IMPACT Wrestling saw more AEW invaders last week, as Matt Hardy and Private Party inserted themselves into the tag title picture. A returning James Storm teamed with Chris Sabin to take on the duo, hoping to get a shot at the IMPACT Wrestling Tag Team Titles.
Thanks to Jerry Lynn, former X-Division Champion, and AEW President Tony Khan, Private Party was able to steal the #1 contendership for the gold. Will there be any more AEW stars popping up tonight to steal IMPACT's thunder? We'll have to wait and find out.
Rich Swann addresses the IMPACT Wrestling Fans
IMPACT Wrestling World Champion Rich Swann kicked the night off, speaking about just how great it felt to accomplish his dream to become a world champion. However, he didn't truly understand what the target on his back would be like until he got here.
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Swann's got several contenders vying for him at all times, most recently Moose. Tonight, Swann looked to settle some business, but oddly enough decided to call out Tommy Dreamer, a manvital to the growth of the IMPACT Wrestling locker room in recent years.
On February 13th, Tommy Dreamer will turn fifty years old. That also happens to be the date for IMPACT Wrestling No Surrender, and Swann wants to fulfill another dream of his; defending the belt against the legendary Tommy Dreamer. Before he could get an answer, Sami Callihan interrupted, claiming that Swann embarrassed the company.
Callihan said that he may have lost at Hard to Kill, but not to an AEW star. Chris Bey came out as well, who would also be celebrating his birthday at No Surrender. He'll be exactly half the age of Tommy Dreamer that day. Every man in the ring, barring Tommy Dreamer, was looking for a shot at the top.
Moose was out next, and Mr. IMPACT Wrestling stressed the importance of a pretty simple fact. Rich Swann has never beaten him. Moose followed up, saying that he was given an opportunity at the title last week. However, Swann reminded him that Moose claimed he wanted to do it on "his time."
His time was up, and on February 13th, it will be Tommy Dreamer's time. Callihan, Moose, and Bey attacked Swann and Dreamer, but were saved by the returning Willie Mack. Callihan's ICU message appeared, and after the lights went off and on, Ken Shamrock was standing behind Dreamer, Swann, and Mack.
At this point, it was a four-on-three assault. Considering that The World's Most Dangerous Man, The Callihan Death Machine, The Ultimate Finesser, and the self-proclaimed TNA World Champion were on the same side, the good guys never stood a chance.
After that beatdown, IMPACT Wrestling World Champ Rich Swann, Willie Mack, and Tommy Dreamer demanded a match in the main event against Moose and crew. IMPACT Co-VP Scott D'Amore approved it, but not before introducing them to a mystery partner to be their fourth in the eight-man tag.
Matt Cardona and Josh Alexander vs Ace Austin and Madman Fulton on IMPACT Wrestling
Josh Alexander immediately took the big man down, but Madman Fulton shook off an ankle lock from the former IMPACT Wrestling Tag Team Champion. Ace Austin tagged in, and was planted by the Walking Weapon for his troubles.
IMPACT Wrestling newcomer Matt Cardona was in next, and kept up the pace with a flapjack facebuster before sending Austin to the floor. Fulton was knocked down as well, and Alexander launched his tag team partner on top of them for a massive dive.
Back from the commercial break, though, Austin and Fulton had taken over the match. We cut back in just in time for a sidewalk slam/slingshot leg drop combination. The former IMPACT Wrestling X-Division Champion and the Madman demolished Alexander, leaving him in a heap on the wrong side of the ring.
After several minutes, Alexander was able to send Austin into Fulton, breaking up some tandem offense and finally getting to Cardona. The former Intercontinental Champion set up for the Broski Boot, nearly knocking Austin's teeth out of his mouth. That would've gotten the pin had Fulton not broken it up and dragged his partner to his corner for the tag.
Fulton and Alexander traded stiff shots, and Ace Austin inadvertently set his partner up for failure, sending Cardona overhead for the leg lariat.
Results: Matt Cardona and Josh Alexander defeated Madman Fulton and Ace Austin via pinfall on IMPACT Wrestling.
