IMG Credit: Impact Wrestling

Impact Wrestling
Date: August 16, 2019
Location: St. Clair College, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Commentators: Josh Matthews, Don Callis

Impact has been going up and down as of late with some of the stories being better than others and some good enough shows. It’s not the best show in the world but at least they have enough stuff going on that I can remember it for a change. That’s more than they’ve had going for them in the past so at least there are some positives around here. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening recap.

Opening sequence.

Moose vs. Fallah Bahh

Rematch from two weeks ago when Bahh beat him in about a minute. You really can see how much weight Bahh has lost and that’s a good thing. Moose gets smart by stomping on the bare foot and sending Bahh outside, setting up a pump kick against the barricade. You don’t do that to someone like Bahh, who crushes Moose with a running crossbody. A splash on the ramp makes it even worse but Moose goes for the eyes to take over.

Some slow kicks to the face let Moose call Bahh a fat piece of garbage so Bahh shouts his name a lot. The Samoan drop takes Moose down and a rolling belly to belly gets two. Moose crushes him in the corner though and manages a top rope superplex (not bad) but the spear hits buckle. The Banzai Drop misses though and it’s No Jackhammer Needed to give Moose the pin at 8:52.

Rating: D+. Bahh slimming down makes him look better but it takes away one of the best things he had going for him. Moose seems to be flailing for something to do at the moment, which is why he’s stuck facing Fallah Bahh in a two match series for whatever reason. At this point he needs to get into the World Title picture or change things up because he’s stuck in that weird not quite ready for the top spot but too big for the midcard limbo.

Tommy Dreamer comes in to see Tessa Blanchard and gives her a history lesson on….her family. It took others to make her family a success and now Tessa needs help to get through OVE. Dreamer wants to stand with her to improve this business so she’s with him. Good grief Dreamer couldn’t be more forced into this story if his career (which has gone on for thirty years and he respects the business so freaking much) depended on it.

Video on Su Yung.

Kiera Hogan/Madison Rayne vs. Jordynne Grace/Alexia Nicole

Fallout from Kiera and Madison beating up Nicole last week. Kiera jumps Nicole before the bell and it’s already time for some villainous double teaming. A sliding basement clothesline gives Madison two but she stops to GRR at the referee, allowing Alexia to hit a running Meteora. We take a break and come back with Madison chinlocking Alexia.

Some yelling at the referee lets Madison poke Alexia in the eye and it’s Hogan coming in for a basement dropkick. Alexia pops up and gets over for the tag to Grace as everything breaks down. Alexia hits a high crossbody on Hogan but Madison is legal. Said legal Madison hits CrossRayne to finish Nicole at 9:41.

Rating: D+. This story continues to not do much for me as I’m not even sure why they’re fighting. I guess Grace doesn’t like Rayne acting like a big shot but since Impact doesn’t know how to let things go or advance them a lot of the time, we’re likely to be watching these same people feud for a good while.

Post match the brawl continues but the lights go out and it’s Rosemary to chase off Rayne and Hogan.

Flashback Moment of the Week: Gail Kim vs. Awesome Kong from Bound For Glory 2015.

Alisha Edwards comes up to Ace Austin in the back. Ace is fearing for his safety from Eddie Edwards but Alisha insists they’re just friends. She’ll worry about Eddie.

Post break, Ace lays down when he sees Alisha coming but here’s Eddie to beat him up when he sees the two of them together.

Taya Valkyrie is in California and has John E. Bravo do various things for her, mainly including taking care of her dog.

Rhyno and Michael Elgin are fighting outside.

Rascalz vs. Willie Mack/Rich Swann/Rob Van Dam

This could be interesting. The Rascalz, and the fans, want Van Dam to start and they get their wish, with Rob kicking Wentz into the corner for the tag off to Xavier. Mack kicks him as well and a running elbow gets two. Swann comes in for a dropkick of his own as it’s one sided so far. A shot to the face sends Swann into the corner and it’s Miguel coming in to chop away. The slingshot hilo gets two on Swann and the fans want RVD. Instead they get an enziguri to Swann for two more but Swann slips out of a double backbreaker.

A cutter drops Miguel and there’s the hot tag to Van Dam. The split legged moonsault gets two on Wentz and Mack’s standing moonsault into Van Dam’s Rolling Thunder is good for two more. Everything breaks down but the push moonsault is broken up. Wentz and Swann chop it out and the pace picks up with Swann getting the better of it. Van Dam hits the Five Star and Swann drops the Phoenix splash for the pin on Wentz at 13:01.

Rating: B-. It wasn’t as good as it could have been but having Van Dam as the one to come in and clean house with his signature stuff is the best thing for him at the moment. Swann and Mack are potential future superstars around here and putting them with a big name is a good idea. Keep that up, as long as Van Dam doesn’t get the spotlight.

The North says they’re going to California to defend the Tag Team Titles at Cali Combat next week.

Jake Crist comes in to laugh at the Rascalz, Swann and Mack. Some glares send him running.

Deaners vs. Desi Hit Squad

The losers are the winners servants, meaning this feud is going to continue beyond tonight. It’s a brawl to start with everyone going out to the floor and the Deaners getting the better of things. Raj gets dropped ribs first onto the top rope and a knee knocks him back off. The Squad is right back up for a double suplex on Jake do Cody comes in for a clothesline.

Back from a break with Raju raking Cody’s eyes, leaving Gama to low bridge Cody to the floor. Cody gets caught in the Squad’s corner with Gama getting in a cheap shot from the outside. Raj rips at Cody’s face (it might be an improvement) but Cody kicks Raju away. That’s not enough for the tag though as Raj pulls Jake off the apron. A sidestep sends Raj outside and now the hot tag can bring in Jake.

Everything breaks down and Cody hits a suicide dive, followed by Jake’s running dive. Back in and Jake hits a Michinoku Driver for two on Raj and things settle back down. Gama’s distraction lets Raju get a rollup for two more as everything breaks down again. An assisted top rope double stomp gets two on Cody but Raju’s Cannonball is caught in the corner. Raju is sent outside and it’s the assisted suplex into the Side Effect (CTD) for the pin on Raj at 14:49.

Rating: D. Yeah THIS MATCH just got nearly fifteen minutes and I don’t get why either. We’ve spent how many weeks on this culture clash feud and now it’s going to be even longer. The segments will probably be funny enough but that doesn’t make up for having to watch these four have such an uninteresting rivalry for so many weeks. The match could have been worse, but that’s not much in the way of praise.

Sami Callihan wants to know where Jake Crist is but switches over to threatening Tommy and Tessa. She will NEVER beat him and tonight will be exactly like any other night.

The Deaners are ready to make the Squad work on their farm. Why can I not get the dueling banjo music out of my head?

Sami Callihan/Dave Crist vs. Tessa Blanchard/Tommy Dreamer

At least Tommy doesn’t get the last entrance. They start fast with Tommy and Tessa trying stereo Bionic Elbows (because the BLANCHARDS just love Dusty Rhodes) but have to settle for kicks to the face instead. Everything breaks down early on and Tommy hits a double clothesline off the apron. Tessa hits a top rope dive of her own (landing on her feet of course) and we take a break.

Back with Dreamer handing Tessa a beer from the crowd (I bet Dusty Rhodes would like a beer, but he’s gone so consider this the next tribute from Dreamer) so she can spit it in Sami’s face. Dreamer does it to Dave (passing it on to the next generation you might say) and we settle down to Sami begging off from Tessa inside. Everything breaks down again in record time with all four heading back outside.

Dave catapults Dreamer throat first into the barricade (add that to the list of injuries he’ll talk about for the next 15 years) and takes it back inside to crank on both of Dreamer’s arms. Staying down in a hold like that would damage the industry though so Dreamer is right back up, only to have Sami take him into the corner. Dreamer fights back using the power of tears over his memories of wrestling but Tessa gets pulled off the apron. Double Bionic elbows and the diving tag bring in Tessa (with a scary look on her face as she cleans house).

A running Codebreaker out of the corner gets two on Dave as everything breaks down and the ref gets bumped. Double DDTs lay out OVE (Because Dreamer stole that move too. Does he actually do ANYTHING original? Other than the Tommyhawk, which was awesome, that is.) with a second referee running in for two. Dreamer loads up a piledriver with THUMBS UP THUMBS DOWN (The Repo Man didn’t steal this much stuff!) but stereo low blows put….well just Dreamer down as Tessa glares at Dave for not thinking it through. Magnum with a kendo stick finishes Dave at 13:49.

Rating: C-. Did I ever tell you about the time that Tommy Dreamer did something in wrestling? The exact thing doesn’t matter because it’s probably something that has been done a million times, but he did it while looking sad, drinking a beer, hitting someone with a kendo stick an hour after wearing a shirt that talked about some famous wrestler.

But he just wants to help the business, including his House of Hardcore promotion, which is in no way another attempt to cash in on ECW’s legacy again and again because he’s never done anything noteworthy not associated with ECW. If you’ve never heard that story before, don’t worry because he’ll probably do it again in a week.

Overall Rating: D+. This was a miss as there just wasn’t enough good stuff to warrant half an hour of Deaners/Squad/Dreamer. Tessa doesn’t need Dreamer helping her out so he can steal more of her spotlight, especially after Swann, a young star who could go a long way around here, offered to help her last week. It’s a spot where someone could get a nice rub but instead it’s Dreamer for no logical reason whatsoever. The rest of the show was skippable aside from the six man tag, which hopefully isn’t a new trend around here. Hopefully they bounce back next week because this was a rough sit.

Results

Moose b. Fallah Bahh – No Jackhammer Needed

Kiera Hogan/Madison Rayne b. Jordynne Grace/Alexia Nicole – CrossRayne to Nicole

Rob Van Dam/Rich Swann/Willie Mack b. Rascalz – Phoenix splash to Wentz

Deaners b. Desi Hit Squad – CTD to Singh

Tessa Blanchard/Tommy Dreamer b. Dave Crist/Sami Callihan – Magnum to Crist

Remember to check out my website at kbwrestlingreviews.com and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s History Of In Your House (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/05/31/new-paperback-kbs-history-of-in-your-house/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: Impact Wrestling

Impact Wrestling
Date: August 9, 2019
Location: St. Clair College, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Commentators: Josh Matthews, Don Callis

We’re still in Canada and in that weird period as the fallout from Slammiversary is over but it’s still way too early to set up Bound For Glory. Last week saw the continuation of Tessa Blanchard vs. OVE and the rise of Rhyno, who is back and feuding with Michael Elgin. I’m not sure what to expect this week so let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening recap.

Opening sequence.

X-Division Title: Aiden Prince vs. Jake Crist

Prince is challenging and the fans are rather behind him. Crist gets sent outside early on but manages a kick to the face to cut off the dive. They fight on the apron with Crist hitting a Death Valley Driver to knock Prince silly. Back in and it’s off to a reverse Rings of Saturn to keep Prince in trouble, followed by a shot to the head for two. Jake chokes in the corner for a bit and plants him with a suplex for no cover. A spinning kick to the head gets two but Prince is right back with a middle rope tornado DDT.

