IMG Credit: Impact Wrestling

Impact Wrestling
Date: July 14, 2020
Location: Skyway Studios, Nashville, Tennessee
Commentators: Josh Matthews, Madison Rayne

It’s the go home show for Slammiversary and that’s actually a pretty nice feeling for once. The shows building towards the pay per view have been well done and if they manage to make it work this time, we could be in for a heck of a show on Saturday. Yeah Saturday, as almost everyone outside of WWE has changed up their pay per view schedule in a pretty smart move. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap.

Opening sequence.

Rosemary/Kiera Hogan/Tasha Steelz/Kimber Lee/Taya Valkyrie vs. Alisha Edwards/Kylie Rae/Susie/Nevaeh/Havok

Steelz is taken into the corner to start with Havok and Nevaeh starting with the rapid fire double teaming. Lee gets kicked to the floor as the villains are all sent outside early on. That means a big beatdown of Nevaeh, with Susie hitting the flip dive from the apron. Havok tosses Alisha onto the pile and Havok adds the suicide dive. Taya cuts off Rae’s dive though and it’s Kylie getting beaten down for a change.

Rosemary’s bicycle kick into a German suplex from Taya gets two. Taya adds the running knees in the corner as Josh is WAY too excited about the state of the Knockouts division, with Madison having to tone him down. Steelz sends Rae right back into the corner to cut off a comeback bid and it’s Lee coming in for a chinlock. Back from a break with Rae ducking a right hand and diving over for the tag to Susie, which commentary completely ignores. Everything breaks down into the parade of secondary finishers until Rae superkicks Lee into Susie’s Panic Switch for the pin at 13:11.

Rating: C. There’s only so much that you can get out of a match like this but it’s about as good of a preview as you can have for the gauntlet match. There are several options for the win and that could make for some interesting stuff on Saturday. The wrestling was fine enough and there wasn’t much of a point here other than having most of the participants out there.

Post match Susie seems to twitch a bit, but everything breaks down into another big brawl until Kylie stands tall.

Here’s your preview for tonight and Sunday.

Madman Fulton and Ace Austin are in Dayton, Ohio, with Fulton not being happy about being back in OVE territory. Ace says if there is one thing he has learned in his five years in wrestling, it’s that you have to go back to where you started.

Hernandez and Rhino have been arm wrestling around the arena for over a week.

Moose tries to recruit Hernandez and Rhino to be his partner tonight and costs Hernandez the win. Hernandez wants to fight Rhino outside and that’s an easy yes.

Flashback Moment of the Week: Chris Sabin wins Ultimate X at Slammiversary 2013.

XXXL vs. Deaners

Points for the cameras shaking during XXXL’s entrance. Josh likes the idea of hunting, fishing and roasting marshmallows at the Deaner compound. Madison: “….you need to stop.” Jake and Larry collide to start with Jake popping up from the shoulder and getting in a slam. Cody is slammed onto Larry for two but Larry forearms his way over to Acey for the tag. A running clothesline gives Acey two and there’s the Pounce to send Jake into the corner. Larry kicks Cody down into a powerbomb but Jake makes a blind tag and steals the pin at 3:22.

Rating: D+. Well that happened and there isn’t much else to be said about something like this. Again, the tag teams seem to be trading wins back and forth and no one is really gaining anything. It wasn’t a good match or anything either, though XXXL looked decent enough in a short form.

Post match XXXL lays out Jake with a Demolition Decapitator, seemingly turning heel.

Moose asks Rohit Raju to be his partner tonight. Raju agrees, even though he’s the final option.

Johnny Swinger tells Chris Bey that he’s going to straighten things out with management. Swinger goes to the referee, saying that he’s been talking to Cancel Culture (must be taped out of order) and they think he’s a qualified emotional support companion.

Video on Willie Mack vs. Chris Bey for the X-Division Title at Slammiversary.

Bey hits on Gia Miller and calls Swinger, who of course is outside, an idiot. Swinger says the office won’t budge and Bey is on his own at Slammiversary.

Video on Deonna Purrazzo vs. Jordynne Grace.

We get a sitdown face to face interview with Purrazzo and Grace. Purrazzo signs the contract but pauses Grace to tell her what she’s getting into on Saturday. Grace signs and says Purrazzo doesn’t know what she’s into right now. Grace knocks her down and leaves.

Video on Ken Shamrock/Sami Callihan vs. the North.

Shamrock and Callihan know they don’t trust each other but they could win some gold. Callihan is likely to turn on Shamrock anyway, so Shamrock promises to break his neck for trying.

Moose/Rohit Raju vs. Tommy Dreamer/Crazzy Steve

Even commentary points out that Raju is always standing around backstage with nothing to do. Dreamer headlocks Raju to start but gets driven into the corner for trying a hammerlock. A suplex drops Raju though and it’s off to Steve, who gets slammed head first into the mat. Moose comes in for the fall away slam but misses the spear into the corner.

It’s back to Dreamer to lose a slugout as everything breaks down. Raju breaks up Dreamer’s dive and hands it back to Moose to hammer away. Dreamer punches Moose out of the air though and grabs a DDT. The double tag brings in Steve and Raju as the pace picks up a good bit. Everything breaks down again and Raju knees Steve in the face. Steve is right back up with a middle rope DDT to finish Raju at 6:14.

Rating: D+. Another match that was just kind of there as it seems they are scraping the bottom of the barrel of whatever they have left from the taping cycle. That is also true of Dreamer, who somehow gets a pretty big time pay per view match when you have how many people on the roster without much to do?

Austin and Fulton get to the gym in Dayton.

Rhino and Hernandez meet in the parking lot with Rhino wanting the money he won in the arm wrestling. Rhino kicks him low and chokes against a production truck but Hernandez throws something at him and gets in a few shots. A trashcan and a traffic cone are brought in and Rhino hammers away (seemingly at the camera in one shot as we’re in Cinematic Mode). Eventually they’re both spent and agree to split the money.

We recap the World Title situation, with the triple threat match being set up to crown a new champion. This is the same video package we saw last week, or at least really close to it.

Austin and Fulton train, while Austin talks about becoming the World Champion on Saturday. Slammiversary isn’t about the mystery opponent or Edwards or Trey. It’s about Austin becoming the youngest World Champion of all time.

A new Slammiversary vignette suggests three people returning.

Eddie Edwards talks about everyone being different. Everything in his career has led him to Slammiversary, starting with his training at Killer Kowalski’s wrestling school. He was born to be the World Champion and now he’s back here for a reason. Eddie has fought through everything to be here and he has no choice but to win the title.

