By John Moore, ProWrestling.net Staffer (@liljohnm)
Impact Wrestling TV – Rebellion Night Two
Taped in Nashville, Tennessee at Skyway Studios
Aired April 28, 2020 on AXS TV
[Hour One] A narrated hype video aired to hype up the Impact Rebellion Part II show…
Josh Mathews and Madison Rayne were on commentary…
1. Suicide vs. Chris Bey vs. Rohit Raju vs. Trey Miguel. The match started off with choreographed waistlock antics. Bey ended the cuteness with a shotgun dropkick on Suicide. Rohit dumped Miguel outside. Bey and Raju bickered over who would put the boots to Suicide. Suicide tried to fend off Raju and Bey with boots but they tackled Suicide to the mat. Suicide escaped and locked Bey in an Octopus Hold. Suicide managed to lock Miguel in the same hold (Is this TJP playing the role again because that’s something he would do, though the body build looks different).
Miguel escaped and the wrestlers dumped Suicide outside. All three men traded strikes with Raju getting the upper hand. Raju hit both opponents with forearms. Rohit hit Bey with a sweep combination. He put Miguel on Bey and Rohit hit both opponents with a double stomp. Suicide hit Rohit with an Old School Armdrag. Miguel hit Suicide with a Scorpion Kick and neckbreaker, while Suicide gave Raju a DDT. Bey dumped Miguel outside with a huracanrana. Rohit tried to trick bey with a rollup, but Bey kicked out and gave Rohit a dropkick. Bey hit Rohit with a suicide dive.
Suicide hit the pile of people on the outside with a cannonball. Trey hit all his opponents with a step up flip dive. Miguel got a two count on Rohit. Miguel hit Bey with a stomp for a two count. Suicide blocked Miguel’s DDT. Madness ensued, leaving all four men on the mat. Raju hit bey with a CQC combo. Bey came back wiht a hook kick. Bey hit Raju with a release front suplex for a two count. Each man took each other down with running strikes. Miguel got a rollup on Rohit for a two count. Rohit hit Miguel with a Cross Rhodes and Front Suplex combo. Suicide tossed Bey.
Suicide hit Bey with a tilt-a-whirl back toss. Trey hit Suicide with Cheeky Nandos. He kicked Rohit into position. Miguel hit Rohit and Suicide with a Tiger Feint. Miguel hit Suicide with a top rope meteora. Rohit tossed Miguel away. Rohit tried to steal the pin but was kicked in the back of the head with a delayed roundhouse. Bey picked up the pinfall on Rohit.
Chris Bey defeated Rohit Raju, Suicide, and Trey Miguel via pinfall in 11:37.
The camera cut to Josh Mathews and Madison Rayne at the commentary table. Josh cut to a Rebellion Night I highlights. Josh noted that Jordynne Grace vs. Taya Valkyrie wasn’t happening and instead we were getting ..
John’s Thoughts: A good X Division opener that was much better at the end than the beginning. Personally, I’m not a fan of the large amount of choreographed cute spots in Impact and Indie matches. Aside from being good action, this doesn’t really push any stories. I do like the finish as it does boost Bey a bit. We need to hear more from Bey because so far he’s just a generic X Division guy who is a heel all of a sudden.
Josh Mathews interviewed Tessa Blanchard via Skype. Tessa talked about being disappointed about not making it to Rebellion. Josh said he’s happy to see Tessa “staying safe” during this time. Josh asked Tessa about Elgin’s gripes about Tessa not defending the title. Tessa said Elgin can’t become champion unless he goes to Mexico. Tessa said “to be the man you have to beat the man, even if the man’s a woman”. Josh ended the interview and said we would find out Michael Elgin’s thoughts later in the show…[c]
A Joey Ryan and Deaners recap package aired…
2. Joseph P Ryan vs. Cousin Jake. Josh noted that Cody is in isolation in Canada. Joey used the ropes to hide from Jake early on. Joey managed to land a few strikes on Jake, but Jake’s power made things easier for Jake to keep Joey on the mat. Jake manhandled Joey around the ring. Joey managed to sidestep Jake, sending Jake into the ringpost. [c]
Joey Ryan was dominating Cousing Jake with methodical offense back from break. This lasted a few minutes. Jake’s first offensive move after the selling was a release front suplex. Joey came back with a shoulder breaker for a two count. Jake landed a back suplex on Joey. Jake hit Joey with a few running strikes. Jake hit Joey with a Discus Clothesline for a two count. Jake sent Joey outside with a lariat. Jake hit Joey with a top rope clearing dive to the outside. Jake hit Joey with a crossbody against the bottom rope from ringside. Jake hit Joey with a deadlift sitout bomb for a two count.
