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Why are Impact's belts so terrible?
offical wwe thread
- Thread starter orochi_lubu
- Start date
Why are Impact's belts so terrible?
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Why are Impact's belts so terrible?
Because Impact is terrible.
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Yeah but they used to be terrible with nice belts.
AEW is pretty bad but their belts look decent. Not great.
WWE is terrible and so are most of their belts, but the current IC and NXT UK belts are nice:
ROH has the best belts though:
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AEW has mostly mediocre to bad entrance themes (with a few notable exceptions), but Impact's are abysmal. Having watched most of Impact's last few shows, I've been consistently amazed at how amateurish and actively terrible their themes are.
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Y'all remember that horrible sex scene WWE put on with Edge and Lita in a bed in the ring years back? Lita says she objected to it and was told she would be fired if she didn't go through with it. Edge and even John Cena went to bat for her trying to get Vince to change his mind but he insisted. After the segment Lita was buried by management and eventually quit.
In less gross news, Impact has promoted Josh Mathews to a senior TV producer. He will be replaced as the play by play commentator at the next set of tapings by Matt Striker, while D'Lo Brown will take over color commentary for Madison Rayne.
In less gross news, Impact has promoted Josh Mathews to a senior TV producer. He will be replaced as the play by play commentator at the next set of tapings by Matt Striker, while D'Lo Brown will take over color commentary for Madison Rayne.
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Even Edge said he wasn't up for the scene, pun intended.
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Vince cannot be metoo'd.
He paid off a rape accuser in the 90s, nobody cared.
He protected pedophiles including Patterson, nobody cared.
He told Ashley Massaro not to report being raped at a WWE Tribute to the Troops show, nobody cared. Massaro later killed herself and still nobody cared.
He had a sexual harassment accusation in the 2000s from a tanning salon employee, nobody cared.
Jerry Lawler has been known to creep on teenage girls for decades and nobody cares.
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Didn't Lita's top come off during that? I could swear I remember seeing clips where that was pretty clear, which made it even more bizarre/creepy- I mean, WT actual F, apparently Vince told her she had to really be topless for a scene that was supposed to be entirely under covers on basic cable? Ewwww, regardless.
And hey, speak of the devil re: Impact announcing. That alone could make their show quite a bit better.
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The commentary change is definitely a godsend for Impact.
Now they need to cut about 1/3 of the roster, stop doing this retarded wedding/murder mystery shit, and fix their shitty camera work.
Now they need to cut about 1/3 of the roster, stop doing this retarded wedding/murder mystery shit, and fix their shitty camera work.
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People who tried to purchase Ring of Honor from Cary Silkin before he sold it to the current owners, Sinclair Broadcast Group:
Jerry Jarrett (father of Jeff Jarrett, co-founder of TNA, founder of the CWA, co-founder of the USWA when CWA merged with WCCW)
CM Punk
Silkin revealed the names on a recent podcast. He said nobody else besides them and Sinclair wanted the whole promotion. He had lots of people after the video library. But obviously Punk and Jarrett couldn't compete with a multi-billion dollar company.
Jerry Jarrett (father of Jeff Jarrett, co-founder of TNA, founder of the CWA, co-founder of the USWA when CWA merged with WCCW)
CM Punk
Silkin revealed the names on a recent podcast. He said nobody else besides them and Sinclair wanted the whole promotion. He had lots of people after the video library. But obviously Punk and Jarrett couldn't compete with a multi-billion dollar company.
JoeAwesome
I survived Secret Santa, It wasn't Easy.,
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Put me down for NJPW belts over everyone else’s, and YES to seeing Matthews take a hike on commentary.
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Most of their belts are nice but the US title is horrible:
One criticism is that their designs are pretty much recycled. The Heavyweight, Junior Heavyweight, and Intercontinental belts are basically the same. The NEVER belts are all the same, just blue for trios and red for singles. Both sets of tag belts are pretty much the same, just a different color. But the designs themselves are nice. The heavyweight title template is much nicer than the others, though.