Slammiversary rundown.

Trey and Wentz sneak into the Dayton gym while Austin is lecturing in the ring. A trashcan shot staggers Fulton and they lock him in a closet. Trey and Ace get in a fight with Trey shoving him over a chair and hammering away. Ace sends him into a wall though and hits him with a broom, followed by a chair to the back. Trey gets in a crotching on the barricade and slugs away some more but Fulton is back up. Wentz returns with a barbed wire chair and the villains bail to end the show.

Overall Rating: D+. This was a case where they could only do so much with what they had. They didn’t have much left to pull from so they probably had to film some stuff at the last minute. It worked as well as it could have given the circumstances, but it’s a shame that they had to hit a speed bump on the way to Slammiversary. I’m curious about what they’re going to have next week, but Slammiversary still looks good.

Results

Kylie Rae/Susie/Nevaeh/Havok/Alisha Edwards b. Tasha Steelz/Kimber Lee/Kiera Hogan/Taya Valkyrie/Rosemary – Panic Switch to Lee

Deaners b. XXXL – Rollup to Larry

Crazzy Steve/Tommy Dreamer b. Rohit Raju/Moose – Middle rope DDT to Raju

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: June 2, 2020
Location: Skyway Studios, Nashville, Tennessee
Commentators: Madison Rayne, Josh Matthews

It’s time for the tournament final as we need a new #1 contender to the World Title. Granted we also need the World Champion back, but I’m not sure when that is going to be the case. This show has been pretty watchable as of late though and hopefully they can keep that up this week. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap.

Opening sequence.

Kylie Rae/Susie vs. Kiera Hogan/Tasha Steelz

This is fallout from Kiera and Tasha stealing Kylie’s bow. Kylie and Tasha lock up to start with Kylie not being able to spin out of a wristlock. Susie comes in and is quickly distracted, earning Tasha a slap to the face. It’s off to Kiera, who is taken down with a double bulldog in a hurry. That’s enough for the tag back to Tasha for a lot of trash talk as Susie is taken into the corner.

A double whip sends Susie hard into the buckle as Madison wants to know if Kylie knows about Su Yung. Tasha’s neckbreaker gives Kiera two but Susie comes back with a running faceplant. Su steals the bow back and hands it off to Kylie while tagging at the same time. House is cleaned in a hurry and the Kylie Special gets two on Kiera. Tasha hits a Codebreaker on Yung as everything breaks down. We get an exchange of strikes to the head until Steelz hurricanranas Susie into a fisherman’s neckbreaker for the pin at 7:18.

Rating: C-. This was short and to the point, though the fact that the point is a bow isn’t the most thrilling thing in the world. The division continues to look good with the new talent included and it’s nice to see multiple stories going on at once. It’s also nice to see all of these different styles coming together and it shows how things can go when it’s not just WWE style over and over again.

Here’s what’s coming on the show.

Ace Austin says people are too worried about the past around here. He’s going to the stars but here’s Moose to say his World Title is very prestigious. The Impact World Title is second rate so come after the real title.

Joseph P. Ryan vs. Crazzy Steve

Ryan has the Crists with him. As you might expect, Steve counters with a monkey. Steve says Ryan is the d*** guy and gets punched in the face. That earns Ryan some rapid fire shots but he comes back with a quick dropkick. There’s a knee drop for two on Steve and Ryan asks if anyone wants to see the greatest suplex on earth. Said suplex is broken up so they strike it out until Steve bites the hand. A rollup sends Ryan into the corner but Jake Crist offers a distraction, allowing Ryan to hit a superkick for the pin at 3:27.

Rating: D+. I’m still trying to find a reason to care about Ryan but I’ll certainly take this over his usual stuff. That being said, are they really putting the Crists with him? They’re a bit more talented than that and I’m not sure if I can go with the idea of them being underneath Ryan. The match wasn’t any good, but what are you expecting from this situation?

Post match Ryan says this is the culture and asks if Jake is ready to join. Ryan needs a sign, so Jake kicks Dave in the face.

Rohit Raju vs. Chase Stevens

Raju wins a slugout to start and kicks the knee out for two. Stevens’ short arm clothesline gets two and a snap suplex is good for the same. That earns him a Russian legsweep to cut things off again and Raju drops an elbow to add another two. The choking on the rope ensues and Raju says it’s his time. That takes a bit too long (of course) and Chase suplexes him into an ax kick for two more. The middle rope moonsault hits knees though and Raju hits a jumping knee to the face. A top rope double stomp to the back finishes Stevens at 5:45.

Rating: C-. Raju is already better on his own, though it’s not like he had anywhere to go but up. Sometimes you just need to get away from things and show off your talents, which might be what he needed. Stevens is someone you might remember if you think rather hard so having him as a jobber is fine enough.

Post match, Rhino of all people comes out to Gore Raju.

Nevaeh says she and Havok have been friends for years and she’s here to keep an eye on her after everything that went on with James Mitchell.

It’s time for Locker Room Talk with special guest Chris Bey. Johnny Swinger is WAY too excited about this and Madison Rayne has to calm him down a bit. Swinger won’t even let him respond as he praises Bey, thereby ignoring Madison Square Garden Rayne (ok good line). They’re the Finesse and Bench Press Express and next week they’re challenging Willie Mack for a tag match. Bey: “Uh, sure.” Then Swinger can help Bey win the X-Division Title. Madison is sick of Swinger saying Brother over and over and ends the show in a hurry.

Flashback Moment of the Week: Bobby Lashley b. Drew Galloway to win the World Title at Slammiversary 2016. Just a random choice of course.

Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace is back and is happy seeing all the new talent. Taya Valkyrie returns as well and doesn’t think much of Grace taking time off. Grace likes that idea and offers Taya a title match tonight. We’ll make that next week instead. Taya: “BRAVO!”

Rascalz vs. TJP/Fallah Bahh

#1 contenders match. Hold on though as we need to shake….er, touch elbows before we can get going. TJP wants to start but Bahh picks him up and moves him to the corner, saying he’s got this. TJP tries to do to the same to Bahh, with expected results. Dez can’t lift Bahh either and they trade rolling escapes to wristlocks. Dez: “That was impressive.” A rollup doesn’t work for Dez either and Bahh is waiting on his charge into the corner.

