IMPACT Wrestling
February 2nd, 2021
Skyway Studios in Nashville, Tennessee
Commentary: Matt Striker & D’Lo Brown
Tasha Steelz (w/ Kiera Hogan) vs. Havok (w/ Nevaeh)
This match stems from Havok & Nevaeh ‘destroying’ the Fire ‘N Flava Fest from last week. Right when the bells ring, Hogan tries to get involved and distract Havok. Havok ignores her but Steelz starts chopping and kicking Havok’s legs down to get her to the mat. Steelz ends the sequence with a superkick for a two count as Hogan yells ringside that it was a 3. After a half Boston Crab, Steelz continues to work on the legs of Havok, before Havok reaches for the ropes to escape again. Steelz is able to work on Havok in the corner before Havok grabs and tosses Steelz away and knocks her down with a high knee. Havok tosses Steelz to the other corner of the ring like a ragdoll followed by a boot to the corner. Havok misses a high kick, as Steelz comes back with kicks of her own. They struggle with strength in the middle of the ring, but Havok is able to catch Steelz in the air at a cross body attempt for a two count. Havok tries to run the ropes but Hogan grabs her leg, Havok grabs Hogan up and as Steelz tries to attack her from behind gets grabbed by Nevaeh herself. Havok grabs Steelz and hits a Tombstone piledriver for the pin.
Winner: Havok by pinfall at 4:34
After the match, Fire ‘N Flava starts screaming but gets scared away by Havok and Nevaeh.
Shamrock Suspended Indefinitely
They go back to footage of last week after IMPACT went off the air of Ken Shamrock having Brandon Tolle in the ankle lock, Sami Callihan tried to stop Shamrock but got smacked and knocked down by Shamrock as he went back to apply the ankle lock once again. Security guards run in and Shamrock takes them out as well, as Callihan leaves the ring. As Shamrock screams ‘This is my house.’
We go to Scott D’Amore in his office with Sami Callihan saying that was too much what Ken Shamrock did last week, and Shamrock is suspended indefinitely and Callihan says ‘good’, as he was going to fire him anyway for smacking him in the face. Callihan tells D’Amore that he did a good job as D’Amore looks confused.
Old Man Dreamer
We go to IMPACT World Champion Rich Swann and Tommy Dreamer backstage as Dreamer says he remembers when he himself gave up his world title opportunity to Terry Funk back in the day for ECW. Swann registers the similarity, but tonight it’s about their match against Moose and Chris Bey. Swann tells Dreamer because of his age, to let him handle this tonight as he wants Dreamer as fresh as possible. Dreamer agrees but tells Swann to remember that they are partners and if Swann gets tired, to remember him. They shake on it, but as Swann walks away Dreamer looks a little hurt by the age comments from Swann.
Ball-less Wonders
We see the IMPACT Wrestling World Tag Team Champions The Good Brothers where they talk about their match for AEW Beach Break with Kenny Omega where they will “Beat Up Jon Moxley!” They then talk about possibly screwing over the Private Party in the Battle Royal at Beach Break before they get interrupted by James Storm and Chris Sabin. Storm says it’s ok they interfered in their match, but it’s not ok that they attacked Sabin when he was down. Sabin chimes in and say it’s not about the titles, it’s about respect and calls them ‘Ball-less Wonders’ and won’t fight them. Doc Gallows says they have the titles, and they don’t have to fight them. Storm says either next week they will give them the title shot, or they can fight it outside like men. Gallows says they need a good night’s sleep for Beach Break, but next week they can meet them in the ring, and they will figure it out. Sabin calls them ‘Ball-less Wonders’ again before walking away.
Madman Fulton (w/ Ace Austin) vs. Josh Alexander
They start the match hard with Fulton delivering blows to Alexander in the corner, but Alexander comes back holding Fulton’s ankle trying to take him down, but Fulton reverses with a suplex before tackling down on the back of Alexander. Fulton gets warned by Brandon Tolle as he attacks in the corner, but Fulton gets in Tolle’s face. Fulton begins to put his boot down in the corner of Alexander while stretching out his legs and delivering a stomp off the top rope on Alexander. Alexander is able to come back and hits a dropkick off the top rope followed by a German suplex, but Fulton lands right on his feet. Fulton runs in for a big boot, but Alexander is able to reverse out and twist him into an ankle lock until Fulton kicks Alexander right out of the ring. Alexander takes his time getting up as Fulton goes out and chokeslams Alexander right onto the apron as he tosses him back inside. Fulton delivers another big chokeslam, but Alexander kicks out at one. Fulton places Alexander on the top rope, they battle a bit before Alexander slips out and powerbombs Fulton followed by a rolling elbow and a double hook piledriver that Striker called the Jay Driver, for the win.