MLW belts just look kinda cheap. Not bad, though.
AAA's belts suck.
CMLL has like 600 belts but they all have nice and traditional looks.
Dragon Gate, AJPW, and NOAH all have cool belts.
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Also fuck the TNT title. Giant ass TV network logo on it, stupid name.
The AEW Heavyweight title is decent but all their other belts suck.
The AEW Heavyweight title is decent but all their other belts suck.
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The best was when AJ Lee called him out on it in a promo.
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1 Ten Pounds of Gold
2 Big Gold Belt
3 Big Silver Belt
Then everything after that is a blurr.
2 Big Gold Belt
3 Big Silver Belt
Then everything after that is a blurr.
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Its grown on me over the years
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The NWA belt looks like a cheap toy. It's tiny, plain, and shitty like the NWA itself. Their women's title that Deeb carries around on Dynamite is even worse.
Anyway, NXT had their second lowest rating ever yesterday. In the rounded ratings it tied Tuesday's Impact (both rounded to a 0.1; in the unrounded ratings NXT still won, but the fact that it's even close is staggering). Dynamite did a 0.3.
WWE should just call it a day with their attempt at a Wednesday night war. AEW whooped their asses and now NXT is directionless and reactionary.
Anyway, NXT had their second lowest rating ever yesterday. In the rounded ratings it tied Tuesday's Impact (both rounded to a 0.1; in the unrounded ratings NXT still won, but the fact that it's even close is staggering). Dynamite did a 0.3.
WWE should just call it a day with their attempt at a Wednesday night war. AEW whooped their asses and now NXT is directionless and reactionary.
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Ohh yeah.
10 years ago, I would have never named that belt as the best design. I'd put it at the bottom of designs.
But it's just so classic that it has grown on me.
It is the mid-century modern furniture of wrestling belts.
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That belt sucks. The Big Gold Belt >>>>>> that pile of shit.
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Lucha Underground Championship (second one, after Brian Cage ripped the other one in half):
That's one of my favorites.
That's one of my favorites.
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Well, Impact got their world champion pinned by the AEW champion cleanly, in the middle of their own ring, in the main event of their own PPV.
The AEW Heavyweight belt is a Dave Millican "maker of the WWF Winged Engle/IC, ROH 2013 belts and IWGP heavyweight" belt that is why it looks so nice. They got the other belts from a seller that had them made in Pakistan.
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Impact Wrestling Hard to Kill PPV Results: 1-16-21
Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Lilly's complete report).
(1) ROSEMARY & CRAZZY STEVE vs. TENILLE DASHWOOD & KALEB WITH A K
Steve and Kaleb started it off and the action quickly spilled to the floor with Steve getting the better of it. Kaleb tagged in Tenille to face off with Rosemary. Light crowd noise was piped in, which was an improvement over the usual quiet arena in Impact’s pandemic era. Tenille got the upper hand over Rosemary then tagged out to Kaleb. Tenille and Kaleb tried to double team Rosemary, but Rosemary foiled it and made the tag to Steve. Kaleb got the upper hand on Steve and tagged Tenille, who had Steve in an armlock.
Kaleb missed a moonsault off the top and Steve made the hot tag to Rosemary, who ran wild on Tenille. Steve and Rosemary double chokeslammed Kaleb. Rosemary speared Tenille, who rolled out. Kaleb kicked Rosemary. Tenille tried to use hairspray but the referee stopped it. Steve sprayed Tenille with mist. Rosemary sprayed Kaleb with mist, which Steve used to take advantage and DDT Kaleb off the ropes for a pin.
WINNER: Rosemary & Crazzy Steve in 9:00.
Fun match to start the show. Lots of comedy but good action. The crowd noise helps the show.