Joey hit Jake with a superkick combination for a two count. Rayne argued about Josh constantly talking about Joey’s penis gimmick. Joey Ryan rolled up Jake and got a hand on the ropes (barely) for the “cheap” win.
Joseph P Ryan defeated Cousin Jake via pinfall in 10:49 of on-air TV Time.
The show cut to Rosemary continuing to rant in the bar. She was talking to Taya Valkyrie via facetime and wondered why Taya wasn’t here. Rosemary also complained about having to wrestle in Full Metal Mayhem. Taya complained about being isolated and how her hair won’t curl. Taya, via facetime, continued to rant. Taya said Taya not being there is doing Rosemary a favor because Rosemary gets to wrestle Havok now. Rosemary tried to say that Taya should wrestle against Havok. Taya dodged the proposition. Taya said that after Rosemary wins, her and Rosemary can go to Vegas and take advantage of drunk individuals. Taya wished Rosemary good luck in her upcoming match…[c]
John’s Thoughts: Aren’t bars supposed to be closed during quarantine? Anyway, the Joey Ryan vs. Cousin Jake match was a bit slow and meaningless. The Deaners don’t have much credibility in terms of being a serious act, because Impact wants you to see them as goofballs. Joey Ryan hasn’t really refined his “Joseph P Ryan” character and right now it just looks like a shell of a character. At least he isn’t doing the cookie cutter penis matches, but I feel like they might be building back towards those somehow.
A video aired with Rosemary and Jessika Havok recapping their past interactions in the undead realm. They recapped it with a storybook motif…
John’s Thoughts: Is this the first time Havok talked in Impact?
Entrance for the Women’s match took place before cutting to commercials…
Twitch Notes: Heading into Hour Two, the twitch viewship was at 2,400. Melissa Santos was hosting the Twitch stream from her kitchen. She was answering the questions from the viewers. A bearded Brian Cage could be seen walking in and out of the kitchen getting food out of the fridge.
[Hour Two] The commercials ended heading into the 2nd hour.
3. Jessika Havok vs. Rosemary in a Full Metal Mayhem match. Rosemary was mic’d up in the ring. Rosemary used a staple gun on Havok early on. Havlk ended Rosemary’s attack with a shortarm lariat. Havok “stapled” Rosemary a few times after Rosemary tried to beg for mercy. Madison Rayne said it looks like Rosemary is more concerned about Taya’s well being. Rosemary managed to hit Havok with a Sling Blade, into the ground and pound. Rosemary hit Havok several times with street signs. Havok came back with a big boot. Rosemary sidestepped Havok, sending havok into a chair at ringside.
Rosemary wrapped a chain around the neck of Havok, and used the turnbuckle as a pivot point to choke Havok. Rosemary asked Havok how it felt to have James Mitchell’s blood on her hands. Havok yanked Rosemary back and slammed Rosemary to the mat. Josh wondered if Rosemary is talking too much. Josh Mathews talked about how Rosemary has “powers”. Props to Rayne for calling it mind games.
John’s Thoughts: Powers? Really?
Havok have Rosemary a series of Face Wash kicks in the corner. Havok face washed a trash lid into the head of Rosemary. Havok put Rosemary’s head on a chair. Rosemary sidestepped being hit by a chain. Rosemary yanked Havok into the chair. Havok had both the chain and chair on her neck. Suddenly some woman named “Nevaeh” was shown watching the match in the crowd area. Madison Rayne kept saying she knew who Nevaeh was, but she wouldn’t tell us anything about her.
Havok regained control and tossed around Rosemary. Rosemary put a construction helmet to block a trash can shot to the head. Josh was more distracted at Nevaeh being at ringside. Havok recovered and tossed Rosemary into a chair in the corner. Havok chokeslammed Rosemary into chairs in the center of the ring. Rosemary kicked out at two. Havok choked Rosemary with a steel chair. Havok then choked Rosemary with the chain. Rosemary escaped by hitting Havok with the pipe, twice. Rosemary picked up the pinfall.
Rosemary defeated Jessika Havok via pinfall in 12:26.
