.
Kevin Kelly interviewed Jeff Cobb next via video call. Cobb said he didn’t really understand why Fredericks went after him but ultimately said there would be “retribution” for what happened on last week’s episode. This segment had a sporty, believable feel. It works.
Rust Taylor defeated DKC via submission
Solid match. DKC is an abbreviation of “Dylan Kyle Cox.” Rust Taylor has been in the business for sixteen years already, according to commentary. They mentioned later that Taylor was actually hand-picked to be part of the NJPW Dojo by Katsuyori Shibata. Taylor has a jiu-jitsu background as well.
Both wrestlers looked good in this, but it became a Rust Taylor showcase more than anything. The match itself was made up of impressive mat work. Taylor tapped DKC with a painful-looking hold called the Gaia Lock.
In his post-match promo, Taylor mentioned he didn’t care who he had to get through in NJPW, whether it’s Zack Sabre Jr., Okada, or even Katsuyori Shibata. He’d be a perfect match for ZSJ, so here’s hoping that happens sooner or later.
TJP defeated Danny Limelight
Really impressive match. Lots of flashy grappling between these two at the top. TJP is smoother than ever in the ring these days. We learned Danny Limelight was a former sergeant in the Marines. Limelight landed a gnarly quasi-Fosbury Flop over the top to the floor a few minutes in. TJP kept Limelight grounded with a series of non-traditional submissions. Limelight pulled off an impressive springboard flying forearm. He did some crazy rope-walking in this match.
TJP caught Limelight on the top rope and launched him off with a superplex, then floated over and spiked him with a brainbuster. He finished Limelight off with a frog splash for the win. Really good stuff for only ten minutes or so. TJP put Limelight over in his post-match promo and mentioned he would like a rematch.
Final thoughts:
This show is easy to watch. Simple structure, quality production, great action. I look forward to catching the next two episodes.
Next week on Lion’s Break Collision: Tom Lawler vs. Alex Coughlin and Misterioso vs. Danny Limelight.
The show opened with an interview between Karl Fredericks and Kevin Kelly discussing Frederick’s new career chapter in NJPW. He is no longer a young lion.
The show opened with a slick opening graphic, and showcased a new production style for the new brand. The show’s ring announcing was in English, with Kevin Kelly, Chris Charlton, and Gino Gambino calling the action. The setup itself looks good. The ring is smaller than usual, but it works for television.
Hiroshi Tanahashi and Katsuyori Shibata did guest commentary for the Japanese language broadcast.
Clark Connors and Alex Coughlin went to a ten-minute draw
Really good. Lots of tight matwork at the top. Coughlin went after Connors’ arm early on. He looks bigger than before.
They exchanged huge chops and power moves midway through. Coughlin used a creative fall-away slam into a bridging pin for two; Connors responded with a picture-perfect powerslam.
More chops. Coughlin used a big side suplex on Connors for two. He locked in an armbar seconds before the bell, Connors didn’t tap, and the match ended in a draw. Good stuff from these two. They had an intense little exchange in the ring together afterwards.
Connors said in his post-match interview that wins and losses matter in NJPW. He said that he refused to be the last trainee to graduate from the LA Dojo.
Karl Fredericks and TJP defeated Jeff Cobb and Rocky Romero
The story here highlighted TJP and Rocky Romero, as they were a part of NJPW’s first dojo in Los Angeles. Karl Fredericks has a new haircut and red tights with tassels.
This was all action. TJP looked impressive here, especially when he and Rocky were in together. Good chemistry between the OGs.
Fredericks really looks like a superstar now. His exchange with Cobb toward the end of this was impressive, especially when he landed a crazy-looking kuru-kuru dropkick.
At around ten minutes in, TJP landed a slingshot dropkick to the apron, knocking Cobb back to the floor. Fredericks was able to keep Romero down for a three-count with a backslide pin for the upset win.
Fredericks and Cobb got into it right after the match, and it looked intense. In his post-match promo, Fredericks said that Rocky Romero isn’t a real LA Dojo guy anymore, that he’s CHAOS, and that he shouldn’t keep claiming he’s a part of his dojo.
Final thoughts:
This was an easy watch. Two solid matches that featured talent that probably wouldn’t get the proper look otherwise. Alex Coughlin, Clark Connors and especially Karl Fredericks will be important cogs in the NJPW machine going forward.
Next week on NJPW Young Lions Collision: DKC vs. Rust Taylor and Danny Limelight vs. TJP
Impact Wrestling returns from Fronton Mexico in Mexico City for tonight’s episode.
Opening video focused on highlighting the Elgin vs Edwards feud that kicked off the best-of-five series last week with Elgin winning.
Tessa Blanchard came out to start the show. Tessa addressed Ace Austin’s comments from last week, saying he doesn’t have to play games with her, if he wants to fight, she’s easy to find. They have a match scheduled for Sacrifice, but Tessa called him out for tonight.
Out came Ace Austin, along with Reno Scum. Ace sent out Thornstowe to fight Tessa instead.
Tessa Blanchard defeated Adam Thornstowe (w/ Ace Austin & Luster The Legend)
Thornstowe started the match overpowering Tessa a bit and getting a cheap shot, but Tessa brought the match back with strikes. She went for the running knees, but Luster distracted Tessa, only to dodge Thornstowe who accidentally took out Luster. Tessa followed with the running knees.
Tessa hit a tilt-a-whirl headscissors on Thornstowe, then followed with a dive on Luster, but he caught her in the air and slammed her against the apron.
Back in the ring, Thornstowe worked a bit on Tessa, mostly strikes and stomps, but also a couple of headlocks in between. Thornstowe got a two count by stomping on Tessa’s arm. Thornstowe started to get cocky with Scoop Slams, but when he mocked Tessa’s pose and went for a standing moonsault, Tessa dodged and made her comeback with strikes and clotheslines.
Tessa hit a rana and a samoan drop. Superkick and Thornstowe fell on both Luster and Austin, followed by two Suicide Dives by Tessa, and a final Somersault from the top rope to the floor.
Back in the ring, Tessa got a two count with a cutter. Thornstowe went for an Impaler DDT, but Tessa reversed into the Buzzsaw DDT for the win. Ok opener.
After the match, Luster grabbed Tessa from behind with a bearhug. She took him out with a low blow, but Ace Austin was there to take her out. Reno Scum held Tessa while Ace prepared to hit her with his stick, but Dreamer came down for the save.
Backstage, Taya approached Rayne and Hogan to ask them to take out Jordynne Grace again. This time, Rayne and Hogan tell Taya that they’re not doing it again.
We got footage from ‘during the break’ where Tommy Dreamer challenged Ace Austin to a street fight for tonight. Callis and Matthews confirmed the match, but the screen was interrupted by a QR Code that said ‘scan me’. They also announced that Rhino vs Moose has been signed for Sacrifice.
Rhino defeated Taurus by DQ
Collar and elbow to start the match, both men seem at the same level. They do a couple of Japanese shoulder tackle challenges to each other until Rhino gets the better of the exchange, only for Taurus to return with one of his own and send Rhino to the outside, where Taurus tries to follow, but gets tripped out by Rhino.
Both animals brawled outside the ring. Rhino accidentally clotheslined the ringpost and ran back in the ring, but Taurus was right behind him as he started working over Rhino’s arm.
Taurus took out Rhino’s knee and hit a shining wizard for a two count. Taurus followed with a twisting moonsault, but Rhino moved out of the way. Both men traded chops and Rhino started his comeback with clotheslines and a belly-to-belly for a two count. Taurus hit a Diamond-giri for a two count.
Rhino came back with a big Spinerbuster, set up the Gore, but Moose came down and attacked Rhino for the DQ. Moose attacked Taurus too, but then Moose started to play to the crowd and allowed both men to recover. Taurus hit a headbutt and Rhino the Gore to send Moose packing.
Michael Elgin cut a promo against a mirror saying that he used to look up to Eddie Edwards, but now it’s Eddie that looks up to him. He said he’s going 3-0 on the series and will finally claim the world championship soon after.
Johnny Swinger walked up to the Desi Hit Squad and challenged them to a tag match, but when Shera stood up to him, he backed out and made it Willie Mack vs Mahabali Shera.
Impact Plus Flashback Moment of the Week was Team 3D vs Beer Money vs Motor City Machine Guns from Sacrifice 2010.
Taya was now trying to get Rosemary to help her with Jordynne, but Rosemary wasn’t even paying attention to her, she was stalking James Mitchell, who she locked inside a room. Taya was fantastic.
