IMPACT Wrestling
Emergence Night 1
August 18th, 2020
Skyway Studios, Nashville, Tennessee
By: Davie Portman
Commentary by Josh Matthews and Madison Rayne
X Division Championship
TJP w/ Fallah Bahh vs Rohit Raju vs Chris Bey
The story going into this match is that Rohit inserted himself into the title picture to help Chris Bey retain. As Bey is making his entrance TJP jumps the bell and hits a Slingshot Plancha to the outside to take out both Rohit and Bey. Rohit and Bey soon take the advantage by double-teaming TJP. TJP soon comes back and applies a Leg Lock Submission to Bey as he hits a bridging Northern Lights Suplex, which looked very impressive. TJP then applies the Gory Special to Bey whilst also applying an inverted Boston Crab to Rohit. Bey inadvertently takes out Rohit allowing TJP to hit a Springboard Crossbody followed by a Tombstone Piledriver. Rohit knocks TJP off the top rope allowing Bey and Rohit to get an advantage. TJP soon comes back and applies a double Octopus Stretch followed by a Crucifix Bomb for a two count on Bey. Chris Bey starts to fight back and hits a Gutwrench DDT for a two count. TJP counters an O’Connor Roll into an STF but Rohit grabs Bey’s hand before he could tap out. As Bey and TJP are fighting on the top rope, Rohit runs in and pushes TJP off. He then climbs to the top rope and looks like he is going to help out Bey but instead, he hits a Double Stomp and picks up the win.
Rohit Raju wins the X Division Title via Pinfall in 10 mins 47 secs
Davie’s thoughts: I thought this was an excellent opening match. TJP might be one of the most underrated wrestlers around and was incredibly impressed with his unique double submissions. I thought he was the star of this match. The title change was surprising but fit the story with Rohit sneaking his way into the match. I think it might be a bit too soon to take the title off of Bey but I’m not against moving Rohit out of the jobber territory he has been occupying over the last few months. I’m not worried for Bey as I think Impact has a really great talent on their hands and I see him either winning the title back very soon or moving into the main event picture.
Wrestle House
Here we go again, just as the show was getting really good we get another episode of Wrestle House. John E Bravo and Crazzy Steve are playing with their stuffed dog and monkey talking about how excited they are for the match between Taya Valkyrie and Kylie Ray. Bravo gets offended when Steve says he isn’t going to be cheering for Taya and storms off.
Acey Romero walks into the washroom and is disgusted by Larry D’s smell. Larry D says that he smells of his new fragrance “Ring Rust”. Larry D is dressed up for a date and starts calling himself Lawrence D.
Davie’s thoughts: Grown adults playing with stuffed animals and complaining about each other’s smell. This is really not my kind of humor. I get that they are trying to get away from the ring and have variety on the show but I really don’t know who would find any of this funny.
The Good Brothers Promo
Karl Anderson says that Ace Austin and Madman Fulton has got their attention but that they’re messing with the wrong people. Doc Gallows says that this wasn’t the first time he’s been behind bars but they lit a fire under them and they are going to take them out and make them famous.
TNA Championship
Trey Miguel vs Moose
Trey Miguel has new gear for this title match and Moose has “Black Lives Matter” on the back of his trunks. Trey tries to get an early start by attacking Moose with Strikes and Chops but is soon thrown into the corner and knocked down with a huge Chop from Moose. Trey attempts an Arm Drag off the top rope but Moose uses his power to block it, places Trey on the top rope, and Dropkicks him to the outside. Moose has the advantage for a while, taking Trey down with multiple Chops and punches to the head. Moose talks trash to Trey and goes for a big Hip Toss but Trey lands on his feet and takes down Moose with a series of Kicks. Trey delivers a knee to the face and goes for a Springboard DDT but Moose catches him, goes for a Vertical Suplex but is countered into the DDT. Trey goes for a Tope Con Hilo to the outside but Moose catches him and Powerbombs him onto the apron. Moose hits the No Jackhammer Needed Spear and picks up the win.
Moose defeats Trey Miguel via Pinfall in 9 mins 11 secs
After the match, EC3 comes out and hits the Falling Inverted DDT on Moose and leaves with the TNA Championship.
Davie’s thoughts: I found this match a little underwhelming. Moose’s offense isn’t particularly interesting and went on for a long time. The match picked up when Trey got back into the match but it was only for a brief time. I’m glad to see that the program between EC3 and Moose has finally started and with EC3 walking away with the championship I wonder if they are going to retire that title soon.
Hernandez Pays Reno Scum
Hernandez is backstage thanking Reno Scum for getting his money back. Hernandez tries to short change them but eventually gives them more money and says that he will hire them again for more jobs in the future.
Eric Young Vignette
Eric Young is narrating a video talking about all the incarnations he has had over the years. He says that he is now in his purest form. He’s fed up with being told he’s not good enough and it’s going to take much more than two years of nonexistence for him to not get what he wants. This time he is going to take what he wants.
Impact Plus Flashback Moment of the Week
This week’s Impact Plus Flashback Moment of the Week is from 11th October 2015 featuring a Stretcher Match between Eric Young vs Kurt Angle. Eric Young picked up the win after driving Angle’s head into the exposed turnbuckle, hitting two Piledrivers and strapping Angle to the stretcher.