Winner: Josh Alexander by pinfall at 4:48
We Have A Major Problem
Brian Myers comes out with an eye patch still selling his eye injury from his matches with Fallah Bahh and Eddie Edwards. Myers says he feels responsible for the shape that he’s in. He says it’s the Most Professional Wrestler vs. the Most Unprofessional Wrestler Eddie Edwards. Myers says Edwards used to be a classic wrestler, trained by Killer Kowalski, but Kowalski is now rolling his grave to what Edwards has become. A backyard wrestler, stuntman, and shell of a man of who he used to be. Myers says he wants Edwards one on one at No Surrender and calls himself the Franchise of IMPACT Wrestling. He says unfortunately he can’t do that and looks to take out a doctor’s note until Eddie Edwards runs to the ring to take down Myers before Hernandez runs in and takes out Edwards as it seems he has aligned himself with Myers. Myers says he won’t face him at No Surrender, but his boy Hernandez will gladly kick his ass. Matt Cardona runs to the ring and starts brawling with Hernandez as Myers escapes to the back showing he wants nothing of Cardona.
Groundhog’s Day
We go back to Swinger’s Palace as we see Fallah Bahh and Alicia Edwards playing poker with the dealer John E. Bravo, not having any luck. Johnny Swinger comes in to collect money and says business is good like Prince’s house on Thanksgiving night. Alicia says she needs to pay Bravo more, but Swinger says he’s lucky Bravo has a job after Taya dumped him, calls Bahh a ‘ham-and-egger’, and walks away. Alicia asks why does it feel like they are always in Swinger’s world, and Bahh says he doesn’t know, and it feels like it’s Groundhog’s Day or something.
Alwayz Ready
We see Eddie Edwards & Matt Cardona walking backstage, and Cardona says he knows all about Brian Myers. Edwards says he knows he wants to fight Myers and says how about a tag match with them two versus Brian Myers & Hernandez. Cardona says just like his shirt says, he is always ready, so agrees to it.
Crazzy Steve (w/ Rosemary) vs. Larry D (w/ Acey Romero)
Steve runs to Larry to start the match, but Larry pushes him off until Steve corners him before taking him down with a drop toe hold. Steve runs the ropes but gets tripped up by Romero before Larry throws Steve out for Romero to throw into the barricade. Back inside, Steve starts biting on Larry, until Larry takes him down with a Belly-to-Belly suplex for a two count. After Larry takes it to Steve in the corner, Rosemary tries to give words of encouragement to Steve. Larry starts clobbering Steve in the corner before delivering a low superkick for a two count. Larry screams that Steve doesn’t know what ‘crazy’ is until he’s been behind bars. Larry brings Steve up for a powerbomb, but Steve escapes and bites down again on Larry. Larry comes back with a jumping splash for a two count, followed by a short-arm lariat. He tries another one, but Steve bites again before jumping onto Romero on the outside, but Romero drops him to avoid disqualification for Larry. Steve bites once again but ends up springboarding into a right punch by Larry D who gets the pin after.
Winner: Larry D by pinfall at 4:01
After the match, Rosemary stares down at Romero and Larry who escape out the ring. Rosemary steps out as well and intimidates them once more.
No More Crutches
Gia Miller sits backstage with Trey Miguel and asks him what led to him leaving and returning. Miguel says ever since he got there, and even before he’s had two crutches (speaking of The Rascalz), but now that he doesn’t have them anymore, he can show everybody that he can stand on his own two feet. The interview gets interrupted by Sami Callihan who says he’s not there to fight and takes Gia’s seat. Callihan says the IMPACT roster gave him a great send-off that was wasted. He says The Rascalz just left, and he’s already throwing them under the bus. Callihan says Miguel is talented, but he doesn’t have the drive to make it in IMPACT, because when things get hard, he tucks his tail and runs away. Callihan then quotes Triple H saying how there’s only room for people with heart and passion in this industry. Miguel gets in his face, as Callihan walks away.