The 450 hits knees to give Crist two more but Prince is right back up with a reverse hurricanrana for his own two. Crist heads outside and gets taken down by a dive, only to have Prince get superkicked out of the air when he tries another. Back in and Prince gets crotched on top but manages a suplex to get a breather. The 450 connects this time for another near fall and Prince goes up top, where he dives straight into a cutter to retain the title at 10:57.

Rating: B-. The action was good here and Prince made the most out of what is likely a one off shot. He felt much more like a local hero than a serious challenger but they still had a rather entertaining match with some good near falls. It’s also smart to have Crist get a win on his own to establish himself, because having OVE out there every time isn’t working.

Konnan gives Daga a pep talk before he teams with Ortiz tonight to challenge for the Tag Team Titles. Ortiz comes in and whatever he is drinking is blurred out. Daga seems to think that Ortiz isn’t serious enough. Blurred things go towards their mouths.

Taya Valkyrie isn’t happy with the idea of having to defend her title again.

Eddie Edwards vs. Ace Austin

Austin recently hit on Eddie’s wife, sending him over the edge but she didn’t seem to like Eddie standing up for her. Eddie knocks him outside to start and hits a slingshot dive as the beating is on in a hurry. Back up and Austin does his handstand on the apron into his kick to the chest to put Eddie down for a change. Since Eddie is a bit off though, he drops Austin back and face first onto the apron.

We take a break and come back with Eddie hitting a suicide dive, only to have Austin get in a baton shot for two. Ace even busts out the playing card to cut Eddie’s finger. That earns himself a powerbomb so Austin begs off, asking what Alisha would think of this. That earns him the Boston Knee Party and a big beatdown draws the DQ at 9:54.

Rating: C. This was much more about Eddie being violent and insane than the match itself, which is a good way of doing things, though we’ve seen it happen a few times now. You can only have Eddie go nuts so many times before it stops working and I’m worried that we’re reaching that point.

Post match Alisha runs out to yell at Eddie and look down at Austin.

We look at Tessa Blanchard coming up short against Sami Callihan at last week’s Unbreakable, though Jake hitting her with the X-Division Title had something to do with that.

Fallah Bahh was having lunch earlier today when Moose came up to yell at him and call him fat. The fight was on but Moose threw something in his eyes and shoved food in his face.

Madison Rayne vs. Alexia Nicole

Kiera Hogan is on commentary. Madison takes her into the corner to start and looks rather confident. Nicole picks up the pace a bit and dropkicks her into the corner as Kiera doesn’t seem happy with Madison. A crash on the floor puts Nicole down but she drives Madison into the corner to break up a Koji Clutch. Madison has had it with this and hits CrossRayne for the pin at 4:14.

Rating: D+. Nicole tried a bit, though there is only so much you can get out of a match that is just a step above a squash. Madison vs. Kiera doesn’t have the most potential in the world and isn’t exactly interesting, though it’s still nice to see the company trying a few different stories that aren’t exclusively about the title.

Post match Kiera gets in to yell at Madison, though they do keep beating up Alexia in the process. Jordynne Grace runs in for the save.

The Rascalz are sad about not winning the Tag Team Titles. Wentz is very happy with seeing….someone in the hall. That someone sits down and it’s Rob Van Dam, who is WAY overdue for a cameo in one of these things. The Rascalz start beating each other up with Van Dam’s moves as he looks rather confused.

Knockouts Title: Havok vs. Taya Valkyrie

Rating: D+. There wasn’t time for much here as the interference cut things off in a hurry. This story is getting a bit confusing as things keep moving all over the place. It would seem to be leading to either Havok or Grace taking the title from Taya, but that has seemed to be the case for a long time now. The story is still going though and it isn’t boring, so continuing it isn’t a problem just yet.

We get a sitdown interview with Melissa Santos for an update on Brian Cage. Santos recently made their relationship public after a long time of trying to keep their personal and professional lives separate. That was getting to be too much though and things had to change. She can’t give much of an update on his medical condition, though he has been getting better, slowly.

The Desi Hit Squad shows up at a bar to insult the Deaners and a fight ensues. The Deaners get the better of it until Gama Singh’s distraction lets the Hit Squad get in beer bottle shots to the head.

Later, the Deaners are ticked off because the Hit Squad wouldn’t survive at their compound. Next week, they can fight in the ring. Why not at the compound?

Stone Rockwell vs. Nate Madsen

Rockwell takes him down and poses a bit, followed by a swinging Rock Bottom backbreaker. And never mind as here’s Rhyno to Gore Madsen for the DQ at 1:43.

Post match Rockwell tries to bribe his way out of a Gore to no avail. Rhyno wants Elgin out here right now so here he is, but he’s not happy with Rhyno trying something stupid. Elgin has put everyone in the hospital so this isn’t happening now. Rhyno isn’t cool with that so the fight is on in the aisle.

Austin brags about being the first person to get to Eddie Edwards. Now, he’s going to get his wife.

Flashback Moment of the Week: Abyss vs. Mick Foley in a Monster’s Ball match at Bound For Glory 2009.

The Desi Hit Squad agrees to face the Deaners, but if they win, the Deaners are their servants.

Sami Callihan is ready to become World Champion as they take over the entire company. First up though: destroying Tommy Dreamer. WELL OF COURSE THAT’S WHAT MATTERS MOST! Therefore, next week it’s Sami/Dave Crist vs. Dreamer/Tessa.

Tag Team Titles: Daga/Ortiz vs. The North

The North is defending and Konnan is out with Daga/Ortiz. Ortiz hammers on Page in the corner to start but Page punches him in the face as Callis says Daga and Ortiz could be the next Strike Force to LAX’s Can-Am Connection. Daga comes in but gets taken down by a cheap shot, allowing Alexander to come in for a slugout. A headscissors sends Alexander outside and that means a big flip dive from Daga.

Back in and Daga’s suplex gets two on Alexander but an assisted suplex from the champs puts Daga down for a change. The alternating stomps keep Daga in trouble and it’s a northern lights suplex into some right hands. Daga manages a German suplex for the hot tag to Ortiz so everything can break down.

A springboard tornado DDT into a splash gets two on Alexander. The top rope double stomp to the back sets up a Death Valley Driver for two more but Page is right back up to jump Daga. Alexander’s moonsault gets two but Daga is back up with a low superkick for two more as everything breaks down. Daga gets sent outside and it’s the alley oop spinebuster to retain at 10:36.

Rating: B-. It’s still good but not as good as some of the other North matches we’ve been seeing as of late. They’ve turned from what seemed to be just another midcard team to quite a good act. This was likely to be the big final showdown with LAX but Daga was fine enough for a one off replacement. Nice main event here.

Post match the champs leave so Konnan/Daga/Ortiz can shake hands to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. This was a bit of a downgrade over the last few weeks but what we got here was good enough. They’re getting into a nice groove and that’s something that can make for a rather effective way to set up some stuff in the future. Some of the stories aren’t the most interesting but they’re being given time and some things are being allowed to develop. Keep it at this pace and we should be just fine for the near future.

Results

Jake Crist b. Aiden Prince – Cutter

Ace Austin b. Eddie Edwards via DQ when Edwards attacked Austin

Madison Rayne b. Alexia Nicole – CrossRayne

Nate Madsen b. Stone Rockwell via DQ when Rhyno interfered

The North b. Daga/Ortiz – Alley oop spinebuster to Ortiz

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s History Of In Your House (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/05/31/new-paperback-kbs-history-of-in-your-house/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: Impact Wrestling

Impact Wrestling
Date: August 2, 2019
Location: St. Clair College, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Commentators: Josh Matthews, Don Callis

This is kind of a weird night for Impact as they’re airing a live special called Unbreakable at the same time as this show. They’ve hyped up matches for both shows, meaning you might have needed to take notes coming into it. One of the bigger matches for this one will see Tessa Blanchard vs. Mad Man Fulton, which could be good. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening recap.

Opening sequence.

Aiden Prince vs. Rohit Raju vs. Zachary Wentz vs. Chuck Mambo vs. Cody Deaner vs. Petey Williams

The winner gets an X-Division Title shot at some point in the future. Deaner goes after Raju to start and their fight heads out to the floor as Mambo and Prince trade flips inside. Wentz comes back in and gets to stare Williams down with the former getting caught in a headscissors. The Canadian Destroyer is broken up so Williams gets in a Sharpshooter with Raju coming in to add a Crossface on Wentz at the same time.

Raju spears Williams down for two with Deaner coming in for the save. Hold on though as Deaner needs to put on his hat. Williams grabs his flag for a posedown and it’s a double suicide dive to take out Prince and Raju. Wentz dives onto them as well and Prince nails an Asai moonsault. Back in and Mambo’s springboard is broken up so Deaner punches Raju some more.

Petey comes in for the Russian legsweep but Wentz breaks up a Destroyer with a jumping knee to the face. Raju makes another save but gets beaten up by Deaner again (it’s not some epic feud people). Deaner’s DDT plants Raju with Mambo springboarding in with an elbow for the next save. Prince comes back in with a brainbuster and 450 to finish Mambo for the pin and the title shot at 9:15.

Rating: C+. This was your usual wild X-Division match and that works well enough, especially for an opener. They do need to bring in some fresh talent, but it doesn’t mean as much when a lot of these names can be interchanged. The X-Division is certainly in a better place than they were in a few months ago though and I’ll take whatever improvement I can get.

Jake Crist is excited about having a new challenger but Sami Callihan tells him to hand over the title. That isn’t happening so Sami talks about Tessa Blanchard instead. Tonight, she can deal with Mad Man Fulton.

Rich Swann warns Tessa about Fulton and the rest of OVE. Tessa appreciates the offer of help but says she has to do this alone.

Havok vs. John E. Bravo

Taya Valkyrie is out with Bravo. John drops to a knee and kisses Havok’s hand, so she knees him in the face. Bravo gets tossed across the ring and no sells a poke to the eye. The chokeslam finishes Bravo at 1:43.

Su Yung pops up on screen and seems to ramble some gibberish, which disturbs Havok.

Josh Alexander is worried about tonight’s Tag Team Title defense while Ethan Page is wondering who they’ll defend against after they beat the Rascalz tonight. Alexander wants some more seriousness.

Stone Rockwell vs. Ace Austin

Austin jumps him before the bell but Rockwell hits a strong clothesline and pulls a springboarding Austin out of the air. A spinning backbreaker plants Austin again but an elbow misses. The Fold finishes Rockwell at 2:15.

Post match Eddie Edwards of all people jumps Austin from behind and beats the heck out of him. Remember that Austin hit on Eddie’s wife.

Madison Rayne, dubbing herself the locker room leader, comes in to see Tessa and wishes her luck tonight. Tessa doesn’t want to hear it and leaves. Madison: “She’s done.”

Video on the Knockouts Division, which has been pretty strong in recent months.

Alisha Edwards yells at Eddie for attacking Ace. She says she doesn’t have time for him being crazy and leaves.

During the break, Moose laid out Stone Rockwell and now back in the arena, Moose says he is a star and no longer responsible for his actions. Cue Fallah Bahh and we have a match.

Moose vs. Fallah Bahh

Moose is in street clothes and gets crushed in the corner. The Banzai Drop finishes Moose at 47 seconds. They’re not wasting time tonight.

Post break Moose wants to know who booked that match.

