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Welcome to Impact Wrestling on AXS TV's Best of 2021 Part One!
Our host are Josh Mathews and Impact EVP Scott D'Amore.
The first match selected for the Best of the Year was Hard to Kill 2021's AEW Champion Kenny Omega & Impact Tag Team Champions The Good Brothers vs. Impact Wrestling Champion Rich Swann & The Motor City Machine Guns' Chris Sabin & TNA Champion Moose.
Don Callis introduced Omega and said Hogan, Flair, Thesz, Gotch were all insects compared to Omega. Had he said Terry Funk, I might be driving to Nashville right now.
Omega and friends were all wearing Bullet Club shirts.
Sabin and Anderson went back and forth. Moose and Gallows tagged in and they faced off nose to nose with neither getting the advantage. Omega and Swann tagged in. They teased the confrontation but Anderson tagged in. He and Swann went back and forth. Swann got the better of it and tagged out to Moose. He nailed Anderson and held him for a double dropkick. Moose nailed a standing moonsault for a two count. Sabin and Anderson battled back and forth.
Swann and Omega tagged in and they battled. He monkey flipped Omega onto Anderson. Swann got on Sabin's shoulders to nail assisted DDTs. Swann and Sabin went for stereo pescados but the Bullet Club moved. They caught themselves and superkicked Gallows at the same time. Swann nailed a flip dive off the apron to the floor. Swann went for the top rope frog splash but Omega blocked it.
Team Omega gained control on Swann. Anderson slammed him with authority. Swann was beaten down for a long time as Omega and friends tagged in and out. Swann finally nailed a Pele Kick on Omega and made the hot tag to Moose. Moose wiped out Omega and nailed a big uranage on Anderson. Moose drilled Gallows with a headbutt and controlled everyone. He mocked Omega and Team Swann nailed a triple kick in the corner. Moose nailed a discus lariat for a close two count.
Everyone battled. Omega drilled Sabin and scored a two count. Omega nailed a sit-out powerbomb but Sabin kicked out at the last second. Omega went for the V-Trigger but Moose nailed a big boot. Sabin nailed a missile dropkick but Anderson nailed him. Swann drilled Anderson but Omega nailed him with the V-Trigger. Omega went to the top but Moose grabbed him and hit a Spanish Fly. Sabin drilled Omega with his finisher but Anderson broke up the pinfall. Some great sequences here.
Gallows and Anderson doubleteamed Sabin. They almost scored the three count but Sabin escaped at the last second. They went for the Magic Killer but Sabin fought his way out and nailed a spinning DDT. Swann and Omega tagged in and battled back and forth punches. Omega nailed a snap dragon suplex and a piledriver but Moose and Sabin made the save. Moose and Swann nailed a Doomsday Device on Omega but he kicked up at the last second.
Swann nailed a reverse rana. Omega popped up and kicked him. Swann superkicked him back and nailed a 450 splash but Omega escaped at the last second. The battle continued until Omega nailed the V-Trigger and the One-Winged Angel for the pin.
Your winners, Kenny Omega and The Good Brothers!
Jordynne Grace has taken on Chris Sabin as a coach for the Ultimate X match. He said the secret is upper body strength. He wanted to see her pullups. The idea was she went for an hour without stopping. Sabin said that he thinks she's ready.
They aired a video piece on some of the debuts and returns over the course of the year.
The next selection for the Best of 2021 was Rebellion's Impact Wrestling Tag Team Champions FinJuice vs. The Good Brothers.
Finlay and Anderson started with some aggressive grappling early on. The Champions tagged in and out, controlling Anderson early on. Gallows was able to tag in but even he was taken down early. Gallows cut off Finlay and scored several two counts. He cinched in a side chinlock. He worked over Finlay for a long time until Finlay nailed him.
Anderson and Robinson tagged in. LOTS of fire from Robinson. Robinson nailed a pescado to the floor on Gallows. Robinson nailed a series of jabs. He nailed a running clothesline in the corner and drilled Anderson with a big running cannoball. Anderson kicked out at the last second. The champs knocked Gallows to the floor and went back to working over Anderson. They scored several two counts. They set up for a Doomsday Device but Gallows got involved to prevent it.
Anderson and Gallows trapped Robinson and worked him over. They set up for the Magic Killer but Finlay tackled Gallows. Robinson small packaged Anderson and scored the surprise pin.
Your winners and still IWGP Tag Team Champions, FinJuice!
A good match.
The 2021 Tag Team of the Year, as voted by the audience, were The Good Brothers. They gave a promo accepting the award.
