By John Moore, Prowrestling.net Staffer (@liljohnm)
Impact Wrestling on PopTV
Taped July 23-24 2018 in Toronto, Ontario at The Rebel Complex Center
This week’s Impact cold open recapped last week’s show where Eddie Edwards attacked Austin Aries, Johnny Mundo challenged Kongo Kong, Matt Sydal vs. Brian Cage, and the Pentagon Jr. vs. Sami Callihan feud continued. The Impact Wrestling theme aired…
Josh Mathews and Don Callis checked in on commentary…
1. Su Yung and “The Undead Maid of Honor” vs. Kiera Hogan and Allie. A few of Yung’s “Zombie” bridesmaids shambled towards Kiera and Allie so they simply punched them to the ground with little resistance. Kiera and Allie cleared the maid of honor and Yung from the ring. Kiera hit the maid of honor with a suicide dive. Kiera then showed fear when the group of bridesmaids shambled towards her. Allie took out the bridesmaids with a spinning crossbody. Su Yung crawled at Kiera in the ring and Kiera continued to show fear. Allie and Kiera took down Yung with a series of forearms. Don Callis said that Kiera Hogan is a future knockouts champion as long as she could get the “nice” out of her game.
The maid of honor gained control of the match when it came down to her and Kiera. The maid of honor hit a fisherman suplex for a nearfall. The zombies cut the ring in half on Kiera. Kiera tried to fight out of the corner with forearm shots. Kiera almost made it to the corner but the maid of honor carried her to the opposite side. Kiera grounded the maid of honor with a shotgun dropkick. This allowed Su Yung and Allie to tag in. Allie had the hot tag sequence. Su blocked a codebreaker with a spinebuster. Allie hit Su Yung with her signature superkick. The undead bridesmaid broke up the pin attempt. Kiera took down the bridesmaid with a swinging neckbreaker. Su hit Kiera with the Panic Switch driver. Su was about to hit Allie with the panic switch driver, but Allie reversed it into the Codebreaker for the win.
Allie and Kiera Hogan defeated Su Yung and the Undead Maid of Honor via pinfall in 6:10.
Tessa Blanchard quickly interrupted Allie’s celebration and hit Allie with her hammerlock DDT finisher. Don Callis noted that Tessa was wearing her street clothes and high heels. Josh Mathews hyped up the OGz “in action”…
John’s Thoughts: A good tag team match, but I do question the win for the babyface duo a bit. Just after the dominant win for Su Yung at Slammiversary, they turn around and have her get pinned clean her next match? They logically got to the win, but I just question why not build up Yung as a strong force? It’s not the worst thing in the world but you could have made Allie look strong by pinning KC Spinelli or even put Su Yung over by pinning Hogan, who actually gains sympathy every loss she takes.
Tessa Blanchard was interviewed backstage where Tessa talked about Allie trying to be a hero but Allie not being able to save herself. Tessa said Allie couldn’t save herself from Tessa at Slammiversary. Tessa said that Allie’s goal is the Knockouts Championship and is trying to “do the right thing” to get to the title. Tessa tried to insinuate that Allie wasn’t as selfless as she presents herself as. Tessa said that if Allie thinks she should get a Knockouts title shot before Tessa, then Allie is sadly mistaken…
Don Callis and Josh Mathews checked in from their in-person commentary table. Josh Mathews hyped Austin Aries vs. Dustin Cameron for the World Championship later on in this show. Josh also advertised Austin Aries vs. Eddie Edwards for the World Championship next week (since I’m assuming that everyone is assuming Dustin Cameron has no chance). Don Callis said it was good to see Eddie Edwards have a “healthy obsession”. Josh and Don talked a bit about King and the OGz…
The OGz and King made their entrance. Josh Mathews reminded viewers that Homicide and Hernandez aren’t the real tag team champions despite possessing the belts. Don Callis said it was disgusting that the OGz spray-painted the belts since Impact just bought new belts. Don then backtracked when intimidated by Eddie Kingston…
2. “The OGz” Homicide and Hernandez (w/Eddie Kingston) vs. Nathan Smokes and Ray Steele. Hernandez ran though one of the dudes and strutted over to tag Homicide. Hernandez hit both opponents with an assisted double backbreaker. Homicide hit the other guy with the Gringo Killer for the win.
