IMPACT EMERGENCE REPORT: Christian Cage retains IMPACT Championship

Photo Courtesy: IMPACT Wrestling

IMPACT Wrestling Emergence 2021

By: John Siino

Exclusively on Impact+

August 20th, 2021

Skyway Studios in Nashville, Tennessee

Commentary: Matt Striker & D’Lo Brown

Matt Cardona (w/ Chelsea Green) vs. Rohit Raju (w/ Shera)

Raju takes a while to start the match, and when he does, he ducks Cardona and heads to the outside to play to the crowd. Back inside, Raju tries to hold down Cardona, but easily gets shoulder tackled down. Raju blows a kiss to Chelsea on the outside, as Cardona hits another shoulder tackle to Raju making him head to the outside once again. Cardona easily clotheslines Raju down and throws him into the corners followed by a dropkick and clotheslines Raju to the outside for the third time. Raju dodges Cardona’s baseball slide but runs into his boot instead as Cardona goes face to face with Shera. Raju takes advantage and attacks Cardona, but Cardona easily takes Raju to the outside where he tries to dive onto Raju, but Raju pulls the ring skirt and Cardona awkwardly falls down on the floor. Cardona gets clotheslined by Shera on the outside, as Raju has the referee distracted. Back inside, Raju hits a buzzsaw kick for a two-count on Cardona, then dodges a missile dropkick from Cardona off the ropes. Cardona’s cuts on his back from the Nick Gage match start to reopen, as Cardona attempts the ReBoot and hits a modified one to the outside instead on Raju. Raju goes on the offense, but he misses the cannonball in the corner and gets the ReBoot from Cardona for a two-count. Raju blocks the Radio Silence from Cardona and into the crossface followed by a flatliner for a two count. Cardona comes back with a missile dropkick and a cutter for a two-count. Shera distracts Cardona, as Raju attempts a roll-up with his feet on the ropes, but the referee catches it. Cardona hits the Radio Silence for the pin.

Winner: Matt Cardona by pinfall at 11:35

After the match, Shera attacks Cardona, but Chelsea runs in and gets in Shera’s face as Shera and Raju slowly back away.

Tasha Steelz, Savannah Evans, Fallah Bahh & No Way vs. Decay (Crazzy Steve, Black Taurus, Havok & Rosemary)

Rosemary and Tasha start the match as the crowd is egging on Rosemary to bite Tasha’s face-off, so they take a couple of minutes just talking trash and stalling until Tasha tags out to Evans without getting physical. Evans does go physical right away as they start brawling into the corner, where Evans knocks Rosemary loopy with a boot into a tag by Steve. Steve tries to bite Evans’ face, but she gets out and tags out to No Way who double teams Steve with Bahh in the corner including a belly-to-belly. Taurus comes in and he’s able to hit a sling blade on Bahh. Taurus distracts the referee as the rest of Decay start biting Bahh in their own corner as the crowd chants ‘Taste like Bahh’. The referee is still preoccupied as Decay all start attacking Bahh like a pack of zombies. Evans and Rosemary go at it, with Evans dominating until she tags Steelz in who stays in control. Evans comes back in and misses a leg drop, but she pulls Rosemary back into their corner. Rosemary eventually escapes and tags in Havok who goes to town on Steelz including a Sky High that Evans breaks up resulting in Havok and Evans going face to face for the first time ever. As Havok wins that face-off, Steelz jumps onto the back of Havok, but Steve tags in as does No Way. No Way catches Steve off the ropes into an impressive vertical suplex, before tagging in Bahh. Taurus comes in as he and Rosemary hit a double spear on Bahh, and Taurus goes for the pin, which Steelz is too late to stop, and gets the win.

Winners: Decay (Black Taurus, Crazzy Steve, Rosemary & Havok) by pinfall at 8:35

The World (Titles) Belong To Us

Violent by Design cut a quickly produced promo where Eric Young says the sickness took the tag team titles from them, but they won’t stop, and they will continue to fight. Joe Doering last night showed an inhuman resiliency and ability to take punishment and keep walking forward and as a result, beat one of the tag team champions. Now they have re-emerged and tonight they will take power, and do they think they can stop them. The answer is no and tonight they will gain control because like this world those world titles belong to VBD.