Mad Man Fulton vs. Tessa Blanchard

Sami is here with Fulton. Tessa forearms away to start and the size difference is crazy. Magnum is broken up with ease and it’s a chokeslam to plant Tessa instead. With Tessa mostly dead, Fulton pauses for some OVE chants and Sami rants about how Tessa earned this. Callis: “Shut up idiot.”

Tessa slaps Fulton in the face and the bearhug goes on with a lot of shaking. In what might not be the smartest move, Tessa pulls out one of his deadlocks to escape. Some running forearms don’t do much though and Fulton big boots her down. Sami throws in a chair and slaps Fulton, but here’s Tommy Dreamer (BECAUSE OF COURSE IT’S TOMMY DREAMER!) to hit Fulton with the kendo stick for the DQ at 5:01.

Rating: D+. I actually groaned when Dreamer ran out because we’re going to get the same speech about how much he loves wrestling and doesn’t have much time left as he gets to attach himself to another story. It’s been done to death already and I really, really don’t need to see it again. But he was in ECW and Callis likes pushing his friends from the company that has been out of business for over eighteen years so this is what we’re getting. The match itself was much more of an angle advancement than anything else, which is fine, though I’m not sure where Tessa goes after getting done with OVE.

Post match Fulton goes after Dreamer but Tessa gets the stick and runs OVE off.

We look at Rhyno returning last week and attacking Michael Elgin. I’m not sure how valuable he is to the company but Impact loves bringing people back in whenever they can.

Elgin gets what Rhyno did but Rhyno is still going to pay.

An unnamed woman comes into the Knockouts locker room and doesn’t introduce herself. Madison introduces herself as the locker room leader but Kiera Hogan comes in and everyone gets catty with each other. The new girl leaves.

Flashback Moment of the Week: Generation Me (Young Bucks) vs. Motor City Machine Guns at Bound For Glory 2010.

Jimmy Jacobs goes up to Brian Cage’s house for an update but Melissa Santos opens the door and asks for privacy. She’ll answer his questions next week.

Impact is back in Mexico City later this month.

Rhyno doesn’t care about legal actions because he had a bunch of money thrown to him to sit in catering for years. Everyone is getting the Gore.

Tag Team Titles: The North vs. Rascalz

Trey Miguel and Dezmond Xavier are defending with no Wentz here this time. North drops Miguel with an early forearm and a quick takedown has Miguel rethinking things a bit. Page comes in and gets caught with a springboard headscissors as Miguel is having a lot more success this time around. Dezmond comes in and starts kicking away at Page, followed by rights and lefts in the corner.

Back to back to back slingshot splashes keep Page down for two but Alexander saves Page from an O’Connor roll. A World’s Strongest Slam onto the apron has Dezmond in trouble for the first time and a spinning suplex gives Alexander two. Alexander puts him in a rack for something from Page but Page is too busy yelling at Miguel. Dezmond uses the distraction to slip out and it’s back to Trey to pick up the pace. That doesn’t last long though as the champs run him over again and take over.

With Dezmond knocked off the apron, Trey gets free and dives over for the tag….but just crashes into the corner. As expected, the hot tag goes through a few seconds later and everything breaks down again. Dezmond hits a huge dive over the top to take down both champs and we take a break.

Back with Page kicking Dezmond in the head but getting stomped in the back for two from Miguel. Page powerslams Dezmond on the floor, leaving Alexander to start in on Miguel’s ankle. A backbreaker gets two and Alexander is starting to get frustrated. The ankle lock is broken up so Alexander goes with a powerbomb backbreaker for two more in a nasty landing. The torture rack flipped into the spinebuster gets two as everything breaks down again.

The double slugout is on with the Rascalz getting the better of it until Alexander lifts Trey up for a powerslam. Dezmond tries a springboard moonsault onto them….and Alexander catches him too. A double powerslam gets two more but Alexander misses his own moonsault. Trey’s top rope Meteora sets up Dezmond’s Final Flash for two and Trey’s rollup gets the same. Dezmond gets sent outside and it’s a cutter into a wheelbarrow suplex, followed by the double Neuralizer to retain the titles at 22:40.

Rating: A-. This was a heck of a match with both teams looking awesome. I’ve liked the Rascalz since they debuted but I’ve been waiting for something to make the North feel important. That’s what we got here as the match was very hard hitting and back and forth the whole time, with a nice bit of doubt as to who was winning. The Rascalz will eventually get the titles and that’s going to be a heck of a moment, but at least we had a great match on the way there.

Post match the North goes to the back, where Ortiz jumps them. The champs fight back but Daga runs in and makes the save, with Konnan helping to chase the North off to end the show.

Overall Rating: B+. Rather good show here as they covered a bunch of stuff and had a very strong main event to close things out. When Impact is on its game and keeps away from the storyline stuff, they can put out some good television and that’s what we got here. What matters most for them is consistency, which has always been a problem for this company. I’ll take a very good show while I can though and that’s what we got here.

Results

Aiden Prince b. Chuck Mambo, Rohit Raju, Zachary Wentz, Cody Deaner and Petey Williams – 450 to Mambo

Havok b. John E. Bravo – Chokeslam

Ace Austin b. Stone Rockwell – The Fold

Fallah Bahh b. Moose – Banzai Drop

Mad Man Fulton b. Tessa Blanchard via DQ when Tommy Dreamer interfered

The North b. Rascalz – Double Neutralizer to Miguel

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s History Of In Your House (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/05/31/new-paperback-kbs-history-of-in-your-house/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: Impact Wrestling

Impact Wrestling
Date: July 26, 2019
Location: St. Clair College, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Commentators: Josh Matthews, Don Callis

We’re finally back to a regular show this week after last week’s Mash-Up Tournament show. Next week is the big Unbreakable show, which will feature Tessa Blanchard vs. Sami Callihan for the #1 contendership to the World Title. Tonight it’s Brian Cage vs. Michael Elgin in a street fight, which isn’t likely going to be the next major story. It’s a long way to Bound For Glory so we don’t need to get things going from here. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening recap and preview.

Jordynne Grace vs. Kiera Hogan

Hogan now has blue and silver hair instead of the fire red. I’m not sure if that’s an upgrade or not. Madison Rayne comes out for commentary and now wants to be known as Her Royal Highness The Queen Bee. Grace goes straight for Hogan in the corner and takes her outside for a belly to belly. Since selling isn’t the strong suit of today’s wrestling, Hogan is right back up with a suicide dive to take over. Back in and Hogan stomps away as Madison talks about being friends with Meghan Markle.

A running hip attack in the corner gives Hogan one but it’s a helicopter bomb out of the corner to put Hogan down for two. The Michinoku Driver gets two but Hogan kicks her into the corner for some running basement dropkicks. Hogan unloads with shots to the head until Grace blocks a neckbreaker out of the corner. A Vader Bomb gets two but Hogan sends her outside. That’s fine with Grace, who hits a suplex on the floor but Madison throws Hogan inside. Grace is right there with a bridging cradle for the pin at 8:57.

Rating: D. The lack of selling was really noticeable here as they were doing moves to each other and then popping back up to go to the next move. Hogan being more aggressive and changing her look is fine, but having her lose so soon might not be the best idea. That and focusing so much on Madison again doesn’t do much for me, but Impact certainly loves doing the same stuff over and over again.

The announcers run down the rest of the show.

Brian Cage promises to send Michael Elgin to the hospital this week.

Taya Valkyrie talks to Rosemary about Slammiversary but gets shushed. Their deal is done and unless Taya is willing to offer another title shot, they have nothing to do with each other. John E. Bravo offers to take care of this.

Here’s Sami Callihan for a chat. He demands that Tessa get out here right now so here she is in a hurry. When Sami was first told he was wrestling Tessa, he thought it would be a night off. But then Tessa showed that she has spunk and fire, drawing a TESSA chant. Sami cuts that off and then talks about winning the tournament last week. He can admit when he is wrong and he gave Tessa equality. From one wrestler to another, Sami respects her. He’ll show her respect now, but on August 2, it’s winner take all. They shake hands and he calls her toots and gives her a quick spank. The beating is on and Tessa hits Magnum.

Callihan yells at OVE for not coming to save him but he told them to stay there. Sami says Tessa sucker punched him so next week she can face Mad Man Fulton. Given that she is already scheduled to face Sami next week, that might be a conflict of interests.

Moose vs. Ray Steel

Moose throws him around to start and blocks a whip attempt. No Jackhammer Needed finishes Steel at 58 seconds.

Post match Moose says what matters around here is not being loyal to this place. He’s the guy who has put the company on his back and now he’s here to beat up a piece of garbage. Moose yells at Callis and apron bombs Steel for good measure.

Bravo finds Havok and tells her there will be no Knockouts Title match. She can have some fun with him though. Havok chokes him, which Bravo calls the hard way.

Video on the North retaining the Tag Team Titles at Slammiversary.

The Rascalz get a Tag Team Title match next week. Joking ensues and Gail Kim of all people pops in to talk about the Jonas Brothers.

Flashback Moment of the Week: Kurt Angle beats Matt Morgan at Bound For Glory 2009.

Kiera Hogan and Madison Rayne argue and Melissa Santos walks off.

Ace Austin hits on Alisha Edwards with some magic and gets blown off. An unnamed woman comes in and hits on Austin but he isn’t interested.

Willie Mack vs. Rob Van Dam

Rob takes his time coming out of the curtain for some reason. As Callis talks about Rob being relatively injury free over his career (not quite), Rob works a headlock to start. Mack snaps off a spinwheel kick and Rob needs to stop for a breather. They head outside with Rob kicking him in the face as Callis continues to talk about how big Rob is. The running cannonball off the apron drops Mack again but a charge against the barricade is cut off without much effort.

Back in and a pump kick in the corner sets up a reverse cannonball in the corner. The standing moonsault gets two, with Josh calling the match one sided. Mack has been in control for about a minute and a half chum. Rob kicks him back down but the split legged moonsault hits knees. A Backstabber puts Rob down again but he’s right back with a springboard kick to the face.

Another kick to the face sets up Rolling Thunder for two and Mack is in trouble. He’s fine enough to come back with a cutter for a breather, followed by an exploder suplex. Mack’s frog splash misses though and it’s the stepover kick and it’s the Five Star to finish Mack at 12:22.

Rating: C+. Van Dam still looks slow and old but he can still do his greatest hits well enough. I’m not sure I would have had him go over someone with the potential that Mack has but Van Dam is the legend around here and is going to get a win like this every now and then. Not a bad match, but it got Rob some momentum back.

They shake hands post match.

Ace hits on Alisha again but can’t get her to put her hand in a box and grab a live bird. The box is just below Austin’s stomach in case you don’t get the joke. Alisha leaves and Stone Rockwell comes up to grab whatever is in the box, making Austin wince. Rockwell: “Seems malnourished.”

Ortiz, with a censored bottle in his hand, rants to Konnan about wanting to finish the North. Konnan tells him to calm down because Daga is going to replace the injured (torn MCL) Santana. Daga comes in and Ortiz isn’t happy, but Konnan says he has this.

Michael Elgin thinks it’s non-title tonight because Cage is scared. Cage needs to stop worrying about his fiance (who is holding the mic) and worry about him instead.

