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Welcome to the Impact Wrestling on AXS TV report!
With Bound for Glory set for next weekend, we kick off with a recap of everything that has led up to this episode.
Josh Mathews and D'Lo Brown are again the announcers.
El Phantasmo with Chris Bey & Hikuelo vs. Rohit Raju vs. Willie Mack - Winner advances to X-Division Championship match at Bound for Glory PPV.
Mack controlled Raju and slammed him. Phantasmo slinked in behind him and raked Mack's back. He rebounded off the ropes with several shoulderblock attempts that failed. Mack nailed a big rana. He charged Phantasmo in the corner but was sent up and over to the floor.
Raju and Phantasmo battled back and forth with forearms. Raju won the battle and came off the ropes with an elbow but Mack broke up the pinfall attempt. He nailed an elevated uppercut on Raju, who rolled to the floor. Phantasmo nailed a series of big offensive maneuvers, including a springboard senton on Mack for a two count and a tope suicida on Raju.
He set up for a moonsault but was drilled and tied to the tree of woe by Raju. Mack nailed a cannonball in the corner but Raju nailed one on them both and hit a double stomp off the top on Mack for a two count. Phantasmo broke up the pinfall attempt. He and Raju battled back and forth with forearms. Mack regained his footing and clotheslined them both to the mat. The crowd chanted for Mack.
Mack nailed a series of clotheslines in on his opponents. Mack stacked them with a double fireman's carry and dropped them both with a double Samoan Drop. Mack sold that his back hurt but still nailed a standing moonsault on his opponents at the same time and attempted to pin them at the same time. They kicked out. Bullet Club checked on Phantasmo on the floor. Mack went to the top but was caught by Raju, who nailed him and went for a superplex. Mack overpowered him and nailed a face forward suplex, dropping Raju to the mat. Phantasmo leapt to the top and went for a rana but Mack held on. Phantasmo crashed down on Raju. That poor SOB.
Phantasmo went again after Willie on the top, this time nailing a rana with Mack crashing down on Raju. He came off the top with a splash but Mack kicked up at the last second. Phantasmo set up for Sweet Chin Music but Mack caught him with a stunner. Bullet Club distracted the referee so there was no pinfall. Mack knocked them off the apron and hit a dive to the floor. Raju snuck back into the ring and scored a series of pinfalls. Raju blocked a superkick but was caught with a LOW punch. Phantasmo nailed Mack off the apron and nailed the face-first Gotch piledriver for the pin.
Your winner, El Phantamso!
Lots of hard hitting wrestling and fun sequences here that allowed all of the competitors to shine.
Backstage, Gia Miller interviewed Ace Austin and Madman Fulton. They are competing in the battle royal tonight. Ace said that he's made it clear his business with the Impact title isn't over. The Call Your Shot win is the right chance for him to get back on track. His chances of winning are doubled because he had Madman Fulton. Even if they end up being the last ones in the battle royal, that puts Ace at the last man in the Gauntlet and places Fulton at number one, wiping out the other 18 competitors, leaving the win for Austin on a silver platter. Austin promises that Bound for Glory will be his night.
The final Digital Media Championship tournament bouts will be Tenille Dashwood vs. Alisha and Madison Rayne vs. Chelsea Green.
Savannah Evans with Tasha Steelz vs. Lady Frost
Frost used her speed to avoid Evans and went for some fast offense, only to be cut off and smashed while rebounding off the ropes. Evans drilled her in the corner and nailed a big suplex. Evans' facial expressions are just great. She was all over Frost, who tried to fight back but was smashed back down.
Evans choked Frost in the corner and lifted her up for a big bearhug, rag dolling her. Frost tried to fight back and slipped over for a sunse flip attempt. Evans grabbed her by the throat but Frost slipped out, only to be smashed with a big boot as she rebounded off the ropes. After a commercial, Evans continued the assault. Frost finally fired back but was unable to whip Evans out of the corner. Evans finally reversed it but Frost fired out of the corner with a big dropkick. She charged but was nailed with a big lariat. Evans hit a big uranage for the pin.
