Mickie James is gunning for the title she never lost.
As revealed during the closing segment of Thursday’s Impact Wrestling episode, James will challenge Trinity for the Knockouts World Championship at the Bound for Glory pay-per-view set for Saturday, October 21 in Chicago.
James made the save for Trinity as the champ faced a two-on-one attack from Savannah Evans & Jai Vidal following a win over Giselle Shaw in the main event of this week’s Impact show. James then announced her intentions to challenge Trinity at Bound for Glory. Impact then officially announced the bout in a social media post.
James was forced to relinquish the Knockouts World title due to injury this past April, and never lost the Championship in the ring.
The Knockouts title bout is one of two new matches announced for Bound for Glory, as an X-Division title match with Chris Sabin defending against KENTA was also added to the lineup this week.
Here is the current Bound for Glory card:
The updated Bound for Glory lineup:
Impact World Championship: Alex Shelley defends against Josh Alexander
Impact Knockouts World Championship: Trinity defends against Mickie James
Impact X-Division Championship: Chris Sabin defends against KENTA
Will Ospreay vs. “Speedball” Mike Bailey
Don West, Mike Tenay, Traci Brooks will be inducted into the Impact Wrestling Hall of Fame
Tonight’s Impact Victory Road from White Plains, New York, will feature several title defenses, a return, and a match months in the making.
Former Impact World Champions Josh Alexander and Steve Maclin will go head-to-head in a match that originally slated to happen at April’s Rebellion.
Jordynne Grace will return to the ring for the first time since May as she faces rival Deonna Purrazzo.
X-Division Champion Lio Rush will defend against KUSHIDA.
Knockouts Champion Trinity will defend against Alisha Edwards while Knockouts Tag Team Champions Killer Kelly & Masha Slamovich defend against Gisele Shaw & Savannah Evans.
Impact Tag Team Champions The Rascalz defend their gold for the first time as they face the Motor City Machine Guns.
Digital Media Champion Kenny King will put his title on the line against Tommy Dreamer’s career while Bully Ray takes on PCO under anything goes rules.
The show will also include Crazzy Steve vs. Black Taurus and two pre-show matches.
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Alan Angels defeated Little Guido Maritato
Little Guido facing Alan Angels on am Impact preshow was not something I had on my calendar for 2023, but as the match was about to start, the picture went out with this message being displayed:
he first (and hopefully only) production problem tonight. Thankfully a few moments after that, the show came back on as Guido was working over the shoulder of Angels. As Guido let the referee check on Angels, Angels stood up, raked the eyes, and hit Angels Wings for the win.
–PCO was wandering in the parking lot, and apparently this parking lot in the New York area is the cousin of the NXT parking lot, as PCO was hit by a car driven by Bully Ray.
ABC (Ace Austin & Chris Bey) defeated Moose & Brian Myers
Perfectly fine tag match here, though it does make me wonder what Impact is doing with Moose, given his main event status. I would much rather seem him teaming with Eddie Edwards more often than Myers.
Bey out maneuvered Moose at the start of this match, frustrating him. Bey and Austin continued the assault against Myers, with Moose looking increasingly frustrated on the apron. Moose was able to drop Austin when the referee was distracted and they got the heat on Bey for the next few minutes. Moose slowed it down against Bey and hit a chop, but Bey ducked the next and fired back with 3 chops before Moose raked the eyes and tagged out to Myers.
Bey countered a powerbomb and tagged out to Austin, who immediately ran wild. As this was happening, for a split second, the announcer audio came through the house mic loudly, and then there was awkward silence in the audience as it was a jarring noise. Austin, however, floated through the ropes, bounced of the middle rope, and hit a kick on Myers. Not long after, Bey was able to roll up Myers for the pin as Moose made the dive to try and make the save.
Impact Wrestling Victory Road Main Card
Impact X-Division Champion Lio Rush defeated KUSHIDA to retain
This match ruled. Rush and KUSHIDA are both so good, and I know KUSHIDA has fallen into his role as gatekeeper to the starts in New Japan, but he still has plenty left in the tank. I hope we see him get another run as IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion or something on NJPW Strong, or even here in Impact. Great match.
KUSHIDA started the match chasing after Rush all over ringside and in the ring, but using speed that is not the typical chase, as they weaved in and out of the ropes and the ring in a really cool way. After another chase, KUSHIDA almost punted the arm of Rush, but Rush pulled away to the apron at just the right moment. KUSHIDA grabbed him and put the Hoverboard Lock on, and let go before 5, only to kick the arm and start working Rush over. That opening sequence was so awesome.
KUSHIDA hit a shotei palm strike and put Rush on the top ropes before knocking him off to the apron. Rush had to gouge the eyes to get KUSHIDA away from his arm. KUSHIDA however, was able to go right back to the left arm, and then did an armbar across the bottom rope and turnbuckle on Rush. As KUSHIDA brought Rush back into the ring, Rush rolled KUSHIDA up and hit a spinning kick and a clothesline for a 2-count.
Rush grabbed the X-Division title but the referee did not let him use it. Rush grabbed KUSHIDA’s sunglasses instead, and danced around ringside to boos from the crowd. KUSHIDA rolled Rush up in response for a 2-count and went right for the Hoverboard Lock out of it. Rush countered and sent KUSHIDA to the apron before hitting a handspring kick. Rush went for a lowpe but KUSHIDA caught him with the Hoverboard Lock on the floor.
Back in the ring, Rush went for the Spanish Fly, but KUSHIDA countered again into the Hoverboard Lock. The fans went crazy with how often KUSHIDA was able to counter into it. Rush and KUSHIDA both hit kicks from their backs, trying to spring up to hit their opponent and both were down. Both wrestlers exchanged forearms in the middle of the ring. KUSHIDA caught Rush in a cravat and then hit a series of knees. KUSHIDA accidentally swung his arm into the referee, and Rush low blowed KUSHIDA and hit the Final Hour for the win.
–Santino was backstage with the medical team as PCO laid on a gurney, apparently dead (or unconscious), bur PCO stat right up as soon as the doctor said he couldn’t compete and he screamed for Bully Ray and walked away with the doctors looking completely shocked. He’s basically a zombie, this really shouldn’t surprise anyone in Impact.
Impact Knockouts World Tag Team Champions MK Ultra (Masha Slamovich & Killer Kelly) defeated Gisele Shaw & Savannah Evans (w/ Jai Vidal)
Impact made the right call with MK Ultra continuing to win, as they are two of the best characters and workers in the division.
Slamovich and Kelly dominated Shaw in the early part of this match, including Kelly hitting a stalling fisherman’s suplex for a 2-count. Evans low bridged Kelly and they were finally able to get some offence against Kelly. Evans hit a butterfly suplex on Kelly for a 2-count. After kicking Shaw, Slamovich tagged in for the hot tag and ran wild, hitting yakuza kicks all over the ring, but Jai Vidal got on the apron and distracted the referee, allowing them to double team Slamovich.
Evans then accidentally hit a big boot on Shaw after Slamovich ducked. Kelly took out Vidal on the apron, but Evans recovered enough to hit a big boot on Slamovich. Evans picked Slamovich up with a fireman’s carry, but Slamovich countered into a sleeper, so Evans threw her off. Slamovich got up, hit a spinning hook kick and then the Snow plough on Evans for the pinfall.
–PCO was screaming for Bully Ray backstage, and Ray ran up behind him and started beating on him with a chair, screaming that he was just a man. Ray then brought some gasoline out and poured it on PCO. PCO spit gasoline into the eyes of Bully Ray after that though, saving himself from being set on fire.
Crazzy Steve defeated Black Taurus
This wasn’t bad. Steve’s new character is working, I think, as the audience seems to be genuinely creeped out by Steve.
Taurus did not waste any time waiting for Steve, attacking him as soon as the bell rang. Steve bailed to the floor and Tom Hannifan stood up ready to run away. Steve told him to relax and that he was witnessing something beautiful be born. He then got back in the ring and sent Taurus to the corner, setting Taurus on the top rope before hitting a springboard clothesline for a 2-count.
Steve then said he was going to take the eyes of Taurus, but Taurus countered it for a bit until Steve hit a Russian legsweep. After some brief exchanges, Taurus went for a Samoan drop, but Steve countered with a crucifix driver for a 2-count. Taurus managed to hit the pop up Samoan drop after a reset, so the first one may have been a botch, and both men were down. Taurus hit a hard forearm to drove Steve, and hit a second after blocking a punch.
Taurus hit two sling blades, and a Knightfall backbreaker. Steve screamed he was sorry at this point, saying he didn’t want to fight. Taurus turned around, unsettled, so Steve attacked him from behind and went to the floor to pull out a fork he hid under the announce table. Steve’s usage of the fork was blocked, letting the referee take it out of the ring, but Steve gouged the eyes and hit a tornado DDT for the win.
–Gia Miller was with Tommy Dreamer talking about his match with Kenny King. Dreamer said that if tonight was his last match, he was very proud to have it in front of his fans in New York, in the same building he became a wrestling fan when he was 10-years old.
Tommy Dreamer defeated Kenny King (w/ Sheldon Jean) to win the Impact Digital Media Championship in a Title vs. Career match
This was all smoke and mirrors, as it needed to be, despite not being a hardcore match. King got a lot of heat on Dreamer until the end, not dissimilar to a Terry Funk babyface match. This will probably be the worst match on the card, but the crowd was red hot, and Dreamer did work very hard in it. Heartwarming finish, and that is all we need sometimes.
Tommy Dreamer came out wearing Terry Funk inspired gear, and his daughters were in the front row to cheer him on. The crowd was very hot for this, as King hit an arm drag and the fans exploded into “Tommy Dreamer” chants while one person cheered for King. That was amusing. There’s always one fan that has to cheer the heel.
Dreamer hit an arm drag of his own before hitting a Cactus clothesline to the floor on King. Dreamer requested a bottle of water from the fans, spitting it into the face of King. Dreamer then hit the ropes going for a tope by King cut him off with a kick. Credit to Dreamer, he had me believing he was running full force for a dive.
King went to the top rope buy spent too much time trash talking the fans and got hit with a gorilla press. King rolled to the floor and managed to suplex Dreamer on the ramp. King hit an Eddy Gordo kick on Dreamer, and faced off with Dreamer’s daughters, saying he was their father now.
King ended up getting hit with a superplex from Dreamer for a 2-count. Dreamer and King then exchanged punches, with Dreamer hitting his Dusty style punches before hitting a bionic elbow. King got up and hit a spinebuster after a kick for a two count. King went for a superkick, saying “I’m sorry, I hate you!” but Dreamer hit a cutter for a 2-count.
King got out of a Death Valley Driver, and taunted Dreamer’s daughters again after necking Dreamer on the ropes. King then hit a blockbuster for a 2-count. The announcers completely missed Kenny King going for the spinning toe hold, calling it a figure four, but Dreamer rolled him up for a two count.
Dreamer then hit a Death Valley Driver and a Terry Funk style piledriver for a 2-count. Dreamer looked at his Terry Funk shirt and called for a moonsault, but Sheldon Jean distracted the referee, allowing King to cut him off. The referee ejected Jean, and as he was doing that, Heath ran in and hit the Wake Up Call, allowing Dreamer to hit a DDT for the pinfall.
–The hype video for this match was awesome, with Purrazzo doing an awesome voiceover about how Grace couldn’t beat her, while Grace is seen training with the images of her previous losses to Purrazzo playing. This was great.
Jordynne Grace defeated Deonna Purrazzo
Really good match from Purrazzo and Grace here, with Grace finally getting a one on one win over Purrazzo.
Grace hit a northern lights suplex on Purrazzo right away to start the match for a 2-count. Grace fell short on a dive and Purrazzo took advantage, locking on a double wristlock and driving Grace back into the apron. Grace and Purrazzo exchanged elbows as they ran the ropes until Purrazzo tried to hit a head scissors into an armbar, but Grace shoved her off and hit a bodyslam. Purrazzo’s work over the arm made Grace hesitate, but Grace was able to hit a Michinoku driver for a 2-count.
Purrazzo hit a suplex and transitioned to an armbar as soon as Grace kicked out. Purrazzo called for the Queen’s Gambit, but Grace shoved her back to the corner and went for a superplex after driving the face of Purrazzo into her knee. Grace then rolled through straight into a Jackhammer for a 2-count.