TJP comes in to face Wentz, meaning some of the laughing and trash talk might go away. Wentz takes him down so TJP snaps off the headscissors. They hit the mat until TJP hits the basement dropkick. Dez comes back in for his own headscissors, followed by the Bronco Buster from Wentz. Bahh isn’t having this and helps TJP with a quick Poetry In Motion but the Rascalz kicks TJP down in a hurry for two.

Wentz’s slingshot hilo gets two more but TJP is fine enough to hit a tornado DDT to take Wentz down. The hot tag brings in Bahh to clean house, including a Samoan drop on Dez. A double splash gets two on Dez and TJP takes him down with a dragon screw legwhip. Dez is fine enough to get over to Wentz for the hot tag as the pace picks way up.

Wentz hits a standing moonsault for two on TJP and it’s a superkick into a middle rope double stomp for two more. Bahh comes in without a tag to plant both guys and an exchange of small packages give TJP and Dez two each with the partners making stereo saves. Wentz and Bahh fight to the floor, leaving TJP to kneebar Dez. That’s broken up as well though and Dez leans back into a rollup to pin TJP at 12:36.

Rating: B. This was the fast paced and entertaining match you would expect from the three of them, plus Bahh in there for a bonus. I could go for more of the Rascalz and seeing them against the North could be rather entertaining. TJP and Bahh continue to be a very good team, but the Rascalz needed some success so hopefully this is just the first step.

Respect is shown post match.

Video on Deonna Purrazzo.

Rosemary and John E. Bravo had fun on their date and Bravo is rather happy with being away from Taya. Rosemary has an offer to him and gives him a chance to bite her apple (which seems to have some consequences) but Taya calls and needs Bravo to do something. He had fun with Rosemary but runs off to do whatever she needs, even if it’s across the country. Rosemary bites the apple and says this is going to be harder than she thought.

Michael Elgin demands that his music be played and storms to the ring to rant about Sami Callihan. The lights go out but Elgin isn’t scared of Sami. He wants to be #1 contender or the World Champion but here’s Ken Shamrock instead. The fight is on and Elgin bails from the threat of the ankle lock. On Elgin’s time you see.

Hold on though as there is no Trey, who is found unconscious in the back. Austin says that’s a shame but he wins by forfeit. Wentz comes out and blames Austin but referees hold him out. Boss Scott D’Amore comes out and we’ve got a replacement.

Wentz dropkicks him into the corner to start and shouts a lot before hammering down right hands. A kick to the face and more right hands rock Austin as we take a break. Back with Ace’s apron superkick being blocked to put them both down on the floor. Ace chokes away with Wentz’s shirt and then backdrops him on the ramp, meaning the count is on as Ace gets a breather.

Wentz beats the count but Ace takes him outside again for a whip into the barricade. Ace stomps on the hand as Wentz climbs the steps and it’s another ram into the barricade to stay on the back. A missed charge sends Ace into the barricade for a change though and Wentz stomps away again. Wentz’ running dive off the steps is kicked out of the air though and we take a second break.

Back again with Ace getting two as Madison accuses Wentz of being an opportunist here. Ace catapults him throat first into the bottom rope for two but Wentz gets in a quick suplex for a breather. A jawbreaker cuts Wentz off again and we hit the armbar, allowing Ace to cut the fingers with the playing card. That’s too far for Wentz, who pounds him down with forearms to the back.

The Fold is loaded up in a hurry but Wentz knees him in the face. An enziguri drops Ace again and the penalty kick into the standing moonsault gives Wentz two. Wentz’s swinging half nelson slam gets two more and he adds a superkick. The Swanton hits knees though and the Fold gives Ace the pin and the title shot at 24:13.

Rating: B. I was getting into this one by the end, though it helps that I like both guys. Austin as #1 contender makes a lot of sense as he has a history with Tessa (assuming they ever get her back for a title match) and had a rather nice run as X-Division Champion. This is the next step up for him, though they might have something interesting with finding out who attacked Trey.

Hold on though as the show wraps up, but we get a video of someone in a hoodie watching a report on the WWE releases. We see clips of a bunch of released WWE stars who used to work here (the Kanellises, the Good Brothers, EC3, Eric Young and more)….and it’s a Slammiversary ad. That’s rather interesting.

Overall Rating: B-. There wasn’t much at the beginning of this show but the last two matches more than bailed it out. I can always go for more of the Rascalz and Ace so I had a very good time with this one. The company has done a great job of making things feel fresh as they are pushing a lot of newer names. That’s what they have needed to do for years now and it has given them some of their best results in years. Keep that up and Impact is one of the most entertaining promotions going today.

Results

Kiera Hogan/Tasha Steelz b. Kylie Rae/Susie – Fisherman’s neckbreaker to Susie

Joseph P. Ryan b. Crazzy Steve – Superkick

Rohit Raju b. Chase Stevens – Top rope double stomp to the back

Rascalz b. TJP/Fallah Bahh – Rollup to TJP

Ace Austin b. Wentz – The Fold

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: May 12, 2020
Location: Skyway Studios, Nashville, Tennessee
Commentators: Madison Rayne, Josh Matthews

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

The opening preview, narrated this week, talks about the tournament, but Moose cuts things off and throws it to the still amazing TNA voiceover guy who talks about how great Moose is. This includes various clips of names like Christopher Daniels, Robert Roode, Jeff Hardy, Dixie Carter and Hulk Hogan praising someone, who of course is Moose and this is in no way doctored. This was great and an actually unique opening.

Opening sequence.

#1 Contenders Tournament First Round: Mad Man Fulton vs. Hernandez

The Crists are in Fulton’s corner. Fulton drives him into the corner to start so Hernandez takes the bandanna off to show that he’s serious. Some running clotheslines don’t do much to Fulton but a Pounds takes him down as the shouting ensues. Fulton gets two off a suplex and it’s time to choke on the ropes as the announcers debate the validity of Moose’s title reign. Hernandez fights out of a chinlock but gets sent head first into the mat for his efforts.

Jake Crist gets in a cheap shot and we hit the chinlock again. Fulton misses a heck of a middle rope headbutt and Hernandez is back with a backsplash. The Crists get involved so Hernandez throws Jake at Fulton. Hernandez goes up top, shoves Fulton down, and hits a top rope splash for the pin at 8:54.

Rating: C. Not a bad power match here though I would question having OVE lose AGAIN, especially with the numbers advantage. The story of them being all messed up with no leader is fine and makes me wonder why they’ll bring in to replace Sami Callihan, but how much of an advantage do you need to beat Hernandez.

Michael Elgin doesn’t understand why there is a tournament when he has proven himself time after time.