Steve Maclin vs. Petey Williams

They start brawling on the outside before the bell rings, with Petey throwing Maclin into the ring steps multiple times. They go back inside and officially start the match with Petey still in control hitting a tornado DDT for a 1 count. Petey calls for the Canadian Destroyer, but Maclin reverses, and ends on the outside where he gets a tope from Petey. Petey starts choking Maclin on the outside and chopping him against the barricades. Petey tries a hurricanrana to the outside on Maclin but gets caught and power bombed onto the apron followed by an elbow off the apron to the floor. Back inside, Petey tries to come back with chops, but Maclin stops him with an Angle Slam and a choke breaker. Maclin starts toying with Petey telling him to try harder. Maclin stays in total control sending Petey all across the ring, Petey tries to come back but gets taken down with a hard clothesline. Petey attempts another comeback and hits a German suplex and a running knee but instead of going for the pin, calls for the Canadian Destroyer but gets stopped with a backbreaker for a two count. Petey goes for the Destroyer again, but Maclin stops him and places him in the Tree of Woe as Maclin hits the Crosshairs for a two count. Petey reverses Maclin into a Sharpshooter, but Maclin bites his way out of it and hits a low blow as the referee was caught up in the move, followed by the Mayhem for the pin.

Winner: Steve Maclin by pinfall at 9:58

The Numbers Game

Gia Miller backstage with Taylor Wilde and asks what her strategy is going into the match with Madison Rayne as she has backup, Wilde says she has a history with Rayne and this has turned into a numbers game, but she’s ready so let’s get Wilde.

Madison Rayne (w/ Tenille Dashwood & Kaleb with a K) vs. Taylor Wilde

This is Rayne’s first match back since November 2020 where it was presented as her retirement match, and the first time Wilde and Rayne have wrestled in a match since September 2010. Wilde starts the match working on Rayne’s arm and getting her down, Rayne tries to fight back but Wilde hits a couple of arm drags and bounces off the ropes from a backslide attempt to knock Rayne to the outside. Rayne tries to regroup on the outside with her help, but Wilde dives out onto Kaleb. Wilde tries to get back in, but Tenille holds her leg as Rayne takes advantage. Wilde takes control with multiple pin attempts and holds Rayne in the corner, but Rayne comes back with a cutter for a two-count. Wilde hits a beautiful bridge suplex, but Kaleb pulls the referee as he was pinning. Tenille tries to come in and hit Wilde with the camera bag, but it ends up in Rayne’s hands. As the referee is trying to pull it from Rayne, Tenille throws Wilde into the corner and Rayne rolls her up for the pin.

Winner: Madison Rayne by pinfall at 7:27

The Big Man is Fine

Gia Miller is backstage with the Good Brothers and asks Doc Gallows how he feels after he crashed through the stage with Joe Doering. Karl Anderson answers it and says he’s fine and to not disrespect the Big LG like that, and tonight’s business is showing the world why they are the best tag team walking the earth. Gallows says when you are Super Elite, the chips are never down, even though his shoulder hurts, there’s a big chip on it, and tonight it will be the same recipe, with the Magic Killer, 1-2-3 and just too sweet.

#1 Contender’s Match: Moose vs. Ace Austin (w/ Madman Fulton) vs. Chris Sabin vs. Sami Callihan

All four men stare each other down, as Moose calls for Sabin but all four start brawling, with Moose taking out Callihan just to catch Sabin off the top rope. Sabin and Austin go at it as Sabin throws Austin on the outside just to get caught and thrown back in by Fulton. Austin and Callihan go at it for a bit with Callihan hitting a Death Valley Driver to Austin in the corner and then attempts to hit a boot to Austin on the outside, but Fulton gets in the way and gets the boot himself before they both get taken down by Moose. Moose and Sabin fight inside for a bit but Austin takes them out and hits a Fosbury Flop onto everybody on the outside. Sabin takes full control taking out everybody on the outside and hits a Tornado DDT on Moose for a two count. Austin hits Sabin in the corner as Fulton holds Sabin’s foot. Austin takes out Moose on the outside and hits a running Fold on Callihan for a very close two count. Austin sets up for The Fold, but Callihan ducks and hits a stuffed piledriver for a two. All four men are back in the ring and start taking turns hitting each other including Austin, Callihan, and Sabin taking Moose out with a triple superkick. Sabin and Callihan go at it, with Callihan hitting another stuffed piledriver, but Austin comes in and attempts the Fold on Callihan but gets stopped by Moose with the uranage. Moose hits another uranage and sets him up for the Lights Out spear, but Callihan holds Moose’s feet and hits him in the head with a chair. Austin takes advantage and rolls up Moose for the pin.

