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Welcome to this week's Impact Wrestling on AXS TV report, which will cover the promotion's Best of 2022!
Your hosts are Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt. All match coverage will be from when they were originally published.
They aired the Hard to Kill 2022 PPV main event - Matt Cardona vs. Moose vs. W. Morrisey
Impact Champion Moose vs. W. Morrisey vs. Matt Cardona
Cardona went right after Moose but was tossed to the floor. W drilled Moose with a big boot but Matt broke up the pinfall. Moose and Cardona brawled to the floor. Moose powerbombed him on the floor. W went for a big boot but Moose nailed him with one at the same moment on the floor. It's all big moves early with the idea they are all trying to take each other out.
When they returned to the ring, Moose showed off his physical skills nailing a big bodypress on Cardona and nailing a Go To Hell on W. Cardona nailed Radio Silence on Moose to break up the pinfall. Cardona nailed Reboots in the corner on both men. W muscled him to the back. Cardona kicked him away while on the ropes.
On the floor, Moose sent Cardona into the barricades. Moose was going to powerbomb him on the floor near the stage. Chelsea Green asked Moose not to do it. Moose told her, "F*** you!" so she dove off the stage onto Moose. Cardona and Moose battled back towards the ring. W nailed a pescado to the floor onto them. That dude is TOO MASSIVE to be doing that.
Morrisey worked over Cardona and went for a powerbomb but Cardona shocked him with a double leg takedown into a jacknife cover for a two count. W was drilled with a boot and went to the floor. Moose and Cardona battled. Green came to ringside. They battled. Moose went for a moonsault but was shoved off and crashed through a ringside table but looked like he overshot most of it and crashed on the floor.
A fan tossed a prosthetic leg into the ring. W nailed Cardona with it. Cardona shocked him by coming back with Radio Silence for a close two count. The crowd chanted for Moose, who was still out on the floor. Morrisey blew a kiss at Green and kept working over Cardona, who was out on his feet. Cardona came back and nailed Radio Silence off the top and covered Morrisey but Moose pulled the referee out of the ring to halt the count.
Cardona and Moose battled back and forth. Cardona escaped his uranage attempt. Cardona scored several near falls. Moose went to spear him but Cardona moved and the referee ate it. It was a great spot as it didn't look overly obvious it was coming. Cardona nailed Radio Silence. Morrisey dispatched him and powerbomed Moose but there was no ref to make the count. A second ref ran down to check on our fallen, broken zebra.
Morrisey went to the floor and pulled some chairs out from under the ring. He piled the chairs and went for a powerbomb but Moose lowblowed him. Moose began drilling him across the back over and over with the chair. Cardona swung a chair and drilled Moose. He went for another but now Moose low kicked him. No babies on the Cardona honeymoon! The crowd chanted for Moose.
Moose went to use the chair but Green grabbed it. He shoved her away. Cardona and Moose fought over chairs and almost drilled her. Cardona rolled up Moose and the second referee counted two. The referee told Green to get out of the ring as Cardona went for Radio Silence. Moose caught him and powerbombed Cardona into referee #2 Brandon Tolle and Chelsea.
Moose speared Cardona and pinned him with the original referee Daniel Spencer returning to the ring.
Your winner and still Impact Champion Moose!
This was a hell of a bout. They all worked their asses off. They really put on a hell of a show here.
They then went to the Hard To Kill 2022 PPV main event - Mickie James vs. Deonna Purrazzo in a Texas Death Match.
This was the first time the Knockouts title has ever closed an Impact PPV.
They showed ROH World Women's Champion Rok-C sitting at ringside.
They faced off and Deonna was stalling. Mickie told her let's go. Deonna said "F*** you Mickie" and went to the floor. She tossed a chair in. Mickie followed suit. They kept going. Good thing they aren't in ECW in 1994 in Philly or there would be 500 chairs in the ring by now. Mickie nailed her with a chair on the floor as Deonna was trying to pull out a table and choked her against the guard rails.
A wheelbarrow ended up in play. James was whipped into the guard rail. Deonna controlled her on the floor but saw Rok-C and exchanged words with her. Deonna nailed James with a golf club. James came back and smashed her into the ring steps. She ran Deonna up the ringside entrance ramp. Deonna rammed James with a road case that was on wheels, pinning James.