Your winner, Savannah Evans!
A good, short bout. You get the sense that Frost and Evans have each had a boost in their confidence lately as their work continues to shine.
Knockouts Champion Deonna Purrazzo came out to the ring. She said that she's here for a good reason. She gets to pick Mickie James' poison. James picked Masha Slamovich but naturally Deonna won. Mickie returns to the ring next week. She saw what Evans did in the Monster's Ball and tonight and picked Evans to be James' poison. Evans agreed to what will be the highest profile match of her career.
Maclin said that where he comes from, there are ribbon chasers who get guys like him killed. It's the same thing in Impact Wrestling. He's going to be the X-Division Champion at Bound for Glory. He's in it for the mayhem, not the ribbon. He's going to be the new champion.
Gia Miller interviewed Gail Kim about the Knockouts Knockdown PPV. She said there were a lot of big moments at the PPV, including the IInspiration challenging Decay for the Knockouts Tag Team titles, the Daffney tribute and being able to sign Masha (which actually didn't air on the PPV). Decay showed up. Rosemary asked Gail if she was sure that she wanted to have two humans debut against them when they've never been to Impact and don't know what darkness lurks in the Impact Zone. Before Kim could answer, a mail carrier showed up with an overnight letter from Australia for Kim. Kim read it and then handed it off to Gia, who read a statement from the IInspiration about their debut. At the end, it read that if needed to be read in an Australian accent and to start over if they failed to do it. That was funny. Decay said they are excited to bring their brand of violence and mayhem to the PPV.
VSK with Brian Myers vs. Rich Swann with Willie Mack
Myers sent the other members of the Learning Tree to the back.
Some nice wrestling early on. VSK has really crisp timing in the ring. He nailed a DVDR, driving Swann's neck over his knee. He slammed and dropped down with a splash for a two count. The crowd chanted for Swann, who was nailed with several boots in the corner. He nailed a snapmare into a forearm and began twisting Swann's neck.
Swann fought back from underneath but was snatched in a front facelock. Swann slipped out and nailed several jabs. VSK drilled him but Swannn came back with a series of kicks and strikes. Swann nailed a neckbreaker and a high elevation splash. Swann nailed a Phoenix Splash and scored the pin.
Your winner, Rich Swann!
Solid match.
At Swinger's Palace, they were done packing up. John E. Bravo took his leave and Swinger still didn't know his real name. Hernandez, in a funny callback to all the weekly silliness with everyone stealing his wad of cash, took back a huge wad of cash from Swinger, claiming it was three weeks of back pay. Alisa told the other Swingerettes that she was sorry that this was happening and told one of the girls now might be the time to tell Swinger how she feels. The Swingerette did, but he told her he's been down this road before - the number 2 rule is not to fall in love with a "rizzat" and the number one rule is not to fall in love with the Swingman. He's a Swinger. The Swingerette storms off. Alisa told him he was a monster.
Swinger walked out as Chris Sabin walked in. He wanted to see the place one more time. The remaining Swingerella professed her feelings for Sabin and asked him to stay in Nashville with her. Sabin asked her real name (It was Riley) and explained to her that his one true love is the wrestling ring, so he has to go to Bound for Glory. She understood and left him alone. Sabin sat down and we saw a series of clips from the last year from Swinger's Castle. They did a better job of saluting the end of this era than WWE did for the Thunderdome. Sabin looked around and said that he'd always love this place and they turned off the lights.