Back from commercial, Havok tried to free Mitchell, but Rosemary jumped her and choked her out. Rosemary now has Susie all to herself.
Rosemary vs. Susie ended in a double countout
Man, I hope Su Yung comes back, Susie’s song is terrible.
Rosemary offered Susie a free slap, but Susie only offered to shake her hand. Rosemary pulled her hands to choke her, but Susie didn’t want to hurt her. Eventually, Rosemary slapped Susie with Su Yung’s dirty glove.
Susie took the glove, put it on, screamed, and jumped on Rosemary, attacking her. Susie hit a huge Shotei and choked Rosemary. Susie locked in the Mandible Claw until Rosemary broke it and ran out of the ring.
Both women started brawling up the ramp and into backstage, and into the same stairwell where Havok ‘killed’ Su Yung last time they were in Mexico. We started getting flashbacks of that match, as Rosemary tried to hang Susie again until she finally brought back Su Yung.
Havok joined the fight and had a staredown with Yung. Visually, this was great, but the whole thing was all around terrible.
Back from commercial, we just saw the aftermath of the chaos as Rosemary, Havok, and two staff members having been all taken out by Su Yung, who is nowhere to be seen. Mitchell gets there only to see Rosemary laughing. Mitchell tells her we’re all doomed.
TJP (w/ Fallah Bahh) defeated El Hijo del Vikingo
Match started with a fast-paced mat wrestling sequence with both men wrestling for wrist control. This sequence transitioned into some lucha spots with tons of counters and reversals. Vikingo got into TJP’s guard and the match became a short slap fest until they both went for the dropkick and the standoff.
TJP tried to fake out Vikingo to the outside, but Vikingo hit a springboard spear, sent him out with a rana, followed with a tope con giro and a shooting star press from the apron to the floor.
Back in the ring, Vikingo went for a springboard 450, but TJP dodged and pinned him with a senton atomico. TJP went for a butterfly lock submission, but Vikingo got out and locked in a version of the Mecedora, but TJP actually escaped into a sunset flip, rolled over, and did the Pentagon armbreaker on Vikingo.
TJP hit a side leg sweep for a two count. He continued working on Vikingo’s now injured arm with a shoulder breaker. TJP and Vikingo started exchanging strikes, Vikingo relying on kicks, eventually, TJP hit a punch and Vikingo countered into an armbar, but TJP escaped and transitioned into the last chancery, working the arm. Vikingo made the ropes.
Both men went back to the chops, but Vikingo has a chest plate, so he obviously won the exchange. There was a quick spot with TJP chasing Vikingo to the outside, where Vikingo kicked TJP and followed with an over-the-turnbuckle tope con giro. This is awesome chants.
Back in the ring, Vikingo set TJP in the ropes, kicked him in the back then hit a second rope leg drop for a two count. TJP jumped from the second rope with a wheelbarrow, and hit a Tombstone Piledriver, followed by a top rope elbow for a two count.
TJP went for the third rope, but Vikingo knocked him down and hit the running knees, only to get a two count. Vikingo went for the top rope, but TJP jumped and hit a superplex out of nowhere. TJP transitioned into the Octopus Stretch, but Vikingo made the ropes.
Vikingo hit a spin kick then went for a springboard, but TJP caught him, went for the detonation kick, but Vikingo reversed it into the Dragonrana, only for TJP to catch Vikingo’s leg and locked in the submission for the win. Awesome match!
After the match, The North jumped Vikingo, but Fallah Bahh was there to save both TJP and Vikingo.
Backstage, Katie Forbes approached Joey Ryan about Joey’s comments when he said she wanted to touch it. Forbes distracted Ryan enough until RVD jumped him from behind.
Gabi Loren tried to interview RVD about losing his cool with Ryan, but RVD said that he’s still cool. Ryan vs RVD next week.
Daga & Dr. Wagner Jr. (w/ Galeno del Mal) defeated oVe (w/ Madman Fulton)
Wagner and Dave Crist start the match. They did a little bit of lockup before Wagner dropped Dave with a toehold and followed with a low kick. Wagner powerslam for a one count before tagging in Jake Crist.
Wagner got the better of Jake with clotheslines. Wagner hit a cutter on Jake and tagged in Daga. He and Jake did a quick sequence of kicks and counters that ended with both men hitting DVDs one after the other. Jake left the ring, but Daga followed with a baseball slide. Daga chased after Jake, but Dave was there to clothesline him and cut him off.
Back in the ring, oVe seemed to start working on Daga, but he quickly took out Dave with a kick combo and tagged in Wagner for the warm tag. Wagner did dragon screws on both Crists, German suplex on Jake Crist, and tagged Daga back in again.
Daga hit a running boot, followed by a running kick by Wagner. tilt-a-whirl backbreaker by Daga on Jake, followed by a Brainbuster for a two count when Dave broke it off. Jake Crist hit a kick combo on Daga and tagged in Dave.
Dave came in with a Meteora into Jake’s knees on Daga, hit a spike piledriver on Daga, but Wagner broke up the pin. Diamond-giri by Wagner on Jake, followed by a rolling senton to the floor. In the ring, Daga hit the Daga driver on Dave Crist for the win.
Fulton attacked them both after the match, going after Daga. Fulton hit the End of Days, then went after Galeno del Mal. Fulton was the last man standing.
Backstage, Swinger tried to play it out that it was Mack’s fault that Shera was after him. Mack said it was cool, he’d take on Shera, but he didn’t need Swinger out there with him.
Next week: Taya vs Jordynne Grace for the Knockouts title, RVD vs. Joey Ryan, Madman Fulton vs Daga, and match 2 of the Elgin vs. Edwards series.
X-Division Champion Ace Austin defeated Tommy Dreamer in a non-title street fight
Everyone is banned from ringside according to Josh Matthews.
Dreamer started the match by pushing into Ace, tossing him out of the ring early on and following through to the floor for the brawl. Dreamer spat water on Ace’s face, but Ace recovered for a bit until Dreamer hit a suplex on the ramp.
Dreamer brought out a garbage can of weapons, which he slammed on Ace’s back. Dreamer’s first weapon was a crutch while he used a Mexican sombrero. The brawl went into the stage area where Ace started going into the crowd, only for Dreamer to chase after him, choking him across the rafters.
After some brawling around the crowd, Ace caught Dreamer with a kick, sending him down to the floor and back into ringside where Ace hit a huge crossbody over the crowd. Ace followed up with punches and chops, but Dreamer came back and dropped him while Ace did his apron headstand tricks.
Dreamer pillmanized Ace’s wrist. Dreamer went for a DDT on the chair, but Ace blocked it and did the paper cut on Dreamer’s forehead, busting him open pretty bad. Ace followed with chair shots to the back of Dreamer. Ace then went for a table.
Ace went for another chair shot, but Dreamer kicked it into Ace’s face, but was smart enough to follow with an elbow drop on the chair, which probably hurt him more. Dreamer hit the Bionic Elbow. Dreamer hit a cutter for a two count.
Dreamer rushed at Ace with a Kendo stick, but Ace dodged and took him out with a famouser for a two count. Ace started swinging at Dreamer with the kendo stick until Dreamer connected with a side Russian leg sweep with the kendo stick. Dreamer went for the top rope kendo shot, but Ace caught him with a kick as he came down. Ace continued with paper cuts, but Dreamer hit the groin claw and a huge DDT for a two count.
Dreamer whipped Ace into a chair in the corner and used the momentum to go and power slam Ace into the chair, but he only got a two count. Out came the ladder.
Ace hit a Backstabber, went to the top rope, but Dreamer stopped him. Dreamer set up the ladder in the middle rope where Dreamer stood to superplex Ace, but Ace hit him with his magic stick, dropping Dreamer onto the ladder. Ace followed with The Fold and picked up the win.
Final Thoughts —
Go watch TJP vs. Hijo del Vikingo now. The rest of the show was good, we got some good wrestling and some storyline developments heading into Sacrifice, with only small hints towards Rebellion.
Impact Wrestling returns from Queens, NY for tonight’s episode on the road to Hard To Kill. Opening video focused on the No. 1 Contenders for the Tag Team Titles being crowned when Swann overcame the odds and pinned Dave Crist. It touched on Tessa facing Fulton, and Shamrock fighting Callihan in last week’s main event, ending with Fulton destroying Shamrock.