X-Division Title: Jake Crist vs. Rich Swann

Swann is defending and Crist is here alone. Crist headlocks him down to start Swann reverses into an armbar and they flip up to a standoff. Swann wastes no time in sending him outside for a flip dive but here’s Dave Crist, who gets kicked in the face. The distraction lets Jake hit a running DDT on the floor though and we take a break.

Back with Jake working Swann over in the corner before grabbing the reverse Rings of Saturn. That’s broken up so it’s a camel clutch to keep Swann in trouble. Swann breaks out of that as well and rolls forward into a flipping clothesline. Some kicks to the head give Swann two but he jumps into a Death Valley Driver for two as well. They slug it out again with Swann getting the better of it and hitting a top rope elbow for another near fall.

It takes too long to go up again though and it’s a superplex into a swinging neckbreaker for two on Swann. An exchange of kicks to the head sets up the Phoenix splash but Dave puts the foot on the rope. Swann cutters both of them but it’s Mad Man Fulton coming out to shove Swann into a cutter from Jake. Sliced Bread #2 gives Jake the pin and the title at 15:46.

Rating: B. This feels like a bigger deal because Swann had been built up as a huge star. There is no reason to not put him into the main event now as there isn’t anything left for him to do in the X-Division. It was a surprise title change and it wasn’t clear, and it even came at the end of a rather good match. These two worked well together and the ending was the best way to get the title out of Swann in a singles match.

Post break Sami says the team won the title and doesn’t like Jake calling himself the Golden Draw. Sami: “IT’S SILVER!” They need to focus on Tessa.

Unbreakable rundown.

Brian Cage vs. Michael Elgin

Non-title street fight. Hang on though as Cage crawls through the curtain and it’s Elgin standing over him with a chair. Elgin chokes him with the chair in the ring but stops to grab a mic. He rants about this being non-title because Cage is scared of him. Elgin grabs another chair and hits the Conchairto on Cage’s head as we won’t be having a match here.

Security is quickly beaten up and Elgin wraps the chair around Cage’s head. Cue Melissa Santos to beg but the masked man comes in for the save. Elgin chairs him in the face but a second masked man comes in to Gore him down. The second masked man runs into the crowd and unmasks as Rhyno (it wasn’t really a secret) to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. The wrestling was up and down here but they got in some angle advancement and storytelling so the show worked well. This felt like the big fallout show from Slammiversary and while they did lose some momentum, it was still a good show that picked up where the previous stuff took off. Unbreakable can be a nice stepping stone towards Bound For Glory and Impact could be in a good place for a while to come.

Results

Jordynne Grace b. Kiera Hogan – Bridging cradle

Moose b. Ray Steel – No Jackhammer Needed

Rob Van Dam b. Willie Mack – Five Star Frog Splash

Jake Crist b. Rich Swann – Sliced Bread #2

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s History Of In Your House (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/05/31/new-paperback-kbs-history-of-in-your-house/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

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IMG Credit: Impact Wrestling

Impact Wrestling
Date: July 19, 2019
Location: Don Kolov Arena, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Commentators: Don Callis, Josh Matthews

For some reason we’re still not back to the regular shows nearly two weeks removed from Slammiversary as it’s another special edition. This time around it’s a Mash Up Tournament, which is basically the old Lethal Lottery. Now the fun thing to do is guess how many of these teams will be having issues or some kind of connection as the tournament starts. I’ll set the over/under at one per match, minimum. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Callis and Matthews are in the ring to start and explain the concept. The winning team will get to face off on August 2 for a World Title shot. Certainly better than a trophy.

Sami Callihan is ready to team with Tessa Blanchard but reminds her that he is the leader. She doesn’t seem to agree.

Opening sequence.

Mash-Up Tournament First Round: Moose/Eddie Edwards vs. Rohit Raju/Cody Deaner

Raju starts with Moose and is over for the tag in less than thirty seconds after no contact. Moose isn’t impressed with the fans so Cody hammers him in the jaw for his efforts. Eddie comes in and gets punched as well, followed by Raju hammering away in the corner. Moose has to save Eddie from a double suplex and starts cleaning house on Cody. A double backsplash crushes Raju but Cody is back up with a powerslam on Eddie. Raju and Cody get in an argument so Moose kicks Cody in the face. The Boston Knee Party finishes Raju at 5:20.

Rating: D. This didn’t have time to go anywhere and I have a feeling it’s going to be a preview of everything else tonight: wacky partners not getting along. Eddie and Moose are fine for a mini dream team, though you can imagine them imploding at some point. The Deaners vs. the Hit Squad just needs to go far away though and I don’t see that happening anytime soon.

Post match the Deaners and the Hit Squad get in another fight with the Squad getting the better of it.

Aiden Prince and Ace Austin aren’t worried about Willie Mack and Michael Elgin but Austin tells him to stay out of his way and let the veteran handle things. Prince walks off, suggesting that Austin needs another partner.

Eddie and Moose are happy about their win but Moose wants to win the whole thing.

Mash-Up Tournament First Round: Rich Swann/Mad Man Fulton vs. Zachary Wentz/Jake Crist

By the powers, what a coincidence! Again! Fulton chokes Wentz to start but a hurricanrana sends Fulton over for the tag. It’s quickly off to Crist vs. Swann for an exchange of kicks as we take an early break. Back with Swann in trouble in the corner and Wentz coming in for a front facelock. Swann kicks away to get a breather but Crist breaks up the tag attempt. A Lethal Injection is enough for the tag to Fulton, who won’t hit Crist. Instead Fulton chokeslams Swann and Crist hits a fisherman’s buster for the pin at 9:19.

Rating: C-. This was better than the first match due to the time and the people involved, but it still wasn’t great. The best part here is that the match made more sense with Crist being able to control Fulton and get a win over Swann, which might get him an X-Division Title shot down the line.

Austin hits on Madison Rayne but she says a queen doesn’t align herself with a court jester. Stone Rockwell (the adventurer guy who is basically a mascot) comes up and winds up being Austin’s partner.

Mash-Up Tournament First Round: Stone Rockwell/Ace Austin vs. Michael Elgin/Willie Mack

Elgin breaks up the posing before the bell and sends Austin into the corner for the tag off to Mack. Austin manages a kick to Mack’s head but won’t tag in Rockwell, allowing Mack to hit a spinebuster. The fans are WAY into Mack here and almost equally into Elgin as he comes in to take over. A powerbomb is escaped and Austin bails over to Rockwell, who manages a suplex. Elgin pops right back up and it’s the buckle bomb into the Elgin Bomb for the pin at 3:51.

Rating: D+. It was short but entertaining with the fans being WAY into Elgin and Mack. There’s always room for a fun squash like this one and Mack and Elgin were perfect for something like this. That’s the point of something like this and you could see Elgin and Mack winning the whole thing.

Sami Callihan and OVE are ready to win the tournament so Sami can be World Champion. Since Sami and Dave Crist are in the next match, it’s Fingerpoke of Doom time.

Taya Valkyrie is NOT defending the Knockouts Title tonight because she defended it two weeks ago. John E. Bravo seems interested in her and she might be a bit sick.

Mash-Up Tournament First Round: Trey Miguel/Dave Crist vs. Tessa Blanchard/Sami Callihan

Trey is in OVE gear. Sami wants the Fingerpoke but the fans want Tessa. Trey makes the quick save and everyone comes in for yelling and shoving. Tessa sends Dave outside and Miguel hits a pair of dives. Sami’s spit chop is cut off by a superkick and Trey hits one of his own, continuing to use the Sami mannerisms. Back in and Sami takes over but won’t tag Tessa in.

The fans still want Tessa but have to settle for Trey rolling Sami up for two. Tessa tags herself in and dropkicks Trey into 619 position. That means a running elbow to the back before slamming Callihan onto Trey. It’s back to Sami but Trey fights up and hits a 619 in the corner, allowing the double tag to Tessa and Dave. The Codebreaker out of the corner gives Tessa two but Magnum misses.

A fireman’s carry facebuster drops Tessa but Trey tags himself in and yells at Dave. The Downward Spiral DDT plants Tessa but she is back up with a tornado DDT to Trey. Everything breaks down and Sami backdrops Trey to escape the Cactus Special. Magnum connects but Tessa tweaks her knee, allowing Sami to tag himself in. The Cactus Special finishes Trey at 11:18.

Rating: C+. This felt like the biggest match of them all and a lot of that was due to the extra time. Sami and Tessa are the most likely winners of the whole thing and that’s not the worst thing in the world. Tessa getting her win back and going on to get a title shot is interesting, as is Sami finally winning the World Title.

Post break, Sami and Tessa keep arguing.

Flashback Moment of the Week: OVE vs. Moose/Tommy Dreamer/Eddie Edwards from House of Hardcore.

Havok vs. Taya Valkyrie vs. Madison Rayne

Non-title. Taya and Madison go after Havok to start with Madison being thrown into the corner for her efforts. Taya knocks them into both corners but spends too much time gyrating, allowing Rayne to come back with an enziguri. A clothesline gives Taya two as Havok is back up. John E. Bravo offers a distraction so Taya can rake Havok’s eyes (not the most necessary move in a No DQ match), allowing Madison to grab a guillotine choke.

That’s broken up in a hurry so it’s a three way slugout. Havok is big enough for a fall away slam/Samoan drop at the same time but Bravo pulls Taya away from a running kick in the corner. Madison slugs at Havok as Taya leaves, allowing Havok to come back with a Tombstone for the pin at 5:37.

Rating: D+. Again, not enough time to go anywhere but Havok continues to be built up towards a likely run at the title. That seems to be the case for several people at the moment and Taya’s time as champion seems to be starting to wrap up, though she’ll probably hold it until Bound For Glory, which is fine.

Elgin is going to win the #1 contendership because he has Brian Cage in a street fight next week. What better way to guarantee himself the title?

Mash-Up Tournament Finals: Eddie Edwards/Moose vs. Zachary Wentz/Jake Crist vs. Willie Mack/Michael Elgin vs. Tessa Blanchard/Sami Callihan

The winning team faces off in two weeks for a World Title shot and it’s elimination rules. Tessa and Sami argue over who gets to start with Eddie, allowing Eddie to knock Sami down early on. Sami fights back but Moose tags himself in and slugs away, only to have Sami grab his crotch. It’s already back to Eddie as the other teams are being shut out so far.

The slugout into a chase is on but Elgin tags himself in, allowing Eddie to dive onto Sami. Everything breaks down into a brawl on the floor until Elgin and Eddie wind up back inside. Moose comes back in to powerbomb Eddie onto the pile and we take a break. Back with Elgin suplexing Moose to leave Eddie all alone. Mack remembers that he’s in the match and Pounces Eddie, followed by the big flip dive to everyone else. That leaves Eddie to take the Elgin Bomb for the first elimination.

Wentz goes after Elgin and takes him down with a springboard corkscrew crossbody. Mack comes back in but his standing moonsault hits Jake’s knees. It’s back to Sami for the thumbs to the eyes but Mack runs him over for the standing moonsault. Everything breaks down and Tessa stares Elgin down, which isn’t likely to end well. That’s broken up though and Elgin clotheslines Mack before walking out.

