IMG Credit: Impact Wrestling

Yeah you might have forgotten about the company but Impact Wrestling is back on pay per view with their biggest show of the year. The card has been built up as well as it can be, but that is kind of a firm limit. The show isn’t exactly jumping off the page at me, though Impact Wrestling has managed to surprise me before. Hopefully that is the case again so let’s get to it.

Pre-Show: Rascalz vs. Deaners

There is something so fun about the Rascalz. I have a good time watching them but their win/loss record could be a lot better. There is only so much you can do when you can’t consistently win and that has been a problem for them for a very long time now. Hopefully they can get a lot better, and there are only a few ways to do that. We might be seeing it here.

I’ll take the Rascalz, for the double reason of I like them and I can remember which one is which. The Deaners got a lot out of Wrestle House but they are still more of a gimmick tag team than anything else. Maybe they can become a bigger deal one day, because while they’re not terrible, they leave a lot to be desired. Give me the Rascalz in a fast paced match.

Ken Shamrock vs. Eddie Edwards

This is a tricky one as Shamrock is entering the Hall of Fame this weekend but probably shouldn’t be beating someone like Edwards, who was World Champion just a few months ago. Then again, Shamrock wins a good amount of matches that he probably shouldn’t be winning, meaning that this could be in play. Shamrock has been impressive enough in his return, but that might not be enough to beat Edwards.

That being said, I’ll take Shamrock here, as Impact Wrestling REALLY likes honoring its legends, even though Edwards has been far more successful in the company than Shamrock. Edwards can absorb a loss far more easily than Shamrock, and if the idea is to make Shamrock a machine again, he shouldn’t be losing his first big match after the heel turn.

Call Your Shot Gauntlet Match

It’s your usual casserole of wrestlers who have nothing else going on (yes Tommy Dreamer is in there too) and the winner gets a title shot of their choice. The catch is that if Rhino or Heath win, Heath gets a contract and Rhino gets to keep his job. You can probably knock out a few of the options in a hurry, so at least it’s a little bit more limited of a field to pick through.

I’ll take Heath to win and go with the layup of the two of them going for the Tag Team Titles in the more feel good moment. It isn’t like most of the people involved have much of a story anyway and winning a ten person gauntlet match is only so difficult in the first place. Hopefully they don’t stay out there too long though, which is always a big danger in something like this. And go with the right winner of course, as in the person that I picked.

X-Division Title: Rohit Raju(c) vs. Chris Bey vs. Jordynne Grace vs. TJP vs. Trey Miguel vs. Willie Mack

Blast it with these messy matches. The X-Division has actually been a division as of late and now we are getting another one of these big car crash matches for the sake of getting everyone involved rather than having one challenger for a change. Raju is a fine choice as the heel champion who escapes with the title that he doesn’t really deserve and that is a good role to have in a match like this. There are a lot of ways this could go and that could make for something interesting.

I’ll take….eh give me Bey to get the title back here, if nothing else because I’ve liked a lot of what I’ve seen from him. Odds are Raju winds up retaining the title and escaping again, but that’s a bit of a traditional pick and Impact Wrestling likes to mix things up a bit. I’m not sure if that is what they are going to do here, but it really could go a lot of ways and that is a good thing.

TNA World Title: Moose(c) vs. EC3

So EC3 was the big surprise at the end of Slammiversary and he has set his sights on Moose. Now why did he do that? Honestly I’m not sure that I know as he has been going on and on about controlling your narrative…and I don’t know if I quite understand what the heck he is talking about. I know he wants to get rid of the TNA World Title to change his legacy or something, but that’s about as far as I can go.

The only other place I can go is to the place where EC3 wins the title, as he should here. There is no reason to have Moose retain here, though I’m not sure what else to expect from the match. It is going to take place in an undisclosed location and I wouldn’t be shocked to see this as a cinematic match, because we haven’t had one around here in awhile. Just have it regular please. Is that so much to ask?

Tag Team Titles: Motor City Machine Guns(c) vs. Good Brothers vs. Ace Austin/Madman Fulton vs. The North

The Good Brothers have become the biggest stars in the company almost by default and now all they need is the gold. They showed up announced at Slammiversary and were instantly treated as some of the most important people in the company, overshadowing the entire tag team division in a hurry. They don’t need the titles, but it doesn’t exactly do the titles much good for the Good Brothers to not have them.

Actually I’ll go with the instinct and pick Austin and Fulton to win, with the Good Brothers hunting them down for the regular title match later on rather than winning the four way here. This has gotten most of the recent main event slots and while it isn’t (or at least shouldn’t) main event the show, it is going to be one of the more important matches on the card. Odds are the Good Brothers win, but I feel like a gamble.

Knockouts Title: Deonna Purrazzo(c) vs. Kylie Rae

This feels like it was supposed to take place months ago but then the Wrestle house deal slowed everything down. Rae has become one of the perkiest stars the company has seen in years while Purrazzo is more of an assassin who can rip anyone apart whenever she feels like it. That being said, when your opponent has a move called Smile To The Finish, it’s hard to cheer against them. Throw in the fact that Rae is more innocent than the Easter Bunny and it’s hard to argue against her.

I’ll take Purrazzo to win here and crush everyone’s dreams, as she just hasn’t held the title long enough to lose it yet. Rae is someone who could smile her way through anything and it seems like she could be back in the title scene down the line without much effort. Maybe she takes it from Purrazzo one day, but I really don’t think it is going to happen on Saturday night.

Impact Wrestling World Title: Eric Young(c) vs. Rich Swann

And then there’s this, which does not feel like a main event of the biggest show of the year no matter how revered the company wants to make it sound. This feels like it should be for the X-Division Title halfway through the show rather than (probably) headlining everything. Swann came back from a long injury at Slammiversary and eliminated Young from the World Title match, only to have Young take out the knee. Now Swann is back for revenge and the title.

Swann has to win here right? I can’t imagine that Impact Wrestling would go with Young as a long term champion, but then again I can’t believe that we’re seeing him as the champion again in the second place. I’ve liked Swann for a long time now and hopefully he is back to his old self. He should win the title here, though I’m not sure if he is ready for that point. Then again, it’s not like the title feels all that important most of the time anyway.

Overall Thoughts

I’ve thought this for a good while now but this show has been surpassed by Slammiversary as the most important of the year. I know Bound For Glory gets all of the attention and that’s perfectly fine, but this really doesn’t feel like the big showcase event. I’m sure the matches and action will be good as Impact Wrestling almost always delivers when they focus on their in-ring product, but I can’t really bring myself to get overly interested in the show.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/

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: October 20, 2020
Location: Skyway Studios, Nashville, Tennessee
Commentators: Madison Rayne, Josh Matthews

It’s the go home show for Bound For Glory and that probably can’t come soon enough. The company has been limping into the show and they could use a nice boost before we get to Saturday. Tonight is probably going to be a lot of building up what is already there and that could go either way. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap.

Opening sequence.

Heath vs. Rhino vs. Hernandez vs. Cousin Jake vs. Alisha

Whoever wins is the last entrant in the Call Your Shot gauntlet but whoever takes the fall is the first entrant. Alisha yells a lot and shoves some people so Hernandez puts her on the top rope and tussles her hair. She jumps onto Heath’s back but gets driven into the corner, leaving Rhino and Hernandez to slug it out for all of five seconds.

The guys head outside and Alisha dives onto three of the four. Back in and Rhino hammers on Hernandez in the corner but Jake comes in to choke Rhino in another corner. Alisha comes in to break up the dive but Jake breaks up the Border Toss. Rhino Gores Alisha by mistake and in his shock, Hernandez grabs a rollup for the pin on Rhino at 4:45.

Rating: C-. This didn’t last long but it was fast paced while it lasted. Rhino going in first is something that makes a lot of sense given what they are doing with he and Heath so hopefully it works out in execution. Alisha got to shine a bit here as well, which isn’t often the case for her and came off well enough.

Announcers preview tonight and Saturday.

Video on Moose vs. EC3, which is still about someone fighting for a title that doesn’t exactly count. It sounds like their match will be cinematic as well and….yeah I’m having trouble caring.

Jimmy Jacobs sits down with Moose, who doesn’t seem interested in talking about anything but EC3, who won’t be happy after Bound For Glory. Moose leaves, so three guys in EC3 gear come in and kidnap Jacobs, throwing him into a van. Make your own Samoa Joe/ninja jokes.

John E. Bravo yells at the wedding party about the wedding for being so terrible at their jobs. Apparently Kaleb With A K will be the photographer but here’s Taya Valkyrie to complain about everything, but Bravo storms off.

Deonna Purrazzo talks about how important the Knockouts Title is in this company’s history. Do you want someone like her as champion or Kylie Rae? Being smiley and happy isn’t a game plan! All it took was Purrazzo breaking Susie’s arm to send Rae over the edge and on Saturday, she isn’t winning the title.

Havok vs. Rosemary

If Rosemary wins, Father James Mitchell can be brought back to officiate the wedding. Havok squeezes her down by the hand to start but misses a legdrop to give Rosemary two. Havok’s reverse DDT is blocked so Rosemary hits one of her own for two more. A guillotine is broken up with a suplex and Havok is getting serious. Rosemary gets a boot up in the corner though and a high crossbody gives her two. Back to back spears finish Havok at 3:27.

Rating: C-. Like Mitchell wasn’t going to be back for the wedding. There was no reason to bring him up if he wasn’t going to be here and he ties into the story so well that it would be insane to not have him here. I’ve been digging the wedding story so far and hopefully the payoff works as well.

Video on the Tag Team Title match. The Motor City Machine Guns have the titles, the Good Brothers want them, and the North and Ace Austin/Madman Fulton do in fact exist as well.

Here’s a sneak peak at Talk N Shop: Full Gear.

Kylie Rae says Deonna Purrazzo is more interested in making people think she is better rather than actually being better. Rae wants to be a role model to young girls and she is going to be ready for everything Deonna has for her at Bound For Glory.

The EC3 guys bring Jacobs into a building and put him into a chair, with EC3 sitting next to him. EC3 says it’s just the two of them so ask him a question. Right now they’re in a narrative, and now Moose is the adversary that EC3 wants to face. EC3 met the Moose he has been waiting to fight on that bridge last week but Moose is a FALSE IDOL.

Last week, EC3 saw it in his eyes and Moose was starting to control his narrative. Moose has to learn, but it has to be at EC3’s hands. EC3 fights for control and purpose but also for himself. The whole point of this is to take the TNA World Title and burn it, just like Moose’s legacy. I’m still not sure I get what the heck EC3 is talking about, but he’s selling it well.

Sami Callihan vs. Eddie Edwards

Sami walks into an atomic drop to start but blocks a belly to belly suplex with a rake to the eyes. They fight to the floor with Sami getting his own eyes raked this time. Sami hits his own belly to belly onto the ramp though and Eddie is in trouble. Back in and Sami grabs a brainbuster for two and we hit the chinlock. Eddie fights back up so Callihan whips him into a corner to stop the comeback cold.

The real comeback starts with a clothesline and a super hurricanrana sets up the Blue Thunder Bomb for two on Sami. They slug it out from their knees and then chop it out from their feet until Sami goes for the eyes again. Some running forearms set up the tiger driver for two more on Sami and Eddie is stunned. The Boston Knee Party is loaded up so Sami grabs his phone and…makes Ken Shamrock appear. The distraction, and a handful of tights, is enough to finish Eddie at 8:35.

Rating: C+. They were having a good match here until the annoying ending, though at least the hacking deal was a little more funny than what you get most of the time. Eddie vs. Shamrock doesn’t exactly get my interest up, but then again it is a match between two big names. Sami is just kind of there at the moment, and I’m not feeling the Shamrock partnership, but it’s certainly a fresh match.

Post match Shamrock locks Eddie’s ankle again.

We recap the X-Division Title match, which is Rohit Raju running from everyone but getting caught against them all at once. Raju is doing really well now that he is getting a chance, but I could go for a smaller field in the match. Like two people for instance.

Willie Mack/Trey Miguel/TJP vs. Rohit Raju/Chris Bey/Jordynne Grace

Raju starts with Mack but taunts TJP into a chase, allowing Bey to take TJP down. Mack comes in for the spinning slam into a legdrop for two on Bey but Raju breaks up TJP’s headscissors out of the corner. Grace comes in to hammer away on TJP for two before reluctantly tagging Raju in.

TJP avoids Grace’s Vader Bomb though and it’s the hot tag bringing in Miguel as everything breaks down. We get the parade of knockdowns so Raju knees Miguel down for two, with TJP stealing the cover. Bey hits a springboard cutter so Raju steals his own near fall, meaning the argument is on. Raju takes Bey down so Bey is back with the springboard cutter to Raju, giving Miguel the pin at 5:25.

