Two matches have been revealed for the next pay-per-view event that Impact Wrestling will present, which is Bound for Glory. The promotion held TV tapings that took place on Monday, August 13th, 2018 at the Rebel Entertainment Complex in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
At these tapings, it was revealed that OVE will take on the Lucha Brothers and Brian Cage in a six-man ‘oVe Rules’ match at this show. The challenge came after Lucha Brothers defeated Cult Of Lee. Later in the tapings, Cage confirmed that they accepted the challenge brought against them.
The main event for this event has also been revealed as in an opening segment, Impact Wrestling World Champion Austin Aries confirmed that he would defend the title against Johnny Impact.
As of this writing, there’s no word yet on if this match will have a stipulation due to an angle where Aries and Impact brawled until Aries, Killer Kross, and Moose attacked Impact with a chair.
Impact Wrestling will hold their Bound for Glory pay-per-view event on Sunday, October 14, 2018, at the Melrose Ballroom in New York City, New York. This is considered the biggest event of the year for the promotion.
The event will air on traditional PPV outlets and the FITE TV app. The promotion will be announcing more matches for this show in the coming months.
Tessa Blanchard is only 4 years into her professional career but has already won several championships.
Blanchard currently holds title belts for 6 independent promotions. She’s the current champion for Zelo Pro, Women Superstars Uncensored, the Crash, RISE, PWX, and PCW Ultra.
Impact Wrestling has recently revealed that Tessa has added arguably her most prestigious title to her resume recently.
Blanchard defeated Su Yung and Allie in a triple threat match Sunday at Rebel Nightclub in Toronto.
She phoned her parents, including step-father Magnum TA, after her victory.
If you’re unable to view the player above, you can view the clip here.
Tessa Blanchard Knockouts Champion
Just 3 days before she would win the title, we asked Blanchard what winning the championship would mean for her career.
“My main goal in Impact Wrestling is the Knockouts Championship,” Blanchard said with confidence. “I’m going to have my opportunity to claim that on Sunday against Allie and Su Yung.”
“That is the goal,” Blanchard said in reference to the Knockouts Championship. “Because having that championship means you are the best.”
“I’m confident I am the uncrowned champion because I am the best women’s wrestler in Impact Wrestling,” she continued.
Blanchard successfully defended the title against Yung last night in Toronto as well. She defeated the former champion with a hammerlock DDT.
The spoilers from the Impact Wrestling TV taping that took place on Monday, August 13th, 2018 at the Rebel Entertainment Complex in Toronto, Ontario, Canada has surfaced online.
The promotion held another set of tapings on Sunday night and you can see those spoilers at this link. These matches and segments will air over the coming weeks on POP TV.
IMPACT WRESTLING TAPING SPOILERS
– Austin Aries, Killer Kross, and Moose walk out to the ring to cut a promo on Eddie Edwards for being a fraud and that he had Eddie’s back when he was injured, but Killer Kross was the only guy checking on him when he was injured. Aries noted that he told Moose he’d never be number one if he pandered to the fans. This led to Johnny Impact walking out and said that ross was more ambitious than being a bodyguard. It was revealed that Aries vs. Impact is set for Bound For Glory. They then brawl until Moose and Kross take Impact out.
– Petey Williams defeated Rich Swann
– Desi Hit Squad defeated Joe Hendry & Grado – Eli Drake defeated Stone Rockwell – Knockouts Championship: Tessa Blanchard (c) defeated Su Yung to retain. After the match, the undead brides brought a casket out. This led to Su Yung attacking her. Tessa was put in the casket, but Allie and Kiera Hogan ran out for the save. – oVe defeated Zachary Wentz, Ace Austin and Trey Miguel
– Austin Aries, Moose and Killer Kross out again for an interview where Aries said that Johnny Impact and Eddie Edwards won’t be back for a long time. KM and Fallah Bahh come out and Aries offers Fallah a banana but KM called him out for being a liar, terrible world champion. Aries challenged him to a match.
– Lucha Brothers defeated Cult Of Lee. After the match, OVE cut a post-match promo challenging the Lucha Brothers and Brian Cage to a 6-man ‘oVe Rules’ match at Bound For Glory. – Alisha Edwards defeated Katarina – LAX defeated The Fraternity. After the match, King and The OGz cut a post-match promo on LAX by stating that they regret that Richie is still breathing after they hit him with a car. – Brian Cage defeated Kongo Kong. He accepted OVE’s challenge after the match – Impact World Championship: Austin Aries (c) defeated Fallah Bahh to retain
What are your thoughts on these results? Sound off in the comment section.
Blanchard is a third generation wrestler. Her father is WWE Hall Of Famer Tully Blanchard and her grandfather is NWA legend Joe Blanchard. Since beginning her training back in 2014, Blanchard has done work for various promotions.
She has made several appearances on WWE TV, worked for World Wonder Ring Stardom and The Crash. She currently serves as the Women’s Champion for the latter and is also in her first reign with the IMPACT Knockouts Title.
Blanchard spoke to Icon Versus Iconrecently and discussed several professional wrestling topics. During the conversation, Blanchard was asked about who her favorite wrestler of all time is.
She named former NWA star Johnny Valentine as her all time favorite. Blanchard also expressed interest in sharing the ring with Gail Kim. She called Kim “one of the best women’s wrestlers in the world!”:
“My favorite wrestler of all-time is Johnny Valentine. I believe him to be the best bad guy ever in wrestling and he is my absolute favorite.
“Actually, recently I had a conversation with Greg Valentine about this at WrestleCon Mania Weekend in New Orleans. Female-wise, one person that I really, really, really would like to share the ring with is Gail Kim.
