By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
Impact Wrestling Rebellion
Aired April 25, 2021 on pay-per-view and FITE TV
Nashville, Tennessee at Skyway Studios
Rebellion Pre-Show match result: Rosemary and Havok beat Kimber Lee and Susan.
After a brief video package, Rich Swann was shown arriving at the venue and was greeted by Trey Miguel, Alisha Edwards, and Willie Mack… Matt Striker and D-Lo Brown were on commentary at ringside, and Dave Penzer was the ring announcer…
1. Ace Austin (w/Madman Fulton) vs. TJP vs. Josh Alexander in a three-way for the X Division Championship. Brian Hebner was the referee. Austin performed an early Fosbury Flop dive over the top rope onto both challengers on the floor. Later, TJP performed a top rope splash on Austin, but Alexander broke up the pin and put Alexander in an ankle lock.
TJP countered in a submission hold on Alexander, who put Austin in the ankle lock. Alexander broke out of TJP’s hold, but he returned to break up the ankle lock by putting Alexander in an abdominal stretch. Austin hit The Fold on Alexander and had him pinned, but TJP broke it up.
A short time later, Alexander avoided another Fold attempt and performed a double under hook piledriver and had the pin, but it was broken up. Austin placed Alexander on the top rope and then performed a huracanrana, but Alexander caught him in an ankle lock. TJP performed a top rope splash and had the pin, but Fulton pulled TJP to ringside to break it. Alexander performed another piledriver on Austin and pinned him…
Josh Alexander defeated Ace Austin and TJP in 11:15 in a three-way to win the X Division Championship.
Powell’s POV: I’m surprised to see a title change given that Austin just won the title last month. It was a very well worked match with some quality near falls. Hot opener.
The broadcast team ran through the pay-per-view lineup…
The Violent By Design faction stood backstage. Eric Young spoke to someone off camera about being his replacement in the match (due to his ACL injury) while Deaner, Joe Doering, and Rhino stood by. The replacement wrestler was not shown… A video package spotlighted the eight-man tag match…
2. “Violent By Design” W. Morrissey, Joe Doering, Deaner, and Rhino (w/Eric Young) vs. James Storm, Chris Sabin, Willie Mack, and Eddie Edwards. Morrissey is the artist formerly known as Big Cass in WWE. Young watched the match from a chair on the stage. Early in the match, Morrissey booted Storm off the top rope with a big boot.
Later, Mack had Deaner pinned, but Morrissey broke it up and then awkwardly tagged himself into the match. A bunch of wrestlers ended up brawling at ringside. Sabin superplexed Deaner from the ropes onto the wrestlers, who mostly watched and waited to be landed on.
In the ring, Mack hit Doering with a Stunner, but Doering left the ring. Morrissey entered the ring and glared at Mack. Morrissey stuffed a Stunner, then hit him with a big boot. Morrissey followed up with his East River Crossing finisher on Mack and then pinned him…
“Violent By Design” W. Morrissey, Joe Doering, Deaner, and Rhino defeated James Storm, Chris Sabin, Willie Mack, and Eddie Edwards in 10:05.
Powell’s POV: Good for Big Cass, who recently went public with his battle with alcoholism. I assume he’ll be a regular in Impact given that he picked up the decisive win for his team, but nothing is official. He was a nice replacement for the injured Young.
A video package set up the next match…
3. Brian Myers vs. Matt Cardona. Cardona came out wearing horned shoulder pads. Cardona offered a handshake, but Myers flipped him off. Ryder punched Cardona to start the match. A few minutes into the match, Cardona hit a Rough Ryder on the ramp. Cardona came up holding his left hip.
Myers came back with a spear on the floor, then rolled Cardona back inside the ring. Myers went up top and hit a top rope elbow drop for a near fall. A short time later, Cardona performed the Hot Mess (Killswitch/Unprettier) for a near fall of his own.
Cardona went for a Rough Ryder, but Cardona shot him over his head. Cardona sold a left knee injury. The referee motioned for help, which led to two more referees coming out. Myers held out his hand and helped Cardona to his feet, then clotheslined him. Myers waited for Cardona to get up, then put him down with the Roster Cut and pinned him…
Brian Myers beat Matt Cardona in 9:45.
Powell’s POV: If wrestlers call 911, does an ambulance filled with referees show up? Anyway, the match was fine and the right guy went over. Obviously, they gave Cardona and out for losing, so I’m sure this wasn’t the end of the road for this feud.