Rating: C. It was a big mess and having Raju get on someone’s nerves to take the fall fit him perfectly. That being said, it was another X-Division match with all of the insanity that you always get in a match like this. Good action, but it’s going to be even zanier on Saturday and I’m a bit over that kind of a match in this division.

Video on Eric Young vs. Rich Swann, with Eric destroying Swann’s knee over and over but not being able to keep him out of the title match. In other words, it’s something else where Young isn’t as good as people think he is. You would think he’s used to it by now.

We get a sitdown interview with Young, who blames Swann and Scott D’Amore for what has happened to them. He hasn’t caused any of this because he said what he would do. Everyone should know what happens if you get in his way and now he has a purpose to stop Swann. Cue Swann for the fight with the camera being knocked down. Dang they’re trying with this thing but it’s only going so far.

Bound For Glory rundown.

Good Brothers vs. The North

Anderson and Page start things off with Page being sent outside. Everything breaks down in a hurry and we take a break in a hurry. Back with Gallows hammering away on Alexander in the corner before Anderson comes in to slug away as well. Now it’s some stomping in the corner for a change of pace as we hear about how awesome the North was when they held the titles.

Alexander gets in a shot to the face and it’s time to put Anderson in the corner for a change. A full nelson backbreaker from Alexander sets up a backbreaker from Page for two and the chinlock is on again. It’s back to Alexander for another chinlock but he charges into a big boot in the corner. The hot tag brings in Gallows to clean house but Alexander breaks up the Magic Killer. The slugout it on and it’s a no contest (double DQ, whatever) at 11:12.

Rating: C. They worked a pretty simple formula here until the ending which (wisely) protected both of them until the ending. It’s nothing that we haven’t seen done better over and over but at least they didn’t have someone take a fall and then come back to win the titles on Saturday. The North is still great, but the Good Brothers feel like stars and that’s what matters.

Post match the Machine Guns and Ace Austin/Madman Fulton run in for the big brawl. The Guns and the Brothers clear the ring and get in the fight with the Brothers easily taking them down and standing tall to end the show. It’s kind of amazing to see this close the show again, as it feels like it has happened a lot more often than not as of late.

Overall Rating: C. This was right down the middle and playing everything safe, which is exactly what it should have been. There was no need in trying to do something ridiculous here or throwing something else into a card that was already made. They did a little bit with the wedding for a slight bit of variety, but this was nice and safe, as it should be in a situation like this. After some weaker shows, something this simple is the right call so they made the right decision.

Results

Hernandez b. Heath, Rhino, Cousin Jake and Alisha – Rollup to Rhino

Rosemary b. Havok – Spear

Sami Callihan b. Eddie Edwards – Rollup

Trey Miguel/TJP/Willie Mack b. Rohit Raju/Jordynne Grace/Chris Bey – Springboard cutter to Raju

Good Brothers vs. The North went to a no contest when all four brawled

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/

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: October 6, 2020
Location: Skyway Studios, Nashville, Tennessee
Commentators: Madison Rayne, Josh Matthews

The march to Bound For Glory continues and that means we have some stuff to set up. It also means more of Eric Young as World Champion and that isn’t exactly the most inspiring material in the world. Last week’s focus was on the tag division, though I’m not sure if that’s going to carry over here. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap, including clips from Victory Road.

Opening sequence.

Tommy Dreamer vs. Brian Myers

They trade shots to the face to start with Dreamer taking it outside in a hurry. Myers is sent into the steps and they brawl around a bit, as you probably expected. Dreamer’s chop hits post and a suplex onto the ramp bangs him up even more. Back in and a belly to back suplex sets up the chinlock on Dreamer, who has already lost his bandanna. The armbar goes on for a bit before Myers has to elbow him down again. Some elbow drops set up the trash talk and it’s back to the chinlock.

Dreamer fights up and catches him with a powerslam out of the corner. The cutter gives Dreamer two but Myers is back with the Michinoku Driver for the same. Myers misses a top rope elbow and gets DDTed for two. Dreamer misses a middle rope elbow (or close to it) and gets implant DDTed for two (what great symmetry) and Myers’ frustration is setting in. Myers grabs a kendo stick but Dreamer takes it away. That means Myers begs off…but then takes it away and canes Dreamer for the DQ at 9:22.

Rating: D. And that’s a Tommy Dreamer match, consisting of brawling, Dreamer laying around a lot and then the wacky ending, all while Dreamer isn’t as important as various companies think he is. Myers beating Dreamer up for eight minutes and then going into that lame of a finish doesn’t help anyone, but odds are we get a rematch at Bound For Glory because…well it’s Dreamer and we owe him something I guess.

Post match the beating continues until Scott D’Amore comes out for the save.

Commentary talks about Bound For Glory’s bigger matches.

Moose looks for the TNA World Title in various random places.

John E. Bravo is spending a fortune on the wedding and asks the wedding party to help pay for it. That isn’t happening, but Fallah Bahh says he’ll find the money. The argument is on and a tag match seems teased.

Here’s Rohit Raju with another opportunity. He has given more chances than people have had excuses for why their lives are terrible. Everyone wants this title so let’s see who is answering the Defeat Rohit challenge. Cue Willie Mack, but Raju says he had his chance at Victory Road. We need a fresh challenger.

Rohit Raju vs. Jordynne Grace

Raju stalls in the corner, because we do things on his time. After a minute of stalling, Mack grabs the title from the floor, allowing Grace to roll him up for the pin at 1:14.

And no Grace isn’t champion because it was non-title. Raju praises her for the win but makes it VERY clear that he is still champion. We follow Raju to the back, where Scott D’Amore makes a six way title match with Raju defending against Grace, Mack, TJP, Chris bey and Trey Miguel. D’Amore being all fired up and excited for Raju is funny.

Fallah Bahh challenges Hernandez to another arm wrestling match but bumps into him to spill a drink, sending Hernandez off a huff.

Rascalz vs. XXXL

Dez and Wentz for the Rascalz here with Wentz being shoved off the top during the entrances. That leaves Dez to be pulled apart and dropped down and we take a break. Back with Acey knocking Dez into the corner and throwing him down with a suplex. Larry comes in for a chinlock, followed by a splash for two.

Dez’s attempts at fighting up actually staggers Larry enough for the tag off to Wentz. House is cleaned and a standing shooting star gets two on Larry. The Rascalz strike Larry down and Acey clotheslines him by mistake. Acey is superkicked to the floor, leaving Larry to get caught with the shove moonsault for the pin at 9:56.

Rating: C-. Not much to see here and that’s hardly surprising. The Rascalz might get back into the Tag Team Title picture after Bound For Glory and now that the North aren’t the champions, they might actually have a shot. XXXL is hardly the most thrilling team but at least they serve a purpose well enough.

Fallah Bahh steals Hernandez’s money while Hernandez is in the shower. Is anyone ever going to SPEND that money? Or maybe put it somewhere else?

We go to Rich Swann’s medical clinic to see how his physical therapy is going. The doctor says he’s doing fine but Eric Young, disguised as a medic, jumps him and destroys the leg again.

The Motor City Machine Guns are ready for Ace Austin and Madman Fulton when the Good Brothers come in. Threats are made and the Brothers say they’ll be watching the main event so nothing goes badly before Bound For Glory.

Rosemary/Taya Valkyrie vs. Tasha Steelz/Kiera Hogan

They shout at each other to start until Taya knocks Kiera down and hammers away. There’s the running hip attack in the corner and the running knees in the corner make it even worse for Hogan. Rosemary comes in for an exploder suplex, which accidentally sends Hogan into the corner for the tag. Steelz walks into a suplex as well and the Upside Down goes on.

Hogan makes a save and it’s Rosemary getting stomped in the corner. Steelz loads up a baseball slide but Rosemary just growls at her to cut things off. A suplex puts Steelz down and the hot tag brings in Taya to clean house. Everything breaks down and it’s a parade of superkicks into a German suplex to drop Hogan on her head. A double underhook drop (Angel Garza’s Wing Clipper) finishes Steelz at 9:15.

Rating: C-. Total formula tag match here and it worked out well enough. I’m not wild on some of the women’s tag teams but Rosemary and Taya are entertaining enough. Granted more of that is in their backstage antics and you only get so much of that live. Hogan is the better of the villains here and Steelz is dragging her down, but not all that much.

Deaners vs. Johnny Swinger/Crazzy Steve

Jake throws Steve a beer to start and Steve’s monkey gets a sip as well. Swinger doesn’t approve and comes in, only to get caught in an atomic drop. The comeback doesn’t take long as Swinger gets Cody into the corner, where Steve offers a fork and a spoon. Swinger: “NOT YET!” The chinlock goes on for a bit before Swinger goes to grab Steve’s monkey. That doesn’t work so well as Cody grabs the Deaner DDT for the pin at 2:59.

We look back at Victory Road, where Deonna Purrazzo broke Susie’s arm.

Kylie Rae gets rather emotional about Susie’s injury when Kimber Lee comes in to laugh at her. Rae snaps and knocks her out before panicking over what she just did.

Scott D’Amore finally agrees to sign Heath because he recognizes Heath’s determination. They both have a proposal, with D’Amore rolling up his sleeves. Heath can’t be serious about this because it’s not like he won an Olympic gold medal. Maybe Heath should sign and work towards this instead. Heath isn’t sure but D’Amore gets up and storms off with no contract.

Post break Rhino asks Heath how it went, with Heath yelling at him for saying how much greener the grass was here. Drew McIntyre is mentioned as Heath leaves, with Rhino looking stunned.

EC3 drops the TNA World Title off of a bridge.

Sami Callihan loses his mind over the video of Ken Shamrock beating down Eddie Edwards receiving “45 million likes”. It means the old Shamrock is back and he needs to beat someone else up. Like the production guy who walks past them.

Here’s what’s coming up next week.

Motor City Machine Guns vs. Ace Austin/Madman Fulton

Non-title. Sabin and Austin trade some quickly broken wristlocks to start with Austin not being able to nip out of one. A dropkick into an armbar keeps Sabin in control and it’s off to Shelley for a running kick to the chest. The Guns stay on the arm with Shelley cranking away, only to get caught in a sleeper. That’s broken up but Austin brings in Fulton to start cleaning house.

Shelley gets sent face first into the buckle a few times and it’s a side slam/springboard legdrop combination for two. Austin busts out the playing card to cut Shelley’s fingers before handing it back to Fulton for the choking. Sabin’s save attempt just gets himself choked as well but Shelley grabs Fulton low. That’s enough to make Austin hit Fulton by mistake and it’s Sabin coming in off the hot tag to clean house.

A missile dropkick to the back of the head staggers Austin but he kicks Sabin in the head. Everything breaks down and Fulton is low bridged to the floor. Fulton is back up to shoves Sabin off the top but the Guns are fine enough to strike away and put Fulton down. The Dream Sequence hits Austin but Fulton suplexes both Guns. Cue the North to get on the apron but the Good Brothers get rid of them. Skull and Bones finishes Fulton at 12:57.

Rating: C+. They didn’t have the champs lose here so that’s certainly a plus, though I’m not wild on the monster taking a fall to anyone. You were waiting for the interference too, but they got me into the match enough that it wasn’t the worst feeling. Pretty good match, though the four way is going to need to be nuts.

The Guns and the Brothers yell at each other to end the show.

Overall Rating: C-. This show is at the weird lull before Bound For Glory as the show is set up but now we need to pause for a bit until we get to the pay per view. That makes for some weaker shows, including stuff like this with Dreamer getting ten minutes, the Deaners and XXX both getting matches and the stuff with Hernandez continuing. It wasn’t a terrible show, but just get to Bound For Glory already.

Results

Tommy Dreamer b. Brian Myers via DQ when Myers used a kendo stick

Jordynne Grace b. Rohit Raju – O’Connor roll

Rascalz b. XXXL – Shove moonsault to Larry D.

Deaners b. Johnny Swinger/Crazzy Steve – Deaner DDT to Swinger

Motor City Machine Guns b. Ace Austin/Madman Fulton – Skull and Bones to Fulton

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/

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: September 29, 2020
Location: Skyway Studios, Nashville, Tennessee
Commentators: Josh Matthews, Madison Rayne

We’re on the way to Bound For Glory and that means we are starting to see the card coming together. This time around we are building towards the Tag Team Title match, as the Good Brothers and the Rascalz, who are likely heading towards a multi team title match, have their own match going on tonight. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap.

Opening sequence.

Taya Valkyrie/Rosemary vs. Havok/Nevaeh

Rosemary and Havok have to be held back to start so it’s Nevaeh running Taya over with a shoulder to start. The other two come in with Rosemary taking Havok down and hammering away to quite a bit of avail. Taya comes in but can’t whip Havok in, instead being clotheslined down.