Jordynne Grace defeated Tenille Dashwood
Collar and elbow tie up to start the match with both women being quite equal in ability, Dashwood had some nice wrist control locks, but failed when she went for the full nelson and Jordynne overpowered her. Tons of counters and switches until Tenille locked in a kimura after countering the Grace Driver, provoking Grace into the shoulder tackle and deadlift suplex for a two count. Tenille seemed to hurt her leg on the bad landing on the ropes on that suplex.
Tenille hit a Russian Leg Sweep for a two count. Grace used her power to hard whip Dashwood into the corner. Tenille locked in the Tarantula and followed with a double underhook, but Grace got out, countered by Tenille into a DDT for a two count.
Tenille went for the Spotlight, but Grace dodged and went for a schoolgirl pin for a two count. Grace came back with a huge spinebuster for a near fall. Jordynne chased the Grace Driver, but after being blocked, hit a short distance lariat for another two count.
Jordynne went for the running knees, but Tenille dodged, hit the low crossbody and the butterfly suplex and earned a close two count. Low dropkick by Tenille and la magistral, but Jordynne reversed into a roll up and got the quick pin on Tenille. Really good opener, I’d be down for a rematch. They put each other over after the match.
Taya Valkyrie ran down and attacked Jordynne until Tenille made the save and set up Taya for a Grace Suplex and sent Taya packing.
Backstage, Moose told Rhino that he saw his match with RVD and reminded Rhino that at Slammiversary, he defeated RVD and he could had given him some pointers. Rhino Gored Moose for no reason.
Backstage, The North approached Willie Mack who thought he was being jumped. Page told him that they’re not looking for a fight but Mack was provoking them. Page tried to get to Mack’s head about Swann becoming a star and Mack letting him fly. Swann came in and told them to screw off.
TJP (w/Fallah Bahh) defeated Daga
TJP and Daga look like they should be a tag team, both in look and wrestling style.
Match started with a great sequence of fast paced counters and reversals, some chain wrestling, fighting for wrist control. TJP with the winning dropkick to get the upper hand.
They continued with the quick reversals, looking for the flash pin, Daga getting a two count. Daga then went after TJP’s arm, with an armbar that he would not release and constantly get TJP back into it. TJP however, went for the head with some headscissors, locking in the neck.
They went back into pin exchanges into the double dropkick to a standing ovation. These two are gold together.
Back from commercial, both men are exchanging strikes before TJP sends Daga to the floor and follows with a springboard dropkick a la Jericho. Senton atomico by TJP for a two count before going back to the neck. Daga tries to escape, but TJP reverses and uses the Pentagon armbreaker on Daga out of nowhere and changes his focus to the arm now. TJP followed with a couple of over-the-shoulder arm snaps.
Daga made a comeback with a rana into the corner and some kicks. He followed with a big sunset flip into a foot stomp for a two count. Running forearms by Daga, running boot, and big Senton for another two count.
Daga went for the tiger bomb, but TJP escaped. They reversed pins until both men traded big kicks on each other. Once on their feet, they traded strikes in the middle of the ring until TJP got a surprise rana into an armbar and transitioned into a triangle hold, but Daga lifted TJP off and locked in an abdominal stretch. TJP escaped and locked in an Octopus, countered by Daga into a half crab into the STF, but TJP got the roll up for a two count. Double clothesline in the center of the ring for the ‘This Is Impact’ chant.
Kick combo by Daga for a two count. TJP went for a superplex, but Daga countered, dropped TJP, and went for the foot stomp but TJP blocked and went for the Superplex again, successfully landing it. TJP follows with Detonation Kick, but Daga kicks out. TJP then transitions into a kneebreaker into Rings of Saturn for the submission win. Fantastic match, this is a must watch.
After the match, Desi Hit Squad jumped TJP and Bahh, taking both out until Daga made the save. Mahabali Shera came out and took out Daga with a huge Chokeslam. Gama Singh applauded his team.
Cage was in the restroom when he found RVD and Forbes making out. RVD wished Cage luck for their match at Hard To Kill. RVD said that he’ll have no problem with him since he knows the counters of all his own moves.
Rob Van Dam and Katie Forbes came out. Forbes introduced RVD in the most cringiest way. Forbes and RVD made out in the ring for a long time while the camera slowly zoomed in. Anyway, Rob talked about getting a lot of attention lately and made fun of the fans for having short attention spans. Rob said that he is taking a stand and taking the long due credit for creating every move and style that we see everywhere today.
He said that Brian Cage vs RVD was a dream match only for Cage, he called him the biggest RVD mark. This provoked Cage to come out.
Cage got face to face with RVD. Rob actually is taller than Cage. They traded some strikes until Cage dropped Rob with a discus forearm, but Katie low blowed Cage and set up Cage to get a top rope leg drop and a VanTerminator, except he didn’t give the fans what they wanted and only delivered a short distance dropkick instead. Rob and Forbes made out before leaving to the back.
Impact Plus Flashback Moment of the Week was The Motor City Machine Guns vs Generation Me aka The Young Bucks in a Full Metal Mayhem match for the TNA Tag Team Championships.
Somewhere in the Undead Realm, Rosemary approached Suzie, who said was lost. Rosemary tried to bring back some memories about her former self. James Mitchell came in for the save and told Suzie to stay away from Rosemary. Havok jumped in and attacked Rosemary. The brawling brought back some memories to Suzie, who unleashed a big scream and made everyone stop.
Backstage, Madison Rayne and Kiera Hogan are talking when Taya approached them. They knew that Taya wanted a favor and told her off, but Taya still asked. She wanted help dealing with Tenille, ODB, and Jordynne. Taya offered them both title shots if they help her retain at Hard To Kill.
Speed vs power match up with Page getting the better of Swann early on with a headlock, but Swann’s athleticism helps him escape and dropkick Page to get some control. Swann goes for the ten punches in the corner and follows with some chops.
Snapmare and kick to the back of Page. Swann is striking Page, but Alexander grabs Swann’s foot, allowing Page to rake the eyes, hit a suplex, and get a quick two count while Mack is busy distracting the referee against Swann’s benefits.
Now in control, Page started stomping Swann left and right. Page went for a suplex, but Swann small packaged him for a two count, only to get taken out by Page again. Page continued to work on him, tossing him from corner to corner, choking him against the ropes, stomping him repeatedly.
Swann finally caught Page with a kick and a jumping clothesline to get some time to recover. Swann hit a Swinging Neckbreaker and a kick for a two count. diamondgiri and cartwheel pin by Swann for a two count.
Swann went for the top rope, but Josh distracted him allowing Page to get him with a strike, a blockbuster and a Gotch Styles Clash. Page went for the Razor’s Edge, but Swann escaped and hit a kick combo for a two count.
Swann went for the second rope 450, but Page dodged, shoulder tackled Swann and went for the Swanton Bomb. Rich blocked him and went for the superplex but Page straight up scoop slammed Swann from the top rope and followed with the Swanton for a two count.
Page missed the shoulder tackle, Swann hit a standing headscissors and sent Page outside. Swann went for an tope con giro, but Josh pushed Page away and took the hit instead. Page provoked Willie Mack outside and Mack took the bait and punched Page for the DQ win.
Commentary sold it as Swann and Mack needing to get their act together.
Backstage, Moose jumped Rhino and they started a pull apart brawl.
Joey Ryan defeated Acey Romero
Before the match could start, Johnny Swinger came out and sat for commentary.
Ryan oiled up before the match, secured his lollipop and asked Acey to touch his penis. Acey and Joey locked up with the former overpowering the latter. Joey tried to do some penis moves, but Acey responded with a big crossbody to gain control. Joey tried a comeback, but Acey responded with a spinebuster for a two count.
Joey punched Acey causing him to fall head first into Joey’s crotch, getting hit hard. Joey went to use the lollipop, but in the rumbling, he gave it to the ref, taking him out.
Joey went for the penis flip, but Swinger attacked him. Acey took out Swinger, and then Joey came back, hit the Penis Flip on Acey, Lollipop Sweet Tooth Music and pin. Not particularly good, even for the comedy.
Gabbi Loren interviewed Tessa Blanchard about Sami Callihan’s treat about exposing her. Tessa said she wasn’t worried about what he could say, because she knew that it meant that Sami was worried about her coming for the title at Hard To Kill.
Backstage, Elgin approached some guys in the locker room and stole Eddie’s trophy.
X-Division Champion Ace Austin defeated Petey Williams in a non-title match
Quick sequence of reversals to start the match, Ace got an early kick in, but Petey countered with a big punch. Ace went for a springboard kick, but Petey once again blocked him. Ace then hit a springboard armdrag but Petey came back with a codebreaker and running dropkick to the back. Petey went for the sharpshooter but Ace ran away outside, only to get taken out with a jumping hurricanrana. Outside, Ace hit his apron kick bomb.
