IMPACT Wrestling
November 3rd, 2020
Skyway Studios, Nashville, Tennessee
Commentary by: Josh Matthews and Madison Rayne
The show opens with an epic recap of the whole John E. Bravo/Rosemary wedding storyline climaxing with the shooting of Bravo. During the recap, it is highlighting all the potential suspects who have a motive for shooting Bravo.
Tommy Dreamer Is Launching An Investigation
Tommy Dreamer approaches Scott D’Amore wearing a detective-style raincoat and asks what Bravo’s condition is. D’Amore says that he is in critical but stable condition and is currently in a medically induced coma. D’Amore questions what Dreamer is wearing and Dreamer says that he is launching an investigation and everyone is a suspect.
IMPACT Knockouts Championship
Deonna Purrazzo w/ Kimber Lee vs Su Yung
As Su Yung attempts to put on her Mandible Claw Glove, Deonna Purrazzo attacks her with a Pump Kick. Yung starts to fight back and goes for the Panic Switch but Purrazzo is able to escape. Deonna starts to attack the arm of Su Yung to disable the Mandible Claw and set up for her Fujiwara Armbar by Stomping on the elbow. Sy Yung delivers a Lou Thesz Press followed by a series of Punches before both take it in turn to deliver Elbow Strikes. Su Yung manages to apply the Mandible Claw but Kimber Lee causes Su to break the hold by throwing a chair into the ring. Both Purrazzo and Young play tug of war with the steel chair until Su inadvertently hits Deonna in the stomach with the chair, causing the DQ.
Deonna Purrazzo defeats Su Yung via Disqualification in 4 mins 30 secs
Davie’s thoughts: This match wasn’t a patch on their recent two encounters. Su Yung seemed a little slow at times and the match didn’t quite flow as well. The match really seemed like a way to prolong the feud with Purrazzo now technically having a win over the champion.
Scott D’Amore’s Office
Rhino and Heath are in Scott D’Amore’s office for the contract signing. Heath is trying to pretend that he isn’t in pain from the hernia he suffered at Bound For Glory. Scott D’Amore says that Heath looked great when he “hit that ring” and questions if he is all right. Heath is very eager to sign and D’Amore questions if he is really ok as he wasn’t moving well in the Call Your Shot Gauntlet match. Rhino tries to cover Heath by saying he was nervous. D’Amore says that everything Heath wanted is in the contract but he is not going to let Heath sign it until he is fully healthy. Heath leaves the office saying that he is going to prove D’Amore wrong.
Deonna Purrazzo’s lawyer then enters the office and is angry because Deonna won the match but with it being a Disqualification it means she doesn’t get the title. He is angling to get another title shot for Purrazzo. D’Amore says that Purrazzo will have another title shot at Turning Point and it will be a No DQ Match.
I Am The Fire
Rich Swann walks in on Eddie Edwards and is singing as he is super excited to be teaming up to take on Eric Young and Sami Callihan. Edwards says that he has a history with both men and can’t wait to take them down. Both start singing Edwards’ entrance theme “I Am The Fire” by Forever The Fallen as Rich Swann leaves the room.
Chris Bey vs Trey Miguel
Both start the match by trading Wrest Locks until Trey delivers a big Chop to the chest, runs the ropes, and hits a big Arm Drag to Bey. Both attempt Arm Drags and Ranas but land on their feet, showing how evenly matched they are. As the ref is distracted, Chris Bey rakes the eyes of Trey to take advantage. Bey stands on the back of Trey, causing him a lot of pain. Trey starts to fight back, Back Flips over Bey, and Dropkicks him in the back of the head. Trey hits the Reverse 619 followed by the Colourful Combination for a two count. Trey hits the Cheeky Nandos but Bey is able to block it with his hands and hits a Cutter from the second rope to pick up the win.
Chris Bey defeats Trey Miguel via Pinfall in 6 mins 24 secs
Davie’s thoughts: As expected, these two put on a really entertaining match. Both have very similar styles and work together really nicely. I thought the finish was quite clever with Bey blocking the Cheeky Nandos with his hands allowing him to hit the Cutter.