They began counting James out but she made it to her feet at nine, busted open. Deonna went right after her with right hands, beating her down. They battled down to the ring. Deonna went to nail her with a chair but James ducked and grabbed a single-leg Boston Crab. Deonna grabbed the ropes to pull herself up. Mickie dropkicked her through the ropes to the floor.
When Deonna returned, James nailed a series of knee strikes over and over. She set up a table but was caught and smashed face-first into it over and over and over. Deonna brought thumbtacks into the ring. James tried to catch her with a tornado DDT into them but Deonna escaped and pump kicked her into them with James taking a back bump into the tacks. You could see the tacks in James back. Deonna choked her out with Mickie's own cowboy chaps and Mickie tapped to save herself.
The referee began counting her out but James got to her feet at 8.
James grabbed a guitar but Purrazzo attacked her and began beating James' knee with a chair. Purrazzo wrapped her knee with the chair and went to the top. James escaped and smashed Purrazzo across the head with the chair, sending her to the floor. James told her "F*** you" and nailed a Thesz Press off the apron to the floor for a pinfall.
Deonna, now bleeding, was being counted out but Matt Rehwoldt darted down and pulled her up before the ten count. Mickie nailed a dive out on everyone. Mickie set up a table. Fans chanted for her to light on fire. Come on now, Texas!
Deonna was placed atop the table but attacked Mickie as she made her way to the top. Deonna attempted the Queen's Gambit but it ended up more a powerbomb attempt with each crashing through. Purazzo pinned James.
They began counting Mickie down but she used the ropes to pull herself up at 9.
Purrazzo to use a chair but Mickie grabbed it and they had a tug-o-war. Purrazzo was smashed down into the tacks. Mickie nailed Purrazzo. Matt said he was sick of this and was going to take Mickie out but she smashed him over the head with the guitar and it looked BRUTAL. Purrazzo went to hit Mickie with the chair but missed and smashed herself off the ropes. James kicked the chair into her and went for a big DDT for a three count.
Now, it was Purrazzo being counted down. Mickie buried her under chairs and tables. Purrazzo never even tried to get up.
Your winner and still Knockouts Champion, Mickie James!
Man, what a main event. I could have done without the chair to the head on Purrazzo personally and there were times it was rough in spots but everything was presented as if they went to war and that is what a true Texas Death Match should be. They went for it with full gusto and I respect the hell out of that. From an emotional and intensity perspective, this was a hell of a lot better than their Bound for Glory match and a worthwhile, true main event.
They announced the Knockout of the Year was Jordynne Grace. She said she looked forward to working hard in the new year and thanked the fans.
They showed The Rebellion 2022 PPV main event - Impact Wrestling Champion Moose vs. Josh Alexander.
Match Coverage by Adam Cardoza:
The saga started six months ago when Moose took Josh Alexander’s Championship winning moment and put his family in peril. It’s been a long road for the walking weapon to get his title rematch. Can he get his revenge? His title? His respect? Josh’s young son accompanies his dad to the ring, dressed in tiny Josh Alexander gear. It’s adorable. He hands his son off to his wife in the front row, Josh puts a highlight on just how personal this is for him. Moose’s entrance is intense, he stares down Alexander’s wife as he comes down. The bell rings, Moose pie faces him but Alexander is patience, taking him down, landing fists and knees all over the champ. Alexander takes out the knee, goes right for the ankle lock, Moose scrambles to the floor for safety. Moose back and eats a pile of knees to the gut. Alexander sends him back to the floor again and the champ is frustrated. He tries to get into it with Josh’s wife and Alexander comes running. Big boot to Josh’s face and sent to the post. Moose using Josh’s family against him and clearly got into his head a little. It just occurs to me that Moose is wrestling with a dangly earring. That’s certainly a risk with the number of slaps getting traded here! Huge dropkick from Moose! Josh with a rollup for two. Hot shot! Crossbody to the back! Moose catches it but Josh posts him! Moose picks up Josh and rag dolls him head first into the barricades back and forth. Moose dropping elbows