Impact Wrestling presented a special branded show “Impact ReDefined” tonight. The show featured two championship matches and one main event caliber tag-team match featuring the Impact World Champion, Austin Aries.
Tonight’s show was the 2nd from the August 12th, 2018 taping out of Toronto’s Rebel Nightclub.
Here are 9 Takeaways from Impact ReDefined:
Tessa Blanchard Is The New Knockouts Champion
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tx0u7DnXBk
Knockouts Championship Tessa Blanchard defeated Allie and Su Yung (c) – Title Change
When Tessa Blanchard made her first appearance for Impact Wrestling at the Redemption pay-per-view, she was portrayed as a blue-chip prospect. In the months since Blanchard has shown she is one of the best women’s wrestlers on the planet.
While Blanchard came out the winner, the story this match told actually favored Allie right up to the very end. It was Allie who got the initial first bit of offense in the match and it was Allie who broke up Su Yung’s mandible claw on Blanchard near the end of the match. Shortly after this, Allie hit a codebreaker on Yung but Blanchard rolled her up, grabbed Allie’s tights, and won the title.
The Weapon X Division Continues
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Gd6HyxjZxw
X-Division Championship Brian Cage (c) defeated Fenix – (2nd title defense)
Tonight’s episode started off with a 20-minute opening match that was as good as anything you’ll see on television this year. Cage dominated the match early but Fenix got back into things when he hit a rolling cutter on the entrance ramp.
Fenix reversed both Weapon X and a discus clothesline, something Don Callis made a point of mentioning on commentary. Rather than attempt one of the two moves which had already been reversed, Cage chose to give his opponent a powerbomb from the top rope instead and got the victory as a result.
After the match, oVe and Sami Callihan attacked Fenix and Pentagon. Although he initially hesitated, Cage sprinted back to the ring and took out Fenix’s attackers to close the segment.
Moose Aligns With Austin Aries
Austin Aries & Killer Kross vs Eddie Edwards & Moose – No Contest
In a shocking heel turn, Moose delivered a spear to his partner during the night’s main event.
Moose had been shown beaten up in the back so it looked as though Edwards would be forced to take on both Aries and Killer Kross by himself. After Edwards started the match by himself, Moose hit the ring with his head all in bandages. At the same time, it looked as though Kross had double-crossed Aries as he jumped off the apron and looked like he was refusing to tag. Moose then attacked Edwards, however, and the 3 men reveled in their clever ruse.
Austin Aries now has both Killer Kross and Moose working to protect his Impact World Championship reign.
The Kid Isn’t Dead
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pcOBq8wpW4
Following Slammiversary there have been a couple of complaints about Impact Wrestling which I’ve received. Some fans were not happy that a kid was shown run over by a car last week. These fans tend to feel the segment went too far while other fans are willing to put the angle into the same category as a Lucha Underground or Total Deletion styled scene.
What may have also thrown people off was that last week Don Callis and Josh Mathews reacted to the scene. In Lucha Underground, the idea is the commentators do not see all the over-the-top scenes and are then not in a position where they have to respond. It’s a little disturbing to the 4th wall to have a commentary team acting like the promotion’s tag-team division is running over children as part of their rivalry.
Regardless, a clear message was sent by the commentary team this week that the kid is not dead. Both Konnan and King received phone calls in their respective segments that caused them to leave immediately.
Throughout the show, fans were shown commercials for Impact’s upcoming show in Manchester on September 9th. The show will air live and for free on Twitch.
The main event will be a hardcore wrestling fan’s dream as Sami Callihan takes Jimmy Havoc in a Barbed Wire Baseball Bat Deathmatch.
The rest of the card is as follows:
Impact Wrestling Tag Team Championships
LAX (c) vs Jody Fleisch & Jonny Storm
Barbed Wire Baseball Bat Death Match
Sami Callihan vs Jimmy Havoc
Eli Drake vs Joe Hendry
Su Yung vs Lana Austin
Rich Swann vs Matt Sydal vs Trevor Lee
Matt Sydal Wants To Mentor Rich Swann
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vj1xcHwxJew
Rich Swann defeated Petey Williams
Last week, Rich Swann told Alicia Atout he wanted to win the X-Division title. It’s a title Swann has been dreaming about his whole career. Unfortunately for Swann, the title belt is currently in the Weapon X division.
Swann defeated Williams via standing shooting star press after the two had exchanged pinning combinations. Callis suggested that Williams is too reliant on the Canadian Destroyer.
In the back, former X-Division Champion Matt Sydal offered to mentor Swann and seemed to go frustrated when Swann was not interested in his offer.
Scarlett Bordeaux Whispered Something To Grado
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hC1ssMng-3w
After KM and Fallah Bah visited the Smoke Show a couple of weeks ago, the team turned things around by beating the Desi Hit Squad. This week, Grado, Joe Hendry, and Katarina were her guests.
Bordeaux whispered something to Grado which seemed to have quite the impact on him. After some hijinx ensued it was clear that whatever she whispered to Grado will do something to get in between Katarina and her boys.
In addition to the upcoming Twitch special taking place a week from Sunday, Impact presents a One Night Only pay-per-view which debuts on the Global Wrestling Network on Friday night. The streaming service also features the video libraries of Destiny Wrestling, World Series Wrestling, Smash, and several other independent promotions from around the world.
The lineup for the show is as follows:
Petey Williams vs Michael Elgin
The Desi Hit Squad vs OVE
KC Spinelli vs Kiera Hogan
Steel Cage:
Josh Alexander vs Sami Callihan
Tessa Blanchard vs Gisel Shaw
Eli Drake Beat Some Dummies
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ec_8g5a2yOE
Eli Drake beat both Brandon Tidwell and Mr. Atlantis this week. The two local Toronto wrestlers had defeated the Cult of Lee last week.
Speaking of Eli Drake, another Impact Wrestling One Night Only pay-per-view was filmed recently. “Night of the Dummies” does not have a release date yet but will air on the Global Wrestling Network in the near future.
The lineup for that show is as follows:
Eli Drake vs Eddie Edwards
Moose vs KM
Sean Carr vs Brute Vanslyke
Z&E vs LAX
Homicide vs TBD
Wagner Brown vs Axel Lennox
Alisha Edwards vs Rebel
Fallah Bah vs Richard Justice
Impact Wrestling “Impact ReDefined” Quick Results:
X-Division Championship
Brian Cage (c) defeated Fenix – (2nd Title Defense)
Knockouts Championship
Tessa Blanchard defeated Allie and Su Yung (c) – Title Change
Eli Drake defeated Brandon Tidwell
Rich Swann defeated Petey Williams
Austin Aries & Killer Kross vs Eddie Edwards & Moose – No Contest
Impact Wrestling last night featured a Mexican Death Match between Sami Callihan and Pentagon Jr. The matches tonight were from the first show of the August 12th & 13th tapings from Rebel Nightclub in Toronto.
I was in attendance for these tapings and thought both nights were pretty fun. They aired the matches slightly out of order last night, however. The matches for next week’s “Impact ReDefined” episode were interspersed amongst the matches which aired last night.
Impact Wrestling 8/23
Sami Callihan Wins The Mexican Death Match
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PddPNrZX1VY
Sami Callihan defeated Pentagon Jr. in the night’s main event. After writing another hardcore chapter in their rivalry, Callihan picked up the win with a Cactus Jack inspired piledriver off the turnbuckle and through a table.