Purrazzo and Grace exchanged attempts at the Juggernaut driver, but it ended with Purrazzo hitting a coup d’état for a two count. Grace hit forearms from the apron before both wrestlers hit a clothesline and were down. Purrazzo ran the ropes, but Grace countered and hit a Deadeye for a two count.
Purrazzo was able to hit a head scissors into an armbar, but Grace immediately countered into a pinfall attempt. Purrazzo did not let that stand, transitioning back to the armbar. As Grace tried to escape, Purrazzo went for the Queen’s Gambit. Grace then countered a few attempts at this before finally hitting the Juggernaut driver for the pinfall.
PCO defeated Bully Ray in a No DQ Match
This is what you would expect it to be, but was fun.
PCO attacked Ray as he tried to leave the building, and they ended up on the ramp with Ray throwing PCO down the ramp. He then screamed “Do you know who I am?” with all of his fear suddenly gone. Oops. Should have kept the attack up looking scared to be consistent there. Ray pulled a garbage can out from under the ring and hit PCO with it and the camera shook as he hit it, making me dizzy, though it was not Kevin Dunn production bad.
Ray put three tables in the ring while PCO setup chairs on the floor. Ray punched PCO off the apron, and PCO fell off into the chairs. That was a quick payoff. Ray setup tables in each corner of the ring, except one. Ray setup a fourth table on the floor, but PCO hit him with a garbage can. The bell finally rang as they went into the ring, and Ray sent PCO throw all three tables that he setup.
Ray sent PCO out of the ring through the fourth table, and PCO sat up like nothing, and Ray tried to run away again. Santino Marella came out with security and told him that he had to finish the match. Ray slapped Santino, and Santino pulled out the cobra, and hit it on Ray, sending him right to the feet of PCO. PCO setup a ladder in the ring and tried to hit a flip off the top rope onto Ray on the ladder, but Ray got up and threw PCO onto the ladder and pulled more tables into the ring.
Ray pulled a cowbell out and went to hit PCO with it, but PCO grabbed Ray and chokeslammed him for a 2-count. PCO pulled a cheese grater out and hit a low blow with it. PCO then hit a flip off the top rope onto Ray through a table, but the table didn’t break. PCO set it up in the corner instead and sent Ray through it for the win.
–Eric Young and Scott D’Amore were with Gia Miller talking about Impact 1000, saying that they were there for the very first episode of Impact, and they were going to be there, while D’Amore screamed “Yes! Yes! Yes!” at the camera like he used to as the leader of Team Canada.
Impact World Tag Team Champions The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachery Wentz) defeated The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin)
The story of this match is that the Motor City Machine Guns outclassed The Rascalz, who, while talented, were not able to compete without cheating. Unfortunately, they basically got screwed by a dumb referee in the finish, but it does add to the heat for The Rascalz. Sabin and Shelley were honestly unbelievably great in this match, and this was probably the best match on the show thus far, giving Lio Rush and KUSHIDA a run for their money. The Rascalz were good too, but all the little things Sabin and Shelley do really set them apart. Impact is fortunate to have them.
Sabin started the match with Miguel, and the announcers noted that the last time they were one-on-one on Impact, Zachery Wentz debuted and attacked Sabin. Sabin and Shelley used their great teamwork to counter all the attempts of the Rascalz to get on top of the early portion of the match, but after Sabin and Shelley pulled them to the floor, the Rascalz ducked under them and hit stereo superkicks.
Sabin and Shelley didn’t let that advantage last long though, hitting dragon screws on the legs of Wentz, starting to tear apart his knees. Shelley made sure Wentz’s back was to the referee, and he pulled Wentz by his face to the corner to tag out to Sabin. That was a really well done spot, and Shelley is only repaying them for their cheating, while being better at it than the younger wrestlers ala a babyface Ric Flair. That was great.
Shelley did a spinning toe hold on Wentz, and the announcers got the move right this time, but did not note the Terry Funk reference. Shelley and Sabin then got stereo figure four leglocks on both men to the delight of the fans. The story of the match is that thus far is that Shelley and Sabin are far above both Wentz and Miguel in terms of their technique, including using the rules and referee blindness to their advantage.
Wentz managed to hit a handspring into a knee, and tagged out to Miguel. Miguel posed on the floor, so Shelly brought Miguel onto the apron via face pull, but Miguel gouged the eyes and suddenly Miguel and Wentz had some measure of control for a little bit, sending each other into dropkicks on Sabin and Shelley both, who were in opposite corners.
Sabin was able to hit a dragon screw on Miguel, and hit a second on Wentz, and then one on both of them at the same time, as again, the Motor City Machine Guns had an answer to everything the Rascalz were doing. Sabin then hit a tope suicidia to the floor on both wrestlers. Sabin and Shelley hit a double team dropkick and flatliner for a 2-count. Wentz went to the eyes of Shelley, in a bit of revenge, and superkicked Sabin and hit a double stomp for a 2-count.
Miguel went for the belts to try and hit Sabin, but the referee took his belt away. Unfortunately, he missed Wentz hitting Sabin with the belt for a 2-count. Miguel called for spray paint, and as Wentz went for it, Shelley pulled him to the floor and Sabin and Shelley hit a combo superkick and PK. Miguel hit a handspring kick to knock both men off the apron and then hit a tope con giro to the floor.
Miguel went to hit Sabin with the belt again, but Sabin and ducked and then hit a tornado DDT on Miguel onto the belt. As Sabin was going for the pin, John Skylar pulled the referee from the ring. The referee was a complete idiot here, as he thought Shelley may have pulled him out, costing himself the match, rather than Skylar who was right there, and the referee questioned both men. While this was going on, Wentz sprayed paint into the eyes of Sabin and Miguel rolled him up for the 3.
Impact Knockouts World Champion Trinity defeated Alisha Edwards
This was far better than it had any right to be, and it’s because Trinity is so likable and Alisha Edwards did a wonderful job being a heel. The in ring was rough in a few spots, but they worked very hard and had the audience the whole time. This was great. Not a great match, but great for how hot the crowd was.
Trinity was cheered wildly by the fans as she came out, and they threw glowsticks into the ring as she posed with the Knockouts championship. That was great. Edwards grabbed the mic and said she didn’t understand the New York’s fans booing because of their dumb accents. Again, great.
Trinity hit some kicks in the corner, a PK, and a legdrop while doing the splits as the fans chanted “Ucey” which brought a big smile to Trinity’s face. Edwards managed to hit a neck breaker on Trinity out of the corner for a two count. Edwards hit some weak chops to Trinity before going for a tornado DDT, but Trinity countered and shoved Edwards away.
Trinity charged the corner, but ate a drop toe hold into the bottom turnbuckle. Edwards locked on a body scissors and hit forearms to the back of Trinity. The crowd booed her loudly. Trinity hit some short arm clotheslines and a back suplex into a back breaker across both of knees for a 2-count. Edwards countered a full nelson bomb and Trinity went for a kick well above her head and took the head off the referee by accident.
Trinity locked on starstruck and even locked hands together to crank it in even more, but Eddie Edwards broke it up and then setup a table on the floor to put Trinity through. Frankie Kazarian and Traci Brooks ran out and made the save, putting Eddie Edwards on the table and then telling Trinity to hit a dive off the top rope, hitting Edwards with a splash that only broke the table legs. Poor Trinity screamed “Ow!” after that.
Alisha Edwards, meanwhile grabbed a kendo stick and hit Trinity with it. Trinity kicked out to a huge reaction from the crowd. Trinity then hit a full nelson bomb, and I think they were supposed to roll over into starstruck, but something went wrong, so Trinity smartly adjusted and pinned her, and only people watching closely would see it.
–A video played announcing the new inductees to the Impact Wrestling Hall of Fame, announcing Mike Tenay and Don West. This was so perfect. The video then faded out to Tom Hannifan and Matt Rehwoldt, with Hannifan clearly emotional, saying that there was no Impact Wrestling without the voices of Tenay and West, and they were walking the roads that they paved. This was really nice, and I found myself tearing up too because we lost Don West far too soon.
Josh Alexander defeated Steve Maclin
This match ruled. Oh my goodness, I missed Alexander in the main event having these kind of matches. Steve Maclin looked incredible too, as Impact really does have two main eventers who can deliver every time they are out there. This main event was absolutely fantastic and my favourite match of the show, as they wrestled a G1 level main event. Watch this match and enjoy great pro wrestling.
It only seems right for Josh Alexander to be in the main event of an Impact show, and here he was starting where he left off – in a match with Steve Maclin. Both men wasted no time going for hard chops and strikes, with Alexander hitting several hard ones on Maclin on the floor before Maclin drove him into the apron.
Alexander hit a brainbuster on the apron and threw Maclin into the ring. As Alexander got back on the apron and looked back to the audience for a split second, Maclin jumped up and yanked the left arm of Alexander across the ropes and then drove him into the ring post. Excellent spot. Maclin hit a knee drop on the arm of Alexander, and Alexander immediately slapped Maclin in response, so Maclin returned the strike and hit a uranage into a backbreaker on Alexander.
Alexander, however, had a series of German suplexes ready to unleash, hitting ten rolling suplexes with a bridge for a 2-count, and Maclin in kicking out immediately went to an arm lock on Alexander who had to make the ropes. Fantastic spot that highlights Alexander’s ability while showing Maclin’s clear headed thinking.
Maclin hit a lowpe on Alexander and then wrapped Alexander’s arm up in the ring steps before kicking them. Alexander blocked an arm lock with some chops, but fell to the mat when going for a float over at the turnbuckle, and Maclin ran in and locked on the London Dungeon. Alexander was able to dodge a kick and hit a back suplex with his right arm.
Maclin went for an armbar, but Alexander scrambled and hit some palm strikes to the face of Maclin. Maclin went for a busaiku knee on Alexander, but he caught him and went for the ankle lock. Maclin rolled forward, sending Alexander crashing into the middle turnbuckle. Alexande dodged a charge, hit a hard forearm to the back of Maclin’s head, and then hit a torture rack bomb for a 2-count.
Alexander went for a moonsault, but Maclin put Alexander in the tree of woe. Alexander hit a spear in the corner and then hit a KIA on Alexander, but Alexander fell to the outside. As Maclin went for a lowpe in response, Alexander caught him and swiped him aside, forcing Maclin to crash to the floor in brutal fashion. As Alexander tried to drag himself into the ring, Maclin hit a chop block, and Alexander barely made it back in. Both men exchanged forearms in the middle or the ring before trading hard strikes and chops.
Maclin went for a hard haymaker, but Alexander instinctively blocked it with his left arm, letting Maclin hit a brainbuster before going for a diving headbutt. Alexander got his feet up, and rolled him up. Alexander then kicked the inner thigh of Maclin, forcing him to drop to his knees, targeting the formerly injured groin of Maclin, and then hit the C4 Spike for the pinfall.
Final Thoughts
Impact is really on a roll with their specials and PPVs right now, as was another great one. Between their shows and the big AEW shows the last few weeks, I have seen so much good wrestling that it’s almost overwhelming. I’m not complaining though, as this was a delight to watch and I highly recommend checking this show out if you get the chance, especially the main event.
Hall of Famers and both past and current Knockouts Champions will be part of an all star 10-woman tag team match on the 1000th episode of Impact Wrestling.
Current champion Trinity will team with former champion Jordynne Grace, Hall of Famers Gail Kim and Awesome Kong and a mystery partner against former champions Deonna Purrazzo and Angelina Love, Gisele Shaw, Savannah Evans and a mystery partner.
The episode is being filmed at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, New York on Saturday, September 9th, to air the following Thursday.
This will be Kim’s first match since 2019’s Rebellion and Kong’s first since 2020. Love will be making her return to the company for the first time since 2017.
Grace will make her return to the company the night before at Impact’s Victory Road in her first appearance since late-May while Trinity will defend her title against a battle royal winner.
Here’s the current lineup:
Impact World Champion Alex Shelley defends against Trey Miguel
Trinity, Jordynne Grace, Gail Kim & Awesome Kong and a mystery partner vs. Deonna Purrazzo, Angelina Love, Gisele Shaw, Savannah Evans & a mystery partner
The road to Victory Road begins for those in attendance at Monday’s post-Emergence Impact Wrestling TV taping in Toronto, Canada.
The company will tape content for the next two weeks of their AXS TV show leading into the September 8th streaming special from White Plains, New York.
