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Welcome to this week's edition of the Impact Wrestling on AXS TV report. The TNA One Night Only special will soon follow this report!
We opened up with a look at last week's Undead Realm segments, including Jim Mitchell ascending to heaven. So nice to see him reunited with Abyss. I miss Abyss!
We are in Atlanta, GA at the Coca-Cola Roxy!
Josh Mathews and Madison Rayne are doing commentary.
Impact Wrestling Tag Team Champions Josh Alexander with Ethan Page vs. Eddie Edwards
Edwards and Alexander locked up and muscled each other around the ring. Alexander missed a clothesline and Edwards drilled him with chops. They battled back and forth with some really nice intensity in the ring. Alexander ripped at Edwards' face and beat him. Edwards regained control but was stomped across the foot. Alexander kept working him over.
They battled to the floor, where Edwards chopped him down and nailed several right hands. Edwards brought him over past the announcing table, where we could see Josh and Don Callis announcing, so this is obviously a new commentary track due to the recent cancellations. You can't blame Impact for that.
Back in the ring, Page stomped down Edwards and continued controlling him. He picked up Edwards and nailed a back suplex for a two count. The crowd began chanting for Edwards. Alexander trapped Edwards in the corner and chopped away at him, then kicked him. Alexander trash talked him and slapped away at Edwards but it only fired Edwards up. He was whipped into a corner but fired out with a big clothesline. Alexander was tricked into sliding to the outside but Edwards returned to the ring and nailed a big tope suicida to the outside, driving Alexander into the guard rail.
Edwards nailed a Blue Thunder Bomb for a two count. Edwards set up for a Tiger Bomb but Alexander slipped out of the way. Edwards drilled him but was caught with a spinning powerbomb off the shoulders for a close two count. Good action thus far.
The announcers talked up the forthcoming Tessa Blanchard vs. Eddie Edwards vs. Michael Elgin bout but dropped all references to Rebellion, just talking about it as a match that will happen down the line.
They battled back and forth with fists and chops. They beat the hell out of each other. Edwards got the better of the situation, chopping the hell out of Alexander against the ropes. He nailed a big clothesline and hit a Tiger Bomb for a two count. Edwards set up for the Boston Knee Party but Ethan Page grabbed his leg. That allowed Alexander to catch him with a jacknife pinfall and bridge, scoring the pinfall.
Your winner, Josh Alexander!
The North immediately swarmed over Edwards, beating him down. Impact Champion Tessa Blanchard hit the ring to make the save, paying back Edwards for his past help. The crowd chanted for her. The announcers noted they'll be facing off down the line and they had a quick staredown with each other before turning their attention to The North, who backed up the aisle.
They ran down the lineup for the TNA One Night Only special that will follow this broadcast.
They noted Ken Shamrock is not in attendance tonight due to possible "retinal damage" from Sami Callihan's fireball attack a few weeks back.
Backstage, The North cut a promo. Alexander said that they got a win when he pinned Eddie Edwards tonight. Ethan Page said he can't believe Tessa Blanchard stuck her nose in their business. They have been World Champions since June, defending the belts against the World. He challenged Tessa to face him tonight.
Kylie Rae vs. Cassandra Gold
They built up Rae, saying fans have been waiting to see where she lands. Gold attacked her before the bell and slammed her into the buckles before flinging her across the ring several times. Gold missed a charge into the corner and ate the buckles. She attempted a second time and missed again.
Rae fired back with a series of right hands and forearms. Rae caught her with a small package for a two count. She slipped through the ropes to avoid a charge, then nailed the Kylie Special, a superkick variation, for a two count.
Rae nailed a rolling senton in the corner for another two count. She went for another superkick but missed and was grabbed in a Firewoman's Carry. Rae broke free and nailed a Russian Legsweep into a Crossface, forcing Gold to tap.
Your winner, Kylie Rae!
A decent debut for Rae with some nice athletic action.
They showed a number of replays for Rae's big spots and talked her up as a big addition.