Fulton is freaking out and the Crists are ready to come to blows. Crazzy Steve comes in to say he’s ready to fight next week. Joseph P. Ryan comes in to say the word Crazzy is offensive to crazy people.

The announcers preview the rest of the show.

Kylie Rae vs. Tasha Steelz

Steelz is an NWA regular. There’s no handshake to start and Kylie spins out of a wristlock. A headscissors gets Kylie out of a headlock on the mat so Steelz headstands up. It works so well that Kylie does it as well, albeit with a smile. A series of clotheslines sets up the chinlock on Rae so she powers up and drives Steelz into the corner. More clotheslines stagger Steelz but she sends Rae out to the apron for a breather. The Kylie Special gets two but Tasha rolls away from the STF. Steelz’s high crossbody gets two as Josh praises Steelz quite a bit. A springboard bulldog is blocked though and the STF finishes Steelz at 6:56.

Rating: C-. It’s hard not to like Kylie a little bit with the gimmick being so similar to Bayley. That’s something that works well if you have the charisma to build it up. What matters most here though is the rebuilding of the Knockouts division, which is suddenly looking rather deep. It’s certainly looking better than what we had a few months or even years ago.

Rohit Raju is ready to get his big break. He’s tired of being a joke and it’s changing tonight in the tournament. This is an interesting case as Raju on his own it’s too bad. It’s just how far down he’s been for so long. Maybe the lack of the rest of the Hit Squad will help though.

Susie comes up to Kylie in the back for a second introduction. Susie understands that Rae’s last night’s “again” and thinks Rae sounds like a ray of sunshine. Kylie: “I like her.”

Kimber Lee vs. Havok

Kimber screams at her so Havok screams back. Lee: “Nope.” Havok grabs her by the hair but gets chopped in the corner. That’s broken up and Havok hits a sitout powerbomb for two. Some kicks to the head rock Havok and we hit the choking on the ropes. Back from a break with Havok whipping her hard into the corner. That’s reversed into an Octopus in the ropes as Nevaeh comes out to watch. Lee’s Swanton gets two, as does Havok’s spinning side slam. Havok sees Nevaeh and the distraction lets Lee bust out some brass knuckles. A loud scream scares the referee so Kimber can use the knuckles for the pin at 8:47.

Rating: C. Just like in the previous one, I’m interested in how they’re rebuilding the division. That could go a long way and with so many talented people out there, the division could go in a lot of directions. This wasn’t a great match or anything, but the Knockouts are getting more depth than the WWE women’s division has had for a good while now. Granted having one division to two helps a lot.

Video on Kiera Hogan. She’s been learning from her mistakes and is waiting for the perfect opportunity.

It’s time for Locker Room Talk with Ken Shamrock, who doesn’t think much of Johnny Swinger. Shamrock talks about how he’s had a lot of feuds since he’s been been and he’s ready to hurt people. The only thing that matters is getting the World Title, so here’s Elgin to hit him in the head with a chair.

Sami Callihan is used to people trying to follow in his footsteps and that’s all Elgin is doing now. Next week, Sami is ready to take out Elgin in the tournament.

#1 Contenders Tournament First Round: Trey vs. Rohit Raju

They’re both on their own. They fight over arm control to start with neither being able to get much of an advantage. Trey runs him over with a shoulder but an elbow to the face cuts him down. A sitout facebuster into a boot scrap to the face sends Raju outside where he catches Trey with a shot to the face.

Back in and a Steve Austin elbow connects for two as the announcers bicker about Moose again. Raju’s running Downward Spiral gets two more and it’s a snap suplex for the same. Trey fights up for the slugout and hits a running neckbreaker for the double knockdown. A kick to the face gives Trey two and he catches Raju on top with the Cheeky Nandos kick. The 619 connects but Raju knees him out of the air. Not that it matters as Trey small packages him for the pin at 10:19.

Rating: C+. That’s the right result but what matters most here is having Raju as a solo act. That might be the key to him the entire time as there was nothing happening with the Hit Squad and everyone knew it. Again, it’s a mentality of trying something different instead of hammering away with the same thing over and over when it doesn’t work. Well done for a change.

Cody Deaner tries not to go insane in self isolation. He’s been training in the woods and trying to have someone to share a beer. Then he wrestled himself and a stuffed animal to make himself feel better.

We go back to the Battle Arts Academy in Canada for the North’s Tag Team Title defense. Ethan Page knows that Josh Alexander wasn’t happy with last week’s opponents so the ring announcer gets to pick this week. We get two more very skinny guys and Alexander isn’t pleased again. Ethan Page gets a bunch of nicknames ala Apollo Creed, though Alexander points out that Creed died in Rocky IV.

After hearing about Page being voted the sex symbol by a fishing magazine, Page superkicks the first schmo (as commentary calls him) out cold. That means Page has to pick him up for the offense, which doesn’t please Page. In other words, it’s a Weekend At Bernie’s match until Page super gorilla presses him into a backbreaker. Northern Assault finishes in a hurry. These have been funny and well done on making something out of nothing.

Rosemary yells at the cards in a bar and talks to her stuffed lion (for Taya) and stuffed bunny (for the Bunny). John E. Bravo comes in to say he misses how Taya smells but Rosemary is the one really obsessed with her. Rosemary doesn’t look convinced.

Flashback Moment of the Week: AJ Styles beats Matt Hardy at Victory Road 2011. They haven’t been airing as much of these things and that’s a good thing.

Chris Bey talks to Johnny Swinger about Willie Mack saying he was the leader of the Mack And Pack Connection.

Post break, Swinger comes up to Mack and says he’s not the weak link of the team. Swinger: “I’m not the Shawn Michaels of the team.” The title match is on for next week.

TNA World Title: Suicide vs. Moose

Moose is defending despite not actually being champion. Suicide grabs a rollup for an early two and an armdrag has Moose on the floor in a hurry. Back from a break with Moose yelling at the referee and getting hit in the face. They head outside with Moose whipping him into the barricade to take over.

Back in and a reverse press slam off the top has suicide in trouble again. As Josh wonders how many former World Champions aren’t pleased with Moose, Suicide gets kicked off the apron in a big crash. Suicide is swung into the barricade and it’s time to start celebrating. After getting back in at nine, Suicide gets knocked right back to the floor.

They switch places though and Suicide hits a namesake dive, followed by the cannonball off the apron. Back in and a headscissors puts Moose down again but he stomps Suicide down in the corner. The referee gets bumped so Suicide strikes away, including a running palm strike. The Code Breaker connects for no count so it’s a sunset flip for two. Back up and a low blow into No Jackhammer Needed retains the title at 16:14.