The OGz defeated Nathan Smokes and Ray Steele via pinfall in 0:51.
Eddie Kingston entered the ring with a mic and his rock in a sock (which looks more like a tennis ball in a sock). He hit the enhancement guy with his sock. King told everyone “I told you so”. He bragged about taking and possessing the tag team titles. He was showered with boos. King called LAX “young boy bitches and their old man”. An LAX chant ensued. Kingston said the OGz are the Kings of the Street.
Kingston was cut off by the LAX’s entrance theme as Santana and Ortiz stormed the ring. LAX beat up on the OGz. (it’s a bit odd to see clean shaven Ortiz). Santana hit both OGz on the outside with a no-touch Tope Con Hilo. Ortiz had an axe in the ring. Ortiz was about to hit Homicide with the hatchet but the security guard ran out to stop Ortiz. Santana helped Ortiz clear the security guards fromt he ring. Homicide brought a ring bell to the ring. Konnan pulled his boys to the back. Homicide took the belts to the back since LAX didn’t pick up the belts off the floor for some reason…
John’s Thoughts: First Drano and now an axe. Maybe Tommy Dreamer should have given the “innovator of violence” title to LAX instead of Eddie? Anyway, a good simple angle and a good squash for the OGz. The match wasn’t anything to write home about but at least we know that Homicide can still be a workhorse when needed (though I still think that the OGz would be better if Homicide and Kingston worked the matches with Hernandez as their Diesel).
Josh Mathews said there was a bit of confusion as to why Konnan pulled LAX into retreat…
LAX were shown in the Gorilla Position area yelling about letting the OGz leave scott free. Konnan yelled back and told them to Tranquillo. Konnan said this was a trap and that LAX are blinded with anger. Konnan said Santana and Ortiz can’t smell it but Konnan can because he raised those three hoes. Konnan said since he put them up on game he knows what they’ll do before they do it. Konnan said they’re scared now since they got hit by a drive by hit and run. Konnan yelled the LAX catchphrase. Santana held Konnan by the jacket and said “let’s take these mother f—ers down!!!”…
John’s Thoughts: Josh is right, Konnan’s logic is confusing since LAX had the OGz overpowered and were the ones that ran away. Konnan’s promos are still on point but his character’s logic has been very shaky recently.
Josh Mathews advertised The Latin American XChange vs. “The Young Bucks of Ring of Honor” for the Chris Jericho cruise. Josh Mathews also ran an ad for the Jericho cruise…
It was time for the GWN match of the week. This was Petey Williams vs. Jushin Thunder Liger from TNA Sacrifice 2006. Petey had long hair at this time (and he kinda looked like Jerry Lynn going Canadian). Mike Tenay and Don West were on commentary and said this was the captain of Team Canada vs. the captain of Team Japan. I fast forwarded through three minutes. Liger won…
Sami Callihan and the Crist Brothers were shown backstage cutting one of their OVE camcorder promos. Sami continued to act paranoid because of people on Twitter saying that he looks like an idiot. Sami, Dave, and Jake randomly yelled “idiot” and “dumbass” at each other to represent twitter trolls. Dave Crist held an electric razor in his hand. Sami said those statements would bother a lot of the “mark ass boys” in the back and the trash talking fans. Sami said OVE doesn’t care about other opinions. Sami said it was time to get revenge. Sami then hyped up The Lucha Brothers vs. The Crist Brothers in a war of Brothers vs. Brothers because OVE are for Ohio, by Ohio, and they will take over everything… everything… everything… Sami took a tuft of hair and stuck it under his Death Machine hat…
Scarlett Bordeaux was shown doing a hallway dance where she showed a lot of leg and exposed hips…
Gama Singh was in the ring cutting his promo about the Desi Hit Squad. Don Callis talked about how legendary Gama Singh is. Their opponents were Fallah Bahh and KM again. Don Callis called KM “Kevin Matthews”…
3. “The Desi Hit Squad” Rohit Raju and Gursinder Singh (w/Gama Singh) vs. Fallah Bahh and KM. Bahh fired up the crowd with his Bahh chant. Gursinder distracted Bahh so Rohit Raju could blindside him. Bahh nosold them and told them no no no. Bahh hit both opponents with a flying crossbody. Bahh then crushed both men in the corners with splashes. Bahh then backtossed Gursinder. Gursinder yelled “pull his hair!” to no avail. He got hit by a Bahh leg drop. KM tagged in. Josh Mathews went into his regularly scheduled plug for “Swedish Dicks” (it still beats the obligatory Dixie Carter plugs from a few years ago)…
KM body slammed Gursinder and tagged back in Bahh. Bahh teased the steamroller but Gama distracted Bahh so Gursinder could chop block Bahh. Rohit Raju tagged in and put the boots to Bahh. The Desi Hit Squad took down Bahh with consecutive basement dropkicks. Bahh took a jawbreaker from Raju but responded with a Samoan Drop. KM tagged in and squashed both opponents with a corner splash and then tossed Raju across the ring. KM hit a DDT on Gursinder. Bahh then steamrolled both opponents (and it looked like it really hurt Gursinder because he takes the move face up). KM hit the move too. KM yelled “Fallah!!! Poke his eye out!”. KM poked the eye of Raju. A “poke his eye” chant from the crowd ensued so Bahh poked the eye of Gursinder.