Brian Myers Interrupts Willie Mack
Jimmy Jacobs is interviewing Willie Mack backstage and asks him where his heads at after losing to Eric Young and the attack on Rich Swann. Brian Myers interrupts and grabs Jimmy Jacobs to interview him. Myers says that listening to veterans got him nowhere, he got fired by an out of touch seventy-year-old while his wife was six months pregnant. He is fed up with being called a “good hand” and is now taking his career in his own hands. Wille Mack jumps Myers and leaves him laying.
#Heath4Impact
Heath has another commercial trying to get him signed by Impact. He says that Rhino wouldn’t have been jumped by Reno Scum if he was there and that’s why he should be signed.
Ace Austin & Sawyer Fulton vs The Good Brothers
The Good Brothers come out billed from Tokyo Japan. Gallows and Anderson make quick tags allowing them to double team Austin. Austin eventually makes the tag to Fulton and they isolate Anderson in their corner. Gallows and Anderson face-off and neither is able to knock the other down. As Anderson is distracted by Fulton, Austin dropkicks him in the back. Fulton Suplexes Anderson on to the knees of Austin who then uses a playing card to slice in-between his fingers. Anderson fights back with a Spinebuster and makes the tag to Gallows who takes out Austin with a Pump Kick. Fulton breaks up a Magic Killer attempt. Gallows and Fulton fight on the outside and Gallows kicks Fulton over the guard rail. Gallows and Anderson then hit the Magic Killer on Ace Austin to pick up the win.
The Good Brothers defeat Ace Austin & Sawyer Fulton via Pinfall in 10mins 58 secs
Davie’s thoughts: This was a fairly good back and forth match but it didn’t feel like the grudge match it was set up to be. The strongest parts of the match were when Anderson and Austin were facing off but it didn’t last for too long as Anderson was often selling, looking for that tag. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see this feud continue and perhaps have a No DQ match down the line.
Wrestle House Part 2
Alisha is happy that Taya has a match tonight as it means she isn’t planning a team bonding activity. The Deaners open the fridge to see that their beer has stolen. They accuse Acey Romero and just as they are about to fight, Susie reminds them that they made a truce. Larry D flirts with Rosemary and they arrange a date for next week. This makes John E Bravo jealous.
Taya Valkyrie vs Kylie Rae
Rosemary is the special guest referee for this Wrestle House match. Kylie attempts to shake Taya’s hand but Taya slaps it away. Kylie takes down Taya and charges her into the corner. Taya gets out of the way of a Running Elbow and delivers some Forearms of her own before Kylie takes her down with a Headscissors. Kylie goes for a running kick into the corner but Rosemary trips her over allowing Taya to take the advantage. Kylie manages to fight back and hits the Kylie Special for a two count. Taya hits a Saito Suplex for a two count and throws a tantrum. Taya almost runs into Rosemary but stops herself allowing Kylie to hit the Superkick and Rosemary reluctantly counts to three.
Kylie Rae defeats Taya Valkyrie via Pinfall in 4 mins 49 secs
Davie’s thoughts: This is the first match in Wrestle House that actually felt like a proper match and it was ok. Some of the kicks didn’t look particularly snug as you could see the space between Kylie’s boot and Taya. I don’t think the lack of commentary helps these matches either. This wasn’t bad and I would take it over the silly comedy of Wrestle House but I think these two are capable of better.
Next Week on Emergence Night 2
Brian Myers vs Willie Mack
Wrestle House
EC3 Addresses why he stole the TNA Championship
Eddie Edwards Open Challenge
Deonna Purrazzo vs Jordynne Grace (30min Iron Man Match for the Knockouts Championship)
Impact Tag Team Championship
The North vs The Motor City Machine Guns
Chris Sabin and Josh Alexander start off the match. Sabin attempts a Crossbody off the top rope but is caught by Alexander who slams him and tags in Ethan Page so that they can double team. The North beat down on Sabin for a while until Alexander inadvertently hits Page allowing Sabin to tag Shelley. Shelley hits the Dragonscrew Leg Whip on Alexander and applies a Single Leg Boston Crab to work on the knee. Page holds Shelley up in a Delayed Vertical Suplex and passes him to Alexander for a Backbreaker. Shelley makes the tag to Sabin who fires up with Forearms, a Neckbreaker, and a Missile Dropkick to Page. Shelley holds the ropes open as Sabin hits a Tope Suicida to Alexander. Shelley holds Page as Sabin delivers another Missile Dropkick for a two count. Page fights out of Sliced Bread Number 2. Sabin manages to hit an Assisted Sliced Bread to both Alexander and Page but only gets a two count. Shelley tries to roll up Page but Alexander pushes them over so Page has the pin on Shelley but only a two count. The North hit an Assisted Backbreaker and Superkick to Shelley but Sabin fights back with a Tornado DDT. The MCMG hit a Neckbreaker/Splash Combo on Ethan Page to pick up the win.
The Motor City Machine Guns defeat The North via Pinfall in 14 mins 10 secs (plus commercials)
Davie’s thoughts: Another great match between these two teams. I think I preferred their first encounter from a few weeks ago but this was still really good. The final stretch of the match was really enjoyable as both teams were hitting a lot of double team moves, however like most tag matches these days, the referee completely lost control. I do still feel the tag division is lacking depth and I wonder where both teams go from here.
Overall, Night 1 of Emergence was pretty good and had two great matches with the opening Triple Threat and the Tag Title Match. I would really like to see them put an end to Wrestle House as it is really not working but apart from that I thought the show was pretty solid.
6.5 Ring Rust Cologne Out Of 10