Locker Room Talk With Madison Rayne
Madison Rayne is surprised that Johnny Swinger is able to join her with him being one of the main suspects in the John E. Bravo case. Rayne introduces both Jordynne Grace and Tenille Dashwood who are planning to enter the Knockouts Tag Tournament however both currently don’t have partners. Kaleb With A K is with Dashwood and tells Rayne that she looks good but not as good as Tenille. Jordynne Grace says that she and Alisha Edwards didn’t click as a team but she still has a little bit of time to find a new partner. Rayne suggests that Grace and Dashwood could be a team if they put their differences aside. Grace says that they don’t see eye to eye but she respects that Dashwood will do whatever it takes to win. Dashwood responds by asking Madison Rayne if she wants to be her partner instead. Rayne says that she thinks the two could work and accepts. Kaleb With A K asks Jordynne Grace to leave as he takes a photo of the new tag team. Jordynne Grace knocks the camera out of Kaleb’s hand as she leaves.
Dreamer Interrogates
Tommy Dreamer, in full Sherlock Holmes wardrobe, interviews senior referee Brandon Tolle about the shooting of John E. Bravo. Dreamer brings up that Bravo belittled Tolle following the Fallah Bahh/Johnny Swinger match a few weeks ago.
Cody Deaner and Johnny Swinger are the next two to be interviewed but they start arguing as they are about to have a match. Dreamer sends them both off to have their match but tells them both to come back later as they are both suspects.
Defeat Rohit Challenge
Rohit Raju is in the ring gloating about beating five wrestlers at Bound For Glory. Rohit calls out for a new challenger and TJP enters whilst wearing his street attire and drinking tea. TJP says that he is here to answer the opportunity. Rohit tells TJP that he had his opportunity at Bound For Glory and he lost, so his chance is gone. TJP says that he may have lost the match but Rohit never “beat” him. Rohit says that he clawed and scratched to get to this position and won’t let TJP take it away from him. TJP says that he has been working for twenty-two years, longer than Rohit has been watching wrestling. He sold out Arena Mexico when he was eighteen, youngest gaijin in NJPW, competed in Best Of The Super Juniors, been Cruiserweight Champion, and X Division Champion. He was homeless living in his car and managed to achieve all of that through hard work. Rohit tells TJP that he is a has-been, speaks past tense, is pathetic, and tells him to leave his ring. TJP responds by throwing his tea at Rohit and the two begin to brawl. The segment ends with TJP throwing Rohit out of the ring and standing tall.
Davie’s thoughts: I thought this was an excellent segment. Rohit Raju has been very entertaining during his X Division Championship run and once again was great on the microphone here. TJP cut maybe the best promo I’ve ever seen from him. It was very reminiscent of his speech at the Cruiserweight Classic and displayed real passion and truth in his words. This was a great step in furthering the rivalry between Rohit and TJP.
Chris Sabin Interview
Gia Miller is backstage for an interview with Chris Sabin and asks about Alex Shelley’s condition following the attack last week from XXXL. Sabin says that Shelley is going to be fine but he is fed up with everyone in the tag division playing games and trying to isolate him. Sabin issues a challenge to both Larry D and Acey Romero to a singles match to prove why he is still one half of the greatest tag team in the world.
Scott D’Amore Gives TJP One More Chance
Rohit Raju is backstage with Scott D’Amore complaining about still not getting first-class flights, still not receiving solo catering and TJP ruining the “Defeat Rohit Challenge”. TJP enters and starts yelling at Rohit. D’Amore tells them to both calm down and that there is only one way to settle it. Rohit objects as he already lost his opportunity however, TJP asks for one more shot as he has never been pinned or submitted by Rohit. D’Amore says that they are going to have one more match and it must be fair. If TJP loses he will never challenge for the X Division Championship as long as Rohit is champion.
Ethan Page w/ Josh Alexander vs DOC Gallows w/ Karl Anderson
The Good Brothers enter sporting all their merchandise and their brand new whiskey that is available at Shop Impact. Ethan Page gets sent to the outside early and he takes his time to have a pep talk with Josh Alexander. As he gets back into the ring he gets sent right back into the corner and attacked with a series of punches. Page bails to the outside again and tries to calm himself down. Josh Alexander gets on the apron to distract Gallows as Ethan Page attacks him from behind to pick up the advantage. Page delivers a DDT for a two count and immediately follows up with a Sleeper. Gallows starts to fight back with some big right hands but Ethan Page Rakes the eyes to get back into the match. Gallows comes back with a Big Boot and goes to follow up with a Splash into the corner but Alexander grabs his ankle. Karl Anderson tries to take out Alexander but gets reversed and thrown into the barricade. Back in the ring Gallows hits a Superkick to Page and picks up the win.