Callihan and oVe badly needed this win. They’d dropped tag matches to the Lucha Bros and Callihan lost singles matches to both Fenix and Pentagon prior to tonight. By avenging his loss from Slammiversary and beating a former Impact World Champion, Callihan has done much to erase the losses he suffered earlier this summer.
I don’t think things are finished between the boys from Ohio and the Lucha Bros, however…
Eddie Kingston May Have Committed Vehicular Homicide
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZelY9D-6Ug
This week we saw Konnan & LAX celebrating their street fight victory. Fittingly, they decided to celebrate on the streets of Toronto.
Last week’s street fight concluded with a mock-execution of King. Konnan ended up hitting him in the head with a slapjack, a move which is rarely fatal. Unfortunately, King survived and was able to get a bit of revenge this week.
Konnan’s crew was celebrating with a small child for some reason and evidently, nobody was willing to help this child cross the street. King drove like a maniac through the streets and ran over the child. It didn’t seem as though LAX realized it was King at the time.
Moose Is Back!
Just when it looked as though Austin Aries and Killer Kross were going to hand Edwards a beating for the 3rd straight show, Moose returned to make the save.
We haven’t seen Moose since Slammiversary. After dropping an Impact World Championship match to Aries, Moose was out of action with a concussion. He returned tonight, however, and appears to once again be aligned with Eddie Edwards.
Next Week: Triple Threat For The Knockouts Championship
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdCZC6LR70Y
Following Kiera Hogan’s victory over Alisha Edwards this week, Allie got on the mic and challenged Su Yung. Allie knows that she’ll just have to deal with Tessa Blanchard when she takes on Yung, however, so why not make things a triple threat match?
Next week at Impact ReDefined, Su Yung vs Allie vs Tessa Blanchard will collide for the Knockouts Championship.
Brian Cage is Champion of the “Weapon X Division”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZPIm_sBou0
Brian Cage spoke for the first time since debuting in Impact earlier this year. Cage spoke about how the X-Division is what put Impact Wrestling on the map. The X-Division is what has made Impact Wrestling stand out. Cage feels his abilities makes him stand out amongst the rest as well.
“Nobody can do the things I do in that ring,” Cage said. “When I came to Impact Wrestling, one goal of mine was to take over the X-Divison. Why? Because when I think Impact Wrestling, I think of the X-Division.”
Next week at Impact ReDefined, Cage will look to defend his X-Division Championship for the second time when he faces Fenix.
Johnny Impact Throws Kongo Kong Into the Cabana Pool
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJMnO_4bZu8
The Cabana Pool Bar in Toronto is right next to Rebel Nightclub. It’s a fitting venue for someone like Johnny Impact to be hanging out in while he waits for a night of Impact tapings to begin.
It is not a fitting place for Kongo Kong to be, however, and how he got passed security is still a bit of a mystery. Kong attacked Johnny while he was poolside but in the end, it was Kongo who ended up going in the pool.
Rich Swann Is Going For The X-Division Championship
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4m__UL61TzU
Alicia Atout and Rich Swann went for a walk and talk this week. The two both looked as though they were coming from a 1970s themed dance party.
Swann talked about the history of the X-Division Championship and how he wanted to add to that legacy. Earlier this year, I had the chance to ask Swann what competing for the X-Division Championship means for him. Many of his answers during that interview expressed a similar sentiment to what he said tonight.
Swann will be in tough to achieve this goal, however, considering who the current champion is.
Local Talent Upset the Cult of Lee
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bktJPTa6578
The Cult of Lee may have been busy trying to impress former Impact World Champion, Eli Drake, and it cost them a match tonight. I don’t think Drake was too impressed.
The two wrestlers who defeated them were Brandon Tidwell and Mr. Atlantis.
Scarlett Bordeaux’s Advice Is Working For Fallah Bah & KM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObU98wWh8ts
Scarlett Bordeaux was able to convince KM that it is time to try things Fallah Bah’s way. This week Bah and KM wore matching tights and appeared in sync. They were able to defeat the Great Gama Singh’s Desi Hit Squad tonight.
Speaking of Bordeaux, she also did some work to improve Grado’s confidence this week. If her advice has the same effect on Grado as it did Bah and KM, we could see his fortunes change for the better.
Matt Sydal Is Enlightened Again
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdN4-bpVWSY
Sydal may have lost his X-Division Championship and a later single’s loss to Pentagon Jr but he got back in the win column this week. He defeated noted PWG wrestler, Zachary Wentz in single’s competition.
Quick Results:
Matt Sydal defeated Zachary Wentz
Fallah Bah & KM defeated the Desi Hit Squad
Kiera Hogan defeated Alisha Edwards
Brandon Tidwell & Mr. Atlantis defeated the Cult of Lee
Mexican Death Match
Sami Callihan defeated Pentagon Jr.
Impact Wrestling tonight will be their first episode from the August tapings. The promotion taped inside Toronto’s Rebel Nightclub on August 12 & 13th. Next week’s episode will be a special-branded “Impact ReDefined” show. Following the next 4 episodes, Impact will head to Mexico City for two nights of tapings there.
Impact Wrestling Preview 8/23
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CZMD1yC5Kw
Brian Cage Speaks
Brian Cage still hasn’t been pinned or submitted since arriving in Impact Wrestling earlier this year. He will speak for the first time since arriving in the territory tonight.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ooJNRxXfbU
The current X-Division Champion found out last week his next title-challenger will be Fenix. The two will meet for the title next week at Impact ReDefined.
Kiera Hogan vs Alisha Edwards
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-S0fKEaIqw&t=7s
There is said to be mutual respect between Hogan and Edwards heading into this match.
Edwards better not be too worried about the ongoing mental spiraling her husband is going through. If so, Hogan could likely pick up her 3rd televised victory for the promotion. She’s already defeated Laurel Van Ness and Taya Valkyrie (via DQ) so far this year.
Fallah Bah & KM vs the Desi Hit Squad
Last week, Bah and KM were given some advice from Scarlett Bordeaux. The Smoke Show expressed to KM that they had tried things his way and maybe they should try things Bah’s way now.
KM seemed to get behind the idea and even stressed he would be buying matching tights.
LAX Celebrate Their Street Fight Victory
LAX defeated the OGZ and took back possession of the Impact tag-team titles they never officially lost. Tonight, Santana and Ortiz will host a live in-ring celebration.
Perhaps King and the OGZ will be watching…
Matt Sydal In Single’s Action
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGzp6buX6QA
Matt Sydal has had to find a new purpose and direction since losing the X-Division Championship at Slammiversary.
Sydal seems to have made peace with the fact that the X-Division Championship chose Cage and not him. He’ll continue his new journey tonight as he takes on a wrestler TBD (not Richard Justice).
Eddie Edwards was robbed of his chance to win the Impact World Championship recently. Just when it seemed as though Edwards had the title won, Killer Kross interfered and cost him the match. It was then revealed that Kross and Aries are aligned.
Kross and Edwards took out Edwards again last week during a talking segment. Edwards is going to try things again tonight, however, and perhaps hope for a better result.
Mexican Death Match
Pentagon Jr. vs Sami Callihan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6p_73F6etiA&t=8s
Impact Wrestling heads to Mexico in 3 weeks but tonight Mexico comes to the Impact ring. Callihan challenged Pentagon to this Mexican Death Match tonight.