“I say that because I believe her to be one of the best women’s wrestlers in the world!”
The spoilers from the Impact Wrestling TV taping that took place on Sunday, August 12th, 2018 at the Rebel Entertainment Complex in Toronto, Ontario, Canada has surfaced online.
These matches and segments will air over the coming weeks on POP TV. The promotion will hold another set of tapings on Monday night so make sure to keep an eye out for those spoilers as well.
– Eddie Edwards walks down to the ring where he cuts a promo on Killer Kross and Austin Aries attacking him over the past few weeks. This is when he stated that he wants to fight one of them, which leads to Aries and Kross walking out. Edwards attacked Aries but the numbers game took over with Kross beating down Aries. Moose made his way out to make the save.
– Kiera Hogan defeated Alisha Edwards.
– Brandon Tidwell & Mr. Atlantis defeated Cult Of Lee (Trevor Lee & Caleb Konley) (w/Eli Drake).
– Fallah Bahh & KM defeated Desi Hit Squad (Rohit Raju & Gursinder Singh) (w/Gama Singh).
– Matt Sydal defeated Zachary Wentz.
– Rich Swann defeated Petey Williams.
– Eli Drake walks down to the ring where he cut a promo about the fact that he was never friends with the Cult Of Lee and asked for Brandon Tidwell and Mr. Atlantis to make their way to the ring. They walk out and Atlantis accepted the challenge for a match.
– Eli Drake defeated Brandon Tidwell.
– Triple Threat Match For Impact Knockouts Championship: Tessa Blanchard defeated Su Yung and Allie to become the new Knockouts Champion.
– 2 On 1 Handicap Match: Eddie Edwards defeated Austin Aries and Killer Kross via disqualification when Moose came out and turned on Edwards, hitting him with a spear and beat him down with Austin Aries and Killer Kross. Post-match, Alisha Edwards made her way out to check on Edwards and slapped Moose.
– Mexican Death Match: Sami Callihan defeated Pentagon Jr.
What are your thoughts on these results? Sound off in the comment section.
Tessa Blanchard recently did an interview where she talked about various topics such as her professional wrestling career, who the best female wrestler is in her opinion and more.
While speaking with Icon Versus Icon, Blanchard explained why she chose Impact Wrestling to start her wrestling career. It should be noted that she started wrestling in 2014 on the independent scene.
Blanchard brought up the fact that she had a conversation with herself where she told herself that she has goals and purpose where she wanted to build upon what her grandfather, father, and stepfather did in this business “I want to do that while making a name for myself. To make a name for myself, I feel it’s important for me to establish myself before I go anywhere else. Impact has given me the platform, exposure and access to the tools and teachers to do that.”
She added that she’s grateful for that and is learning so much as she continues to hone her skills and take it to the next level.
“I feel like this is a great place for me right now. It feels good. It’s a good locker room and a good production.”
What are your thoughts on Blanchard’s comments? Sound off in the comment section.
. @IMPACTWRESTLING‘s @MrGMSI_BCage is SICK and TIRED of hearing about the Bullet Club! How will he retaliate on board @IAmJericho Rock ‘N’ Wrestling Rager at Sea?! Book TODAY to find out”
Brian Cage vs Bullet Club
Brian Cage has yet to be pinned or submitted on Impact Wrestling thus far. He defeated Matt Sydal for the X-Division Championship at Slammiversary in Toronto.
Cage then successfully defended the title against Sydal in a rematch the following night. He’s scheduled to defend his title against Fenix tonight at Impact’s tapings once again at Rebel Nightclub.
Chris Jericho Rock N Rager At Sea
Several matches have been booked for Chris Jericho’s cruise, scheduled from October 27 to the 31st.
The Young Bucks and Chris Jericho will team up to take on Cody, Marty Scurll, and Hangman Page. Also LAX recently challenged the Young Bucks.
“I’m gonna put that out there: Young Bucks meet LAX on international waters. First blood, first death, whatever the hell you wanna call it and let’s do this.”
“All right, Young Bucks, we’re calling you out,” Konnan said on his podcast. “You can stop a revolutionary but you can’t stop a revolution. Boom. We’re serious like a late period. Bring it.”
Impact Wrestling is back in Rebel Nightclub in Toronto for 2 straight nights of television tapings. Tonight, Impact presents two championship matches and a Mexican Death Match in the main event.
Tomorrow night, Impact has the Lucha Bros, Brian Cage, Matt Sydal and Rich Swann in action as well.
This past Thursday’s edition of IMPACT Wrestling, featuring the ‘Belt Collector’ Austin Aries retaining his World Heavyweight Championship in a main event victory over Eddie Edwards drew a total of 168,000 viewers.
This is down from last week’s 248,000 viewers and sets a new low viewership score for 2018, a record that is second only to their December 14th episode, which drew 161,000 viewers.
Impact ranked #127 on the Cable Top 150 this week, with last week’s slotting in at #138. This number will undoubtedly be disappointing for IMPACT Wrestling, who have seemingly been riding a wave of recent good-will coming off the back of their Slammiversary XVI event.
Recent reports have indicated that current reigning IWGP Intercontinental Champion and sure-fire WWE Hall of Famer Chris Jericho may well be heading to the company in the near future. Could this be the answer to IMPACT’s fall in their viewership? It is difficult to assess the drawing power of Jericho who, whilst still performing at a top level across the globe, is not perhaps a star on the level of Kurt Angle and Jeff Hardy who themselves did not make much of a difference to weekly ratings, at least over the entirety of their runs in TNA.