Bahh teased poking the eye of the referee until KM pulled him away. KM missed a slingshot splash on Gursinder. KM tossed Gursinder into Raju and hit Gursinder with a full nelson side slam. KM then yelled at Bahh for distracting the ref. This allowed Raju to run in with a high knee on KM to allow Gursinder to hit KM with a Paydirt for the win.
The Desi Hit Squad defeated KM and Fallah Bahh via pinfall in 6:15.
Don Callis said the lessons Bahh learned from KM might have backfired on him this time…
Anthony Carelli (a.k.a. Santino Marella) and Dustin Cameron were shown backstage doing practice Judo grapples on each other. Carelli said it’s okay to be nervous since opportunities like this don’t come often. Carelli said this is for the world championship. Carelli said this isn’t judo though and there are no points being given so Aries will do whatever it takes to remain champion. Carelli said Dustin has to be hungry. Carelli then tried to inspire Dustin. Dustin walked away saying “it’s my time”. Carelli went into Santino-mode (w/o the accent) and then motioned to the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Carelli looked to God and said “God… please don’t let him die out there”…
Austin Aries said he came back to Impact Wrestling he won the World Title from a top caliber athlete in Eli Drake. Aries then laugh off his upcoming match against the random kid… [c]
Alicia the interviewer interviewed Johnny Impact. Johnny said Kongo Kong is hard to find these days. Johnny said he competes to prove who’s best in the ring. Johnny said Kong tries to injure people to make a statement and nobody heard that statement louder than Johnny Impact. Johnny’s promo was cut off by Jimmy Jacobs. Jacobs said Johnny just needs to take off his glasses to see clearer. Jacobs was about to cut his “I’m not a bad guy…” promo but he was suddenly given a straight right hand from Johnny. Johnny said “I want the monster… and I’m not going to ask again…”…
John’s Thoughts: More of that from Johnny, please? That’s what I’ve been asking for years from his character. Just a serious edge.
The video wall had logos for Anthony Carelli’s Battle Arts Academy on them. Dustin Cameron and Anthony Carelli made their entrance. Austin Aries walked to the ring in street clothes and had a banana with him…
4. Austin Aries vs. Dustin Cameron for the Impact World Championship. Austin Aries was acting very sarcastic. The crowd was chanting “Santino”. Aries gave Dustin a handshake. Aries then toyed around with Cameron after a waist takedown. Aries struck the tranquillo pose. Aries led the crowd in a chant for the young guy. Aies then continued to toy with Cameron with mocking chain wrestling. Aries yelled mocking Carelli. Aries and Cameron then traded shoves. Cameron handed a few takedowns on Aries. A “Battle Arts” chant ensued. Austin Aries mocked the opponents with a clap and then turned the clap into a discus forearm. Austin Aries hit his opponent with a delayed vertical brainbuster for the visual win but Aries held up Cameron’s head before three. Aries yelled at Carelli who threw in the towel on behalf of his student. Aries caught the towel after teasing another brainbuster.
Austin Aries defeated Dustin Cameron via the throwing of the towel in 3:30 to retain the Impact World Championship.