Nevaeh grabs a front facelock and then hits a basement dropkick for two. Havok comes in and gets two off Nevaeh’s clothesline. A quick crawl between Havok’s legs allows the hot tag to Rosemary and it’s time to clean house. The Upside Down has Havok in trouble and a high crossbody puts her down again. Nevaeh comes back in for a German suplex to Rosemary but can’t hit one on Taya. The Road To Valhalla finishes Nevaeh at 6:53.

Rating: C-. That’s a pretty by the book tag match but it’s nice to see Rosemary getting to do something in the ring. She’s very talented and finally seems to be getting closer to her pre-knee injury status. The wacky best friends combination with Taya works out rather well and I could go for more of them for a good while.

Post match Tasha Steelz and Kiera Hogan run in for the beatdown until Havok and Nevaeh make the save.

The Good Brothers are telling a story about being in a Japanese karaoke bar when the Motor City Machine Guns come in to ask if they do anything but tell stories all day. Alex Shelley talks about being near the top of the dojo while Karl Anderson was still making Riki Choshu’s meals. The Good Brothers aren’t impressed and can’t wait to kick out of the Guns’ finisher (as Scott Hall said to the Dudleys when the NWO came back to the WWF).

Deonna Purrazzo doesn’t think much of Kylie Rae, because the smiles won’t help her at Bound For Glory. Purrazzo doesn’t think much of having to defend the Knockouts Title at Victory Road this Saturday.

Here’s what’s coming tonight.

Tenille Dashwood vs. Jordynne Grace

Rematch from last week and Kaleb With A K handles Dashwood’s entrance. Dashwood tries a kick to the ribs but gets driven into the corner in a hurry. A slam sets up a running backsplash for two and there are the shoulders to Dashwood’s ribs in the corner. Dashwood gets in a knee though and a neckbreaker over the middle rope sends us to a break.

Back with Grace’s neck being wrapped around the rope and having her throat pulled into a different rope. Grace sends her into the corner though and some running knees to the back into a running hip attack crush Dashwood. The Vader Bomb gets two and a hard clothesline gives Grace the same. Dashwood manages to tie her in the Tree of Woe for the Taste of Tenille but the Spotlight Kick is blocked. Kaleb’s distraction doesn’t work and Grace grabs the rear naked choke for the tap at 11:52.

Rating: C. The more I see of Grace the more I like her and this worked out rather well for both of them. Grace could very well be back in the title picture one day and you know Impact wants Dashwood there as well. The Knockouts division has gotten a lot better in a hurry, and a non-title feud like this is a good hope for its future.

Moose still can’t find EC3 but does attack an employee, earning a threat of an HR intervention. EC3 pops up to say the title’s funeral is next week. You have been warned.

Video on Rich Swann training to get back into the ring for Bound For Glory.

Flashback Moment of the Week: Gail Kim b. Madison Rayne to retain the Knockouts Title.

Rhino comes outside to see Heath, who might have some interest from Impact management. Heath paid for the infomercial with his credit cards so he still has the cash. Cue Hernandez and Reno Scum to jump them and take it back.

Post break, Rhino yells at Scott D’Amore for what just happened. D’Amore doesn’t like it but it’s Heath/Rhino vs. Reno Scum at Victory Road.

Rascalz vs. Good Brothers

It’s Wentz and Dez for the team here and Dez starts with Anderson. Dez is sent into the corner for an elbow to the head but he comes out kicking. Wentz comes in and gets taken into the corner so the beating can be on. That doesn’t last long though as it’s quickly back to Dez for the double kicks to Anderson. Gallows doesn’t seem to mind and runs over Dez with a clothesline.

That means it’s Dez getting beaten down in the corner and the chinlock is on in a hurry. Gallows drives some elbows into the face and chest before grabbing his own chinlock. Dez fights up with a Rey Mysterio sitout bulldog and the hot tag brings in Wentz. The Rascalz pick up the pace with the backbreaker/top rope Meteora combination. The shove moonsault is broken up and it’s the spinebuster to Wentz into the Magic Killer for the pin at 7:09.

Rating: C. I know it’s not the point of the team but the Good Brothers only do so much for me in the ring. They aren’t the worst by any means and are perfectly serviceable, but they aren’t a team I look forward to seeing. That being said, that is completely not the point of the team and it’s not like being masters in the ring is what makes you a star. This was fine enough, and I think you know what is coming at Bound For Glory.

Post match Anderson says they’re here for the money and the titles.

Brian Myers and Tommy Dreamer have an old west staredown in the back and a challenge is made for Victory Road.

Kaleb and the banged up Tenille Dashwood are leaving when they run into Jordynne Grace. A third match is made for Victory Road, though Dashwood isn’t thrilled.

Johnny Swinger vs. Fallah Bahh

Some of the Wrestle House cast is around ringside and the winner gets to be John E. Bravo’s best man. Swinger jumps him to start with little success. Bahh sends him flying and isn’t about to be slammed. A rake to the eyes slows Bahh down a bit and Swinger stomps on Cousin Jake’s fingers. The distraction lets Swinger use Crazzy Steve’s monkey to knock Bahh silly for the pin at 1:44.

Post match Bravo says not so fast and wants the match restarted. Bahh runs him over and hits the Banzai Drop for the pin at 2:35 total.

Rohit Raju says everything should revolve around him, including Victory Road. That’s why he is debuting the Defeat Rohit Challenge. Cue TJP, but Raju says it can’t be him, Chris Bey or Trey challenging. TJP is off to get some Ben And Jerry’s.

Bravo is annoyed at the bad refereeing and doesn’t care if Bahh or TJP is the best man.

Here’s Eddie Edwards for a chat. He knows Eric Young attacked him last week so get out here right now. Cue Sami Callihan on the stage instead so Eddie is glad to beat him up again. Sami says he didn’t do it but Eddie wants to beat him up anyway. Hold on though, as Sami is willing to show Eddie who did attack him. The lights go out again and here’s Ken Shamrock to kick Eddie in the head. Shamrock shouts that Eddie needs to get out of his way and the ankle lock goes on.

In the back, Eric Young finds this hilarious and promises to destroy Young at Victory Road. As for Bound For Glory, whatever he does to Rich Swann is no longer his responsibility.

Kylie Rae comes up to see Susie in the back. Susie is worried at Kylie getting upset if she wins the title from Purrazzo. Of course Kylie isn’t because she would love to face Susie at Bound For Glory. She even got Susie some kickpads! Kylie says Susie’s time has come and leaves, with Susie looking into the mirror and Su Yung being teased again.

Victory Road rundown. Doesn’t look half bad actually.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

The North vs. Madman Fulton/Ace Austin

Fulton scares Ethan Page against the ropes to start but a quick shot to the back of the head staggers the big man. That earns Page a Snake Eyes so Josh Alexander hits Fulton in the back from the apron. Fulton pulls him outside and no sells a big boot from Page. Some double teaming has Fulton in trouble but he’s right back with a tilt-a-whirl slam to Alexander.

Now Austin is willing to come in with a slingshot legdrop for the first two. Fulton sends Alexander into the corner and the referee even has to check on things. Austin comes in and misses a charge though, allowing Page to get the tag to assist Alexander on a Blue Thunder Bomb. It’s Austin in trouble now with Page kneeing him in the face and grabbing a chinlock. Austin fights up with a dropkick and brings in Fulton, who no sells a discus forearm from Alexander.

Page and Austin come back in for a slugout until Austin hits a spinning top rope Fameasser. Everything breaks down and Austin climbs onto Fulton’s shoulders for a splash onto Alexander. Page is back up with a running big boot to Austin, who is tossed into Fulton. After a double clothesline puts Austin on the floor, Fulton is back up, only to be sent outside as well. The spinebuster finishes Austin at 10:15.

Rating: C+. It’s good to see the North getting back to winning as the team was so dominant for so long that you can’t just cut them out after they lose the titles. Another win over them still means something so keeping them in the title picture makes sense. Throw in keeping Fulton looking like a monster and this was a rather easily done match which worked out well.

Post match here are the Good Brothers to yell at the North but Fulton and Austin jump the Good Brothers from behind. The fight is on until the Motor City Machine Guns run out for the save to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. They did a lot of things right here and built up Victory Road very well, while also looking forward to Bound For Glory. Impact Wrestling continues to be at its best when they don’t try to get too fancy and that is what they did here. It’s an easy show to watch and we got the Wrestle House theme again, which pretty much seals this as a good week.

Results

Rosemary/Taya Valkyrie b. Havok/Nevaeh – Road To Valhalla to Nevaeh

Jordynne Grace b. Tenille Dashwood – Rear naked choke

Good Brothers b. Rascalz – Magic Killer to Wentz

Fallah Bahh b. Johnny Swinger – Banzai Drop

The North b. Ace Austin/Madman Fulton – Spinebuster to Austin

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/

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: September 15, 2020
Location: Skyway Studios, Nashville, Tennessee
Commentators: Josh Matthews, Madison Rayne

We’re just over a month away from Bound For Glory and I think you can see where the main event is going. Last week saw Eric Young vs. Tommy Dreamer because reasons, but Rich Swann made the save. I’m curious about some of the things around here though and if they can live up to the hype, they’ll be fine. Let’s get to it.

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

In memory of Barry Scott, the guy with the amazing voiceover.

Opening recap.

Opening sequence.

Kimber Lee/Deonna Purrazzo vs. Susie/Kylie Rae

Rock, Paper Scissors determines that Kylie gets to start with Purrazzo and it’s an exchange of wristlocks to get things going. Lee comes in and gets headscissored down in a hurry, followed by an armdrag into an armbar. It’s off to Susie, who whips Kylie into Lee into the corner but Purrazzo gets in a knee to the back to cut her off. The leg crank goes on but Susie is right back up with a sunset flip out of the corner for two on Purrazzo.

Lee is right back in to pull on both arms at once before Purrazzo comes back in and gets flapjacked. The double tag brings Rae back in to clothesline Lee down. The Kylie Special is blocked so Kylie settles for a dropkick instead. Purrazzo hits Lee by mistake but Lee is fine enough to German suplex Rae into the corner. Unfortunately that would be the Susie corner, so Lee German suplexes her for two. Susie pops back up with Su Yung’s Arachnarana into the Panic Switch to finish Lee at 8:16.

Rating: C. This is the higher end of the Knockouts division and I’d like to see where some of these things go. There are a few stories that could get interesting in a hurry, including Rey going after Purrazzo’s title and Susie trying to hold back the evil. Throw in the rest of the division being built up and they’re onto something nice.

The announcers preview the show.

Rohit Raju tries to get away from Trey Miguel, who would like an explanation from Raju for trying to play all of his challengers against each other. That is out of Raju’s control, but Trey is going to go smoke TJP and then get his title shot.

Tasha Steelz and Kiera Hogan annoy John E. Bravo and insist that they are not his best man. It’s Fallah Bahh, who can suddenly speak English.

XXXL vs. Deaners

Just like in Wrestle House, Cody offers Acey Romero the truce, but this time he gets kicked in the face. A backsplash from Acey gives Larry two and Cody is in a lot of trouble early on. Some shoulders to the ribs keep Cody down but he avoids the Best Hand In The House. The hot tag brings in Jake and everything breaks down. Acey takes out Cody with the Pounce but gets slammed by Jake. The Best Hand In The House finishes Jake for the pin at 4:00.

Rating: D+. I wasn’t big on this pairing at Wrestle House and that is still the case back in the arena. They don’t have the best chemistry together but above all else, their matches aren’t anything worth seeing. XXXL are fine as a middle of the road team and the Deaners are a gimmick team in their own right, which doesn’t exactly make for the best pairing.

Trey Miguel vs. TJP

This should be good. They lock hands to start and take each other to the mat until TJP gets caught in a headscissors. That doesn’t last long and they get up for an early standoff. TJP slips out of an electric chair but gets kicked down and hit with a standing moonsault for two. Trey gets taken down into a Sharpshooter with the arms trapped before going back to crank on the legs alone.

A double underhook crank doesn’t keep Trey down long so he goes up, only to get dropkicked out of the air. Trey’s spinning enziguri drops TJP though and we get a double breather. A hurricanrana sends TJP outside and Trey hits a suicide dive, only to take too long coming back in. TJP superplexes him down into the Octopus before rolling into a kneebar. The rope is grabbed so TJP kicks away at the leg to keep it in trouble. Trey gets in some knees to the chest though and hits a top rope Meteora for the pin at 7:15.

Rating: C+. Yeah this was the kind of match you would expect these two to have. I’m not sure where the X-Division is going at the moment but I’m hoping it doesn’t involve hanging the title high in the air and requiring someone climbing something to get it. If nothing else, we are all but guaranteed a multiman match at bound For Glory, though I’m not sure who is going to be included. That’s a good thing in this case.

Ace Austin and Madman Fulton and the North have laid out the Rascalz.