Are you watching IMPACT week to week? Let us know in the comments
Sami Callihan is a featured performer on Impact Wrestling, Major League Wrestling, and Lucha Underground. Callihan knows just how well wrestlers can do working outside WWE and he’s not afraid to talk about it. It’s a bridge he’s not worried about burying, in other words.
Callihan mentioned himself, the Elite, and Zack Sabre Jr as those who have helped the independent wrestling scene become just as lucrative for performers these days. “A lot of us are making just as much money as some of the guys in WWE,” Callihan said on Wrestling Observer Live.
“That’s why indy wrestling is striving right now because there is a group of like-mind individuals all working for the same goal,” he continued. “People are finally starting to realize that if it ain’t WWE, we need to be working together.”
“(WWE) are bringing back the territorial days. They are buying a territory in England, they are buying a territory with NXT in American with indy fans, they are eventually going to expand in Japan, China, and everywhere else. They are doing the same thing that happened in the 80s just on a bigger scale.”
“A lot of indy wrestlers are fighting back now because we don’t want to allow WWE to just monopolize.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__d8TGKzP9A&t=12s
Sami Callihan on Impact Wrestling
Callihan spoke about working with Pentagon Jr in multiple territories and also regarding the depth of talent on the Impact roster.
“Impact Wrestling now has one of the best rosters on the planet today,” Callihan said. “And I’ll go on record saying that.”
“The one thing that is going to make Impact Wrestling dangerous right now is that a lot of the wrestlers have a chip on their shoulder and want to prove everyone wrong.”
Talk turned to Callihan’s match with Pentagon at the Slammiversary pay-per-view and fan response to the changes in the promotion.
“Right now I think that is exactly what Impact is doing,” Callihan continued. “They are proving everyone wrong.”
Jeremiah Crane in Lucha Underground
Although Jeremiah Crane lost a Grave Consequences match recently he was brought back to life by Kobra Moon.
Now known as Jeremiah Snake, he is part of the Reptile Tribe which is currently feuding with Johnny Mundo’s World Wide Underground.
Sami Callihan in Major League Wrestling
Sami Callihan and his Death Machines are running loose in MLW as well. The promotion run by Court Bauer features many wrestlers who also compete for other major independent promotions. The company recently aired Battle Riot, a version of a Royal Rumble/Aztec Warfare type match.
IMPACT has announced the first two bouts for their upcoming UK show at the Bowlers Exhibition Centre, Manchester on Sunday 9th September. The show will be part of the Wrestling MediaCon 2018 event featuring panels with the likes of Pat Patterson, Colt Cabana, X-Pac, Jushin ‘Thunder’ Liger and more.
The first match sees former CZW Tournament of Death winner and PROGRESS World Champion Jimmy Havoc taking on ‘The Draw’ Sami Callihan. These two Deathmatch style performers will be looking to tear each other to shreds in Manchester so this won’t be a match to miss.
The second confirmed match will see arguably IMPACT’s best tag team LAX taking on two legends of the British Independent Wrestling scene: Jody Fleisch and Jonny Storm. The tandem of Fleisch and Storm will also be performing as part of the upcoming Honor ReUnited tour for Ring of Honor with bouts against The Young Bucks and The Briscoes now confirmed.
The time has come…. Your first two matches for Wrestling Media Con have arrived!
You asked for international dream matches for IMPACT at @WrestlingMediaC in Manchester on Sunday 9th September… so we've given you international dream matches. Two of them!
It was a big night on Impact Wrestling last night. Eddie Edwards would challenge for the title against Austin Aries. Matt Sydal took on Pentagon Jr and Sami Callihan descended further into madness.
Here are 8 Takeaways from Impact Wrestling 8/9:
Taiji Ishimori and Petey Williams Impact’s Newest Team?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUHuFdwQ34g
Two weeks ago on Impact Wrestling, Taiji Ishimori and Petey Williams were opponents. Ishimori defeated Williams on the first episode following Slammiversary last month. The two former X-Division champions showed each other respect after the match but were then attacked by the Great Gama Singh’s Desi Hit Squad.
This week on Impact, Ishimori and Williams teamed up and defeated Rohit Raju and Gursinder Singh. Is this the start of a new and successful tag-team?
One thing that is for sure is that the Desi Hit Squad has angered their manager, the Great Gama Singh.
Tessa Blanchard Wants the Knockouts Title, Allie Just Wants Su Yung
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scZFsMEYPiY
This week on Impact Wrestling, Allie sent a message to Su Yung that her time has come. Allie challenged Yung to a match next week but this did not sit too well with Tessa Blanchard.
Blanchard defeated Alisha Edwards this week and then cut a promo on Allie after the match. She said Allie was just trying to weasel her way into a Knockouts title match and didn’t actually care about Su Yung’s reign of terror being ended. Blanchard then said if Allie was going to wrestle Su Yung next week, she’ll be there too.
We spoke with Blanchard earlier in the day, and she stressed to us how important winning the Knockouts Championship is to her.
“My main goal in Impact Wrestling is the Knockouts Championship,” Blanchard said with confidence.
“Because having that championship means you are the best.”
“I’m confident I am the uncrowned champion because I am the best women’s wrestler in Impact Wrestling,” she continued.
Scarlett Bordeaux’s “the Smokeshow” Talk Show Debuts Next Week
Scarlett Bordeaux not only has Bobo wrapped around her finger but the whole Impact management team.
The easily manipulated management team then caved to Scarlett’s wishes and announced she will have her own talk show segment “the Smoke Show” debuting next week.
Before the match, Sydal spoke about how even though he isn’t the champion anymore, he still has the spirit of an X-Division Champion inside of him.
It wouldn’t help him this week, however, Pentagon defeated him with a package piledriver in a match which any other week would have been the main event.