The Cactus Special pins Mack and we’re down to two. The double slugout is on until Wentz hits a springboard cutter on Sami. Crist hits a Death Valley Driver for two on Tessa but it’s time for the Fingerpoke of Doom. Hang on though as Jake rolls Sami up for two, followed by the exchange of kicks to the head. The quick Cactus Special rocks Jake though and Magnum gives Tessa the pin at 15:37.

Rating: C+. Kind of a mess here, but it was a fun mess and that’s what matters. The ending is the right call as Tessa vs. Sami II can feel like a big deal and gives us a pair of options for the title shot. Everyone else save for Elgin and Mack were just kind of there, though the match was chaotic enough that it’s ok in this case.

Tessa and Sami yell at each other to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. This was a concept show and that’s not something they do very often these days. I can live with it once in awhile, which is what this seems to be, and at least we can get a fresh #1 contender out of the thing. What matters here is getting some more momentum after Slammiversary, which already seems forever ago. It’s a fine show, but not something they could do that often.

Results

Moose/Eddie Edwards b. Cody Deaner/Rohit Raju – Boston Knee Party to Raju

Zachary Wentz/Jake Crist b. Madman Fulton/Rich Swann – Fisherman’s buster to Swann

Willie Mack/Michael Elgin b. Ace Austin/Stone Rockwell – Elgin Bomb to Rockwell

Tessa Blanchard/Sami Callihan b. Trey Miguel/Dave Crist – Cactus Special to Miguel

Havok b. Taya Valkyrie and Madison Rayne – Tombstone to Rayne

Tessa Blanchard/Sami Callihan won the Mash-Up Tournament

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s History Of In Your House (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/05/31/new-paperback-kbs-history-of-in-your-house/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: Impact Wrestling

Impact Wrestling
Date: July 12, 2019
Hosts: Don Callis, Josh Matthews

This is a different kind of show as it is a fallout show from Slammiversary, meaning it’s going to be similar to a post Takeover show in NXT. Just like those shows, there was a match taped to fit in here, but the majority of the show is going to be about the pay per view. It was a good show so the extra attention is a good thing. Let’s get to it.

Here are Sunday’s results if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

Don and Josh talk about how awesome Slammiversary was and how many people loved it. Fair enough as it was quite good.

Video on Moose vs. Rob Van Dam, which didn’t do Van Dam many favors.

Van Dam says he underestimated Moose. He wants another shot though.

Moose says he used to think Van Dam was the best in the world but the better legend won tonight.

Video on Eddie Edwards vs. Killer Kross. Eddie has gone near the edge and Kross keeps pushing him, setting up their First Blood match at Slammiversary.

Eddie loves the feeling of not knowing what he’s going to do next.

Kross likes Eddie changing and wants to know what he’s going to turn into. Now Eddie is just like him.

Josh and Don are in an office called the Impact War Room where they’re going to talk to some dignitaries throughout the night. First up is Jimmy Jacobs, who liked the chaos in the women’s Monster’s Ball match. Don thought it was the best Monster’s Ball ever and Taya Valkyrie impressed him with her surprise win.

Video on Monster’s Ball with James Mitchell narrating about how the plan was to have Havok win the title. It would have been ok if Su Yung won, but it’s not ok that Taya retained.

Taya says it wasn’t fair that she had to defend against so many people but she did it anyway.

Mitchell snaps about how crazy Su is and wants to know where she is.

D’Lo Brown is now with Impact full time and talks about the Tag Team Title match, which was changed just two days before Slammiversary when the North won the titles. Brown isn’t sure how anyone can deal with the North.

Video on the title match with the North retaining in what might have been LAX’s farewell from the company.

The Rascalz are tired of losing.

The North says LAX has lost the titles four times but they’ve never lost them once.

Santana is injured and had to be helped out. Konnan threatens the North.

From A Night You Can’t Mist.

Tommy Dreamer/Great Muta vs. Johnny Impact/Michael Elgin

Muta and Impact start things off with Josh declaring this to be a moment. Muta isn’t about to be taken down by the leg so he easily reverses on the mat, setting up an early chinlock. Dreamer comes in and gets to do his own power drive elbow, because Tommy Dreamer needs to get to do all of his wrestling wish list things and we have to watch him for some reason.

Impact gets in a shot from behind on Dreamer and it’s off to Elgin to take over. The delayed vertical suplex looks to set up a twisting Swanton but Dreamer moves. Ignore that Elgin would have missed him but three feet even if Dreamer hadn’t moved. Muta comes in and dropkicks Elgin, meaning it’s already back to Dreamer. Tommy has to take out John E. Bravo and we take a break.

Back with Dreamer in trouble in the corner but Muta comes in as everything breaks down. Dreamer grabs the table (of course) but Elgin and Impact beat him up and set the table up himself (it’s a pride thing). Elgin is laid on the table and Dreamer hits an AA (not a Death Valley Driver) to send Impact through him.

Back in and Taya Valkyrie breaks up the Death Valley Driver to Impact but Muta mists Impact. Elgin gets misted as well and there’s the Shining Wizard for a big reaction. Elgin gets one as well, followed by Dreamer misting Taya and giving her a cutter. Another Shining Wizard to Impact is good for the double pin at 16:11 shown (the full match runs 20:10).

Rating: C-. This wasn’t bad with Muta feeling like something special and Dreamer being the guy who just won’t go away and has to get in all of his time with the legends. Impact and Elgin were good foils here and beating them feels important, though this was all about Muta, which is perfectly fine. He isn’t going to be around much longer so enjoy his legendary stuff while you can.

Post match Dreamer talks about how much he loved Muta as a kid (WELL OF COURSE HE DID) and it was an honor to be here tonight.

And now, Dreamer is here with Josh and Don. He wanted to he a Sting/Great Muta hybrid (so he completely failed in that area) and still feels 25 when he walks through the curtain. They switch to talking about Sami Callihan, who is the closest person to an ECW name that they have on their roster (save for ALL THE ECW PEOPLE that is).

Video on Sami Callihan vs. Tessa Blanchard, which main evented the show for reasons I’m still not clear on. Tessa gave it her all but got caught with the Cactus Special, though Sami did show her some respect to end the show.

Tessa says they changed wrestling. How? By having an intergender match main event the show? I’m not entirely sure how much of a game changer that is.

Sami says let’s do it again.

Bound For Glory is in Chicago on October 20.

Petey Williams (YAY CANADA) was impressed by the X-Division Title match. Swann is ready to challenge for the World Title.

Video on Swann vs. Impact, which was a huge milestone for Swann.

Taya blames Bravo for the loss.

Scott D’Amore was worried about Michael Elgin winning the World Title because he doesn’t care about anything but himself. Callis brings up smart marks being worried about the match and laughs, because this is the kind of company that brings up smart marks.

Video on Cage vs. Elgin with Cage retaining the title in a war.

Cage says he told you so.

Elgin says he didn’t fail because he sent Cage to the hospital. Now he wants to hurt Don Callis because Callis sent the masked man after him.

Jordynne Grace vs. Kiera Hogan vs. Madison Rayne

They all take turns missing kicks to the face until grace clotheslines them both down. Rayne’s enziguri hits Kiera but Grace suplexes her right back down. Grace’s suplex to Hogan is broken up so she goes with shoulders in the corner. Rayne breaks up the Grace Driver and everyone is down as we take a break. Back with Rayne hitting a high crossbody for a delayed two on Grace but Kiera breaks it up and yells at her.

That earns Kiera a sliding lariat but Kiera is right back with something close to Zack Ryder’s old Zack Attack. More shouting in the corner ensues as Kiera chokes and forearms Madison in the back. Kiera tries a suicide dive on Grace and gets stopped in a hurry, though Madison kicks them both down. That’s good for two each back inside, followed by a Stunner to Grace.

Kiera kicks Madison down for the same before going back to Grace, who isn’t having any of this. An O’Connor roll gets two on Madison but Grace German suplexes Kiera at the same time for a pretty cool spot. They head into the corner with Grace getting caught in the Tree of Woe for the Alberto top rope stomp from Madison. Grace is back up and sends Madison outside before glaring down at Kiera. The Grace Driver finishes Hogan at 15:58.

Rating: C. Kiera is getting better at being a heel and I want to see someone shut her up so well done on the first front. Madison is still the same perfectly acceptable wrestler that she always has been. Grace on the other hand feels like someone who could be something special and seeing her win the title before the end of the year wouldn’t surprise me whatsoever.

Post match Grace offers Madison a handshake but Madison turns on her and beats her down. Kiera gets up and helps Madison to leave Grace laying to end the show.

Overall Rating: C-. I didn’t hate this concept and it’s something that can work well, though less Dreamer getting to act out his childhood fantasies would be an improvement. This would have worked better as an hour long show but the idea is sold and a good way to make people want to see what you have coming soon. Doing it after Bound For Glory wouldn’t be the worst idea either and what we got here was done well enough. Nice little change of pace here.

Results

Jordynne Grace b. Kiera Hogan and Madison Rayne – Grace Driver to Hogan

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s History Of In Your House (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/05/31/new-paperback-kbs-history-of-in-your-house/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: Impact Wrestling

Impact Wrestling
Date: July 5, 2019
Location: Melrose Ballroom, New York City, New York
Commentators: Josh Matthews, Don Callis

It’s the go home show for Slammiversary and things have been going fairly well around here. They’ve done a good job of setting up a lot of the pay per view matches while also giving us some good stuff on the regular shows. With some luck, that can continue this week as well. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening recap.

Opening sequence.

TJP vs. Ace Austin

Rematch from two weeks ago when TJP returned and handed Austin his first loss. Ace takes him down with a headlock to start but TJP rolls out without too much trouble. TJP is right back with a headlock on the mat but gets reversed into a headscissors. That means the always cool bouncing handstand escape as this is a match of counters so far.

A Sharpshooter with a pull of the arm is switched into a Muta Lock as TJP gets to show off even more. That’s broken up so TJP dropkicks him to the floor, only to miss a slingshot dropkick to the floor. Austin nails a Space Flying Tiger Drop (still love that name) and busts out a playing card for a paper cut between the fingers.

It’s time to crank on the arms but TJP flips out with a dropkick to the chest for a snazzy counter. Now the slingshot dropkick works but the Detonation Kick is countered. A running Trouble in Paradise drops TJP again and a rollup with a grab of the rope gets two. They trade kicks to the legs with TJP getting the better of it until he catches Austin in the kneebar for the tap at 12:06.

Rating: B-. I’m a bit disappointed in this one as Austin has been pretty cool but TJP is the kind of guy they can push the heck out of in the near future. The idea of him vs. either Rich Swann or Johnny Mundo at Bound For Glory in a 20 minute X-Division Title match more than works, and they’re certainly interested in pushing TJP.

Video on Michael Elgin vs. Brian Cage, which is going to be an eruption.

Johnny Impact isn’t worry about having John E. Bravo as his partner tonight against Rich Swann and Willie Mack. They’re Team Johnny and we get some Mega Powers impressions.

Announcers preview.

Kiera Hogan vs. Madison Rayne

Jordynne Grace is on commentary and Kiera has a rather similar walk to the ring/entrance as Tessa Blanchard. Madison starts fast with a pair of rollups for two each, sending Kiera outside for a breather. That means an argument with Grace, who gets shoved back into her seat. Back in and Kiera hits some running shots in the corner for two. Madison scores with an enziguri and a ripcord cutter for two of her own. Kiera grabs a rollup with her feet on the ropes but Grace breaks it up, leaving Kiera to grab a fisherman’s neckbreaker for the pin at 4:23.