Josh kept wondering who Nevaeh was. Josh called out Madison Rayne for claiming to know who Nevaeh is, but not telling anyone. Josh also reminded people that Rosemary is drinking away her problems while hanging out with Taya Valkyrie…
John’s Thoughts: Mixed thoughts on the match, but it was good from an effort perspective. It was cool to see Rosemary in the ring because she’s been in the ring so little over the past two years. That said, I understand that this was an impromptu match given the staff they had, but it didn’t feel very important given the direction of Rosemary and Havok at the moment. The introduction of Nevaeh was very odd too. I peaked at the Twitch chat a bit and I think (don’t quote me on it) that Nevaeh is Jake Crist’s wife.
The new Impact interviewer, Gia Miller, interviewed Willie Mack and Rich Swann. Mack talked about how he used to watch TNA PPVs and how the X Division inspired Mack to become a wrestler. Mack named various wrestlers from Low Ki to Chris Sabin. Rich Swann congratulated Mack and talked about Mack’s speed and power. Swann told Mack “Welcome to the Club”. Johnny Swinger said he knows a thing about clubs. Swinger continued to say that Mack owes him a title match. After Swinger left, Mack said that Swinger smells like a cheap ass car wash spray job…
The Impact Plus Flashback Match of the Week was Rich Swann vs. Sami Callihan in a no-dq match from Rebellion 2019. Swann won (Because Callihan doesn’t win many PPV matches)…
Gia Miller ran into Michel Elgin about his thoughts on Eddie Edwards and Tessa Blanchard not being here. Elgin said it’s the same story as last week. Elgin said he’s disappointed because he can’t send Eddie and Tessa to the hospital. Elgin said he’s going to become Impact Wrestling World Champion and he’s been saying that since the last Rebellion…[c]
A Michael Elgin video package aired…
Michael Elgin made his entrance in ring gear with a mic in hand 30 minutes at the top of the hour. Elgin talked about how Rebellion is when he made a claim last year, where he claimed he was going to be world champion. Elgin said he had his sights set and it was supposed to happen one year in 2020. Elgin noted his opponents couldn’t make it. Elgin said Tessa claims to be in Mexico, but he thinks Tessa thinks she bit too much than she could chew. Elgin said Eddie must be scared after that Best of 5 series. Elgin called for a referee to enter the ring and raise his hand.
Elgin said it didn’t feel right for the referee to hold his hand up and asked for Dave Penzer to enter the ring. Elgin threatened Dave Penzer to enter the ring. Elgin said that Penzer will announce Elgin as new champ when the referee holds his hand up. Dave Penzer then was about to do the announcement before the lights cut off. Moose made his entrance. Moose made his entrance wearing the TNA World Heavyweight Championship (didn’t someone throw that in the trash?).
Moose grabbed a mic to confront Elgin. Moose said he understands Elgin’s pain. Moose said Elgin doesn’t have an opponent now. Moose said Eddie isn’t here and Tessa is holding the Impact belt hostage in Mexico. Elgin agreed and said he’s the best wrestler in the world. Moose called Elgin out for cutting off Moose. Moose claimed to be the TNA Heavyweight Champion. Elgin said Moose is running down TNA. Elgin said he respect’s TNA, but the company is Impact now. Elgin told Moose to take his midcard comedy act away from this ring.
Moose bragged about conquering TNA wrestlers over the past months. Moose said that rather than whine like a bitch, Elgin just needs to ask for a title shot. Elgin was cut off by Shawn Hernandez. Hernandez talked about how Moose runs his mouth. Hernandez said you need to beat somebody to be world champion. Hernandez said it looks like Elgin and Moose should fight, but there isn’t a fight without the Super Mex. Moose, Hernandez, and Elgin brawled into the break…
4. Michael Elgin vs. Moose vs. Shawn Hernandez. Elgin hit Moose and Hernandez with a Tope Con Hilo. Josh noted that this is the main event of Rebellion. All three men brawled in the ring. Elgin and Hernandez helped each other hip toss Moose. Moose kept talking up how big of a main event this was. Hernandez hit Elgin with a slingshot shoulder tackle. Moose caught Hernandez with a high dropkick. Josh talked about it being so shocking to see the TNA Heavyweight Belt in Impact.