Back from commercial, Ace is still in control, going after Petey’s neck. Ace dodges a German and hits a kick for a two count.
Ace went for the paper cut, but Petey pulled him in for a roll up two count, followed with a German suplex and a leg sweep. Petey called for the destroyer, but Ace caught him with a kick and the bangarama for a two count. Ace signaled for The Fold, but Petey dodged, went for the Destroyer again but Ace blocked him and pushed him to the corner where he went for a kick until Petey blocked him. Ace went for a superplex, but Petey also blocked it and went for a top rope destroyer that Ace blocked.
Petey powerbombed Ace, went for another destroyer, but failed. Petey tried to roll Ace, but Ace escaped, took the rebound on the ropes and came back with The Fold for the win. Ok match.
After the match, Ace Austin took a mic and dedicated this match to Trey Miguel’s mom. Mocked The Rascalz before leaving.
Backstage, Trey Miguel confronted Ace Austin about being in his mom into this. Ace pushed Trey’s buttons and they brawled until Reno Scum separated them. I love a serious Rascalz story.
Commentary ran down the Hard To Kill card and announced that Rhino vs Moose and Shamrock vs Fulton have been confirmed.
Sami Callihan came out to the ring to expose Tessa Blanchard’s secrets.
Callihan first said that Tessa was a fake and phony. He said that at Hard To Kill, they’ll make history as the first pay-per-view intergender World Championship match. Callihan called the fans out for trying to make this a gender thing when he doesn’t care if Tessa is a woman because he treats her as anyone else and for him, there is no intergender wrestling, just professional wrestling.
Callihan said that Tessa is entitled and she expects to get everything handed to her because of her lineage. Callihan had to scratch and crawl and become the face of Impact Wrestling by himself and breaking bones.
Tessa Blanchard finally came out, but Fulton jumped her from behind. Tessa tried to fight both men, but got taken out until Shamrock came out and evened things out. Fulton and Shamrock brawled in the ring while Tessa and Callihan headed to the back.
Backstage, Tessa and Callihan got into a great brawl, a lot of people were outside watching the fight. They fought around the parking lot with a lot of takedowns and chokes. They eventually got pulled apart, but Tessa started punching the refs and chased after Callihan to end the show. Good brawl.
Impact is taking the next two weeks off from new episodes, and instead, they’re running two special Saturday editions of Impact Wrestling for the Best of 2019 Awards.
Final Thoughts —
Really good show inside the ring. Some of the storyline developments tonight were weak, but some were really good. As the final show of 2019, leading into the winter break, this may have been somewhat weak cliffhanger wise.
MLW has announced their first matchup for next month’s Opera Cup tournament.
TJP vs. Brian Pillman Jr. is set for the first round of the tournament. It’s being held at MLW’s television tapings at the Melrose Ballroom in Queens, New York on Thursday, December 5.
There will be four opening round matches in the Opera Cup, with MLW hyping that they’ve “invited some of the best wrestlers from around the world to compete in this one-night single-elimination tournament.”
This will be the first time TJP has wrestled for MLW since the promotion relaunched in 2017. He previously appeared for MLW in 2004.
NJPW and Impact Wrestling are among the promotions TJP has wrestled for since being released by WWE this February.
Pillman Jr. is part of The Hart Foundation with Teddy Hart and Davey Boy Smith Jr. He recently feuded with Low Ki, with Low Ki defeating Pillman at MLW’s Saturday Night SuperFight pay-per-view earlier this month.
Impact Wrestling returns to the Sam’s Town Casino from Las Vegas, Nevada for tonight’s episode on the Road To Bound For Glory. Opening video focused on last week’s wedding of Brian Cage and Melissa Santos, that ended with Callihan breaking a champagne bottle on Santos.
Show opened with oVe arriving to the arena. They’re surrounded by security because of fear of Brian Cage. They’ll address the situation later tonight in the ring.
Twitch stream was hosted by Melissa Santos, who ran down the show and hyped up the card for Bound For Glory.
Tenille Dashwood defeated Madison Rayne & Kiera Hogan in a 3-way match
Hogan and Rayne have a past of working together, so they naturally teamed up against Tenille for the length of the match. As they tried to team up early on, Tenille first got rid of Rayne to work on Hogan, getting an early pin attempt with a butterfly suplex. Rayne came back only to take a bulldog and clothesline combination. The numbers game eventually was too much and Hogan superkicked Tenille to take her down.
Hogan and Rayne worked over Tenille with chokes and kicks, constantly mocking Tenille and playing to the crowd. Tenille once again managed to get rid of Hogan, now focusing on Rayne with a double arm extension submission until Hogan broke it up. Hogan and Rayne went back to work on Tenille until a bit of miscommunication led to Hogan hitting a tope suicida on Rayne, taking her out.
Back in the ring, Tenille hit a neckbreaker on Hogan for a two count when Rayne broke it up. Rayne and Hogan tried to set up a Double Superplex on Tenille, but they argued enough to allow Tenille to recover, take down Hogan, and then sunset powerbomb Rayne on top of Hogan for a two count.
Tenille locked in a Tarantula on Hogan and set up both women on the corner for the running splash for a two count. As expected, it was a matter of time before Hogan and Rayne had problems deciding who would pin Tenille, which let Tenille time to take out Hogan, hit her finisher on Rayne, and pin her. Not a good match, Tenille has terrible facial expressions.
Backstage, Eddie Edwards is seen talking with someone about their history, and it turns out he’s talking to Dreamer. Eddie tells Dreamer he was drugged last week and he knows because he actually watched last week’s episode! Dreamer said that tonight he has Eddie’s back, but then for the swerve, Eddie had been talking to his kendo stick.
Johnny Swinger defeated Owen Trevor
This is Swinger’s debut versus local talent Owen Trevor. Collar and elbow lock up to start, Trevor had the upper hand, so Swinger distracted the ref and got the upper hand. Swinger stomped on Trevor, hit a couple of clotheslines, and some diving headbutts to the groin. Swinger raked the eyes, raked the back, raked the chest. He’s an encyclopedia of dirty heel tactics.
Trevor tried to make a comeback with some strikes, but failed to seal the deal with a running dropkick, giving Swinger to the opening for a Swinging Neckbreaker for the win. Total squash, but I have to imagine Swinger is here to get destroyed sooner or later.
Backstage, Gabby Loren interviewed The North about defending the championships against Swann and Willie Mack at Bound For Glory. They said that they’ll prevail, but then Gabby drop the news that Rhino and RVD have been added to the match.
Gabby Loren interviewed Tessa Blanchard about Callihan’s actions last week. Tessa said that no one should be surprised about how dangerous Callihan. Tessa said that she is on a mission since Slammiversary and that everyone in oVe has a target on their backs.
Impact Plus Moment of the Week was Kurt Angle vs Bobby Roode from Bound For Glory 2013.
Backstage, Ace Austin looked for Alisha. He wanted to talk about what happened at the wedding and said he was concerned about Eddie’s personal problems, pretending Eddie has substance problems. It was the usual sleazy Ace Austin skit.
Eddie Edwards and Kenny defeated Reno Scum (Adam Thornstowe & Luster the Legend)
Kenny is indeed the kendo stick and that’s how Eddie was introduced to the match. Luster got ripped since the last time we saw him on Impact.
Eddie and Thornstowe started the match. Eddie hit some early chops, but then followed with a short sequence of reversals with Eddie gaining the upper hand. Lester tagged in next, who mocked Eddie asking him to tag in the stick, but it was just a distraction to attack Edwards from behind.
Luster worked over Eddie with some help of Thornstowe here and there. Reno Scum started with the quick tags and quick work over Eddie. After being cut off for some minutes, Eddie hit a blue thunder bomb on Thornstowe to get an opening, but Luster once again cut him off from tagging his stick. Eddie hit a desperation Release Suplex to finally tag in the stick, which really just consisted to Eddie hitting both Scum members with the stick, which I guess makes the use of the kendo stick legal?
Eddie hit a Suicide Dive on to Luster, but as Eddie tried to return to the ring, Thornstowe blocked him, allowing Luster to take the stick away. Eddie was slammed onto the stick, Thornstowe went for the top rope plancha, Eddie blocked it, took out Lester, and hit the Boston Knee Party on Thornstowe for the win. Aside from the stick stupidity, this was a good handicap match.