Rating: D+. I’m still not feeling this feud as Kiera and Jordynne’s friendship lasted all of a month or so before the big heel turn. It’s nice that they have a feud outside of the title though, which is the problem for so many divisions in so many promotions these days. I doubt their match makes either pay per view, but it’s fine enough for a low level story.

Gama Singh gives Rohit Raju some special tea from a special tea set but the Deaners sneak in and replace it with whiskey. All three: “DEANERS!!!” Rohit: “It’s not bad.”

James Mitchell tries to keep Havok and Su Yung calm before Slammiversary.

Flashback Moment of the Week: Rosemary vs. Jade in Monster’s Ball at Genesis 2017.

Video on Monster’s Ball, which could make for an interesting twist in the already long story.

Video on Tessa Blanchard vs. Sami Callihan. Sami’s rampant sexism still feels out of nowhere.

Rohit Raju vs. Laredo Kid

Kid dives over hit to start but gets taken into the corner for some right hands to the face. A quick slam in the corner looks to set up a moonsault….and the bottom rope breaks. Thankfully they’re both fine and Raju grabs a fisherman’s neckbreaker into a Falcon’s Arrow. A snap suplex gives Raju two and Kid hits a headscissors to put him on the floor. That means a suicide dive but Kid misses a corkscrew moonsault. A jumping knee to the face sets up a top rope double stomp to the back to finish Kid at 4:33.

Rating: D+. It wasn’t much to see and that would have been the case with or without the broken rope. There is only so much you can do with these two as Raju has a firm ceiling over his head and didn’t seem to know how to do much with the very high flying Kid. At least the Deaners weren’t involved again though.

Video on Moose vs. Rob Van Dam.

Here’s Moose for a chat. Moose talks about being a big fan of Van Dam’s when he was a kid and he had a great time watching some of Van Dam’s matches. Now though, the fans are chanting for Moose because he’s been around the world and made millions of dollars too (I miss that dance). Van Dam calls himself the Whole F’N Show but Moose is Mr. Impact Wrestling. It’s been a few years since Van Dam has been on pay per view so now he can have a chance to prove himself.

Since Van Dam is probably a little fuzzy, we see a video of Moose having attacked Sabu. Cue Van Dam for the brawl but security breaks it up in a hurry. I still have no idea why the ECW names needed to be involved in this story. Until the visual with Sabu, the promo was a fine way to set up Moose vs. Van Dam on their own, and the visual just made Van Dam a bit angrier.

Trey Miguel vs. Dezmond Xavier vs. Zachary Wentz

Whoever takes the fall doesn’t get to wrestle in the Tag Team Title match on Sunday. I’ve heard worse ideas. They go for some early rollups to start and it’s time to start kicking away as they don’t mind fighting among themselves. Dezmond gets knocked down and Wentz hits a springboard corkscrew crossbody for two on Miguel. Trey sends Wentz outside for a hurricanrana through the ropes but a Dezmond distraction lets Wentz hit his own dive.

Back in and the Final Flash gets two on Wentz with Trey making the save (not the most logical move in the world). They go with the circle of strikes to the face until Trey gets knocked to the floor. Wentz’s running shooting star gets two and Trey runs back in with a running flip dive to both. Double low cutters give Trey two each but Wentz is back up in a hurry. Back to back superkicks to Miguel sets up the shoving moonsault for a double pin on Miguel at 7:03.

Rating: C+. The more I see from these two, the more I like them. They have a great chemistry together and they’re all awesome athletes, which makes for some outstanding matches. It’s not like Wentz is hurt from the loss as odds are they would use the Freebird Rule if they win the titles. I could go for this again, but I’ll take anything from these guys at the moment.

Everyone hugs post match.

Tessa Blanchard is here and she has her own baseball bat.

Video on Killer Kross vs. Eddie Edwards, which is over the broken Kenny the kendo stick.

Killer Kross is in a church and talks about the man who lost everything. That story has not been finished yet but that man is searching for his ultimate salvation. At Slammiversary, he will have the chance to die for his sins. You may now kneel before the Kross. He drinks from a chalice and seems to have blood flow out of his mouth.

Quick video on Rich Swann vs. Johnny Impact for the X-Division Title.

Slammiversary rundown. The card doesn’t look that bad.

John E. Bravo/Johnny Impact vs. Rich Swann/Willie Mack

Swann and Impact kick at each other to start until Swann scores with a dropkick. Mack comes in for an exchange of flips, capped off by Mack armdragging him down. A flapjack/bulldog combination plants Impact again but Bravo offers a distraction so Johnny can get a breather. Impact and Swann head outside with the Moonlight Drive planting Swann again. Bravo comes in for some stomping and posing before it’s right back to Impact for the chinlock.

It’s already back to Bravo for some right hands and a chinlock of his own. He even loads up his own Moonlight Drive, allowing Impact to come in with a running knee to the head. Swann drops Impact though and tags Mack for the big house cleaning. Bravo isn’t interested in tagging back in and it’s the Cannonball into a moonsault to give Mack two. The Flying Chuck drops Mack but he breaks through a double clothesline and brings Swann back in. A Stunner into the Phoenix splash gives Swann the pin on Bravo at 8:55.

Rating: C. This was a case where they only did what they should have done and the glorified handicap match worked perfectly fine. Swann continues to look like a star and the look on his face after the pin made him feel as big as he ever has. I want to see that match on Sunday more than anything else and Swann has gotten a ton out of this feud.

Sami Callihan and Jake Crist are celebrating Sami’s win over Tessa on Sunday. Callihan is annoyed that Dave Crist is taking too long to set up the Little Mermaid to calm down Madman Fulton when Tessa shows up with the bat to wreck their table. The fight is on and Jake grabs Tessa for the save. Sami loads up a bat shot but Tessa escapes and hits her own bat shot on Callihan to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. This is a show where the point was to make you want to see the pay per view on Sunday. That was accomplished as well as they have done it in a long time with a very strong go home show. I’m looking forward to Slammiversary and I can’t remember the last time I’ve said that about a show from this company. This was a great go home show and served as an outstanding commercial for the show. I’m impressed, and that doesn’t happen very often around here.

Results

TJP b. Ace Austin – Kneebar

Kiera Hogan b. Madison Rayne – Fisherman’s neckbreaker

Rohit Raju b. Laredo Kid – Top rope double stomp to the back

Dezmond Xavier/Zachary Wentz b. Trey Miguel – Shoving moonsault

Rich Swann/Willie Mack b. John E. Bravo/Johnny Impact – Phoenix splash to Bravo

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s History Of In Your House (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/05/31/new-paperback-kbs-history-of-in-your-house/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: Impact Wrestling

Impact Wrestling
Date: June 28, 2019
Location: Melrose Ballroom, New York City, New York
Commentators: Josh Matthews, Don Callis

It’s the next to last show before Slammiversary and that means things are getting interesting around here. They’ve done a rather nice job of making Rich Swann look like a star and hopefully that continues this week. At the same time they have to build up Sami Callihan vs. Tessa Blanchard some more, which could be anywhere from a train wreck to a big success. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening recap.

Opening sequence.

The North vs. Deaners

Well it’s better than the Desi Hit Squad….I think. Alexander and Jake start things off with Alexander’s headlocks and shoulders not working well. Jake’s works a bit better and it’s off to Cody, who gets two off Jake’s clothesline. Everything breaks down for a bit and Page gets knocked into a gutbuster for two. Jake comes back in and gets stomped down in the North corner for all of a few seconds before it’s back to Cody. A full nelson backbreaker gets two on Cody and Page stops to yell at a fan.

Alexander’s suplex keeps Cody in trouble and Page grabs a chinlock. Cody fights up and neckbreakers his way to freedom so Jake can come back in and clean house. A splash in the corner brings Cody back in rather soon but what looked to be a Magic Killer is broken up. Jake and Alexander slug it out with Jake no selling a German suplex. Some double teaming puts Jake on the floor and it’s Cody getting thrown off the top. The double Neuralizer gives Page the pin at 10:02.

Rating: D+. I’m still not getting the appeal of either of these teams and neither of them are helping the shows for the most part. The North are the better options and thankfully they haven’t been focusing on being from Canada for the most part. The Deaners….my goodness how long did they put into this idea? Maybe eighteen seconds?

Taya Valkyrie and Rosemary have a meeting in the back about the Monster’s Ball but Rosemary would rather talk about her upcoming title shot. They have a tag match tonight but Taya is worried about their outfits not matching. Rosemary says it’ll be fine. Rosemary: “Trust us.” Taya: “Us?”

Brian Cage is not cleared to compete.

We look at Moose attacking Tommy Dreamer at a House of Hardcore event. Forgive me for not feeling the emotional impact of Tommy Dreamer getting beaten up.

Slammiversary/the rest of the night rundown.

Su Yung/Havok vs. Rosemary/Taya Valkyrie

Taya and Rosemary argue over who is going to start until Havok takes Taya into the corner for some choking. Havok switches it up a bit with choking in another corner before handing it off to Yung. Since Yung is kind of all over the place, her best offense is to let Havok kick Taya in the head. The bloody glove comes out but it’s already back to Havok, who Taya climbs over and makes the tag off to Rosemary. A quickly broken Last Chancery causes everything to break down and it’s Havok vs. Rosemary on the floor. Rosemary kicks a chair into Havok’s face and it’s a double countout at 5:02.

Rating: D+. At least the characters are more interesting here. I’m also glad they didn’t have a pin for a change as you want to keep everyone strong heading into Monster’s Ball. I don’t know why that’s so complicated as countouts and disqualifications can be your friend in a situation like this. A little short, but at least the ending was right.

Post match the brawl continues with Rosemary busting out the tacks. Havok saves Su from going into them but Su hits Havok by mistake. James Mitchell has to come in and keep the peace.

Ace Austin isn’t happy with losing to TJP last week but it wasn’t fair because he didn’t know TJP worked here. TJP comes in, makes fun of his time in WWE, and a rematch is set for next week.

The Deaners drink the loss away when the Desi Hit Squad comes in to mock them. More beer is consumed.

Slammiversary rundown.

Flashback Moment Of The Week: X-Division Title ladder match at Slammiversary 2014.

Eddie Edwards goes to church to confess about his love of violence. The priest turns into Killer Kross, who talks about Eddie trying to find himself. Eddie will wait for Slammiversary while Kross stays and threatens the priest.

John E. Bravo talks to the other referees and says Johnny Bravo completes him. Rich Swann comes in to go after Bravo but Impact and Willie Mack come in. A tag match is made for later.

Sami Callihan vs. Fallah Bahh

Madman Fulton and Scarlett Bordeaux are the seconds here. Bahh glares Sami down for daring to chop him but a Fulton distraction works a bit better. That’s good for an ejection so we’re down to one on two. Sami gets in a clothesline and grabs a chinlock, which works so well that they do it again. Bahh gets back up and hits a running splash, followed by the running hip attack. It’s too early for the Banzai drop so Sami bites the arm. A few kicks to the face set up a hanging Cactus Special for the pin on Bahh at 6:43.