Aries threw the towel back at Carelli. Aries then locked in the Last Chancery on Cameron. Cameron tapped out. Carelli ran in the ring to confront Aries. Aries took off his shirt and dared Carelli to clock him in the jaw. The crowd chanted “Cobra”. Carelli instead kicked Aries in the balls. Aries put on his angry face and backtracked up the ramp. “Extreme” Eddie Edwards walked up behind Aries. Edwards clocked Aries in the gut with a stick shot. Aries ran to the back to prevent a DDT on the ramp. A mild Eddie chant occurred. The segment ended with Eddie Edwards kneeling and then doing snow angels (without snow) on the ramp. The crowd wasn’t sure how to react…
John’s Thoughts: The build to this squash match was surprisingly fun and it added to the arrogant heel persona of Aries, who continues to do some great heel work on his end. Eddie Edwards on the other hand isn’t working out too well as the random opponent to Aries. The match should be really good given the talent involved but the crowd is obviously really confused as to how to react to Edwards.
Josh Mathews advertised Austin Aries vs. Eddie Edwards for the World Championship next week. Alicia was backstage interviewing Alisha Edwards about returning to the ring. Alisha talked about how she’s going to put her personal life aside and focus on the ring. Alisha was interrupted by Eddie Edwards. Edwards said he was soul searching and is going to make a big change. Alisha wondered if Eddie was getting that “help” that they talked about. Eddie went giddy and talked about becoming world champion again. Alisha said she can’t deal with Eddie anymore. Eddie said he can’t deal too as he smiled. Alisha walked off. Eddie awkwardly and comically said “okay… bye-yee” (okay, that was funny)…
John’s Thoughts: Am I watching NXT from a few months ago? Since that was almost exactly the same interview Candice LeRae had a few months ago after Johnny Gargano went crazy. This goes both ways, because Gargano started talking about wanting to “end” Tommaso Ciampa after Eddie mentioned his “murder” thing. Where it works better with LeRae and Gargano, is there’s a lot better acting between that couple than we’re seeing with Alisha and Eddie.
A Bound for Glory add aired…
Random interviewer “Bob Kapoor” introduced “The Smokeshow” Scarlett Bordeaux to the ramp. Bob was acting extra excited and kept stuttering. Scarlett started to flirt with Bob. Scarlett asked for his name and he started to stutter. Scarlett then assumed his name was “Bo bo” and said it was a cute name. Bobo started talking like a puppy. Scarlett asked her own question and asked waht it was like living in a world of 3’s and 4’s being a 10. Scarlett said girls are jealous of her before she even stepped in the ring. Scarlett said this is how God made her and she will not be “hot shamed”. Scarlett teased lap dancing bobo. Scarlett then asked Bobo if he was okay since he was getting warm.
Scarlett told Bobo that he could leave now. Scarlett then rolled her eyes. Scarlett said she guesses men around here aren’t used to seeing women like her. She repeated the same line that ended last week’s interview about making wrestling sexy again. Don Callis said that someone needs to get a doctor for Bobo because it looks like he’s about to have a stroke. Josh Mathews said Jeremy Borash has aged terribly..
John’s Thoughts: A little bit more of the same with Scarlett, but she continues to show good heel work and I really like the addition of that fake smile she flashes in the middle of her promos. It made no sense why this random horny Bobo guy was the interviewer when we’ve never seen him before and he was a little bit over the top, but I wouldn’t mind seeing this guy again because his over-the-top ness was a bit funny.
Grado, Joe Hendry, and Katarina were shown backstage. Grado was wearing sunglasses. The trio were outraged at Eli Drake’s gift from last week. Grado then took off his shades when he saw someone in the distance. He yelled “doug boys” (?). Grado approached Eli Drake who was on his phone. Grado said the gift sucked. Grado talked about how at home, in Scotland?, they settle things in a wrestling match. Grado challenged Drake to a tag team match where Grado will team with his best friend Joe Hendry. Grado held Hendry by the hand. Grado said Drake can’t find a partner because he has so much heat with all the boys.