Here’s everything that has been announced with more matches & segments to take place that are traditionally not revealed beforehand:
After Trinity successfully defended her Knockouts title against Deonna Purrazzo on Sunday’s streaming special, her next challenger will be determined via a 10-woman battle royal. She will then defend the title against the winner at Victory Road.
Purrazzo will look to regain momentum as she faces Subculture’s Dani Luna.
Zachary Wentz, one half of the new Impact Tag Team Champions The Rascalz, will face Chris Sabin who is no stranger to Impact gold himself.
Subculture, the now former champions, will take on Rich Swann & Sami Callihan who were finalists in the recent Tag Team title eliminator tournament.
X-Division Champion Lio Rush will face Kevin Knight, but it was not announced as a title defense.
After defeating Deaner in a no DQ match, Eric Young will team with Laredo Kid against Deaner & Kon of The Design.
Tommy Dreamer & Channing Decker will team up against Dirty Dango & Alpha Bravo (the former John E. Bravo).
Here’s the current lineup:
Deonna Purrazzo vs. Dani Luna
X-Division Champion Lio Rush vs. Kevin Knight
10-woman battle royal for Knockouts title opportunity at Victory Road
Tommy Dreamer & Channing Decker vs. Dirty Dango & Alpha Bravo
Eric Young & Laredo Kid vs. Deaner & Kon
Subculture (Flash Morgan Webster & Mark Andrews) vs. Rich Swann & Sami Callihan
The Knockouts title will be on the line in the headliner for Sunday’s Emergence streaming special from Impact Wrestling.
After defeating Deonna Purrazzo for the gold at July’s Slammiversary, Trinity will defend for the first time and against the former champion in a rematch.
Impact World Champion Alex Shelley will be in eight-man tag team action as he teams with former champion Josh Alexander, KUSHIDA & Chris Sabin against Bully Ray, Moose, Brian Myers & Lio Rush.
Impact Tag Team Champions Subculture (Flash Morgan Webster & Mark Andrews) will defend against The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz) while the Knockouts Tag Team Champions MK Ultra (Masha Slamovich & Killer Kelly) will defend in a four-way.
IWGP World Champion and former X-Division Champion SANADA will make his return to Impact as he faces Jake Something in a non-title match.
The rest of the card from Toronto features a Kenny King Digital Media title defense, a no DQ battle between Eric Young and Deaner and more.
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Mike Bailey defeated Alan Angels
This match was awesome, and they will be hard pressed to have a better one on the main card.
Mike Bailey was very over with this Canadian audience for Impact Emergence. Bailey took most of the early portions of the match, hitting kicks, a triangle moonsault to the floor, and many other fast paced moves. Angels managed to trap Bailey’s head in the top turnbuckle, but instead of the superkick to the face, Angels hit a dropkick. Angels and Bailey then exchanged a series of strikes, which included an awesome spinning kick from Bailey, before Angels hit a lariat and both men were down.
Angels went to the top rope, but Bailey cut him off. Angels trapped the head in the turnbuckle again, but Bailey fought out. Angels pulled Bailey from the top rope, sending him crashing back first onto the turnbuckles. Angels then hit a frog splash and a twisting butterfly suplex for a 2-count. Angels went for a it a second time, but Bailey back body dropped Angels and hit a moonsault into double knees on Angels.
Bailey missed a tornado kick but managed to hit a standing Spanish fly on Angels for a 2-count. Angels went behind Bailey and snapped his neck like a movie neck break. This did not break Bailey’s neck and kill him, thankfully. Bailey hit a tornado kick in the corner before hitting Ultima weapon for the win.
while Canada was not. This got heat in Canada, as America is the foreign heel outside of the US.
This led to Joe Hendry and Yuya Uemura making their entrance to a brand new theme played by and produced by Joe Hendry. Hendry and Uemura came out with matching gear and danced like a boy band down to the ring, and it was incredible.
JoYa (Joe Hendry & Yuya Uemura) defeated The Good Hands (Jason Hotch & John Skylar)
This was a ton of fun, and there is absolutely a tag team title run in waiting for Hendry and Uemura eventually. It must happen.
Hendry and Uemura were very over with the audience, easily getting the crowd behind them no matter what they did in this one. It was not long before Hotch and Skylar were getting the heat on Uemura. Hendry kept getting fired up and trying to save his partner, but the official kept cutting him off. However, this referee was a smart one, and she noticed that Hotch and Skylar changed places without tagging, and demanded they switch, which allowed Uemura to recover enough to escape their grasp and tag out to Hendry.
Hendry sent Hotch into a front facelock by his own partner, and then hit a neckbreaker on Skylar to drive Hotch down with a DDT. Hendry then picked up Skylar in a running powerslam position and launched him into a cutter from Uemura for the 3-count.
Impact Emergence 2023 Main Card
–The show opened with a very nice tribute picture to Terry Funk and Windham Rotunda before having a 10-bell salute.
Eric Young defeated Deaner (w/ Kon) in a No DQ match
Young hit the ropes as the match started and hit a tope suicida to the floor on Kon. Young pulled a ladder out from under the ring and hit Kon with it before coming back in the ring. Young dumped Deaner onto the ladder, but as Young hit the ropes, Deaner responded with a drop toe hold that sent Young face first onto the ladder. Kon pulled the ladder through the ropes while Young was on it, sending him crashing to the floor.
Deaner hit Young with some cookie sheets in the ring. Deaner grabbed a staple gun and tried to use it on Young. Young tried to fight out of it, so Deaner raked his eyes and stapled the hand of Young. Deaner sent Young into a chair in the corner. On the outside, Kon got involved again, but Young managed to handcuff him to the corner. Young stapled the hand of Deaner, and was about to piledrive him on a pair of chairs, but Kon ripped and broke the handcuffs, came into the ring, and chokeslammed Young through the chairs for a 2-count.
Deaner tried to get Kon to help him with a spike piledriver, but Young fought out and hit a Death Valley Driver on both men onto a barbed wire board before hitting a piledriver on Deaner on the board for the win.
–Gia Miller was backstage interviewing Joe Hendry & Yuya Uemura and Uemura asked if Gia could give him a JoYa, and Gia proceeded to sing it with gusto. This was great.
–We got a video of Taylor Wilde sitting on the floor as doctors checked on her, and KiLynn King blamed Jody Threat for it. Threat denied it. Santino showed up and made them a team to replace Wilde, while calling Threat “Jody Treats.”
Impact Knockouts World Tag Team Champions MK Ultra (Masha Slamovich & Killer Kelly) defeated Death Dollz (Jessicka & Courtney Rush), Jody Threat & KiLynn King, & Gisele Shaw & Savannah Evans
This wasn’t too bad, and was given enough time for the fans to get into it, especially with getting the heat on Kelly. MK Ultra is a great team, and Impact is doing a great job establishing them.
Shaw and Slamovich started the match, but the action got particularly violent once Slamovich and King were in the ring beating on each other. King and Kelley ended up in the ring, but the Death Dollz baited King in and tagged in on King, letting Jessicka hit a running crossbody on Kelly, but she missed the Evans blind tagged in. Shawn and Evans then targeted Kelly, getting the heat.
King managed to tag back in and resume beating on Kelly. Threat asked for the tag, but King kept refusing. Threat protested again, and King tagged her hard, so Threat continued working over Kelly. Threat hit a German suplex on Kelly before tagging out to Rush, and cheering before realizing that King was her partner, and not Death Dollz.
The announcers noted this was the second time Death Dollz lured an opponent in for a tag. Kelly managed to hit a double DDT on Death Dollz and the tag was made to Masha Slamovich, who started murdering everyone. As Slamovich was taking everyone out, Rush rolled her up for a 2-count. Everyone started hitting big moves after this, ending with Kelly dumping Threat to the floor with a lariat. After clearing the ring MK Ultra hit what looked like a double team Ganso bomb/Kawada driver for the win.
–Johnny Swinger was with Gia Miller, and he called her Vanna, before saying that he told Greg Gagne to take a year off and come back as a tag rope, and asked Miller to smarten him up to “this internet gimmick”. Miller then asked if Swinger had what it took to win, and Swinger suddenly got serious, saying he has wondered that since he was 12 and his uncle was wrestling in Maple Leaf Gardens. He said that he used to sleep in ring trucks and setup the ring before he broke in, and that he was going to win tonight because it all came to this for him. This was actually awesome.
Impact Digital Media Champion Kenny King (w/ Sheldon Jean) defeated Johnny Swinger
I wanted Swinger to win this match so badly, and it made me sad that he lost here.
King was surprisingly aggressive in this match, but soon paid for it, as Swinger kicked the middle rope into King’s lower regions. Swinger then said he was going to use his head and fell over hitting a headbutt to the breadbasket. King didn’t go down for a shoulder tackle, and Swinger protested. King told him to stay there, and they hit the ropes and did a crisscross until Swinger jumped over a drop down and hit an elbow.
King distracted the referee, allowing Sheldon Jean to choke Swinger on the ropes. Swinger ended up hitting a slingshot into a flipping leg drop on King, which was entirely unexpected. Swinger said he was going to go for a dive, and King was pulled out of the way by Jean. Swinger went to the top rope, and Jean got on the apron to try and get involved, and as he jumped off he shoved the ropes and Swinger crashed on the ropes. The referee ejected Jean, and as she was doing that, Heath ran in and hit a Wake Up Call on King. Swinger then went to the top rope to try a moonsault, but King cut him off and hit the Royal Flush for the win.
–King and Jean continued beating down Swinger after the match. Tommy Dreamer and security came out to defend Swinger, and King laid out Dreamer. I am not a fan of this transition unless Swinger and Dreamer become a team and Dreamer helps him win this Digital Media title.
–Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin, Josh Alexander, and KUSHIDA were backstage talking about how Bully Ray, Moose, Lio Rush, and Brian Myers were facing them tonight. KUSHIDA promised that they would not escape.
The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachery Wentz) defeated Subculture (Mark Andrews & Flash Morgan Webster) (w/ Dani Luna) to become the Impact World Tag Team Champions
This match was awesome. A little overbooked with false finishes, but it was excellent. I expected the Rascalz to win here, and it was the right call for now. Subculture are definitely an act that Impact should keep using though, as they are consistently great.
Miguel and Andrews started the match, with Miguel surprisingly engaging in the ground game with Andrews. Andrews can high fly well, but the ground game usually goes far for those trained in the British style, and Andrews did not disappoint, hitting a dead arm drag on Miguel. Wentz pulled Miguel from the ring to help them reset. The reset worked and the Rascalz were able to isolate Flash Morgan Webster and get the heat on him for several minutes.
Wentz almost got a kimura on Webster, but Webster made it to the ropes to escape, Miguel hit a back suplex onto the apron on Webster before hitting a slingshot senton from the apron to the inside. Wentz hit a double stomp to the arm of Webster, continuing where he left off with the submission.
Webster managed to kick away from Wentz and tag out to Andrews, who ran wild taking both men out, and then Subculture hit stereo tope con giros to the floor on both men. Webster missed a 450 splash, but rolled through and tagged out to Andrews, who hit a double team blue thunder bomb on Miguel for a 2-count.
Both teams exchanged strikes in the middle of the ring until Subculture hit stereo headbutts, but then all 4 kicked up, and The Rascalz hit a spectacular series of kicks. Miguel and Wentz went for a double team move where Miguel did a moonsault and Wentz shoved him in midair into landing on Webster. However, he got the knees up and a Canadian destroyer was hit. Subculture missed a tope, letting the Rascalz hit hot fire & flame from the ramp to the floor onto both men.
Miguel hit a Cross Rhodes on Andrews but it was broken up. While Miguel sprayed Andrews with paint, ABC came down to keep The Rascalz from cheating to win. The Good Hands came down and everyone brawled around until Dani Luna hit a crossbody off the top rope onto the Good Hands. Andrews hit Miguel with the Stundog Millionaire and Webster hit a senton for a 2-count. Wentz ran in and they isolated Webster again and hit a double stomp into burning hammer on Webster for the win.
Bully Ray, Brian Myers, Moose, and Lio Rush were backstage and Ray was thrilled about Rush being there, saying that he was smiling because he was glad to finally be on their side. Ray said he was now included in the group text, and Rush said that he had always been ready, but he wondered if Bully Ray was because of PCO. Moose said not to worry about that, and that they were all scumbags while Rush was a scumbag in training.
–We saw Deonna Purrazzo & Trinity preparing for their match.