(2) ERIC YOUNG & JOE DOERING & DEANER vs. TOMMY DREAMER & RHINO & COUSIN JAKE
Young’s team is now called “Violent by Design”. All six wresters mixed it up in the ring at the start. Jake and Deaner finally squared off one on one in the ring. Jake got the early advantage and threw Deaner to the outside. Doering and Rhino faced off in the ring. A three-way split screen followed all the action for a bit. All six wrestlers ended up fighting on the floor. Striker and D-Lo talked up Doering’s accomplishments and reputation.
Back in the ring, Dreamer got the advantage with a flying cutter on Eric Young. Jake and Deaner continued to fight on the outside. Dreamer, Rhino, and Jake attacked Doering with chairs in the ring. Doering made a comeback and bit Dreamer, then hit him with a crossbody block. Young’s team stood in the ring and started taking over. Deaner threw Cody through two chairs. Jake dove over the top rope onto Young and Doering.
Doering suplexed Jake off the top rope right onto Dreamer. Rhino attacked Doering with a kendo stick but got chokeslammed. Doering broke the stick over his knee. Dreamer poured thumbtacks on the mat. Dreamer backdropped Young into the tacks. Rhino gored Doering. Deaner DDT’d Rhino. Jake gave a Black Hole Slam to Deaner. Young piledrove Jake for the win.
WINNERS: Eric Young & Joe Doering & Deaner in 10:00.
Good non-stop brawl. They did a great job of setting up Doering as a monster. The announcers did a good job of getting him and Dreamer over.
(3) KIERA HOGAN & TASHA STEELZ vs. HAVOC & NEVAEH—Impact Wrestling Knockouts Tag Team Title Tournament final
Brian Hebner returned as the referee for this match. Havoc & Neveah had the advantage at the start. Havoc ran wild on Kiera and Tasha, but she missed a legdrop, which turned the tide. Kiera and Tasha tagged in and out to keep the advantage on Havoc. Havoc tried to make a comeback, but she was cut off. Havoc powered out of a sleeper from Tasha and eventually made the hot tag to Nevaeh.
Nevaeh took on Kiera and Tasha by herself. Striker talked up Nevaeh’s Heartland Wrestling training from Les Thatcher. Havoc used power moves to keep the advantage. She missed a charge and got caught with a kick from Kiera. Tasha kicked Havoc in the head and Kiera got a two count. Tasha pulled Nevaeh’s leg and pulled her out of the ring. Back in the ring, Tasha & Kiera double teamed Neveah. Tasha landed her neckbreaker for the pin and the win.
WINNERS: Kiera Hogan & Tasha Steelz in 10:00 to win the tag team titles.
All action and a great way to end a really fun tournament. Nice touch to have the legends come out to make this seem like a big deal.
(4) MATT CARDONA vs. ACE AUSTIN
They brawled at the start and went to the floor. Fulton interfered to turn the tide of the match. Ace missed a flip off the rope and Matt landed a flapjack and a clothesline, then boots in the corner. Fulton jumped in the ring and ran Matt’s head into the turnbuckle.
WINNER: Matt Cardona by DQ in 3:00
Cool surprise, but a lame finish. It wasn’t made clear if this was a one-time appearance or if Cardona would be a regular.
(5) MANIK (c) vs. CHRIS BEY vs. ROHI RAJU—Impact Wrestling X Division Title match
All three wrestlers squared off, exchanging offense and the advantage. Striker talked up Bey’s background and training. Rohit and Bey fought, but were joined by Manik. Rohit knocked Bey off the apron to the floor. Rohit got a two count on Manik. All three traded the advantage before the action spilled to the outside.
Rohit got the best of Bey then threw Manik back in the ring. Rohit went for the mask and pulled it off. Manik revealed that his face was painted. He DDT’d Rohit and tried to dive off the top, but Bey caught him with a great cutter. Rohit broke up Bey’s pin attempt. Manik rolled out, leaving Rohit and Manik to go at it in the ring. Rohit had Bey tied up upside down in the corner, but Manik recovered and got in offense on both wrestlers.
