No Surrender, an event presented by IMPACT Wrestling and available on the IMPACT Plus streaming service, takes place on Saturday, February 19.
With all of the wrestling content available to fans today, IMPACT has done a fantastic job in the past year of establishing a solid product with good in-ring work and decent storylines. While No Surrender is only a buffer as the company builds to the Rebellion pay-per-view in April, it looks like an above average card on paper.
While some of the outcomes are predictable, there is also the possibility of a few surprises in the form of title changes. The following is a rundown of the card and predictions of what fans may expect to happen at No Surrender.
1. Moose vs. W. Morrissey at No Surrender
This match will feature one of the most underrated talents in wrestling today going up against one of the most improved. As each wrestling company does its best to promote its champion as the best in the industry, IMPACT has quietly built Moose into a credible, main event-level champion.
On the other hand, W. Morrissey represents the classic redemption story. After being released from WWE, he took time to take control of his demons and is now in the best shape of his career. He has settled into IMPACT nicely and is positioned to be a top act for years to come if he continues on this path.
One drawback to this match is that both are booked as heels. Most fans will end up cheering for Morrissey, but he hasn't been clearly defined as a babyface. Additionally, as IMPACT is likely building to a match between Moose and Josh Alexander for the title at Rebellion in April, the outcome is fairly predictable.
Prediction: Moose will retain the IMPACT World Championship over W. Morrissey
2. Mickie James vs. Tasha Steelz at No Surrender
Tasha Steelz is another talent that IMPACT has quietly built. Prior to Thursday night's IMPACT television show, a logical prediction would have been Steelz taking the Knockouts Championship from Mickie James at No Surrender. However, as Steelz scored the pinfall over the champion in a tag team match, it's more likely that James will retain it.
Heading into Rebellion, it's likely that James' partner Chelsea Green will turn heel and challenge James for the title. While the heel pairing of Green and Matt Cardona has worked well elsewhere, it puts Steelz in limbo.
She is too talented to not stay relevant and one potential scenario could be her and her partner Savannah Evans going after the Knockouts Tag Team Championship.
Prediction: Mickie James will retain the IMPACT Knockouts Championship over Tasha Steelz.
3. The Good Brothers vs. The Guerillas of Destiny
Partnering with New Japan Pro Wrestling has worked well for IMPACT in the past. It gives talent more places to work and presents fresh matches for the fans. In this case, having the Bullet Club appear in IMPACT should mean more; however, it's been flat thus far.
The Good Brothers have held the tag team Championship for some time and have gone through just about every relevant team in the company. It is time to take the belts off of them and perhaps giving the Bullet Club a championship will spice up the act a bit.
Prediction: The Guerillas of Destiny will win the IMPACT World Tag Team Championship over the Good Brothers.
4. Hardcore War at No Surrender
While hardcore matches can be hit or miss, this match provides a bit of intrigue. It is predictable that the incoming talent will win the match, but the hook will be to see if someone from Team IMPACT jumps ship. While they are teasing that person to be Steve Maclin, this is likely to be a swerve.
Based on history and past relationships with the team of incoming talent, the possibilities would include either Chris Sabin or Eddie Edwards; however, the creative team might have a completely different direction in mind.
Prediction: Matt Taven, Kenny King, Mike Bennett, PCO and Vincent defeat Chris Sabin, Steve Maclin, Rhino, Rich Swann and Eddie Edwards.
5. Matt Cardona vs. Jordynne Grace
IMPACT has finally joined the other companies that have booked Matt Cardona to turn heel. This has worked well in the past and there is no reason to think that it won't work here.
Expect his successful run to continue with a victory over Grace, possibly with help from his wife, Chelsea Green, should they decide to turn her at No Surrender. Going forward, it would not be surprising to see a mixed tag team match featuring Cardona and Green against Grace and her husband, Jonathan Gresham.
Prediction: Matt Cardona retains the IMPACT Digital Media Championship over Jordynne Grace.
6. Deonna Purrazzo issues an open challenge at No Surrender
Though Mickie James holds the IMPACT Knockouts Championship, it is clear that the company is still high on Deonna Purrazzo. It is refreshing that they have found a way to book her in for relevant, meaningful matches and this one should be no exception.
It is not clear who she will face, but the logical options might be someone from the National Wrestling Alliance, such as Kylie Ray or Allysin Kay. There is also the chance that Masha Slamovich, a newcomer to IMPACT, will answer the challenge; however, it's likely they will hold that match until Rebellion so that they can give Slamovich a few more wins.
Regardless of who IMPACT chooses, Purrazzo will walk out of No Surrender with her titles intact.
Prediction: Deonna Purrazzo will retain her titles in an open challenge.
7. Jay White vs. Eric Young
As noted earlier, Jay White in IMPACT should mean more than it does. Additionally, both White and Young have been booked as heels and while fans will likely gravitate to the Bullet Club leader, it waters the match down by not having clearly defined roles.
Hopefully, IMPACT will move on from this quickly and move White into programs where he can be relevant. For Young, he's done everything there is to do in IMPACT, so he can easily keep doing what he is doing and will be fine.
Prediction: Jay White will defeat Eric Young.
8. Black Taurus vs. Jonah
This will be a good bounceback match for Jonah after losing to Josh Alexander. He has a lot of untapped potential and can easily be rebuilt to be a top-level player. That process will likely begin here.
Prediction: Jonah will defeat Black Taurus.
9. Four Way Match at No Surrender
This match will likely open the show. As everyone except Bailey has an opportunity to win the IMPACT X Division Championship, it's likely that he will get his chance here.
Bailey has had good upside potential since debuting in IMPACT, so a potential match against champion Trey Miguel at Rebellion would be interesting.
Prediction: "Speedball" Mike Bailey will defeat Chris Bey, Ace Austin and Jake Something in a Four-Way match to become the #1 Contender to the IMPACT X Division Championship.
10. Trey Miguel vs. John Skyler on the Pre-Show
It is unclear what IMPACT has planned for John Skyler. Since the couple of wins after he debuted, he has been floundering in the lower mid card.
He will perform well at No Surrender, but his role with the company moving forward is unclear. Similarly, Miguel also lacks direction, which is unfortunate since he is so talented. Hopefully, they can put him into something meaningful soon.
Prediction: Trey Miguel will defeat John Skyler.
11. Tenille Dashwood vs. Havok on the Pre-Show
The match at No Surrender is a good tune-up match for Dashwood before she resumes her program with Madison Rayne to go after the IMPACT Knockouts Tag Team Championship. For Havok, it looks like she has settled into the lower mid-card for the foreseeable future.
Prediction: Tenille Dashwood will defeat Havok.