Grade: B+
Former IMPACT Wrestling X-Division Champion Rohit Raju was asking a mystery man for help later on tonight. Whoever it was, they agreed to help the Mocha Skin Manimal get back the gold.
It was time for another paid ad from Tony Khan and Tony Schiavone. The AEW President said he missed Schiavone last week, and really appreciated him. It was a tale as old as time, promote AEW Dynamite while insulting Don Callis and claiming IMPACT Wrestling was a second-rate promotion. After what happened last week, Khan better not show up near ringside again, or the IMPACT roster may end up getting some revenge.
Matt Cardona met his old tag team partner, Brian Myers. However, Myers ignored him and told Josh Alexander that they could've been a great team, but he decided to go with Myers' own Marty Jannetty.
Brian Myers vs Eddie Edwards on IMPACT Wrestling
The multi-time IMPACT Wrestling World Champion was sporting some shoulder tape following the Barbwire Massacre Match at Hard to Kill. Still, he was able to outwrestle and outmaneuver Brian Myers with ease.
Inverted atomic drop, overhead belly-to-belly suplex, and suicide dive. Myers was seriously struggling. However, he managed to catch Eddie Edward's arm in the ropes, injuring it once again and giving IMPACT Wrestling's own "Most Professional Wrestler" time to recover.
Myers further targeted that left shoulder, closing in on that bullseye and significantly hindering Edwards' grappling game. Myers tripped up Eddie as he bounced off the ropes, and followed up with some running boots in the corner.
Edwards managed to catch Myers climbing up the turnbuckle, dropping him with the backpack stunner. 1-2-Myers kicked out. Myers then planted Eddie with the leaping flatliner, and set up for the spear.
Edwards countered by...gouging Myers' eye and attempting to bite his eyebrow off.
Results: Brian Myers defeated Eddie Edwards via DQ on IMPACT Wrestling.
Grade: B
After securing a shot at the IMPACT Wrestling World Tag Team Titles, Matt Hardy was trying to take credit for Private Party's big win last week. If all things go according to plan, Private Party could end up with the IMPACT Tag Titles and AEW Tag Titles, which means a bigger payday for Big Money Matt Hardy.
Tenille Dashwood w/Kaleb with a K vs Rosemary w/Crazzy Steve on IMPACT Wrestling
Tenille Dashwood ran right into a sidewalk slam from the former IMPACT Wrestling Knockouts Champion. However, Kaleb distracted the ref, allowing Dashwood to batter Rosemary with the loaded camera bag. It wasn't enough to get a pin, but it was enough to leave Rosemary in a bad way.
Dashwood and Kaleb took turns distracting the ref and attacking the Demon Assassin, but couldn't put her away. A Taste of Tenille connected for another two-count. Rosemary broke away from a full nelson, and rocked Dashwood with a clothesline. The slingblade connected, but Dashwood escaped the spear, sending Rosemary into the turnbuckle.
Rosemary avoided a double underhook suplex, and dropped Dashwood with the sitout butterfly cradle drop.
Results: Rosemary defeats Tenille Dashwood via pinfall on IMPACT Wrestling.
Grade: B-
Backstage, Larry D was preparing to confront Rosemary and Crazzy Steve. If Rosemary hadn't cast her spell on Larry, he wouldn't have gone to prison. Larry hit Steve, but he and Acey Romero were frightened off by Rosemary.
Johnny Swinger was with his girls, John E. Bravo, and Fallah Bahh in "Swinger's Palace." Bahh was busy losing his money in a poker game while Swinger worked out in the corner. The IMPACT Wrestling Knockotus Tag Team Champs came in, needing some bodies for their celebration.
Swinger agreed, only if he could bring his whole Swingtourage with him.
IMPACT Wrestling Knockouts Champion Deonna Purrazzo, Kimber Lee, and Susan were celebrating their wins over the past few weeks. Taya Valkyrie was forced to tap out and then arrested. Jazz and Jordynne Grace were beaten by Lee and Susan in a tag match. Truly, everything was looking up for these three Knockouts.
Jazz and Grace came into frame, however, still looking to get another shot at them. Susan challenged Grace to a match next week, against the better judgment of Purrazzo and Lee.