With Bey down, Rohit got a series of kicks on Manik but couldn’t get the pin. All three wrestlers were down. Manik landed a spike DDT on Bey. Bey kicked out of a crucifix bomb from Manik. Rohit kicked Manik in the head and got a two count on Bey. Rohit landed a double stomp to Bey then had Manik in a crossface submission. Bey broke it up. Rohit got an inside cradle for a two count on Bey. Manik rolled up Rohit out of nowhere for a pin.
WINNER: Manik in 13:00.
Excellent X Division style match that was all-action.
(6) DEONNA PURRAZZO (w/Kimber Lee & Susan) (c) vs. TAYA VALKYRIE (w/Rosemary & Crazzy Steve)—Impact Wrestling Knockouts Title match
They took it to the outside early. Kimber Lee held Taya back, which started a brawl. Susan was recording Steve on her phone. Steve knocked the referee down. The referee sent Steve, Rosemary, Susan, and Kimber Lee to the back. The action resumed in the ring, with Taya chopping Deonna. Deonna made a comeback with kicks, then she worked Taya’s arm. Taya made a comeback but still sold her arm.
Deonna hit a Russian Leg Sweep and resumed working on the arm. Deonna used kicks to take Taya down. Deonna put Taya in a kneebar. Taya made a comeback, including getting a spear for a two count. She still sold her arm. Deonna dropkicked Taya’s knee, but Taya came back with a back suplex. Taya hit a curb stomp and a submission, but Deonna made the ropes. They traded punches. Deonna caught Taya in an armbar and eventually a double armbar, which made Taya submit.
WINNER: Deonna Purrazzo in 11:00.
Match of the night so far. It’s a treat to see Deonna’s career path in the last year. Taya was great as well. Looking forward to Deonna’s next challenger and feud.
(7) ETHAN PAGE vs. KARATE MAN
Karate Man is Page’s alter ego. This was a cinematic match. It used special effects and editing to show them fighting each other in front of different backgrounds. Karate Man ripped out Page’s heart to “win”.
WINNER: Karate Man in 3:00.
This was better suited for the TV show or on the website. It was intentionally cheesy and totally played for laughs. Not my cup of tea. At least it was short.
(8) SAMI CALLIHAN vs. EDDIE EDWARDS
The ring had one side with a barbed wire cage wall and there were weapons and barbed wire on the other sides. Both wrestlers were cautious at the start. Sami was first to get thrown into the barbed wire. Eddie wrapped barbed wire around Sami’s head, which drew blood. Eddie tried to push Sami onto a barbed wire board but Sami managed to slide the board out of the ring. Eddie dove out of the ring, but flew right into a barbed wire board.
Sami continued the attack on the floor. Back in the ring, Sami stayed aggressive and on the attack. Eddie was bleeding from the head. Sami rolled barbed wire across Eddie’s head and hit him with a video game controller wrapped in barbed wire. Eddie made a comeback with a backpack stunner. They traded the advantage. They landed punches at the same time and knocked each other down. Eddie had a bat wrapped in barbed wire and Sami had a kendo stick wrapped in barbed wire. They traded the weapons then attacked each other.
Sami knocked Eddie throat-first onto barbed wire. Sami piledrove Eddie through a board but only got a two count. Eddie fired up. Eddie landed a Boston Knee Party with a chair, but only got a one count. Eddie slammed Sami onto a barbed wire chair for the pin and the victory. Alisha came in the ring afterwards and tended to Eddie.
WINNER: Eddie Edwards in 20:00.
This was pretty brutal and gory. A good match if you’re into this style.
(9) RICH SWANN & CHRIS SABIN & MOOSE vs. KENNY OMEGA & DOC GALLOWS & KARL ANDERSON (w/Don Callis)
Callis handled the (over-the-top) ring introductions for Omega. Omega made his entrance wearing a Bullet Club t-shirt (the Halloween version). Striker speculated that it probably made the Impact wrestlers angry that Omega had his own dressing room. Sabin and Anderson locked up to start it off. Sabin armdragged Anderson. Sabin and Anderson traded moves until Moose and Gallows tagged in. They traded punches. Omega and Swann tagged in.