to the ribs. Josh with an overhead belly to belly! Alexander stomping the head of the champ out in the ropes, risking DQ. Crossbody to the back! Moose blocks the C4 spike. Moose tries a big kick, Josh hitting a 10-pack of Germans! Moose is exhausted and limp. Josh is panting after that effort. He tries the C4 spike again but Moose backdrops out of it. Dropkick! Huge powerbomb out of the corner but Alexander kicks out! Moose misses a spear! Another German! Moose with a crossbody…Josh dodges, grabs another ankle lock! Josh drops into it…Moose struggling hard and slowly gets to the bottom rope. Moose tried an up mick but Josh is pissed and slaps the champ repeatedly. They trade hard chops. Moose firing up with each shot. He drops Alexander with a hard forearm to the chin. And again. And again. Moose is finding his stride and the effort Alexander has put in is starting to show. Enziguri! Alexander out at one!!!! Clothesline! C4 Spike! Moose gets a foot on the rope. Ahhhhhhhhhhh! Crowd chanting this is awesome. Hard agree. Moose runs Josh into the corner, punches. Biting! He rips the headgear off Alexander! Superplex! Josh Alexander kicks out! Moose comes in with a spear…Josh catches him…STYLES CLASH!!!!! Josh Alexander grabs that ankle lock, Josh drags him back to the center….Moose rips the turnbuckle pad off. Low blow while the ref is distracted. Alexander sent into the exposed turnbuckle. SPEAR! Alexander kicks out! Huge pop for the kick out! Moose stomping at the surgically repaired neck of Josh Alexander. Moose rips off another turnbuckle. He hits a buckle bomb. Moose tries another spear but runs into Josh’s knee! Josh Alexander connects his look to his family as he hits the C4 Spike and keeps Moose down for the three count. Holy hell this was epic tier good. Really loved this story.
Winner (and New Impact World Champion): Josh Alexander
Josh Alexander celebrates in the ring with his family, this time uninterrupted and able to soak in the “You deserve it” chants from a very fired young crowd. Fade to Black. Good night. Hell of a main event.
The X-Division star of the year was Speedball Mike Bailey. He thanked everyone who voted for him and said he was super grateful for it.
They went to a promo from Kenny King mockingly congratulated Speedballl on his win. He asked Bailey what kind of man he truly was. He said that if you want to see who a man is, you have to get to his sanctuary and teased he was going to Bailey's "crib."
They aired the Ultimate X match from Slammiversary 2022 - X-Division Champion Ace Austin vs. Kenny King vs. Speedball Mike Bailey vs. Trey Miguel vs. New Japan's Alex Zayne vs. the returning Andrew Everett.
Everett is replacing the hurt Jack Evans and is the biggest showcase for Everett in some kind.
Everyone battled at the bell. Zayne and Bailey were the last men standing and tried to maneuver the ropes but were pulled down by King and Miguel. They teamed and then turned on each other. Miguel avoided the Royal Flush and nailed a rana, then hit a flip dive to the floor. He returned to the ring and worked over Austin with a series of kicks.
Austin drilled Zayne and Speedball with kicks from the apron but Miguel caught him with a leaping neckbreaker on the outside. Everett nailed a big snap German suplex and left alone, thought about going for the belt but instead hit a springboard twisting dive to the floor on everyone. Speedball tried to prevent him from getting to the cables but failed. Zayne nailed a big German suplex and then pulled Miguel down. He lifted Miguel for a powerbomb but King springboarded it and nailed a Blockbuster on Miguel.
Everyone battled with Speedball going across the cables. Bailey came off the ropes, flipping into Ultima Weapon, his knee strike. Bailey and Everett battled on the top. Everyone joined in, setting up an insane Tower of Doom that saw everyone but Miguel (who held onto the girder) going down. Zayne went to attack him but Miguel nailed a Canadian Destroyer off the top into the ring. The crowd chanted, "Holy sh**."
The battle continued. Kenny and Trey each maneuevered across the ropes. Bailey and Austin joined them as all four battled above the the ring. Bailey kicked down King. Ace lowblowed Trey. Bailey and Austin hung themselves by their legs above the ring, trying to grab the belt. They slapped each other. Everett joined the fray above the ring, using his legs to hang off as well. He pulled himself above the belt and tried to unhook it but Bailey used his legs to headscissor him off the cables down to the ring, which was nutty.