The next selection for Best of 2021 was Rebellion's AEW Champion Kenny Omega with Don Callis & The Good Brothers vs. Impact Wrestling & TNA Champion Rich Swann with Eddie Edwards & Willie Mack - Title vs. Title.
They faced off and began grappling. Omega grabbed his arm for an armwring and kept slapping at Swann. Swann got heated and charged at Omega, who stepped through the ropes. They went to a nice sequence to showcase Swann's atheltic ability. He faked out Omega and slapped him. Omega was dropkicked to the floor. Swann hit a dive.
Back in the ring, Swann worked over Omega's back with a series of knees and strikes. Omega came back with a back suplex. Swann went to roll out of the ring but Omega rolled out and was waiting for him. He grabbed Swann and nailed a back suplex onto the apron.
They showed Scott D'Amore watching.
They battled on the floor. Swann charged and was backdropped into the apron. It looked like he was going to springboard off the ropes but instead he stopped with the idea he had been spiked on the top of his head. Omega brought him into the room and nailed a bucklebomb for a two count. The idea was Swann was hurt from the bump on the apron, leaving him open to Omega's attack The AEW Champion went after the head and neck of Swann, scoring several two counts. The idea was Swann is kicking out just in the nick of time.
Omega nailed a big set of knee strikes into the Lumbar of Swann's back. Omega nailed a forearm into the small of the back and kept working Swann over. He chopped away at Swann but was caught with an elbow as he rebounded off the ropes. Swann avoided a move and nailed a mule kick, then a frog splash is a nice flurry for a two count.
Omega nailed Swann but the adrenaline allowed him to resist the beating. They fired away at each other with forearms and chops. Swann nailed a STO and then a rana. Swann was kicked off as he charged the corner. Omega climbed the ropes but was hit with an enziguiri. Swann nailed a rana out of the corner for a two count. They battled on the top rope but they crashed down. Omega ended up on the mat and Swann rebounded and went to the top. He nailed a top rope frog splash for a two count.
Omega came back to nail the V-Trigger. He went for the One-Winged Angel but Swann escaped, only to be nailed with a spinning heel kick to the neck. Omega nailed another V-Trigger in the corner. Omega went for an Electric Chair with the idea it would be a One-Winged Angel off the top. Swann appeared to be going for a Poisonrana but slipped as they executed. Omega fell and Swann rolled him up for a two count. Obviously that wasn't what they planned.
Swann nailed a series of strikes but was caught with a snap Dragon suplex. Omega nailed another. Swann came out of nowhere with a cutter. He went for a handspring cutter but Omega shoved the referee into it, so Brian Hebner ate it. Aubrey Edwards hit the ring to check on the referee as Omega nailed Swann. Omega grabbed a chair but Edwards took it away. She argued with both Callis and Omega. That allowed Swann to nail the handspring cutter. He used a La Magistral cradle but Omega countered for a near fall.
Omega missed a V-Trigger and was nailed with his own kick. Swann nailed a Michinoku Driver for a two count. Swann went for a Phoenix Splash but Omega rolled out of the way. Swann landed on his feet but ate a V-Trigger. Omega nailed a German out of an Electric Chair, then a Jay-Driller for another close two count. He nailed Swann with another pair of V-Triggers. The idea was Swann was completely out on his feet. Omega nailed another, mocking Edwards and Mack after hitting it.
Swann fired back with punches but ate another knee strike. Swann came back but missed the Phoenix Splash off the top. Omega nailed another V-Trigger and nailed him with the One-Winged Angel. 1-2-3.
Your winner and new Impact & TNA Champion, Kenny Omega!
Backstage, Deonna Purrazzo was with Drama King Matt. She said last week, Gail Kim and Scott D'Amore made it official that her rematch at the Hard to Kill is a Texas Death Match. She said that she doesn't realize that the last time Purrazzo won the Knockouts title, it was a No DQ match. She can adapt. It didn't matter who she faced. She won and retained around the world, because she can adapt. Can Mickie James say the same? What has she done the last several weeks? Hardcore Country is just a comma in the age of the Virtuosa. She promises to end Mickie's title run at Hard to Kill.
The 2021 Knockouts Match of the Year was awarded to Mickie James vs. Deonna Purrazzo at Bound for Glory 2021.
They started battling before the bell and ended up on the floor. Mickie nailed several kicks and choked Purrazzo against the apron. They battled towards the entrance stage, where Deonna was run into it. Mickie jumped off the stage but was caught and run backwards into it. They made it clear the bell hadn't started.