Eddie Edwards defeated Frankie Kazarianin a Back to School match
This would have been much better as a live match, but honestly, it wasn’t bad. I hope their next match is live and given time, as they’re both great workers.
When the announcers pitched to the match, they had tech trouble and couldn’t get the video to play right away. We saw Kazarian entering the school with a voice over from an old Killer Kowalski promo before entering the school. It fade to Eddie Edwards pulling up to the school with a Jeep the same colour as he green gear. Colour coordination in the heel here, while the same nostalgic music played.
Edwards paused at the same places Kazarian did, noting the photographs of their trainer, and the one signed to Kazarian. The music then got serious as they both entered the gym. Kazarian tried to explain what happened with him accidentally hitting Alisha Edwards. Edwards asked if it hurt Kazarian when he beat Bobby Lashley for the Impact title, or when he became the first foreigner to win the GHC championship in NOAH, rather than him. Edwards than sat in Kowalski’s chair, essentially saying that he was the true successor to their trainer.
Kazarian hit a cheap shot and they got into the ring and started fighting. Kazarian dumped Edwards to the floor but ate a drop toe hold into Kowalski’s chair from Edwards. Kazarian used the gym equipment to hit a hurricanrana on Edwards before throwing him into a pillar. Kazarian hit a springboard leg drop before going for the chicken wing. Edwards fought out and hit a backpack stunner for a 2-count. Edwards went for a Tiger driver, but Kazarian hit an inverted piledriver. Alisha Edwards came in and distracted Kazarian at this point, letting Edwards hit the Boston Knee Party for the win. He then kissed his wife over Kowalski’s chair and left.
Kazarian sadly went back to the photo table, and Alisha Edwards hit Kazarian with a kendo stick while Edwards taunted him, calling him a failure. Eddie Edwards then broke the photo Kazarian brought to the gym over Kazarian’s head, leaving him laying.
SANADA (Just 5 Guys) defeated Jake Something
This was a very good match, with SANADA being treated as a star by the Impact audience and Something looking like he could keep up with the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. Something didn’t win, but he definitely walked out of this with higher stock. SANADA also got a bit of a nice homecoming with Impact, since he spent his excursion there.
SANADA entered wearing his Great Muta tribute gear. It wasn’t long into the match before SANADA tied Something up in the ropes with the paradise lock. SANADA hit a dropkick to release him and then a few elbows. Something flipped backwards out of a back suplex and then hit a Vader body press and a clothesline for a 2-count.
Matt Rehwoldt noted that Something would get a championship opportunity at the IWGP World Heavyweight Champinship if he beat SANADA. You can take the man out of WWE, but it’s harder to take the WWE speak out of the man. To his credit, Hannifan called the title a belt after this though, so take that Vince McMahon!
SANADA hit a plancha to the floor on Something, which got the crowd on their feet. SANADA hit a forearm from the apron but missed a dive off the top ropes, causing him to roll through and end up in the opposite corner, with no time before Something hit a huge spear in the corner on SANADA. SANADA managed to hit the ropes and float over from a Destino into a skull end on Something. Something managed to power out, but SANADA hit a magic whip on Something.
SANADA hit a TKO on Something, but Something kicked out at 2. SANADA then followed up with a big moonsault, but Something kicked out again to the surprise of the fans. SANADA almost hit deadfall, but Something countered out and then caught a moonsault attempt with a Greetings from Asbury Park for a 2-count.
SANADA hit a dropkick, and tried to hit a hurricanrana, but Something rolled through it, hanging onto SANADA’s leg, and hitting a powerbomb for 2. The crowd started to get into Something more here, beyond just cheering SANADA, which I think is the point of this match. Something went for into the void, but SANADA hit an enziguri and a shining wizard before going for deadfall again, but Something powered out yet again and hit a big right hand on SANADA. Something went for into the void again, but SANADA quickly countered into deadfall for the win.
Josh Alexander & Time Machine (Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin, & KUSHIDA) defeated Bully Ray, Lio Rush, Moose, & Myers
I’m really not sure about pinning Alexander right now when you’re probably warming him up to face Shelley, but they got time to warm him up again before Bound for Glory in October. This was a fun, but definitely overbooked, tag match. That said, it was still quite good.
Ray, rather nicely, said into the camera during his entrance, “God bless the Funker, and God bless the Fiend” before going right back into character and hugging Lio Rush, which Rush did not look thrilled about.
Myers spent the early parts of the match getting beaten up by the entire babyface turn, which is his role, and Shelley continued working over the arm like he did on Impact on Thursday. Myers protested this attack, as one does, and tagged out to Moose. Moose then pointed at Alexander. Alexander put Moose in the tree of woe and then did the “O Canada” that Petey Williams used to do.
Sabin tagged in and went to the top rope, but Bully Ray cut him off and tagged in. The announcers noted how Ray hated Sabin since Sabin beat him for the Impact World Championship years ago. The announcers speculated that this was only a team for Ray until something more valuable was presented to him, which is actually a great point about his character. It’s a little thing, but a way for new viewers to become acquainted with characters. Really good job by Rehwoldt here.
Ray decided to pull a table out despite this being a normal tag match. Josh Alexander responded to Ray by pulling out a table of his own. Sabin went for a sunset flip on Myers, but Myers tagged out to Moose before the move was hit and was able to resume beating on Sabin. Nice little spot to keep the heat. Sabin managed to hit an enziguri on Myers, which finally let him tag out to Alexander who suplexed everyone all over the ring, including catching Rush as he went for Rush Hour.
Moose tried to powerbomb Alexander, but Alexander countered and tried for a C4 Spike. Moose countered out and ran up the ropes to try and hit his crossbody, but Alexander dodged and locked on an ankle lock. Myers ran all the way around the ring, climbed the ropes, and hit a flying elbow on the referee to save Moose.
Time Machine took out Myers with a triple kick in the corner. Sabin tried to hit a suicide dive on Moose, but Moose caught him and hit a uranage through the table that Ray setup earlier. That looked brutal, as the table broke in several places and Sabin went through it like butter. Moose fought off the hoverboard lock from KUSHIDA and walked him around the ring to place him on the other table allowing Rush to hit the Final Hour off the top rope to the floor through the table.
Ray then went directly after Shelley, and asked for another table from Moose. Ray went to powerbomb Sabin off the ramp and through the table, but Shelley tried to fight back, hitting a superkick on Moose. Right as Ray cut him off and went for the powerbomb though, the lights went out and came back up with PCO fighting with Ray on the ramp.
PCO then tried to chokeslam Ray off the ramp and through the table, but Myers made another save, low blowing PCO. Ray, Moose, and Myers then powerbombed PCO off the stage through the table, but PCO immediately sat up and no sold it and the crowd roared. That was awesome. As PCO chased after Bully Ray, Steve Maclin ran in and took out PCO from behind before brawling with Alexander. Unfortunately, as this happened, the camera caught PCO just standing up and walking off stage casually.
Security ran out to break them up, as they continued to try and brawl. Everyone seemed to forget there was a match going on, and again, to the credit of the announcers, they pointed this out. Alexander walked back to the ring and got hit with a uranage from Moose. Moose missed a spear, but got his feet on the ropes for a pinfall attempt. Alexander kicked out. Shelley and Alexander crashed into each other when Myers shoved Alexander, leading to Shelley and Alexander arguing. Alexander turned around and got hit with a spear from Moose, and managed to get the pin.
–Impact aired a video, showing that Jordynne Grace was returning to Impact at Victory Road. It seems she has signed with Impact again.
Impact Knockouts World Champion Trinity defeated Deonna Purrazzo to retain
This was a decent match. Trinity’s in ring still isn’t quite there, but that doesn’t really matter if you are over, and she absolutely is. She comes across as a star, and she is so easy to root for, so all of that overcomes a lot. This was still a perfectly fine match, and both women worked very hard, and I’m happy to see them both be highlighted as a main event act. You have to think Trinity vs. Jordynne Grace will happen down the line with Grace coming back to Impact as well.
Gail Kim joined the commentary team for the match, talking about her own history with both Trinity and Purrazzo, back to the start of their careers. Purrazzo took down Trinity, but Trinity managed to hit an axe kick, and also two kicks from the ropes on Purrazzo. Purrazzo slowed it down after this for the next few minutes, taking it to the mat. Both went down with a double clothesline, and I think one fan screamed “Double clothesline!” ala MJF/Cole, which made me chuckle.
Trinity was able to get back on top with a Samoan drop and then a crossbody off the top rope for a 2-count. Purrazzo went right to the arm of Trinity, hitting a Pentagon Jr. style arm breaker on Trinity before hitting a Russian legsweep and floating over into a Fujiwara armbar. Trinity managed to make it to the ropes to break the submission.
Trinity drove Purrazzo face first into the mat and then hit a split legged moonsault for a 2-count. Purrazzo hit a superplex on Trinity, who went back to the top rope. Trinity blocked a strike after an exchange and went for a full nelson bomb, but Purrazzo blocked it. I’m not sure what the next move was, but it got a two count. A sort of flipping STO?
Purrazzo and Trinity ended up back-to-back and stood up leaning on each other. Purrazzo went for the Fujiwara armbar again, but Trinity countered in into starstruck. They were close to the ropes, and the damage done to the arm of Trinity earlier all played into why Purrazzo was able to escape. Trinity blocked Queen’s Gambit and then hit the full nelson bomb for a 2-count. Trinity tried to hit a full nelson bomb off the ropes, but Purrazzo managed to puller her down back into an armbar, but Trinity countered again, hit a Code Red, and locked on Starstruck right out of it, forcing the tap out for the win. The show faded away as Trinity celebrated.
–The show then closed with Impact announced that Will Ospreay was returning to Impact Wrestling on October 21 for Bound for Glory!
Final Thoughts
This was a fun show, overall. It will be greatly overshadowed by the phenomenal AEW All In earlier today, but Impact still delivered a quality outing here. They are definitely starting to setup the card for Bound for Glory, and starting to put all the pieces together. Where they struggled in the early part of the year with some of what they are doing, they seem to be in a much better place now, selling out shows, and generating some buzz online. This was another easy thumbs up show.
Ahead of next Sunday’s Emergence, the Impact World title will be on the line on next Thursday’s Impact on AXS TV.
While the challenger — Brian Myers — is confirmed, his opponent is not. Current titleholder Alex Shelley is defending his title against NJPW legend Hiroshi Tanahashi this Sunday at Impact x NJPW Multiverse United 2. The winner of that bout will defend against Myers next Thursday.
Impact Knockouts Champion Trinity will face Jody Threat in non-title action just days before she defends the gold against former champion Deonna Purrazzo at Emergence.
For the first time ever, former X-Division Champion Chris Sabin will face Samuray del Sol, the former Kalisto in WWE, who made his Impact debut last Thursday.
Former Tag Team Champions ABC (Chris Bey & Ace Austin) will take on recent antagonists The Good Hands (John Skyler & Jason Hotch)
The card is rounded out with Deaner vs. Laredo Kid.
Here’s the current lineup:
Impact World Champion Alex Shelley or Hiroshi Tanahashi defends against Brian Myers
Knockouts Champion Trinity vs. Jody Threat in a non-title match
Chris Sabin vs. Samuray del Sol
ABC (Chris Bey & Ace Austin) vs. The Good Hands (John Skyler & Jason Hotch)
A four-team tournament to crown the number one contenders for the Impact Tag Team titles will begin on tonight’s Impact Wrestling on AXS TV.
The first bout will see The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz) take on former X-Division Champion “Speedball” Mike Bailey. The winners will face the winners of ABC (Chris Bey & Ace Austin) vs. Rich Swann & Sami Callihan which doesn’t have a date yet.
Ahead of her title rematch against former champion Deonna Purrazzo at this month’s Emergence, Knockouts Champion Trinity will open the show with something to say.
Digital Media Champion Kenny King will defend his title for the first time as he takes on former champion Joe Hendry and Yuya Uemura in a triple threat.
Now free of The Design, Alan Angels will return to singles action as he faces Heath in what has turned into a grudge match.
The BTI pre-show will see Gisele Shaw take on Heather Reckless.
**********
George Iceman told us Trinity would open Impact to address her rematch with Deonna Purrazzo, while saying Impact Emergence would have a special guest for only the live audience.
Gisele Shaw defeated Heather Reckless
Shaw gave Reckless a lot in this match before winning, which goes to show that they must see something in Reckless. Shaw got the win after a good match.