Rating: C+. I’m not sure how smart it was to have Moose need to cheat to beat a video game character but that has never stopped Impact before. Moose won and looked rather villainous in doing so, which I’ll take over a lot of other options. This is a gimmick that could go on for a good while, though the idea of Moose having trouble with a bunch of the older wrestlers who are classified as TNA Originals could get tiresome.

Overall Rating: B-. What got my attention the most around here is a fresh take on a lot of things. They’re bringing in new talents and presenting some fresh concepts, which is one of the best things that could be done. Impact has had such a bad reputation for so long now that it’s nice to see them do something different. I’ll take what I can get at this point and this was a fun, engaging show that made me want to see more. You don’t get that often around here and hopefully it is here to stay.

Results

Hernandez b. Mad Man Fulton – Top rope splash

Kylie Rae b. Tasha Steelz – Smile to the Finish

Kimber Lee b. Havok – Brass knuckles to the head

Trey b. Rohit Raju – Small package

Moose b. Suicide – No Jackhammer Needed

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

It’s the second night of Rebellion and that means it’s time to find out what is going on with the World Title. That’s quite the situation and hopefully they have a good answer to the problem. It’s a pretty rare situation so I’m curious to see what they come up with for the whole thing. Let’s get to it.

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

The opening video looks at the top stars and talks about how everyone wants to make it their night.

Suicide vs. Chris Bey vs. Trey vs. Rohit Raju

Josh on Suicide: “His origin story begins in a video game!” They take turns shoving each other together a few times before it’s a four way standing switch. Suicide drops off and watches the other three, with Trey doing the same. Bey and Raju do several more standing switches until they see the other two looking at them.

Trey gets sent outside and pulls Bey with him, leaving Raju to get caught in an octopus hold. That’s not the smartest idea but Bey gets back in to get caught in another hold at the same time. Raju kicks Bey and Trey down for two until Suicide comes back in to hurricanrana Bey. Trey puts Suicide and Raju down, leaving Bey to dropkick Suicide through the ropes.

A double dive is loaded up but Raju rolls Bey up for two instead. Suicide dives onto Raju and Bey, leaving Trey to hit a springboard flip dive onto all three. Everyone breaks up a cover and it’s Bey hitting a butterfly suplex for two on Raju. Suicide blocks Bey’s springboard armdrag and Trey hits a 619 to Raju and Suicide in the corner. With the three of them distracted, Bey superkicks Raju for the pin at 11:52.

Rating: C+. Take four people, throw them in there at the same time, and let them do whatever they can. It’s worked as an opener for years now and it always will work because it’s the kind of exciting match that is perfect for this spot. Bey winning was a good move as well and he has a bright future around here.

We look back at last week’s show.

Taya Valkyrie and Jordynne Grace aren’t here but we’ll still do Full Metal Mayhem with Rosemary vs. Havok.

Tessa Blanchard joins us via Facetime and promises to be back better than ever. She’s ready to beat Michael Elgin when she gets back and he won’t be World Champion.

Cousin Jake vs. Joseph P. Ryan

Ryan hides in the corner to start and then gets shoved down. A cheap shot lets Ryan gets in a few right hands, only to get knocked straight down again. There’s a toss across the ring and a whip into the corner gives Jake two. Jake misses a charge into the post though and we take a break.

Back with Jake’s arm in trouble and Ryan bending it around the ropes. The hammerlock slam is blocked so Ryan sends the arm into the post instead. Now the hammerlock slam works and we hit the quickly broken armbar. The driving shoulders have Jake in more trouble until he toss suplexes his way to freedom.

A Codebreaker to the arm sets up another hammerlock but this time Jake is back up with a spinning belly to back suplex. Jake hits a discus lariat for two and Ryan is sent outside for the big dive over the top. Back in and Jake’s sitout powerbomb gets two but Ryan is back with a superkick for the same. With the frustration setting in, Ryan tries another but has to settle for a rollup with a grab of the rope to pin Jake at 11:15.

Rating: C-. They had a story here and that helped, but Ryan just isn’t all that great in the ring. He’s mainly a gimmick guy and this gimmick is WAY less annoying than his previous one. The arm thing here was better, though it’s not like it was anything all that interesting in the first place. It could have been worse, but I’m still not going to care much about Joey Ryan.

Rosemary is at the bar and complaining about having to be in Full Metal Mayhem. Taya Valkyrie calls her and freaks out about wearing SWEATPANTS. Rosemary doesn’t want to face Havok again because that’s in her past but for now, Taya owes her one. A girls’ night is promised.

We recap Rosemary vs. Havok. They’re both monsters but this is taking place because we need a replacement match.

Rosemary vs. Havok

Full Metal Mayhem, meaning anything goes. Rosemary says they don’t have to fight but Havok insists. That’s fine with Rosemary, who staples Havok’s hand (as you do). Havok shrugs that off and takes the staple gun away to staple Rosemary’s back. A back elbow cuts Havok off though and a Sling Blade puts her down. It’s time for the street signs to Havok’s back until she gets in a big boot.

Havok charges into a chair in the corner though and Rosemary chokes her with a chain. That lets Rosemary shout about how James Mitchell’s blood is on Havok’s hands. Choking ensues until Havok pulls her in with the chain. More weapons are brought in and Havok hits a running knee in the corner. Rosemary pulls her face first into an open chair though and they’re both down, with the chair wrapped around Havok’s head.

Rating: B-. Given the lack of build for this, they beat each other up rather well and the Nevaeh cameo could go somewhere. Taya and Jordynne can do their thing later on and now Rosemary could serve as a good challenger for the winner down the road. All in all, perfectly fine here and a good, hard hitting match.

Willie Mack, with Rich Swann, talks about how big a fan he was of the X-Division growing up and Swann welcomes him to the club. Johnny Swinger comes up to ask for his title shot so they can all be in the champs’ club. Mack: “This guy smells like a car wash.”

Flashback Moment of the Week: Rich Swann beats Sami Callihan at Rebellion 2019.

Michael Elgin is disappointed that Tessa Blanchard and Eddie Edwards aren’t here because he can’t beat them up. Tonight, he becomes World Champion.

Video on Michael Elgin.