It will be Ethan Page vs. Tessa Blanchard headlining tonight's episode.
They plugged the Impact+ app.
Backstage, Jimmy Jacobs interviewed Kylie Rae. She said it felt amazing to be in the ring for Impact. She had an emotional year with highs and lows but she knew the second she stepped into an Impact ring, she knew it was home. She announced she has signed a "long term" Impact Wrestling contract.
They showed the Steiner Math promo as the flashback moment to plug tonight's TNA One Night Only special.
Moose came to the ring and asked for a microphone. He began knocking TNA. Out came David "Kid" Kash, who said that he's been watching and listening to Moose for quite a while now. He said that there isn't anyone that isnt going to agree Moose is an amazing athlete. Kash said that's an original TNA and in his measured opinion, he doesn't think Moose would have done well in TNA. Moose said that if he can't measure up, Kash should prove it and challenged him.
Moose vs. David "Kid" Kash
Kash used his speed and finesse to throw Moose off early, catching him with a head scissors takeover that sent Moose to the floor followed by a rana from the ring to the floor. Kash worked him over in the ring but Moose cut him off with a spear and pinned him.
Your winner, Moose!
This was fine as a way to build Moose as the anti-TNA guy. Kash got a few nice spots in and then put Moose over soundly.
Sami Callihan addresses Impact later tonight.
Backstage, Jimmy Jacobs interviewed Larry D and Acey Romero. They are going to be a tag team as Triple XL. They cut an entertaining promo. Fallah Bah and TJ Perkins showed up. They wanted to welcome them the Filipino way and brought them a snack. They warned them that if they wanted to be in line for the tag team titles, they are going to be in line behind them. Bah took the snacks.
They went to an interview Rich Swann via satellite. He said that he's not there in person but asked Jacobs what he wanted to know. Jacobs asked him about his recovery from his broken tibia. He said recovery is hard. You can look in his eyes and see he's not right. He said he's not good. He was asked about Willie Mack challenging Ace Austin for the X-Division Champion. He said that he thinks Mack has a great chance but he has to watch his back because Austin brings Reno Scum with him. Austin showed up and made Jimmy Jacobs leave. He said that he thinks Mack was the one holding Rich back. He said that if the tables were turned, Rich would be there helping Mack recover from an injury and questioned where Mack was for Swann. He said Mack seemed to be pretty eager to move and asked what happened to their tag team aspirations. Swann told him to shut up. Swann said he obviously has one leg. When he gets better, they'll be back in contention. There was a knock in the background at Swann's home. Austin said that since Mack didn't want to check on him, he sent Reno Scum to personally check on Swann. Austin told him to check the door. Swann blew the idea there was anyone there off, but was attacked off screen. Austin said, "Bye bye Rich."
When they returned from commercial, officials were trying to hold Willie Mack back from getting to Ace Austin.
Sami Callihan came to the ring to address the Impact Zone. Callihan told Atlanta he sees them and he sees everything. He said he's not going to freak out like everyone thinks he's going to do. After he lost the Impact title to Tessa Blanchard, he did some soul searching and got himself right. Why did he throw a fireball at Ken Shamrock? The issues aren't just with Impact but the entire wrestling world. In other companies, legends come in and they push all the hard working talent to the bottom but that doesn't happen in Impact Wrestling. You have to earn your spot here. He's going to be damned if Shamrock doesn't earn his spot without going through Callihan. Shamrock is in the best shape of his life and people are afraid of him. People think he's the World's Most Dangerous Man and that's what offends him the most. He's trying to break ankles but Callihan is throwing fire and beating people's faces with baseball bats. He said if you want to see the World's Most Dangerous man, it's him.
