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Many fans knew that IMPACT Wrestling Hard To Kill would be an event that could change the company's course for the foreseeable future. With the AEW World Champion making his in-ring debut in the main event, this pay-per-view drew new eyes and further expanded the fanbase that has been revitalized over the past year.
Kenny Omega's presence on the show was always going to make headlines, but IMPACT Wrestling had to hold its own to make sure this event would not be a one-and-done situation. At Hard To Kill, the company put a spotlight on its terrific Knockouts division, highlighted mainstays, and resolved long-term feuds. Even when one puts aside Omega's presence, this show felt like a huge deal.
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With a sizable card that was full of solid matches, IMPACT Wrestling showed the wrestling world what it has to offer. The pay-per-view kickstarted a new era for this company. Here's a look at the five biggest takeaways from IMPACT Wrestling Hard To Kill.
#5 Matt Cardona feels like a better fit in IMPACT than he did in AEW (IMPACT Wrestling Hard To Kill)
At Slammiversary last year, IMPACT Wrestling created a lot of buzz by bringing in a number of wrestlers who WWE released due to budget cuts. From Heath Slater to The Good Brothers, all of these competitors have gained a measure of success during their time with the promotion. At Hard To Kill, IMPACT Wrestling added another former WWE star in Matt Cardona.
The former Zack Ryder made his IMPACT debut by facing 2021 Super X-Cup winner Ace Austin. Although the match was nothing to write home about, the introduction of Matt Cardona had to be one of the most noteworthy debuts since his WWE release. There was a different energy to this debut than his arrival in AEW last year.
With the number of former WWE superstars who have been successful in AEW, Cardona's AEW run fell short of the fans' expectations. But his debut here felt like a change of page. Hard To Kill needed moments like this to leave lasting images outside of the main event. Fans are still buzzing about Cardona's arrival in IMPACT. Hopefully, he can find some momentum and make this his new home.
#4 Fire 'N Flava are the right choice for the Knockouts Tag Team Champions (IMPACT Wrestling Hard To Kill)
At Hard To Kill, the company crowned new champions. The Knockouts Tag Team Title Tournament was a showcase for the deep roster of ladies that IMPACT Wrestling has at its disposal. The finals of this tournament put IMPACT's two most established teams against one another.
Havok and Nevaeh have been a solid babyface team of best friends. But Kiera Hogan and Tasha Steelz, now known as Fire 'N Flava, were the favorites to win the tournament. Steelz and Hogan have have gelled together since they joined force. Their win-loss record has also been impressive, as Fire 'N Flava have defeated almost every team that they have faced.
IMPACT Wrestling Hard To Kill became Fire N Flava's crowning achievement. The dynamic duo defeated Havok and Nevaeh to win the Knockouts Tag Team Championship. Hogan and Steelz were the best option here. The two ladies have charisma that jumps off the screen, and they are constantly entertaining in every segment they are involved in.
Fire 'N Flava were given the gold by two former Knockouts Tag Team Champions in Gail Kim and Madison Rayne at IMPACT Wrestling Hard To Kill. The champions have officially been crowned as the team to beat in IMPACT Wrestling. The duo's heelish act has been one of the better characters on the promotion's weekly TV show. Having the gold around their waists will only elevate this fact.
#3 Deonna Purrazzo is the promotion's best signing in years (IMPACT Wrestling Hard To Kill)
IMPACT Wrestling Hard To Kill featured a battle between two of the greatest Knockouts the promotion has ever seen. Deonna Purrazzo defended her IMPACT Knockouts Championship againsst Taya Valkyrie. Through her impeccable heel work and tremendous efforts in the ring, "The Virtuosa" has put herself in a different stratosphere from the rest of the roster.
With a victory over Valkyrie, Purrazzo once again proved her vast ability both in the ring and as a heel. But unlike other villainous stars, "The Virtuosa" has made a habit of not using typical heelish methods to win matches. Instead, she uses her superior technical wrestling skills to defeat anyone who challenges her.
At Hard To Kill, Deonna and Taya delivered a hard-hitting match. The physicality allowed this bout to stand out, and the submission victory for the champion elevated her even higher. She backed up her cocky attitude with a decisive victory.
Purrazzo continues to prove that she's one of the top women's wrestlers in the industry. As a result, she has to be considered IMPACT Wrestling's best signing in 2020. The 2020 Wrestler of the Year deserves even more recognition. It's fair to argue that "The Virtuosa" also has to be IMPACT's best signing of the past decade.
#2 Moose stand outs the most in a match he wasn't supposed to be in (IMPACT Wrestling Hard To Kill)
Heading into IMPACT Wrestling Hard To Kill, the company was faced a challening obstacle. Alex Shelley was removed from the main event, so the company turned to Moose. The self-proclaimed TNA World Heavyweight Champion stepped in to team with Rich Swann and Chris Sabin. His feud with Swann became an added element that factored into the six-man tag team match.
Still, Moose used this prominent stage to make a statement. In recent months, he's found a lot of success as a heel. Fans have watched a more deliberate, ruthless version of Moose. But as a babyface in the Hard To Kill main event, he showed that there are other parts to his game that fans haven't seen yet.
Moose busted out a standing moonsault, and he hit a stunning his top-rope Spanish Fly on Kenny Omega. At IMPACT Wrestling Hard To Kill, Moose showed the world why many fans have wanted him to have a main event spot.
Omega and The Good Brothers sold for Moose throughout the match, and they made him look like a star. He became a difference-maker in this Hard To Kill main event. Whenever Moose was in the ring, the babyfaces were in control.
The interactions and sequences between Omega and Moose made viewers want to see a singles bout between the two stars. Although the current TNA Heavyweight Champion did not originally have a spot in the Hard To Kill main event, he made the most of this intriguing opportunity. Moose was arguably the MVP of this match, and he cemented his spot as one of the company's brightest stars.
#1 Kenny Omega vs. Rich Swann for the IMPACT World Championship has to happen at Rebellion (IMPACT Wrestling Hard To Kill)
IMPACT Wrestling Hard To Kill was sure to be a buzzworthy event due to the presence of AEW World Champion Kenny Omega. Everything that "The Cleaner" has done since he turned heel has grabbed headlines in the wrestling world. This pattern has played out both in AEW and in IMPACT Wrestling.
Before the Hard To Kill main event, IMPACT announced that its next pay-per-view, Rebellion, will be on April 24. The graphic for the event left many fans guessing, as the show's logo features a very apparent Omega symbol. This tease foreshadowed the outcome of Hard To Kill's main event.
Omega and The Good Brothers defeated Moose, Chris Sabin and Rich Swann, and the AEW World Champion pinned the IMPACT World Champion. After this result, Omega could easily challenge Swann for his title at IMPACT's next pay-per-view.
A showdown between Omega and Swann for the IMPACT World Championship seems like the biggest match that the company could possibly give its fans after Hard To Kill. Plus, it'd be a natural sequel to this thrilling main event.
Booking a champion vs. champion clash is the best way for IMPACT Wrestling to maintain the momentum and buzz it has enjoyed in recent weeks. IMPACT Wrestling Hard To Kill was a fantastic event, and it could be the beginning of a new golden age for the company.