Backstage, The North go to Konnan’s locker room. Konnan knows exactly why they’re there, takes a sip of tequila as Page closes the door behind them. The implications and Konnan’s face reaction made him look like a tough SOB.
Back from commercial, Jimmy Jacobs, Swann, and Mack are all looking over Konnan, who is knocked out.
oVe came down to the ring, security is surrounding the ring. Callihan took the mic and explained that what happened to Melissa was an accident and a tragedy. Impact management demanded he came out to apologize and he did. He read his passive-aggressive written apology, but before he could end, Cage interrupted.
Cage destroyed some security, hit an apron bomb on Jake Crist, an F-5 on Dave Crist, and a huge powerbomb on Fulton. Callihan tried to run through the fans when a ‘fan’ tapped Cage on the back, and blinded by his rage, Cage slammed the fan. Management came down and Las Vegas police arrested Cage for attacking a civilian. Crowd popped for Cage’s rampage, but were not happy with the arrest angle.
Jake Crist joined commentary for the following match.
Daga defeated Chris Bey to qualify to the Bound For Glory X-Division Ladder Match
Match started with a fast paced sequence of counters and ranas until Daga landed an Enzuigiri and followed with a Tope Suicida to finally cut off Bey.
Daga hit a Snap Suplex for a two count. Daga with a running forearm and single leg dropkick for another two count. Bey blocked a suplex and hit a couple of kicks to get some momentum going, ending with a great Tope con Giro.
Back in the ring, hit a springboard DDT on Daga for a two count. Bey went for a running attack, but Daga tossed him to the ropes, kicked the knees out, and hit a backstabber for a two count. Bey hit a back kick, but Daga responded with a Mule Kick. Bey went for the 10 Punches on the corner and hit a crucifix pin for a near fall.
Bey went to the top rope, but Daga caught him with a Spanish Fly for yet another two count. Daga hit a double underhook driver for the win. Great short match, I really hope they bring Chris Bey back.
After the match, Jake Crist got in the ring and got face to face with Daga. Dave Crist came down and attacked Daga along with his brother, but Tessa Blanchard came down for the save and ran off both Crist brothers.
Backstage, TJP and Fallah Bahh were talking shop and preparing for tonight’s main event where TJP faces off with Elgin. Gabby Loren approached them asking TJP how he was feeling about tonight’s match. TJP said this isn’t his first time against a heavyweight.
We got a package of Josh Matthews and the Las Vegas NFL Alumni members talking about the Shamrock vs Moose match. We got a Stephen Bonnar cameo. Moose wearing a fantastic suit announced that he is training with Frank Trigg. Ken Shamrock walked up and got face to face with Moose.
They talked trash and when they were supposed to answer questions from the media, Moose cancelled and was walking out before Moose cheap shot Shamrock, there was a big pull apart. This was a good MMA media day style skit, which would have been awesome if we couldn’t see that they were in a mall.
Somewhere in the Undead Realm, James Mitchell is berating Havok for pissing off Su Yung. Mitchell told Havok that the Master is mad his favorite bride got hurt. Taya walked up to them and asked Havok to take out Tenille Dashwood, and if she did, Havok could take Tenille’s spot at Bound For Glory. James Mitchell said that they don’t need to go through Dashwood when they can just take the title right there and now. Taya ran away.
Michael Elgin defeated TJP (w/Fallah Bahh)
This was the big man vs small man match up. It started with TJP running circles around Elgin, but as soon as Elgin would get his hands on TJP, he’d hurt him. TJP went for an early kneebar, but Elgin escaped easily. After a couple more reversals, TJP hurt Elgin’s arm with Pentagon’s armbreaker sending Elgin running to the outside. TJP hit an over the top rope dropkick, gaining control of the ring.
Back from commercial, Elgin and TJP are back at it in the ring, TJP keeps dodging Elgin’s attacks, but as he goes for a senton to the outside, Elgin caught him in the middle of the air and hit an apron bomb to finally stop TJP’s momentum.
Back in the ring, TJP went for a reverse rana, but Elgin blocks it and delivers a German bridge for a two count. Elgin went for a deadlift superplex, but TJP blocked it and hit a Rana from the top rope. TJP came back with a couple of strikes and a Springboard forearm, set up Elgin for a Springboard Dropkick, hit a plancha for a two count, but transitioned into an armbar. Elgin reached the ropes.
TJP went for the Fireman’s Carry, but Elgin blocked it. TJP went for an armbar again, but Elgin blocked it and powerbombed TJP. Elgin hit a Discus Lariat for a two count. Elgin went for the Buckle Bomb, but TJP reversed with a rana, sending Elgin to the outside. TJP went for a suicide dive, but Elgin caught him midair and hit a Powerslam on to the ramp.
Back in the ring, Elgin hit the Deadlift Super Falcon Arrow for a 2.99 near fall. Elgin went for a lariat, but TJP countered into an armbreaker, but once again, Elgin picked him up, hit the Buckle Bomb, a Backfist, and the Elgin Bomb for the pin.
This was a great match, I was really surprised by how much offense TJP had in this match. I would love to see this match on a bigger stage.
Show ending saw Melissa Santos talking on the phone as she was on her way to bail out Cage. Callihan interrupted her and told her that everything was an accident, but teased Melissa that it felt good to hit her with the bottle.
Final Thoughts —
Good show for Impact, the action inside the ring for the most part delivered. Storyline wise, the show focused on heating up the feuds, but not big developments.
The first three entrants have been confirmed for next month’s Super J-Cup tournament.
NJPW announced on Thursday that TJP, SHO, and Dragon Lee will be taking part in the tournament. There will be 16 entrants in total.
TJP trained at NJPW’s Los Angeles dojo and wrestled for the promotion earlier in his career. He also participated in the Best of the Super Juniors tournament in 2011.
TJP was released by WWE this February. He returned to Impact Wrestling in June, though he isn’t under contract with them.
SHO, Lee, Will Ospreay, Caristico, El Phantasmo, and YOH have been included on advertising for the Super J-Cup. NJPW is hyping the tournament as an “international junior heavyweight wrestling festival.”
Jushin Thunder Liger is the producer of the Super J-Cup and will be wrestling at all three shows, but he won’t be one of the entrants in the tournament.
The Super J-Cup will begin at the Temple Theater in Tacoma, Washington on Thursday, August 22. The San Francisco State University Student Life Event Center in San Francisco, California will host the second round of the tournament on Saturday, August 24, then the semifinals and finals will be held at Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, California on Sunday, August 25.
This week’s episode was from Impact’s television tapings at the Melrose Ballroom in Queens, New York. The opening video recapped the ongoing story between Moose and RVD, Jessicka Havok’s return, Sami Callihan antagonizing the Knockouts, the escalating feud between Eddie Edwards and Killer Kross, and Michael Elgin taking out everyone in front of him.
The Twitch stream was hosted by Don Callis at some points. Callis wasn’t in all of the commercial breaks, so we got a couple of Flashback Moments too.
Tessa Blanchard defeated Jake Crist
The match started with fast-paced action as Blanchard went straight for Crist with forearms, a cutter, and a trifecta of suicide dives. Blanchard quickly went for the Magnum, but Crist caught her with a superkick as she came down.
Crist worked over Blanchard and raked his arm all over her face. He got cocky and gave Blanchard a small chance for her to come back with more forearms, but the offense didn’t last long as Crist locked in a great looking modified Koji Clutch until Blanchard made the ropes.
Crist got a couple of moves in, then Blanchard started a slow comeback via strikes, finally managing to take him down with a tornado DDT counter for a two count. Crist caught Blanchard with a Death Valley Driver for two.
Blanchard hit three superkicks and suckered Crist into the Magnum for the pinfall victory. Strong win for Blanchard — the build to Impact’s intergender matches is going good and makes the whole story with Glenn Gilbertti worth it in hindsight.
After the match, the rest of oVe came out to berate Jake Crist. Blanchard got out of the way, but locked eyes with Callihan and called him out.
Without wait, Eddie Edwards came out for the next match.
Madman Fulton (w/ Sami Callihan) defeated Eddie Edwards
Edwards took out Dave Crist and Callihan, then clotheslined Fulton to the outside as they started brawling around the ring before the match started. Fulton chokeslammed Edwards onto the apron and finally tossed him into the ring and the bell rang.
Fulton tossed Edwards around the ring, hit a second chokeslam, and then hit a third vicious one. Fulton hit a double underhook suplex for a two count. As he went for a running clothesline, Edwards hit a desperation dropkick to earn a couple of seconds.