Post break, the Motor City Machine Guns aren’t thrilled that the Rascalz can’t be cleared for later. The Good Brothers come in and offer their assistance but the Guns aren’t sure.

Here’s Rich Swann, in a walking boot and on crutches, for a chat. He asks for and receives Scott D’Amore’s presence because he needed to give something up a few weeks back. Then he saw Eric Young moving up to the top of the company so he wants something: the World Title shot at Bound For Glory. Swann brings up beating Young at Slammiversary but D’Amore says he can’t because that leg is too bad.

Swann talks about D’Amore being a wrestler and wanting to have the chance. He grew up in Baltimore and needed the heart of a lion and the fire of a dragon. D’Amore is thinking about it but here’s Young to shove him down. Swann snaps and goes after him but Young bails and threatens violence at Bound For Glory. D’Amore gets up and makes the match at Bound For Glory, which you can now book in less than ten minutes.

Taya Valkyrie wants to know where Rosemary was last week when she was getting beaten down. Rosemary: “How many resurrections have you accomplished?” Taya wants her there tonight, but Rosemary says she has some things to do first, so Taya needs to help her. We have a reluctant deal.

Brian Myers vs. Willie Mack

Hey it’s this match….again. Willie starts fast with the armdrag and sends Myers outside for the slingshot dive. Myers grabs a Russian legsweep onto the ramp and they head back in for the punching and shouting. We hit the chinlock, followed by a jumping elbow for two on Mack. Myers is already frustrated so a turnbuckle pad comes off but it’s back to the chinlock instead of more evildoing.

Mack suplexes his way to freedom and it’s the swinging slam into a legdrop for two. Back up and a Michinoku Driver gives Myers his own two, only to get suplexed down again. Myers bails outside but gets thrown back in, where he kicks the rope low into Mack. The Implant DDT gets two but Myers misses a charge into the exposed buckle, allowing Mack to hit the Stunner for the pin at 7:59.

Rating: C-. I’m not sure I needed to see this match twice but we were lucky enough to get a trilogy. Mack is someone who could go a pretty long way while Myers is a fine enough hand, though he is still getting away from the idea of “THEY DIDN’T TREAT ME RIGHT IN WWE”. You need more than that and Myers is….kind of doing that? Maybe?

Rosemary asks Havok to try and help her resurrect James Mitchell but gets beaten down instead. Rosemary smiles.

Moose talks to Scott D’Amore about EC3 stealing his title and brainwashing his high school football coach. D’Amore tells him to get out of his face and accuses Moose of being insane. Moose isn’t pleased. An EC3 video pops up on the wall where he threatens to destroy the TNA World Title.

Post break, Moose calls “the Demo God” and asks what to do when your title is stolen. He likes what he is told and says next time, the bubbly is on him.

Rhino sneaks Heath in.

Jordynne Grace interrupts Tenille Dashwood’s photo shoot. Dashwood isn’t happy but they have a match next week anyway.

Kiera Hogan vs. Taya Valkyrie

No Rosemary, but Tasha Steelz is in Kiera’s corner. Kiera is taken into another corner for some stomping as the beating is on fast. Taya sends her outside and then kicks away back inside. Josh calls this back and forth, though Hogan hasn’t had any offense yet. Kiera sends her into the corner and hits a running basement dropkick for two to get something going. Taya throws her outside in a heap, followed by the running hip attack in the corner. Tasha pulls Kiera outside for a breather so the referee checks on Kiera, allowing Tasha to get in a kick to the head. Kiera grabs the bridging fisherman’s neckbreaker for the pin at 3:14.

Rating: D+. Tasha and Kiera continue to be the annoying tag team of the month, which is an idea that I don’t really need to see again. That being said, they’re good at being annoying and that’s all the need to be. The idea here was that Taya was shaken up without Rosemary and the ending wasn’t clean as the manic soap opera continues, which sounds rather appealing.

Rhino challenges Hernandez to some arm wrestling but it’s a ruse for Heath to steal Hernandez’s money. This is straight out of a bad comedy, as Heath is two feet from Hernandez, who somehow can’t see him.

Chris Bey asks Rohit Raju for his title rematch but TJP comes up for his title shot. Raju says Trey should get the shot so here’s Trey as well. Instead of a title match, we’re getting a triple threat #1 contenders match. The champ panics a bit as they all leave.

Good Brothers/Motor City Machine Guns vs. North/Ace Austin/Madman Fulton

Anderson and Austin start things off with Anderson being sent into various corners. Gallows comes in to kick away and Austin gets beaten down again. A chop counts as a tag to Sabin, who comes in to forearm it out with Alexander. Page gets struck down and some kicks do the same to Austin. The villains are sent outside and we take a break.

Back with Alexander knocking Shelley down for two and handing it off to Page for a shot to the throat. Fulton gets in a few shots of his own and Shelley’s chop just annoys him. The rotating beating continues with Alexander knocking Shelley down a few more times. That lasts all of a few seconds and it’s Shelley fighting over to the corner in a hurry for the hot tag to Anderson.

The spinebuster gets two on Page and it’s back to Gallows for the power. There’s a belly to back suplex/neckbreaker combination to Page as everything breaks down. Anderson cutters Fulton but Austin dropkicks Gallows. Alexander takes Shelley into the corner and then clotheslines Gallows to the floor. The Northern Assault hits Sabin but Austin comes in to steal the pin at 14:00.

Rating: C. They did their thing, two teams have a claim to a title shot and the Good Brothers can still be around to do their thing. That’s a nice use of the time they had and the wrestling itself was fine enough. I can go with the idea of not trying to do more than you need to and they did that here. Also, more of the North and Austin is always a good idea.

Everyone is annoyed at each other to end the show.

Overall Rating: C-. Kind of a nothing show here as they were more into setting up stuff for the future rather than anything important this week. It wasn’t a bad show and I’m curious to see parts of Bound For Glory but we that’s quite a ways off at this point. They have lost something since the really good Slammiversary build but Eric Young was kept to a minimum here. Pretty skippable week, which hopefully isn’t a trend.

Results

Kylie Rae/Susie b. Kimber Lee/Deonna Purrazzo – Panic Switch to Lee

XXXL b. Deaners – Best Hand In The House to Jake

Trey Miguel b. TJP – Top rope Meteora

Willie Mack b. Brian Myers – Stunner

Kiera Hogan b. Taya Valkyrie – Bridging fisherman’s neckbreaker

North/Ace Austin/Madman Fulton b. Motor City Machine Guns/Good Brothers – Northern Assault to Sabin

Remember to check out my website at kbwrestlingreviews.com and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/

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: September 1, 2020
Location: Skyway Studios, Nashville, Tennessee
Commentators: Madison Rayne, Josh Matthews

It’s a big show this week after the two weeks of big shows as the World Title is on the line again. This time it’s Eric Young challenging Eddie Edwards because this company sees something in Young as a major star. I’m not sure what that something is but I’ve yet to actually see it. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap.

Sami Callihan vs. Rob Van Dam

Katie Forbes is here with Van Dam but her gyrating distracts Rob, allowing Sami to knock him off the apron. Rob gets sent into the barricade as Josh asks if Father Time has finally caught up with Van Dam. Josh can be a little slow on the uptake at times. They get back in and Katie’s need for attention lets Sami kick him in the face again. Katie finally does something right by grabbing Sami’s foot but the slingshot legdrop only hits apron. Another trip puts Sami down as Madison thinks Katie might cause Van Dam a lot of trouble.

Now the spinning kick to the back over the barricade connects and it’s a faceplant back inside. Rolling Thunder hits knees though and a low cutter drops Van Dam again. Katie gets on the apron AGAIN but this time it actually works as Rob hits a running kick to the back of the head. The split legged moonsault connects but the Five Star takes way too long. A hanging cutter out of the corner plants Van Dam for two so Katie just comes in this time. Even commentary is begging for the referee to eject her as Rob gets a rollup, which Sami reverses for the pin at 7:22.

Rating: C-. Katie got annoying here and that’s what they were going for. I could see them doing something where Katie is the reason Van Dam is losing and he refuses to admit that he’s gotten old. It could go a few ways and if it means Katie is off TV for a little bit, I guess I can just suffer through the horrible, tragic loss.

Post match Katie yells at Sami so Rob jumps him from behind. Katie adds a running hip attack in the corner and holds the chair over the face for a running dropkick from Rob.

The announcers preview the show.

Hernandez beats Fallah Bahh at arm wrestling and gets paid. Reno Scum comes in and wants the money for looking for Heath. There’s no sign of him but Hernandez says no pay until they beat Rhino.

Rosemary, Taya Valkyrie and John E. Bravo rant about everything going on with the three of them as of late.

And now, Wrestle House.

Everyone is trying to get Johnny Swinger out of a room because Crazzy Steve got to dress him (thanks to winning last week). Susie promises not to make fun of him so he finally comes out, dressed like a clown. Swinger: “Matt Borne is laughing at me.” Tommy Dreamer comes in and makes Bravo the referee between Rosemary and Taya.

Reno Scum vs. Rhino

The brawl starts in the aisle with Rhino fighting away but getting caught in the corner. Some right hands to the face have Rhino in trouble as we take a break. Back with Rhino being sent into the corner so Luster can punch him down. A falling headbutt gets two and we hit the chinlock. Thornstowe’s cheap shot from the floor cuts off the comeback so Rhino goes outside and Gores Thornstowe down. The referee gets distracted….and the cameraman (ahuh) comes in with the Wake Up Call to Luster, giving Rhino the pin at 7:14.

Rating: D+. It’s not like there is anything else of note for Heath to do so letting him team with Rhino again is fine enough. Rhino has been doing nothing but playing the hits for years around here so it’s not like it’s taking apart some other big story. That and the Heath4Impact stuff is a lot better than VINCE DIDN’T USE ME RIGHT.

Post match Scott D’Amore sends security out to get rid of Heath.

An EC3 promo interrupts Moose. EC3 says Moose can come find him, or the TNA World Title will be sent back to him piece by piece. Moose freaks out and tells a production worker to call the cops. After Moose leaves, the guy reveals a Control The Narrative shirt so that isn’t likely working.

Karl Anderson tells some guys a story about Doc Gallows falling asleep in a bar when the Rascalz are told to come over. They can’t because they have Ace Austin and Madman Fulton tonight. The Good Brothers don’t seem to mind and plug their future beer.

Back at Wrestle House, Swinger tries to tell Bravo that if he plays his cards right, he could get Taya and Rosemary. Bravo doesn’t listen to Swinger, who leaves.

The Deaners and XXXL get in a fight over the beer and we go cinematic as they fight around the house. Dreamer gets in a plug for Impact and a ping pong match breaks out breaks out between Cody and Acey. Larry punches the wall by mistake, followed by the ping pong ball going into Cody’s mouth. Cody is thrown into a trashcan but comes back to slug away at Acey…who is knocked into an elevator. Cody takes the stairs and then steals a bicycle, allowing him to miss a clothesline on Acey.

Back upstairs, Cody gets a long running start (as in long enough for Acey to get back upstairs and talk to Larry) but the charge misses, allowing Acey to pull Larry out of the way. Cody is back and they fight into XXXl’s room, where they find the beer bottles. A DDT plants Larry, which turns him into Lawrence. Jake knocks him out but Susie pops in. The violence brings out a flash of Su Yung, allowing Susie to walk out…with very bloody hands. Dreamer names her the winner and runs off. This stuff is such goofy fun.

Rascalz vs. Madman Fulton/Ace Austin

Dez and Wentz for the Rascalz. Dez rolls away from Fulton to start and gets on the monster’s nerves with a slap to the face. More escapism allows the tag off to Wentz for some double team striking to put Fulton down for two. Fulton finally gets back up and stomps away at Wentz’ back, allowing Austin to slingshot in with a legdrop.

The playing card cuts the finger and it’s back to Fulton for some corner choking. The referee yells at him, allowing the tag to Dez who gets to kick away at everyone. That ticks Fulton off and he misses a charge out to the floor. Wentz hits a dive over the top onto Fulton and Dez hits the Final Flash to finish Austin at 4:51.

Rating: C+. This didn’t have much time, which is a shame as I like everyone involved in the match. It’s nice to see the Rascalz get a pin, though it is kind of amazing to see how far down Ace has fallen since Slammiversary. They didn’t have a lot of time here but we got some good stuff out of what they had.

Post match the Motor City Machine Guns come out and praise the Rascalz for a bit. This turns into a challenge for a title match to next week but Ace and Fulton jump the Rascalz from behind. The Guns make the save.

Deonna Purrazzo is annoyed at how under dressed people are for her black tie celebration. No Willie Mack, shoelaces do not count. Purrazzo is annoyed but asks Kimber Lee to be her security for the match.

Rohit Raju is admiring the X-Division Title. TJP comes up to ask about a title shot but Raju says he has to beat Chris Bey. That sets off some rhyming and TJP leaves.