Winner: Ace Austin by pinfall at 11:21, to become #1 Contender

The Tables Have Turned

Gia Miller is backstage with Brian Myers and Sam Beale and asks Myers if he thinks he has what it takes to dethrone Christian Cage tonight for the IMPACT World Title. Myers says he was looking at Cage’s ‘Out Work Everyone’ shirt but then says his t-shirt (The Most Professional Wrestler) is more significant and only think Myers has been missing is a world title run, and tonight the tables have turned, and Christian is going to walk away saying Myers is the best wrestler he’s ever faced and without the world championship.

IMPACT X Division Championship: Josh Alexander (c) vs. Jake Something

Something starts the match trying to power Alexander into the corner as Alexander seems a little taken aback but goes right at trying to take Something down but easily gets back body dropped from a front chancery position. They trade off takedown attempts, until Alexander puts on the ankle lock but gets thrown into the corner and speared by Something. Alexander comes back with a Northern Lights Suplex and starts stomping all over the body of Something. Alexander then tries to chop Something, who tries to fight back but gets taken down with a back elbow. Alexander runs the ropes and gets stopped fast by the body of Something and ends up on the outside. Something follows him and starts attacking him outside including chopping him against the barricade. Alexander attempts to cross body Something from the apron position, but Something catches him and hits a Death Valley Driver on Alexander onto the floor. Something quickly throws Alexander inside to go for the pin, but Alexander crawls his way to the ropes and hugs them. They get on their knees and start exchanging punches, but something quickly gets up and hits a stalled suplex for a two count. Alexander comes back and hits a vicious-looking knee from the second rope to the back of Something’s head. They start brawling some more, before Alexander hits a back body drop and FIVE German Suplexes back-to-back for a 2 count, but doesn’t end there and hits the sixth, then the seventh, the eighth, the ninth, and the TENTH German Suplex for a two count. UNBELIEVABLE. Something tries to come back; Alexander puts on an ankle lock, gets kicked to the outside, and receives a flying Something. Back inside, Something hits a falcon arrow for a two count, Alexander comes back with an elbow to the back of Something’s head and a toss for a two count. Something catches Alexander in the corner for a belly-to-belly suplex are both men are worn out, but Something is the first one up and they start trading strikes until Something hits a big clothesline on Alexander followed by a spear in the corner, they reverse each other for a bit, until Alexander is able to apply the ankle lock, but Something reaches for the ropes and gets kicked to the outside. Alexander hits a deadly-looking spiked piledriver on the apron, as Alexander tells the referee to count Something out, but Something just barely gets in at the nine-count. Something’s knee goes out as he tries to hit the Black Hole Slam, Alexander goes right into the Divine Intervention piledriver for the pin. Fantastic match.

Winner: Josh Alexander by pinfall at 17:14, to retain

After the match, Alexander and Something shakes hands.

EmPowerrr Appetizer

Gia Miller is backstage with Deonna Purrazzo and Matthew Rehwoldt, and Rehwoldt says he’s seen this tragedy that Trey Miguel is playing, and it always ends in heartbreak. Deonna points out that last year at Emergence she became the first-ever Iron Woman when she defeated Jordynne Grace, and it could be her night again and that’s unfortunate for Melina, and this could just be an appetizer for NWA EmPowerrr, and after tonight Melina might not even show up at EmPowerrr.

Deonna Purrazzo & Matthew Rehwoldt vs. Trey Miguel & Melina

Purrazzo comes out with both of her titles (IMPACT Knockouts & AAA Reina de Reinas). Deonna and Melina start the match as Miguel quickly comes in and works on the arm of Deonna, but Rehwoldt quickly comes in and attacks Miguel in the corner. Melina comes in as she and Miguel work together with Miguel tossing Melina onto Rehwoldt for a two count. Deonna keeps Melina distracted in their corner as Rehwoldt hits her with a spear and tags Deonna in. As Deonna has the referee distracted, Rehwoldt chokes Melina on the ropes. Rehwoldt comes in and tells Melina to look at Deonna as that’s who she’s losing to at NWA EmPowerrr. Deonna comes in and keeps Melina grounded in the middle of the ring, Melina escapes and hits a Thesz Press but fails to tag out. Melina hits a neckbreaker as Rehwoldt and Miguel both tag in and goes at it, with Miguel hitting a double stomp to the back of Rehwoldt, then attempts to body slam Melina on him, but Rehwoldt moves out and hits a boot on Miguel. Deonna tags in as she and Rehwoldt hits a double Russian Leg Sweep on Melina for a two count. Rehwoldt takes Miguel out on the outside as Melina realizes there’s no one to tag. Melina gets hit in the back of her head by Deonna, as Rehwoldt rolls her up for a pretty sloppy finish.