The promotion is advertising that this will be the first Mexican Death Match ever broadcast on national television.
New details have emerged in the ongoing saga of Pentagon Jr. and Fenix. Last week, it was reported the brothers have told promoters dates they committed to in 2019 were now in question. In an update to this story, it appears neither brother is accepting bookings beyond 2018 at the moment.
“The main thing is that both are not taking any dates in 2019,” wrote Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer. “Which is usually a sign of going to WWE.”
MLW pulled the brothers from an upcoming show in October amidst the rumors. They have both been booked for Impact’s Bound for Glory show that month, however. If the brothers planned on committing to any other promotion, they’d probably still be able to accept bookings considering the attitude towards exclusivity currently exhibited by non-WWE promoters such as Impact and MLW.
The Lucha Bros contracts with LU contain opt-out clauses following this season. Both would have to wait for 6-months after the season airs to debut for another promotion, however.
The departure of the brothers from the non-WWE scene could potentially affect multiple promotions. As of the beginning of yesterday’s episode of Lucha Underground (I haven’t seen the episode), Pentagon Dark is the LU Champion. The Lucha Brothers are also the MLW Tag-Team Champions and play a large role in Impact Wrestling as well.
Pentagon and Fenix missed an indy event Friday night in California. The promoter who booked them for the show appears unsure about the reasons he was given for their last-minute cancellation.
Pro Wrestling Revolution was only able to notify fans a few hours before bell-time that neither Pentagon nor Fenix would be attending the show. PWR owner, Gabriel Ramirez, posted the following on the matter:
I really didn't want to have this happen, but it is what it is.
I am getting texts, and DM about Pentagón 0M and why he was not at Pro Wrestling Revolution – King City, August 18thand asking if he is was or ever was… https://t.co/1NyeYQqsyR
“Pentagón 0M told me he hurt is back in Naucalpa,” Ramirez wrote on Facebook. “When we spoke he was at a chiropractor getting adjusted and then called me to tell me that the doctor told him he needed to rest his body for 4 days.”
Ramirez then said he offered to pay Pentagon to come to the event and not wrestle but Pentagon said the flight would be too much on his back. He continued to say Pentagon sent him a clip from the match where he was injured which can be viewed through this link.
It is being said that both brothers then wrestled a match in Mexico Sunday night but I can’t find an official record of this match.
Did The Lucha Bros No-Show An Event on Friday Night?
News that the Lucha Bros may have skipped out on a booking comes on the heels of rumors the brothers could be jumping ship to WWE in 2019. The Lucha Bros have told promoters that dates which they had previously committed to in 2019 are now in question.
As it concerns their status with Major League Wrestling, the brothers were pulled from an upcoming October event amid the rumors. In terms of their Lucha Underground contracts, the brothers are believed to be able to opt-out after the current season finishes airing. Their relationship with Impact Wrestling appears unaffected by the rumors, however. The brothers are booked for a key match at Bound for Glory and played a big role in the tapings held last week.
Just hours before the Lucha Bros were to compete on a card in Daly City California last night, the promotion was forced to tell fans neither would make it to the show.
Fenix and Pentagon Jr. were to team up and take on Reno Scum at the event. Fans were told via Twitter that Pentagon was injured and Fenix was having travel difficulties.
It is with deep regret to inform the APW Faithful that @PENTAELZEROM was injured last night in 🇲🇽. @ReyFenixMx has also informed us that he is experiencing travel issues. We greatly apologize to everyone and wish Penta a speedy recovery. pic.twitter.com/u58whdj4sa
The Lucha Bros have been the center of controversy as of late. Reports surfaced 2 weeks ago that WWE had interest in the brothers. At the time, both Pentagon and Fenix were thought to be locked into Lucha Underground contracts. Their contracts were believed to be preventative from them from jumping ship, however.
It has since been revealed that both Pentagon and Fenix are of the understanding they can opt out of their LU contracts following the 4th season. They would have to sit out 6 months following the expiration of their LU deals but then would be free to sign with WWE.
Pentagon and Fenix, who are the MLW tag-team champions, were pulled from an upcoming MLW show amidst the above rumors. The Lucha Bros are arguably the two most popular stars for Impact Wrestling at the moment as well.
Pentagon is scheduled to take on Sami Callihan in a Mexican Death match next week on Impact. Fenix will take on Brian Cage for the X-Division title in 2 weeks.
WWE is said to be interested in both Pentagon Jr. and Fenix. Previously, it had thought to be the case that the two brothers were locked into Lucha Underground contracts which would prevent them from going to WWE anytime soon.
In an update to this story, however, it appears both brothers are preparing to test the free agent market. According to a recent report from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, their contracts include an opt-out clause following the 4th season. This would make them free agents 6-months after the last episode of the 4th season airs.
“They have told promoters they are working for that the deal would end with this season, as there was an opt-out,” Meltzer wrote. “If that’s the case, they would be free agents roughly six months after the last episode of the current season ends.”
Pentagon and Fenix have also reportedly told bookers that dates they had agreed to in 2019 are now in question.
The brothers, who are MLW tag-team champions, were also pulled from an upcoming show with the promotion.
Both Pentagon and Fenix are key players in the new version of Impact Wrestling currently airing. Pentagon held the promotion’s World Championship earlier this year.
Major League Wrestling is stacking the deck for the upcoming WAR GAMES event from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. On Monday morning, MLW announced that legendary luchador LA Park will square off against Pentagon Jr. in a ‘Mexican Massacre’ at the September 6th FUSION taping from the War Memorial Auditorium. LA Park will be presented by Salina de la Renta’s Promociones Dorado, while Konnan will be in the corner of Pentagon.
The news of Pentagon Jr.’s involvement at War Games has to be reassuring for MLW Fans. Pentagon and Rey Fenix were pulled from MLW’s return to Queens, NY on October 4th, which fueled rumors that WWE was looking to sign the duo.
If you’re in the Ft. Lauderdale area and you’re interested in checking out MLW War Games, tickets start at just $10 over at MLWgo.com.
As a reminder, MLW Fusion airs every Friday night on beIN SPORTS. Each week, the full episodes are uploaded to MLW’s YouTube channel as well.
In addition to LA Park vs Pentagon, the show will be headlined by a double-ring War Games steel cage match. Participants for the MLW War Games include Jon Hennigan, Tommy Dreamer, Shane Strickland, Koto Brazil and Barrington Hughes vs. Sami Callihan, Jimmy Havoc, the Death Machines and a mystery opponent TBA.
As seen below, Sami Callihan is teasing a new ‘monster’ for his growing stable of killers.
WWE has announced a new match and a big contract signing segment for the upcoming episode of Monday Night Raw. This episode will be the go home show for SummerSlam.
The match which has been announced for the show will see Natalya with Ronda Rousey in her corner battling the Raw Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss. Bliss will have Alicia Fox in her side for the bout.
The contract signing segment will see the Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler alongside Drew McIntyre signing the contract for his upcoming title match with Seth Rollins.
All this is in addition to the previously announced triple threat match for the Raw Tag Team Championship. The match will see the B Team, The Revival and the team of Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt fighting each other for the championship.
Pentagon Jr’s Mask Will Be On The Line At Upcoming Match
The press conference for the TripleMania featured a couple of big announcement for the main event of the show including a big stipulation for the match.
First, they introduced the concept of Poker de Ases which is a fatal four-way match. 4 masked superstars will compete in a lucha de apuesta cage match and the loser will drop his mask.