Rosemary vs. Taya Valkyrie

John E. Bravo is referee. Taya starts the trash talk by calling Rosemary an emo kid who shops at Hot Topic. Rosemary comes back by mocking Slam Town and the slapping begins. Bravo breaks up the brawl so Taya kicks her in the chest to set up the running hip attack. More yelling at Bravo lets Rosemary drive her into the corner and then hit a spear. A lot of yelling ensues but a double kick to the head sets up a double knockdown. Both of them miss charges into the corner but Taya grabs the Road To Valhalla for the pin at 3:35.

Rating: C-. It was weird to see a Wrestle House match go this long but it helps that you had two of the better options in the ring. This worked out well enough, though I’m surprised that it actually had a clean finish. They needed to have something definitive like this so this was not only surprising, but kind of necessary.

Post match Bravo tries to check on Rosemary but she shoves him away. Bravo whips out a ring and says he can manage Taya and marry Rosemary too. Everyone is stunned and Taya gives her blessing. Rosemary: “You do know we’re a demon right?” Rosemary accepts. Kylie Rae says that’s sweet but can we get back to the Impact Zone now? Taya says sure and they get in the ring.

The Deaners are very banged up and want beer, but they realize there was only one bottle under Larry’s bed. We cut to Crazzy Steve who admits he took the beer because he couldn’t read the labels. Back in the ring, Taya is congratulated for finding an activity they all liked. They all touch hands and warp away. I guess they ran out of taping.

The ring is surrounded and Kimber Lee introduces Deonna Purrazzo for her celebration. We start with a toast and Purrazzo talks about how she has painted a masterpiece since she debuted. No one is ruining her night but here is Jordynne Grace to congratulate her on her wins. Enjoy the title reign, because it isn’t going to last. Cue Tenille Dashwood, who says it’s great that everyone is here for her return. Tenille is coming for the title but Grace goes to get in her face. The Wrestle House Crew appears in the ring and Susie and Kylie Rae clear the ring with ease. Rae winds up with the Knockouts Title.

Brian Myers is ready to offer Willie Mack a handshake next week. Moose comes in to ask if Myers has seen EC3 so Myers sends him down the hall.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Impact Wrestling World Title: Eddie Edwards vs. Eric Young

Eric is challenging and wears a mask to the ring because…well it isn’t like anything else makes him stand out. Eddie isn’t waiting but charges into an elbow to start. He’s fine enough to snap off an overhead belly to belly for two and there’s a chop in the corner. Eddie snaps the throat across the top to send Young outside and we take a break. Back in and Eddie punches him to the apron and they both go outside.

That goes fine for Eddie as they go back up to the apron, where Young snaps off a neckbreaker to take over. Back in again and another neckbreaker gives Young two and it’s time to stomp away. Another neckbreaker gets another two and we hit the neck crank. A heck of a forearm rocks Eddie but he snaps off the Blue Thunder Bomb to put both guys down. Eddie strikes him into the corner but Young gets up and chokes him from the middle rope. The Backpack Stunner gets Eddie out of trouble and an enziguri in the corner rocks Eric again.

Young knocks him off the top though and the top rope elbow gets two. They strike it out and Eddie kicks him off the apron to the floor. Eddie dives onto hit but hurts his knee on the landing. Back in and Eddie gets two off the tiger driver with a grab of the knee messing up the cover. Eric rolls to the floor from the threat of the Boston Knee Party so Eddie hits a dive, messing up the knee even more. Back in and Young grabs the title, which is quickly taken away. That lets Young hit Eddie with the hockey mask, setting up the piledriver for the pin and the title at 15:41.

Rating: C. I think my thoughts on Eric Young are well known enough at this point so allow me to say GAH! Of all the people they have available on this roster, they pick ERIC YOUNG to win the World Title? Are people really that fascinated by his big bugged out eyes and calling himself a maniac that he should be the top man in the promotion? This is rather frustrating as Eddie hadn’t even been champion long, but I guess Young is more interesting because….I really have no idea actually. Uh, Canada? I guess? Maybe?

Post match Young stays on Eddie by cranking on the knee until security breaks it up.

Post copyright notice, Moose finds a stalker style collection of photos of himself, including some from yesterday and at his hotel. A bunch of threads come together over a map, where Moose says he needs to go. He pulls down the board and finds a message behind it saying YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. This was a weird show overall as they were jumping all over the place. I kind of liked that though, as you had a nice mixture of stuff as they seem to be on a fresh taping cycle. The show was rather energetic and I liked some of it, aside from the result of the main event. That being said, more Kylie, Rosemary, Rascalz and Dashwood are certainly good things so hopefully they keep this up next time.

Results

Sami Callihan b. Rob Van Dam – Rollup

Rhino b. Reno Scum – Wake Up Call to Luster the Legend

Rascalz b. Madman Fulton/Ace Austin – Final Flash to Austin

Taya Valkyrie b. Rosemary – Road To Valhalla

Eric Young b. Eddie Edwards – Piledriver

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/

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

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

Impact Wrestling
Date: August 18, 2020
Location: Skyway Studios, Nashville, Tennessee
Commentators: Madison Rayne, Josh Matthews

It’s time for the next big special show and this one is going on for two weeks. The show is called Emergence, which seems like they came up with the name by looking at shows on network TV which has nothing to do with wrestling. This week’s big match is the Good Brothers vs. Ace Austin/Madman Fulton, which doesn’t seem to have the most drama. Let’s get to it.

The opening video suggests a new beginning for everything and runs down the bigger matches.

Opening sequence.

X-Division Title: Rohit Raju vs. TJP vs. Chris Bey

Bey is defending and has Raju in his back pocket so Fallah Bahh is here with TJP to even things up a bit. TJP dives onto both of them to start fast with only Raju joining him inside. A headscissors sends Raju outside so Bey takes his place to send TJP to the apron. Bey hits a springboard elbow to the back and it’s Raju coming in again to start the double teaming. TJP counters a whip to the apron and gets the leglock on Bey and the Octopus on Raju at the same time.

Raju escapes so TJP suplexes him for two without letting go of Bey. TJP has to fight out of another double team, this time grabbing the Gory Stretch/Billy Goat’s Curse combination. With that rather complex hold broken up, Raju jumps TJP from behind and the double teaming is on again. TJP ducks a shot so Bey knocks Raju to the floor and walks into a Tombstone. Raju is back up so TJP has to cut him off on top and grabs a superplex. The Octopus has Bey in trouble and he puts the same thing on Raju at the same time (ok we get the point).

A suplex drops Raju and they’re all down for a second. Raju is sent outside again so Bey kicks TJP in the face a few times. An over the shoulder backbreaker spun into a DDT gets two on TJP but he’s right back with the double chickenwing gutbuster. Raju makes the save so TJP grabs an armbar on Bey, with Raju blocking the tap. Bey gets caught in the ropes, with TJP going up after him. That’s broken up by Raju, with Bey falling into the Tree of Woe. Raju shoves TJP down…. hits the Alberto double stomp on Bey for the pin and the title at 10:47.

Rating: B-. I like the ending as it was the first time that Raju has shown…well anything of note in his time in Impact. It makes sense and sends them to a few different options in the future, including TJP getting another shot. Bey will be fine and can get back into the title hunt immediately so there isn’t much of a worry there. If nothing else, nice job on trying someone new as a star, which is certainly a good idea given all of the current situations.

And now, Wrestle House.

A puppet dog (who seems to be voiced by Father James Mitchell) and a stuffed monkey talk about Taya Valkyrie vs. Kylie Rae later tonight. The monkey agrees to cheer for Taya…and the dog leaves, revealing John E. Bravo as the voice (vs. the monkey as played by Crazzy Steve).

Steve thinks people are losing their minds from being stuck in here and he loves it.

Larry D. has cologne made of ring rust and Acey Romero doesn’t like his changes. Oh and it’s LAWRENCE D. now.

The Good Brothers say Ace Austin and Madman Fulton have their attention. They’ve lit a fire in them and tonight, they can thank the Brothers for making them famous.

Here’s what to expect on the show.

TNA World Title: Moose vs. Trey Miguel

Trey is challenging after Moose thought he was Suicide last week. After the Big Match Intros, Trey tries the chops and is knocked down in a hurry. We take a break thirty seconds in (erg) and come back with Moose hitting a running uppercut in the corner. Trey tries a very springboardy wristdrag but gets stopped with straight power. A dropkick puts Trey on the floor and Moose drops him face first onto the apron.

Back in and Moose sends him flying with a toss into the corner and there’s a fall away slam into a nipup. Moose grabs the ear and throws Trey down again. Trey can barely even breathe but manages some chops, only to be run over with a hard shoulder. A rip at the face has Trey in even more trouble, allowing Moose to shout that this was supposed to be Suicide.

Trey gets in a superkick and a dropkick to the back puts Moose down for the first time. Moose pops up and tries a delayed suplex but Trey reverses into a DDT. That’s enough to send Moose outside, where he catches the flip dive and swings Trey into the barricade. A powerbomb onto the apron gives Moose a nine count but the spear (now called Lights Out) finishes Trey to retain at 12:15.

Rating: C+. Good stuff here, but at some point Trey has to actually win something. He keeps getting these big singles matches and loses all of them. It’s fine to put him out there because he’s good enough to make it work, but he never even won the X-Division title. Granted maybe that’s just me being a big Rascalz fan and wanting them to win SOMETHING but it is eventually going to take away any hope of seeing him win.

Post match EC3 runs out and drops Moose with a reverse DDT. EC3 steals the title to crank things up.

Reno Scum gives Hernandez his money back and he gives them their cut. He has more work for them later so come see him again.

Eric Young talks about how he’s done everything around here and this is his purest form. He won’t be pushed aside or swept under the rug. It takes more than two years of non-existence to get rid of him. Not another “WWE didn’t use me right so let me show you what I can do!” character.

Flashback Moment of the Week: Eric Young b. Kurt Angle in a stretcher match from Impact, May 11, 2015. That was around the time when I never needed to see Young again so thanks for that people.

Willie Mack isn’t cool with Eric Young retiring Rich Swann. Brian Myers comes in and steals interviewer Jimmy Jacobs for his own sitdown interview. Myers is sick of being told he’s just a good hand and having his career in the hands of a seventy year old man who sits in on production meetings. Mack, not happy with having his interview stolen, jumps Myers and the camera falls down. As I said a minute ago: Not another “WWE didn’t use me right so let me show you what I can do!” character.

Heath doesn’t like Joe Biden picking his running mate on a Tuesday because that’s Impact Wrestling day. Now let’s get Heath4Impact trending so he can help Rhino. He needs some more time to fill in his promo so he reminds us that he does still have kids. At least this and EC3’s “we’re not in the bad WWE anymore” characters are being done a little better. Or at least differently.

Good Brothers vs. Ace Austin/Madman Fulton

Anderson elbows Austin in the head to start and fights out of the corner without much effort. Gallows comes in and drives an elbow in Austin’s face in the corner before handing it right back to Anderson. This time Austin drags him over for the tag to Fulton and the choking is on in a hurry. A corner dropkick gives Austin two so Anderson drags him over for the tag back to Gallows.

It’s off to Fulton as well and we get the monster showdown. They slug it out with Gallows getting the better of it (of course) until Fulton brings Austin in again. A single right hand puts Austin into the corner for the flying kick from Anderson. Fulton offers a distraction though and Anderson gets hit in the back of the head to put him in trouble for a change. Fulton suplexes Anderson onto Austin’s raised knees and we hit the armbar. That’s not enough for Austin as he cuts the fingers with the card, which is a good signature move.

What isn’t the best signature is the suplex onto the raised knees as Fulton does it again, but the third attempt is escaped so Gallows can come back in. House is cleaned and Fulton is sent outside. He’s back in to save Austin from the Magic Killer though, plus to pull Gallows outside for a posting. Austin sits on the top so Fulton can send Anderson face first into the knees (they REALLY like that idea). Fulton pulls Gallows off the apron but gets sent over the barricade. That’s enough for the hot tag to Gallows and the Magic Killer finishes Austin at 10:47.

Rating: C. This was your get to know you win for the Brothers, who haven’t had the big win yet. That being said, it might be better to keep them out of the ring except for more important matches as they lose a lot of their star power once they’re done talking. They’re good in the ring, but you can only get so much out of a team who is obsessed with sending people onto Austin’s knees for some reason. It’s a fine match, but who are the Brothers supposed to face in big matches?

The Deaners’ beer has been stolen and it’s time for a whodunit. Johnny Swinger insists that he is straightedge….before admitting that he’s just on probation. Acey comes up to go into the refrigerator so the Deaners accuse him. A fight is imminent but Susie reminds them of their truth. Rosemary hits on Lawrence, much to Bravo’s dismay. Jake and Susie still seem to appreciate each other.