Impact Wrestling Main Show
–Trinity came out to open the show, and talked about how Chicago was important to her because she made her Impact debut there a few months ago. Trinity said that the last time she was there she promised she would come back Knockout’s Champion, and she did.
Deonna Purrazzo’s music hit and she made her way down to the ring. Purrazzo said that if they were recreating Trinity’s debut, it’s only appropriate that she came out. She congratulated Trinity on her win, but said the difference between the two of them was that she wasn’t a quitter. The fans chanted “You tapped out” at Purrazzo, which Trinity noted her quitting by submission.
Purrazzo said no one beat her twice, and Trinity said that would. The Coven came out, and both Trinity and Purrazzo looked on annoyed at them, uniting them against the two heels immediately, which was quite funny. KiLynn King reminded Trinity that she faced Trinity on the night of her debut, but King insisted Trinity got lucky.
Wilde decided to give them a card reading, and threw the tarot cards at Trinity and Purrazzo, breaking it down into a brawl. Santino Marella came out as security was trying to keep them apart, so he made a tag match after Purrazzo demanded a tag match right now, even without her gear.
The Coven (KiLynn King & Taylor Wilde) defeated Trinity & Deonna Purrazzo
I am really not sure about the booking of this match. Having your #1 contender lose to someone before the title match means Trinity is defending against someone who lost.
King and Trinity started the match with King using power to overwhelm Trinity. The Coven went for a double clothesline, but Trinity slid underneath both arms and brought Wilde to her corner to hit 6 punches before Purrazzo tagged herself in. Purrazzo ate a flatliner into the middle turnbuckle from Wilde after charging the corner and the Coven started to get the heat on Purrazzo.
Purrazzo made a tag a minute or so later, shoving Wilde back towards her own corner. Trinity came in and hit a bulldog into the middle turnbuckle on Wilde and went to the top rope. King cut Trinity off, and Wilde threw Trinity off the top rope. King tagged in and hit a running knee on Trinity and tagged out to Wilde. Trinity did what was essentially a DDT with her legs on Wilde to tag out to Purrazzo, and she hit a series of moves on King before locking on the Fujiwara armbar.
King spiked Purrazzo with a DDT for a two count after escaping the submission. Purrazzo hit a pump kick but ate a code breaker from Wilde. Trinity hit a flying kick on Wilde, but got caught going for the hip attack on King, who hit a German suplex and everyone was down. King went for the Excalibuster on Purrazzo, but Purrazzo countered into an armbard. Wilde broke it up, and Trinity ran in and tried to kick Wilde, but she ducked and Trinity dropped Purrazzo by accident. KiLynn King then hit an Excalibuster on Purrazzo for the pin.
–The Rascalz were talking about their upcoming match with Mike Bailey and Jonathan Gresham, and Scott D’Amore came up and fined them two weeks pay for interfering in matches last week. He then promised to indefinitely suspend them if they do anything else.
–Alisha Edwards and Eddie Edwards were backstage and Alisha claimed that she ran Tracey Brooks out of Impact again. Jody Threat walked up and said that she did nothing of the sort. Edwards and Threat will be having a match in the near future.
Heath defeated Alan Angels
If you are trying to do something with Angels, this is not the way to get his new character over. The fans love Heath, which is awesome, but with giving Angels a new act, it is critical to get over that he is in a better position. Losing like this (and as often as he has since leaving The Design) tells me he is in a worse position.
Alan Angels left The Design, turning babyface, and then turned heel again within a few weeks with his new rockstar character. Apparently, it wasn’t a babyface turn. I’m also a bit baffled The Design just let him go.Heath was in control for the early parts of the match, but Angels got the heat after dropkicking the stairs into the knee of Heath.
When Heath tried to make a comeback, Angels hit a dropkick to the knee of Heath and hit a DDT for a 2-count. Angels hit an enziguri from the apron and went to the top rope, but ate a powerslam from Heath when he went for a crossbody. Heath went for a wakeup call, but Angels slipped out and hit a backslide. Angels went for a halo strike, but Heath ducked under and hit the wakeup call for the win.
–Eric Young was backstage with Gia Miller to talk about why he wasn’t dead. Only in wrestling. Eric Young promised to show what really happened, and that he wasn’t surprised by what The Design did last week.
Jake Something defeated Davey Vega
This was an awesome squash.
Davey Vega refused a handshake from Something, so Something proceeded to murder him by throwing him around the ring. Vega went for a sunset flip, but Something caught him, lifted him into the air, and hit a huge forearm. Something hit a Vader body press and screamed “What’s my name?” and the fans screamed “Something” before he hit a black hole slam for the win.
–Bully Ray, Moose, & Myers walked up to Lio Rush and said they were happy he made the right decision last week. Rush said again that he wasn’t there to make friends, and Moose said that they didn’t need to be friends, they just needed to be on the same team at Emergence. Ray said that he wanted Rush to experience the trust they had with each other, so there is a six-man tag that was arranged for next week.
–Joe Hendry came to the ring and said that life is short, so you should tell your friends what you think, and that includes letting your friends insert themselves into your contractually entitled rematch for a title they lost. Yuya Uemura came to the ring and turned towards the camera like Joe Hendry, and said, “I am Yuya Uemura! Champion!”
Kenny King (w/ Sheldon Jean) defeated Joe Hendry & Yuya Uemura
This was a really good match. Yuya Uemura is the ace New Japan is looking for, if you ask me. Him and Yota Tsuji really have the charisma part figured out, which is so important. Ren Narita and Shota Umino are great, but they are missing something at the moment.
This was Uemura’s first ever triple threat, though not his first multi-man match as he did several of the Impact six person matches for title shots. Hendry sang his theme at one point and chopped Uemura twice to the beat, which was funny. King said the intro to his theme, and the fans screamed King with him. He’s the heel, so he did not expect this, but then yelled “Chicago knows!” I laughed.
Hendry hit a vertical suplex on King when they came back from break. King and Hendry exchanged uppercuts and strikes in the middle of the ring until King hit a powerslam on Hendry for a 2-count. Uemura hit a crossbody on both men, hitting forearms on both King and Hendry. Uemura hit a back suplex on Hendry for a 2-count.
Uemura went to the top rope again, and Hendry hit a cutter when Uemura came off the top rope. Hendry went for the pinfall but Sheldon Jean pulled him from the ring and King tried to steal the pin, but Uemura kicked out. King shoved Uemura into Hendry and then hit the royal flush for the pinfall.
–Gia Miller was with Mike Bailey and Jonathan Gresham to talk about their match with the Rascalz. Bailey noted that Gresham was unhappy because the rules were not being enforced in Impact, and that they are more than talented enough to overcome any cheating from their opponents. Gresham said that optimism didn’t win matches, but if Bailey had his back, he had Bailey’s. Good promo.
–Josh Alexander, Chris Sabin, Alex Shelley, and KUSHIDA talked about how they were on the same page for Emergence. Sabin said he would be the first ever 10-time X-Division champion, and KUSHIDA responded with “Maybe.”
–Kevin Kelly joined to talk about the G1 Climax match between Jeff Cobb and Zack Sabre Jr. and Eddie Kingston vs. Tomohiro Ishii, both which are great.
–The Death Dollz were backstage and talked about how they needed a gameplan to get themselves into the knockout’s tag team title match. They went into a huddle to discuss strategy, and said “We want the shot and we’re awesome.” That was funny. They turned around and Crazzy Steve was there, so Rush jumped into Jessicka’s arms. Steve said he needed to talk to Rosemary, but Rush said that they had business to take care of with Santino but would talk soon since they were family. Steve said sadly, “I understand” to end the segment.
The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachery Wentz) defeated Jonathan Gresham & Mike Bailey
Holy cow, this match ruled. What a great match between the two teams. The finish was expected but the match was very good.
Gresham came out with a flag that said, “The Foundation,” his old ROH group. Smoke was pouring out of his octopus mask which looked really cool. The Rascalz sure are a bunch of rascals, as they tried to cheat immediately, but it backfired and Gresham and Bailey were able to hit dropkicks on both.
Bailey did not fall for Wentz bowing to him, and both guys started running the ropes before Bailey hit a kick to the chest of Wentz to drop him. Bailey tagged out to Gresham, who started working over the arm of Wentz. Gresham tied Wentz up like a pretzel, locking in a series of brutal submissions.
The Rascalz hit a low blow on Gresham by kicking the ropes when he was in the ropes and Miguel launched Wentz into a dropkick on Bailey that drove him to the floor. The Rascalz got the heat on the Rascalz, but Gresham escaped by hitting a deadlift vertical suplex on Miguel. Bailey tagged in and hit a running shooting star press on Miguel for a 2-count.
Miguel figure foured the legs of Bailey with his arms from behind and lifted him into a suplex. That looked brutal. Wentz went into a cravate into a DDT again, but Bailey countered out. Wentz and Bailey exchanged strikes including Bailey trying for a thrust kick that Wentz nearly bridged backwards to avoid with it just short of his face. That was awesome.
Gresham and Miguel came in and Bailey sent Gresham into a cutter on Miguel that got a 2-count when Wentz hit a senton bomb off the top rope to break it up, nearly crushing the referee. Gresham hit a powerbomb on Miguel for a 2-count, but Miguel kicked out. Wentz tossed a can of spray paint into the ring as Bailey hit a triangle moonsault on Wentz to the floor, but Miguel sprayed Gresham in the eyes with the spray paint and pinned him for the win.
–A video aired of when Deaner supposedly killed Eric Young, but it showed Young randomly waking up and coughing up blood after the supposed stabbing after Deaner left. Young only had blood on his face, and then dragged himself to a motorcycle before driving away. The video was narrated at this point by Young, asking “What is it to die? What is it to live? Is death final? Why are we so scared of it?” He then said death is final, but he is not dead yet. He said a body can be disposed of, but an idea can’t die. He said he was an idea, and he will live forever. This explained absolutely nothing and was incredibly dumb. What a way to end the show.
Final Thoughts
In all seriousness, I would have rather had James Mitchell conduct some sort of evil ceremony to resurrect Young or something than this. This had no explanation for why Young was still alive, and how he survived a stabbing. Though we never saw a stab wound, it was still implied that he was stabbed based on how Young sold it. This ruined what was otherwise a good episode of Impact for me. Remove this nonsense from the show and it would have been an easy show to recommend.
Impact Wrestling – August 10, 2023
#1 Contender Tag Team Tournament: Rich Swann & Sami Callihan vs. ABC
Samuray Del Sol, Laredo Kid, & Black Taurus vs. Bully Ray, Moose, & Brian Myers
Impact x NJPW MultiVerse United 2 – August 20, 2023
Impact World Championship: Alex Shelley (c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi
TMDK (Zack Sabre Jr. & Shane Haste) vs. Moose & Eddie Edwards
Impact Wrestling Emergence – August 27, 2023
Time Machine & Josh Alexander vs. Bully Ray, Moose, Brian Myers, & Lio Rush
Impact Knockouts World Championship: Trinity (c) vs. Deonna Purrazzo
Impact Knockouts World Tag Team Championship: MK Ultra (c) vs. Gisele Shaw & Savannah Evans
A tournament to crown the number one contenders for the Impact Tag Team titles will begin on tonight’s Impact on AXS TV.
The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz) will take on the team of “Speedball” Mike Bailey & Jonathan Gresham in the semifinals of the tournament.
The winners will eventually take on the winners of Rich Swann & Sami Callihan vs. ABC (Ace Austin & Chris Bey) in the finals.
Also set for tonight, Kenny King will defend his Digital Media Media Championship for the first time as he squares off against former champion Joe Hendry and Yuya Uemura in a triple threat match. King won the title from Hendry at Slammiversary last month.
Knockouts Champion Trinity is set to kick off tonight’s show. She was confronted by former Knockouts Champion Deonna Purrazzo last week when Purrazzo explained she wanted a rematch for the title she lost to Trinity at Slammiversary.
Heath will also take on Alan Angels in a grudge match while Gisele Shaw will go up against Heather Reckless on Before The Impact.
Impact Wrestling on AXS TV lineup:
The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz) vs. “Speedball” Mike Bailey & Jonathan Gresham in a number one contenders tag team tournament match
Digital Media Champion Kenny King defends against Joe Hendry and Yuya Uemura in a three-way
Trinity will address the Impact Zone
Heath vs. Alan Angels
Gisele Shaw vs. Heather Reckless (Before the Impact)
Ahead of their visit to Chicago this weekend for two nights of TV tapings, Impact Wrestling has announced match lineups for both events.