Fire n Flava Festival on IMPACT Wrestling
Alisha Edwards kicked off the Fire n Flava Festival, introducing the IMPACT Wrestling Knockouts Tag Team Champions. However, their "guests" of honor were pretty disappointed in the spread and lack of celebrities.
Much like the referee said, this was a complete dumpster fire. The food was terrible, the drinks were disgusting, and the majority of their guests didn't show up. However, an uninvited guest, possibly Fallah Bahh in a Marshmallow Man outfit, was sitting ringside. When Tasha Steelz went to throw him out, it turned out to be Nevaeh, who laid out Steelz. Havok ran in to get a few licks in on Kiera Hogan.
The IMPACT Wrestling Knockouts Tag Champs narrowly escaped being put through a table, but they'reefinitely not done with the Monsters of Mayhem.
Chris Sabin and James Storm were sharing beers backstage, and stated that they weren't finished teaming with one another. They aren't the Motor City Machine Guns, and they aren't Beer Money, but they're definitely two halves of two of the greatest tag teams in IMPACT Wrestling history, and that means something.
They'll be gunning for Private Party and The Good Brothers sooner rather than later.
Joe Doering w/VBD vs Cousin Jake on IMPACT Wrestling
Cousin Jake rushes the newest hoss of IMPACT Wrestling but is immediately bowled over by Joe Doering. One boot was enough to launch him into the corner. A rebound elbow drop crushed Jake's chest, and Doering left Jake in the ropes to be taunted by Violence By Design.
Jake ducked a running crossbody and sent Doering to the floor for a flying crossbody. However, he landed wrong on his ankle, and Doering was barely affected by the dive itself. Back in the ring, Doering ran right through Jake with the running crossbody. A big chokeslam drove Jake into the mat, and after a fireman's carry slam, a short-arm lariat nearly decapitated Jake.
Results: Joe Doering defeated Cousin Jake via pinfall on IMPACT Wrestling.
Grade: C
After the match, VBD attacked Jake. However, Eric Young called it off, and offered Jake a spot in the group. Will Jake join his cousin in following the former IMPACT Wrestling World Champion and World Class Maniac?
Moose, Sami Callihan, Chris Bey, and Ken Shamrock vs Tommy Dreamer, Willie Mack, Rich Swann, and Trey Miguel on IMPACT Wrestling
You read that right, Trey Miguel has returned to IMPACT Wrestling! Team Swann kicked things off strong, battering Chris Bey into the final commercial break of the night.
When we came back, Rich Swann was on the wrong side of the ring with his long-time enemy Sami Callihan setting up the package piledriver. Swann escaped and made it to Willie Mack, who planted Callihan with the Samoan Drop. A standing moonsault connected. However, as Mack went up to the second rope, Callihan kicked his leg out from under him, leaving him struggling as Ken Shamrock tagged in.
Mack was in serious trouble, as Team Moose took their time picking apart the former IMPACT Wrestling X-Division Champion. Bey and Callihan focused on Mack's left knee, with Bey hitting a dropkick and Clalihan locking in a modified heel hook.
After that, Mr. IMPACT Wrestling Moose and his crew hammered Mack with heavier shots, with Mack unable to avoid much with a bad wheel. Moose powerbombed Bey onto Mack, but couldn't get the win. Mack made it back to his feet and countered an attack with a pop-up forearm, giving him just enough time to tag in Trey Miguel.
Miguel ran in like a house on fire, sending Moose and Shamrock to the floor and lighting up a fresh Sami callihan with a series of strikes. An inverted atomic drop and leaping kneeling facebuster stunned Callihan. Shamrock broke it up, planting the returning Rascal with a belly-to-belly.
It was finisher time, as all eight men caught each other with their best shots, leaving Trey and Callihan in the ring together. Trey countered the Cactus Special with a hurricanrana pin, picking up a huge win in his return to IMPACT Wreslting.
Results: Trey Miguel defeated Sami Callihan via pinfall on IMPACT Wrestling.
Grade: A
After IMPACT Wrestling went off the air, Ken Shamrock went wild, attacking officials and Sami Callihan.