Purrazzo brought her back to the ring, where the bell finally rang. She was all over Mickie, who fired back with punches as they rolled around the mat. Purrazzo caught her and suplexed James over for a two count. She controlled Mickie and sent her to the floor, where she was almost counted out. Deonna drilled her across the back. James was whipped hard across the ring. She tried ti make a comeback with a rana but was caught and powerbombed. She covered James for a two count.
Deonna demanded she fight back and James slapped her. Deonna kneed her but was caught with a big forearm rebounding off the ropes. They nailed high cross bodyblocks on each other at the same time. The referee counted them both out at the same time. They fought to their feet. Dueling chants. Mickie nailed a rana and a flapjack. James went to the top for the Lou Thesz Press for a two count. James continued the assault with a DDT but Purrazzo again kicked out at the last second. Mickie was shocked that Purrazzo wasn't defeated.
James worked over the champion in the corner. Purrazzo battled back and went for the Queen's Gambit piledriver. James fought out of it. Purrazzo finally nailed it but James kicked out and the champion was stunned. The crowd chanted "This was awesome." Purrazzo grabbed a steel chair but the referee took it away. James went for a DDT but was drilled backwards into the corner. They battled up the ropes. James bit her to get Purrazzo away. She went for a Thesz Press off the ropes but the champ pulled referee Brandon Tolle into the line of fire.
James saw Purrazzo coming with a chair and drilled her with a kick. Brandon crawled over to make the pinfall but Deonna kicked out at two. James went to the top but Purrazzo caught her and locked on an armbar on the ropes, then yanked her by her arm off the ropes, sending her crashing down into the ring. James came back with a kick to the head and a tornado DDT for a three count.
Your winner and new Impact Wrestling Knockouts Champion Mickie James!
X-Division Champion Trey Miguel was looking for Scott D'Amore. Gail Kim didn't know where he is. UH, he's ON SET FILMING. Where do they think he was, Hoth? Miguel told Gail he needs to Maclin and he needs a one on one match to prove he can beat him. Gail made it official for the Hard to Kill PPV. Miguel was thrilled.
They aired a video on Masha Slamovich's impending debut as a regular for the company.
They showed highlights of the Moose vs. W. Morrisey vs. Matt Cardona contract signing from last week.
The next selection for best of 2021 was Rebellion's Impact Wrestling X-Division Champion Ace Austin vs. Josh Alexander vs. TJP.
Lots of great athleticism early on. Austin gained control and went for a dive but TJP caught him with a dropkick in the ring, TJP used a series of boot scrapes. TJP and Alexander were on the floor. Austin nailed a reverse flip dive to the floor. He tossed TJP into the ring and nailed a dropkick in the corner. He went to use a playing card to cut TJP but the referee took it away. TJP went for the Detonation Kick but Alexander sent him to the floor and nailed a series of suplexes on Austin.
Austin regained control. He monkeyflipped TJP into Alexander, who went for a powerbomb but was drilled in the mid-section with a kick. TJP went to the top but Austin met him there. They battled in the corner. Alexander got involved and superplexed TJP while also hitting Austin with a side Russian Legsweep off the ropes at the same time. That was pretty cool.
Austin was sitting on the apron outside and Alexander murdered him with a dive across the back. TJP and Alexander battled as Austin recovered on the floor. TJP gained control and nailed the Mamba Splash on Austin but Alexander pulled him into an anklelock submission. They had some great back and forth counters into different submissions. TJP grabbed Alexander in a leg lock but Alexander, trapped, grabbed Austin in an anklelock. TJP was locked off and leapt on Alexander's back for the Octopus. Austin was released so he nailed The Fold on Alexander, scoring a two count that was broken up by TJP. Great stuff.
TJP nailed a double Boot Wash on his opponents in the corner. Lots of awesome near falls here. Alexander caught Austin coming off the ropes and locked in the ankle lock. TJP came off the top with the Mamba Splash but Fulton pulled him out of the ring. TJP got on the apron but was knocked off by Alexander. Alexander finally scored the pin on Austin.
Your winner and new X-Division Champion Josh Alexander!
Violent by Design and The Good Brothers cut a promo on the Hardcore War at Hard to Kill, promising they were aligning their forces for one night only.
The next selection for the Best of 2021 was Bound for Glory's match to crown the First Digital Media Champion: John Skyler vs. Crazzy Steve with Black Taurus vs. Jordynne Grace vs. Fallah Bahh vs. Chelsea Green vs. Madison Rayne with Kaleb with A K (replacing Tenille Dashwood).
