IMPACT Wrestling
June 9th, 2020
Skyway Studios, Nashville, Tennessee
By: Davie Portman
Commentary by: Josh Matthews and Madison Rayne
The show opens with Scott D’Amore and Don Callis discussing what to do with the Impact Championship
Michael Elgin vs Ken Shamrock vs Sami Callihan
Before Sami Callihan can even make his entrance, Shamrock runs to the ring and starts to attack Michael Elgin. The lights go off and when they come back on we see Sami Callihan in the corner of the ring watching as Shamrock and Elgin fight. Early in the match, Shamrock hits a dive over the top rope taking out both Elgin and Callihan. Shamrock and Callihan work together to take out Elgin and then start fighting each other. Elgin hits a beautiful Release German Suplex followed by a Clothesline to Callihan. As he goes for the Pin, Shamrock pulls him off and applies the Ankle Lock. As Elgin is struggling out of the hold he rips the padding off of the turnbuckle. Callihan grabs Elgin’s hand to prevent him from tapping. Shamrock then tries to put Callihan into the Ankle Lock but gets pushed into the exposed turnbuckle and hit with the Elgin Bomb to give Michael Elgin the win!
Michael Elgin wins via Pinfall in 8 mins 49 secs
After the match, Shamrock and Callihan stare down each other and Callihan turns the lights out and disappears.
Davie’s thoughts: I was surprised to see this match open the show with no promotion as this is one of the big feuds going on right now. I really enjoyed the match between Elgin and Callihan a few weeks ago but the added element of Shamrock definitely dragged the match quality down for me. I do however like the tease that we may see Shamrock and Callihan possibly working together more.’
Jordynne Grace Interview
Jordynne Grace says coming back doesn’t make her feel uneasy, which made her feel uneasy was staying at home being unable to defend her title. She is ready to go back to normal and dominate the competition. “When I drive Taya’s head into the mat, that’s when I know that things are back to normal”.
The Rascalz and The North
Dez and Wentz from The Rascalz are celebrating being Number One Contenders for the Tag Titles when Trey walks in. He is frustrated and wants to work out who jumped him backstage. Dez doesn’t think it was Ace Austin because he saw him in the bathroom when it happened.
The North interrupts and says that they will beat The Rascalz when they challenge them for the titles. Ethan Page suggests that it was Wentz who attacked Trey so that he could take advantage of the Number One Contenders match. As The North leave, they tell Trey to watch his back.
Tasha Steelz vs Susie
Susie bails to the outside early in the match and catches Susie with a Forearm as she attempts a Suicide Dive. Susie begins to make a comeback after hitting a series of Chops and a Lou Thesz Press. Steelz leaps off the top rope and gets caught by a Palm Strike. Kiera Hogan gets on the apron and tries to interfere. This allows Steelz to hit a Cutter and pick up the win
Tasha Steelz defeats Susie via Pinfall in 3 mins 39 secs
Davie’s thoughts: Quick match but Steelz continues to impress me. I think she has great confidence and the partnership with Kiera Hogan works really well. I would have liked to have seen the match go longer but I’m glad to see that they are putting some steam behind Steelz.
Ace Austin Interview
Ace Austin shows up late to an interview and says that with the World Champion not showing up to work he should be crowned Impact Champion. Moose interrupts and says that Austin has a chance to be the youngest champion in Impact history. He says that Austin should be challenging for the TNA Championship rather than the Impact Title at Slammiversary. Austin says it’s a good looking belt as he walks out, giving the impression that he is considering challenging Moose. Hernandez comes out and challenges Moose to a match next week.
Steelz and Hogan’s Celebration Interrupted
Tasha Steelz and Kiera Hogan are celebrating backstage and saying that they aren’t scared of anyone in the Knockouts division as they walk into Havok and Nevaeh. Kiera Hogan seems flustered as she was trash-talking the Knockout division and calls Havok and Nevaeh “big and scary”. Havok questions if they are scared or not and challenges them to a tag match tonight, which Steelz and Hogan decline as they walk off.
Flashback Moment of the Week
On this week’s Flashback Moment of the Week, we go back to May 17th, 2016 where Mike Bennett calls out Earl Hebner for a fight.
Raju and Rhino
Rohit Raju approaches Rhino backstage questioning why Rhino attacked him. Rohit says that he should be lifting him up and being a tag team partner rather than beating him down. Rhino says that he already has a tag team partner and “he’s got kids”. Rohit attacks Rhino and the two brawl as the segment ends.
Taya Valkyrie is seen backstage looking for John E Bravo.
Johnny Swinger & Chris Bey vs Cousin Jake & Willie Mack
Mack and Jake make quick tags to double team Johnny Swinger for the early part of the match. Swinger comes back with a chokehold and makes the tag to Bey and the two start to get the advantage over Mack. Cousin Jake makes the tag and throws Bey on top of Swinger. He goes for the Spear into the corner but Swinger moves Bey out of the way. Bey and Swinger have the advantage over Cousin Jake for a long time. Jake comes back with two big Clotheslines and makes the tag to Willie Mack who fires up and hits the Standing Moonsault to both men. Mack hits the Stunner to Swinger and picks up the win.
Cousin Jake & Willie Mack defeat Johnny Swinger & Chris Bey via Pinfall in 7 mins 42 secs plus commercial break
After the match Swinger and Bey attacked Mack & Jake until Cody Deaner makes his return and makes the save.