Announcing the remaining two participants for the fight, the officials revealed that both Pentagon Jr. and La Parka will be competing in the match.
Both El Hijo del Fantasma and Psycho Clown were previously announced, so we now know all four participants of this bout.
What’s interesting to note here is that La Parka who has been announced for the bout appears to be the original La Parka from WCW and not the one who competes in AAA.
TripleMania will take place on August 25th from Arena Ciudad de Mexico in Mexico City
Kenny Omega vs. Pentagon Jr. has been confirmed for next month’s All In pay-per-view.
With the news of this high-profile contest, there are now 9 matches confirmed for All In, including 2 matches on the 1-hour pre-show airing on WGN.
Kenny Omega vs. Pentagon Jr.
Omega is the current IWGP Heavyweight Champion and Pentagon is a former Lucha Underground and Impact World Champion and one of the most decorated younger luchadors of his generation in Mexico.
Pentagon and Fenix have recently been the center of rumors concerning WWE. Two weeks ago it was reported WWE had interest in the brothers, however, it is still unclear what their current contract status with Lucha Underground. Pentagon and Fenix are both thought to have signed 7-season deals with Lucha Underground but there are reports both have told bookers they may need to cancel dates in 2019.
Pentagon Jr. and Rey Fenix have been pulled from MLW’s October 4th TV taping from Queens, NY. The development comes amid reports that WWE is interested in MLW talent.
On Friday, MLW announced Lucha Libre legend LA Park will face Pierre Carl Ouellet (PCO) on 10/4. That will be a fun attraction, but it replaces a previously announced tag title match. MLW Tag-Team Champions The Lucha Bros. (Pentagon Jr. and Rey Fenix) had been scheduled to face LA Park & El Hijo de LA Park. That match has been scrapped due to Pentagon & Fenix being unable to fulfill the commitment.
The MLW Fury Road tapings are scheduled for Thursday, October 4th at the Melrose Ballroom in Queens, New York. For ticket information, visit MLWTickets.com.
Pentagon Jr. and Rey Fenix: WWE Bound?
Earlier this week, the Wrestling Observer Newsletter provided an update on the buzz that Pentagon and Fenix are on WWE’s radar. The brothers have reportedly been reaching out to promoters and informing them they may not be able to honor certain dates brooked through 2019.
We will follow this story as more details become available. Pentagon and Fenix are key players on the rosters of MLW, Impact Wrestling and Lucha Underground. Both men are scheduled for All In on September 1st. They would make big additions to one of WWE’s rosters, but this would also be a hit to several other promotions.
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
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.
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
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.
WWE has expressed interest in the services of both Lucha Brothers. Both Pentagon and Fenix are believed to be locked into contracts with Lucha Underground, however. Their current deals require them to prioritize Lucha Underground tapings throughout 7 seasons.
Lucha Underground’s 4th season is currently airing.
“There’s been overtures to Fenix and Pentagon Jr.,” wrote Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer. “Even though as far as I’ve heard both still have three seasons left on their Lucha Underground deals.”
Pentagon and Fenix have been all over the professional wrestling scene as of late. Pentagon Jr is the Lucha Underground champion (unless he lost it last night) and was the Impact World Champion earlier this year. Fenix is also a former Lucha Underground World Champion.
WWE has been interested in several talents as of late who have decided not to sign. Eli Drake opted not to give the company another chance after his developmental experience didn’t go as planned. Brian Cage gave a similar reason for not signing with WWE before he signed with Lucha Underground. Juice Robinson completely rebuffed WWE last week after rumors the company was interested in him surfaced.
Fenix and Pentagon are scheduled to face the members of oVe tonight on Impact Wrestling.
Earlier this year, Pentagon spoke with Sports Illustrated regarding the influence Konnan, Rey Mysterio, and Alberto El Patron have had on his career.
“Those three men are very, very important, especially Konnan,” said Pentagon. “He’s always been with me, he is my guide and a friend. Rey Mysterio has also had a major influence on me. He is one of the greatest wrestlers of all-time, a great person. Before, he was my idol. Now, he is my friend. Alberto is another person I admire and he is someone who believed in me. I am grateful to have support from my idols.”
Impact Wrestling presented their go-home show before Slammiversary tonight. We are now just 3 days away from Slammiversary and one of the biggest nights in the promotion’s recent history.
Here are 9 takeaways from this week’s episode of Impact Wrestling.
“Besides being a sociopath, besides being a psychopath, besides being a narcissist,” Don Callis said tonight in reference to Killer Kross. “This man is also an accomplished wrestler.”
Kross ran through Petey Wiliams to open the show. He even toyed with his opponent during the match, releasing his Kross Jacket submission even though Williams was clearly unconscious.
“This guy is clinically psychotic, he’s a high-functioning sociopath,” Callis continued to say about Kross. “He’s a very successful guy but does he have a plan? Or is it random violence? That’s the scary part.”
Killer Kross isn’t booked for Slammiversary but seems poised to do big things in the following two days of television tapings.
Real name, Kevin Kross, he was the 2018 recipient of Cauliflower Alley Club’s “Rising Star Award”. It was also his 33rd birthday today.
Callihan demonstrated to Pentagon Jr. what his plans are for him on Sunday. After making short work of Greg Osbourne, he informed everyone that Impact management asked him to promote the pay-per-view. He attempted to do this but was interrupted by Pentagon Jr.
Pentagon’s sub-titled promo riled up Sami and the members of oVe. They ran to the back to find him. The Crist brothers got separated from Callihan and thought they discovered Pentagon. They ran up to attack who they thought was Pentagon but it turned out to be Callihan in Pentagon’s mask and tied to a chair. As they were figuring this out, however, Pentagon entered the scene and took out both Crist brothers.
The Great Gama Singh Has The Desi Hit Squad Prepared
The Great Gama Singh has been running the Desi Hit Squad through old-school conditioning drills and tonight they used old-school tactics to get the victory. Old-school dirty tactics mind you, but still.
Tonight, the Desi Hit Squad were victorious over KM and Fallah Bah. With the Great Gama distracting the referee, Gursinder Singh raked Bah’s eyes and Rohit Raju rolled him up with his feet leveraged on the ropes for the pin.
Previously, the Hit Squad defeated the former champions, Z&E as well. They aren’t booked for Slammiversary but their two wins from the Windsor tapings should put them in a position to face top teams at the tapings to be held the following two nights.
“This is a ‘what have you done for me lately?’ business,” stated Don Callis today in reference to Eli Drake. He also said the former Impact World Champion has to prove himself all over again. Callis continued to mention Drake recently re-signed with the company.
After defeating Grado last week, Drake dropped his match tonight to a debuting Joe Hendry.
Eli Drake isn’t booked for Slammiversary but will likely be back in the mix of things over the next two nights of TV tapings.
Before the match, Hendry sang a pop song about Drake’s YouTube channel. There were further hints this week that Hendry and Katarina may not be being entirely up front with Grado…
Eddie Edwards Says He’s the Real “Innovator of Violence”
The match between Andrew Everett and Dezmond Xavier was interrupted by a deranged Eddie Edwards. He took a Singapore cane to the referee and then addressed Tommy Dreamer on the microphone.
Edwards predicted pain and violence for his match with Dreamer at Slammiversary. He continued to make various promises related to how much he would make Dreamer bleed on Sunday.
Finally, Edwards promised he would prove to Tommy Dreamer that he is the real “Innovator of Violence”.