Tommy Dreamer came out. Calllihan said it was typical - another legend coming out. Dreamer said that he doesn't have to speak for Shamrock. He said that his father lost his vision and he knows what its like for someone older in life not to be able to earn an income. Shamrock might have lost his vision. Callihan mocked Dreamer for being "offended again" and said that if Dreamer needed the rub, all he had to do was ask. Whenever someone gets a little buzz, Tommy Dreamer magically shows up in their segments. He told the fans to take their phones out and take a photo and hashtag Dreamer so he can seem relevant yet again. Dreamer said that where he was from, he had Dusty Rhodes, Terry Funk and Mick Foley trying to help people get better. Callihan is just a little troll who tried to hold up this company but he'll speak out for those in the locker room who deserve it. He's never going to back down to trolls or bully or evil like him.
Callihan attacked Dreamer, who nailed him back. Dreamer said this was the perfect place for a fight and challenged him to an old school rules match.
Tommy Dreamer vs. Sami Callihan - Old School Rules
Dreamer and Callihan brawled. Dreamer got weapons from under the ring, including a plunger, which he used on Callihan's face. Callihan drilled him with a right on the floor and beat Dreamer across the back with a chair. Now it was Dreamer's turn to have a plunger to the face.
Callihan climbed up on the ring apron and charged but Dreamer tripped him. Dreamer grabbed a paid of cookie sheets and began beating him over the head with the plans. Callihan tried to charge Dreamer but was driven down with another sheet shot.
They went to the entrance ramp. Dreamer attempted a piledriver but was hit with a low blow. Dreamer escaped the package piledriver and nailed some clubbering shots. Callihan nailed him and rebounded off the ropes but was hit with the Bionic Elbow. Dreamer went to the back and returned charging with a trash can. he nailed Callihan and knocked him over the ropes and back into the ring with it, then spewed water like Great Muta, so it was 100% an homage to Muta' running clothesline.
Dreamer sat in a chair, waiting for Callihan to return. Callihan returned with a staple gun, so Dreamer went to the floor and pulled out an industrial staple gun...and they went to commercial.
When they returned, Dreamer and Callihan were sitting across from each other in chairs, stapling each other. Callihan ended up getting it in the groin. Callihan sat in the chair hurting, leaving himself open for a running Dreamer clothesline. Dreamer rebounded off the ropes but Callihan nailed a drop toehold into the chair. Callihan began beating Dreamer with a chair to the leg. He wedged a chair in between two of the turnbuckles. He tried to slam Dreamer into it but Dreamer avoided it, sent Callihan into it and nailed an Ace Crusher for a close two count.
Dreamer went for a DDT but Callihan swept his leg and drove Dreamer backwards to the mat. He set up a pair of chairs and attempted to suplex Dreamer through the chairs. Dreamer blocked it but was sent into the corner. He kicked Callihan away and went to the top. Dreamer was nailed and hit with a DVDR through the chairs, then spiked with a Cactus Piledriver for the pin.
Your winner, Sami Callihan!
A good brawl.
Callihan buried Dreamer under the debris that was left under the ring. He went to the ropes but Rhino made the save. OVE attacked Rhino. The Crists and Madman Fulton worked over Dreamer and Rhino. They trieed to celebrate with Callihan but he seemed indifferent to them. They all went to do the thumbs up/thumbs down but Callihan pressed a button and the lights went off. He was gone when they returned.
In a bar, Rosemary offered everyone shots and said last mortal standing gets to keep their soul. They all ran off. Rosemary said that she got attached to someone and believed she could protect them. Love made them weak and vulnerable, but now that she's remembered her pride, she's going to use the humans as she sees fit. There was one person left at the bar and she chose him.
They aired a video feature recapping everything from Su Yung's recent past.
Suzie was walking around spooked everyone. She said she gets that everyone is scared of her because of Su Yung but she just wants to be Suzie. Cousin Jake and Cody Deaner were especially worried and excused themselves as Deaner has a match.
Joey Ryan vs. Cody Deaner
Ryan was wearing a dress shirt and khaki shorts. Rob Van Dam and Katie Forbes aren't here because of toxic masculinity. Okaaaaaay.
Deaner worked over Ryan's arm early on. Ryan backed him into the corner and nailed a series of knees. Deaner sent him into the corner and nailed a series of rights before nailing a clothesline and a fistdrop. Ryan rolled to the outside while Deaner took a sip.
