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Impact Wrestling Knockouts Champion Deonna Purrazzo vs. Mercedes Martinez
Martinez actually earned a Knockouts title shot by winning the Knockouts Knockdown PPV a few weeks ago, so this will be a preview for that bout.
They did the big time ring introductions for this one. Some nice back and forth counter-wrestling early on. The challenger dropped Deonna down into a STF, but Purrazzo escaped and they faced off. The crowd started chanting, "This is wrestling" and they stopped and smiled at each other before locking up again. Deonna backed Mercedes into the ropes and was forced to break. Martinez ducked a clothesline and nailed one of her own, followed by a boot and a series of knee strikes. Purrazzo surprised her with a DDT for a two count.
Martinez cut her off and nailed a leaping punch in the corner but missed a big boot and got caught up on the ropes. Purrazzo snapped her to the mat with a divorce court and went after the arm and wrist, wearing down the extremity. Purrazzo kept kicking down Martinez to keep the challenger off her feet and kept working over the arm, scoring near falls along the way.
They battled back and forth with big kicks taking the other down. Deonna went to the floor and grabbed a ringside chair. Referee Kevin Keenan, a man who cannot be trusted, took the chair away, allowing Martinez to roll her up for a two count. Purrazzo was worked over but nailed an elbow as she charged Purrazzo. Mercedes nailed a series of suplexes. Purrazzo grabbed the chair again but Martinez nailed a big boot and drilled her with it. Martinez slammed Purrazzo and went for then pinfall but Keenan rang the bell and called for the DQ. I told you he can't be trusted. WEAK.
Your winner by DQ, Mercedes Martinez!
This was good but never seemed to get into that kickass gear that you'd expect these two would ascend into and the finish was well, whatever it was. My least favorite finish thus far on the show.
The crowd immediately turned on the finish as Keenan tried to explain himself to Martinez. He's totally getting laid out. Yep, she nailed him with a Codebreaker. If ever someone deserved it, it was Keenan.
WrestlePro Silver Champion Eddie Edwards vs. Aaron Rourke vs. Fallah Bahh vs. Kevin Blackwood vs. The World Famous CB vs. Zack Gowen
CB is replacing TJ Crawford, who was out with a knee issue. Lots fun of fast paced action here. Edwards was kicked off the apron to the floor at the bell. Lots of sequences with CB and Blackwood early. Blackwood was sent to the floor. Bahh and CB faced off with Bahh using his girth to send him out. Rourke challenged Bahh and drilled him but was sent to the floor by Gowen. Bahh nailed a dive to the floor on everyone.
Blackwood nailed a back suplex on Gowen, scoring a two count. He went for a head scissors. CB hit the ring and was followed by everyone else grabbing head scissors except for Bahh, who rolled over everyone to flatten them. Bahh, who was bleeding from the elbow, controlled the ring until Blackwood and Rourke cut him off and double teamed him. CB returned to the ring and nailed a back suplex on Blackwood. CB went to the top but was cut off by Gowen. Gowen tried to go for a superplex but slipped. He tried again but was knocked off the ropes. This turned into a big Tower of Doom with everyone nailing a big spot. Gowen barely escaped the onslaught.
Edwards and Bahh exchanged clotheslines. Bahh nailed a big back elbow but Edwards laid him out with a lariat. Gown nailed a missile dropkick on Edwards but was drilled with a double knee strike. CB went for the palm strike on Bahh but was stopped. CB attempted a suplex. That didn't happen. Edwards tried to assist. It turned into everyone getting involved and try to a big suplex spot. Gowen went to the top and nailed a moonsault onto everyone. That was clever. CB went for a sunset flip on Bahh, who just dropped down. OUCH.
Lots of good action. Rourke really stood out with some nice spots. Blackwood nailed a sit-out powerbomb. Edwards nailed an enziguri on Gowen. Edwards fired away with chops. Rourke fired back with a nasty kick to the back of the head. Edwards fired back and set up for the Boston Knee Party but Blackwood caught him in the ropes. Edwards fought him off and rolled up Rourke, who kicked up and sent him onto the ropes and drilled him coming out, scoring the pin.
Your winner and new WrestlePro Silver Champion Aaron Rourke!
A fun, frantic, creative six way. They did a lot of fun spots playing off Bahh's girth and power as well as Gowen doing all sorts of fun spots.
Rourke was interviewed after the match. He said he was the hottest thing on the independents today and this title just proves it. He said the promotion was his kingdom now. He said that anyone who wants to take this should be prepared to bow.....and stopped when he saw the former Big Cass, W. Morrisey coming to the ring. Rourke charged him and ate a big boot to the face. Cass followed up with a big chokeslam. The crowd chanted, "How You Doin'?"
Cass took the mic and said the last time he was in the building, things didn't go very well for him. That's a pretty simplified version of events. The crowd chanted "Welcome back." He said that if it hadn't been what happened that night, he wouldn't have changed his life for the better. He thanked the fans and everyone in the back for understanding and sticking with him, because without that, he wouldn't be standing in the ring right now. He said he owed a huge debt of gratitude to everyone, with the exception of one person.
Cass turned his attention to Joey Janela, saying that even when he apologized, they wouldn't let it go and kept burying him online. Cass said he has to watch him perform all over the world on Wednesday nights while Cass was recovering. He said that person could have been graceful about it but instead kicked him when he was down. He said he could go to where Joey works or Joey can come to where he works or they can finish it in Rahway. He told Janela he isn't going to be able to hide in a locker room this time or have the police across the street protect him. He said next time, he was going to finish what he started and there isn't a thing Janela can do about it.
They went off the air at that point.
Overall, a good 2 1/2 hour show with some fun wrestling, creative spots and nice surprises.
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