They locked up. Swann was attacked from behind by the Good Brothers. Omega choked Swann with his t-shirt, then tagged out to Anderson. Swann got the advantage over Anderson then tagged in Sabin. Team Impact triple teamed Anderson. Moose landed an impressive standing moonsault.
The Good Brothers worked on Sabin. Omega got a backbreaker on Sabin. Anderson had Sabin in a headlock. Sabin fought his way out, then Anderson and Sabin clotheslined each other. Omega and Swann went at it. Swann hit a Frankensteiner on Omega, who was on the top rope. The match broke down and all six wrestlers fought. Swann flipped onto Omega on the outside. Sabin flipped onto Anderson.
Swann rolled Omega back in the ring. Anderson tagged in and took over on Swann. Gallows tagged in and slammed Swann. Omega tagged in to continue the advantage. He got a leg lariat on Swann, then tagged Gallows in. They hit a triple splash on Swann. Sabin broke up the pin. Omega tagged back in and taunted Swann. He pulled Swann back to his team’s corner. Swann escaped with a kick to the head and tagged Moose. Moose ran wild on Omega and the Good Brothers. Moose dropkicked Gallows off the top rope. Team Impact landed a triple kick to Omega. Moose got a two count on Omega.
Omega and the Good Brothers took over on Sabin. Omega got a two count on Sabin. Omega power bombed Sabin for a two count. Omega went for the V-trigger but was cut off by Moose. Omega got a V-trigger on Swann. Moose caught Omega with a tremendous Spanish Fly off the top. Sabin slammed Omega, but Anderson broke up the pin. Gallows got a shin kick on Sabin. Sabin made a tag to Swann as Gallows tagged Omega.
They exchanged punches back and forth. Omega got a suplex and piledriver on Swann, but the pin was broken up. Omega and Swann fought on the top rope. Omega put Moose on his shoulders, but Moose reversed it, and Swann hit a doomsday device on Omega. Swann slugged Omega. Omega got a V-trigger. Swann fought back and went for his 450 splash, but only got a two count. The Good Brothers hit the Magic Killer on Swann. Omega covered but Moose broke up the pin. Omega got a V-trigger on Moose then on Swann. Omega got a one-winged angel on Swann for the pin. Omega’s team celebrated up the ramp afterwards.
WINNERS: Kenny Omega & Doc Gallows & Karl Anderson in 20:00.
A great, action-packed match that lived up to the hype. Everyone had their working shoes on and were at their best. Omega was in for a good portion of the match. I would have preferred to see an upset win from Team Impact, but I guess that wasn’t going to happen. I was happy that we didn’t get the tired “Moose turns heel on his team” ending, so points for that. I thought that Moose was the star of the match.
FINAL THOUGHTS: This was a really good show that had a little bit of everything (X Division action, good technical wrestling, brawling, comedy, surprises, and star power). I was cautious about Matt Striker as the lead announcer, but I have to give credit where it’s due: he was solid and added to the presentation. I liked D-Lo as a color commentator. The crowd noise worked as well. The main event lived up to its billing. It was still surreal to see Kenny Omega in an Impact ring. The main event and the Knockouts match were the best matches of the night.
Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Lilly's complete report).
(1) ROSEMARY & CRAZZY STEVE vs. TENILLE DASHWOOD & KALEB WITH A K
Steve and Kaleb started it off and the action quickly spilled to the floor with Steve getting the better of it. Kaleb tagged in Tenille to face off with Rosemary. Light crowd noise was piped in, which was an improvement over the usual quiet arena in Impact’s pandemic era. Tenille got the upper hand over Rosemary then tagged out to Kaleb. Tenille and Kaleb tried to double team Rosemary, but Rosemary foiled it and made the tag to Steve. Kaleb got the upper hand on Steve and tagged Tenille, who had Steve in an armlock.