Sami Callihan Wants oVe to Look Like A Family
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nkx7mEle9kc
Callihan continued to spiral out of control this week. After Pentagon defeated Sydal, Callihan and oVe appeared on the big screen. Callihan said he was sick of all the losing they’ve been doing as of late. He then forced Jake Crist to shave the head of Dave Crist so they would look more like a family.
King Challenges Konnan and LAX To A Street Fight
“We’re like scarecrows: Out-standing in our field” – Konnan
King and Konnan had an interesting back and forth this week, as they tend to do.
After an at times hilarious debate between the two, it was decided that this battle would be taken to the streets. A street fight between the two factions was agreed to before the segment ended.
Next Week Johnny Impact Gets “the Monster”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44ecq5OJV04
Last week on Impact, Johnny Impact punched Jacobs in the mouth and demanded a chance for revenge against Kongo Kong.
This week on Impact, Jimmy Jacobs delivered a message to Johnny. He said he’s a good guy and was just trying to give Johnny fair warning last week.
“You want the monster, you got the monster,” Jacobs warned. “Johnny, be careful. I am the monster.”
Killer Kross Is Aligned With Austin Aries
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZerVEuPtYCU
It looked as though Eddie Edwards was going to win the Impact World Championship. What we didn’t know going into the match was that Aries had an insurance policy all along.
With the referee down, Killer Kross came to ringside and took out Edwards, allowing Aries to pick up the win. The champion and his back-up celebrated in the ring to close the show.
Quick Results:
Taiji Ishimori & Petey Williams defeated the Desi Hit Squad
Tessa Blanchard defeated Alisha Edwards
Pentagon Jr. defeated Matt Sydal
Impact World Championship
Austin Aries (c) defeated Eddie Edwards
Dusty Rhodes once told his son Cody the only thing real in wrestling is the World Championship. Cody will challenge Nick Aldis for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship at All In on September 1st. Also booked for that show is Impact Wrestling’s, Tessa Blanchard.
The 3rd generation wrestler has a similar view regarding the importance of world titles. Blanchard was this week’s guest on Impact Wrestling’s media call and stated unequivocally that winning the Knockouts Championship is her goal.
“My main goal in Impact Wrestling is the Knockouts Championship,” Blanchard said with confidence. “I’m going to have my opportunity to claim that on Sunday against Allie and Su Yung.”
Blanchard will wrestle Alisha Edwards tonight on Impact Wrestling. She’s then scheduled to face Allie and Su Yung in a triple threat match for the title at the upcoming set of tapings. The title match will be held this Sunday in Toronto.
“That is the goal,” Blanchard said in reference to the Knockouts Championship. “Because having that championship means you are the best.”
“I’m confident I am the uncrowned champion because I am the best women’s wrestler in Impact Wrestling,” she continued.
A Knockouts Championship victory would also add to Blanchard’s already impressive (and still growing) list of titles. She’s won titles with WSU, RISE, PCW, and in Mexico for the Crash promotion.
Those who have been following the 23-year-old’s career will note she has a realistic and intense style. Blanchard has said previously she is influenced heavily by the era of her father and step-father’s prime.
“I have huge respect for the 4 Horsemen, all bias aside,” Blanchard said earlier this year. “I think my Dad and Arn were one of the greatest tag-teams of all time.”
She would continue to say she studies tape from this era.
“I watch that era of professional wrestling for inspiration and to study tape,” Blanchard continued to say. “I want to portray that style through my work.”
Impact Wrestling is back on POP tonight. The show will also be available tomorrow on-demand for subscribers to the Global Wrestling Network.
Eddie Edwards will challenge Austin Aries for the Impact World Championship tonight. Another former Impact World Champion will also be in action as Pentagon Jr takes on Matt Sydal.
Impact Wrestling 8/9 Preview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83GthIHgvTQ
Impact World Championship
Austin Aries (c) vs Eddie Edwards
Eddie Edwards has spiraled out of control ever since his feud with Sami Callihan. His obsession with his rival has caused Edwards to jeopardize his marriage and career. Tonight, however, Edwards has a chance to win the Impact World Championship.
The former GHC Heavyweight Champion will have a tough task tonight, however. Austin Aries has been a fighting champion since winning the belt earlier this year. Edwards may represent his most significant test yet, however.
Konnan’s LAX Is Waiting To Attack
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7_f7ETfWr4
Last week on Impact, Konnan pulled back Santana and Ortiz after they attacked the OGZ. LAX looked to have the upper hand in the melee but Konnan withdrew his troops and later claimed the OGZ were setting a trap.
Konnan then told his team they need to wait for the right time to get their revenge and take back their property, the Impact tag-team titles. Is that time tonight? We’ll find out in just a few hours.
Alisha Edwards vs Tessa Blanchard
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-S0fKEaIqw
Alisha Edwards returns to the ring tonight. She better hope her marriage problems with Eddie Edwards aren’t occupying her thoughts, however. Any weakness will be exploited by her opponent Tessa Blanchard.
Aside from two losses via pinning combination to the veteran Madison Rayne, Blanchard is undefeated in Impact Wrestling. She will look to move closer to a Knockouts Championship match by beating Edwards tonight. Last week, Blanchard was quite upset that Allie was being positioned for a title shot after being Su Yung in tag action. Blanchard defeated the hometown favorite Allie at Slammiversary.
The Desi Hit Squad vs Taiji Ishimori & Petey Wiliams
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ugd3NOGAtE&t=9s
Two weeks ago on Impact Wrestling, the Desi Hit Squad attacked Taiji Ishimori and Petey Williams after their single’s match. Ishimori defeated Williams but after the bout, the Great Gama Singh ordered his disciples to take out the X-Division wrestlers.