Gia Miller interviewed Tony Khan, who was accompanied by Jerry Lynn, Tony Schiavone, and referee Aubrey Edwards. Khan said Edwards was there to referee the championship match. Scott D’Amore showed up with Brian Hebner. D’Amore said he was happy to have everyone there, but they had the wrestling thing under control. Khan mocked that Brian would never screw anybody. D’Amore suggested they have two referees in the match, which Khan agreed with…
A video package set up the Knockouts Tag Title match…
4. Kiera Hogan and Tasha Steelz vs. Jordynne Grace and Rachel Ellering (w/Jazz) for the Knockouts Tag Titles. Striker said Jazz got a manager’s license. The challengers were dominant early. There was a nice spot where Hogan was on the knees of Ellering and then Grace performed a senton on Hogan. The challengers had the pin, but Steelz returned to break it up. Late in the match, Steelz pulled Grace to the floor. In the ring, Ellering hit Hogan with a forearm and a slam and then scored the clean pin…
Jordynne Grace and Rachel Ellering defeated Kiera Hogan and Tasha Steelz in 9:20 to win the Knockouts Tag Titles.
Powell’s POV: A decent match with a finishing sequence that felt a little flat. Even Striker admitted that the finish caught him off guard. Here’s hoping that the title change frees up Hogan to turn babyface and go on a singles run. She can be the top babyface in the Knockouts Division if creative does its part.
A video package set up the Last Man Standing match…
5. Sami Callihan vs. Trey Miguel in a Last Man Standing match. Callihan caught Miguel diving at him, then threw him over the top rope to the floor. Miguel beat the referee’s count by getting back to his feet. The wrestlers fought at ringside around the six-minute mark. Miguel used a chain as a weapon, then pulled several weapons out from under the ring.
Callihan slid a table and chairs inside the ring. Miguel placed the table upside down with the legs up. Both men went for suplexes. Eventually, Callihan slammed Miguel onto the legs of the table (actually very safe in execution). Callihan threw a chair at the head of Miguel, who was on the ropes.
Callihan positioned a table beneath the corner and then piledrove Miguel onto the table, which tipped over and did not break. Callihan got to his feet first, then Miguel rolled onto his feet at ringside. Callihan set up the top piece of the ring steps on its side and then went for a piledriver, but Miguel blocked it.
Miguel set up for a move on the steps, but Callihan grabbed his balls to avoid it. Callihan performed a piledriver onto the edge of the ring steps, then placed the steps over Miguel and sat down on top of them. Miguel emerged from under the apron, then performed a running cutter off the apron that drove Callihan through a table. Miguel got to his feet, but Callihan was unable to beat the count…
Trey Miguel defeated Sami Callihan in 15:25 a Last Man Standing match.
Powell’s POV: The usual hard work from both men. Miguel’s character took a beating, yet came back at the end of to win. The broadcast team spoke repeatedly about how no one should question Miguel’s heart, so that turned out to be the theme of the match and his victory.
Gia Miller interviewed Impact Unified Champion Rich Swann in the backstage area. Swann said nothing will stop him from proving that he’s the best. He said everyone talks about how it is the biggest match of his career, but it’s also the biggest match of Kenny Omega’s career. Swann said they both won championships, but the difference in this match is that once the bell rings, one person will take home all of the gold. Swann added that they weren’t in an AEW ring. Swann said it’s an Impact pay-per-view and it’s his house. Swann said Omega had another thing coming if he thought he would take his title in his house…
A video package set up the Impact Tag Title match…
6. Juice Robinson and David Finlay vs. Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson for the Impact Tag Titles. Gallows went for an early double chokeslam, but Robinson and Finlay broke free and then spiked his head into the mat, which led to just a one count when he was covered.
A short time later, Gallows threw a nice high kick to the head of Finlay and covered him for a two count. Robinson eventually took a hot tag and worked over both opponents. Robinson and Finlay performed a Demolition elbow drop on Anderson. Gallows rushed in to break up the pin.
Anderson caught Robinson with a neckbreaker. Anderson and Gallows both hit Robinson with moves and then teamed up for an assisted neckbreaker for a near fall. Anderson showed frustration over not getting the pin. Gallows tagged in and the duo went for the Magic Killer, but Finlay returned to the ring and took out Anderson, then Robinson caught Gallows in an inside cradle for the three count…
Juice Robinson and David Finlay defeated Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson in 10:35 to retain the Impact Tag Titles.