DOC Gallows defeats Ethan Page via Pinfall in 7 mins 40 secs
After the match, Alexander immediately attacks Gallows. The North continues to beat down on Gallows but Anderson runs in and hits the Gun Stun to Page and Gallows Clotheslines Alexander out of the ring.
Davie’s thoughts: There wasn’t really much to the match at all. Ethan Page spent most of it playing mind games on the outside and Gallows is pretty limited with his offense. This was predominantly just an angle to build up to The Good Brothers being challengers for The North’s Tag Titles.
Swoggle Interview
Gia Miller is backstage interviewing Swoggle who says it’s amazing to be back in IMPACT Wrestling. Swoggle says that he’s always felt like he’s been pushed aside to the Island of Misfit Toys but coming to IMPACT feels like that island and feels like home. He plugs his autobiography and says that he has always been treated like a joke but it is now time to be considered as a serious professional wrestler.
Brian Myers enters, calls Swoggle his “former best friend” and says that he is offended by Swoggle calling himself a serious professional wrestler. Myers calls Swoggle a “sideshow freak” and that his book should be renamed “My time in IMPACT Wrestling was short and so am I” before pushing him over.
Johnny Swinger vs Cody Deaner w/ Cousin Jake
The match starts with a lot of posturing by both men. Deaner delivers a big Clothesline after both shows off their biceps and drinks some beer before Stomping on Swinger in the corner. Swinger manages to Drop Toe Hold Deaner into the second turnbuckle and tries to strangle him with his colorful wrist bands. Deaner comes back with an Inverted Atomic Drop, some Jabs, and another Clothesline. Deaner puts his hat back on and goes for the Deaner DDT but Swinger Rakes his eyes and bails to the outside. Swinger puts on a fanny pack and brings a steel chair into the ring. Cousin Jake takes the chair off of Swinger and as the referee is distracted, Swinger nails Deaner between the eyes with the fanny pack and picks up the win.
Johnny Swinger defeats Cody Deaner via Pinfall in 3 mins 2 secs
Davie’s thoughts: Just another quick Johnny Swinger comedy match. I enjoy both of these guys as personalities, however, find these types of matches just a waste of time.
Moose Calls Out Rich Swann
Moose makes a grandiose entrance with the opening bars of Carmina Burana by Carl Orff before going into his main theme. Moose says that for the past few months he and the TNA World Heavyweight Championship hasn’t been taken seriously, but that shouldn’t be a problem anymore. He says that some people say that he didn’t earn the title and he just grabbed it from the trash can but at Bound For Glory he went to hell and back and defeated who some people call the greatest TNA Champion in history. Moose says that he is now controlling his own narrative. In the last two years, he has been undefeated at PPVs, beaten Rob Van Dam, beaten Rhino, beaten Ken Shamrock, beaten Tommy Dreamer, and at Bound For Glory beat the greatest TNA Champion of all time EC3. Moose says that nobody talks about that and all they talk about is the IMPACT World Champion, Rich Swann. Moose congratulates Swann and says that the IMPACT Championship is the second most important championship in the company. Moose tells Swann that he will show Swann what pain looks like before replaying a video from last week where he attacked Willie Mack in the parking lot. Moose tells Swann to ask Willie Mack when he wakes up what pain really feels like and tells him that he has been warned.
Willie Mack then runs out to the ring to attack Moose. The two start brawl on the outside until Moose is able to take him out and continues to beat down Mack. Mack then grabs a camera cable, which he uses to choke out Mack.
Davie’s thoughts: I feel Moose is getting stronger and stronger as an all-around performer every week. I thought he was excellent on the microphone and I really like how he has now incorporated elements from EC3’s characters into his own following that feud.
Chris Bey Tries To Get A Title Shot
Chris Bey approaches Rich Swann backstage to congratulate him on winning the IMPACT World Heavyweight Championship. Bey tells Swann that he should go to the office and say that it is time to put his title on the line against him. Swann says that Bey can’t finesse him into getting a title shot and says that title shots are earned. Eddie Edwards then comes in to get Swann for their tag match.