Su Yung has been haunting Madison Rayne in her dreams. Last week, the Undead Bride lured Rayne into a field where she was surrounded by her army of zombie bridesmaids. They all really wanted to inform Madison that her time has come.
This week, Rayne’s dreams were haunted by visions of Su Yung and her minions as well as seeing her own image in a coffin. When she awoke she was back in the same field as last week. That’s when Yung gave her the Brood’s “Blood Bath” treatment.
After walking out on her tag-team partner tonight, Blanchard offered a simple explanation. “That is not my problem,” Blanchard said. “That is your problem.”
Blanchard didn’t seem to have much interest in softening her opponent up for Slammiversary. That’s clearly the only match coming up which matters to Blanchard as she just bailed on this one tonight.
The soon-to-debut Knockout was given a name this week. She is Scarlett Bordeaux, a Chicago-based wrestler who has wrestled for ROH, got squashed by Nia Jax on WWE TV, and somehow won the comedic DDT promotion’s Superheavymetalweight championship at one point.
When she was in ROH she was mainly used as a valet for Matt Taven but wrestled a few matches there as well.
Josh Matthews stated that Bordeaux will be on the show next week.
Austin Aries’ Normal Tricks Not Enough To Beat Moose?
Aries used the same tactics he used to beat Pentagon and the same he used last week on DeAngelo Williams. Only this week, they didn’t quite have the same impact.
After tricking Moose into thinking he wasn’t coming into the ring, Aries snuck up from behind and booted the title-challenger low. He then gave him a devastating chair shot and picked up the microphone assuming his opponent was down for awhile. Only Moose got up much faster than Aries expected.
Aries had been confident in the weeks leading up to this match but all of a sudden with just 3 days to go his demeanor appears to have changed considerably.
Impact Wrestling is now just 9 days away from Slammiversary. Last night’s episode of Impact Wrestling added 2 new matches to the card and built towards several others already signed.
Impact Wrestling started off last night with King’s OGZ, so they sound like a good place for us to start too. Here are 9 takeaways from Impact Wrestling’s July 12th show:
5150 Street Fight Scheduled For Slammiversary
After Homicide and Hernandez made short work of some local talent, King challenged Konnan’s LAX for Slammiversary. Even though Santana & Ortiz are the tag-team champions, however, King said they are not interested in titles at this time. They want LAX in a 5150 street fight.
King also explained why Homicide and Hernandez joined him. He said that when Konnan decided to bring back LAX he chose to bring in two new boys he could control rather than Homicide or Hernandez. Now the OGZ want to take out the new LAX.
A standout from RISE, Shotzi Blackheart was scouted by Impact management at a seminar run by the Illinois-based developmental promotion. Shotzi is a wild one with quite a lot to say.
Here are some quotes from her backstage interview with Alicia Atout:
“Being here has given me a one-track mind and that track is to prove I’m no phony-baloney”
“This mango is ready to tango”
“My mind is a machine, my body’s the bullets and Allie is my target”
She dropped her debut match to Allie but she was able to get in a fair amount of offense and show what she can do. Don Callis mentioned on commentary that Impact management would be foolish not to sign her.
For the second week in a row, Tessa Blanchard interfered in a match involving Allie. The previous week, Blanchard came out to get revenge on Madison Rayne but was fended off by Allie who was teaming with her. This week it was Allie who was Blanchard’s target.
Following Allie’s victory over Shotzi Blackheart, Blanchard hit the ring and delivered a hammerlock-DDT. Shortly after the segment aired, Impact Wrestling management made the match between the two of them official for Slammiversary.
Matt Sydal Believes Organic Matter Beats Machines (he also mentioned his 3rd eye…)
Matt Sydal is not worried about having to defend his title at Slammiversary against an opponent so much bigger than he is, he’s been doing that his whole career. Sydal cut a backstage promo this week on Impact where he discussed why he feels he’ll be victorious against Brian Cage.
Sydal said they call Cage a machine but that is the very thing which will be his downfall.
“My opponent is a man who sees things completely mechanical but we live in an organic universe,” Sydal said. “When machines break, they fall apart but organic things they come back to life. No matter how hard you bury me down, I rise back up.”
Joe Hendry and Katarina May Not Have Grado’s Best Interests In Mind…
It’s starting to look as though Katarina may have ulterior motives as it concerns her relationship with Grado. That Grado has brought his “best friend” Joe Hendry into Impact is also an interesting development.
Josh Matthews noted on commentary that he follows Katarina on social media and she posts a lot of pictures but usually ones which feature only her and Hendry rather than Grado.
Eli Drake disposed of Grado in single’s action this week. After doing so, Drake tried to put the moves on Katarina only to be pushed away. Upon realizing Katarina was not interested in him, Drake attempted to inform Grado that something was going on between Hendry and Katarina.
Austin Aries Drops Truth Bombs On DeAngelo Williams
Austin Aries is a guy who doesn’t mince words. When DeAngelo Williams returned to Impact to talk about how his training with Moose is going, Austin Aries couldn’t help but get involved. After Williams called Aries “trash”, the Impact World Champion came out to confront him.
Aries ripped on Williams for not getting signed by an NFL team for next season. Then he ripped on him for never having won a Super Bowl. Finally, Aries knocked him in the head with a microphone and then beat him up with a chair.
Later in the show, Moose would call in to say he will be on the show next week to confront Aries.
Madison Rayne Sit-Down Interview Turns Into Horror Film
It was just supposed to be a sit-down interview…
What seemed as though it would be a rather uneventful segment when we mentioned it in our preview for this episode, Madison Rayne’s planned sit-down interview turned into a macabre scene. Rayne’s interview had barely begun when ominous stuff started happening around the studio.
After foolishly stumbling into an open field to escape the paranormal activity, Rayne was surrounded by Yung’s undead brides. The undead brides whispered that her time had come. Then Yung herself appeared before the camera suddenly went black.
It's safe to say @realsuyung is getting the better of the mind games over @MadisonRayne ahead of Slammiversary…
The night’s main event featured Pentagon and Sami Callihan building towards their Slammiversary Mask vs Hair match. It also featured 2 of the 4 wrestlers who will compete in the fatal 4-way.
Fenix and Rich Swann were on the same side in this match but will be in competition with one another at Slammiversary. Some of the highlights of this week’s main event might preview what is in store at Slammiversary when Fenix, Rich Swann, Taiji Ishimori and Johnny Impact face each other.
This week’s main event featured a Lucha rules 6-man tag. On one side was oVe and Sami Callihan and on the other was Fenix, Pentagon Jr, and Rich Swann.
During this match, Callihan kicked out from Pentagon’s Fear Factor (package piledriver). Callis noted on commentary that he has never seen anybody kick out of that move. Callihan would also kick out of the spiked-piledriver move the Lucha Brothers use as a finisher.
If Callihan can kick-out of two of Pentagon’s finishers in a row, what will Pentagon have to do to beat him at Slammiversary?
Impact Wrestling is back tonight with an episode taped from Windsor, ON, Canada. It will be the second last show before Slammiversary on July 22nd, 2018.
The OGZ (King, Homicide & Hernandez) Kick Off Impact
The first segment for this week is scheduled to be King, Homicide, and Hernandez.
Last week’s episode concluded with LAX in tatters due to a civil war. King admitted being behind the hit on Konnan. He attempted to recruit Santana and Ortiz but when that didn’t work, Homicide and Hernandez took them out.