The Desi Hit Squad have been winning their matches through under-handed tactics or clever tag-team wrestling as of late. They will have their biggest test yet when they face two former X-Division Champions tonight.
Matt Sydal vs Pentagon Jr.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JflTo5tli0I&t=10s
Last week, Matt Sydal said the X-Division Championship is no longer his destiny. The X-Division title, he said, chose Brian Cage. Now, Sydal must follow a new path.
As for Pentagon, he comes into this match knowing Sami Callihan will be watching and waiting.
Last year, it was revealed that Chris Jericho served as a reference for Don Callis to Anthem Sports and Entertainment in reference to the job of Vice President of Impact Wrestling. Jericho and Callis have each discussed the events on their respective podcasts.
Jericho and Callis have been friends since their early days in wrestling and Callis helped arrange for Jericho to face Kenny Omega at the Tokyo Dome earlier this year. Now it appears, many are of the belief Jericho will end up working for Callis’ promotion.
“While nobody will say anything,” wrote Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. “There is a lot of belief within the business than Jericho is destined to be here (Impact Wrestling) and the not wanting to do anything that would get Vince mad doctrine isn’t nearly as strong as it was months ago.”
Don Callis told me in June that bringing in Kenny Omega and Chris Jericho was a goal of his. “There’s a young Canadian kid I like, we’d love to sign him,” Callis said at the Slammiversary press conference. “His name is Kenny Omega. Another is Chris Jericho.”
More speculation holds Jericho making an appearance at the Bound for Glory pay-per-view in October. The event takes place just two weeks before Chris Jericho’s cruise sets sail and an appearance at the event could be a last-minute move to increase sales.
Impact Wrestling producer, Kevin Sullivan (not that Kevin Sullivan), Tweeted that the company placed hidden Easter Eggs in their Bound for Glory advertising. Some are saying the advertising points to Chris Jericho’s involvement in the pay-per-view.
Chris Jericho and WWE Relationship
Jericho has said previously he’d never wrestle for a company other than WWE in the United States. There is some reason to believe Jericho may have loosened his stance on this, however. He said as much recently in response to a fan on Twitter.
Jericho is the current IWGP Intercontinental Champion in NJPW and has now wrestled in Japan for the promotion twice. He has not wrestled on any of the NJPW shows to take place in the United States, however.
On August 19th, 2018, WWE will present SummerSlam. Just hours beforehand, however, Impact Wrestling will team up with Next Generation Wrestling and present a live show from Knoxville, TN to air on Twitch.
The SummerSlam preshow will likely get underway at 6 pm whereas bell-time in Knoxville is 4 pm.
Hoodrich vs Moose (provided Moose is medically cleared after suffering a concussion at Slammiversary)
Joey Ryan vs Eli Drake
Matt Cross vs Sami Callihan
Menace & AR Fox vs Rich Swann & Matt Sydal
Nicole Pain vs Knockouts Champion, Su Yung
Lenny Stratton vs Eddie Edwards
Trevor Lee vs Myron Reed
Impact Wrestling Twitch Specials
Uncivil War will take place just days after Impact will film 4 episodes over the course of 2 nights in Toronto’s Rebel Nightclub on the 12th and 13th. Following Uncivil War, Impact will head to Binghamton New York for a One Night Only show titled “Night of the Dummies” on August 25th.
Also on the 25th of August, many of Impact Wrestling’s stars will be in Mississauga, ON for a joint-show with Anthony Carelli’s Destiny Wrestling. Sami Callihan and Josh Alexander are being advertised for the show in Mississauga whereas Moose and Eli Drake are the featured stars for the show in Binghamton.
Finally, Impact Wrestling’s Bound for Glory pay-per-view takes place October 14th in the Melrose Ballroom in Queens, NY. Several members of Impact’s roster will then set sail on Chris Jericho’s cruise not long after.
Impact Knockout, Kiera Hogan, is claiming former NXT Women’s Champion, Ember Moon, stole her gimmick. She claims the current Raw Superstar did so after both were at a WWE tryout together in 2015.
Hogan spoke with Fightful recently regarding her claims. She believes that after she pitched the character at the tryout, it was given to another performer. Then she says, Ember Moon would later adopt a similar character as well.
“I think the ‘Girl on Fire’ thing WWE probably gave to (Becky Lynch), but I bet Ember (pitched hers),” Hogan explained. “She was at my tryout. I saw her sign her contract, she cried when she signed her contract. After the tryout, she texts me and said ‘I wanna help you get booked on shows,’ after that I’ve never spoken to her and that was almost four years ago. I know she got the inspiration from me. It doesn’t help that we’re two black females, so I’ll automatically get compared to her.”
Hogan mentioned nothing came of her tryout with WWE but she’s happy with Impact Wrestling. “Impact knocked on my door first, and I’m happy to be there,” said Hogan.
Hogan recently teamed with Allie and defeated Knockouts Champion, Su Yung, and one of her undead bridesmaids.
The recent news of the all-women PPV Evolution has had fans clamoring on which former WWE women superstar will return to the event.
One former Women’s Champion, Gail Kim, has been the talk of a former star who should return but has no desire in making a comeback to the WWE.
Whoever you are, please don’t tell me what I should be feeling or thinking. Only I’ve lived my life and walked in my shoes. So please get lost. You don’t know jack. https://t.co/XkOlAXMWxy
Back in August 2011 Gail Kim deliberately eliminated herself from the women’s battle royal that was taking place around the Divas Division Era. During this era, the Divas had little to no time on television for their matches, which many fans referred to the matches as “piss breaks”. That elimination would be Kim’s last WWE appearance as she would request her release and join back with TNA.