Dreamer’s Ten Suspects
Tommy Dreamer says that he has narrowed down his suspects to ten people. The ten suspects are James Mitchell, Johnny Swinger, Hernandez, Fallah Bahh, Taya Valkyrie, Rosemary, Brandon Tolle, Havok, Cody Deaner, and Larry D. James Mitchell states that this is nonsense and can’t believe that anyone would suspect him of shooting John E. Bravo as he is a complete angel. Mitchell then admits that he is kidding himself and would probably blame himself too. Taya says that she has been a perfect angel this entire time and has been on her best behavior. Dreamer says that that’s why she’s a prime suspect. We then see mugshots of all ten suspects.
Next Week
Rohit Raju vs TJP (X Division Championship)
Chris Sabin vs Acey Romero
Madison Rayne & Tenille Dashwood vs Havok & Nevaeh
Turning Point
Su Yung vs Deonna Purrazzo (No Disqualification for the Knockouts Championship)
Moose vs Willie Mack
Sami Callihan & Eric Young vs Eddie Edwards & Rich Swann
Rich Swann and Sami Callihan start the match. Callihan immediately gets the advantage and starts attacking Swann’s eyes whilst in the corner. Swann manages to come back with a Dropkick that sends Callihan to the outside but Eric Young enters the ring to attack Swann. Young gets sent to the outside and is hit with a Suicide Dive from Edwards as Swann hits a Somersault Senton to Callihan. After the commercial break, Edwards applies a Boston Crab to Callihan as Swann hits a Somersault Leg Drop to the back of his head. Young and Callihan are able to come back as they begin to Double Team Edwards and isolate him in their corner. As Young starts to run the apron and make his way up the turnbuckle, Edwards Dropkicks his knee and hits him with a Superplex. Edwards makes the tag to Swann who hits both Callihan and Young followed by a Hurricanrana on Callihan, which sends him crashing on top of Young. Callihan and Young attempt a Double Suplex to Swann but Edwards is able to save him. Swann then hits both Young and Callihan with a Cutter and makes the tag to Edwards. The match breaks down with all four men in the ring getting in their stuff. Both Young and Callihan go for the Piledriver but Edwards and Swann counter into a Sharpshooter and Single Leg Boston Crab. Callihan goes to tap but Young grabs his hand to prevent him. Edwards hits the Backpack Stunner to Callihan and goes for the pin, as Callihan kicks out Edwards transitions to another Single Leg Boston Crab. Swann prevents Young from getting into the ring to break the hold however, Ken Shamrock runs out and attacks him from behind. As Edwards is distracted by Shamrock, Callihan attempts a roll up but Eddie kicks out. Callihan then hits Edwards low and follows up with a nasty looking Spike Piledriver to pick up the win.
Sami Callihan & Eric Young defeat Eddie Edwards & Rich Swann via Pinfall in 11 mins 4 secs (plus commercials)
Davie’s thoughts: I thought this was a solid main event, that moved quickly and had some entertaining spots. I assume this closes the chapter between Eric Young and Rich Swann and we will now see Swann’s attention being focussed on Moose. That being said, I felt there was a big disconnect this week between Swann and Willie Mack. Immediately after Moose was attacked, we saw Swann chilling in his dressing room and there was no mention of the attack on his best friend. I think for the next few weeks Edwards is likely to continue feuding with Shamrock, Callihan, and Young.
Overall, I thought this was another fun show. I thought the Trey Miguel vs Chris Bey match and the main event were both pretty entertaining and I thought the TJP and Rohit Raju segment was excellent. The “Who Shot John E. Bravo” story is off to a fun start with Dreamer taking the role of detective and gives the “Wrestle House” crew something to do every week. As a low-mid-card story, I think it is entertaining and serves its purpose on weekly TV. Just one stray observation, there was a lot of eye raking this week. Pretty much every match had someone use a Rake to the Eyes. I don’t mind here and there but in some matches, it was as the referee was distracted and other times blatantly in front of the referee. It’s a small nitpick but I do like consistency when it comes to wrestling as it allows me to “believe” it more. We have a long build until the Hard To Kill PPV in January but IMPACT proves that they can deliver an entertaining two hours of television.
6.5 Rake To The Eyes Out Of 10