We still don’t have an Impact tag-team championship match at Slammiversary. Perhaps we could see King’s OGZ challenge Konnan’s LAX for the straps.
Austin Aries Speaks The Truth
In the build-up to Austin Aries vs Moose at Slammiversary, it’s been a war of words.
Aries went on vacation shortly after winning the title back from Pentagon but tonight he will have a chance to say whatever he wants to his upcoming challenger.
Aries has been criticizing Moose for being a failed football player trying a second career.
Moose, on the other hand, says he left the NFL for pro-wrestling and is here to chase a dream.
DeAngelo Williams Returns To Impact
DeAngelo Williams will return to Impact Wrestling tonight. He’s been helping Moose train for his World Title match and will likely have plenty to say regarding his chances against Austin Aries.
Allie In Single’s Action
Allie is back and she’ll be involved in a single’s match tonight against an as of yet unnamed opponent.
This is a new version of Allie, however, one that is a little darker and not quite as bubbly as before. She’ll need that new attitude too as she has a potential new rival waiting in the wings.
Last week, Tessa Blanchard interfered in Allie’s match in which she was teaming with Madison Rayne and facing Su Yung and one of her undead brides. Blanchard wanted at Rayne because of the two straight upset losses Rayne has handed her lately. Perhaps Allie and Blanchard are on a collision course.
Madison Rayne Sit-Down Interview
In just 10 days, Madison Rayne will go one-on-one with Su Yung. Tonight, she takes part in a sit-down interview to discuss her career, Slammiversary, and, of course, her opponent on that night, Su Yung.
Pentagon, Fenix, and Rich Swann vs Sami Callihan and oVe
Callihan has promised that during this match not only will he take Pentagon and Fenix’s masks but he plans to rip off Rich Swann’s face!
We will get a build-up to the Mask vs Hair match between Pentagon and Callihan here.
While Fenix and Rich Swann are on the same side in this match, they will be opponents at Slammiversary. They are two of the four competitors (along with Taiji Ishimori and Johnny Impact) involved in the fatal 4-way match.
Tonight’s episode of Impact Wrestling will be the first from the company’s television tapings in Windsor, ON, Canada earlier this month. The city is home to Scott D’Amore’s Border City Wrestling.
Not every segment will be from Windsor tonight, however. Eddie Edwards will travel to Philadelphia and confront Tommy Dreamer. The segment was filmed at a recent House of Hardcore show from the 2300 Arena. There will also be a match on tonight’s show which was filmed at a PCW show from Los Angeles.
Tonight’s show will continue the build to Slammiversary on July 22nd from the Rebel nightclub in Toronto, ON, Canada.
Sami Callihan has said he wants to take Pentagon’s mask. If his feud with Eddie Edwards is any indication, it’s clear Callihan will go to great lengths to do damage to his rivals.
Last week, Callihan took a bat to Pentagon following a brawl after oVe took on Pentagon and Fantasma.
This could be the beginning of a feud which will carry over until Slammiversary.
2) Matt Sydal vs Dezmond Xavier
It looks as though this will be a non-title match. You can bet if Xavier is able to defeat the champion tonight it will put him in line for an X-Division title match, however.
Speaking of the X-Division, we still don’t know who the champion’s challenger will be at Slammiversary. Xavier is likely hoping he can improve his chances of earning a title shot tonight.
3) Rich Swann vs Trevor Lee
X-Division champion, Matt Sydal, Tweeted out that he will be keeping his 3rd eye fixed on this match. It will be Swann’s second match for the promotion after wrestling Austin Aries at the recent One Night Only PPV, Zero Fear, from Mississauga, ON, Canada.
Trevor Lee’s “Cult of Lee” tag-team has hit a rough patch as of late. He might be thinking it’s time for him to climb back up the single’s rankings.
Impact Wrestling has said tonight’s episode will be the last before the promotion begins airing matches from their tapings held in Windsor, ON, Canada at the beginning of the month.
The company is building towards Slammiversary on July 22nd from Toronto’s Rebel nightclub.
THIS THURSDAY on IMPACT – the train to Slammiversary keeps on rolling as July 22nd in Toronto is coming up fast!
oVe vs. Fantasma and Pentagon, LAX vs. Z&E for the tag titles, the Aries/Moose press conference, Madison Rayne vs. Taya plus what does Killer Kross want in IMPACT! pic.twitter.com/oDMrHYYygZ
The winner of this match likely moves into contention for a title shot at Su Yung. With both Rosemary and Allie out of action, the Knockouts division is wide open. Madison Rayne scored a victory over Tessa Blanchard recently on Impact. She also defeated KC Spinelli on the most recent One Night Only pay-per-view, Zero Fear.
As for Taya, she defeated Rebel in her last match out. She lost a title match to Allie earlier in the year, however. Taya is currently celebrating her “HoneyMundo” with John Hennigan in Hawaii. The couple was married recently. Taya can also be seen competing in the 4th season of Lucha Underground.
2) Impact Tag Team Championships
Z&E (c) vs LAX
LAX had fallen down the rankings without their leader Konnan but things are looking up for them now. Eddie Kingston, going by just King, is now the new defacto leader of the group. After bringing the stable back to their winning ways, they now have their first chance to win titles under King’s leadership. Diamante and the other members of LAX seem suspicious of him, however.
Z&E defeated Eli Drake and Scott Steiner for the titles. They have defended the belts once so far with a win over Aerostar and Drago.
3) oVe vs Fantasma and Pentagon Jr
Two of Lucha Underground’s biggest stars, El Hijo Del Fantasma (King Cuerno) and Pentagon Jr, will face the brothers from oVe tonight as well.
After losing the Impact World Championship to Austin Aries at Under Pressure, what will Pentagon have in store tonight?
Also booked for tonight’s show:
Footage of Austin Aries and Moose from the Impact Press Conference in Toronto. Moose defeated Eli Drake last week to earn the right to challenge Aries at Slammiversary on July 22nd, 2018.
Last week, Killer Kross was revealed as the mystery man behind the attacks in the back. Tonight, Impact Wrestling is teasing we will find out more about the man tonight.
While Impact’s Redemption PPV was filled with many surprising incidents and multiple title changes, the most shocking moment of the night had to be Pentagon Jr. winning the Impact World Championship.
After Officials released Alberto El Patron, they had announced that the main event of the Redemption PPV will be Austin Aries defending the Impact World title against Rey Fenix and Pentagon Jr in a Triple Threat match.
The match took place on the PPV last night. During the closing moments of the bout, Pentagon delivered a package piledriver to both Fenix and Aries at the same time and then he set up A Double for an Arm Breaker.
Following a successful delivery of the Arm Breaker, the new Champion went on to execute a Pentagon Driver on to the former WWE Star and then pinned Aries for the Championship victory:
After this win, Pentagon Jr. has become the first person to hold both the Impact World Championship and the Lucha Underground Championship in his career which are the top titles of their respective promotions.
This title change is especially surprising as the match was made official only two weeks ago in the wake of Alberto El Patron’s no show of Impact Vs Lucha Underground event and his firing from the company.
Now it’d be interesting to see how Officials follow this title change on the next episode of Impact this Thursday.