Kaleb missed a moonsault off the top and Steve made the hot tag to Rosemary, who ran wild on Tenille. Steve and Rosemary double chokeslammed Kaleb. Rosemary speared Tenille, who rolled out. Kaleb kicked Rosemary. Tenille tried to use hairspray but the referee stopped it. Steve sprayed Tenille with mist. Rosemary sprayed Kaleb with mist, which Steve used to take advantage and DDT Kaleb off the ropes for a pin.
WINNER: Rosemary & Crazzy Steve in 9:00.
Fun match to start the show. Lots of comedy but good action. The crowd noise helps the show.
(2) ERIC YOUNG & JOE DOERING & DEANER vs. TOMMY DREAMER & RHINO & COUSIN JAKE
Young’s team is now called “Violent by Design”. All six wresters mixed it up in the ring at the start. Jake and Deaner finally squared off one on one in the ring. Jake got the early advantage and threw Deaner to the outside. Doering and Rhino faced off in the ring. A three-way split screen followed all the action for a bit. All six wrestlers ended up fighting on the floor. Striker and D-Lo talked up Doering’s accomplishments and reputation.
Back in the ring, Dreamer got the advantage with a flying cutter on Eric Young. Jake and Deaner continued to fight on the outside. Dreamer, Rhino, and Jake attacked Doering with chairs in the ring. Doering made a comeback and bit Dreamer, then hit him with a crossbody block. Young’s team stood in the ring and started taking over. Deaner threw Cody through two chairs. Jake dove over the top rope onto Young and Doering.
Doering suplexed Jake off the top rope right onto Dreamer. Rhino attacked Doering with a kendo stick but got chokeslammed. Doering broke the stick over his knee. Dreamer poured thumbtacks on the mat. Dreamer backdropped Young into the tacks. Rhino gored Doering. Deaner DDT’d Rhino. Jake gave a Black Hole Slam to Deaner. Young piledrove Jake for the win.
WINNERS: Eric Young & Joe Doering & Deaner in 10:00.
Good non-stop brawl. They did a great job of setting up Doering as a monster. The announcers did a good job of getting him and Dreamer over.
(3) KIERA HOGAN & TASHA STEELZ vs. HAVOC & NEVAEH—Impact Wrestling Knockouts Tag Team Title Tournament final
Brian Hebner returned as the referee for this match. Havoc & Neveah had the advantage at the start. Havoc ran wild on Kiera and Tasha, but she missed a legdrop, which turned the tide. Kiera and Tasha tagged in and out to keep the advantage on Havoc. Havoc tried to make a comeback, but she was cut off. Havoc powered out of a sleeper from Tasha and eventually made the hot tag to Nevaeh.
Nevaeh took on Kiera and Tasha by herself. Striker talked up Nevaeh’s Heartland Wrestling training from Les Thatcher. Havoc used power moves to keep the advantage. She missed a charge and got caught with a kick from Kiera. Tasha kicked Havoc in the head and Kiera got a two count. Tasha pulled Nevaeh’s leg and pulled her out of the ring. Back in the ring, Tasha & Kiera double teamed Neveah. Tasha landed her neckbreaker for the pin and the win.
WINNERS: Kiera Hogan & Tasha Steelz in 10:00 to win the tag team titles.
All action and a great way to end a really fun tournament. Nice touch to have the legends come out to make this seem like a big deal.
(4) MATT CARDONA vs. ACE AUSTIN
They brawled at the start and went to the floor. Fulton interfered to turn the tide of the match. Ace missed a flip off the rope and Matt landed a flapjack and a clothesline, then boots in the corner. Fulton jumped in the ring and ran Matt’s head into the turnbuckle.
WINNER: Matt Cardona by DQ in 3:00
Cool surprise, but a lame finish. It wasn’t made clear if this was a one-time appearance or if Cardona would be a regular.
(5) MANIK (c) vs. CHRIS BEY vs. ROHI RAJU—Impact Wrestling X Division Title match
All three wrestlers squared off, exchanging offense and the advantage. Striker talked up Bey’s background and training. Rohit and Bey fought, but were joined by Manik. Rohit knocked Bey off the apron to the floor. Rohit got a two count on Manik. All three traded the advantage before the action spilled to the outside.