Rating: D. This was back to the old style for Bahh and that isn’t the best thing in the world. He’s not the most interesting guy in the world at his best and this was worse than the previous few times he’s been out there. I’m not sure how bad it’s going to be with Scarlett gone, but it’s not like she did anything here.

Post match Sami says that’s how you get over as only a man can do. Sami wants to say something to Tessa but wants to do it to her face so get out here. Tessa comes out and jumps over the ropes, despite Sami holding the ropes open for her. Sami says Tessa wants to be treated as an equal so he bicycle kicks her. She pops back up and hammers away until the Crists run out, allowing Sami to get in a baseball bat shot to the ribs. Tessa spits in his face so it’s a Cactus Special to leave her laying.

Rascalz vs. Laredo Kid/LAX

Konnan is out with LAX/Kid. It’s a staredown to start but Kid springboard dives onto the Rascalz and we start fast. The ring is cleared out until it’s Kid springboard crossbodying Miguel and then moonsaulting off the top onto everyone else. Back from a break with Miguel getting caught in a reverse powerbomb for a series of splashes for two. Miguel flips out of a belly to back suplex from Santana and makes the tag to Wentz for a breather.

Everything breaks down and Santana sends Miguel into Xavier for a spear. A Batista Bomb plants Wentz so Xavier grabs a running Spanish Fly. Miguel’s enziguri to Kid gives us the big knockdown for a much needed breather. Everyone gets up for the big slugout with the Rascalz getting punched down and stacked up. Kid’s 450 onto all three gets two but the Rascalz are back up to send Kid outside. Santana follows him out and it’s a series of kicks to take Ortiz down. The top rope Meteora gives Miguel the pin at 10:15.

Rating: B. This was pure action from start to finish and that’s all you could ask for out of such a match. The Rascalz have been rolling as of late and Laredo Kid has been a great surprise whenever he shows up. Rascalz vs. LAX is likely going to steal the show at Slammiversary, but then someone is bound to steal LAX because they’re too good to keep around.

Madison Rayne thinks Jordynne Grace deserves a rematch but Kiera Hogan comes in to say this isn’t a sisterhood. She’s a selfish b**** just like all of them, but Kiera is the only one to admit it. Rayne isn’t going to let her bring the ugliness out of the locker room so they’ll fight at some point.

The Rascalz argue over which of the three of them will fight at Slammiversary. They’ll figure it out in a Rascals Extravaganza next week.

Slammiversary card. Again.

Brian Cage arrives and comes in even though he isn’t cleared.

Here’s Cage in the ring for a chat. Cage calls out Michael Elgin, who sent him to the hospital and put him on the shelf. Now Cage is back though and he’s ready for Slammiversary. Cue the doctor, who gets beaten up before he can say anything. Elgin comes in and hits a buckle bomb, followed by an Elgin Bomb.

Elgin holds up the title as Cage pulls himself up, only to get Elgin Bombed right back down. It’s table time and Elgin powerbombs him through it again, which is enough to draw Callis up from commentary. He yells at Elgin and gets dropped, setting up a teased Elgin Bomb but cage is back up. The brawl is on to finish the show. Good segment, though attacking Callis might not have the impact that they were hoping for.

Overall Rating: C-. The main event was the best thing about the show but it wasn’t quite enough to save the whole thing. What worked well here was the direction towards Slammiversary as you can see the build on every match. That’s a good sign as a lot of cards these days barely get any build beyond the bare minimum. It’s well done here though and while the weekly wrestling is up and down, the build has been solid and that’s the more important thing.

Results

The North b. Deaners – Double Neutralizer to Cody

Rosemary/Taya Valkyrie vs. Havok/Su Yung went to a double countout

Sami Callihan b. Fallah Bahh – Hanging Cactus Special

Rascalz b. LAX/Laredo Kid – Top rope Meteora to Ortiz

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s History Of In Your House (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/05/31/new-paperback-kbs-history-of-in-your-house/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: Impact Wrestling

Impact Wrestling
Date: June 21, 2019
Location: Melrose Ballroom, New York City, New York
Commentators: Josh Matthews, Don Callis

We’re about two weeks away from Slammiversary and that could go a few different directions. You can see most of the card from here and that means it’s time for the final push. We also have Tessa Blanchard vs. Jake Crist tonight, which will seem to be setting up Tessa vs. Sami Callihan at Slammiversary. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening recap.

Opening sequence.

Tessa Blanchard vs. Jake Crist

Sami is here with Jake. Tessa goes right to it with the forearms to send Jake outside for the suicide dives. Back in and Magnum is superkicked out of the air. The fans tell Jake to go back to Ohio as he forearms away in the corner. A Russian legsweep into Naomi’s reverse Rings of Saturn keeps Tessa in trouble for a bit before it’s off to the chinlock.

That’s broken up without much effort and they’re back to their feet. They forearm (again, which is better than exchanging punches in this case) it out until Tessa grabs a tilt-a-whirl DDT for two. A Death Valley Driver gives Jake the same but Tessa kicks him in the face three times in a row. Magnum finishes Jake at 7:32.

Rating: D+. Not awful here with the main positive being Tessa being treated like any male wrestler. A lot of the time in these matches you can see the man taking something off his offense but they didn’t go that way here and it made things a lot more believable. It still wasn’t very good though with a lot of forearms and strikes until more strikes set up the finish. Tessa vs. Callihan could be….something.

Post match Callihan comes out to yell at Jake. Tessa stares Sami down but here’s Eddie Edwards to go after Madman Fulton, who he is scheduled to face tonight.

Eddie Edwards vs. Madman Fulton

Eddie hits a suicide dive and we take an early break. Back with the bell not having rung yet (THANK YOU!) and Eddie slugging away at the monster. A chokeslam onto the apron cuts Eddie down though and they head inside for the opening bell. Fulton throws him around to start and then rams his own head into the buckle. A one hand chokeslam plants Eddie as Sami is rather pleased on the floor. There’s a suplex for two and Fulton’s smile is rather creepy.

The powerbomb to the floor is blocked and Eddie manages a hurricanrana to avoid a bad case of death. The Blue Thunder Bomb gives Eddie two but he has to knock Sami off the floor. Instead of following up it’s the suicide dive to send Sami into the barricade. Eddie grabs Kenny but Killer Kross pops up on screen. He has Sandman tied up and under a hood so he can pour water over Sandman’s head. As the torture ensues, Fulton grabs the swinging Downward Spiral for the pin at 5:47.

Rating: C-. They have an idea here but what if you don’t mind seeing Sandman get tortured like this? Fulton is quite the monster and knows how to work like one, which is a big reason why he’s going to stand out around here. They have big guys but they don’t have monsters like him, which is the kind of thing that can help them out a lot.

Eddie goes to help Sandman.

Post break Alisha Edwards cuts Eddie off because, duh, it’s a trap. Eddie storms off after him anyway.

Moose vs. Tommy Dreamer

Moose shrugs off some shots in the corner and chops away but Dreamer’s clothesline takes him down. They head outside with Dreamer backdropping him on the concrete and peeling back the floor mats. Moose drops him onto the apron though and Dreamer thinks that it hurts. Back in and we hit the chinlock but Dreamer is right back up with a cutter.

The snap jabs put Moose right back in control until a DDT gives Dreamer two. A superplex gives Dreamer two, followed by a spear for the same. With the wrestling not working, let’s bring in a chair, sending Moose behind the referee. Moose kicks the chair into Dreamer’s face and it’s No Jackhammer Needed to finish Dreamer at 8:18.

Rating: D. What the heck was that? Moose is a powerhouse and about to have one of the bigger matches at Slammiversary but he has issues beating Tommy Dreamer? After Dreamer got in quite a bit of offense and near falls. Sometimes it’s ok to crush someone and that’s the case with Dreamer here.

Post match Moose loads up a Van Terminator but Rob Van Dam makes the save.

Taya Valkyrie and John E. Bravo go into a stairwell to talk to Rosemary about Su Yung. Rosemary wonders what is going on with Taya but suggests that she’ll help in exchange for a title shot. Taya rolls her eyes and makes the offer. Rosemary promises to have her people call Taya’s people.

Johnny Impact is ready for tonight’s triple threat against Rich Swann and Michael Elgin. He’ll win the X Division Title at Slammiversary.

Knockouts Title: Su Yung vs. Taya Valkyrie

Su is challenging and has James Mitchell and Havok in her corner. They slug it out to start and the early Panic Switch attempt is blocked. Taya misses a charge in the corner and gets forearmed in the face, only to send Su into the buckle. The running hip attack sets up some gyrating into the running Meteora in the corner. More gyrating lets Su get up and Taya misses a charge into the corner.

A headscissors sends her into the buckle again and it’s off to something like a reverse Koji Clutch. Yung gets two more off a hanging Pedigree and it’s time for the bloody glove. That takes a bit too long though and Taya faceplants her for two of her own, followed by a Codebreaker on the arm (makes sense). Taya goes up but Havok hits her with a forearm for the DQ at 6:19.

Rating: D+. This was a setup for a future match rather than anything that mattered on its own. There’s nothing wrong with that and you can feel a big title match coming up at Slammiversary. What matters most here is keeping both of them strong, which was done well here, even if the DQ kind of came out of nowhere.

Post match here’s Rosemary but Mitchell says they’re not here for violence. At Slammiversary, it’s time for some history: the first ever women’s Monster’s Ball match with Taya defending against Rosemary, Taya and Havok.

Here’s Ace Austin for a chat, including a plug for his shirts. He hasn’t been pinned around here and therefore he wants some fresh competition. Someone needs to come out here and stop him from being the future of the X-Division.

Ace Austin vs. TJP

This works. TJP gets a rather weak WELCOME BACK chant and he starts fast with a headscissors. A handspring armdrag sends Austin to the floor and that means a springboard slingshot dropkick. Austin sends him into the apron though and hits a dropkick of his own before diving back in to break the count like a smart man. Back in and TJP gets in a hurricanrana, followed by a high crossbody. The Detonation Kick finishes Austin at 2:17. Hopefully TJP goes somewhere because an undefeated Austin had some potential.

Eddie is still looking for Kross.

The Rascalz don’t want to train again but have a Tag Team Title shot at Slammiversary. Konnan comes in and says they remind him of LAX. It took guts to walk into the LAX clubhouse and try something like that but the Rascalz better be ready for a fight at Slammiversary. These circle segments are good, but how has Rob Van Dam not shown up for one yet? It’s kind of the layup of layups.

This week’s Flashback Moment of the Week: Ethan Carter III beats Bully Ray in a Texas Deathmatch at Slammiversary 2014. Dixie Carter even gets in a cameo.

Eddie finds someone who is not Sandman under the hood. Kross pops up and the fight is on with Alisha coming in to break it up. Eddie says this is who he is and Alisha storms off. We’re still doing this story? Eddie bites Kross’ face and a lot of blood flows. The murder rate spiking around here wasn’t something I would have bet on.

Sami Callihan wants Tessa Blanchard at Slammiversary.

Slammiversary rundown.

Rich Swann vs. Michael Elgin vs. Johnny Impact

Non-title. Elgin and Impact go after Swann to start but once he’s thrown to the floor, it’s time for the villains to slug it out. Swann springboards back in to take them both down before knocking Elgin outside. Impact dives onto both of them but only hits Elgin as Swann is smart enough to move away when a large man is diving at him.