Taya Valkyrie vs. Kylie Rae

Rosemary is referee. Kylie offers a friendly handshake but gets shoved down instead. Taya gets taken down and Kylie is rather pleased, only to get sent into the corner. The threat of a superkick sends Taya into the corner but she comes back with a kick to the head of her own. Kylie is sent into the corner again and Taya even bites her finger a bit.

Choking ensues on the ropes and Taya mocks her for being #1 contender. Kylie is right back with an armdrag into a low superkick for two but Taya suplexes her down for the same. The kickout has Taya screaming but she almost runs into Rosemary. Kylie hits the superkick for the pin at 4:49.

Rating: C-. I think we’ve established that Rae is the better of the two here but there isn’t much else that they can do with this setup. The idea still works on its own but there does come a point where they need to be back in the arena for actual matches. I’m sure they’ll have some way to get them out of this, though I’m just not sure how long it is going to take.

Post match Rosemary tells Lawrence she’ll see him next week. Lawrence tells Acey he can borrow some ring rust. Steve says that he’s blind but even he can see that Bravo is blowing it. The Deaners still want their beer back.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Tag Team Titles: The North vs. Motor City Machine Guns

The Guns are defending in the North’s rematch after losing the titles a few weeks back. Josh Alexander and Chris Sabin start things off with the former running him over without much effort. Sabin is right back up with shots to the head and avoids Ethan Page’s cheap shot from the apron. Everything breaks down though and Page hits a tilt-a-whirl faceplant on Sabin.

We settle down to Sabin getting sent face first into the corner and punched in the face by Page. Sabin fights out of some double teaming though and brings in Alex Shelley to clean house. Shelley dropkicks Alexander’s knee and Sabin kicks him into a DDT so the champs are dominating as we take a break.

Back with Shelley kicking Alexander down again and grabbing a half crab to stay on the leg. Alexander kicks him away though and Page gets in a heck of a right hand from the floor. It’s back to Page for some knees between the shoulders as Shelley is in trouble for a change. Now it’s Alexander’s chance to crank on the leg but they can’t get the hand off suplex as Shelley knees his way to freedom.

Shelley sends Alexander to the apron so Sabin can drop him face first. Sabin comes in off the hot tag and kicks Alexander from the apron, followed by a springboard missile dropkick to Page. Everything breaks down and it’s another missile dropkick into a Downward Spiral to plant Page again. The assisted double Sliced Bread gets two on Page but Alexander breaks up the ASCS Rush so Page can get a rather cocky two.

Sabin rolls Page up for two with Alexander not being able to make the save in a callback to how they won the titles. Everyone is down until Page superkicks Shelley, only to have Sabin come in with the tornado DDT to Page. The Dream Sequence puts Alexander on the floor and it’s the Skull and Bones to finish Page at 17:11.

Rating: B. Another good match between two good teams here and that is hardly a surprise. I’m not sure where the North goes from here other than either splitting up or facing the Good Brothers in a match that would take some work to set up. The Guns are going to need someone to face too and right now, the tag division isn’t all that deep, at least not in the way things have been put together as of late. Then again the Rascalz vs. the Guns has me rather interested so that would work just fine.

Overall Rating: B-. As usual, Impact is better when they have something more down to earth going on, which is where Wrestle House held it back a bit. They can’t exactly make this feel like an important show with the usual shenanigans going on, but at the same time I’m assuming the Wrestle House stuff exists so their in-arena material can last that much longer. Anyway, pretty good show, but not a great one.

Results

Rohit Raju b. Chris Bey and TJP – Top rope double stomp to Bey

Moose b. Trey Miguel – Lights Out

Good Brothers b. Ace Austin/Madman Fulton – Magic Killer to Austin

Kylie Rae b. Taya Valkyrie – Superkick

Motor City Machine Guns b. The North – Skull and Bones to Page

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/

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 28, 2020
Location: Skyway Studios, Nashville, Tennessee
Commentators: Josh Matthews, Madison Rayne

We’re into the new norm around here and I’m not sure what that is going to mean. Things were on a great upswing until Slammiversary but last week’s show wasn’t quite as strong. I’m curious to see if that is going to continue, as they still have the right pieces in place to do some good things. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap.

Opening sequence.

Impact Wrestling World Title: Trey vs. Eddie Edwards

Eddie is defending. They shake hands to start and fight over a lockup with neither being able to get very far. Trey’s headlock takeover is countered into a headscissors so Trey does it again with a little more success. An anklescissors into a dropkick gives Trey one and the chinlock goes on. Eddie fights up and hits a quick overhead belly to belly, followed by the Blue Thunder Bomb for two.

Back up and Eddie pops him in the jaw but Trey gets in a kick to the face for two. The split legged moonsault hits Eddie’s raised knees so they trade strikes to the face for a double knockdown. Back from a break with the slugout on again until Trey hits a dropkick to the back into a springboard cutter for two more. Eddie’s tiger driver attempt is countered into a rollup for another two but the second attempt connects to give Eddie his own near fall. The Boston Knee Party is enough to retain the title at 10:54.

Rating: C+. They kept things short here but the two of them are more than athletic enough to make something like this work. There wasn’t exactly much drama with what they were doing though as Eddie isn’t going to lose his title in his first defense. Certainly not with the epic ERIC YOUNG showdown looming. Trey is probably done near the main event scene, but he got a rather nice rub out of the whole thing, which is impressive given that he has what is a glorified comedy gimmick.

Post match Eric Young comes out to tell Eddie to sleep well because he’s waiting. Good for him. Now go away.

Here’s what’s coming on the rest of the show.

And now, the debut of Wrestle House. A bunch of wrestlers are standing around and Taya Valkyrie isn’t happy with most of them being here. Rosemary taunts her over it, sending Taya storming out. Taya goes to leave but opens the door to see a ring of fire and Abyss holding a bag of thumbtacks. That sends her back to the main room, where Johnny Swinger says he knew this place was purgatory. Rosemary says it isn’t her house either, so Cody Deaner wants to know whose house it is.

That sends us into the opening sequence, which seems like a Real World knockoff. Back in the main room, the Deaners think this is Duck Dynasty with Larry D. having to correct him. With that out of the way, we meet our host and the house owner: Tommy freaking Dreamer. After making House of Hardcore jokes, the Deaners start an ECW chant. Taya wants to know how long she has to be here, with Rosemary saying as long as it takes. This has potential, though the Dreamer thing doesn’t have me thrilled.

We take a break and come back with the Deaners and XXXL ready to fight. Susie says that’s bad so they agree to bow like Mr. Fuji, much to Kylie Rae’s delight. Taya still wants to know why they’re here so Dreamer says it’s all for a chance to win $1 million. Rosemary: “IT’S NOT TRUE!”

Dreamer mentions that there are only six rooms so the race is on to get one. XXXL get stuck trying to go through the door at the same time so Acey lets Larry go….and gets a door slammed in his face. Kylie and Susie try to give each other a bed so Swinger dives between them (dropping an elbow onto a stuff tiger at the same time). And yes, he invites them to join him. The women leave so Crazzy Steve comes in, with Swinger offering him a job as a young boy. Steve is crazy, not desperate.

Rather than dealing with the Deaners, Alisha takes the couch. Rosemary and Taya take a room each and John E. Bravo can’t decide who to follow. Upstairs, the Deaners play Rock Paper Scissors for their own bed but it keeps going to a tie. Acey goes outside and finds a ring but Steve dives in ahead of him. Dreamer: “MATCH TIME!!!” Acey and Steve are suddenly in their ring gear and I guess this is for the right to use the ring as their bed.

Acey Romero vs. Crazzy Steve

Kylie Rae is referee. After putting his monkey in the corner, Steve offers to sleep on the top rope (Swinger: “That’s it kid!”) but has to dodge a charging Acey. A crisscross has Acey running the ropes alone until he gets tired (it doesn’t take long) so Steve offers him some help. That means a Bubba Bomb into a rear naked choke to knock Steve out at 1:34.

Back in the arena, TJP and Fallah Bahh make Rohit Raju wear a mask. He isn’t happy but says he wants to be serious. Raju brags about Chris Bey and TJP suggests an X-Division Title shot. Raju runs off to find Bey, who isn’t all that interested in whatever Raju is doing. He’ll deal with TJP.

Ace Austin and Madman Fulton don’t like these new Good Brothers getting involved in their business. They’ll be watching the Brothers’ debut tonight.

Video on the Motor City Machine Guns.

The North says they’re still the greatest tag team ever and they’ll get the belts back. Ethan Page is about to say something but walks off instead.

Flashback Moment of the Week: Motor City Machine Guns b. Beer Money at Victory Road 2010.

Katie Forbes is sitting on Rob Van Dam’s lap and previews her new photos, which are going to break the internet.

EC3 talks about his undefeated streak and everyone that he has beaten over the years. He has to go back down his road again though and rants about everything bad that happened to him in WWE. When he looks in the mirror, he sees a reflection of failure. What he did to become what he is today is what he has to destroy. He is here to destroy his past and control his narrative. We have been warned.

Moose isn’t worried about EC3 but here’s Heath to interrupt. He has been contracted by TNA and the championship committee has given him a title shot. Moose says there is no championship committee, which Heath says means there is no TNA Champion. Their match is set for next week so Moose leaves. Scott D’Amore comes in and says Heath’s TNA contract comes from Heyman and Heyman. If Heath wins next week though, he can have a contract.

Kimber Lee vs. Deonna Purrazzo

Non-title. Lee chops her down in the corner to start and a headscissors sends Purrazzo outside. Back in and an elbow gives Lee two, followed by a full nelson with the legs. Purrazzo slips out and stomps on the arm, sending Josh into an anatomy lesson. Back up and Lee grabs a choke in the ropes and it’s time to slug it out. Lee rolls out of a Fujiwara armbar and hammers away on the mat. Purrazzo pulls her off the ropes though and snaps the arm back. Now the armbar can finish Lee at 5:28.

Rating: C-. Lee gave her a bit more of a test here but there is something special about watching Purrazzo snap that hold on and rip it to pieces. The match was a fine way to get Purrazzo on the show though, as she probably has a rematch with Jordynne Grace planned, plus the showdown with Kylie Rae. Once she’s out of the house that is.

Post match here’s Grace with her arm in a sling. She pulls that off and sends Purrazzo running, but the arm is still banged up.

Katie Forbes runs into Sami Callihan and thinks he is a fan.

Brian Myers is still coming.

Back at the house, Steve runs into Swinger again and is told that he is sleeping on the bathroom floor tonight. Swinger mentions various bladder issues that he has, so a chuckling Steve agrees to be his young boy.

The Deaners are sharing a room with Jake sleeping on the floor. They get in an argument over who woke the other up snoring. Dreamer winds up in bed too and it’s MATCH TIME!

Cousin Jake vs. Cody Deaner

Loser leaves the room and Alisha is referee this time. Cody offers the Fuji bow and then small packages him for two. Jake gets beaten down in the corner but comes back with a jumping knee to the face to put Cody down for a change. A big right hand sets up the chinlock but Cody fights up again. The Deaner DDT is countered though and Jake hits a swinging Boss Man Slam for the pin at 2:57. Alisha: “I don’t know which Deaner you are. The winner is a Deaner!”

They hug post match.

Later, Cody finds a bus.

Sami Callihan asks Ken Shamrock for an explanation of Slammiversary but Van Dam and Forbes come up saying that Sami hit on her. Van Dam says stay away but Sami says he’ll never seen him coming.

Here are Van Dam and Forbes to unveil Katie’s pictures. Rob tells the fans to shut up and Katie is ready to show off for Free ninety nine. The launch is in five seconds….and the photos have Sami’s face imposed, sending Katie into a rant. She rants about how hard she worked on the site, which thankfully she never names.

The Rascalz debate if Suicide is a Power Ranger. Suicide, with smoke coming out of his mask, is here, and still has nothing to say. More smoke appears and Suicide starts dancing.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Rich Swann joins us via satellite to talk about working so hard to come back but then get taken out again by Eric Young. He can’t talk about what the doctors have told him because it puts him in a dark place, but he’ll be in the Impact Zone next week.

Reno Scum vs. Good Brothers

Anderson and Thornstowe start things off with a shoulder putting Thornstowe down. Another shoulder does it again and it’s off to Gallows to unload in the corner. Cue Ace Austin to watch from the stage as Legend comes in and runs over Anderson to take over. The chinlock goes on but the impaler is countered with a spinebuster. That’s enough to get the tag off to Gallows so house can be cleaned. Boots to the face have Scum staggered and it’s the Magic Killer to finish Thornstowe at 6:31.

Rating: D+. This wasn’t supposed to be anything more than the Good Brothers’ introduction and it worked fine in that regard. It wasn’t much of a match, but that is to be expected from Scum, who aren’t exactly thrilling most of the time. The Brothers are a big deal around here though, and presenting them in the main event for their first match is a good idea.