Currently, Kim is a producer for TNA’s Knockout Division and has no desire to return back to the WWE.
Impact Wrestling and MLW’s Rich Swann began his pro-wrestling training at an early age. Swann was recently a guest on X-Pac’s 12360 podcast and talked about training to wrestle at an early age.
“I was going on 15 years old. Started training at 15 with Adam Flash and Darren Wyse,” Swann said. “They saved my life, they guided me in the right direction.”
Swann made his professional debut in 2008 at the age of 17.
Waltman said on the podcast that he feels wrestling saved his life too. Wrestling came into both Swann and Waltman’s lives at a time when they needed something to steer them away from trouble. Waltman was also only a teenager when he began his training as well.
When asked if there was anyone else his age on the scene when he began, Swann replied there wasn’t. “Just grown men, you know?” he said.
Swann debuted with Impact Wrestling this April and has become something of a crowd favorite. His match with Fenix from the tapings in Windsor was particularly well-received. He spoke to X-Pac about the time he’s had with Impact over the last 3-4 months.
“The roster is amazing,” Swann said of Impact Wrestling. “Wherever I land on IMPACT I am happy with because I’m just trying to have great matches and I am happy I am with IMPACT. The company is growing, it’s on national TV. The guys are wrestling everywhere it doesn’t matter if it’s Ring of Honor or New Japan… Slammiversary had a sprinkle of everything and it culminated and made it like ‘Boom this is IMPACT!’.”
Swann suffered a concussion during a preliminary match at the MLW Battle Riot tapings. The injury caused him to miss Slammiversary and the following two nights of tapings. He has since been cleared to compete once again and is scheduled to be at the August 12th and 13th tapings.
“The production value is amazing,” Swann continued to say regarding Impact. “How they present stuff; promos and packages are unique. I think that catches people eye. I think another thing that has IMPACT on an upward is just the wrestling. The wrestling right now is hotter than ever.”
Taya Valkyrie has cleared up her status with IMPACT Wrestling.
The near-10 year veteran has worked for promotions such as WWE, AAA, Lucha Underground and IMPACT. The 36-year-old Canadian, and wife of former WWE Intercontinental Champion John Morrison, recently spoke to Interactive Wrestling Radio.
She discussed her current status with IMPACT Wrestling and revealed she’s still working with the promotion:
“I’m still working with Impact. There’s nothing wrong or whatever. It just is the way that it is right now. I look forward to getting back there very shortly and continuing to do some great work with them.”
Valkyrie also put over the IMPACT Knockouts division, saying the roster is made up of some of the best wrestlers she has ever worked with:
“The female locker room, the Knockouts division, are some of the best female wrestlers I’ve ever encountered. I’m just really honored to be working with them.
“I’m just doing what I’m doing right now which is promoting Lucha Underground and all the projects I’m involved in. So, don’t you worry! I will be back in the Impact Zone! (laughs)”
Impact Wrestling’s second episode since Slammiversary aired last night. It was the 2nd episode of the 12 which will air before Bound for Glory on October 14th, 2018.
Impact has two more shows from the recent Toronto tapings before they film 4 more episodes from Rebel Nightclub on August 12th and 13th.
Here are 9 Takeaways From Impact Wrestling 8/2
Allie Pinned the Knockouts Champion & Tessa Blanchard Was Not Happy About It
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ch_PdL4gfT4
Last week on Impact Wrestling, Allie said she was going after Su Yung to make sure she never locked anyone in a coffin again. Kiera Hogan volunteered to help her in this task as well.
This week Allie and Hogan teamed up to take on Yung and an Undead Bridesmaid in tag action. Yung gave the Panic Switch to Hogan but the momentum knocked the Girl on Fire out of the ring. Allie then hit a codebreaker on Yung and pinned her for the win.
A win over the champion often puts the wrestler in a position to challenge for the title but Allie lost a match at Slammiversary to Tessa Blanchard. Perhaps this was what Blanchard was thinking about when she attacked Allie after the match.
Blanchard cut a backstage promo afterward stating that Allie was trying to weasel her way into a title shot by taking on Yung under the premise of wanting to protect others from the Undead Bride’s actions.
Ortiz Was Going To Hit Homicide With An Ax!
After King’s OGZ won a squash match against two local competitors, they cut a promo running down LAX, believing Konnan and company were still on the shelf. Santana, Ortiz, and Konnan rushed the ring, however, and took out the OGZ.
Things took a bit of a turn when Ortiz brought out an ax and looked to strike Homicide with it. This brought out additional security and Konnan separated his boys from the fight. Konnan told them in the back that timing is everything and when the timing is right the OGZ will “kiss the ring.”
Ortiz and Santana were this week’s guests on the Impact media call. We asked them what it’s like to go from watching LAX as teenagers 11 years ago to being LAX now in Impact.
“LAX has been something we’ve watched since when we were kids,” Santana said. “The fact that two Latinos out there not like playing a gimmick but being them and being proud of who they are and what they represent.”
KM & Fallah Ball Aren’t On The Same Page (The Desi Hit Squad Are)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ugd3NOGAtE
Impact was telling two stories this week when the Desi Hit Squad defeated the team of KM and Fallah Bah.
The first story was how the Great Gama Singh is guiding Rohit Raju and Gursinder Singh to being an old-school heel-style tag-team. They win their matches either through clever tag-team work or dirty under-handed tactics.