Heath Miller sat down with Scott D'Amore. He's been cleared and is ready to sign his Impact deal. Scott wanted to make it official and handed him a deal. Heath said that he wanted his first match back at Bound for Glory and it make himself and Rhino against Violence by Design. Scott said that he's happy to give him any match he wants, but questioned whether Rhino would even accept the match. Heath said that what we are seeing now isn't the Manbeast they know. Eric Young is in his head, but Heath can get to him. He asked Scott to let him get to Rhino. Even if Rhino doesn't show up, Heath will go in there alone. Scott gave him the match and told him he had better hope that Rhino shows up. Heath celebrated the signing.
Chris Sabin with FinJuice vs. Chris Bey with El Phantasmo & Hikuleo
They locked up and grappled around the ring, neither man getting the early advantage. They ended up in the corner and broke clean. Sabin used a takedown and cinched in an armbar. Bey slipped out and nailed a deep armdrag. They went back and forth with some really nice back and forth wrestling before facing off.
Everyone on the outside started getting into it, so referee Brandon Tolle threw everyone out of ringside. Once that was taken care of, Sabin nailed a big elevated dropkick in the corner.
They battled back and forth. Bey hung Sabin up on the ropes and wiped him out with a guillotine elbow for a two count. He controlled Sabin for some time until Chris nailed a sunset flip out of the corner. Bey kicked out and cut off Sabin with a leaping clothesline in the corner, followed by a kick and flying clothesline off the top for a two count. Bey snatched Sabin over for a suplex for a two count. Bey cinched in a side chinlock but Sabin grappled his way out of it.
Sabin missed a charge in the corner. They battled back and forth until Sabin kicked him in the face while he was going for a head scissors. Sabin nailed an absolutely awesome rolling Fisherman's suplex. That was so great, it should be someone's finisher. Bey kicked out and rocked Sabin in the back of the head. He cinched in a Torture Rack and snapped Sabin over for a neckbreaker for another two count. Really damn good wrestling in this one. Bey went for the Art of Finesse but Sabin turned it into a pinfall attempt. Bey nailed a leaping kick to the head for a two count. Man, this is fun.
They continued to go back and forth. Bey went for a top rope frog splash that got such elevation, he nearly hit the ring lights. Bey and Sabin each nailed big clotheslines and were too exhausted to make the cover. They battled back and forth on their knees, battling with forearms and strikes. They made it to their feet, continuing the battle, only this time with chops and punches. Bey unraveled Sabin with a series of strikes. Bey went for a rolling move but Sabin snapped him with a leaping enziguiri in mid-air and snatched him with Cradleshoc for the pin.
Your winner, Chris Sabin!
This was fantastic. I don't know how Sabin is better now than he was a decade ago, but his work is exquisite these days. Bey has somehow improved his already crisp timing and aerial maneuvers and has become a ridiculously well rounded performer. This was just a joy from bell to bell.
Gia Miller interviewed Trey Miguel.
He's already beaten Alex Zayne and Laredo Kid and he's prepared for his shot at the X-Division title. Zayne showed up and said there was a lot of hype to him but Zayne, while seeing some of it, wasn't satisfied. He said that Laredo Kid lost. He hasn't beaten Zayne. Trey said that if you want to test one of the very best, this is the X-Division and he better bring everything he's got. Zayne said if he wants a taste, he can come get some.
Still on vacation, in front of a hedge, Impact Wrestling Tag Team Champions The Good Brothers bragged that they don't go anywhere without each other. They have been jet setting around the world and enjoying their vacation. Impact management hasn't accepted their booking ideas. They still don't know who their opponents on the PPV are. Gallows warned that they shouldn't be forced to return to hand out Magic Killers. They want an answer by the end of tonight as to who they are facing.
20 Competitor Battle Royal
Male and Female competitors involved in this one.
Moose snatched Alisa Edwards off W. Morrisey's back and eliminated her.
Swinger eliminated himself to get away from Su Yung's forces.
Madman Fulton stood before Ace Austin in the corner, protecting him from everyone.
Matt Cardona and Brian Myers went at it.
Chris Sabin was also competing, right after his bout with Chis Bey.
Petey Williams was tossed out.