Tenille Will Hit A Woman
Gia Miller backstage with XXXL and congratulates Larry D on his win as well as leaving from jail but asks if they hesitated a bit with Rosemary. Larry says they didn’t hesitate and XXXL doesn’t fear anybody. As easy as it would be to take Rosemary out, they are gentlemen and would never hit a woman. Tenille Dashwood and Kaleb with a K interrupt, and Tenille say if they need help hitting a woman, she wouldn’t mind doing it for them. Larry likes the sound of that and proposes a six-person match with XXXL and Tenille Dashwood vs. Rosemary, Crazzy Steve, and whoever they choose for No Surrender.
Susan (w/ Deonna Purrazzo & Kimber Lee) vs. Jordynne Grace (w/ Jazz)
Susan seems a bit hesitant to start the match, as Kimber and Deonna tell her to focus. Susan takes her time taking off her glasses and her jacket, but Grace runs in and attacks her. Grace starts tossing Susan around as Susan plays the role of the non-wrestler. Grace tries to run in again and splash, but Susan pulls the referee in the way as she pokes Grace in the eye and throws her to the outside. Susan starts distracting the referee as Deonna and Kimber attack her on the outside. Susan starts taking control by stomping Grace in the corner and shouting to Jazz on the outside. As she goes to talk to Jazz again, Deonna pulls Grace to the outside and they start beating down on her once again. Susan goes for the pin, but Grace grabs the rope at one. Grace comes back until Susan throws her to the outside by Jazz. Deonna and Kimber start brawling with Jazz and Grace on the outside before Grace runs back in and hits a pair of body slams and a driver to Susan for a two count. Grace starts attacking Susan in the corner, taking out Deonna, but as Kimber tries to hold Grace, Jazz comes in for the save. Grace hits the Grace Driver for the three-count.
Winner: Jordynne Grace by pinfall at 4:48
After the match, Susan, Deonna, and Kimber come in and start attacking the babyfaces before ODB returns. As Susan extends her hand, ODB attacks the heels and aligns herself with Grace and Jazz.
‘Henny Thing Is Possible
We got backstage with Matt Hardy and the Private Party, as the Party is upset that they aren’t getting a title shot and James Storm and Chris Sabin are. Hardy says to not worry, and they have a guaranteed title shot at No Surrender. Hardy says they have the battle royal at Beach Break and can get another title shot. Hardy says he has a bounty on the tag titles, before saying Tony Khan doesn’t like that term and calls it a bonus. Says when they win both titles, Big Money Matt will be making more money but still says Private Party will be millionaires regardless. Hardy says he always has everything under control and just needs Private Party to show up and be the second greatest tag team in history. Isiah Kassidy looks into the camera and says that ‘Henny thing is possible’.
Emotional Like A Shark
Tony Khan and Tony Schiavone are all decked out in their beach gear as they promote AEW Beach Break. Khan says he knows he upset a lot of people last week for his comments towards IMPACT calling this his own fantasy league. Khan says he’s been emotional and making decisions like he never has done before like having Jon Moxley go wrestle for NJPW. He calls himself a shark-like hat on Schiavone’s head as Schiavone starts running down the card for Beach Break. Khan says tomorrow night there are no games and he’s going to be an emotional shark.
Never Say Never
We go backstage where we see ODB, Jazz & Jordynne Grace. Jazz asked ODB where she came from, and she said she had her food truck parked out and poked her head in to see what was going on and wanted to save her girls. Grace asked her if she’s coming back, Jazz said there’s a lot of them coming back and ODB says never say never.
Rohit Raju vs. TJP
This is a non-title match as Raju didn’t realize what he agreed to last week. Raju runs right to TJP who quickly dodges out of the way. TJP starts playing with Raju and places his leg on the referee trying to outmaneuver Raju before putting him into a crucifix submission as Raju escapes on the ropes. Raju gets the upper hand and starts stomping down on TJP before TJP comes back with a unique head-scissor pin attempt, lounges on the ropes before getting kicked out by Raju as we go to commercial.