Here’s Elgin to address the World Title situation. He debuted at Rebellion 2019 and set his sights on the World Title. That was going to be realized here and it’s clear that Tessa is stuck in Mexico. Eddie has already gotten enough of him so get a referee out here right not to declare him the World Champion. Before the announcement is finished though, here’s Moose with the TNA World Title.

Moose says that Tessa is holding the Impact World Title hostage and Elgin agrees, because it’s his title. We hear about the title mattering, but Elgin calls him out for running down TNA and then talking about being World Champion. Elgin tells Moose to go back to the midcard so the challenge is on, but here’s Hernandez to interrupt. He wants in on this too, so ring the bell.

TNA World Title: Moose vs. Hernandez vs. Michael Elgin

The title is vacant coming in….I think? We take a break less than ten seconds in and come back with Hernandez blocking Elgin’s suplex, allowing Moose, in his Ultimate Warrior inspired gear, to break things up. Elgin throws Moose down and hammers on Hernandez in the corner, setting up a northern lights suplex for two on Moose. Hernandez runs them both over but Elgin is back up and grabs a half crab to put Hernandez back in trouble.

That’s broken up and Moose is knocked out to the apron. Elgin’s middle rope dropkick gets two on Hernandez and we take a break. Back with Moose still down and Elgin slugging it out with Elgin. Moose comes back in and breaks up Elgin’s charge into the corner with a boot to the face.

Elgin goes up but gets caught with a dropkick, only to have Moose go after Hernandez. A superplex brings Moose back down and we take another break. Back with Hernandez chopping away and kicking Elgin in the face for two. Moose makes his own save with a bunch of shoulders and a splash for two on Hernandez, with Josh calling him the Ultimate Moose to make the reference clear.

Elgin German suplexes both of them at the same time for two but Moose is back with the chokebomb out of the corner for two on Hernandez. That’s enough for Elgin, who buckle bombs Moose into the corner, only to get speared down. Hernandez gives Moose a spinebuster but Elgin steals the two. The Elgin Bomb hits Hernandez so Moose pulls the ref out at two. Elgin shoves the referee down so here’s a replacement, only to have Hernandez dive onto Elgin and take out another referee. Back in and Moose spears Hernandez for the fast pin at 28:32.

Rating: C+. This went on longer than it needed to and they could have done the same thing if they cut out about seven to ten minutes. What we got was good stuff though and Moose is now set up as the next challenger for Tessa. She has a lot to do when she gets back, but it could be a long time before we finally get there. Anyway, this was a fine power three way, though they went longer than they needed to.

Moose is announced as the new champion to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. The wrestling was mostly good and they did what they could have done with everything being all over the place. As is the case with almost any wrestling show these days, you have to put some big asterisks next to it and that’s perfectly fine. It was a solid show and there was enough good wrestling to make the whole thing work. Now comes the hard part: keep the momentum going after two successful pay per view shows.

Results

Chris Bey b. Rohit Raju, Suicide and Trey – Superkick to Raju

Joseph P. Ryan b. Cousin Jake – Rollup while holding the rope

Rosemary b. Havok – Pipe to the head

Moose b. Hernandez and Michael Elgin – No Jackhammer Needed to Hernandez

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: February 25, 2020
Location: Sam’s Town Live, Las Vegas, Nevada
Commentators: Don Callis, Josh Matthews

Sacrifice has come and gone with no title changes because no title was on the line in the main event. My guess is that’s so they could avoid any kind of spoilers on the taping cycle and while that makes sense, it didn’t make the stakes seem that high on Saturday. We should be building towards Rebellion now so let’s get to it.

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

We open with a clip of World Champion Tessa Blanchard defeating X-Division Champion Ace Austin at Sacrifice. Now Ace wants a title match so managed granted it, but for his title and not hers. Makes sense.

Opening sequence.

Rob Van Dam vs. Daga

Katie Forbes is at ringside and the fans are behind hometown boy RVD. Daga kicks him to the floor to start and nails a suicide dive, only to get slammed down. Back in and Rob crotches him on the ropes for the kick to the face as Katie is on a Twitter blocking spree. Rolling Thunder is loaded up but Rob rolls outside to kiss Katie instead.

Rating: C-. It was starting to get somewhere but at the same time, there is only so much that Rob can do in the ring at the moment. He’s gotten older and is nowhere near as explosive, but points to them for coming up with a way to hide the fact that he just isn’t as athletic anymore. There is going to be a rematch here, perhaps in a cage where Van Dam can’t run, but this didn’t exactly make me interested in seeing it.

Jordynne Grace issues an open challenge to anyone in the locker room. Madison Rayne comes up but doesn’t want to hear anything from Grace until she has won the title five times. Guidance is offered and Madison promises to find a suitable opponent tonight.

Rohit Raju vs. Zachary Wentz

The rest of the Desi Hit Squad/the Rascalz are here. This is fallout from Raju costing the Rascalz the Tag Team Titles at Sacrifice because they didn’t get a title shot. They fight over a headlock to start until Wentz takes him down with a front facelock. Back up and a slugout actually goes to Raju, who takes him down with a running knee to the head.

A suplex gets two and we take a break. Back with Wentz kicking away, including an enziguri, followed by a Stunner over the middle rope. Raju grabs a Downward Spiral for two more but Wentz is right back with a cutter driver. A brawl on the floor distracts Wentz though, allowing Raju to avoid a Swanton and hit a top rope double stomp for the pin at 10:17.

Rating: C. Just another match between members of teams here and that’s not enough to make me care about them that much. The Rascalz are a fun act but then you have the Hit Squad, who are as generic of a group of heels as you can get. The match was technically fine, but trying to get me interested in a Hit Squad match is like trying to get me interested in a farmhouse in Gary, Indiana.

Post match the Realityislost/ICU video pops up and the Squad notices it.

Ace Austin doesn’t understand why Tessa gets a title shot first. Don’t worry though because he’ll win tonight and become #1 contender. Tessa may be undeniable but he is inevitable.

OVE, minus Sami Callihan, say they’re not done.

Knockouts Title: Jordynne Grace vs. Miranda Alize

Alize is challenging and has Madison Rayne in her corner. A charge at Grace doesn’t go well as the champ pulls her down, only to get caught in a headscissors. Alize gets two off a forearm as Madison says Alize can’t beat Grace without covering her. I love it when wrestlers try to sound smart but miss the point entirely. Back up and the Grace Driver is blocked and Alize gets two off a cutter. Not that it matters as the second Grace Driver attempt retains the title at 4:05.