Rohit got the best of Bey then threw Manik back in the ring. Rohit went for the mask and pulled it off. Manik revealed that his face was painted. He DDT’d Rohit and tried to dive off the top, but Bey caught him with a great cutter. Rohit broke up Bey’s pin attempt. Manik rolled out, leaving Rohit and Manik to go at it in the ring. Rohit had Bey tied up upside down in the corner, but Manik recovered and got in offense on both wrestlers.
With Bey down, Rohit got a series of kicks on Manik but couldn’t get the pin. All three wrestlers were down. Manik landed a spike DDT on Bey. Bey kicked out of a crucifix bomb from Manik. Rohit kicked Manik in the head and got a two count on Bey. Rohit landed a double stomp to Bey then had Manik in a crossface submission. Bey broke it up. Rohit got an inside cradle for a two count on Bey. Manik rolled up Rohit out of nowhere for a pin.
WINNER: Manik in 13:00.
Excellent X Division style match that was all-action.
(6) DEONNA PURRAZZO (w/Kimber Lee & Susan) (c) vs. TAYA VALKYRIE (w/Rosemary & Crazzy Steve)—Impact Wrestling Knockouts Title match
They took it to the outside early. Kimber Lee held Taya back, which started a brawl. Susan was recording Steve on her phone. Steve knocked the referee down. The referee sent Steve, Rosemary, Susan, and Kimber Lee to the back. The action resumed in the ring, with Taya chopping Deonna. Deonna made a comeback with kicks, then she worked Taya’s arm. Taya made a comeback but still sold her arm.
Deonna hit a Russian Leg Sweep and resumed working on the arm. Deonna used kicks to take Taya down. Deonna put Taya in a kneebar. Taya made a comeback, including getting a spear for a two count. She still sold her arm. Deonna dropkicked Taya’s knee, but Taya came back with a back suplex. Taya hit a curb stomp and a submission, but Deonna made the ropes. They traded punches. Deonna caught Taya in an armbar and eventually a double armbar, which made Taya submit.
WINNER: Deonna Purrazzo in 11:00.
Match of the night so far. It’s a treat to see Deonna’s career path in the last year. Taya was great as well. Looking forward to Deonna’s next challenger and feud.
(7) ETHAN PAGE vs. KARATE MAN
Karate Man is Page’s alter ego. This was a cinematic match. It used special effects and editing to show them fighting each other in front of different backgrounds. Karate Man ripped out Page’s heart to “win”.
WINNER: Karate Man in 3:00.
This was better suited for the TV show or on the website. It was intentionally cheesy and totally played for laughs. Not my cup of tea. At least it was short.
(8) SAMI CALLIHAN vs. EDDIE EDWARDS
The ring had one side with a barbed wire cage wall and there were weapons and barbed wire on the other sides. Both wrestlers were cautious at the start. Sami was first to get thrown into the barbed wire. Eddie wrapped barbed wire around Sami’s head, which drew blood. Eddie tried to push Sami onto a barbed wire board but Sami managed to slide the board out of the ring. Eddie dove out of the ring, but flew right into a barbed wire board.
Sami continued the attack on the floor. Back in the ring, Sami stayed aggressive and on the attack. Eddie was bleeding from the head. Sami rolled barbed wire across Eddie’s head and hit him with a video game controller wrapped in barbed wire. Eddie made a comeback with a backpack stunner. They traded the advantage. They landed punches at the same time and knocked each other down. Eddie had a bat wrapped in barbed wire and Sami had a kendo stick wrapped in barbed wire. They traded the weapons then attacked each other.
Sami knocked Eddie throat-first onto barbed wire. Sami piledrove Eddie through a board but only got a two count. Eddie fired up. Eddie landed a Boston Knee Party with a chair, but only got a one count. Eddie slammed Sami onto a barbed wire chair for the pin and the victory. Alisha came in the ring afterwards and tended to Eddie.