Bailey and Austin continued to battle, but this time Zayne made his way across. He was kicked off. Austin was kicked off the ropes, leaving Bailey alone. He removed the title and wins.
Your winner and new X-Division Champion, Speedball Mike Bailey!
A really entertaining athletic display with lots of big dives and multi-man sequences. Thoroughly enjoyable.
The Impact Wrestling Tag Team of the Year were The Motor City Machine Guns.
They aired the Slammiversary PPV's
Honor No More's PCO & Eddie Edwards & Mike Bennett & Matt Taven & Vincent vs. Kazarian & The Motor City Machineguns & Nick Aldis & a fifth opponent to be announced.
They showed Traci Brooks and Earl Hebner at ringside. Kazarian embraced Brooks and their son, Rebel. Impact sent their condolences to the Hebner family on the passing of Dave Hebner.
Dixie Carter came out and thanked for the fans for all their support. She wished the company a great 20 years and hoped for 20 more, The mystery partner, introduced by Dixie Carter, is MLW's Davey Richards, so there's some sort of agreement there. I wonder if this means some Impact talent will be at Battle Riot this Thursday.
The idea was stars of NWA, MLW and AEW were all united in their love of Impact Wrestling here.
The idea is Richards was there to play mind games with his former partner. He was well hidden backstage before his entrance.
Everyone brawled. It settled down to Sabin vs. Mike Bennett. Sabin nailed a suplex. Aldis tagged in and nailed a big suplex on Bennett. Kazarian tagged in and continued working over Bennett. Finally, Richards and Edwards tagged in and faced off but Edwards tagged back out, playing mind games. Taven instead faced off with Richards and battled. Shelley tagged in and the Motor City Machineguns and Richards worked over Taven.
PCO gained control and worked over Shelley but missed his swanton to the apron outside. Shelley fought his way out of being beaten down by Honor No More and made the tag to Kazarian. He cleaned house and tagged out to Aldis, who battled PCO amd Vincent. Lots going on here. Aldis went for the Kingman's Cloverleaf but it was broken up. They went to an insane series of big move sequences. The Guns hit the Dream Sequence. Today is the anniversary of Trent Acid's passing. May he rest in peace.
Taven hit a big dive to the floor on everyone. This left Richards and Edwards in the ring. They had some fun back and forth wrestling. Richards locked Edwards in a submission. This sparked a series of sequences where Team Impact locked HNM in multiple submissions at the same time before PCO broke it up. PCO nailed Aldis with a DDT. Taven nailed a frog splash but Sabin broke up the pinfall. Everyone battled to the floor again, leaving Aldis and PCO in the ring. PCO missed a moonsailt. Aldis nailed a Driver. Richards came off the top with a double stomp but PCO kicked out.
Maria got involved so Traci Brooks hopped the rail and nailed her. PCO pulled her into the ring but Kazarian rescued her amnd moved her out of the ring. PCO drilled Kazarian down and went to the top. Kazarian cut him off and went for the Flux Capacitor which looked insanely scary. Sabin went for the pin but PCO kicked out. The referee, Brian Hebner, left the ring to deal with all the chaos and was knocked down. Earl Hebner hopped the rail to check on his son. D'Lo Brown hit the ring and nailed the Sky High on King, then hot a top rope frog splash.
The Guns and Kazarian triple-teamed PCO but the OGK hit the ring. Team Impact took them out. Earl Hebner revealed he was wearing a referee's shirt and made the count.
Your winners, Team Impact!
A fun tag bout.
They aired a promo from Digital Media Champion Joe Hendry. He said that he's someone who inspires but now he's inspiring Moose to chase him around the arena. Moose just needs to say his name and challenges Moose to face him for the title at the Hard to Kill PPV on 1/13/23.
The Death Dollz were named the Knockouts Tag Team of the Year.
Bphupinder Gujjar was named the "One to Watch" in 2023. He thanked the fans for their love and support.
They aired the Brian Myers vs. Gujjar Ladder Match from Impact on AXS.