Back in and Elgin German suplexes both of them at the same time. You know, because he can do something like that. Swann is back up with a hurricanrana on Elgin and a kick to Impact’s head gets two. Elgin plants Swann but gets kneed in the head by Impact, who adds a break dancing splash. A swinging sitout Rock Bottom gives Elgin two on Impact as Swann is still down in the corner.

Rating: B. Swann has benefited greatly from these main event matches, mainly because he’s been treated not only as an equal but also a bigger deal in some cases. Having him get a fall here is a big deal and something that makes the X-Division Title feel like that much more important. That’s how you build a star and it’s working well here.

Post match Elgin comes after Swann so Rich drops him as well as Impact again. Cue John E. Bravo with the Ultimate X to deck Swann though….until Brian Cage is back. House is cleaned and Cage powerbombs Elgin to end the show. Cage looked awesome, which is the case when you’re a returning monster.

Overall Rating: C+. Maybe it’s how bad Raw and Smackdown have been as of late but this show did a good job of making me want to see Slammiversary and building up some names at the same time. It’s far from a perfect show but what matters here is that things are looking like they’re moving in the right direction. You don’t see that very often in WWE and this place (plus Ring of Honor) is doing it fairly well. It can be done, if the company actually puts in the effort, which is what happened here. Nice job.

Results

Tessa Blanchard b. Jake Crist – Magnum

Madman Fulton b. Eddie Edwards – Swinging Downward Spiral

Moose b. Tommy Dreamer – No Jackhammer Needed

Taya Valkyrie b. Su Yung via DQ when Havok interfered

TJP b. Ace Austin – Detonation Kick

Rich Swann b. Michael Elgin and Johnny Impact – 450 to Impact

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s History Of In Your House (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/05/31/new-paperback-kbs-history-of-in-your-house/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: Impact Wrestling

Impact Wrestling
Date: June 14, 2019
Location: Melrose Ballroom, New York City, New York
Commentators: Don Callis, Josh Matthews

We’re out of Philadelphia and hopefully that means we’re on the way towards more of a focus on the good stuff rather than the bad. Part of the company’s issues have been going hot and cold with a mixture of stuff that works for the future and an emphasis on nostalgia. The good has been very strong though and if we get more of that, we’re in for a fun show. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening recap.

Opening sequence.

The North vs. Rob Van Dam/Sabu

Sabu and Van Dam have Super Genie with them. The announcers go into Van Dam’s ECW stories, because he’s done NOTHING since then. Certainly not been Impact World Champion or anything. Thankfully those stories stop so they can mention that this is a #1 contenders match with the winners getting a Tag Team Title shot at Slammiversary.

Sabu takes Alexander down by the leg to start and it’s off to Van Dam for a suplex. Alexander takes him into the corner and brings in Page, who gets kicked in the face for his efforts. The armdrag into the armbar lets us take a look at Van Dam, who looks very old. There’s the Rolling Thunder/facebuster combination for two on Page and it’s more kicks to Page’s face. A kick to Sabu’s face lets the North start in with some backbreakers and it’s Van Dam in trouble for a change.

The Canadians get him down in the corner for some stomping until Page charges into a kick to the face. That’s enough for the tag to Sabu so Genie throws in a chair, which is pelted at the North a few times. The camel clutch/dropkick to the face combination keeps Alexander down and it’s time for a table. Sabu and Van Dam go up but here’s Moose to shove Van Dam off the top. The Arabian facebuster drives Alexander through the table for no count so Sabu hits a tornado DDT to send Page into the broken table. A Moose distraction lets the North hit a double Neutralizer to finish Sabu at 10:38.

Rating: D+. Well at least the right team won, and it only took interference and the disregard for various usage of weapons. The North isn’t an interesting team and at least they got in a win over a “legendary” team. Oh and Van Dam, the one of the ECW guys with any value, didn’t take the fall so he can put Moose over at Slammiversary as he should.

Post match here’s Tommy Dreamer to send Moose inside but Moose bails from the threat of a Van Terminator.

Post break Moose yells at the North, who call Moose out for bailing on them. Their partnership seems to be done so Moose promises to take out the ECW era. My head hurts again.

Announcers’ preview.

Havok vs. Masha Slamovich

Masha forearms away to start and gets knocked down with a single shot to the chest. Havok bends her over the knee but misses a charge in the corner. A dropkick and right hands don’t get Masha anywhere and it’s a sitout slam to plant Masha. The chokeslam and Tombstone finish Marsha at 3:39.

Rating: D. Total and complete squash here, which is exactly what it should have been. Havok is a good monster and can make a suitable opponent for Rosemary at some point. It’s also nice of them to bring up Havok’s history around here without mentioning her getting beaten up by Awesome Kong and ruining her mystique. That’s how you bring a monster back and it’s working here.

Post match James Mitchell tells Rosemary to work on her anger management. He’s tried to be diplomatic with her over Su Yung but now he’s had to go a little more serious, which is why Havok is here. Havok is his Godzilla stomping on Tokyo and now she’s coming for the Knockouts Title. She’ll use Rosemary’s broken carcass as a launchpad. That’s quite the image.

Raj Singh vs. Cody Deaner

Yes this feud needs to continue. Raj knocks him into the corner to start so Cody comes back out with a running clothesline. Cody sends him outside for a suicide dive but gets caught with a hanging cutter on the way back in. Raj’s running dropkick to the back gets two and he slaps away a lot. That wakes Deaner up and the snap jabs put Raj down. A hard DDT plants Raj but Gama Singh gets on the apron for a distraction. Cousin Jake cuts off an interfering Rohit Raju….and Gama has a heart attack. That allows Raj to hit an arm trap faceplant for the pin at 5:08.

Rating: D. I really don’t see the need for three interferences and a fake heart attack for half of the Desi Hit Squad vs. half of the country cousins. This felt completely minor league and like something you would see on a company trying to put on its first show. They’re not exactly cranking out good tag teams at the moment and this didn’t help things.

Michael Elgin is ready to beat up Willie Mack tonight. Johnny Impact comes in and says he’s been talking to the hospital. They haven’t seen Mack, even though Elgin promised to send him there. Elgin says stay out of the main event.

Rosemary thinks Mitchell has a thing for monsters. The Hive has sent her on a mission to get the Knockouts Title back so Havok is just an obstacle in the way.

Partial Slammiversary rundown.

Flashback Moment of the Week: Samoa Joe vs. Bobby Lashley vs. Slammiversary XII.

Sami Callihan comes into the women’s locker room (good thing there was a camera waiting in there) and gets in an argument with Tessa Blanchard. A match against Jake Crist is set for next week.

Jordynne Grace vs. Madison Rayne

Kiera Hogan is out for commentary. They fight over arm control to start and we cut over to Kiera, who is in fact talking. Rayne gets a quick rollup for two and Grace grinds away on a headlock. Grace ducks a charge in the corner and sends Madison to the apron, where she seems to slip off and fall out to the floor. Madison is fine enough and gets suplexed for two back inside. A standing Koji Clutch doesn’t get Rayne very far as Madison takes her down and pulls on the arm instead.

They trade pinfall attempts for two each until Madison hits a basement dropkick for a breather. Madison takes her to the floor for a cutter and they’re both down with Madison holding her back. Back in and Madison’s crucifix bomb gets two, followed by Grace’s spinning Muscle Buster for the same. Grace goes up but a Kiera distraction lets Madison pull her down for CrossRayne and the pin at 10:28.

Rating: C. Match of the night so far, though Kiera isn’t exactly interesting here. Grace feels like a monster and while losing to Rayne isn’t the biggest problem in the world, it’s not the way I would have gone. The good thing here is we currently have three stories going on in the Knockouts division, which is way, way better than just having the champion vs. her challenger of the week. I’m rather impressed by that and while it’s not working as well, they’re trying something similar with the tag division. I can appreciate the effort if nothing else.

Video on Killer Kross breaking Kenny and Eddie Edwards being given a new kendo stick by Sandman.

Killer Kross vs. Sandman

Sandman seems to be taking Eddie’s place and staggers around before hitting some left hands. A kendo stick to the ribs has little effect and the Krossjacket choke ends Sandman at 1:36. As annoying as I find it to have the ECW guys around, I can’t get annoyed at Sandman getting choked out in a minute and a half.

Post match Kross won’t let go so Eddie comes in for the save.

LAX doesn’t think much of the Rascalz but Konnan wants them to take things more seriously. The Rascalz come in and want a rematch but LAX doesn’t like them barging in. The fight is on with LAX getting the better of it (and stomping on a downed camera) and agreeing to the rematch. Someone who looks like Laredo Kid comes in and takes something from the Rascalz.

It’s time for the Smoke Show with Taya Valkyrie and John E. Bravo as guests. Fallah Bahh and Scarlett Bordeaux share a drink but Taya isn’t interested. She also doesn’t like Scarlett talking about Johnny Impact. Scarlett brings up Taya having to defend the title next week and says she knows who the opponent will be. Taya says spit it out, which Scarlett must know how to do. It’s Su Yung so Taya freaks out and leaves.

Here’s the rest of the Slammiversary rundown.

Willie Mack vs. Michael Elgin

Rich Swann is in Mack’s corner. They slug it out to start and trade shoulders with Mack actually getting the better of it off a jumping version. A jumping enziguri sets up an exploder suplex to send Elgin to the apron. Mack joins him for a slugout with Elgin getting the better of it and hitting a superkick to the floor.

Back from a break with Mack hitting a spinwheel kick and dropping a leg for two. A sitout spinebuster gets the same but the Stunner is broken up. Elgin’s superkick drops Mack and a top rope superplex gets two. Mack avoids a charge into the corner and gets caught with a slingshot Fameasser to send him outside. Instead of going back in, Elgin drops Swann onto the apron. Back in and a buckle bomb sets up the Elgin Bomb for the pin at 10:10.

Rating: C+. This was another good match between any combination of these three and Impact, which makes for some nice main events. Elgin is a great monster and someone can slay him, though I’m not sure if it’s going to be Cage at Slammiversary. That makes for an interesting match and I’m curious to see how it goes.

Post match Elgin goes after him again but Swann makes the save. Johnny Impact runs in to take Swann down but Elgin suplexes Impact. He even puts on the sunglasses to really rub it in. Another powerbomb into the post leaves Impact laying to end the show.

Overall Rating: C. I don’t remember the last time I’ve seen such an up and down show as this one. The tag division (outside of the title picture) is a mess, the Knockouts division is rather interesting, the main event is good stuff and the ECW guys are just there. If they can get this stuff together and do more of the right stuff instead of the wrong, they’ll have a hit on their hands. And if they can get Pursuit to not screw things up, it can be even better.

Results

The North b. Rob Van Dam/Sabu – Double Neutralizer to Sabu

Jessika Havok b. Masha Slamovich – Tombstone

Raj Singh b. Cody Deaner – Arm trap faceplant

Madison Rayne b. Jordynne Grace – Cross Rayne

Killer Kross b. Sandman – Krossjacket choke

Michael Elgin b. Willie Mack – Elgin Bomb

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s History Of In Your House (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

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