IMPACT Wrestling
January 5th, 2020
Skyway Studios, Nashville, Tennessee
Commentary by: Josh Matthews and Madison Rayne
Ace Austin w/ Madman Fulton vs Blake Christian vs KC Navarro vs Crazzy Steve
As the bell rings, Ace Austin immediately goes to the outside to let the other three fight it out. As Crazzy Steve’s back is turned, Austin pulls him out of the ring to attack him on the outside as KC Navarro and Blake Christian fight in the ring. Austin then pulls Navarro out of the ring and enters to face off with Christian. Fulton grabs the ankle of Navarro allowing Austin to get the advantage but Christian soon comes back with a series of Headscissors. KC Navarro enters and hits a Top Rope Swinging Dropkick to Austin, climbs to the top rope but Christian pushes him off to the outside. Christian follows up with a huge Tope Con Hilo to Navarro before Austin takes him out with a PK. Navarro then hits a Tope Suicida to Christian before Austin hits the Fosbury Flop on both men. Navarro hits a very unique looking Flipping Neckbreaker to Austin to pick up a two count. Christian hits a Standing Spanish Fly to Austin but Crazzy Steve breaks up the cover. As both Christian and Austin are stacked up in the corner, Crazzy Steve hits a Running DVD to Navarro onto both of them. Crazzy Steve follows up with a DDT to Navarro to pick up the win.
Crazzy Steve defeats KC Navarro, Blake Christian, and Ace Austin via Pinfall in 7 mins 9 secs
Davie’s thoughts: I thought this was a great match to open this week’s IMPACT after the holiday break. The action was non stop and I was particularly impressed by Blake Christian and KC Navarro and think they make great additions to the X Division Roster. I do think that this is a step down for Ace Austin and that he should be featured more in the World Title picture however, he definitely bolsters the division going into the Super X Cup tournament at Genesis.
Sami Callihan Promo
Sami Callihan is in a room full of computer screens. He says that Eddie Edwards wants to show the world that if you play by the rules and do the right thing that you will win. Callihan wants to prove that we don’t live in a fairytale and the bad guys win in the end. Tonight it will be Callihan vs Edwards for one more time. He warns Edwards that if he were him, he would not have his wife at ringside, because “anything is possible”.
Tony Khan and Tony Schiavone Paid For Advertisement
Tony Khan and Tony Schiavone are in 2021 New Years Party glasses and hats. They wish each other Happy Holidays before saying that as it’s been the holidays they feel like they should help out the less fortunate by being on IMPACT. They then go into advertising tomorrow’s New Year’s Smash event on Dynamite. Khan says that tomorrow Kenny and Don are in for a long night at the office as Rey Fenix will likely become the new AEW Champion. Khan addresses Don Callis and says that he provided the finance, the relationship with television networks, signing the talent, and the booking whereas Callis has provided nothing. Khan says that Omega is one of the two best wrestlers on the planet along with Jon Moxley, who returns to Dynamite tomorrow. He then goes on to say that his Grandma gave him $100 for Christmas and he’s looking to blow it next week on another advertisement on IMPACT TV.
Davie’s thoughts: This was another fun promo between these two. I love their condescending tone and how Tony is just playing this rich boy who wastes his money just to make fun of IMPACT. The party accessories were the icing on the cake!
Bullet Club 4-Life
Kenny Omega and The Good Brothers are in the tour bus with Don Callis, celebrating with their titles. Kenny says that it is a foregone conclusion that they will defeat Motor City Machine Guns and Rich Swann at Hard To Kill as they have been partnering and traveling together for years and with Callis in their corner, they are unstoppable. Omega then quotes “We Are The Champions” by Queen before saying that they are family and Bullet Club for life.
Cousin Jake & Rhino vs Cody Deaner & Joe Doering
Cousin Jake is in the ring and he calls out Cody Deaner, calling him family, and says that we can fix this. Rhino then enters the ring and they call out Eric Young and Joe Doering telling them to come to get what’s coming to them.
Eric Young and Joe Doering enter accompanied by Cody Deaner who has a new look. His head is now shaved and he’s sporting a black leather jacket and white scarf. Eric Young says that they are looking at the “truth, the real world, and the design” before they head towards the ring.