Grado said celebrated his supposed win by default. Eli Drake then walked to the side and then grabbed the arm of Caleb Konley. Trevor Lee said that Drake probably meant Lee instead. Drake said it doesn’t matter which one. Drake said he found a partner. Drake said he has a ticket for Grado and Hendry. Drake also said he has “Something special… yeah…” for Katarina… [c]
Grado, Joe Hendry, and Katarina made their entrance to Grado’s theme (I am disappoint… We need us some more Joe Hendry music…). Josh Mathews wasn’t sure who Eli Drake’s partner was since Lee and Konley were introduced. Callis said Drake probably can’t tell Lee and Konley apart.
5. Grado and Joe Hendry (w/Katarina) vs. Eli Drake and Trevor Lee (w/Caleb Konley). Lee and Konley put the boots to Grado before the bell. Joe Hendry was tossed to ringside. Drake dominated Grado. Josh Mathews plugged Joe Hendry’s video game twitch channel. Drake grounded Grado with a basement lariat. Drake pummeled Grado with shoulder blocks in the corner. Grado dodged a shortarm lariat and then hit Drake with punches. Drake countered the Bionic Elbow. Drake back dropped Grado. Caleb Konley pulled down Joe Hendry from the apron. Katarina and the Cult of Lee started arguing with Hendry physically pulling Katarina back, which would obviously distract Grado. This allowed Drake to hit the Gravy Train for the win.
Eli Drake defeated Grado and Joe Hendry via pinfall in 3:07.
Trevor Lee and Caleb Konley celebrated like they won a huge match and Mathews noted that they really didn’t do anything in the ring during the match. Eli Drake tried to talk with Grado and get it in his head that there is something going on between Joe Hendry and Katarina. Katarina and Hendry quickly entered the ring to try to dispel Drake’s rumor. Josh sarcastically talked about a possible relationship between Hendry and Katarina. Callis said that’s the oldest canard in the book. Grado laid a huge kiss on the lips of Katarina and then pumped his fist. Callis said he hopes Katarina had her vaccination shots. Grado also gave Hendry a big hug. Josh Mathews said that Katarina posts more pictures of Joe Hendry on social media than Grado…
Gursinder Singh and Rohit Raju were hyping each other up backstage. They were interrupted by Gama Singh who slapped them and yelled at them in Indian (Punjabi?). Gama walked away and then walked back to slap them again… [c]
Highlights from the two Brian Cage vs. Matt Sydal matches were shown…
Matt Sydal cut an introspective interview backstage. Sydal said Cage is the undisputed X Division Champion and the X Division championship chose him. Sydal said that it’s not up to him to question that. Sydal said he was proud of all the time he put in the X Division Championship. Sydal said he only lost a material thing and material things means nothing to him. Sydal said being champion is an impermanent state which had to end. Sydal said he didn’t expect it to end so fast. Sydal said that Cage tought him a lesson, that Sydal doesn’t know the way fully just yet. That there is more in the universe. Sydal said the X Division Championship isn’t Sydal’s destination anymore. Sydal said some transcendental things. Sydal thanked Cage and the love of the X Division Championship. Sydal said he got a lesson that he has to look deeper in himself and open his third eye even wider. Sydal said he has to question everything…
John’s Thoughts: I’m very intrigued to see where they go with Sydal from here who continues to cut great promos backstage and put on great performances in the ring. Sydal is becoming Impact’s Miz and that’s a huge compliment. If he can take things to another level, he might be a strong flagbarer champion for this company (but you still have people like Sami Callihan or Pentagon Jr who are a bit more reliable than Sydal at this point).
Sami Callihan and the Crist Brothers made their way to the ring. Josh Mathews noted that all three of them were clutching at their arms due to Pentagon Jr. sacrifice arm breaker. Callihan had his arm in a sling. The OVE trio came out to a remixed version of their entrance music.
