Victory Road, IMPACT Wrestling's network exclusive on IMPACT Plus provided a night filled with drama, physicality, and set ups for Bound For Glory. The card featured three championship matches and some really shocking moments.
Victory Road: The Rascalz vs. XXXL
Victory Road's first match provided tag team action between The Rascalz and XXXL. The early action was fast-paced, with Wentz and Acey Romero starting off the bout. Wentz controlled the early going, but Romero was able to take control soon after. However, the match ended up outside the ring, where Romero dominated both members of the Rascalz.
Romero and Larry D stalled the offense of the Rascalz, working together to keep The Rascalz isolated for long periods of the match. While Dez came in and mounted a comeback, Larry D stifled the attempt.
He and Wentz took control of the match, isolating XXXL in both corners and double-teaming them.
Dez was able to make a tag to Wentz, providing a much-needed spark to the team. Both Wentz and Romero end up on the outside after Dez was tagged in. Dez climbed to the top rope, hitting his signature move and pinning Larry D.
Result: The Rascalz defeat XXXL
Grade: B-
The next match would feature a showdown between Brian Myers and Tommy Dreamer.
Victory Road: Tommy Dreamer vs. Brian Myers
In a Victory Road grudge match, Brian Myers squared off against Tommy Dreamer. Both men started out with a clinic in technical wrestling, with Myers getting the best of the veteran Dreamer. Myers took control early, but Dreamer was able to mount offense to stay in the match.
The younger Myers then began hitting a combination of powerful moves and showcasing his technical skills. Dreamer halted Myers' momentum with a basement dropkick between the ropes. The hardcore legend then hit several moves on the outside to take control. Once back in the ring, Dreamer used elbows and punches to daze Myers.
The men traded pinfall attempts but to no avail near the end of the match. After both men were battling for advantage in the bout, Dreamer was able to knock Myers down and head to the top rope. Myers quickly bounced back, causing Dreamer to slip and fall while on the top rope, leaving the door open for Myers to capitalize for the win.
Result: Brian Myers defeats Tommy Dreamer via pinfall.
Grade: B
Victory Road: Defeat Rohit Challenge
Victory Road's first title defense of the night came as Rohit Raju defended his X-Division Title in an open challenge. His opponent was a familiar face in the X-Division.
Willie Mack answered the challenge. Mack took early control of the match, frustrating the champion and leaving him wondering if his open challenge was a mistake. The men traded offense inside and outside the ring in the early going, with Willie Mack getting the best of Rohit.
Once the two men were back in the ring, Rohit took control of the match, offering a barrage of kicks and ground and pound offensive moves. Mack was able to withstand the offensive onslaught, hitting a standing moonsault and attempting a pinfall. After showing his championship mettle, Rohit responded with a crossface submission that Mack was able to survive.
After trading blows near the end of the match, Rohit and Willie collided and the former rolled to the outside of the ring. Rohit stayed down outside of the ring following the collision and was counted out.
It looks as though the champion used his champion's advantage to retain his title.
Result: Willie Mack wins via count-out. Rohit Raju retains X-Division Title
Grade: B+
Victory Road: Tenille Dashwood vs. Jordynne Grace
Victory Road was the venue for the rubber match between Tenille Dashwood and Jordynne Grace. The two have earned victories over each other in the last several weeks on IMPACT.
Jordynne took an early advantage in the match, dominating Tenille. In an effort to distract Grace, Tenille gave the former Knockouts Champion a noogie. The unconventional move only infuriated Grace more.
Tenille then took control of the match after drop-kicking Grace off of the ring apron to the floor. Tenille continued to control the match with the help of her personal photographer, Kaleb, with a K. Tenille and Kaleb took their time to review photos and videos of her performance while Grace was down.
In the Victory Road showdown, Jordynne then stormed back with an array of powerful moves to regain control. The Knockouts then traded offensive blows, leading to Jordynne applying a submission hold to Tenille. Kaleb would make his presence felt once again, distracting the referee from seeing Tenille tap out.
Tenille managed to break the hold and delivered two kicks to the head of Grace, leading to the pinfall victory for Tenille.