The match begins with Cody Deaner viciously attacking Cousin Jake in the corner before tagging in Joe Doering. After the commercial break, Cody Deaner is back in control of Cousin Jake. Eric Young is on the outside yelling instructions to Deaner. Jake eventually makes the tag to Rhino who hits a Spear in the corner to Deaner followed by a Belly To Belly Suplex. He tags Jake right back in who comes in to plead with Cody. Doering takes out Rhino on the outside. As Eric Young distracts the referee, Deaner hits Cousin Jake with a Low Blow followed by a DDT to pick up the win
Cody Deaner & Joe Doering defeat Cousin Jake & Rhino in 4 mins 18 secs (including commercials)
After the match, Deaner, Doering, and Young continue the beatdown on Jake and Rhino before Rhino runs out with the kendo stick to make the save. Dreamer gets on the microphone and says that they betrayed him and with him in the corner of Jake and Rhino, the numbers are even. Dreamer challenges them to a Six-Man Tag Team Old School Falls Count Anywhere Match at Hard To Kill.
Davie’s Thoughts: I felt this was a very basic match with nothing too interesting to report on. I like how Cousin Jake still thinks his cousin is in there and that he can turn him back. I haven’t been particularly interested in any of these characters but I hope this six-man tag is a way to really elevate Cousin Jake as I feel he could be a bigger star than he is positioned as right now.
Matthew Palmer Interview
Gia Miller interviews Matthew Palmer about how he feels about his upcoming match against Moose. Palmer says that he didn’t mean to rip Moose’s shirt the other week but his passion isn’t being a security guard, he is a professional wrestler. Palmer says that he could stay at home and cower but he wants to prove what he’s capable of and if he lasts more than three minutes he will show exactly who Matthew Palmer is.
Acey Romero Asks Swinger For Advice
Acey Romero walks into Johnny Swinger’s “office” where an empty easel is set up. Swinger says that he commissioned a painting made to be made of him riding a horse. Romero says that he is trying to prove that Larry D is set up. Swinger suggests that he talks to the Knockouts as they may have some information. Swinger says that Romero should just barge into their locker room, as he does that all the time.
Deonna Purrazzo and Taya Valkyrie Face Off
Deonna Purrazzo and Kimber Lee come to the ring. Purrazzo says that Taya keeps on poking her nose into their business and hasn’t been able to accept defeat. Purrazzo says that when she locks in her Fujiwara Armbar she will prove that she is the greatest technical wrestler in the world and questions if Taya will accept reality or spiral into delusion.
Taya Valkyrie then enters with Rosemary. Taya says that she is the longest-reigning Knockouts Championship in IMPACT history and that even though she was busy with Wrestlers House doesn’t mean she was distracted and she is ready to take back the championship. Purrazzo says that she knows that Taya was an amazing Knockouts Champion but her time has passed and it is now the “Age of the Virtuosa”. She says that the only thing Taya can cling onto is the fact that she was the longest reigning Knockouts Champion of all time but once she defeats her she can’t cling onto that anymore. Taya says that she thinks Deonna is afraid that she is going to humiliate her. Taya says that at Hard To Kill she will become a two-time Knockouts Champion and put an end to “The Age of the Virtuosa”.
Davie’s thoughts: I felt both women sounded pretty confident with their promos here and both understand their characters well. Taya has really taken to the new babyface role she’s in well and I feel it suits her. Deonna Purrazzo keeps on getting better and better in this role. I think this could be a really entertaining match at Hard To Kill.
Rohit & Bey Challenge TJP & Manik
Rohit Raju bumps into Chris Bey backstage and says that his New Years’ Resolution is forgiveness and that he forgives Bey for getting himself inserted into the X Division Championship match at Hard To Kill. Bey reminds Rohit about how he screwed him, so Rohit says that they are now even. Bey says that they will be even when he says they’re even. Rohit suggests that they both take out TJO so that they can then face each other for the title. They then both leave to look for TJP.
Chris Bey and Rohit Raju find TJP and ask him if he’s seen Manik anywhere. TJP says that he hasn’t seen Manik anywhere. Rohit and Bey say that they were looking to have a tag team match and suggested that TJP and Manik team up to take them on. TJP says that he doesn’t get along with Manik but if he happens to see him he will let him know.