Fulton went to powerbomb Edwards to the floor, but Edwards held on and reversed it into a rana. Edwards landed a German suplex and a Blue Thunder Bomb to earn a two count.
Callihan kept distracting from the outside, so Edwards took him out with a dive. Edwards grabbed his new kendo stick, but suddenly, Killer Kross was on the screen with Sandman tied up. Kross tortured Sandman as he teased Edwards. The distraction gave Fulton the time to recover, hit the End of Days, and pin Edwards.
– Backstage, Alisha Edwards tried to talk Eddie out of getting into another crazy war, now with Killer Kross. Eddie didn’t want to listen to her.
Moose defeated Tommy Dreamer
Dreamer took advantage of Moose coming out hot, but Moose had the power advantage and quickly gained control outside the ring. Dreamer managed to reverse Moose and whip him to the ring post and drop him over the shoulder. Dreamer then started removing the floor pads, only for Moose to drop him back-first onto the apron.
Back in the ring, Moose choked out Dreamer against the ropes and tortured Dreamer with strikes and chokes, but he kept underestimating Dreamer. Eventually, Dreamer hit a desperation cutter, dropping Moose and earning a couple of seconds to recover. They traded blows until Dreamer got the Dusty Elbow and dropped Moose with a DDT for a two count.
Dreamer hit a superplex for another two count. Moose whipped Dreamer into the buckle and went for a spear, but Dreamer blocked it and hit one of his own. After failing to pin Moose, Dreamer went for a steel chair, but Moose pulled the referee to protect himself, kicked the chair into Dreamer’s face, and hit No Jackhammer Needed to pin Dreamer for the win.
This was an okay match — nothing special. Dreamer using the chair felt backwards considering Moose is the heel.
After the match, Moose attacked Dreamer with the chair and went for a Van Terminator, but RVD came out for the save before Moose could hit it.
– Backstage, Taya Valkyrie and John E. Bravo were looking for Rosemary. Taya told Rosemary that she needs her to deal with Su Yung and Havok. Taya offered Rosemary a shot at the gold if she takes care of the pest.
– Melissa Santos interviewed Johnny Impact and Bravo. Impact talked about Elgin making a big mistake by attacking him last week after he helped him. Impact said he gets his payback tonight — and after he’s done with Elgin, he’s cashing in his X-Division title shot at Slammiversary.
Knockouts Champion Taya Valkyrie defeated Su Yung (w/ Father James Mitchell and Havok) by DQ
They started the match by trading slaps and forearms. Yung went for an early Panic Switch, but Taya blocked it and hit a rolling German. Taya went for the running hip attack, but Yung dodged and hit some strikes before Taya once again hit a German, but into the turnbuckles now, getting a two count.
Taya hit the running hip attack and running knees into the corner for another two count. She started getting more and more comfortable, playing to the crowd, until she gave Yung enough time to recover and get some offense in.
Yung hit the turnbuckle crawl rana for a two count and locked in something similar to Napalm, but Taya made the ropes. Yung hit a draping DDT for another near fall. Yung finally went for her glove.
Yung went for the Mandible Claw, but Taya blocked her and hit a Curb Stomp for a two count. Yung kept chasing the Claw, but Taya instead hit an armbreaker and started working on Yung’s arms.
Taya went for a moonsault, but took too long and gave Yung the time to stop her and for Havok to get in the ring and attack Taya for the disqualification. This was pretty good and clean given the participants.
Yung seemed mad with Havok for costing her the title. All three ganged up on Taya, but Rosemary came out for the save.
James Mitchell took the mic and told Rosemary that this was a time for celebration and said that at Slammiversary, all four women present are invited to a Monster’s Ball. Everyone except Taya seemed excited for this four-way Monster’s Ball match.
– Ace Austin cut a promo in the ring. He was arrogant and brought up that he is the only one in Impact that is still unpinned and undefeated. He said that he is the future of the X-Division and beyond, and soon, Impact will be the Ace Division.
Austin made his intentions clear for the X-Division Championship and made an open challenge. Out came the returning TJ Perkins.
TJ Perkins defeated Ace Austin
TJP got the upper hand quickly with speed, tossing Austin outside with a rana and following up with a springboard dropkick to the floor. Austin hit a forearm, rammed TJP into the apron, and landed a knee strike.
Back in the ring, Austin went for a rana, but TJP countered into a powerbomb and followed with a flying crossbody and the Detonation Kick for the win.
This was good, but too short. It was underwhelming for Austin’s first loss, but a great return for TJP. It’s best to get rid of Austin’s streak so he can start a proper feud now.
– Backstage, Eddie Edwards was looking for Kross before going to commercial.
– The Rascalz cut a promo from their tree house. They talked about their upcoming Tag Team title shot at Slammiversary. Konnan joined them and put them over as great upcoming kids, but he said that they lacked respect. Konnan told them to earn respect in the ring and get work done in the ring. Konnan then asked for a hit of whatever they were smoking. Good promo by Konnan.
– The Impact Plus Flashback Moment of the Week was the mask vs. hair match between Pentagon Jr. and Sami Callihan from last year’s Slammiversary.
– Eddie Edwards finally found the hooded man that Kross had, but it was a swerve and Kross blindsided him. They brawled until Alisha Edwards tried to stop Eddie again. Kross was spitting blood asking for more, and it seemed like Eddie drank the blood as he rose with a mouth full of it, scaring his wife away. I don’t think this writes off Kross, but it was pretty brutal.
– Callihan cut a video promo. He said that he is a calculating man and knew that Blanchard wanted to be treated as equal and make history. He challenged Blanchard to a one-on-one match at Slammiversary and promised to treat her like he treated Pentagon Jr., Brian Cage, and Rich Swann.
X-Division Champion Rich Swann defeated Johnny Impact and Michael Elgin in a non-title triple threat match
Elgin and Johnny argued with each other over who would take out Swann first until they decided to work together against him, but Swann smartly decided to exit the ring and let Elgin and Johnny fight it out for a bit until he came back with a flying crossbody.
Elgin was sent outside and kept there while Swann and Johnny traded reversals inside the ring. Swann hit a tornillo on Elgin, followed by one from Johnny. Swann and Johnny started a battle of one-upsmanship until Elgin came back in the ring and took them out with a double German suplex.
Elgin worked on both of his opponents with running clotheslines, but once again he couldn’t handle both of them at the same time. Swann hit a jumping rana on Johnny, tossing him on top of Elgin for a two count. Swann chased the 450, but Elgin blocked him and hit an Air Raid Crash. Johnny hit a running knee and standing splashes on both men.
Elgin went for a German on Johnny, who blocked it and got a discus lariat instead. Elgin hit a Thunder Bomb for a two count. Elgin went for the Elgin Bomb, but Swann stopped him and all three men traded superkicks. Swann got the final hit with a double cutter on both men.
Swann went for a superplex on Johnny, but Elgin got him in an electric chair, setting him up for a Disaster Kick from Johnny, which then became a reverse rana on Elgin. Johnny went for Starship Pain on Elgin, but Elgin dodged. Elgin went for a lariat, but Johnny dodged that.
Johnny and Elgin traded superkicks until Johnny hit a Spanish Fly on Elgin, but as he landed, Swann surprised Johnny with a 450 from the other corner for the win. Great match given the short time it got.
After the match, Swann celebrated — but Elgin stood up behind him. Swann hit Elgin with a roundhouse kick and connected with a spinning back kick on Johnny, but John E. Bravo came in with the big red X and took out Swann.
Elgin and Johnny traded words, but suddenly, World Champion Brian Cage finally made his return, took out Johnny Impact and John E. Bravo, and faced off with Elgin. Elgin went to attack Cage, but Cage took him out with a jumping knee and a powerslam. Cage looked healed and has good motion.
Final Thoughts —
Good episode. It wasn’t the go-home show, but it did a great job at building some of the final touches for Slammiversary with the announcement of new matches and the return of Cage. The show inside the ring was really strong, but the matches were not particularly long.
Impact Wrestling began two straight nights of television tapings at the Melrose Ballroom in Queens, New York on Thursday.
– Michael Elgin defeated Willie Mack
Rich Swann made the save for Mack after the match but was laid out by Johnny Impact. Elgin and Johnny shook hands, then Elgin hit a German suplex on Johnny. Elgin gave Mack a powerbomb on the floor.