Moose caught Elgin with a rising uppercut. Hernandez came back with a backdrop. Elgin and Hernandez traded forearms. Elgin tripped up Hernandez with a basement dropkick. Elgin locked Hernandez with a half crab. Elgin used a Dragon Screw to lock Moose in a half crab. Hernandez knocked Elgin to the mat. Elgin blocked Hernandez’s superplex attempt. Elgin also fought off Moose. Elgin used forearms to knock Hernandez off the top rope. Elgin hit Hernandez with a missile dropkick. [c]
Elgin dominated Hernandez and Moose back from break. Elgin caught Hernandez with a high knee combination. Moose knocked Elgin off his feet. All three men traded power strikes. Elgin ran at Hernandez several times in the corner. Moose caught Elgin with a running boot. Moose dropkicked Elgin. Moose staggered Hernandez on the top rope. Moose hit Hernandez with a Superplex. Elgin hit Moose with a Senton. [c]
The show cut back with ten minutes left in the hour. Elgin, Moose and Hernandez traded forearms. Hernandez took down Moose and Elgin with a shoulder block and lariat. Hernandez hit Elgin with a running senton for a two count. Hernandez dumped Moose outside. Elgin hit Hernandez with a kick but Hernandez came back with a boot. Hernandez got a two count. Moose and Hernandez traded forearms. Josh noted that Moose never won a singles match in Impact (But he won the Impact Grand Championship…)
Josh talked about Michael Elgin beating Kenny Omega for the New Japan IC Championship. Moose hit Hernandez with a series of tackles, a body slam, and a splash for a two count. Elgin leapfroged Moose’s spear. Elgin hit Moose with two German Suplexes. Elgin hit Moose with a Discus Clothesline. Hernandez planted Elgin with a German Suplex. Elgin hit Moose and Hernandez with the same German Suplex. Hernandez kicked out at two . Moose and Elgin traded counters and strikes. Moose hit Elgin with the Go To Hell for the two count.
Hernandez broke up the pin. Hernandez hit Moose with the Monty Brown Pounce for the two count. Elgin hit Hernandez with few lariats. Elgin hit Moose with pop up bomb and Buckle Bomb. Moose no sold the bomb and hit Elgin with a spear. Elgin got his elbow on the rope for the pin rope break. Hernandez caught Moose with a spinebuster. Elgin and Hernandez broke up each other’s pins. Elgin staggered Hernandez with a knife edge chop. Elgin hit Hernandez with a Buckle Bomb and Elgin Bomb.
Moose pulled the referee out of the ring. Elgin caught Moose with a wrecking ball dropkick at ringside. Josh reminded people that there was no DQ in a triple threat. Elgin shoved one referee to the mat. REF BUMP!!! A second ref ran out. Hernandez hit Elgin and the referee with a dive. REF BUMP 2!!! Hernandez took his time dragging the referee into the ring. Moose ended up hitting Hernandez with a spear for the victory.
Moose defeated Hernandez and Michael Elgin via pinfall.
Moose celebrated holding up the TNA Heavyweight Championship. Moose made sure Dave Penzer announced Moose as the TNA Champion and Penzer obliged…
John’s Thoughts: I’ll give them this, Moose, Elgin, and Hernandez put in a good effort. Hernandez is in better shape in this run and has been very solid in the ring since his Lucha Underground run. That said, this match was a very disappointing and random impromptu replacement for Tessa vs. Elgin vs. Edwards. I understand that they have a limited staff, but that doesn’t mean we should praise them for circumstance. I like that the win heats up Moose a bit, but Elgin hit the nail on the head when he called Moose “midcard comedy” in the promo, because that’s how Moose has been presented for his heel run. He’s good midcard comedy, but this wasn’t a strong plug-in main event.
This was an overall disappointing show with a bunch of impromptu filler matches. Last week’s show truly felt like a PPV-level lineup with some good quality matches down the stretch. This show was less than a regular episode of Impact in that there were filler matches. This was closer to a TNA One Night Only show than a PPV. The positive, the effort of the wrestlers. I’ll give that to them. Last week’s show was clearly a bigger deal with bigger matches. Twitch notes, the stream topped at 2,400 viewers (I round up). I also had the Cage and Melissa Santos post-show up and running and all it is, is Brian Cage talking about meat; and if you’ve ever met Cage in person, you know this guy can talk about a single simple topic nonstop for a half an hour.
It’s weird to be disappointed in a show knowing beforehand the matches that was going to take place? What was there to be disappointed with? You knew Tessa and Edwards wasn’t there. You knew the Knockout title match wasn’t happening. What was your expectation for this show that left you disappointed? You can’t praise them for circumstance no but you should praise them for turning that circumstance into interesting storylines. Which they did.