Dashwood Is Looking For A New Partner
Backstage, Tenille Dashwood and Kaleb With A K approach Rosemary. Dashwood questions that with Taya going on to big singles matches where does it leave Rosemary? Dashwood says that she knows what it feels like to split with a partner and asks if she would like to partner with her. Rosemary tells Dashwood that she is not interested and tells her to leave.
Knockouts Tag Team Championship Semi-Final
Jordynne Grace & Jazz vs Havok & Nevaeh
Jordynne Grace starts off against Nevaeh and goes for pinfalls early. Nevaeh tags in Havok who immediately knocks down Grace, who tags in Jazz. Jazz and Havok square off and Jazz says “everywhere I go is my house” before slapping her. Jazz delivers a series of Forearms and Kicks before Havok delivers a Clothesline in the corner and tags in Nevaeh allowing them to Double Team. Nevaeh and Jazz go at it for a while before both tag their partners back in. Havok hits a huge Clothesline to Grace followed by a Sitout Powerbomb for a two count. Jazz delivers Jabs to Nevaeh as Grace kneels down behind her to trip her over. Havok proceeds to deliver a Chokeslam to Grace followed by a Tombstone Piledriver to Jazz to pick up the win
Havok & Nevaeh defeat Jordynne Grace & Jazz via Pinfall in 9 mins 41 secs
Davie’s thoughts: This match started pretty slow but the final sequences towards the end were really entertaining. Jazz proved that she still has a little bit left in the tank but ultimately the right team won. I’m happy they’ve gone with the two most established Knockouts Tag Teams for the final in Havok & Nevaeh and Kiera Hogan & Tasha Steelz. I hope these four get a decent amount of time and really show what they’re capable of.
Rich Swann & Motor City Machine Guns Interview
Gia Miller interviews Rich Swann and The Motor City Machine Guns. Chris Sabin asks “who the hell do they think they are” referring to Omega and The Good Brothers. He says that they helped build IMPACT Wrestling on their backs and at Hard To Kill they better be ready. Rich Swann calls the Motor City Machine Guns one of the greatest tag teams in wrestling history and he has them by his side. Swann shows his championship and says that it doesn’t say AEW it says IMPACT Wrestling and he’s not going to let a champion from another company come in and think they run the place. Alex Shelley says that they had their asses kicked last time but he isn’t afraid of having their asses kicked again. This time he wants them to go to their tour bus and kick their asses. The three then leave to find Kenny and The Good Brothers.
Omega and The Good Brothers Attack Swann and The Guns
Rich Swann and The Motor City Machine Guns barge past the security guard to head to the car park. They bang on the tour bus telling them to come out and fight but are attacked from behind by Omega and The Good Brothers. Don Callis holds up the AEW Championship and says that Kenny is the “real World Champion”. Kenny laughs saying “Hard To Kill, seems pretty easy to me”. He lays in a few cheap kicks before they all leave The Guns and Swann laid out.
Jazz vs Jordynne Grace Set For Genesis
Jazz finds Jordynne Grace backstage. Grace apologizes for storming out after the match but explains that she was frustrated and let herself down and Jazz. Jazz says that no apology is necessary as she gave her the opportunity to fight with the new generation and she is grateful. Grace says that she doesn’t think Jazz has missed a beat and says that it would be great to have the opportunity to face her one on one. The two agree to have a match this Saturday at Genesis.
“Hello, I’m Susan”
Deonna Purrazzo and Kimber Lee approach James Mitchell and ask if “it’s done”. Mitchell says that “it’s complicated” as Su Yung comes out of her dressing room dressed in a suit and introduces herself as “Susan”.
Three Minute Challenge
Moose vs Matthew Palmer
Matthew Palmer only needs to last three minutes with Moose in order to win the match. Moose destroys Palmer early on with a huge Urinage followed by Ground and Pound. Moose toys with Palmer as he holds Palmer’s face towards the screen to see how long is left on the clock. Moose hits a Big Boot followed by a huge Powerbomb as twenty-five seconds are left on the clock. He sets up for the Spear as Willie Mack comes out for the distraction. The bell rings signaling the end of the three minutes giving the win to Matthew Palmer.
