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Impact Wrestling's resurgence continues with their 'Genesis' special, borrowing the name from one of their more prominent pay-per-view shows and promising a night of spectacular wrestling which they delivered, with this being one of Impact's strongest start-to-finish wrestling shows in some time.
Even though it's a television special, Impact Wrestling Genesis could very well have been a pay-per-view with most of the the matches they'd advertised being pay-per-view worthy main event title matches..
Eli Drake was defending the Impact Title against Johnny Impact and Alberto El Patron in a Six Sides of Steel Match, EC3 was defending his Grand Championship in an ordinary 1-on-1 stipulation match against Matt Sydal, Laurel Van Ness was putting her title on the line against Allie and Taiji Ishimori defends the X Division Title against Andrew Everett.
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EC3 Vs. Matt Sydal - Grand Championship match
Impact Wrestling wasted no time getting down to business as JB and Josh Matthews announced that Sydal vs EC3 would be the first match of the night. This was a Grand Championship Title Match that did away with the gimmick of judges and rounds, something EC3 quickly commented on during his entrance cockily asking where the judges were.
The match started with Sydal aggressibely going after his opponent until he received a huge clotheslike that allowed EC3 to get the upper hand and beat down on Matt Sydal with his size and power advantage, however it didn't take long for the athletic ability and speed of Sydal to even the odds.
Sydal then remained in control until he tried to do an ill-advised move on EC3 from the turnbuckle. EC3 swept his legs away and Sydal took one of the nastiest bumps I think I've seen in a while. In fact I noticed throughout the match that Sydal was excellent at selling EC3's moves.
EC3 remains consistently dislikable throughout the match, constantly taunting Sydel with 'choking' gestures. His cockiness almost cost him though, as in the latter third of the match Sydal almost hit the Air Bourne but missed. EC3 once again used the opportuntiy to put Sydal on the defensive
But shortly after this moment EC3 hit the One Percenter, but rolled out of the ring instead of pinning the title challenger. This mistake allowed Sydal to reverse a TK3 attempt from the top rope and hit his Shooting Star Press for the win, and the title.
Result: Matt Sydal def. EC3 (c) - Impact Grand Championship Match
Laurel Van Ness Vs. Allie - Knockouts Championship match
Up next was a brief but effective Knockouts Title match as Laurel Van Ness defended her title in a match against Allie, who is no longer 'learning how to wrestle' and could be a credible challenger for the Knockouts belt.
At the start of the match the referee introduced both competitors and then tried to take the Knockout Title off of Van Ness. She refused to give it to him and placed the belt on the steel steps. At the time it seemed like an inconsequential detail, but we'd later find out that Van Ness was a 'Mess' with a plan!
The story of the matchw as that Van Ness was growing frustrated at how hard it was to put Allie away, so eventually took advantage of a referee bump to retrieved the Knockouts belt she'd carefully placed on the steel steps and used it as a weapon to put Allie away.
Result: Laurel Van Ness (c) Def. Allie - Knockouts Championship match
Moose vs Bobby Lashley
This was the only non-title match on the Genesis card, but it had the important feel of one as the rivalry between Moose and Bobby Lashley with American Top Team has been one of the vocal points of Impact Wrestling for months.
Bobby Lashley and Moose are two extremely talented dudes who are far too agile for men of their size and power. Just take a look at these two clips
Naturally Dan Lambert and KM were involved in the match, given that he'd been providing some excellent heel work for the company, including being responsible for the departure of Impact favourite James Storm. However, their involvement ended up costing Lashley the match as he was distracted by KM.
Result: Moose Def. Bobby Lashley
After the match Lambert tried to tell Lashley it was his fault that he lost. This caused Lashley to finally turn on Lambert and American Top Team and together he and Moose finally gave the villainous Lambert what he deserved - a spear through a table. Moose and Lashley then reconciled in the ring.
Taiji Ishimori Vs. Andrew Everett - X Division Title
Impact Wrestling then brought us a match between current X-Division Champion and Pro Wrestling NOAH star Taiji Ishimori Vs. Andrew Everett set live at the prestigious Japanese wrestling venue, the Korakuen Hall.
For some reason Impact didn't broadcast the whole match, but what they did show was the impressive X-Division action we've come to expect from Impact, and especially Ishimori.
Naturally Ishimori retains against Andrew Everett, who was representing Impact Wrestling on a tour of Pro Wrestling NOAH, when he hit him with the awesome 450 Splash.
Result: Taiji Ishimori (c) Def. Andrew Everett - X-Division Championship match
Eli Drake Vs. Johnny Impact Vs. Alberto El Patron - Six Sides of Steel Impact Global Title match
Before we get started with I recap I just want to note that given the recent set of tapings had four-sided rings, this could be the last Six Sides of Steel match we ever see in Impact Wrestling.
Anyway, the match started with Eli Drake stalling for time, as he paraded the title belt around whilst El Patron and Johnny Impact started laying in to each other. Drake teams up with Patron and the beat Impact down before turning on each other.
Impact rallied and took the fight to the other two, throwing them into the cage. However he soon found himself in a Tree of Woe but avoided the Double Stomp from Alberto, and also prevented Alberto from escaping. Drake then tried to throw Impact into the cage, but he did some casual parkour. It was great.
After this Impact is in a Tree of Woe and gets hit with the Double Stomp this time. Drake then goes for Gravy Train on Del Rio, who reversed it into an Arm Bar that Impact had to break up with a top rope Elbow Drop. All three men attempt to climb over but Alberto and Drake are knocked down. Impact then does a crossbody off of the cage instead of winning- because parkour
Alberto El Patron then almost escapes but Drake's right-hand man Chris Adonis shuts the door in his face. It comes down to Impact and Drake who are both climbing down at the same time. However Adonis once again interefed by holding Impact up so that Drake's feet hit the floor first
Result: Eli Drake Def. Johnny Impact & Alberto El Patron - Six Sides of Steel Impact Global Championship match