Recap of Lucha Underground Season 2 Episode 10 – March 30, 2016
The band Chingon kicks off the show. Dario Cueto makes his way to the ring and says “It feels good to be back in my temple. Aztec Warfare was a spectacular event, but this is only the beginning for what I have planned for all of you. First, I am happy to announce that beginning next week, I will start an all-new trios tournament. But that’s not all. What about an all new number one contender for my brother’s championship? Well, for that I have a brilliant idea…” but then Pentagon Jr. appears on the scene and interrupts.
Pentagon speaks, “Wait one minute, Dario. Wait one minute, bastard. Do you want to know why your brother won the championship? Because I wasn’t involved!” Dario replies,.”Well, with all due respect, maybe you didn’t compete in Aztec Warfare because you’re not championship material.” Pentagon grabs Dario by the throad and says says ,“Tonight. I want your brother here, so you can see the real champion. Will you bring him to me?” Pentagon throw Cueto face-first to the mat and threatens to break his arm. Cueto yells “No no no, okay, you can have your championship match with him tonight.” Pentagon says, “You, your brother, the world, and my master will see who is Pentagon Jr. Because I am Pentagon Jr. Zero fear!”
Matt Striker and Vampiro introduce the show and Melissa Santos says tonight’s first match will be a tag team bout.
Taya and Johnny Mundo vs Mr. Cisco and Cortez Castro
Taya and Johnny Mundo are already in the ring. Out next, hailing “from the streets”, Mr. Cisco and Cortez Castro. Vampiro says “These two kids went to preschool together. They’ve been stealing nipples and baby milk since they were in kindergarten.” The bell sounds and we’re off.
Taya flips Cortez’s legs to the mat, runs the ropes, shoulder block, runs the ropes again, but Taya gets met with a kick, Cortez with a pin attempt, Taya kicks out. Cortez picks her up, she slips out, gets thrown off the ropes, and Taya hits a clothesline. Cisco tags in, double kick to the gut, face-first slam to the mat, pin attempt, kickout. Taya hits a hurricanrana and tags in Mundo. Vampiro says, “Am I the only one who notices Johnny Mundo doesn’t want in this match?” Johnny Zero delivers forearm shivers to the face, cover, kickout. Mundo with a shoulder carry into a powerslam, another cover, another kickout. Mundo connects with the Moonlight Drive on Cisco, pin, kickout. Mundo goes for End of the World, but Cisco gets out of harm’s way, quick roll-up, Mundo kicks out. Cisco slaps Mundo to the face, connects with a swinging neckbreaker, and Cisco gets the hot tag to Castro.
Castro with 2 knife-edge chops forearm, throws Mundo off the ropes, but Mundo rolls over his back and tags in Taya. Vampiro says, “Chicken Sheit!” Taya hits a dropkick to the face, throws Cortez off the ropes, Cortez hits 2 flying back elbows, then DDTs her head to the mat. Cortez goes for the pin, but Mundo comes in, hits the ropes and knee strike to the face. Cisco in now fighting off Mundo, Mundo reverses off the ropes, and then gets tossed to the floor. Cage’s music hits and he walks slowly down the steps. Cisco goes for the baseball slide, but misses and Mundo hits a clothesline. Striker reminds us Mundo smashed a cinder block across Cage’s head last week at Aztec Warfare. Mundo climbs through the ring all the way to the outside, while Cage stands on the opposite side. Meanwhile, Taya is left alone and gets caught in the Psycho Realm, Cisco pins 1-2-3.
Winner: Mr. Cisco and Cortez Castro
A dark room is shown, framed moths hang on the wall. Sitting in a polo shirt with a cardigan tied around his neck is Marty Martinez. “A long time ago, the Moth tribe ruled the Aztec empire. We were known for two things, our Aztec Pride, and our wealth. The moths were drawn to Aztec gold like our namesakes to a flame. As you can see, that wealth is still important to my tribe today. When you possess what others want, they get jealous, they want to take it from you. The Moth tribe knew the envy of the other tribes would bring war, but we had a secret weapon, Mariposa, the greatest warrior Aztecs have ever seen. Mariposa destroyed anyone who tried to take our tribe’s gold and her viciousness became legendary. The Mariposa mask was passed down over generations and now the deadliest Mariposa of them all wears it. Beware my sister, the Mariposa, for she will lead the Moth tribe to rule again.”
Backstage we see a woman standing guard outside Dario’s office, the lights flicker, and Catrina is suddenly inside with Dario. He calmly says, “Catrina, I didn’t see you come in, but that’s kind of your thing, isn’t it? You come in and out of places like a ghost. I want to thank you for keeping my temple going in my absence, but as I said tonight, this is my temple. I’m the rightful owner of it.” She says, “Maybe so, but your brother is not the rightful owner of that championship, and sooner or later, death will come for it.” Dario says, “My brother does not fear death.” She says, “But you do.” Dario replies, “Listen, I have no beef with you, I even gave the Disciples of Death a rematch for the titles tonight. You and I? We have common enemies. Working together, we could be unstoppable.” She says, “When the time is right, your brother will face death and this temple and be mine again.” The lights flicker out, she disappears, and he takes a good swift drink.
Chingon plays a riff from Suicidal Tendencies “Institutionalized” and Melissa Santos tells us this is an elimination match for the Trios championship.
Ivelisse, Angelico, and Son of Havoc (c) vs The Disciples of Death (w/Catrina) (Elimination Match) for the Lucha Underground Trios Championship
The champs are in the ring, Disciples of Death come out. Striker explains that all three members on one team have to be eliminated for the match to be over. Instead of 1 fall, you need 3 falls. The bell rings, Angelico and Barrio Negro start it off, collar and elbow tie-up, they flip around, then Angelico hits an arm drag, Japanese armdrag, into an armlock. SoH tags, goes off the top rope and drops a stomp to the arm, connects with Barrio off the ropes, reversal, reversal, slash, pin, kickout. Ivelisse tags in, arm drag, elbow lock, 4 kicks. Fans chant “Ivelisse!” Goes to tag, but Barrio picks her up on his shoulder, El Siniestro de la Muerte tags in.
Sinestro and Barrio try to double team Ivelisse, but she ducks out of the way and Sinestro kicks Barrio in the back. Ivelisse drives Sinestro into the corner, hits a northern lights suplex, pin, Sinestro kicks out. Sinestro misses a clothesline, Ivelisse bridges into a suplex, pin, kickout, Catrina grabs Ivelisse and holds her against the ropes while Barrio kicks her in the face, Sinestro pins her, and Ivelisse is out.
It’s now 3-on-2, DoD against SoH and Angelico. Vampiro says, “With Catrina, that’s like 4 against 3 right off the bat. Now 4-on-2.” Fans chant “Son of Havoc!”. Trece tags in, throws SoH into the corner, flips him to the mat, into the corner again, SoH hits a boot. SoH climbs to the top rope, almost gets caught, but somersaults over and gets the hot tag to Angelico. Angelico hits 2 clotheslines, then a forearm to Barrio knocking him off the ropes. Angelico goes for another clothesline, blocked, full nelson, but Angelico kicks Trece, backs Sinestro to the ropes. Striker says “Trec-e gets another knee to the face-e.”, then Sinestro gets a kick to the back of the head, and Barrio gets a loud kick to the head. Trece dropkicks Angelico to the mat, they jockey for lock position, and then Fall of the Angels into the corner turnbuckle and Trece is done.