– The North (Josh Alexander & Ethan Page) defeated RVD & Sabu (w/ Super Genie)
The North won after interference from Moose. Tommy Dreamer then came out and attacked Moose. RVD went to give Moose the Van Terminator, but he bailed before RVD could hit it.
– Jessicka Havok (w/ James Mitchell and Su Yung) defeated Masha Slamovich
After Havok’s win, Mitchell cut a promo on Rosemary and mentioned Knockouts Champion Taya Valkyrie. He said nothing will stop Havok from becoming the next champion.
Gama Singh cut a heel promo before the match. Interference helped Raj get the win.
– Madison Rayne defeated Jordynne Grace
Kiera Hogan was on commentary and distracted Grace at the end of the match.
– Killer Kross defeated The Sandman
Kross won with the Kross Jacket and refused to let go. Eddie Edwards made the save for The Sandman and they celebrated together after.
– Dezmond Xavier and Zachary Wentz defeated Trey Miguel in a triple threat match
All of the Rascalz were facing off here, and Xavier and Wentz both got the pin. The three of them hugged and went to the back together.
– Tessa Blanchard defeated Jake Crist
Eddie Edwards came out and fought with Madman Fulton before their match.
– Madman Fulton defeated Eddie Edwards
Edwards was distracted by a video of Killer Kross waterboarding The Sandman.
– Moose defeated Tommy Dreamer
Following the match, RVD stopped Moose from hitting a Van Terminator on Dreamer.
– Knockouts Champion Taya Valkyrie defeated Su Yung (w/ James Mitchell and Jessicka Havok) by DQ
Havok interfered for the disqualification. Rosemary helped Valkyrie, then Mitchell did a promo setting up Valkyrie vs. Yung vs. Havok vs. Rosemary in a Monster’s Ball match for Slammiversary XVII in Dallas, Texas on July 7.
– Ace Austin cut a promo saying he would be X-Division Champion soon. He issued an open challenge, which was answered by the returning TJP.
– TJP defeated Ace Austin
– Rich Swann defeated Johnny Impact and Michael Elgin in a triple threat match
Swann got the pin on Johnny, who he will defend the X-Division Championship against at Slammiversary. A post-match brawl ended with Brian Cage laying out Elgin. Cage is defending the Impact World title against Elgin at Slammiversary.
It appears that WWE has officially taken the first steps towards Ronda Rousey, Becky Lynch, and Charlotte Flair all being involved in the main event of WrestleMania 35.
An angle where Vince McMahon suspended Lynch for 60 days and announced that Charlotte would be taking her place at WrestleMania closed last Monday’s episode of Raw. Charlotte aligned with Vince and fully turned heel, with Vince calling her someone with charisma, someone with charm, and someone who knows their lane and stays in it.
The show didn’t sell out, even in one of WWE’s best markets. The show had more good than bad, with the highlight being the main event, the men’s Chamber match where Daniel Bryan retained and the crowd got so strong behind Kofi Kingston in the Mustafa Ali slot that Vince McMahon changed plans for Fast Lane to put Bryan vs. Kingston on top.
The show was the brainchild of Motoko Baba, to run a big Baba celebration show in 2019, 20 years after his early 1999 death. With her passing away last year, it was her nieces and nephews who put the show together.
All but one count of Mark Hunt’s lawsuit against the UFC, Dana White and Brock Lesnar on the grounds they conspired against him to allow a juiced up Lesnar to fight him at UFC 200 was thrown out of court.
The 2020 Royal Rumble will take place on 1/26 at Minute Maid Park in Houston. Most likely that would also mean Takeover on 1/25 at the Toyota Center, Raw on 1/27 and Smackdown on 1/28.
FOX this weekend started advertising 10/4 as the debut of the new Friday Night Smackdown show.
“Fighting with My Family,” the Dwayne Johnson Seven Bucks Entertainment movie about Growing Up as Paige, which has its big national release on 2/22, has gotten great word-of-mouth so far.
Chris Jericho noted that while he and Gedo are on the same page, that New Japan management hasn’t talked with him about a new deal.
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FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE
by Joseph Currier and Bryan Rose
WWE
PWInsider is reporting that TJP’s release from WWE wasn’t a case of him asking for his release like Tye Dillinger and Hideo Itami, whose releases were also confirmed today.
They are also reporting that Noam Dar is moving back to Europe and will be a part of NXT UK full-time going forward. Until then, he’s still working the 205 Live tapings.
Hideo Itami tweeted after WWE confirmed that he’s been granted his release: “Thanks again. See you soon as KENTA #GO2SLEEP #GAMEOVER #BUSAIKUKNEE”
PWInsider reported that Becky Lynch is scheduled to appear on Monday’s episode of Raw. The show will include a 70th birthday celebration segment for Ric Flair.
Naomi responded to someone on Twitter about Jimmy Uso’s arrest from earlier this month: “I was NOT ticketed, I was NOT drinking, leaving the lot I was unaware that it exits to a 1 way street (it was dark snow no signs no traffic I was pulled immediately made a mistake and I own it) as for my husband he’s more of a man you’ll ever be & I’ll leave it at that #blocked”
Today is the official release day for “Fighting with My Family.”
Cody Rhodes tweeted about Arn Anderson no longer being with WWE: “Love AA. I stole all of his catchphrases & use them on a daily basis. He went to bat for young talent & at the same time is essentially responsible for all of the current top guys & ‘golden circle’. He’s not corporate, but that’s a compliment. Can’t take wrestlers outta wrestling”
Pop TV president Brad Schwartz spoke to Deadline about Impact Wrestling no longer being on the station: “Yes, we had a wrestling show every Thursday night, which by the way was one of our 10 highest-rated shows on the network. They wanted to keep going, obviously. It was two hours of original content every Thursday night, 52 weeks a year that would do 400 thousand-500 thousand viewers every Thursday night. We had to really start focusing on brand and expectation, and I think if you’re going to pitch yourself and tell audiences that you’re this place for premium content, Schitt’s Creek, Flack, Florida Girls, this type of stuff, then people need to know what to expect from you when they come to the channel.”
Eli Drake on Twitter said he would not participate in a one on one intergender match against Tessa Blanchard.
Gringo Loco vs. Myron Reed is set for MLW Intimidation Games in Cicero, Illinois on March 2.
Davey Richards is out of the upcoming Alpha-1 Here We Go Again card.
UFC/MMA
Mackenzie Dern is expecting her first child: “God makes everything so perfect! I am so happy to be able to share this news! I’m going to be a Mom! I love so much our family and now I have one more HUGE motivation for inside and outside the ring!! Thank you God for this blessing @santoswesley I also want to thank all my fans and sponsors for the support during all the life phases and I can’t wait to be back in the ring!”
Both Klidson Abreu (209) and Diego Ferreira (157) missed weight prior to UFC’s show in Prague tomorrow.
Max Holloway also shared some words regarding Georges St-Pierre, who officially announced his retirement yesterday.
A fight between Alexander Volkov and Alistair Overeem will be the main event for UFC St. Petersburg on 4/20.
Khalid Murtazaliev has accepted a two year suspension for a positive drostanolone (and its metabolite) test as the result of out-of-competition urine samples he provided on October 3, 2018 and December 6, 2018.
Paul Felder is hoping to be discharged from the hospital tomorrow after suffering a collapsed lung this past weekend. He won’t be able to fly home until Wednesday regardless.
Ed in San Antonio presents the WRESTLEMANIAWeekend Events (more to be added):
Sunday, April 6th, at 12:00 pm: Lunch (all you can eat) at Churrascaria Plataforma ($90 per person), located at 316 W. 49th street in Manhattan. Purchase tickets here~!
Luxury Bus to MetLife Stadium for Wrestlemania: We will depart from the Hilton Midtown (site of Wrestlecon) located at 1335 Avenue of the Americas. Departure time is 4:00 pm and will return from MetLife approximately 30 mins after the event. Times are subject to change, and cost $67.00 per person for the round trip. Purchase tickets here~!
In a one-sentence statement on WWE.com, the company wrote: “WWE has come to terms on the release of Theodore Perkins (TJP).”
He hadn’t been used much on 205 Live as of late, though did appear on the show this week with a new look, losing to Humberto Carrillo. Before that, the only other other date he worked in 2019 was losing to Dominik Dijakovic and participating in a battle royal as part of the Worlds Collide tournament during Royal Rumble weekend.
“Thanks for giving me a chance and letting me play for the team I grew up watching,” TJP wrote on Twitter soon after news broke out.