Davie’s thoughts: The match itself wasn’t too interesting. They held Bey and Mack off from interacting as that is clearly the next big match in the X Division and they didn’t want to give it away. The match was mainly a way to build up to Cody Deaner’s return, which I think they did successfully.
Rosemary and John E Bravo
Rosemary and Bravo are back at the bar. Rosemary says that now Taya is back he has no excuses and nowhere to run off to. She offers him the apple again but Taya interrupts and takes it away. Taya is criticizing Bravo for not being there for her. Rosemary defends Bravo and says that he was there for her whilst Taya abandoned them. Rosemary that to establish dominance over the Knockouts division both her and Bravo will be ringside for Taya’s championship match.
Scott D’Amore Addresses The Impact World Championship
As Scott D’Amore is about to announce what they plan to do with the Impact World Championship, Ace Austin’s music hits and he comes to the ring to say he is going to be named World Champion.
Michael Elgin’s music hits and he comes to the ring saying that his World Championship Match never happened and therefore Austin should fight him.
Eddie Edwards makes his return and says that he has beaten Elgin in the past and that neither of them should be handed the championship.
Scott D’Amore announces that Tessa Blanchard will defend the Impact Championship at Slammiversary in a Five-Way Match. Austin is angry and says that he won the Number One Contendership match and that there are only three people in the ring. Trey comes out of nowhere with a Springboard Missile Dropkick to Austin and reveals himself as the fourth challenger for the title.
Davie’s thoughts: Solid promo’s from everyone involved in the segment. I have really enjoyed Elgin, Austin, and Trey over the last few weeks and the idea of a five-way at Slammiversary could be incredibly entertaining.
Deonna Purrazzo Interview
Gia Miller is outside Deonna Purrazzo’s dressing room in an attempt to get an interview. She opens the door to peek in and Deonna is nowhere to be seen. Miller says that she will continue the hunt for Deonna Purrazzo.
#CancelCulture
Joseph P Ryan enters with Katie Forbes, Rob Van Dam, and Jake Crist. He reintroduces “Jacob Crist” saying that he was once versus everything and now he is for everyone. Ryan expresses what #CancelCulture is trying to do to make Impact Wrestling a safe space for everyone. Tonight Jacob Crist is going to teach Mentally Unwell Steve a lesson.
Jacob Crist vs Crazzy Steve
Jacob Crist jumps the bell to attack Steve from behind. Steve soon gets the advantage and hits a Senton to the back of Crist. Crist comes back by dragging Steve’s arm over the top rope and begins targeting the weakened arm. Ryan distracts Crazzy Steve and allows Crist to hit a series of kicks and pick up the win.
Jacob Crist defeats Crazzy Steve via Pinfall in 3 mins 32 secs
Davie’s thoughts: Very quick but fun back and forth match between the two. I already prefer Crist in this role with #CancelCulture and could see the stable start to be treated a bit more seriously.
Next Week
Rohit Raju vs Rhino
TNA Championship: Moose vs Hernandez
Eddie Edwards vs Ace Austin (Street Fight)
Tag Team Championship: The North vs The Rascalz
Impact Knockouts Championship
Taya Valkyrie w/ John E Bravo & Rosemary vs Jordynne Grace
As soon as the bell goes Jordynne Grace charges Taya. Taya bails to the outside and Grace immediately hits a Tope Suicida taking out Taya, Rosemary, and Bravo. Grace is very dominant for the early part of the match, picking up a two count after a Belly to Belly Suplex. Grace punches Taya off the top rope causing her to fall to the outside. After the commercial break, Valkyrie has the advantage for a long time. Taya attempts a Superplex but gets countered into a Sunset Flip Powerbomb. Grace hits a Meteora to the back of the head, a Running Elbow into the corner, and a Vader Bomb for a near fall. Taya comes back by hitting a Spear, which gets her a two count. Taya pops Grace up to hit her with a Knee to the face, she attempts to hit Road To Valhalla but Grace escapes. Grace locks in a Sleeper Hold, Taya tries to get to Rosemary and Bravo for help but they are busy talking to each other and not paying attention to the match. Grace pulls Taya into the middle of the ring, keeping the Sleeper locked in and Taya taps.
Jordynne Grace defeats Taya Valkyrie via submission in 12 mins 54 secs plus commercial breaks
After the match, Deonna Purrazzo makes her debut by confronting Jordynne Grace. She offers her hand to Grace but turns it into the Fujiwara Armbar. The show ends with Purrazzo standing over the Impact Knockouts Champion.
Davie’s thoughts: I thought this was a good but not very memorable match between the two. I think Impact may have one of the strongest women’s divisions in the world and it is good to see two of the main players are back. This match seemed to be more to tell the story of the strange “love triangle” between Taya, Rosemary, and Bravo than the actual Knockouts Championship.
I’m happy to see Deonna is going right after the Championship. She was underutilized in NXT so it would be great to see what she is capable of in Impact and if she is a strong enough performer to carry the main story in the division.
Michael Elgin Phone Call
After the show Michael Elgin is on the phone to someone he is calling “sir” and says “You know us Canadians, we’ve always been team players” as the graphic for Slammiversary appears on the screen.
Davie’s thoughts: Impact has been on a roll the last few weeks and although this wasn’t a bad show, it really didn’t live up to the efforts of the previous weeks. None of the matches stood out as particularly special but at least we had a couple of angles to progress storylines.
The Slammiversary video was the big talking point of last week’s Impact and they continuously made mention that we will be seeing some names join Impact. I expect to see more teases over the next few weeks.
5 Fujiwara Armbars Out of 10