The tapings, which kick off Friday and wrap up Saturday, will lead into the company’s two big August events: Impact x NJPW Multiverse United 2 on Sunday, August 20th and Impact Emergence on Sunday, August 27th.
For those in attendance that want to submit results/spoilers, drop us an email at [email protected].
Saturday is highlighted by Impact World Champion Alex Shelley defending his title against Brian Myers while Knockouts Champion Trinity will be in non-title action against former champion Taylor Wilde.
Friday:
Samuray Del Sol, Black Taurus & Laredo Kid vs. Bully Ray, Moose & Brian Myers
Mike Bailey & Jonathan Gresham vs. The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz)
ABC (Ace Austin & Chris Bey) vs. Rich Swann & Sami Callihan
Digital Media Champion Joe Hendry defends against Yuya Uemura and Kenny King in a three-way
Saturday:
Impact World Champion Alex Shelley defends against Brian Myers
Deonna Purrazzo vs. KiLynn King (w/ Taylor Wilde)
Eric Young vs. Kon (w/ Deaner)
Moose vs. Kevin Knight
Knockouts Champion Trinity vs. Taylor Wilde (w/ KiLynn King) in a non-title match
In another new bout announced Thursday, Time Machine (Impact World Champion Alex Shelley, KUSHIDA & Chris Sabin) will team with Josh Alexander to take on Bully Ray, Moose, Brian Myers & X-Division Champion Lio Rush.
After things started simmering last Thursday, the eight-man bout was made Thursday after KUSHIDA and Shelley defeated Moose and Myers. Ray started attacking Shelley which brought out Alexander to even the odds. Rush then joined the fray and attacked Shelley which brought out Sabin to even things out and run Rush off.
It was Sabin’s first appearance since Rush jumped him before their Slammiversary match which saw Rush defeated a weakened Sabin for the title. KUSHIDA has the next shot at Rush after winning an Ultimate X match at Slammiversary.
Alexander has yet to wrestle since March due to a torn triceps that forced him to relinquish the Impact World title. There is also intrigue between himself and Shelley as the former has made his intentions clear that he wants his title back.
Here’s the current card:
IWGP World Champion SANADA in action
Impact Knockouts Champion Trinity defends against Deonna Purrazzo
Time Machine (Alex Shelley, KUSHIDA & Chris Sabin) and Josh Alexander vs. Bully Ray, Moose, Brian Myers & Lio Rush
For the first time since 2014, two Impact World Champions will clash as Eric Young takes on Nick Aldis on tonight’s Impact on AXS TV.
The two last wrestled one-on-one on a September 2014 One Night Only pay-per-view when Aldis was known as Magnus. Tonight’s match was made after a backstage challenge last week.
After the closing events of last week’s show, The Time Splitters (Impact World Champion Alex Shelley & KUSHIDA) will unite to face Moose & Brian Myers.
Gisele Shaw will face Masha Slamovich after a backstage confrontation last week.
In a loser leaves Impact bout, friends will turn foes as Zicky Dice will take on Johnny Swinger.
Knockouts Champion Trinity will team with Subculture’s Dani Luna against former Knockouts Tag Team Champions The Coven (KiLynn King & Taylor Wilde).
Digital Media Champion Kenny King & Sheldon Jean will take on former champion Joe Hendry & Yuya Uemura on the BTI pre-show.
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George Iceman talked about Deonna Purrazzo losing the Knockout’s championship at Slammiversary, and said we would hear from her soon about what she was going to do next.
Joe Hendry & Yuya Uemura defeated Kenny King & Sheldon Jean
Uemura got a big win over Kenny King in this one, presumably setting up a future Impact Digital Media Champonship match.
Impact Wrestling
Trinity opened the show, making her entrance to the ring to team with Dani Luna from Subculture.
Trinity & Dani Luna defeated The Coven (KiLynn King & Taylor Wilde)
This wasn’t very good. I’m not sure if it was the extended heat on Luna, or something else, but this was fine at best.
King managed well against both Luna and Trinity in the early part of the match, but was dropped after a flying back elbow from Luna. King rolled the corner to escape and tagged out, only for Wilde to get caught on a crossbody attempt and hit with a fall away slam. Luna hit a sliding clothesline for a 2-count. King necked Luna on the top rope, letting Wilde get control. After several minutes of heat, Luna managed to dump King to the floor while Trinity hit a full nelson bomb on Wilde before rolling over into a pinfall.
–Deonna Purrazzo came down to the ring to announce that she was getting her rematch for the Knockout’s championship at Impact Emergence.
–Lio Rush was backstage and Moose & Myers walked up, complaining that Rush left them hanging last week. Rush said, “Why would you align yourself with someone like him?” and Bully Ray walked up behind him, “Who?” right into his ear. Moose said they weren’t asking to be friends, and Ray said that he was with them or against them, so he would need an answer by the end of the night.
–Dirty Dango was with Johnny Bravo, and talked about why he needed security because Scott D’Amore has been hitting people with chairs, and Santino is attacking people lately. He introduced Bravo’s new name, Alpha Bravo.
Johnny Swinger defeated Zicky Dice in a Loser Leaves Impact Match
Dice and Swinger feigned not wanting to fight, and then Swinger did the finger poke of doom, but Dice cradled Swinger when he went for the pinfall. Dice and Swinger then exchanged eye rakes. Dice slammed Swinger and said, “I’m sorry, I love you.” Swinger kicked out at 2. Swinger rolled to the floor and said, “I’m done, count me out.” Dice looked really sad as Swinger tried to take his cart and go home.
Swinger said it was Dice’s time and told him to ride the cart. Dice rode the Cart and Swinger pushed it before hitting Dice with a lariat. Swinger then threw Dice into the ring and pinned Dice with his feet on the ropes, and Zicky Dice must leave Impact. Dice looked heartbroken as Swinger celebrated.
–Yuya Uemura & Joe Hendry were backstage with Santino and he made a triple threat for the Impact Digital Media Championship next week between Kenny King, Hendry, and Uemura.
This was a great match. I’m excited to see more between these two as the Knockouts tag title feud was advanced here.
Shaw had a surprising amount of intensity in this, taking it right to Slamovich. Shaw dumped Slamovich to the floor and when they came back from break, Shaw continued the assault with a European uppercut. The announcers noted that this was a new level of intensity for Slamovich, which his what Shaw needs to compete against such a strong wrestler.
Shaw missed a running knee and ate a spin kick from Slamovich. Slamovich setup for the Snow Plough, but Jai Vidal came up on the apron to distract Slamovich. Killer Kelly pulled Vidal from the apron, but Savannah Evans dropped Kelly, and Shaw rolled up Slamovich and hit the Denoument for the pinfall.
–A video aired for Jake Something, hyping up his return to Impact.
–Frankie Kazarian was with Traci Brooks backstage and they were talking about how much trouble Alisha Edwards and Eddie Edwards was giving them, and Kazarian had to talk Brooks out of wanting to fight Alisha.
Time Splitters (KUSHIDA & Alex Shelley) defeated Moose & Brian Myers
Moose was able to get some heat on KUSHIDA due to his size, but the Time Splitters proved to be a more experienced tag team, soon taking advantage of Myers. Myers ran around the ring trying to escape Shelley, which baited Shelley into a clothesline from Moose who was somehow hiding near the corner. Myers tagged back in to take on Shelley, but as he tried to tag out to Moose, Shelley manage to pull him into a crucifix pin, outwrestling him.
–Bully Ray immediately ran in and started beating on Shelley. Josh Alexander ran down to make the save. Lio Rush ran down and jumped Alex Shelley, making his decision by siding with Ray and his crew. Chris Sabin ran in to make the save, and suddenly Lio Rush was left in the ring with nowhere to run, and Sabin hit a superkick and threw him from the ring.
–Alan Angels cut a promo via pretaped video, saying that Heath is an imaginary rockstar while he was a real one, calling himself the Celestial again. He still needs to find his way with his promos, but this is the best way for Angels to learn.
Zachery Wentz (w/ Trey Miguel) defeated Mike Bailey
Wentz had some offence early, but did not account for Bailey being able to kick very hard, and after getting hit with several kicks, Bailey got a two count. Bailey attempted to kick Wentz in the face, but Wentz kept ducking close to the mat. Bailey then faked him out, paused mid kick, waited for Wentz to look up, and kicked him right in the face for another 2-count, where Trey Miguel made the save.
Bailey got into an argument with Miguel on the floor after hitting a trianagle moonsault on Wentz. Wentz responded by hitting a slam onto the apron. Bailey and Wentz exchanged kicks, with Miguel pulling Wentz from the ring to avoid a tornado kick. The referee sent Miguel to the back, who blamed Bailey for everything. Bailey turned around into spray paint in his eyes from Wentz, who hit a cravate into a DDT for the win.
Eric Young defeated Nick Aldis
Eric Young got the win here, with Nick Aldis on his way out of Impact almost as fast as he arrived. This was a good match though. I wish Aldis had more time in the company, and maybe they will come to a new deal, but for now, it seems his short-term deal is up.
The first part of this match featured Young and Aldis both trying to one up each other, with Young and Aldis both skinning the cat. Aldis did it back into a punch from Young, so he bailed to the floor as they cut to a break. As they came back, Young dumped Aldis to the floor, but got caught in the apron when Young went for a baseball slide dropkick.
Aldis hit a big clothesline back in the ring for a 2-count. Young hit a flying forearm off the ropes, and Young followed with a belly-to-belly suplex for a 2-count. Young went to the top rope for an elbow drop, but Aldis cut him off and hit a superplex. Aldis hit a Michinoku driver on Young for a near fall. Aldis locked on the Kingsland cloverleaf, but Young fought out. Aldis went for the figure four leglock, but Young cradled him and then hit a piledriver out of the cradle for the win.
–Deaner ran down to the ring and attacked Eric Young, and Kon chokeslammed Young at Deaner’s directions. I’m not sure if this was the feud I would go with, despite it making sense due to Deaner killing Young months ago. Young could have a better feud given he just beat the person who main evented Slammiversary a few short weeks ago. Kon chokeslammed Young twice and then sent him into a DDT from Deaner.
Final Thoughts
I am really disappointed with Young immediately stepping into a feud with The Design, rather than doing something new. The rest of this show was pretty good, including the main event match, but that angle did not work for me. I can say at least Deaner is giving it his all with this gimmick. He has since day one in Impact, back when he was the redneck with ODB. The guy always gives it 100%. It’s just too bad this character really doesn’t work for me. Hopefully Young can get beyond this feud quickly and move onto better things.
Impact Wrestling – August 3, 2023
Impact Digital Media Championship: Kenny King (c) vs. Joe Hendry vs. Yuya Uemura
Impact Wresting x NJPW MultiVerse United II – August 20, 2023
Impact World Championship: Alex Shelley (c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi
Impact Wrestling Emergence – August 27, 2023
Time Machine (Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin, & KUSHIDA) & Josh Alexander vs. Bully Ray, Moose, Brian Myers, & Lio Rush
Impact Knockouts World Championship: Trinity (c) vs. Deonna Purrazzo
Three matches have been announced for next Thursday’s Impact on AXS TV including a clash between former World Champions.
Made during a backstage segment during Thursday’s show, Eric Young will take on Nick Aldis.
It will be Young’s first singles match since making his surprise return at Slammiversary, made possible after he quietly requested his release from WWE after signing there late last year. His last Impact TV match was in late-October and he was eventually killed off by Deaner before he left.
For Aldis, he will be looking for redemption after he failed to defeat Alex Shelley for the World title at last Saturday’s Slammiversary. His status with the company has also been a point of discussion.
In a loser leaves Impact match, Johnny Swinger will take on his friend, Zicky Dice. With a win, Swinger also earns a future title shot, thanks to Scott D’Amore’s decision on Thursday.
In women’s tag team action, former Knockouts Tag Team Champions The Coven (KiLynn King & Taylor Wilde) face Knockouts Champion Trinity & Dani Luna of Subculture.
Here’s the current card:
Johnny Swinger vs. Zicky Dice loser leaves Impact match
The Coven (KiLynn King & Taylor Wilde) vs. Trinity & Dani Luna
The following are spoilers from Sunday’s Impact Wrestling TV taping in Windsor, Ontario, Canada — the fallout from Saturday’s Slammiversary that saw multiple new champions crowned.