Post match Austin hits the ring but the distraction lets Madman Fulton come in for the beatdown. All four brawl to the back and then outside, with Gallows kicking Fulton into the camera to end the show.

Overall Rating: C-. I can’t think of a better example of a show where your individual tastes may vary. The wrestling was barely a factor here, though they did set up some stuff for later. What mattered here was Wrestle House, and that is something that is going to work a lot better for some than others. It was funny at times and has a lot of potential for jokes in the future, but it isn’t going to be for everyone. I’ll certainly give them points for trying something different though, and if it works out then well done. Not the worst show, but there are going to be some people who aren’t thrilled.

Results

Eddie Edwards b. Trey – Boston Knee Party

Acey Romero b. Crazzy Steve – Rear naked choke

Deonna Purrazzo b. Kimber Lee – Fujiwara armbar

Cousin Jake b. Cody Deaner – Swinging Boss Man Slam

Good Brothers b. Reno Scum – Magic Killer to Thornstowe

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/

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

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

IMG Credit: Impact Wrestling

Slammiversary XVIII
Date: July 18, 2020
Location: Skyway Studios, Nashville, Tennessee
Commentators: Josh Matthews, Don Callis

It’s a big night for Impact and we’re on Saturday for a change. I’m not sure if that’s an improvement or not but in this case the card is looking pretty good. The big question this time around is who comes in from WWE/elsewhere, including who takes the vacant spot in the World Title match. Let’s get to it.

The opening video is all about who will show up from the released wrestlers. The World Title does get a mention, but the mystery wrestlers are the big focus.

Rascalz vs. ???

This is an open challenge and it’s…..the Motor City Machine Guns rather than the Good Brothers, who have been confirmed as signing with the company. Shelley and Wentz fight over a wristlock to start and then go to the mat for a standoff. Even Josh talks about how people were expecting the Good Brothers here, so well done on a bit of a head fake. Dez comes in and flips out of Sabin’s wristlock before hitting a hurricanrana, with Sabin landing on Dez’s back.

It’s back to Shelley, who gets caught in the corner for some quick dropkicks. Sabin gets kicked down over and over, including a dropkick to give Wentz two. Back to back slingshot hilos keep Sabin down but the Guns fight back up and knock Wentz and Dez outside without much effort. Shelley lays on the top and it’s a slugout with Wentz as Shelley gets the better of things.

Stereo enziguris get two on Wentz and Sabin cranks on both arms at once. The rapid fire double teaming keeps Wentz down and Sabin’s kick to the back gets two. Sabin cranks on the fingers, followed by a double forearm to drop Wentz again. Wentz is right back up with a handspring knee to the face, which is enough for the hot tag to Dez to clean house. Shelley gets driven into the corner and Sabin has to make a diving save.

Wentz Codebreakers Sabin but the Swanton hits Shelley’s raised knees. Sabin’s release German suplex drops Dez on his face and the back to back strikes keep him in trouble. The Dominator/sliding cutter combination gets two with Wentz driving Shelley into the cover for the save. Wentz gets caught in the Dream Sequence and it’s the ASCS Rush into the Dirt Bomb to finish Dez at 14:43.

Rating: B-. I’m not the biggest Guns fan (yeah I know) but this was a very good surprise and the team still looked good. What mattered here was keeping the team looking sharp, though seeing the Rascalz lose again makes my soul hurt. They need to win something at some point because this is becoming way too strong of a trend. Anyway, good start here and a solid match for everyone.

The announcers preview the rest of the show.

After a bit of a delay (seemed to be a missed cue), Taya Valkyrie yells at John E. Bravo that winning is all that matter tonight. Bravo doesn’t seem convinced and after Taya leaves, here’s Rosemary to say she needs to win.

We recap Moose vs. Tommy Dreamer for the TNA World Title. Moose claimed the non-existent title and beat up Crazzy Steve. Dreamer didn’t like it and called Moose stupid, along with accusing him of not wrestling for the right reasons. Now it’s time to give Moose a beating and if Dreamer wins the title, so be it.

TNA World Title: Moose vs. Tommy Dreamer

Dreamer, in a Moose Sucks Eggs shirt, is challenging and it’s Old School rules. Moose wastes no time in elbowing him down and out to the floor, meaning it’s time to bring in the weapons. Some trashcan lid shots and choking with a baseball jersey have Moose in trouble but he drops Dreamer hard onto the ramp. Back in and Dreamer gets in a few more shots, only to get dropkicked off the middle rope in a crazy display of athleticism.

They head outside to keep up the weapons with Moose getting the better of things this time around. With Dreamer mostly done inside, Moose throws in a bunch of chairs and plants Dreamer onto them. A standing moonsault onto Dreamer onto the chairs gets two but the middle rope version only hits chairs.

The Dreamer DDT onto the chairs gets two and here is the bag of thumbtacks. Moose low blows his way out of a piledriver and tries to put Dreamer face first into the tacks. A shout of I NEVER WATCHED ECW brings Dreamer back to life so Moose rakes the eyes and sends him into the tacks anyway. No Jackhammer Needed finishes Dreamer at 11:16.

Rating: D+. Yeah can we move on now? Moose destroyed Dreamer as he should have, Dreamer got in his weapons stuff, and ECW still died over twenty years ago while Dreamer continues to be the self appointed defender of legendary wrestlers. I’m not sure why we needed to see this, but apparently Dreamer was the only wrestler in the world available for a pay per view spot.

A Jaguar arrives but it’s Johnny Swinger. He heard the car was for Anderson but Ole wasn’t around so he took it instead. Gia Miller gets to park it, but no dings in the doors.

Knockouts Gauntlet Match

There are eleven women announced so far and the winner gets the next title shot. It’s Royal Rumble rules until the final two have a regular singles match. Tasha Steelz is in at #1 and Kylie Rae is in at #2 with an exchange of armdrags to start. Rae flips out of a springboard hurricanrana attempt but neither can get rid of the other. John E. Bravo, seemingly dressed as Taya Valkyrie, is in at #3 and is out almost immediately in a smart move.

It’s Kimber Lee in at #4 and she kicks Rae in the face. The slow stomping ensues until Kiera Hogan is in at #5 to start a quick alliance with Steelz. Lee tries to dance with them and is knocked down in a hurry. Steelz goes up top but Rae superkicks her out. Katie Forbes is in at #6 and dances quite a bit, with Hogan seeming to approve. Madison Rayne is in at #7 and gets knocked down as well as the intervals are getting very fast here.

Havok is in at #8 and gets to be a monster, including a Boston crab to Rae. Now it’s the real Taya is in at #9 with everyone starting to pair off. Since no one is really close to an elimination, it’s Alisha Edwards in at #10 as Don tells us that Katie was eliminated somewhere in there. Rae tries to gorilla press Edwards but Havok does it for her and throws Edwards onto Kylie.

Nevaeh is in at #11 as the ring is getting WAY too full in a hurry. Rosemary is in at #12 and Susie is out. Rosemary’s music plays again though….and it’s Bravo dressed as Rosemary at #13 as commentary cracks up. Bravo tells Taya and Rosemary to stop fighting over them so Taya decks Rosemary. Havok yells at both of them so Bravo dumps her, followed by Rae getting rid of Bravo. Rae apologizes so Madison beats her up, only to get knocked out. Rae: “I’M SORRY!”

We’re down to Taya, Alisha, Rae, Lee, Nevaeh, Hogan and Rosemary. Nevaeh and Edwards are sent to the apron and get rammed into each other for a double elimination. Rosemary gets rid of Hogan and we’re down to four. Rae clotheslines Lee out and the double teaming is on in a hurry. For some reason Rosemary loads up the Upside Down and is eliminated by Taya because it’s stupid to do anything involving going over the top in a battle royal. That leaves Rae vs. Taya in a singles match for the title shot and it’s a Canadian Destroyer to plant Taya. A superkick gives Rae the pin and the title shot at 19:45.

Rating: C-. This was an entertaining enough match but they had too many people in the ring the entire time. I can go with Rae surviving throughout the whole thing because it’s not like she was running through all kinds of monsters. If nothing else, it was nice to see someone other than Taya getting the shot, which is all you needed here. Good enough match here, with one of the best options winning.

Commentary talks about Rae’s chances at winning the title but Heath (Slater that is) jumps the barricade to say he’ll take the World Title shot tonight, or face the Rascalz. Cue Rohit Raju to jump the barricade, saying Slater is late for the show and missed the Rascalz’s open challenge. Raju is going to take the World Title match anyway because he’s been here for a long time and never gotten a title shot. The fight is on with Heath cleaning house in a hurry.

We recap Chris Bey vs. Willie Mack for the X-Division Title. Bey has won a string of matches and earned a title shot, albeit with a lot of help from Johnny Swinger. Then Bey was overheard talking about how stupid Swinger is, so he’s on his own tonight.

X-Division Title: Willie Mack vs. Chris Bey

Bey is defending and starts fast with a springboard armdrag but Mack sends him outside. The big dive doesn’t get a chance to launch and Bey takes the legs out to put Mack down. Mack catches the slingshot dropkick through the ropes and it’s a neckbreaker onto the apron for a SCARY crash landing. Thankfully Bey can get back up and go inside where Mack hits a standing moonsault for two.

Bey kicks him off the top but Mack kicks him as well, only to have his superplex attempt blocked. A slingshot Sling Blade gives Bey two and it’s a Swinger Neckbreaker for two as Bey tries to make up with Swinger. Bey goes up but dives into a sitout spinebuster for the double knockdown. Mack kicks him in the head to stay on the banged up neck and there’s the reverse Cannonball in the corner.

An exploder suplex sends Bey into the other corner for two and Bey is favoring his neck. Said neck is fine enough to avoid a charge in the corner and hit a running Canadian Destroyer for two. Mack is right back with the Stunner but misses the Six Star. The referee nearly gets bumped so Bey rakes the eyes, setting up the Art of Finesse (springboard cutter) to give Bey the pin and the title at 10:04.

Rating: B-. I like both guys quite a bit so there wasn’t a bad choice for the ending. I’m glad they had Bey win on his own without Swinger as they have a good chemistry but Bey is someone who could be a big deal without the help. Let Swinger come back now that Bey has the gold and go from there, but for now this is a good choice. I’m not sure what Mack does next, but hopefully it’s something other than waiting on Rich Swann to be healthy again.

Heath runs into Rhino in the back and after a brief reunion, it’s Scott D’Amore coming in to join them. D’Amore talks about opportunities and points out that Heath doesn’t work here. It’s a closed set and we can’t have guests so Heath needs to leave. Heath: “At least he was polite about it.” Rhino tells Heath to be at the show on Tuesday and say hi to the kids.

We recap the North vs. Sami Callihan/Ken Shamrock. The North have been Tag Team Champions for over a year and since there are no major opponents left to challenge them, it’s time for the wacky partners who may still hate each other to get the show.

Tag Team Titles: The North vs. Sami Callihan/Ken Shamrock

The North is defending. Shamrock and Alexander go to the mat to start with Shamrock going for various holds. The ankle lock sends Alexander over to the rope while Sami shouts about dangerous men. Callihan comes in and punches Alexander in the face so it’s off to Page for the first time. Page is driven into the corner in a hurry and Shamrock tags himself in this time. That means more punishment of Page and the challengers start tagging regularly to put him in trouble again.

Alexander low bridges Callihan to the floor and the champs finally get to take over. That lasts all of about four seconds as Shamrock sends them together and brings Sami back in for some kicks to the ribs. A brainbuster gets two on Page but another Alexander distraction lets Page hit a dropkick. There’s a running shoulder, allowing Page to pose at Shamrock and talk even more trash.

We hit the chinlock for a bit until Sami jawbreaks his way to freedom. The double tag brings in Shamrock to powerslam Page for two but Callihan gets caught with a double flip slam off the top. Sami sends them into each other again and Shamrock suplexes Alexander to the floor. Shamrock grabs the ankle lock on Page and Alexander does the same to Page, leaving Sami and Page to slap each other while in the holds. That’s broken up and Sami cutters Page so Shamrock locks Alexander’s ankle.

Page shoves Sami into Shamrock for the break and Shamrock doesn’t like Sami hitting him, even by accident. They’re fine enough for Shamrock to kick Alexander into the piledriver for two with Page making another save. Shamrock kicks Sami off the apron by mistake but is fine enough to belly to belly superplex Alexander from the top. A missed dive sends Shamrock crashing onto the floor and it’s the double Neutralizer planting him to retain the titles at 15:58, with Sami not being able to make the save in time.

Rating: C. There were some sloppy points in here but I’m rather relieved that they didn’t go with a pretty questionable title change here. If the Good Brothers and the Guns are around full time, there is little reason to go with something like this when you can have someone else pick up a huge win by ending their reign. It was a fine enough match, but they went with a pretty simple formula with a hottish finish.