Gujjar nailed a big kneedrop and worked over Myers, drilling him with a spinkick. Gujjar nailed a Samoan Drop and went to the ropes, going for the Gargoyle spear but was kicks in mid-air. Myers went for a ladder but was nailed by Gujjar. Gujjar placed a ladder in the ring but was attacked. Myers set up the ladder and climbed up but Gujjar grabbed him and nailed a cutter off the ladder. Gujjar speared Myers into the ladder and he crashed to the floor. Gujjar climbed up but was sent flying when Myers tipped over the ladder. Gujjar crashed into the ropes. Gujjar was bleeding from the nose. Myers whipped him into a ladder in the corner, which then crashed down upon him. They each set up a ladder next to each other. They battled to get to the top of each ladder. They battled atop the ladders. Myers was knocked off. Gujjar grabbed the belt but Myers recovered and nailed a belly to back suplex off the ladder.
Myers set up a ladder on the floor. Gujjar and Myers battled. Myers powerbombed him onto a ladder that was laid across the ring steps. Myers pulled himself up the ladder, trying to grab the belt. Gujjar pulled him down and nailed a superkick. Gujjar climbed the ladder but was nailed with a lowblow. Myers used tape to trap Gujjar on the ladder, unable to climb further. Myers grabbed the belt.
Your winner and still Digital Media Champion, Brian Myers!
They announced Anthony Greene would be debuting soon for Impact. Greene cut a promo saying that after 10 years, searching for the destination, X marks the spot for him. He's going to debut next week. He's going to prove the Alternative Anthony Greene is the one to watch.
Backstage, Crazzy Steve promised that Trey Miguel would fall to Black Taurus at Hard to Kill.
Josh Alexander was named the Male Wrestler of the Year. Alexander said the award was special.
Moment of the year was Alexander winning the title from Moose.
They aired the 2022 Bound for Glory PPV main event:
Impact Wrestling Champion Josh Alexander vs. Eddie Edwards
They showed Alexander's family in the front row. They went through a feeling out process early. Eddie walked around ringside trying to curtail Alexander's momentum. Alexander brought him down and worked over Edwards' arm. Eddie sent him into the ropes but ate a big kick. Alexander was sent to the floor and hit with a pescado. They battled on the floor with chops and punches. Alexander gained control and nailed a cross body block through the ropes to the spine of Edwards who was sitting outside on the apron.
They battled again on the floor with Alexander in control. He tossed Edwards into the ring but was caught with an inverted atomic drop and an overhead belly to belly. Edwards nailed a big dive to the floor and pulled up the padding outside on the floor. They battled more on the floor. Alexander was tossed into the ring and immediately rebounded and hit a dive, taking down Eddie.
They fought to the ring apron above the section of the floor where the ring mats had been moved. Alexander tried to nail a German suplex off the apron to the floor. Edwards gained control and nailed a Die Hard Driver on the exposed floor. The battle returned to the ring, where Alexander was locked in a single-legged Boston Crab after kicking out of a backpack stunner.
Edwards missed a charge in the corner and was nailed with a German suplex. Alexander holds on and goes for another but Eddie grabs the ropes. They go through the ropes to the apron, where Alexander nailed a German on the apron and held on as they bounced off. He nailed another on the floor and held on and then hit one onto the ramp leading to the ring. Well, that was pretty insane.
Edwards is hit with a backbreaker across the knee for a two count. Alexander locked on a Styles Clash and nailed it, then grabbed an anklelock. Edwards was trapped in the center of the ring but was able to free himself and knocked Alexander through the ropes to the floor. Alexander was nailed with a kick while ascending to the top rope. Edwards drilled him hard with chops. Edwards nailed a big superplex. Alexander rolled through and nailed the C4 Spike. As the referee was counting, The Kingdom pulled the referee out and nailed him. Alexander discarded them.
Kenny King hit the ring and low blowed Alexander. Security told Honor No More to leave. Another referee came out to oversee the bout. Edwards nailed the Boston Knee Party but Alexander kicked out. They battled. Alexander turned Edwards inside out with a big suplex. They battled until Edwards nailed a Tiger Driver for another two count. Alexander's nose was busted open and bleeding heavily.