These matches will air over the next two weeks of TV and featured a Tag Team title match in addition to a rematch made for next month’s Emergence.
BTI:
Alan Angels defeated Crazzy Steve. Heath Slater attacked Angels after the match.
Yuya Uemura & Joe Hendry defeated Digital Media Champion Kenny King & Sheldon Jean
Main Show:
Scott D’Amore started the show by thanking the fans and announcing he was back in his previous position as Impact president. The Good Hands come out to interrupt which led to a match.
Sami Callihan & Rich Swann defeated The Good Hands (Jason Hotch & John Skyler)
Courtney Rush defeated Savannah Evans. Jody Threat came out to aid Rush after she was being attacked by Evans’ heel team.
Dirty Dango defeated Santino Marella after an assist from John E. Bravo.
Impact Tag Team Champions Subculture (Flash Morgan Webster & Mark Andrews) defeated ABC (Chris Bey & Ace Austin to retain the titles. The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz) interfered.
Josh Alexander did an in-ring promo and said he was 100% cleared. He mentioned Impact World Champion Alex Shelley who then came out. X-Division Champion Lio Rush came out and said he might use Option C to cash in his title for a World title match. KUSHIDA then came out and said he couldn’t because he was going to cash in his title shot he earned by winning Ultimate X. Eventually, Bully Ray, Moose and Brian Myers came out and a huge brawl broke out.
Jake Something defeated Kevin Knight
Knockouts Champion Trinity & Dani Luna defeated The Coven (Taylor Wilde & KiLynn King). Afterward, Deonna Purrazzo came out and said she was getting her rematch against Trinity at August’s Emergence.
Johnny Swinger defeated Zicky Dice in a loser leaves Impact match
Gisele Shaw defeated Masha Slamovich
The Time Splitters (Alex Shelley & KUSHIDA) defeated Moose & Brian Myers. Another big brawl took place afterward featuring the talent from the Alexander promo segment.
Zachary Wentz defeated Mike Bailey
Eric Young defeated Nick Aldis. Deaner & Kon attacked Young afterward.
Tommy Dreamer & Darren McCarty defeated Champagne Singh & Shera
In the night’s co-main event, Trinity (the former Naomi in WWE) defeated Deonna Purrazzo to kick off her first run as Knockouts Champion.
Trinity got the victory following a series of headbutts, a full nelson bomb off the middle rope, and then Starstruck for the submission victory.
It’s the first major singles title for Trinity since her second run as WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion ended in 2017. After eventually gaining her WWE release, Trinity debuted with Impact in March of this year and is now 5-0 in her new home.
The win ends the three-month reign of Purrazzo who began her third run with the title back in April.
**********
In another high-profile change, Lio Rush defeated Chris Sabin to kick off his first-ever run as X-Division Champion.
The result didn’t come without controversy as Rush attacked Sabin before the match, hitting a suicide dive that drove Sabin into the ramp that he sold as being knocked out. After an Impact doctor suggested he not wrestle, he continued and Rush eventually finished him off with two Final Hours to get the win and title.
Sabin had defeated Trey Miguel last month to begin his ninth reign.
Rush’s first challenger for the X-Division title is likely to be KUSHIDA who won an Ultimate X match to earn a future title shot. The former NJPW star picked up the win after punching Alan Angels in the face, knocking him off the ropes to get the victory.
Rush and KUSHIDA are scheduled for a match on Sunday’s TV taping.
Right afterward, Subculture (Mark Andrews & Flash Morgan Webster) won their first-ever Impact Tag Team titles by winning a four-way that included now-former champions Ace Austin & Chris Bey, Moose & Brian Myers, and Sami Callihan & Rich Swann.
Predictably, The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz) got involved after failing to gain entry into the match despite the stipulation of Wentz defeating Bey last Thursday to earn the opportunity.
Wentz and Miguel prevented Bey from landing the Art of Finesse on Myers, pulling Bey and Austin outside the ring. Webster took out everyone on the outside of the ring with the exception of Myers who was hit by an Andrews’ shooting star press for the win and title change.
This was the first win in Impact for the former WWE NXT Tag Team Champions.
**********
The multi-month run for Digital Media Champion Joe Hendry has ended as Kenny King defeated him Saturday for the title.
King took home the win thanks to the aid of Sheldon Jean who held onto King’s feet while they were on the ropes, giving him the additional leverage he needed to get the pin and title change.
This is King’s first Impact title of any kind since his second X-Division title run ended in 2015. Since winning the title in November 2022, Hendry had successfully defended the title 13 times.
**********
Masha Slamovich & Killer Kelly are leaving Windsor, Ontario, Canada, as the new Knockouts Tag Team Champions.
The duo defeated The Coven (Taylor Wilde & KiLynn King) to win the titles, their first in Impact. The end came when Slamovich countered a Witch’s Wrath with a snowplow for pin and win.
Wilde and King’s reign ends after just three successful title defenses dating back to February when they first won the titles.
Impact Wrestling will celebrate their 21st anniversary at Slammiversary from Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
In the main event, Impact World Champion Alex Shelley will defend against former champion Nick Aldis while Shelley’s Motor City Machine Guns teammate Chris Sabin will defend his X-Division title against Lio Rush.
Knockouts Champion Deonna Purrazzo will defend against Trinity who is looking for her first run with the gold.
Tag Team Champions Ace Austin & Chris Bey will defend against Subculture (Flash Morgan Webster & Mark Andrews), Sami Callihan & Rich Swann, and Brian Myers & Moose in a four-way.
Knockouts Tag Team Champions The Coven (Taylor Wilde & KiLynn King) will defend against Masha Slamovich & Killer Kelly.
Digital Media Champion Joe Hendry will defend against Kenny King on the pre-show.
Also part of the ten-match card is a five-way Ultimate X match with Mike Bailey vs. Jonathan Gresham vs. Angels vs. Kevin Knight vs. KUSHIDA.
**********
Jody Threat & The Death Dollz (Courtney Rush & Jessicka) defeated The SHAWntourage (Gisele Shaw, Savannah Evans, & Jai Vidal)
Jai Vidal got in the ring with Jessicka, and it did not end well for him, with Jessicka hit a series of punches that dropped him. Vidal tagged out to Shaw soon thereafter. Jessicka resumed handing out beatings, driving Shaw’s head repeatedly into the turnbuckle before tagging out to Rush, who hit a bulldog on Shaw across the knee of Jessicka. Jai Vidal distracted Rush, leading to Savannah Evans hitting a big boot on Rush on the floor.
The SHAWntourage draped Rush across the middle ropes in their corner and hit several moves as they tagged out to each other. Rush managed to slip out of a Fireman’s Carry from Evans and then hit an inverted DDT to tag out to Jody Threat. Threat ran wild, hitting suplexes on everyone before tagging back out to Rush, who hit a spear on Vidal for the win.
–We saw video of Trinity and Deonna Purrazzo arriving at the arena.
–A video aired about Joe Hendry and Kenny King, and they added some unnecessary goofy music, but thankfully the music didn’t last long, and they retained the humour of this angle.
–Joe Hendry grabbed a mic and talked about Kenny King liking it when he lost his clothes, and this infuriated Kenny King. He said King wanted him to lose some of his clothes – the Impact Digital Media Championship, and since he wasn’t Stripper Hendry, it would be ridiculous for him to lose. This was entertaining.
Kenny King defeated Joe Hendry to win the Impact Digital Media Championship
Rather than being worried about losing his shirt this time, Kenny King threw the shirt at Hendry, but Hendry ducked and hit a stalling vertical suplex on King. Sheldon Jean got the attention of Hendry by running through the ring, leading to King attacking Hendry from behind and then taking out the knees and kicking King in the chest for a 2-count.
Sheldon Jean got on the apron to distract the referee, and he handed King a bowtie, which King used to choke Joe Hendry before putting it on Hendry’s neck. King put a guillotine choke on Hendry, who powered out and hit another vertical suplex out of the choke. Hendry caught King on a crossbody and hit a fallaway slam. Hendry did a hip swivel after realizing he had a bowtie on, and hit King with a back body drop.
Hendry hit a standing ovation on King, but Sheldon Jean put King’s foot on the ropes to break the pinfall. King tried to hit a corkscrew plancha on Hendry who was on the floor with Jean, but Hendry moved. As they got back in the ring, Kenny King rolled up Joe Hendry with his feet on the ropes, and Jean held onto the feet of King to maintain leverage, and King won!
–The great hype video for Alex Shelley and Nick Aldis aired to close the preshow.
Impact Slammiversary Main Card
Impact Slammiversary wasted no time getting into the action, with the Ultimate X match to determine the #1 Contender to the Impact X-Division Championship.
KUSHIDA defeated Jake Something, Mike Bailey, Kevin Knight, Jonathan Gresham, & Alan Angels in an Ultimate X Match
Very good match to open the PPV, with KUSHIDA getting the shot at the X-Division Championship. Love to see KUSHIDA getting used in a top position in Impact.
Jake Something joined the match as a surprise right when the referee went to ring the bell. Kevin Knight almost got the X immediately by climbing Jake Something, but Something grabbed him in a powerbomb position and threw Knight over the ropes onto everyone. Gresham and Bailey ate a double shoulder tackle as Something tried to figure out how to get the X. Gresham, KUSHIDA, Bailey, and Knight hit a quadruple dropkick on Something, only driving him back into the ropes, where Angels hit a Cactus clothesline to take him to the floor.
Gresham and Bailey seemed to team up against Knight and KUSHIDA, forming tag teams briefly. Gresham then hit a suicide dive on Something followed by Mike Bailey hitting a triangle moonsault to drop Something again. Gresham and Bailey started to fight on the ropes a bit about who would grab the X, so they started righting on the top ropes. Angels ran up the ropes and hit a Spanish Fly, and I think he planted himself head first on the mat, as he did not land on his stomach.
KUSHIDA put Angels on his shoulders and Knight hit a standing dropkick on Angels, leading to Angels moonsaulting backwards onto everyone on the floor. Bailey and KUSHIDA fought on one of the posts, with Bailey knocking KUSHIDA off with a kick. Bailey climed to the topand hit a moonsault onto everyone on the floor. That was insane.
Angels grabbed a chair and started hitting everyone, including hitting 5 chair shots on Something. Angels was on the ropes and shimmied over to where Kevin Knight was climbing the ropes and jumped into a poison rana on Knight. Jonathan Gresham tried to cut off Angels, but Angels hit him low. Something climbed the ropes, but Angels jumped off the top rope and hit a low blow. Bailey tried to bring Angels down, but Angels hit him with a low blow too. KUSHIDA punched Angels right in the face and dropped him from the ropes, letting KUSHIDA grab the X for the win!
–Tom Hannifan pointed out former Team Canada member, A1 in the crowd with his family.
–Gia Miller was with Kenny King and Sheldon King backstage, and King said that he did strip – he stripped Joe Hendry off his Impact Digital Media Championship. King cut a promo on Shelley, calling him MySpace, and saying Sabin used to be cool, as X-Division Champion, but he’s like Twitter, whereas King is cutting edge and hit title is the only one that matters. This was a good promo!
Killer Kelly & Masha Slamovich defeated The Coven (Taylor Wilde & KiLynn King) for the Impact Knockouts World Tag Team Championship
This was pretty good, by all standards. Killer Kelly and Masha Slamovich were awesome in this, and putting the tag titles on them is a good call for match quality in the women’s tag division.
Slamovich and Kelly immediately charged The Coven, throwing them around the ring before Kelly hit a pump kick on Wilde and a suplex for a 2-count. Kelly continued the assault, hitting knees and elbows to the face of Wilde. Wilde tagged out after hitting an inverted DDT on Slamovich, telling King to get in there. Slamovich got briefly laid out by King, but Slamovich hit a forward roll into a pinfall on King and immediately leaped into the air and hit a double stomp before tagging out to Kelly.
King dropped Kelly with a boot, but Kelly got right up. King sort of botched a stun gun, so she quickly recovered and hit a flatliner into the middle rope instead. Wilde and King got the heat on Kelly for the next few minutes. King hit running double knees to the face of Kelly in the corner. King missed a senton off the middle rope and it led to Kelly tagging out to Slamovich, who hit a superkick on Wilde, a clothesline on King, a mafia kick on Wilde, followed by a climb up knee strike in the corner and spinning wheel kick for a 2-count on Wilde.