Matthew Palmer defeats Moose via Three Minute Time-Out in…3mins
Davie’s thoughts: I thought this was pretty silly and made Moose look really bad. I’m fine with the distraction finish causing Palmer to win but it was done in such an uninspired way. Moose is literally looking towards the clock that is ticking down as he is getting “distracted” by Mack.
Ethan Page vs Karate Man Set For Hard To Kill
Ethan Page is lying on a couch as pan flutes are playing music talking about how his life keeps on being derailed. We hear a voice telling Page that it is life putting him on a different path. The voice tells him that sometimes you have to deconstruct your life in order to build it up bigger than before. Page says that he thinks that it is the company’s fault for not recognizing his talent and that he’s not crazy, everyone else is crazy. The camera pans out to reveal another Ethan Page dressed as Karate Man sat on another couch. Karate Page tells Ethan Page that he doesn’t sound like “All Ego” but more like a bitch. Ethan Page says that he thinks he needs to kick Karate Man’s ass. Karate Man says that they can face each other at Hard To Kill.
Davie’s thoughts: I really like Ethan Page and I think he is a great performer but this really isn’t for me. I have no interest in this Karate Man character as I think he is way better than that and the idea of a comedy match with Ethan Page facing himself does nothing for me.
Genesis Card
Super X Cup
Jazz vs Jordynne Grace
Willie Mack vs Moose (I Quit Match)
Next Week
Rich Swann vs Karl Anderson (All members of the 6-Man Tag are banned from ringside)
Eddie Edwards vs Sami Callihan
As Eddie Edwards is making his entrance Callihan jumps him from behind. Callihan swings at Edwards with a steel chair but misses and hits the ring post. Edwards goes for a Chop but Callihan ducks, causing Edwards to hit the ring post too. Callihan then launches the steel chair at Edwards’ head causing him to take control. Callihan rakes the eyes of Edwards before dumping him on the apron. Edwards comes back with some headbutts but Callihan catches him with an Exploder Suplex through a steel chair. Callihan throws Edwards in the ring and the match officially starts.
Both start to brawl in the middle of the ring as if it’s a hockey fight. Both men start attacking each other’s eyes. As the referee tries to pull them apart he gets shoved down. The referee calls off the match and says “he’s done” before storming off.
Eddie Edwards and Sami Callihan fight to a No Contest in 1 min 14 secs
Edwards and Callihan continue to brawl after the match is called. Edwards delivers a Tope Con Hilo before picking up Callihan’s baseball bat and stalks Callihan up the ramp. Edwards goes to smash Callihan with the baseball bat but Callihan pulls out his phone and “manipulates the lights”. We see on the screen Alisha Edwards has been kidnapped and trapped somewhere backstage. Callihan tries to attack Edwards from behind but Edwards hits him in the face with the bat. Edwards goes running backstage as dramatic music starts to play. Edwards finds Alisha but Ken Shamrock jumps him. Callihan and Shamrock then tie Edwards up with barbed wire to a fence and strike him in the face with the bat as Alisha watches on.
Davie’s thoughts: I found this incredibly boring. I feel that these two have been feuding and having the same matches for a very long time. They always just have a dull brawl and with the closing angle, it doesn’t feel like it’s going to finish any time soon. Alisha Edwards should also not be on TV. Her acting is terrible and I didn’t believe for a second that she was fearing for her or her husband’s life.
Overall, this was a very hit and miss show. I felt that it was a much stronger effort than the last few episodes and the Four Way was a great opener to set the tone for the rest of the night. The Omega & Good Brothers vs Rich Swann & Motor City Machine Guns are moving along nicely, however, after tonight I really think it’s time for IMPACT to strike back. Tony Khan and Schiavone were entertaining as always and I’m sure we’re going to see memes of them in their party accessories very soon! I’m happy with the direction of both the Knockouts Tag and Singles Championship and I feel the X Division is in good shape. Unfortunately, IMPACT can’t help themselves get silly and it does drag down my enjoyment of the show. The Karate Man stuff is just bad and the closing segment seemed laughable rather than the dramatic finish they were hoping for. The Moose Three Minute Challenge also didn’t progress my interest in the Willie Mack feud at all. All that being said, I do think this was a better effort than recently, and hopefully, it will be enough to keep around any new viewers tuning in for the AEW/IMPACT storyline.
6 Baseball Bats Out Of 10