The referees have new shirt designs for tonight's event.
Everyone attacked John Skyler and sent him to the floor. It settled down to Grace and Bahh with Grace getting the better of the exchange. Skyler nailed Grace but was challenged by Green. Green nailed a missile dropkick. Steve snapped Green's neck. Steve set up for a charge but was tripped up by Kaleb. All big spots with one talent hitting a move but being cut off by another talent's big move. Grace began stacking talents up in the corner, whipping them in one by one. Bahh reversed a whip and sent Grace in. Bahh hit a big Avalanche into all of them. Skyler tossed Bahh to the outside but was clotheslined by Steve in the corner. Steve went for a superplex but was caught and drilled off the top by Skyler for a two count. Green slapped Skyler. He came back and struck her. Grace caught him with the Grace Driver and scored the pin.
Your winner and the first Digital Media Champion, Jordynne Grace!
The 2021 Knockout of the Year Award was, for the second year in a row, Deonna Purrazzo.
The next match selected for the Best of 2021 was Bound for Glory 2021's Impact Wrestling Champion Christian Cage vs. Josh Alexander.
The crowd chanted, "Bring it Home" at Alexander. They have some time here. Lots of nice wrestling where they are feeling each other out. Alexander worked over Cage's back and scored several two counts. Cage has tape on his shoulder. Alexander nailed a backbreaker for another two count. Cage fired back with rights but was caught with a Northern Lights Suplex for another two count. Dueling chants.
Alexander grabbed Cage for a Fireman's Carry but Cage slipped out. Alexander went for the C4 Spike but Cage backdropped him over the top to the floor. Cage went for a slididng kick but Alexander avoided it and snatched him in an anklelock while Cage was in the ropes and he was standing on the floor. Cage sent him into the ringside barricades.
Back in the ring, Cage went to work, nailing a neckbreaker for a two count. He held Alexander on the mat, grinding him with an elbow to wear down the challenger. Alexander fought to his feet but was nailed with a big right. Cage worked him over in the corner with punches. Cage drilled him with chops in the corner. Alexander fired back with chips in the corner. They drilled each other with strikes, forearms and chops.
Alexander scored with a German suplex into the buckles, wiping both men out. They fought to their feet, slugging it out. Alexander nailed several European forearms. Alexander backdropped Cage and charged but Cage avoided the charge. Alexander rebounded with a big kick. Cage escaped a powerbomb attempt and rained down punches in the corner but was still caught and slammed down for a close two count.
Cage made a comeback and went for the Killswitch but Alexander used a anklepick. They grappled on the mat with Cage almost scoring a pinfall. Cage used the ropes to stand on his back. Josh came off the ropes with a knee strike to the back of the head for a close two count. Alexander went for a Torture Rack but Cage slipped out and nailed a tornado DDT off the ropes for another two count.
Cage missed a charge in the corner and was nailed with the Chaos Theory rolling back suplex for a close two count. Cage was trapped in a crossface submission, so he bit at Alexander, who then grabbed an anklelock. Cage kicked at him but was turned over into a Sharpshooter. Cage fought his way to the ropes to force a break.
They battled to the top rope as the fans dueled with chants again. Alexander wanted to go for a superplex but Cage fought him off. Cage was backdropped into the ring. Alexander missed a top rope moonsault and was speared. Cage covered him for a two count. Cage went for the Killswitch but Alexander escaped. Cage was snapped on the top. They battled again on the top. Alexander was shoved off. Cage nailed a top rope splash for a two count.
They battled back and forth until Cage was sent into the ring post shoulder-first. Alexander grabbed the anklelock. Cage made it to the outside of the ropes but was pulled back to the center of the ring. He stepped on Cage's arm to prevent him from escaping and Cage submitted.
Your winner and new Impact Champion, Josh Alexander!
Cage presented the title to Alexander and embraced him.
Alexander celebrated on the buckles with the title. Alexander's wife, former ROH star Jade Chung entered the ring with their son and embraced the new champ.
Moose hit the ring and demanded his title shot right now by virtue of winning the Gauntlet for the Gold.
Impact Wrestling Champion Josh Alexander vs. Moose.
Josh was concerned about his family and pushed them into a corner, then turned to face Moose as the bell rang. Moose charged speared Alexander and scored the pin.
Your winner and new Impact Champion, Moose!
Moose stood over the beaten Alexander even though his wife was checking and consoling Alexander as they went off the air.
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