They continued to slug it out with hard slaps, chops and punches. Alexander threw off his trademark headgear and they threw down. Alexander finally got the pin with the C4 Spike.
Your winner and still Impact Wrestling Champion Josh Alexander!
A hell of a physical main event.
They pushed the Bully Ray vs. Josh Alexander Full Metal Mayhem bout and Jonathan Gresham vs. Eddie Edwards bouts for Hard to Kill. They ran a video package on Edwards vs. Gresham.
The Match of the Year was Josh Alexander vs. Mike Bailey. They closed with highlights of the match, but here is our complete coverage:
Impact Wrestling Champion Josh Alexander vs. Mike Bailey.
They lock up but Alexander shoulderblocks him down. They go back and forth with some nice action. Bailey kicked Josh who came back with a big lariat and a slam. They slug it out with forearm shots. Bailey goes down after being nailed in the mid-section. Bailey caught Alexander with a series of karate kicks and sends him to the floor before hitting a tope con hilo.
After a commercial break, Bailey came off the ropes for a two count. Alexander fired back and drilled Bailey with a shot to the jaw. Josh began working on Bailey's back and spine. He nailed a backbreaker for a two count. Bailey tried to block several moves but finally nailed a single-leg dropkick to take Alexander down. He began to unload with chops and kicks before nailing a standing shooting star press for a two count. Josh ducked a kick and began whipping out German suplexes like they were party favors. He went for the C4 Spike but Bailey escaped and landed on his feet. He went for a kick but was caught and Josh tried to lock in an anklelock. Bailey escaped and hooked on an Octopus.
Josh tried to fight him off but was drilled to the mat for another two count. The story has been Bailey has softened Alexander's shoulder thus far. After a commercial, Alexander was back in control, issuing hard shots and knees. Bailey made a big comeback and nailed some kicks in the corner but was powerbombed. Alexander went for the C4 but he was too banged up to execute the move. Alexander finally went for it but couldn't hold it and they crashed backwards out of the ring in a spectacular looking car crash of a spot. When they returned, Bailey was in control, nailing a series of kicks. Josh chopped away at him as Bailey dared him to bring it harder. Bailey went for the spinning karate kicks in the corner but was caught in the anklelock. Bailey fought his way out, attacking Josh's weakened arm.
Bailey missed a pumpkick on Alexander, who was outside on the apron. He got caught in the ropes. Alexander slammed him down onto the outside corner of the ring apron. After a commercial, Bailey was beaten hard with chops in the corner. Josh was cut off on the top but blocked a rana. He attempted a Styles Clash but Bailey fought his way out. Bailey was knocked to the ring with a big slam for a two count. Bailey came back with Ultimate Weapon off the top but was too spent to capitalize on the maneuver. The crowd chanted, "This is awesome." The battle continued with with Bailey measuring and striking with kicks to the head and arm. They began slapping the hell out of each other.
Josh began unloading with German suplexes. They battled to the apron, where Bailey missed a flipping knee strike. Alexander nailed a crossbody to the outside. They both crashed to the floor and battled around the entrance aisle and stage. Josh went for the C4 spike but Bailey backdropped him on the stage and drove down with a backflip into a knee strike. After commercial, Alexander locked in the anklelock inside the ring as Bailey fought to make it to the ropes. Josh pulled him back to the center several times before he finally achieved making it to the ropes.
Bailey was pulled to the top rope for a DVDR but fought his way out, crashing to the ring with five minutes remaining. They battled in the corner with Bailey being trapped hanging underneath, where Josh stomped the hell out of him. Bailey endured and nailed a rana off the top and hit Ultimate Weapon but Alexander draped his foot over the ropes at the last second.
With three minutes left, Josh and Bailey drilled each other with big shots. Bailey kicked Josh on the top rope and went for a move but Josh turned it into a Styles Clash, then an anklelock. Bailey kicked his way out bit was hit with another piledriver. Josh went for the C4 Spike and finally nailed it, then went for another. With 20 seconds left, Alexander scored the three count.
Your winner and still Impact Wrestling Champion Josh Alexander!
MAN, an excellent main event! You should go out of your way to see this one.
That's it for the Best of Impact!
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