When we come back, Raju has TJP in the corner as he’s stomping away. After a couple of minutes of being beaten down, TJP gets back body dropped by Raju who hits a two count, frustrated, he goes and covers again for another two. Raju works on the left arm of TJP but TJP comes back with a springboard crossbody, followed by a hurricanrana off the top ropes and a tornado DDT. TJP goes for the Mamba Splash, but Raju dodges out and attacks TJP in the corner ending with a cannonball. Raju jumps off the top rope but falls into a double boot by TJP, TJP goes for a Go to Sleep, but Raju reverses it. TJP ends up on the outside and goes under the ring. As TJP comes from the outside, he is joined by Mahabali Shera who attacks TJP. As TJP goes back inside, he gets hit by a running knee by Raju for the pin.
Winner: Rohit Raju by pinfall at 11:08
Holy Waters of Change
We go to a produced video package from Violent by Design. Eric Young asks himself why VBD didn’t attack Cousin Jake, they said because they are family and Jake is family. Young says the olive branch won’t be extended to all, but this can be your family, your protection, and your cure. And if Jake wants, Young can remove the sickness, but in the end, the choice is his. In the end, if he wants it, Young can baptize him in the holy waters of change.
Gia Miller backstage with Cousin Jake asking him what his response is with the Violent by Design segment. Jake says that it was crazy, and he doesn’t have an answer right now. Next week, he will give them his answer.
Next Week on IMPACT Wrestling:
ODB vs. Kimber Lee
Kiera Hogan vs. Nevaeh
IMPACT World Tag Team Championship: The Good Brothers (c) vs. Chris Sabin & James Storm
IMPACT World Championship Contract Signing for No Surrender with Rich Swann & Tommy Dreamer
Moose & Chris Bey vs. Tommy Dreamer & Rich Swann
Dreamer & Bey start the match as Dreamer is wearing a sweet Terry Funk like a headband that would make Johnny Lawrence blush. Right when Bey starts to take control they go to their final commercial of the night.
When we come back, Moose is choking out Dreamer in the corner. Dreamer is able to avoid a splash in the corner and tags in the fresh Rich Swann. Swann shows off his speed before Moose splashes him in the corner with a European uppercut and tags in Bey. Bey tries an uppercut of his own, but Swann reverses into a backslide pin for a one-count. Bey and Swann work wonders back and forth until Swann stops Bey in his tracks with a beautiful dropkick. Dreamer gets tagged in and hits an elbow onto Bey. After a stretch, Dreamer tags Swann in as they hit a double-teamed maneuver on Bey. Swann starts punching Moose who’s on the apron, but Moose comes back and attacks Swann, Bey takes advantage and kicks Swann before tagging Moose in. After Moose beats down on Swann a bit more, Bey comes in and holds down Swann in the middle of the ring. A beat down Swann is able to tag in a fresh Dreamer who comes in and takes Bey down with a back body drop before getting into a bit of a ‘Dusty’ mode but having the three-count broken up by Moose. As Dreamer avoids a spear by Moose, Moose takes out Swann instead who gets pinned by Moose as Dreamer gets held back by Bey.
Winners: Moose & Chris Bey by pinfall at 11:42
After the match Moose takes out Dreamer with a spear on him as well and then holds up both the IMPACT and TNA World Titles before walking away.
Siino Vision: An okay show, that just progressed matches set up for No Surrender, so they did a good job with that. Seeing Tony Khan acting a bit inebriated making ‘emotional’ decisions is something I wouldn’t mind seeing more of especially if it involves more companies like NJPW. The Knockouts division improved a little bit, but still not up to its usual standard. Great to see old but new faces like ODB and Mahabali Shera as the matchups seem to get a bit repetitive in IMPACT sometimes.
Interested if this Shamrock suspension leads to anything else, especially with the tweet Shamrock had to Tony Khan recently about his visit. The AEW presence seems to have cooled down quite a bit as it’s nothing by pre-recorded segments for now hopefully that will change.
My favorite part of the show though was Sami Callihan referencing the quote from Triple H on why Trey Miguel didn’t join his Rascal partners in NXT, and that really brought out a side of Miguel we are not used to. Again, a standard show with a heavy emphasis on the No Surrender build.
6 emotional sharks out of 10.