Winners: Deonna Purrazzo & Matthew Rehwoldt by pinfall at 10:15

Not On Cage’s Level

Gia Miller is backstage with Christian Cage and asks how he feels going into his first IMPACT Title defense. Cage says this is why he’s held so many titles in his career as he works well under pressure and we’re going to find out if Brian Myers can step up and work under that type of pressure. Cage says he’s been in Myers’ shoes before being an afterthought and looking for an opportunity and knows this is Myers’ chance to change his fortunes. On any other night that might work, but not tonight. When Myers steps into those ropes, he will find out there are levels in this game and he’s not on him, and if you don’t know, now you know.

IMPACT World Tag Team Championship: The Good Brothers (Doc Gallows & Karl Anderson) (c) vs. Violent by Design (Joe Doering & Rhino) (w/ Eric Young & Deaner) vs. Rich Swann & Willie Mack

The referee tries to keep control to see who starts, but it ends up being Gallows and Doering continuing their brawl from the night prior. Willie Mack tags himself in and brawls with Doering on the outside, but Rhino gets tagged in. Gallows and Swann make their way into the match as Gallows hits a huge back body drop on Swann for a two count. Anderson comes in and keeps Swann in the Good Brothers corner as Gallows comes in and hits a long-stalled vertical suplex that the crowd counts to fifteen on. To Gallows dismay, Doering smacks him and tags himself in hits a slam followed by a back elbow on Swann before tagging Rhino in. Violent by Design continuously work on Swann keeping him in their corner. Karl Anderson comes in and continues the attack on Swann while knocking Mack off the apron. Mack tags in and hits a standing moonsault on Anderson while Swann takes out Doering on the outside. Mack reverses a Gun Stun and hits a stunner himself, goes to the top but gets pushed off by Rhino. Rhino tags himself attacks Gallows in the corner but gets rolled up by Anderson for the pin and the win. This was the fourth match tonight that ended in a roll-up finish.

Winners: The Good Brothers (Doc Gallows & Karl Anderson) by pinfall at 10:51, to retain.

After the match, Eric Young starts yelling at Rhino and seems disappointed in how he lost the match. The crowd starts to chant for Rhino, who seems distracted by them, but Young whispers in Rhino’s ears as they seem to patch things up, but Rhino has a confused look in his eyes as they leave.

IMPACT World Championship: Christian Cage (c) vs. Brian Myers (w/ Sam Beale)

Myers starts the match trying to hold Christian in a hammerlock, but Christian reverses him. Myers seems caught off guard and consoles with Beale in the corner. Myers takes advantage of Christian and chokes and shoves him into the corner followed by stomps. Christian dodges Myers in the corner hits a kick and an inverted DDT. Christian calls for the spear, but Myers escapes to the outside and pulls Christian to the ring post but gets pulled in by Christian and goes face first. Christian starts chopping Myers onto the barricade. Christian throws Myers inside, but Beale stops Christian. Christian rips Beale’s notes away from him chases him around the ring and Beale runs knee-first into the steel steps. Myers takes advantage and slams Christian onto the apron. Back inside, Myers hits a suplex on Christian for a two count. Christian runs the ropes, but Myers escapes to the outside and trips Christian, he goes back inside and starts stomping away on Christian for a two count. The crowd gets behind Christian as Myers holds Christian down with a rest hold. Christian tries to fight back, but Myers stops him but misses a flying elbow off the top rope. They brawl in the middle of the ring until Christian throws Myers into the corner for the ten punches followed by a dropkick off the second rope for a two-count. Christian follows with an uppercut and signals the Kill Switch but stops to take out Beale off the apron. Christian goes back inside and gets hit with a big spear from Myers for a close two count. Myers goes for a superplex, but Christian punches his way out, knocks Myers down, and hits a tornado DDT for a two count. Christian tries the Kill Switch again, but Myers runs into the ropes to break it up, goes for the Roster Cut, but gets hit with a spear from Christian followed by the Kill Switch for the pin.

Winner: Christian Cage by pinfall at 12:15, to retain.

David Penzer didn’t even get to announce Christian as the winner before the show cut off and they cut to the FBI warning screen and started the show over.

About John Siino 359 Articles
New York native and reporter at POST Wrestling. He is also Associate Producer at POISONRANA, co-host of 'Collision Course' and the host of the 'Shot in the Dark' podcast.