Myers was tossed but the Learning Tree saved him and put him back on the apron, only for Rachael Ellering to kick him back off to the floor.
Taurus and Hernandez both went over. Drama King Matt was quick to follow.
When they returned from commercial, we learn that Fallas Bahh had been eliminated.
Austin was still relaxing in the corner as Fulton shielded him.
Fulton sent Jake Something over the top to the apron and Austin superkicked him off the apron, eliminating him.
Kimber Lee and Brandi Lauren misted Fulton and they tried to toss him but Austin tossed Lee and Fulton sent Lauren to the floor.
Cardona set up for the Facewash on Austin in the corner but Fulton nailed him with the Pounce and Cardona bounced out to the floor. Nice spot.
It's down to Ace, Fulton, Moose, Morrisey and Sabin.
Fulton and Austin battled with Moose and Morrisey.
Moose and Morrisey nailed Fulton with a double boot and he crashed backwards over the top. The story was that Austin didn't realize he was now alone as they went to commercial.
When they returned, Sabin was getting stomped by the three villains.
Morrisey and Moose turned on Ace and tossed him but he was able to save himself. Fulton was still lurking at ringside.
Ace tried to align himself with Moose. That didn't work out in his favor and he was eliminated, tossed atop of Fulton in the aisle.
Sabin was worked over for some time by Moose and Morrisey.
Sabin was able to eliminate Moose after he and Morrisey had a miscommunication.
Sabin fired away at Morrisey and nailed a missile dropkick to keep him off bay. Sabin tried to toss him over but Moose shoved Morrisey back over, saving him. Morrisey drilled Sabin with a big boot and rained down with right hands on the mat.
Sabin fired back with a flurry of punches but one drilled him down and Morrisey tossed Sabin.
Your winner, W. Morrisey!
The final segment is the Summit between Impact Wrestling Champion Christian and his Bound for Glory challenger Josh Alexander. They are sitting inside the ring but the ropes have been removed.
Mathews asked Cage about how satisfying it was to defeat Kenny Omega for the Impact title. Cage said he knew for a year, he was preparing to return to the ring and regain what he had taken from himself seven years before. He didn't come back to have a greatest hits tour but to come back and win championships. Impact gave him a chance when no one else would many years ago, so to come back and win the title and be the face of Impact Wrestling was a big deal for him.
Alexander was asked about his thought process to use Option C to challenge Cage at Bound for Glory. Alexander said the X-Division means so much to him. He was considered one of the best tag team competitors of all time in the company. The X-Division title allowed him to show he's one of the best singles match. Putting himself against Cage allows him to prove he's one of the best. He knows what's on the other end of the journey. Mathews asked if he would have any regrets if he lost to Cage, Alexander said he wouldn't have not one.
Mathews asked Cage if he sees any similarities between them. Cage said Josh is an underrated talent but that's where it ends. Josh is going to find out that there's no ring general like Cage in the ring at the PPV.
Alexander said he grew up ten miles from Cage and seeing him on TV allowed him to believe someone from small town Canada could be a huge star in wrestling. Alexander said he was a huge fan of Cage but he's a wildcard.
Cage said he's been on the biggest stages in pro wrestling and the difference between them is Josh doesn't know how to channel his emotions. It's going to be sink or swim and Christian has proven he can swim in those waters. Cage has watched Josh from afar. He knows how dangerous Josh is but the difference is you have to act like you've been there before and Josh hasn't done that before.
They showed footage from an AEW Fanfest where Cage asked fans who they'd want him to wrestle. Fans yelled for Josh Alexander and Cage said he didn't even know who that is.
Cage said that was just good natured ribbing. Alexander cut him off and told him to stop. He's either a liar now or he was a liar then. Josh said he's got no more respect for him and he'll find out what happens at the BFG when he walks in with a Walking Weapon. Alexander stormed off. Cage said he just proved his point about Josh not being able to keep his emotions in check.
That's it from Impact!
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