Rating: C-. Alize was fine here but it looks like we’re coming up on Grace vs. Rayne for the title. That’s fine for a first title program for Grace as Rayne will give her a good match before coming up short. Grace is the kind of champion where it’s going to take a special effort to get the title off of her and that might take some time. Decent enough match for its time.

The North isn’t sweating TJP and Fallah Bahh next week. The two of them want to be like the North because they are tag team wrestling around here.

Chris Bey is coming.

Jessika Havok is looking for someone but Rosemary finds her. Rosemary isn’t happy with Havok joining up with James Mitchell again so next week, Havok can face Su Yung in a no DQ match.

From Dayton, Ohio at a Pro Wrestling Revolver event.

Michael Elgin vs. Eddie Edwards

Match #4 in a best of five series with Elgin up 2-1. Elgin grabs a headlock to start and then shoulders him down but Eddie snaps off a belly to belly. That’s fine with Elgin, who hits a slingshot elbow to the jaw to put Eddie down again. Elgin chops him down and hits a sliding elbow, followed by some slams to show off the power. It takes a bit too long to go to the top though and Eddie brings him down with a superplex.

The Backpack Stunner is broken up so Eddie settles for a German suplex. Elgin blasts him with a clothesline though and we take a break. Back with Eddie flipping out of another German suplex and hitting the low superkick to put them both down. Eddie’s tiger bomb gets two but he misses the moonsault. Some rollups give Eddie two but he has to avoid a sliding elbow, allowing him to roll Elgin up again, this time for the pin at 16:14.

Rating: B-. A lot of the interest has fallen away from these matches but that’s going to happen with the amount of times they’ve had it out there. The fifth match will at least have some stakes to it, but it’s kind of telling that they moved it to another show so the fans wouldn’t get burned out on it. That being said, there are far worse things they can do and the matches have been solid. Just wrap it up soon.

Flashback Moment of the Week: Jeff Hardy wins the World Title from Mr. Anderson at Against All Odds 2011. The graphic says 2010, as Impact does the most Impact thing ever by not even being able to celebrate their own history without making a mistake.

Scott D’Amore and Petey Williams are happy at the thought of the TNA show on April 3. Moose comes up to say TNA is dead so let it be dead. Why celebrate people like Suicide and Chris Sabin? Petey: “We were all actual champions.” Violence is implied.

Johnny Swinger annoys Willie Mack again but here’s Disco Inferno to say he’ll team with Swinger instead.

Video on Gut Check. Thank goodness this isn’t a full on in-arena segment again. Some of these names are from OVW.

X-Division Title: Tessa Blanchard vs. Ace Austin

Ace is defending and only his title is on the line. Tessa starts fast with some running dropkicks, including one in the corner for two. A rollup gets the same but Ace grabs a backbreaker as we take a break. Back with Ace hitting a spinning elbow to the face for two and it’s off to a bow and arrow hold. Tessa fights out of the corner and snaps off a headscissors to the floor, followed by the big dive.

Back in and Ace grabs a gutbuster to cut Tessa off again and we hit the reverse chinlock. That’s broken up in a hurry so Ace kicks her in the back a few times instead. Now it’s something like a dragon sleeper but Tessa is up in a hurry to start slugging away. A running hurricanrana sets up a tornado DDT but here’s Taya Valkyrie to jump Tessa for the DQ at 10:48.

Rating: C. So that’s all you can ask for with the ending as Tessa has already proven she can beat Ace so there’s no need to have her win the X-Division Title here. Taya is someone with history against Tessa so it’s not out of the question to have that be the next title challenger. Given that either Edwards or Elgin is facing Tessa at Rebellion, this is going to be a one off against a challenger that beat Tessa before but she has since surpassed. It’s Ultimate Warrior defending against Rick Rude in 1990 and that’s….probably me putting way too much thought into this.

Taya beats Tessa up to end the show.

Overall Rating: C-. This show felt pretty flat and while it set up stuff for the future, there wasn’t much of a fire to the whole thing. There also wasn’t a great or even very good match on the show, leaving is just kind of there instead of anything noteworthy. Not a terrible show or anything close, but nothing you need to see here.

Results

Daga b. Rob Van Dam via countout

Rohit Raju b. Zachary Wentz – Top rope double stomp

Jordynne Grace b. Miranda Alize – Grace Driver

Eddie Edwards b. Michael Elgin – Rollup

Tessa Blanchard b. Ace Austin via DQ when Taya Valkyrie interfered

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

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: January 21, 2020
Location: Fronton Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
Commentators: Don Callis, Josh Matthews

We’re down in Mexico this week and that means things are going to be a little different. It’s still time for the fallout from Hard To Kill, which could go multiple ways. Hopefully things pick up a bit, though it’s not like last week’s recap show was all that bad. I’m curious to see where things go from here though so let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap.

Here’s Tessa Blanchard to open things up. She’s glad to be aqui en Mexico and knows that it’s the beginning of the journey. There is a target on her back and knows that Sami Callihan is coming. Cue Taya Valkyrie instead and she brings up a great point: she beat Tessa for the title and deserves a title shot of her own. She has beaten Tessa for the AAA Women’s Title but now she wants the World Title.

Cue Ace Austin to say he should be invited to this party. They were all successful at Hard To Kill and Ace even beat Tessa at Bound For Glory. He could come out on top of her again, either in the ring or at the hotel. The fight is on and Trey Miguel runs in for the save to set up a likely tag match.

Opening sequence.

We recap Willie Mack walking away from Rich Swann after losing in a handicap match at Hard To Kill.

Mack isn’t sure what he’s going to do until Swann gets back but tonight, he’ll face Rohit Raju. Johnny Swinger comes in to offer to be his partner but Mack walks away, even from the offer of rizzats.

Taya is talking about wanting a World Title shot when Madison Rayne and Kiera Hogan come in to say they want their title shots. That’s more than Taya can deal with right now but they can fight next week. Whoever wins gets the first title shot and the loser gets the second.

Moose vs. Rhino vs. Taurus

The ECW chants start fast (for once that’s interesting as Rhino was only around ECW for about two years but it’s still the signature time in his career) and Moose drops to the floor. Taurus springboards out of a wristlock as Moose is content to chill on the floor. He does stop to grab Taurus though and Rhino demands that Moose get in. That isn’t happening so far though and we take a break.

Back with Moose still on the floor as Rhino charges into an elbow to the face. Rhino and Taurus go outside to deal with Moose, who slides back in, only to make the mistake of pointing at his head because he’s brilliant. The beatdown is on with Rhino getting annoyed at Taurus for going for a cover.