The second story is the team of KM and Fallah Bah not being on the same page. KM had been trying to teach Fallah when to distract the referee but evidently, Bah’s not the greatest student. Fallah tried to enter the ring when KM was in control of the match. KM tried to tell him “this isn’t when you distract the ref!” but the distraction allowed the Desi Hit Squad to hit a combination knee to the face and a flatliner for the win.
Johnny Impact Is Looking For Kongo Kong
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDF6oXqJDN8
“You know, for a big guy, Kongo Kong is a pretty hard guy to find these days,” Impact said to Alicia Atout.
Jimmy Jacobs interrupted his interview and looked to begin a promo when Johnny just wound up and punched him in the mouth. He let Jacobs know he wants Kongo Kong and he doesn’t appear to be playing around on this one.
Eddie Edwards Will Challenge Austin Aries For the Impact World Championship Next Week
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQW6q6vYgbE
Austin Aries defeated Dustin Cameron this week via corner stoppage. The champion had the challenger beaten but opted not to pin him in favor of giving him another brainbuster. That’s when Anthony Carelli threw in the towel to prevent his Battle Arts Academy student from taking any more punishment.
After the match Carelli kicked Aries in the groin, causing the champion to stumble back on the entrance ramp. That’s where he was greeted by Eddie Edwards and a Singapore cane. Edwards hit him with the cane but Aries was able to escape before receiving more punishment.
Josh Matthews then announced Edwards will face Aries next week for the Impact World Championship.
Scarlett Bordeaux Really Had An Impact on Bobo
Alicia Atout was not assigned to interview Scarlett Bordeaux this week. Atout was likely not impressed at how she was treated by Bordeaux last week.
Instead of Atout, a guy named Bob was given the task of interviewing Bordeaux. He was left a little tongue-tied by Bordeaux’s antics. After dismissing who Josh Matthews thought was a horribly aged Jeremy Borash, Bordeaux reminded us she plans to bring sexy back to wrestling.
“I think that people will be pleasantly surprised as we move forward,” Callis said. “She’s actually a very good wrestler and I think it got people talking in a good way.”
Eli Drake and Trevor Lee defeated Grado and Joe Hendry
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39dkwMbFQ60
Drake pinned Grado after giving him the Gravy Train this week. Grado was distracted by the actions of Joe Hendry and Katarina on the outside. Katarina was getting into an argument with Caleb Konley and Hendry was restraining her.
There was more speculation from Callis and Matthews at commentary that Hendry and Katarina have something going on behind Grado’s back.
Matt Sydal Accepts Losing the X-Division Championship
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JflTo5tli0I
“The X-Division championship chose him,” Sydal said. “Who am I to question what that belt has done with itself? Because its history speaks for itself. I’m really proud of all the time I put in as X-Division Champion.”
He would continue to say his loss to Brian Cage taught him something. He said he still has much to learn and still needs to go deeper into his consciousness and “question everything”. The X-Division title was once his destiny but not anymore.
The Lucha Bros Took Out oVe
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d50dB48baXw
In an exciting main event, Pentagon Jr and Fenix fended off outside interference from Sami Callihan and repeated unmasking attempts in order to get the victory over oVe this week.
Sami Callihan has responded to having his head shaved by descending further into madness. His minions from Ohio losing to Pentagon and Fenix isn’t going to help that situation at all.
Callihan’s attempt at revenge was thwarted this week but he likely isn’t finished with Pentagon or Fenix.
Impact 8/2 Quick Results:
Allie & Kiera Hogan defeated Su Yung & An Undead Bridesmaid
The OGZ (Homicide & Hernandez) defeated 2 Local Competitors
The Desi Hit Squad defeated KM & Fallah Bah
Impact World Championship
Austin Aries (c) defeated Dustin Cameron via corner stoppage
Eli Drake & Trevor Lee defeated Grado & Joe Hendry
The Lucha Bros (Pentagon Jr & Fenix) defeated oVe (Jake & Dave Crist)
Matches scheduled for next week:
Impact World Championship
Austin Aries (c) vs Eddie Edwards
“A Ghetto Soap Opera” is how Santana and Ortiz describe the LAX vs OGZ rivalry. The backstage scenes often resemble more of an HBO drama than a pro-wrestling show. Although LAX defeated the OGZ at Slammiversary, King’s team stole the belts, tagged them and are claiming them as their own.
Santana and Ortiz recently took part in an Impact Wrestling media call.
When the original LAX first hit the pro-wrestling scene over 10 years ago, Santana and Ortiz were only teenagers. We asked Santana and Ortiz how the original version of the faction influenced them when they were younger.
“LAX has been something we’ve watched since when we were kids,” Santana said. “The fact that two Latinos out there not like playing a gimmick but being them and being proud of who they are and what they represent.”
“It’s pretty surreal, it’s a pretty cool thing,” he continued. “I never would have thought when I was 14-15 years old that when I was watching them on tv, I never would have thought ‘hey I’m going to be at Slammiversary XVI wresting the original LAX and putting on one of the best matches in Impact history.”
Ortiz would say his background as a wrestling fan is different from Santana’s. He got into wrestling more in the early 2000s boom when Homicide was first making his mark.
“Homicide was definitely one of the dudes that was just killing it on the indies,” Ortiz said. He’d continue to say watching Homicide’s growth as a performer had an impact on him.
“This is a dude from where we come from and he’s killing it having these insane matches,” Ortiz continued. “Then putting him together with Hernandez and Hernandez is just a truck!”
“We can’t ask for a better position,” he continued. “We are carrying the ball and are going to take it to the moon.”
Santana and Ortiz have come from idolizing LAX to being LAX. Not only that, they are feuding with the original LAX over the Impact tag-team Championships.