Result: Tenille defeats Jordynne Grace via pinfall
Grade: B
Victory Road: Reno Scum vs. Heath and Rhino
Victory Road also featured an unsanctioned match between Reno Scum and Rhino and Heath. Heath and Rhino started out with an early advantage, but it didn't last long.
Reno Scum began using quick tags and teamwork to isolate Heath, keeping him from tagging in his partner. Once Heath was able to break free from Reno Scum, he then tagged in Rhino, who dispatched Reno Scum. Heath didn't stay on the ring apron for long, tagging back into the match and using a quick burst of energy to pick up the win.
Result: Heath and Rhino defeat Reno Scum via pinfall
Grade: C
Victory Road: Moose vs. Trey
In a Victory Road surprise match, Moose took on Trey Miguel. Moose dominated the majority of the match, seemingly deploying any offensive maneuvers he wanted to.
However, Moose became distracted by EC3's symbol flashing at the entrance near the end of the contest. Capitalizing on the distraction, Trey rolled Moose up for the pinfall to steal the win.
Result: Trey Miguel defeats Moose via pinfall.
Grade: B-
Victory Road: Ace Austin vs. Karl Anderson vs. Alex Shelley vs. Josh Alexander
Victory Road provided a preview of what the four-way tag title match may look like at Bound For Glory. The four men participating in the match were all accompanied to the ring by their tag team partners.
In a chaotic match, the action began to break down and the tag team partners on the outside of the ring got involved in the match. The referee had no choice but to send all of the men not competing in the match to the locker room.
Once the distractions were removed, action began to pick up. All four men were in the ring, trading impressive offensive moves and near falls. It was Alexander of The North that picked up the win, giving his team momentum before heading to Bound For Glory.
Result: Josh Alexander wins via pinfall.
Grade: A
Victory Road: Susie vs. Deonna Purrazzo for Knockouts Championship
Victory Road's Knockouts Championship match was shrouded in mystery and intrigue due to Susie's recent changes. Over the last several weeks, fans have seen the Knockouts star show glimpses of Su Yung emerging.
Susie entered the match with her friend and #1 contender, Kylie Rae by her side. Deonna Purrazzo, Knockouts Champion, entered with her friend Kimber Lee by her side. The match got off to a bizarre start, with Susie waving at the champion.
The Victory Road stage provided comedy for the champion and her friend. This drew laughter from Purrazzo and Kimber Lee. The two would mock Susie in the early stages of the match. After an initial back and forth, Purrazzo took control with her stellar technical skills. The champion also received the sporadic assist from her friend. At one point in the match, Kylie Rae was forced to come to the defense of her friend.
After an offensive attack from Susie was halted by Kimber Lee's distraction of the referee, Purrazzo was able to take full control of the match. Purrazzo used her dangerous submission move to secure a victory and retain her title.
Victory Road seemingly set the stage for what's to come. Following the match, Purrazzo and Kimber Lee attacked Kylie Rae and then turned their attention to Susie. Purrazzo used a chair to cause more damage to the arm of Susie.
Purrazzo's next challenger will be Kylie Rae at Bound For Glory.
Result: Deonna Purrazzo retains Knockouts Championship via submission over Susie
Grade: B+
Victory Road: Eddie Edwards vs. Eric Young for the IMPACT World Championship Match
Victory Road provided the stage for a personal feud to be settled in the ring. In a match filled with brutality and vicious offense, Eric Young and Eddie Edwards battled back and forth throughout the championship match. The action began early with both men trading blows and ending up on the outside of the ring.
Edwards was noticeably limping, favoring his injured ankle. While he fought valiantly, the injury soon became the focus of Eric Young. Once the World Class Maniac began targeting Edwards injured ankle, it was hard for the former champion Edwards to move as fluidly in the competition.
The two men traded powerful blows, one leading to Young being busted open early in the match. After a grueling battle, which took a toll on Edwards, Young was able to capitalize on the injury.
Victory Road's main event saw Young used a battery of submissions and his patented piledriver to subdue the injured Edwards, leading to an ankle lock to secure the victory. With the victory, Young now has his sights set on Rich Swann and their impending showdown at Bound For Glory.
At the end of the match, Young got a chair from outside the ring to do further damage to Edwards' injury. Swann came down and Victory Road ended with the two staring each other down.
Result: Eric Young retains IMPACT World Championship
Grade: A