Moose gets back up and beats them into various corners, including a whip to send Taurus shoulder first into the post. Some running elbows and a short arm clothesline give Rhino two but Taurus is out of the corner with a spinning crossbody for his own two. Rhino suplexes Moose but a quick referee distraction lets Moose kick Rhino low. Taurus comes in for the save so Rhino Gores Moose, only to have Taurus steal the pin at 14:25.

Rating: D+. Just another triple threat match with the same formula that you could imagine for a long time now. They’re all talented people but how many things can you get out of the same formula? There are other ways to do a match like this but for some reason this is what wrestlers like to do in them no matter what.

Jordynne Grace thinks she should get a Knockouts Title match so she’s in on the Hogan vs. Rayne match.

Tommy Dreamer, in a sombrero, tells Joey Ryan that he’s back in Wrestler’s Court tonight. Joey says no and leaves.

Joey Ryan vs. Maximo

Maximo is an exotico so we’re in for comedy. Joey gives a fan a lollipop from his trunks and it’s time to tell Maximo to touch it. They trade armdrags instead and some near falls give us a standoff. Maximo slams him down and drops a top rope elbow for two, only to make the mistake of trying an atomic drop. Back up and Maximo kisses him for two but Ryan makes him touch it. The Plex and Sweet Tooth Music finishes Maximo at 3:32.

Rating: F. Yeah I think this one speaks for itself. They were nice enough to keep this short but it’s not exactly something I want to see. It doesn’t help that Ryan does the exact same stuff every single time and almost never changes anything. It wasn’t as long as some of these matches but egads I could go with never seeing this stuff again.

Rob Van Dam says that match makes him embarrassed to be a wrestler. He leaves with Katie Forbes instead of answering a question.

Michael Elgin wants to fight Eddie Edwards again.

Havok vs. Rosemary

Havok has James Mitchell and Susie with her. Rosemary bails to the floor to start and talks to Susie but switches places with Havok, setting up a dive. Rosemary beats her up the ramp but Havok gets in a single shot to knock her back. A suplex drops Rosemary on the ramp and Havok heads inside, only to get taken down with a top rope forearm. The Sling Blade sets up a Last Chancery, with Havok getting out in a hurry. Havok hits a running knee but Rosemary gets in a jawbreaker. Mitchell gets on the apron for a distraction so Rosemary mists him down, allowing Havok to hit a Tombstone for the pin at 6:29.

Rating: D+. This story continues to keep going and I’m still not sure what to expect from where it is going. I’m still not sure if Impact knows what they’re doing with it either, though the Susie stuff does have me a little bit intrigued. The match wasn’t very good either but they had too much going on in a short amount of time.

Post match the blind Mitchell celebrates with Havok but Susie wanders off.

The Desi Hit Squad is ready to continue their winning streak but Shera has sent Raj Singh on a spiritual journey. Gama Singh isn’t happy and slaps Rohit Raju to blow off some steam.

The Rascalz make fun of Trey for teaming with a girl as he might have a bit of a thing for Tessa. Then things get all fuzzy and Murder Clown/Pagano join in their circle, much to the Rascalz’s dismay.

Eddie Edwards will gladly fight Michael Elgin again. Elgin comes in to start the argument and another match seems imminent.

Willie Mack vs. Rohit Raju

Gama Singh and Shera are here. They start fast with Mack snapping off a hurricanrana and hitting the swinging slam for a bonus. A dropkick to the floor makes it worse but Shera offers a distraction so Raju can sweep the leg. Raju hits a double stomp for two but misses a charge, allowing Mack to hit the running boot in the corner. The Samoan drop into the standing moonsault gets two, followed by Raju missing a jumping knee. Mack Stuns him for the pin at 3:49.

Rating: C-. Could have been worse and in theory this was going to be Mack/Swann vs. the Squad. Mack continues to be one of the most entertaining guys on the show and I could go for him getting a singles push. Raju is watchable at times and that was the case here, albeit in a not all that interesting match.

Post match the Squad beats Mack down, drawing out Swinger for the failed save attempt.

Flashback Moment of the Week: Beer Money beats the Motor City Machine Guns for the Tag Team Titles at Genesis 2011.

The North brags about how awesome they are when Vikingo interrupts, likely to set something up.

Starting next week: Eddie Edwards vs. Michael Elgin in the first match of a best of five series. No mention of the trophy being on the line.

Tessa Blanchard/Trey Miguel vs. Taya Valkyrie/Ace Austin

John E. Bravo is here with Taya and Ace. Taya and Tessa get things going with Tessa hitting a quick clothesline to put her on the floor. Ace comes in and gets taken down with a headlock before it’s off to Trey to pick up the pace. A dropkick puts Ace in the ropes and a running hurricanrana sends him outside, only for Taya to block the dive. Tessa kicks her to the floor for the stereo dives and we take a break.

Back with Taya pulling Tessa off the apron to block a tag attempt as Ace has Trey in trouble. Ace drops a leg for two and it’s Taya coming in for the same off a basement dropkick. Another knee gets another two and Trey gets tied in the Tree of Woe for some kicks to the ribs. A belly to back suplex gets two and Ace cuts the finger with the card.

That’s enough to Trey to fight up but Bravo makes sure the referee doesn’t see the tag. Trey backflips over Ace and hits a double stomp to the back and the hot tag brings in Tessa for a high crossbody. There’s a cutter to drop Taya again and a tornado DDT rocks Austin. A running springboard Downward Spiral gets two on Ace and Tessa dives onto Taya. Ace is right back up though and hits the Fold to finish Trey at 16:48.

Rating: C+. Nice match here with Tessa getting the hot tag like a champion should, but then you have Trey lose again. I’m not sure if he is going to be chasing Austin going forward, but how much sense would that make at the moment? The action was good here, but I’m not wild on the booking overall. Still though, best thing on the show.

Overall Rating: D. I really don’t care for these shows in Mexico as they feel like a cross between house shows and regular TV. All of these people show up with little to no introduction and a lot of the wrestling isn’t very good. They had some momentum coming out of Hard To Kill but the last two weeks have really slowed things down. This wasn’t very good and I don’t know how much better that is going to get during this trip.

Results

Taurus b. Moose and Rhino – Gore to Moose

Joey Ryan b. Maximo – Sweet Tooth Music

Havok b. Rosemary – Tombstone

Willie Mack b. Rohit Raju – Stunner

Taya Valkyrie/Ace Austin b. Trey Miguel/Tessa Blanchard – Fold to Miguel

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