TJP was signed to the WWE in 2016 and won the Cruiserweight Classic tournament, becoming the first person to hold this iteration of the WWE Cruiserweight Championship. He lost the title to Brian Kendrick at Hell in a Cell that year. Recently, he had formed an alliance with Mike Kanelis on TV.
An eight man tournament has been announced on 205 Live, where the winner will face Buddy Murphy for the Cruiserweight title at WrestleMania 35.
205 Live General Manager Drake Maverick made the announcement tonight at the start of 205 Live. The tournament will be an eight man, single elimination tournament that will take place over the next six weeks leading to WrestleMania. Two matches were then announced for tonight, with Humberto Carrillo facing TJP and Cedric Alexander taking on Mike Kanellis. Maverick said that these matches would have big implications heading into the tournament, which starts next week.
A similar tournament took place last year to determine a new Cruiserweight champion after Enzo Amore was stripped of the championship and released from the company. Cedric Alexander ended up winning the title, defeating Mustafa Ali in the finals at WrestleMania 34.
Buddy Murphy defeated Akira Tozawa at the Elimination Chamber pre-show this past weekend to successfully retain the title.
• Next week’s main event: Buddy Murphy & Tony Nese vs. Mustafa Ali & Cedric Alexander
• The program between Lucha House Party and TJP, Maria & Mike Kanellis will continue into next week after Mike Kanellis’ post-match chair shot angle.
Show Recap —
The episode kicked off with a video package of the Buddy Murphy vs. Mustafa Ali Cruiserweight title match from Survivor Series.
Back at the Staples Center, WWE Cruiserweight Champion Buddy Murphy stood on top of the entrance ramp and cut a promo on the crowd and said he doesn’t need any of their approval because this is “his” 205 Live.
Tony Nese followed Murphy out onto the ramp. Nese had the next match against Noam Dar.
Tony Nese defeated Noam Dar
They played a pre-taped “selfie” promo from Dar. He claimed he is going to “make some noise” in the cruiserweight division and the announce team repeated that, so it sounds like it could become a marketing term for Dar for now.
Nese bullied Dar for a bit. Nigel McGuinness made a Volk Han reference. After Dar did his own version of the Tetsuya Naito Tranquilo taunt, he did a spinning backslide.
Nese did a gutbuster on the floor. He got booed pretty loudly, and it followed with a smattering of cheers down in front for Dar.
Murphy yelled at the announce team and claimed that he and Nese “are the division.”
Nese missed a crossbody block and almost slid out of the ring. Dar made a comeback that consisted of forearms and a Northern Lights suplex.
Dar made a few attempts at using the guillotine choke, which leads me to question why his gimmick is the “Scottish Supernova” at all. Isn’t that, like, the opposite of that?
Murphy distracted Dar towards the end of the match. Nese took advantage and German suplexed Dar into the corner turnbuckle, then used the Running Nese for the win.
Murphy jumped into the ring to celebrate with Nese. He stomped on Dar and booted him from the apron to the floor.
Technically, there was nothing wrong with this match. It was fine. What I did notice from the announce team was that Murphy was the story tonight, and that the two in the ring were the backdrop.
Next up was another selfie promo from Mustafa Ali. He said he didn’t want to forget the pain Murphy gave him at Survivor Series and that he should really thank Murphy for the pain.
The next segment was with Drake Maverick and a referee. Maverick made it clear that he did not want any “shenanigans” during the main event of TJP vs. Gran Metallik, regardless of anything Maria Kanellis said the week prior.
Cedric Alexander swung by and he and Maverick shook hands. Maverick said he had always wanted to see a match between the team of Alexander & Ali against Murphy & Nese. They made it the main event for next week’s 205 Live.
Akira Tozawa & Brian Kendrick defeated an enhancement team
Drew Gulak and Jack Gallagher were interviewed backstage before the match. Gulak said if Kendrick and Tozawa had the gall to challenge them again, they’d tap out.
Tozawa did a Shining Wizard while howling, then he and Kendrick did a few double-team moves. Tozawa got the pin after a Sliced Bread Number Two from Kendrick followed by a diving senton.
The story between these guys is that Tozawa is happy-go-lucky and Kendrick is a stick in the mud, sort of like a diet Team Hell No.
Dasha Fuentes saw Murphy and Nese walking together backstage. She claimed she’d heard that next week’s tag match between Murphy & Nese vs. Ali & Alexander was “already being called the biggest tag team match in 205 Live history.” Murphy cut a promo and then walked away with Nese.
Gran Metalik defeated TJP
They showed a video from an episode three weeks ago where TJP attacked Metalik after the latter’s match.
TJP came out with Maria & Mike Kanellis. The guys wore Lucha House Party’s masks and taunted the group on the ramp, which moments later led to a pull-apart in the aisle. Maverick came out and cleared everyone out so that the match could start. No one was allowed at ringside for this match.
Metalik did a tope con giro and a springboard splash into the ring right after the bell.
TJP did an interesting variation on the sharpshooter, then did a plancha to Metalik onto the floor.
The crowd died in the middle of this. They were somewhat hot during the pull-apart beforehand, but didn’t react much when TJP was on the offensive, which lasted much of the match itself.
Metalik did an absolutely insane diving frankensteiner from the ring to the floor, Dragon Lee style, just more seamless looking. Compared to the rest of the submission wrestlers on the scene today, TJP’s submission offense looks haphazard and phony.
TJP stole a piñata from Lucha House Party and went to hit Metalik with it. TJP went for a standing frankensteiner, but Metalik rolled through into a sunset flip pin for the victory.
Gran Metalik was, like always, impressive. The match was fine, but with piñatas and extra masks as the stakes there wasn’t much urgency.
Maria Kanellis came out with a mic and was screaming “How could you?! I have a family!” at Maverick. It was a distraction so that Mike Kanellis could attack Lucha House Party from behind with a chair.
Maria’s screaming was notably intense. The show ended with the Lucha House Party in the ring, beaten, while the Kanellis’ and TJP celebrated their sneak attack.
As WWE wrapped up four straight days at the Staples Center, three matches were taped for 205 Live prior to tonight’s episode of SmackDown.
– Tony Nese defeated Noam Dar
Cruiserweight Champion Buddy Murphy cut a promo about defeating Mustafa Ali at Survivor Series. Nese won after Murphy distracted Dar.
– Akira Tozawa & Brian Kendrick defeated an enhancement team
Though there was some miscommunication between them during their loss to Drew Gulak & Jack Gallagher last week, Tozawa & Kendrick got the win here. Their opponents were Fidel Bravo & Richie Slade.
– Gran Metalik defeated TJP
This was announced last week when Maria Kanellis appeared on the video screen after Kalisto & Lince Dorado defeated an enhancement team, with Maria saying Mike Kanellis and TJP have unfinished business with The Lucha House Party.
After Metalik defeated TJP, Maria distracted The Lucha House Party and Mike attacked them.
The episode will premiere on the WWE Network at 7 p.m. Eastern time this Wednesday (November 21).
The Big Takeaway: Curt Hawkins added yet another loss to his streak, this time against Goldust, and Gran Metalik & Kalisto defeated TJP & Jack Gallagher in under three minutes.
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Goldust defeated Curt Hawkins (4:29)
And so it continues. Curt Hawkins went 0-164 here, is now 0-165, and following Main Event went on to have a backstage segment after Raw where the Brooklyn Brawler told him not to give up and to believe in himself. We may be going somewhere with this streak, but exactly where is not yet clear.
Goldust took the win out of nothing, really. The match was back and forth, with Hawkins looking the more likely of the two to come out on top. They did a lot of comedy early on, with Hawkins even laying down in the middle of the ring asking to be pinned. Of course, it was a ruse.
The finish started when Hawkins used a side Russian leg sweep and slapped on a rest hold. When Goldust worked his way out, he dropped to his knees, struck Hawkins, and rolled him up for the win. Hawkins was in disbelief.
Gran Metalik & Kalisto defeated TJP & Jack Gallagher (2:43)
They didn’t give this one long at all in front of this expectant pre-Raw 25th anniversary show crowd. Metalik has had TJP’s number over the last few weeks on 205 Live, and the same was true here as the pair started things off together.
After taking two arm whips, TJP hobbled as quickly as he could to make the tag to Gallagher. Gallagher slowed things down, crotching Metalik on the top turnbuckle as we went to a break.
We returned to both men down, and they went straight to the hot tag and the finish. Kalisto took care of Gallagher, tossing him over the top rope and hitting him with a springboard seated senton. And Metalik finished off TJP with a rope-walk elbow drop and the Metalik Driver in the middle of the ring.