Ryan thumbed Deaner in the eye and drilled him with a right hand. He began stomping away at Deaner in the corner and slammed him. Ryan dropped a knee to the face for a two count. Ryan kept drilling Deaner with right hands but it only fired up Deaner, who made a comeback and nailed a series of jabs and a clothesline. Deaner had really great energy for the comeback.
Ryan escaped a DDT attempt but Cousin Jake poured beer down his throat. He scampered away but was caught with a DDT and pinned.
Your winner, Cody Deaner!
The match was perfect for what it was meant to be.
Eddie Edwards came to Tessa Blanchard's locker room and thanked her for her help earlier. He offered his help tonight. Tessa said she appreciated it but she has this on her own tonight. He said, "OK champ" as she exited.
Michael Elgin cut a promo and said that while they say Elgin's shoulders were pinned, Eddie clearly tapped out. He said that he knows he's stronger after their Best of 5 series and asked whether Eddie can say the same. He said Tessa offering to face them both means she has more balls than half the boys in the back. Rebellion means its a year since he's debuted. Tessa has, until now, proven to be undeniable but every path leads to a roadblock. He breaks through them. He's been Unbreakable and at Rebellion, he will leave World Champion. Good promo.
Impact Champion Tessa Blanchard vs. Impact Tag Team Champion Ethan Page (with Josh Alexander)
They faced off at the bell. Page patted her on the head so she shoved him in the face and kicked him down. Blanchard nailed several kicks to keep Page off balance. Blanchard went to the top but Page pulled her off the ropes and drove her across his knee with a backbreaker. Page drilled a series of rights and nailed a big back elbow as Blanchard rebounded off the ropes.
Page used his boot to smother Blanchard. He whipped her hard into the buckles. Blanchard tried to fire back with a series of shots, backing Page into the opposite corner and beat him down. Page fired back with a kick to cut her off as she charged and tackled her down to the mat. Page covered Blanchard for a two count.
Page nailed a delayed vertical suplex but Blanchard kept kicking up each time he tried to cover her. Page went for a sideslam but she tried to fight her way out. Unfortunately, that didn't happen as he snapped her down. Blanchard still made a comeback and nailed a series of rights untl she was thumbed in the eye. Page smashed her with a right hand. Blanchard was whipped into the buckles again and again. Page set up and charged but she avoided him and went for a monkey flip. He stopped her and put her on the ropes but she came off with a rana and nailed a tope suicida to the outside. Blanchard went for and connected with a second dive. The Champion set up and drilled him with a third dive.
Blanchard tossed Page back into the ring but spotted Josh Alexander trying to intercede. That distracted Tessa for a second, allowing Page to grab her. She was pulled back into the ring but nailed Page with a great looking tilt-o-whirl DDT for a close two count. Blanchard went to the top for the Magnum but she was caught. She fired back but he nailed her with an elbow to the face, followed by a pump kick for a close two count. Page has been a really good bullying heel in this.
Tessa went to the top but Page knocked her off and she was hanging upside down. He pulled her back up and attempted a superplex but Blanchard fired back with right hands and shoved him into the ring. Blanchard was going to come off the top but Josh Alexander grabbed her leg. Eddie Edwards charged out and nailed Alexander with the Boston Knee Party on the ramp.
Blanchard came off the top with The Magnum and scored the pin.
Your winner, Impact Wrestling Champion Tessa Blanchard!
A good match.
Tessa wasn't happy Edwards helped her and they faced off but Michael Elgin hit the ring and clotheslined them both. Elgin was going to powerbomb her but Edwards stopped it and they double teamed Elgin to set up a rana that put Elgin out on the floor. They faced off with him, then each other as Impact went off the air.
Stay tuned for TNA coverage. I can't believe I just wrote that.
Announced for next week:
*Ken Shamrock will address Sami Callihan.
*Daga vs. Chris Bey.
*OVE vs. Tommy Dreamer & Rhino.
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