Slamovich hit a buzzsaw kick on Wilde, but King broke up the pinfall attempt. King hit Kelly with a headbutt, and helped set Wilde up to hit a code breaker on Slamovich. King hit a German suplex on Slamovich, but missed her corner knees. Slamovich hit a missile dropkick on King, while Kelly hit a dropkick on Wilde. Kelly and Slamovich tried to hit a double powerbomb on Wilde, but King broke it up. Wilde hit the Witch’s Wrath on Slamovich for a 2-count, but she kicked out. Kelly pulled King from the ring and Slamovich countered the Witch’s Wrath into a Snow Plough for the win.
Team Canada (Scott D’Amore & Eric Young) defeated Deaner (w/ Kon) & Bully Ray
This was all sorts of fun. Not a great match in terms of star ratings, but fun. As a Canadian, it made me smile to see all the Canadiana in it too.
Scott D’Amore came out wearing a robe that he last wore in 2004 when facing Dustin Rhodes. The Canadian National anthem hit, and Eric Young came out to team with his mentor. The announcers were baffled that Eric Young was back from the dead as the crowd (including A1) cheered on the old Impact Wrestling stable reunited. Young started the match with Deaner as the crowd chanted loudly for Young.
Deaner looked terrified, and immediately tagged out to Ray. Young got an arm wringer and tagged out to D’Amore, who did a jumping splits when in the ring. I did not expect that. Deaner tagged back in and ate a leaping kick from D’Amore. Young tagged in and a backdrop into a neckbreaker with D’Amore while pointing at Ray.
D’Amore hit a sky high powerbomb on Deaner for a 2-count. Kon got on the apron and Darren McCarty, the special enforcer, came in to get rid of him, but the referee got distracted by it, letting Ray attack D’Amore from behind. Bully Ray got in the face of Scott D’Amore’s mom, who was in the front row, taunting her while beating on D’Amore.
Eric Young led the crowd in singing “O Canada,” but Ray responded with low blowing D’Amore. Ray did it right in front of the referee, and demanded to be disqualified, but after being shoved a few times, the referee took off his shirt and threw it across the ring. Darren McCarty grabbed the shirt and put it on to become the referee.
D’Amore speared Ray and then made the hot tag to Eric Young, who ran wild, taking out both Deaner and Ray, hitting a rolling lariat on Deaner. Young followed this with a piledriver and got a 2-count as Kon pulled McCarty from the ring. A1 ran in and clotheslined Kon over the top rope, while McCarty hit a stunner on Bully Ray. Young and McCarty split Ray’s legs and D’Amore hit a headbutt to the lower regions off the top rope. D’Amore, Young, and McCarty screamed “Get the tables!” and set one up in the ring as Eric Young ran around the ring waving a Canadian flag.
McCarty and D’Amore hit a chokeslam on Ray through the table. D’Amore hit a Canadian Destroyer on Deaner, and Young flew off the top rope with a flying elbow on Deaner for the win. This was lots of fun. A1, Young, D’Amore, and McCarty all celebrated after the match before putting the Canadian flag on Ray.
Lio Rush defeated Chris Sabin to win the Impact X-Division Championship
I did not expect this to be what it was, but Sabin has an excuse for losing because Rush jumped him before the bell and knocked him out.
Lio Rush attacked Sabin before the bell, hitting a suicide dive on Sabin on the floor, driving Sabin backwards into the ramp. Sabin sold this like he was knocked out. The doctor said Sabin shouldn’t wrestle, so Sabin shoved him away and made his way into the ring. Rush immediately hit a running kick and Sabin went down. Rush hit a spinning kick and then hit the Final Hour, but Sabin kicked out at 2. Rush hit a second Final Hour and won the X-Division title.
Subculture (Mark Andrews & Flash Morgan Webster) (w/ Dani Luna) defeated ABC (Ace Austin & Chris Bey) (Bullet Club) Moose & Brian Myers, and Sami Callihan & Rich Swann to win the Impact World Tag Team Championship
Chris Bey and Mark Andrews started the match with fast offence, before Bey tagged out to Austin, who hit a kick to the face of Andrews, and tried a head scissors. Andrews and Austin exchanged some headlocks while Webster tagged in blind and both men hit a series of high flying moves on Austin.
Webster hit a lionsault on a standing Austin, who rolled to the corner and Rich Swann tagged in. Moose came in and tried to send Swann to the floor, but Swann blocked it and then hit a cannonball off the apron onto Myers. Moose charged ABC, but they low bridged him and sent him to the floor. Bey tried to hit a flip dive, but Moose caught him and powerbombed Bey on the apron.
Myers speared Austin on the apron, and Andrews hit a flip dive on Myers. Callihan grabbed Webster and dumped him over the top ropes onto everyone before hitting a flatliner and DDT on Subculture. Callihan hit a DVD on Webster while Swann followed with a splash for a 2-count. Austin and Bey hit some double team moves on Swann before Moose and Myers ran in and hit stereo powerbombs on Bey and Austin.
Swann tagged out to Andrews because he was about to be killed by Moose and Myers, and Andrews tried to fight Moose, but ate a pump kick. Andrews hit a Stundog Millionaire, while Webster hit Shadows over Malice on Moose for a 2-count. This match completely broke down at this point with everyone hitting big moves, and I can’t keep up with it. Moose ran up the ropes and went for a crossbody to Bey and Swann, but Swann and Bey responded by both hitting a cutter on Moose.
ABC went for the fold/art of finesse on Myers, but The Rascalz ran out and pulled them from the ring, before sending Austin into the steps and neutralizing Bey. Webster responded by hitting a senton bomb onto everyone on the floor leading to Andrews hitting a shooting star press on Myers for the win.
This was a very good match that felt like it could have been better.
Edwards and Kazarian exchanged some basic holds to start, but Alisha Edwards tripped Kazarian, leading to Edwards hitting Kazarian with a brutal chop. Edwards hit the ropes, and Brooks tripped Edwards, letting Kazarian hit a back stabber. Edwards got the advantage back on the floor and hit several hard chops again.
Kazarian ate a Manhattan drop and belly-to-belly from Edwards for a 2-count. Edwards followed up with another hard chop and Kazarian collapsed to the mat. Edwards hit a running back elbow for a 2-count. Edwards continued his attack with hard chops for the next minute until Kazarian ducked under a lariat attempt and hit a German suplex on Edwards.
Every time Kazarian would try to get the advantage back, Alisha Edwards would get involved, including raking the back of Kazarian, which led to Edwards hitting a suicide dive on Kazarian, absolutely crushing him with it. That looked brutal. Edwards trash talked Kazarian’s son while the fans chanted “Boston sucks!” As a Toronto Maple Leafs fan, I can get behind that chant.
After this extended heat on Kazarian, both men ended up facing off in the middle of the ring, hitting Yakuza kicks until Kazarian hit a back elbow and then a clothesline. Kazarian hit a springboard leg drop for a 2-count. Edwards hit a series of enziguris in the corner before hitting the backpack stunner for a 2-count.
Edwards hit a big top rope superplex on Kazarian. Edwards went for the chicken wing on Kazarian, but Kazarian shoved him off and went for the Boston Knee Party, but Edwards ducked. Edwards suplexed Kazarian over the top rope, and both men went tumbling to the floor. Brooks and Alisha Edwards looked on concerned for their husbands, but as they came back into the ring, Kazarian managed to hit a slingshot cutter on Edwards for a 2-count.
Kazarian went for a flying forearm but accidentally hit the referee, then both men hit clotheslines at the same time. Alisha Edwards grabbed a kendo stick and entered the ring. Traci Brooks came into the ring and took the legs out of Edwards and started fighting with her. Brooks hit a clothesline that sent Alisha to the floor. Kazarian locked on the chicken wing and got the tap out, but the referee was out. As Kazarian tried to wake up the referee Edwards hit Kazarian with a kendo stick and followed up with the Boston Knee Party of the 3-count.
Trinity defeated Deonna Purrazzo to win the Impact Knockouts World Championship
Solid match here, with Trinity going over and winning the Knockouts title. This was easily one of the better matches in Trinity’s career, and my recap really didn’t do it justice.
Purrazzo almost got an armbar early on, but Trinity managed to get out. As Trinity tried to pick up the pace, Purrazzo broke it down and started working over the arm of Trinity. This is a very different style match than Trinity would be used to working in WWE, as Purrazzo worked over the arm, continually getting heat as Trinity sold. Trinity got a leg trip, but missed a leg drop and ate a basement dropkick from Purrazzo for a 2-count.
Trinity rebounded with a kick when Purrazzo tried to put her on the top rope, and she hit clotheslines with hir right arm rather than her left. Purrazzo got hit with a face buster and a split legged moonsault for a 2-count. Purrazzo managed to hit the Queen’s Gambit on the apron, and got a 2-count. Purrazzo went for the Queen’s Gambit off the middle ropes, but Trinity hit a series of headbutts on Purrazzo before hitting a full nelson bomb off the middle ropes before rolling into Starstruck, and Purrazzo tapped out.
Impact World Champion Alex Shelley defeated Nick Aldis defeated to retain
This was a very good match, with Shelley working a mat based style and viciously attacking the arm, while Aldis clearly underestimated Shelley’s ability and paid for it. Aldis’ cheating backfiring leading to Shelley hitting Shell Shock proved to be a great finish on a show that had a lot of heel heat.
Shelley started the match spitting water into the eyes of Aldis, but Aldis powerbombed Shelley off the top rope right away, and Aldis locked the Kingsland Cloverleaf on Shelley. Shelley managed to drag himself to the ropes to escape, and the crowd showered Aldis with boos. Aldis slowed the match down and acted as the bully to Shelley for the next few minutes, including catching Shelley as he jumped from the ropes and turning it into a vertical suplex.
Shelley managed to get Aldis’ knee caught in the ropes, and hit a dragon screw through the ropes to begin an attack on Aldis’ left leg. Aldis managed to trap Shelley in the apron and hit a punch before shoving Shelley back first into the ring post. Aldis hit a snake eyes into the apron on Shelley. Aldis tried to suplex Shelley to the floor, but Shelley responded with a stunner across the ropes and hit a slingshot stomp to the arm of Aldis.
Aldis tried to send Shelley into the post again, but he slipped out and sent Aldis face first into the post. Shelley stuck the fingers of Aldis into the turnbuckle and twisted the metal to work over the hand. The fans in the front row told him to break his fingers, so Shelley stomped on the hand to their delight. Shelley hit another dragon screw in the ropes, going back to the leg. Shelley hit a chop block to the knee of Aldis, and Aldis collapsed in a heap. As he was struggling, he raked the eyes of Shelley.
Shelley went back to the hand and wrist of Aldis, snapping the wrist with his feet. Shelley hit a superplex on Aldis. Aldis and Shelley got up and they started exchange punches and chops. Shelley hit Sliced Bread #2 on Aldis before transitioning into the Border City Stretch, but Aldis countered into a pinfall attempt. Aldis went for the Kingsland Cloverleaf, but Shelley went after the fingers and snapped them.
Shelley went for Sliced Bread #2 again, but Aldis caught him and hit a tombstone for a 2-count, and then followed with an elbow drop for another 2. Aldis grabbed the Impact World Championship and went to hit Shelley again, but Shelley kicked Aldis in the gut and went to hit Aldis with the title while the referee protested. Shelley gave the title to the ref, but as he was putting it aside, Aldis low blowed Shelley and hit a Michinoku driver for a 2-count. Aldis tried to hit Shelley with the belt again, but Shelley stopped him and hit a DDT onto the belt by accident, busting Aldis open. Shelley hit the Shell Shock and got the pin to retain his title.
–As Shelley was celebrating, Josh Alexander’s music hit and he made his way down to the ring to face off with Alex Shelley. It’s clear that we are heading towards a big match between Alexander and Shelley based on this, though I am surprised Alexander is back already after his surgery. The fans chanted “Welcome back” as Alexander grabbed a mic and said “I’m back!”
Final Thoughts
This was a good show, but not a great one. That said, I didn’t feel like my time was wasted, and that the matches had finishes that were mostly satisfying or leading somewhere. I was surprised Shelley retained, as I thought Aldis and Alexander would be a bigger match for upcoming shows, but Impact seems to want to establish Shelley as a viable and real world champion, which I’m in favour of. Shelley is still great, and having some of the best matches of his career, and I can’t wait to see him and Alexander wrestle.