WINNER: Eddie Edwards in 20:00.
This was pretty brutal and gory. A good match if you’re into this style.
(9) RICH SWANN & CHRIS SABIN & MOOSE vs. KENNY OMEGA & DOC GALLOWS & KARL ANDERSON (w/Don Callis)
Callis handled the (over-the-top) ring introductions for Omega. Omega made his entrance wearing a Bullet Club t-shirt (the Halloween version). Striker speculated that it probably made the Impact wrestlers angry that Omega had his own dressing room. Sabin and Anderson locked up to start it off. Sabin armdragged Anderson. Sabin and Anderson traded moves until Moose and Gallows tagged in. They traded punches. Omega and Swann tagged in.
They locked up. Swann was attacked from behind by the Good Brothers. Omega choked Swann with his t-shirt, then tagged out to Anderson. Swann got the advantage over Anderson then tagged in Sabin. Team Impact triple teamed Anderson. Moose landed an impressive standing moonsault.
The Good Brothers worked on Sabin. Omega got a backbreaker on Sabin. Anderson had Sabin in a headlock. Sabin fought his way out, then Anderson and Sabin clotheslined each other. Omega and Swann went at it. Swann hit a Frankensteiner on Omega, who was on the top rope. The match broke down and all six wrestlers fought. Swann flipped onto Omega on the outside. Sabin flipped onto Anderson.
Swann rolled Omega back in the ring. Anderson tagged in and took over on Swann. Gallows tagged in and slammed Swann. Omega tagged in to continue the advantage. He got a leg lariat on Swann, then tagged Gallows in. They hit a triple splash on Swann. Sabin broke up the pin. Omega tagged back in and taunted Swann. He pulled Swann back to his team’s corner. Swann escaped with a kick to the head and tagged Moose. Moose ran wild on Omega and the Good Brothers. Moose dropkicked Gallows off the top rope. Team Impact landed a triple kick to Omega. Moose got a two count on Omega.
Omega and the Good Brothers took over on Sabin. Omega got a two count on Sabin. Omega power bombed Sabin for a two count. Omega went for the V-trigger but was cut off by Moose. Omega got a V-trigger on Swann. Moose caught Omega with a tremendous Spanish Fly off the top. Sabin slammed Omega, but Anderson broke up the pin. Gallows got a shin kick on Sabin. Sabin made a tag to Swann as Gallows tagged Omega.
They exchanged punches back and forth. Omega got a suplex and piledriver on Swann, but the pin was broken up. Omega and Swann fought on the top rope. Omega put Moose on his shoulders, but Moose reversed it, and Swann hit a doomsday device on Omega. Swann slugged Omega. Omega got a V-trigger. Swann fought back and went for his 450 splash, but only got a two count. The Good Brothers hit the Magic Killer on Swann. Omega covered but Moose broke up the pin. Omega got a V-trigger on Moose then on Swann. Omega got a one-winged angel on Swann for the pin. Omega’s team celebrated up the ramp afterwards.
WINNERS: Kenny Omega & Doc Gallows & Karl Anderson in 20:00.
A great, action-packed match that lived up to the hype. Everyone had their working shoes on and were at their best. Omega was in for a good portion of the match. I would have preferred to see an upset win from Team Impact, but I guess that wasn’t going to happen. I was happy that we didn’t get the tired “Moose turns heel on his team” ending, so points for that. I thought that Moose was the star of the match.
FINAL THOUGHTS: This was a really good show that had a little bit of everything (X Division action, good technical wrestling, brawling, comedy, surprises, and star power). I was cautious about Matt Striker as the lead announcer, but I have to give credit where it’s due: he was solid and added to the presentation. I liked D-Lo as a color commentator. The crowd noise worked as well. The main event lived up to its billing. It was still surreal to see Kenny Omega in an Impact ring. The main event and the Knockouts match were the best matches of the night.