Post match the North brags about being the greatest team in Impact history, which brings out the Motor City Machine Guns to interrupt. Shelley talks about how great the North is, but they’re not the best team ever. The Guns are getting their shot on Tuesday.

Gia Miller lets herself into the Good Brothers’ locker room but Rich Swann is inside. He was here to support Willie Mack and see the World Title match. As soon as he’s cleared, he’s coming for whoever wins.

We recap Deonna Purrazzo vs. Jordynne Grace. Purrazzo showed up and has been treated as a major star. She even hurt Grace with the Fujiwara armbar more than once, setting up the title match here.

Knockouts Title: Jordynne Grace vs. Deonna Purrazzo

Purrazzo is challenging and bails to the floor in a hurry. Back in and Grace powers her around without much effort so we need another breather. Purrazzo heads inside again and gets suplexed to the floor, setting up a dive from Grace. Back in again and Grace drops an elbow on the back for two but Purrazzo kicks her into the corner. The arm work begins, with Grace getting a foot on the rope to break the first armbar.

Grace rolls out of a Fujiwara armbar attempt but can’t hit the Grace Driver. Instead Purrazzo tries a cross armbreaker, earning herself a kick to the face. The arm is cranked a little more but Grace escapes, only to get the arm slammed down onto the mat. Grace fights up again though and hits a running backsplash to the back. The rear naked choke with a bodyscissors allows the referee to loudly whisper to them.

They fight up again with Grace sending her into the corner for a bow and arrow around the post. Back in and Grace hits a Michinoku Driver for two, only to get pulled into a triangle choke. Grace breaks out of that with a powerbomb and they’re both down again. They forearm it out with Grace getting the better of things, followed by an exchange of release German suplexes.

Purrazzo hits the Pendulum for two but charges into a boot in the corner. Grace’s running knees to the back set up a Vader Bomb for two more. The Grace Driver is blocked so Grace elbows her in the back of the head over and over. Purrazzo grabs the arm though and a double armbar makes Grace give up at 15:20.

Rating: C+. They kind of had to do the title change here as they set this up for the last few weeks. There wasn’t much else they could do here after Purrazzo had been built up so strong for such a long time. Grace had held the title for a sneaky five months, and now there are several people who could challenge Purrazzo in short order. I like Grace, but this makes sense.

Bound For Glory is October 24.

We recap the World Title match. Tessa Blanchard was released and stripped of the title, followed by Michael Elgin being released over SpeakOut. Therefore, it’s a four way for the vacant title with a mystery opponent.

Impact Wrestling World Title: Eddie Edwards vs. Ace Austin vs. Trey vs. ???

The title is vacant coming in, there are elimination rules, Madman Fulton is here with Ace and the mystery challenger is…..Rich Swann. That’s quite the surprise. Hold on though as we have another person here as a fifth entrant.

Impact Wrestling World Title: Eddie Edwards vs. Ace Austin vs. Trey vs. Rich Swann vs. Eric Young

Young says he won the World Title at Slammiversary (no he didn’t) so he’s going to do it again here. It’s a brawl to start with Swann flipping over Young and hitting a dropkick. Young is knocked outside so Swann and Trey trade flips, leaving Eddie to take them both down. Fulton chokeslams Eddie onto the apron to put him down….and that’s an ejection. Fulton won’t leave so it’s a threat of Ace being eliminated, which is enough to make him go.

Trey spears Ace down and hammers away before sending Ace inside for a super hurricanrana from Swann. Eddie chops at Young and Swann in the corner but Ace slips out of a backpack Stunner out of the corner. Ace kicks people in the head but gets knocked down. It’s Eddie with a Blue Thunder Bomb to Swann, followed by Young knocking Eddie down as well. Trey kicks Young (now bleeding) down and calls out Austin.

The fight is on with Trey slugging away and kicking Young down as well. Swann is sent outside, leaving Eddie to chop Trey, whose dive at Swann is countered with a planting on the floor. Back in and Austin gutwrench suplexes Young but loses a slugout to Eddie. There’s a tiger driver to Austin but Trey comes off the top with a Meteora to Edwards because only Trey gets to eliminate Austin. Young is back up with a quick piledriver to get rid of Trey at 9:36 but can’t pin anyone else.

A lot of shouting makes me remember why Young gets on my nerves in a hurry and his wheelbarrow neckb….well more like a belly to back suplex gets two on Swann. Young takes Swann up but Swann reverses into a super bulldog to put them both down, with Swann breathing very, very loudly. Everyone winds up on the corner and it’s Eddie and Austin falling off the top and through the timekeeper’s table in a huge crash. That leaves Young to call Swann the letdown of the two surprises, allowing Swann to get a rollup to eliminate Young at 15:36, thank goodness.

Young isn’t done and goes after Swann’s bad knee with a chop block and several Pillmanizing stomps, plus a bunch of chair shots. Swann continues and rolls Austin up a few times before slugging away on one leg. Austin kicks the leg out though and hits the Fold to get rid of Swann at 18:55.

So we’re down to Austin vs. Edwards with Eddie pulling himself back in for a slugout. Eddie gets the better of things and even counters the Fold attempt with an overhead belly to belly. Ace misses a kick in the corner and the Boston Knee Party gives Eddie two. Austin hits the Fold for the same but Eddie hits another Boston Knee Party. The Diehard Flosion (Eddie’s old move) gives Edwards the pin and the title at 24:16.

Rating: C+. It was a good, long match (as it should have been), though seeing Young back is hardly the most thrilling thing. Eddie winning the title feels like a safe pick and there’s nothing wrong with that after everything that has been going on around here as of late. Swann was a nice surprise and Austin came close, but it was probably the right call to end with the most established name who was on the roster coming into the match. Good enough, but nothing great, mainly due to so many people being involved.

Post match Fulton is back to jump Edwards but the Good Brothers come out and, after teasing an alliance with the villains, lay them out with a Gun Stun and the Magic Killer. Eddie and the Good Brothers pose to….not end the show because we get an EC3 vignette to really end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. I’m going to have to think about this one for a bit as while it was far from terrible, it was a good bit underwhelming. There was so much focus on bringing in/back all of the wrestlers (eight in total) that it kind of overwhelmed the show. I’m hoping that it doesn’t turn into the nonsense of nearly begging the former WWE stars to save them from their drek.

Bringing in new/established stars is fine, but Impact has been doing rather well without them lately and they don’t need to act like it’s instantly better because the names are well known. What we had here was good enough, but they need to pick the right path forward, and they have a lot of options available.

Results

Motor City Machine Guns b. Rascalz – Dirt Bomb to Dez

Moose b. Tommy Dreamer – No Jackhammer Needed

Kylie Rae won a gauntlet match last eliminating Taya Valkyrie

Chris Bey b. Willie Mack – Art of Finesse

The North b. Sami Callihan/Ken Shamrock – Double Neutralizer to Shamrock

Deonna Purrazzo b. Jordynne Grace – Double armbar

Eddie Edwards b. Eric Young, Rich Swann, Ace Austin and Trey – Diehard Flosion to Austin

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/

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

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

IMG Credit: Impact Wrestling

I don’t know how to say this but Impact Wrestling is looking pretty good at the moment. They have something going with these recent shows (with no fans, again showing that it can be done) and I’m curious to see if they can make it work on pay per view. The company’s history suggests that they are at their best when they are just focusing on wrestling, which is where they are on Saturday. Now they need to make it work. Let’s get to it.

X-Division Title: Willie Mack(c) vs. Chris Bey

We’ll start off with a match that has a lot of potential as the two of them are both on a roll at the moment. Mack seems like he could be the star of the show in the blink of an eye and Bey looks as smooth in the ring as anyone I can remember in a good while. The main focus of this story has been Johnny Swinger, but Bey insulting him on Tuesday seems to have written that part out. That just leaves the match, and it sounds good.

I’ll go with Mack retaining here, as he seems like someone who could be a rather long term champion. Bey is going to be fine as he really is good at almost anything he does in the ring. This could be a heck of an opening match as a way to get things off to start things off, or one of the bigger matches later on in the show. I’m wanting to see this one and that’s a nice feeling to have.

Knockouts Gauntlet

This is an eleven woman gauntlet to crown a new #1 contender, meaning it could go almost any possible way. That makes for some interesting possibilities, and for a rather hard prediction to make. The important factor here is how much depth the division suddenly has, which has been an issue for the division before. Things seem to be changing, but quantity does not necessarily equal quality.

I’ll go with Rosemary as a somewhat safe pick here, as she is an established name and a win wouldn’t be out of nowhere. Kylie Rae seems to be the name they are building up more than anyone else, but she seems to be getting a little bit too much momentum. Most of the rest of the names are just kind of there, but as usual, this one is going to depend on who leaves the show with the title.

Rascalz vs. ???

Now let’s not beat around the bush here. I know this is going to be the Good Brothers, you know this is going to be the Good Brothers, and the non-existent popcorn vendor in sect….do we actually know where this show is taking place? I’d assume Nashville but I don’t think it’s ever been announced. Anyway, this isn’t a mystery to the people answering the challenge, but it should still be a cool moment.

Since the Rascalz almost never win a match, I’ll take the Good Brothers to win here without much trouble. There’s no reason for this to be anything more than a competitive match ending with a Magic Killer, as Anderson and Gallows are going to be fine enough to put on a good showing and become players in the tag division. That being said, I always feel bad about saying “I’M SURE!” on something like this, but I’m about as sure as I can be here.

TNA World Title: Moose(c) vs. Tommy Dreamer

No matter how many things change, you can count on Dreamer somehow getting a spot somewhere. Moose as the delusional monster champion has been a fun story and the kind of thing that he can pull off. I’m curious to see how long the story goes and who takes it off of him, as it could be a rather nice story with a good payoff.

What won’t be a good payoff is Dreamer winning the title, which won’t be happening here. Moose will probably sell for Dreamer because this is Old School rules (which should probably mean traditional rules but alas) but can come out as champion in the end. Beating Dreamer doesn’t mean much no matter what kind of a match it is but he comes with the territory (any territory) at this point.

Knockouts Title: Jordynne Grace(c) vs. Deonna Purrazzo

This could be an interesting one as Grace is the powerhouse but Purrazzo has gotten the better of her at almost every turn. The problem here is they’ve made Purrazzo into a near killer and I’m not sure how much damage would be done if she loses her first big match. At the same time though, Grace hasn’t even been champion that long. She’s the kind of person who could bounce back from a loss in a hurry, but I’m not sure if that’s what we’re going to be seeing here.

I’m going to go on a limb and say Purrazzo wins here, though it’s my least confident pick on the entire show. This could be a good power vs. technical skills match, and while I could see Grace countering the armbar into a Grace Driver to retain, I think Purrazzo gets the title here. She could be a killer champion for a good while, and I’m not sure her losing early on would leave that possible.

Tag Team Titles: The North(c) vs. Ken Shamrock/Sami Callihan

I’m not usually a fan of a thrown together team getting a title shot, but it’s not like there are any other teams in the company who deserve a shot at the moment. The tag division has been one of the weaker points as of late, as there certainly are teams but none of them really stand out all that well. The North has held the titles for over a year now and have to lose to someone, but is that going to be here?

I think I’ve talked myself into saying yes actually, so we’ll go with new champs. Shamrock has been treated as a big deal since he got back (he even got to face Joey Ryan) and Callihan is a former World Champion. It’s not like the North needs to hold the titles any longer, though I would assume the Good Brothers are waiting on whoever comes out with the titles. I’m oddly curious about this, but that might be due to how good the North has been.

Impact Wrestling World Title: Ace Austin vs. Eddie Edwards vs. Trey vs. ???

Now here we have an interesting one, as the mystery opponent could be multiple people. The company only had so many ways to go to set something up here and given the circumstances, this is about as good as they could do. I’m curious to see who the mystery opponent is and who leaves with the title, so missions accomplished so far. Now just have a good match and they should be fine.

In theory, this is EC3’s spot and title to win, but I’m not entirely convinced for some reason. Bully Ray springs to mind as a possibility, which would be about as lame as you can get. I’m just hoping that when they say “World Champion” they aren’t going to pull something like they’ve done before with “World TAG TEAM Champion”, but I think that’s far enough in the past for the company. As for a winner, I’ll take Austin, who I’ve liked since he debuted. I’m curious to see where it goes though, and that’s what matters most.

Overall Thoughts

I can’t believe I’m saying this but I want to watch the show, which hasn’t been the case for a long time now. Impact has been one of the best things going in recent weeks and if they nail this show, we could be in for a heck of a night. It’s almost weird to be excited over a non-AEW/NXT show these days but they’re making it work here. It’s hard to say, but don’t let me down Impact.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/

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

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