LAX vs the Young Bucks on Chris Jericho’s Cruise
The OGZ aren’t the only tag-team LAX need to worry about, however. They have a big match coming up this October on Chris Jericho’s “Rock N Rager at Sea.”
Konnan challenged the Young Bucks to a match during a recent episode of the “Keepin’ it 100” podcast. The match was made official later the next day.
Impact Wrestling returns tonight. The show tonight will be the second from Rebel Nightclub in Toronto.
Impact Wrestling spent the two days following Slammiversary taping matches in the venue. The promotion returns to Rebel Nightclub on the 13th and 14th for more tapings.
Impact Wrestling 8/2 Preview
Impact World Championship
Austin Aries (c) vs Dustin Cameron
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfwvgfD3TIE
Last week on Impact, Aries and Anthony Carelli got into a backstage argument. One of Carelli’s students, Dustin Cameron, was on-hand and somehow got himself an Impact World title match during the confrontation.
That match takes place tonight.
Update From King and the OGZ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU8lJYnxdzk&t=11s
According to King, Konnan and LAX may have won a battle at Slammiversary but they didn’t win the war. King explained last week that Konnan and LAX put their guard down after winning the 5150 Street Fight and thus allowed the OGZ to steal their title belts.
The OGZ also tagged the belts which in their world, means they own them.
Allie & Kiera Hogan vs Su Yung & An Undead Bridesmaid
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrJRSCTlMQk&t=13s
Tag-team action in the Knockouts division this week as Allie and Kiera Hogan team up to take on Su Yung and one of her undead brides. Last week, Allie said she wouldn’t let Su Yung lock anyone else inside a coffin and Kiera Hogan showed up to offer her support.
Last week, the Desi Hit Squad attacked Taiji Ishimori and Petey Williams after their opening match. This week Rohit Raju and Gursinder Singh will be in tag action with the Great Gama Sing at ringside.
The Lucha Bros vs oVe
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrxTLmFXFRc
Last week we saw Sami Callihan descend further into madness after having his head-shaved by Pentagon Jr. Callihan had a rather unpleasant interaction with a person while at a men’s urinal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3BzjT4oRxs&t=16s
Tonight the Lucha Bros will take on the Crist brothers, who both had their arms broken recently. Where oVe is, Sami Callihan is sure to follow.
Impact Wrestling airs tonight on POP TV at 8PM. Replays can be seen on the Global Wrestling Network.
IMPACT Wrestling star and creative team member Abyss spoke to WrestleZone Radio recently. The former TNA X Division Champion was asked about the current momentum within the company.
Abyss said he credits Scott D’Amore, Sonjay Dutt and Don Callis for the current upswing within IMPACT and also noted that the roster is one of the strongest ones in the world:
“I’ll credit Scott D’Amore, Sonjay Dutt and Don Callis. They have really hunkered down and you can see it in the production, you can see it in our commitment to moving the show around and you can see it in the talent.
“Those guys really, really, really hunkered down and I think that our roster right now is as strong as any roster in the world. Guys like Pentagon, Fenix, Sami Callihan, Austin Aries, Moose and Eddie Edwards.
“I think our roster has really started to take shape in 2018 and I think it’s really starting to come together as a top notch roster. The women as well with Tessa, Su Yung and Allie. We’ve got them in good places.”
Abyss has been in the professional wrestling business since the mid-’90s. He signed on with TNA back in 2002. Abyss has remained with the company for over 15 years. He has won several titles over the course of his career with the promotion; such as the NWA World Title, X Division Title, World Tag Team Titles, and more.
He has also feuded with names such as Matt Morgan, Dr. Stevie and also won the NWA World Tag Team Championships with AJ Styles. Now, Abyss finds himself as a member of IMPACT’s creative team as well.
Posted August 1st, 2018 in TNA, News. Tagged: Abyss.
Vice President of Impact Wrestling, Don Calls, recently addressed some controversy concerning a recently debuted Impact Knockout. Scarlett Bordeaux made her Impact debut last week. Some fans see the character as a fitting heel for today’s modern women’s wrestling divisions. Others feel the character is a regression to an era of women’s wrestling they would rather not return to, however.
Callis addressed the matter during on a recent edition of his podcast.
“What (Scarlett Bordeaux) is doing she’s basically saying, ‘Hey, I am not going to be told how to dress and how to look and that I shouldn’t look how God made me and I’m not gonna cover up because some man or whatever thinks it’s politically correct for me to cover up,” Callis explained. “I thought that was an empowering message from her. But some people, they look for things to be offended about. I’m unclear as to why anything she said was offensive.”
Callis continued to say there is more character development to come with Scarlett.
“I think that people will be pleasantly surprised as we move forward,” he continued. “She’s actually a very good wrestler and I think it got people talking in a good way.”
Scarlett Bordeaux in Impact Wrestling
Scarlett Bordeaux: “I want to be remembered as the greatest women’s activist of all time.”
Alicia Atout: “Like Susan B Anthony?”
Scarlett Bordeaux: “Ew. Like Marylyn Monroe. Or Cardi B.”
We covered Bordeaux’s debut in last week’s “Takeaways from Impact Wrestling 7/26” article. It seemed to me the character was playing up many of the aspects that have been removed from women’s wrestling for the purpose of getting heat.
Bordeaux is a Chicago-based indy wrestler who has competed for Women of Honor previously. She also worked as Matt Taven’s valet briefly in Ring of Honor. In 2016, Bordeaux appeared as enhancement talent on Raw in a losing effort to Nia Jax.
Impact Wrestling returns on Thursday night with the second show from their 2-nights of tapings from Rebel Nightclub following Slammiversary.