.png)
This week’s episode of Impact comes to us from Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee.
The action begins with a match on BTI.
Sami Callihan & Rich Swann vs Laredo Kid & Black Taurus
Rich flips off the second rope but Laredo ducks and takes him out with a clothesline. Taurus hits Rich with a powerslam out of the corner for two. Rich drop kicks Laredo in mid-air to build momentum. Laredo hits Rich with a backstabber into a dropkick from Taurus. Sami dumps Taurus over the top rope to the floor. Sami almost puts Laredo away with a Chokeslam. Laredo dives through the ropes, colliding with Sami on the outside. Taurus inadvertently takes out his Laredo with a corkscrew dive. Sami spikes Laredo with a Death Valley Driver, followed by a 450 Splash from Rich to win.
A good tag team match to get the blood pumping for the show. Again though, I do feel putting already established talent on BTI kind of defeats the purpose. This would be a good place to put up and coming talent to get them used to the workings of Impact, but it's not my decision to make. A good match nonetheless. Grade C
Impact Wrestling is now on the air!
Match 1: X-Division Championship Match - Chris Sabin vs Alan Angels
After winning the Ultimate X match last week and becoming the number 1 contender, Alan Angels is cashing in his opportunity tonight against CHris Sabin.
Alan targets the left arm of Chris, as he delivers a double stomp from the top rope. Chris breaks free of an armbar attempt, but Alan drives him into the top turnbuckle instead. Chris creates some much-needed separation with an explosive dropkick. Chris quickens the pace, delivering a series of strikes to Alan. Chris hits a running boot in the corner but Alan counters the follow-up tornado DDT. The referee prevents Alan from using the X-Division Title belt as a weapon. Alan then hits a low blow, followed by the Halo Strike but it’s not enough to keep Chris down. Alan misses a splash attempt, allowing Chris to capitalise with a missile dropkick. Chris hits the Cradle Shock to win.
A great start to the show. Both these men are amazing athletes and can put on a brilliant match. In my eyes, there was only ever going to be one outcome of this one. No offence to Alan Angels, but I did not see Chris Sabin losing after only just getting the championship back. Grade B
After the match, a video package is played of KENTA and it is revealed that he will return at Bound for Glory.
Backstage Interview:
Gia Miller is backstage with Alex Shelley. He is preparing to battle Josh Alexander at Bound for Glory. Alex says that he respects Josh, but Josh needs to accept that the title is his. Alex tells Josh to step up to the plate at Bound for Glory and to take his best swing, because he will be throwing his best pitch.
Match 2: Rhino vs Jack Price
Jack dropkicks Rhino to the outside. Rhino quickly turns the tide as he hits a back suplex on the ring apron. Back in the ring, Rhino connects with the Gore to win.
Well, that was a quick one. Definitely a squash match. Not really a match I can give a rating on to be honest as there was not a lot of action. Grade N/A
After the match, Steve Maclin jumps Rhino from behind. The two men begin to brawl. Rhino hits Steve with a Belly-to-Belly Suplex. Rhino goes for a Gore attempt, but Steve is able to escape under the bottom rope.
Backstage Segment:
Tasha Steelz says that she is back! She says that she is here to take over the Knockouts Division. Deonna Purrazzo appears and welcomes Tasha back. The women discuss how they can take over the division together and agree to watch each other's backs.
Backstage Segment:
Alisha and Eddie Edwards are backstage. They are not happy after their loss to Frankie Kazarian and Traci Brooks at Impact 1000. Eddie says that it was Traci who pinned Alisha, so his issues with Frankie are not over. Frankie interrupts and says that Impact Management needs to figure a way for them to settle the score once and for all.
In Ring Segment: Yuya Uemura’s Goodbye Ceremony
Yuya Uemura received the “Fired” briefcase in Feast or Fired on Impact 1000, meaning he will be fired tonight.
Yuya and Joe Hendry make their way down to the ring. Joe gets on the microphone and says that despite what has happened, he is thankful for the memories he has shared with Yuya. Joe starts a “Thank you Yuya” chant and the crowd joins in. Yuya gets the microphone and he is about to address the crowd when he is interrupted by the Rascalz.
Trey Miguel and Zachary Wentz make fun of the situation, and claim that even if Yuya had gotten the opportunity of challenging for the Impact World Tag Team Title, they would have failed. Joe and Yuya take the fight to the Rascalz when Director of Authority Santino Marella interrupts. Santino announces a match pitting JOYA (Joe Hendry & Yuya Uemura) vs the Rascalz – and if JOYA wins, Uemura gets to keep his job.
Match 3: JOYA (Joe Hendry & Yuya Uermua) vs The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz) - If JOYA wins, Yuya Uemura keeps his job.
Joe delivers a series of chops to the chest of Zachary. Joe hits Zachary with a stalling suplex for two. Zachary rakes Yuya’s eyes in the corner but Yuya comes back with a double dropkick to both members of the Rascalz. Trey evades the One Hit Wonder, then sends Joe crashing into Yuya. Minutes later, Zachary attempts a handspring but Yuya cuts him off with a dropkick. Yuya makes the tag to Joe as the pace quickens. Joe puts his strength on display as he suplexes Trey and Zachary at the same time. Zachary almost puts Joe away with a double foot stomp from the top rope. JOYA hits the One Hit Wonder on Zachary but it’s not enough to keep him down. JOYA hits another One Hit Wonder, this time on Trey, but Zachary pulls him to safety. Joe chases Zachary up the ramp. Meanwhile, Trey goes low on Yuya, then blinds him with spray paint. Trey rolls up Yuya to steal the victory, bringing Yuya Uemura’s time with Impact to an end.