Powell’s POV: A nice match with the babyface duo once again getting the better of the Good Brothers. Impact doesn’t have a deep tag division at the moment, so I assume we haven’t seen the last of this feud unless AEW opts to ship over some of its tag teams.
Backstage, Gia Miller stood outside of Kenny Omega’s locker room and knocked on the door. Don Callis walked out of the room and said Omega wasn’t available because he was preparing for the main event. Callis touted himself as the man who changes the course of history. He said champion vs. champion doesn’t happen in this industry, but we are living history. Callis said Swann will be an orphan in the match because no one in the back will help him. Callis claimed he had a vision of this match when Omega was just ten years-old. He said that he and Omega would leave with both titles and everyone else will be a part of history…
A video package set up the Knockouts Title match…
7. Deonna Purrazzo (w/Susan, Kimber Lee) vs. Tenille Dashwood (w/Kaleb) for the Knockouts Championship. Striker said Dashwood was the underdog in the betting lines. Brown claimed that the champion is always the favorite. Purrazzo hooked Dashwood’s arms behind her and tried to fling her face into the corner, but Dashwood came up short.
Both women traded good running forearm shots. Purrazzo performed a couple of knee lifts, then Dashwood knocked her down with a clothesline. Dashwood performed a cross body block from the ropes for a near fall.
Dashwood avoided a top rope headbutt and then stomped Purrazzo and went for the cover, but Lee broke it up. Purrazzo went for the Fujiwara armbar, but Dashwood rolled out of it. Purrazzo threw forearm shots at Dashwood and eventually hit the Queen’s Gambit piledriver and scored the pin…
Deonna Purrazzo defeated Tenille Dashwood in 9:45 to retain the Knockouts Championship.
After the match, Purrazzo, Lee, and Susan roughed up Dashwood. Taylor Wilde made her entrance and hit a double dropkick on Lee and Susan. Wilde DDT’d Lee and then suplexed Susan. Purrazzo climbed onto the apron, but dropped off once Wilde took a swipe at her…
Powell’s POV: It was a well worked match. This finish also felt like it came out of nowhere. It was Purrazzo’s finisher and all, but the setup left something to be desired. The heel vs. heel dynamic was fine since there were no fans present. Wilde’s return came off well.
The broadcast team spoke and then set up a video package on the main event…
Striker introduced Mauro Ranallo, who was seated in between Striker and Brown. Ranallo played up the main event and said his goosebumps had goosebumps…
Entrances for the main event took place. Kenny Omega came out with Don Callis, Doc Gallows, and Karl Anderson. Rich Swann was accompanied by Eddie Edwards and Willie Mack. David Penzer tried to deliver in-ring introductions, but Callis took the mic and read through a list of legends and said they are all insects compared to Omega. Penzer introduced Swann. Aubrey Edwards held up the AEW Championship, and Brian Hebner held up the Impact World Championship and TNA Championship belts…
8. AEW Champion Kenny Omega (w/Don Callis, Doc Gallows, Karl Anderson) vs. Impact World Champion Rich Swann (w/Willie Mack, Eddie Edwards) in a title vs. title match. Hebner was the in-ring referee while Edwards was at ringside. Omega slapped Swann early, then ducked between the ropes when Swann got upset. Swann eventually returned the favor by slapping Omega. Swann sent Omega to ringside and performed a nice dive from the ropes onto him.
Back inside the ring, Swann went for a Rolling Thunder splash, but Omega put his knees up. The match spilled to ringside. Omega dumped Swann on the apron. Impact executive Scott D’Amore was shown watching the match. Tony Khan, Jerry Lynn, and Tony Schiavone were watching from behind the ringside barricade.
Back inside the ring, Omega performed a Buckle Bomb and followed up with a slam onto his own knee followed by repeated covers and two counts. Omega dominated a stretch of offense and started playing to the cameras. Swann came back with an elbow to the face and followed up with forearms. Swann avoided Omega’s leg lariat and hit him with a kick followed by a running splash for a near fall.
Omega came back with shots to the lower back, which Swann started no-selling. Swann slapped Omega across the face and then fired chips at him. Omega hit Swann with forearms, but Swann came right back and ended up performing a head-scissors takedown. With Omega on the ropes, Swann leapt in the air and performed a huracanrana, then covered Omega for just a one count.