6. “OVE” Jake and Dave Crist (w/Sami Callihan) vs. “The Lucha Bros” Pentagon Jr. and Fenix. Pentagon launched Fenix into both Crist brothers. Jake and Dave took out their opponents with stereo suicide dives which also took out the entire front row of fans. Callihan tried to start an OVE chant but the crowd filled it in with “sucks”. Dave worked on Fenix while Jake worked on Pentagon. Dave Crist threatened Don Callis and Josh Mathews and then went on to attack Pentagon. The Lucha Brothers reversed and whipped the Crist Brothers into each other. The Lucha Brothers hit the Crist Brothers with stereo suicide dives. [c]
Pentagon took off the jacket of Dave Crist and did his signature loud chest slap. Fenix tagged in and did the same. Dave Crist ate a superkick party. Fenix nailed Dave with a Springboard Rolling Sobat. Fenix catapulted Pentagon into Dave and then kicked down Jake. Fenix caught Jake with a face wash. Sami held Fenix’s leg to prevent a high risk move. Jake took down Pentagon with savate kicks. Jake ran through Fenix with a savate kick. Jake then nailed Fenix with a Helluva Kick for a rollup turned into a side headlock. Fenix fought out with clinch knees. Jake distracted the referee so Sami Callihan could put the boots to Fenix.
Jake motioned to the crowd that he was trying to take off the mask of Fenix. Child Referee Riley prevented Jake from doing so. Dave tagged in and worked Fenix over in his corner. Jake put Fenix’s arm in a hammerlock and tried to rip the mask in half but the child referee kept stopping Jake. Don Callis wondered why the referee was stopping Jake from ripping the mask? Josh Mathews explained that it was illegal just like holding the tights or pulling hair.
Dave Crist tagged in and spit at Pentagon. Dave Crist tried to rip of Fenix’s mask and the referee broke it up after five. Fenix hit Jake with a Pele kick to escape the chinlock. Dave tackled Pentagon to prevent a tag. Dave Crist tied together the masks of Fenix and Pentagon. The Lucha Brothers were trapped against each other and kicked down by the Crist Brothers. Child Referee Riley tried to help separate the masks but Dave Crist had to jump in to break it up. OVE hit a stomp spike pile driver on Fenix for a nearfall.
Fenix and Pentagon reversed the Crist Brothers and hit both of them with a series of strikes. Fenix and Pentagon hit Dave with a Stomp Spike Fear Factor. Jake broke up the pin. Pentagon countered a Jake Pile Driver attempt. Fenix caught Jake with a double stomp to the back. Pentagon and Fenix hit the Spike Fear Factor on Dave again and Fenix hit Sami and Jake on the outside with a Tope Con Hilo. Pentagon picked up the pinfall.
The Lucha Brothers defeated The Crist Brothers via pinfall in 12:45 of TV Time.
Sami Callihan was on the ground writhing in pain next to a knocked down Jake Crist. The Lucha Brothers celebrated their win. Josh Mathews said OVE lost due to being too focused on ripping off the masks of their opponents. Impact ended with Josh Mathews plugging Swedish Dicks which was coming after Impact…
Before Impact could end though, the show cut to Killer Kross in a stairwell. Kross said the moment of realization is worth a thousand prayers. He said he wonders what you realize in your final moments, ashes to ashes. Killer Kross laid his red calling card on the knocked out body of Anthony Carelli to close the show…
John’s Thoughts: A fun tag team match. Any time you want to have a fun main event, just put Fenix in it. The guy always delivers. It would have been cool to see the Crist Brothers pick up a win for once. I don’t ever remember them winning any meaningful matches since losing to LAX. I wouldn’t mind seeing Fenix vs. Jake Crist down the road because that has the potential to be a sleeper and killer match. Before that, OVE needs to start winning because Jake and Dave do come off as cannon fodder minions. Impact continues to do strong work with Killer Kross and it was smart to keep him relevant and intriguing by giving him the stinger segment of the show. The purpose of a stinger is to make a viewer want to watch the following week and the mystique behind Kross helps sell next weeks show along with the constant plugs for Aries vs. Edwards (which should be good given the entertaining series The American Wolves had against the Dirty Heels, Bobby Roode and Austin Aries, a few years ago).
This week’s Impact wasn’t the most exciting of shows, but these shows don’t suck anymore. Simple as that. It helps that they decided to stop airing footage from random indie promotions. This episode of Impact reminded me of an NXT episode, except if an NXT episode were run through a taffy puller to span two hours. At least ever segment on this show (aside from the GWN match) serves a purpose. Not all the purposes are great, but at least they are trying to tell stories and not waste time. The shows were hotter at the last set of tapings so here’s hoping that they start to heat up again since this company is receiving positive buzz and new viewers finally.
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