Another great match. It’s a shame that this is the end of Yuya’s Impact run. I was really hoping that JOYA would get the win here so Yuya would keep his job, but I suppose they weren’t going to have the champions lose. Grade C+
Backstage Segment:
Gisele Shaw is walking backstage, she is approached by Gia Miller. Gia asks Gisele what it would mean to pick up a victory tonight. Gisele says that winning tonight would send her to Bound for Glory to face Trinity again for the Knockout’s World Championship. She vows to win tonight and to leave Bound for Glory as the Knockout’s World Champion.
Backstage Segment:
Deaner is blaming all the issues and failures of the Design on the liars and he singles out Eric Young. Deaner says that he will return to his throne in his tower, sitting next to the monster he can trust, Kon. He says the tower will be rebuilt on his shoulders. Deaner says that it starts next week with Josh Alexander.
Match 4: Memphis Street Fight - Tommy Dreamer & Heath vs Kenny King & Sheldon Jean
The brawl begins on the floor as Tommy sprays beer in the eyes of Kenny. Tommy hits an assisted top rope elbow drop on Kenny. Kenny sends Heath head-first into a steel chair. Kenny and Sheldon are now in control as Kenny suplexes Heath on the outside. They place a ladder over Heath’s head, then drive him into the steel ring post. Back in the ring, Kenny hits Tommy with a Spinebuster into a trash can. Heath re-enters the madness, taking out Sheldon with a Wake-Up Call. Kenny ties up Tommy in a ladder, then connects with an explosive Blockbuster. Kenny counters the Wake-Up Call from Heath as the two battle to the backstage area. Tommy puts Sheldon away with a Death Valley Driver through a table for the win.
A decent match. As street fights go, it was just like any other street fight. Nothing too special. But an overall decent match. Grade C
After the match, Crazzy Steve attacks Tommy Dreamer with his “Feast or Fired” briefcase.
Backstage Segment:
ABC are backstage. They say that they want to get rid of the Good Hands before they set their sights on the Rascalz & the Tag Team titles. ABC say that since the Good Hands are always talking smack about the fans, how about they have a Fan’s Revenge match - where the fans surround the ringside and can give out their own form of retribution. John Skyler appears and says not in Memphis, because Jason Hotch is at home taking care of his new baby. Chris Bey tells him to go find someone else to team with, the only problem is that he has no friends.
Match 5: Mike Bailey vs Jonathan Gresham
Mike lights up Jonathan with a series of kicks on the floor. Mike soars with a springboard corkscrew to the outside. Back in the ring, Jonathan locks in a Boston Crab but Mike makes it to the bottom rope. Both men attempt vertical suplexes with Jonathan gaining the advantage and connecting with the move for two. Jonathan wears Mike down with a chin lock, then takes him down a running back elbow. Jonathan rolls up Mike with a hold of the tights to win.
A good match, but these two don’t seem to disappoint. I was very surprised by the finish, I would not have expected Jonathan Gresham to have been the one to use the tights to get the leverage on the pin. Also, having Mike lose this one when he is going into a big match with Will Ospreay was a surprise as well. Grade B
Backstage Segment:
Moose is backstage with Brian Myers. He is holding the “Feast or Fired” briefcase. Moose says that as he has been in tag action a lot lately, he is issuing an open challenge to anyone who wants to step up to the “Wrestling God”.
Backstage Segment:
Steve Maclin approaches Bully Ray. Maclin asks where Bully has been and why he hasn’t helped him with his Rhino problem. Maclin says that he has helped Bully with his PCO problem and they were supposed to help each other. Bully says that he has known Rhino for 25 years and he will talk to him for Maclin. Maclin asks if Bully has gone soft and nostalgic now that Devon is back. Bully again says that he will talk to Rhino for him.
Main Event: Gisele Shaw w/Savannah Evans & Jai Vidal vs Trinity
The early advantage goes to Trinity as she has some fun at the expense of Gisele. Trinity hits a running clothesline, then sends Gisele to the outside with a dropkick. Gisele catches Trinity in mid-air and whips her into the steel ring steps. Trinity makes it back into the ring at the referee’s count of nine. Gisele is in total control as she knees Trinity from the top rope, driving her face-first into the mat. Trinity creates an opening with a big springboard kick. Trinity continues to build momentum with a Samoan Drop for two. Trinity leaps off the second rope, almost putting Gisele away with a crossbody. Gisele counters an Enzuigiri into Shock & Awe for another near fall. Trinity avoids the Denouement, then spikes Gisele into the canvas. Jai Vidal inadvertently trips up Gisele from the outside. Trinity locks in Star Struck to win by submission.
A nice, solid match from these two very talented women. Gisele is improving every time she steps into the ring. She definitely will be a Knockout’s World Champion at some point. Grade B-
After the match, Savannah Evans and Jai Vidal attack Trinity. Mickie James runs down to make the save.
Mickie and Trinity clear the ring. Mickie grabs a microphone and tells Trinity that she will always have her back. Mickie then praises Trinity for not only winning the Knockout’s World Title, but for earning it. Mickie then reminds Trinity that she never lost the Knockouts World Title and she has a rematch clause that she can cash in whenever she wants. Mickie then tells Trinity that her rematch will take place at the biggest event of the year, Bound for Glory!
Overall, a good episode of Impact. Some nice progression towards Bound for Glory as well. I’m looking forward to seeing who answers Moose’s open challenge next week. Impact seems to just keep getting better and better, people really need to start taking notice of what Impact is producing.
Comments