Swann went up top, but Omega cut him off and threw him back inside the ring. Omega went to the top rope, but Swann joined him on the ropes and they fought for position. Omega got the better of it and went for a top rope powerbomb, but Swann went for a backdrop and slipped, but fortunately Omega appeared to land clean on his back. Swann performed a top rope frog splash for a good near fall.
Omega came back with a nice gut-wrench powerbomb for a near fall. Omega drilled Swann with a V-Trigger knee to the head and then set up for a One Winged Angel, but Swann slipped off his back. Omega threw a spinning heel kick, then shoved Swann into the corner. Omega followed up with a V-Trigger knee.
Omega placed Swann on the top rope and then stood on the middle rope and put Swann in electric chair position. Swann slipped away and fell awkwardly from the ropes, yet rolled up Omega for a two count. Swann threw a superkick at Omega, who came right back with a V-Trigger. Omega put Swann down with a snap dragon suplex.
Omega followed up with another snap dragon suplex and went for a third, but Swann blocked it and performed a cutter. Swann went for a Lethal Injection, but Omega shoved referee Brian Hebner in the way and he took the move instead. Omega clotheslined Swann and then went to ringside while ringside referee Aubrey Edwards checked on Hebner.
Omega returned to the ring with a chair in hand and wound up to hit Swann with it, but Edwards took it away from him. Brown credited Edwards with calling the match down the middle despite being an AEW referee. Swann got up and put Omega down with a Lethal Injection and then rolled him up, but Omega countered into a pin for a good near fall that Hebner counted. Edwards returned to ringside.
Omega went for a V-Trigger, but Swann avoided it and tagged him with a kick. Swann performed a Michinoku Driver for a near fall. Swann kicked Omega’s head and then went to the ropes and went for a Phoenix Splash. Omega avoided the move and Swann landed on his feet, but Omega blasted him with a V-Trigger. Omega performed a German suplex into a bridge for a near fall.
Omega followed up with a Jay Driller piledriver for a near fall. Striker said it was the same move that Josh Alexander used to win the X Division Title in the opener. Omega blasted a seated Swann with a V-Trigger, then did it a second time. Omega set up for a third, but Swann fell face first to the mat.
Omega placed Swann’s face over the bottom rope and taunted Edwards and Mack, then ran the ropes and hit him with a V-Trigger to the back of the head. Omega pulled Swann to the middle of the ring. Swann fired a series of punches at Omega, who hit him with a V-Trigger and set up for his finisher, but Swann suplexed him. Swann went for a Phoenix Splash, but Omega rolled out of the way. Omega drilled him with another V-Trigger and then hit the One Winged Angel and scored the pin.
AEW World Champion Kenny Omega defeated Rich Swann in 23:00 to win the Impact Unified Championship in a title vs. title match.
After the match, Callis, Gallows, Anderson, Mack, and Edwards rushed the ring to check on their guys. Omega was presented with all of his title belts and held them up in the middle of the ring while Callis, Gallows, and Anderson stood behind him. The show concluded while Omega was celebrating in the ring…
Powell’s POV: A terrific main event. They had some hiccups while going for moves when both men on the ropes, but it was fantastic otherwise. It was nice to see a clean finish despite all those wrestlers at ringside, the AEW posse behind the barricade, and even two referees working the match. My official guess was that Moose was going to cost Swann the match, but he was nowhere to be found. I’m very curious to see where they go from here now that Omega is the Impact Champion and what this means for the Swann character.
Overall, the main event was the show stealer, but it was a good night of wrestling overall. Hopefully Impact can gain some momentum coming out of this show with the added interest now that Omega has their top title. I will be back shortly with my same night audio review of Rebellion for Dot Net Members. Let me know your thoughts by grading the overall show and voting for the best match of the night in our polls below.
Hogan did the babyface thing. She was boring, as a heel she actually has some personality.
She was okay as a babyface in Impact, but she really clicked as Fire in the WOW promotion. She shined even though WOW booked her to lose as much as she won. She delivered strong promos and had an It factor that John Moore and I both picked up on without comparing notes. If Impact can get that out her as a babyface and book her well, I really believe she could break out as the face of the Knockouts Division.
Hey Jason,
I’m hearing audio out of the player in the right hand column on this page and others whenever it appears. It’s been happening for weeks and Wade has the same issue on his site. Using Win10 with a Chrome browser if that matters.
Thanks, Mike
Thanks for the heads up. I passed along your note to the folks who know how to fix the problem. My apologies for it happening again.