Barrio comes in and kicks Angelico, Sinestro joins in, they tag team, throw him off the ropes, but Angelico catches himself, throws Sinestro over his shoulder, but gets caught in a full nelson, and kick to the Barrio. SoH bicycle kicks Sinestro in the face, then they hold down the ropes sending Barrio to the floor. Angelico and SoH hit synchronized leaps to the outside and the fans cheer. Vampiro says “Pretty impressive stuff. This looks like the X Games!” Angelico throws Sanesco into the ring, hits a springboard knee off the middle rope, calls for the Fall of the Angels, but Sinestro fights out, delivers forearm to Angelico’s head, then plants his knees in his back, and plants Angelico to the mat. Angelico is eliminated.
SoH comes in now, it’s 2-on-1, he tries to fight off both men but the numbers game is too much. They throw him off the ropes SoH dives headfirst into the top rope, bounces backwards and hits a back elbow drop on both men, pins Suerte, but Barrio breaks it up. Sinestro clobbers SoH, Barrio tags in, they throw SoH off the ropes, he ducks a double clothesline, leapfrogs, bounces off the middle rope into a crossbody block, then springboards off the top rope, double stomp stepping on each man’s back, then hits a backflip on Barrio for the pin.
All of the sudden Sinestro comes in and crushes SoH in the skull. Irish whip to the corner, SoH jumps over top and then meet the clothesline. Sinestro climbs to the top rope, goes for a moonsault, but misses. SoH now climbs to the top rope, Striker calls him, “The badass biker from the open road.” Catrina knocks him off the rope, he falls and hits his head. Ivelisse returns from the back and kicks Catrina in the head. Striker says, “The bitch is back.” Vampiro says, “And the other bitch is down, hell yeah.” SoH with two suicide dives to the outside, throws him back in the ring, climbs to the top rope, shooting star press, pin, SoH wins.
Winner and STILL Lucha Underground Champions: Ivelisse, Angelico, and Son of Havoc
Back in Dario’s office, he turns around in his chair and says, “I still can’t believe that you’re here. I’ll be honest, I’m a little starstruck.” Mysterio replies, “I’m here because of El Dragon Azteca.” Dario replies, “Well, it was good to see him back in action during Aztec Warfare.” Mysterio sits up, “No no no, hell no, that is Dragon Azteca Jr. I am talking about his mentor, my mentor, the man who came into this temple and never came out.” Dario says, “I know nothing about that.” Mysterio replies, “Well he’s dead, and I’m pretty sure your brother is responsible.” Dario protests, “I swear to you and to the gods, that my brother had nothing to do with whatever happened to him. Your mentor and my father, whatever their beef was, it has nothing to do with us. I respect the old ways, but I am a man of the new world. And all I want is to make this Temple the best in the fighting arena that’s ever existed. I was very impressed with you during Aztec Warfare, and of course, I recognize that you are the most famous luchador in the world. So it would be my honor, if you and Dragon Azteca Jr. competed here, as long as we both agreed to leave the past in the past.” Dario hands Mysterio a shot and they drink to the memory of El Dragon Azteca.
Sexy Star vs Mariposa
Already in the ring accompanied by The Mack is Sexy Star. Matt tells us that this young lady spearheaded a revolution and inspired a generation. Next out is Mariposa (Cheerleader Melissa) in a tall headdress and giant canvas moth-like wings, making her debut in singles action. Star looks pretty scared, the bell rings, Star ducks a clothesline, somersaults away, then slides out of the ring. Star backs into Marty Martinez, screams in fear, and he throws her back in the ring. Mariposa kick kick, throws Star into the turnbuckle, punches to the stomach, pushes a boot into the face. Mariposa climbs to the top rope, goes for a moonsault, but misses. Star ducks to the apron, jumps back in, runs the ropes, goes for a tilt-a-whirl headscissors submission, but Mariposa is way too strong and slams her to the mat. Mariposa nails the Butterfly Effect vertebreaker and pins Star easily, 1-2-3..
Winner: Mariposa
Mariposa twirls her Cheerleader pigtails, The Mack enters the ring to check on Sexy Star, but Martinez stomps The Mack in the back. Mariposa delivers a kick to the face, then Martinez picks Mariposa up by the legs, spins her around by the waist, and slams her down onto The Mack.
Growls of beasts are heard coming from behind a closed door. Dario enters and walks over to the cage, “You’ve done well, my brother. Better than I could have hoped for, but our work is far from over. Pentagon Jr. has made a name for himself breaking arms, I want you to break his back, so he never returns to my temple again.” Dario unlock the cage and out walks The Monster.
Chingon plays their final song, the fans cheer, and Melissa Santos welcomes us to the main event.
Pentagon Jr. vs Matanza Cueto (c) for the Lucha Underground Championship
Out first is Pentagon Jr., as the fans chant “Cero Miedo!” Out next, “owner and promoter of Lucha Underground” Dario Cueto leads the Lucha Underground Champion “The Monster” Mantaza Cueto to the ring by the key. Matanza stares at the key until Dario puts it back around his neck. Matanza breathes heavily, Pentagon welcomes him to the fight. Matanza climbs into the squared circle for his first title defense, drops the belt in the center of the ring, the referee picks it up hesitantly, shows it to the crowd, the bell rings, and we’re off.
They circle each other, Matanza makes 2 attempts to grab Pentagon, but Pentagon slips away each time. Finally Matanza throws Pentagon off the ropes, Pentagon connects with a kick to the back of the head that has no effect on Matanza. 2 kicks to the leg by Pentagon, Matanza pushes him off the ropes, misses a clothesline and then catches a superkick from Pentagon which again has no effect on Matanza. Pentagon delivers a kick to the leg, 3 forearms to the head, backs Matanza into the corner, Irish whip, reversal, Pentagon jumps over top of him, and delivers the low blow that has no effect on Matanza. Pentagon looks at the crowd in disbelief.
Matanza throws Pentagon to the floor and delivers stomps to the lower back. Matanza yells at the fans in the floor seats to move and they don’t oblige very quickly. Finally, they clear out of the way and Matanza throws Pentagon into the wooden chairs. Vampiro says “Pentagon is hurt. I don’t care, I’m sorry. He’s beating him to death, his lower back, he’s hurt.” Matanza throw Pentagon into the railing. Striker reminds us Matanza ripped off that same steel beam when Joey Ryan was attached to it just last week. Matanza begins to tear apart the mask of Pentagon and rolls him back into the ring. Striker says “You can almost hear the fear in the chants of the believers.” German suplex by Matanza, Vampiro says “Pentagon is telling the referee he’s hurt. That’s what he’s saying. I can see it and hear it in Spanish, right now.” Matanza doesn’t care, picks him up, hits the Wrath of the Gods, and this one is over.
Winner and STILL Lucha Underground Champion: Matanza Cueto
Vampiro gets up from commentary and climbs into the ring. Matanza and Vampiro stare at each other, Matanza nods and backs away. Vampiro bends down to check on Pentagon, until Matanza runs and kicks Vampiro in the head. Matanza picks up Pentagon, throws him to the floor. Matt Striker says, “Ladies and gentlemen, I don’t know if we’re still on the air…” and then Matanza powerbombs Pentagon through the announce table. The paramedics come out with a stretcher and Striker says, “That Zero Fear may very well be the end of Pentagon. If the will of a group could ever raise anyone spirits, this crowd is getting behind Pentagon.” They load Pentagon into an ambulance, Vampiro looks out the back window, and the show ends with the fans chanting “Cero Miedo!”
Recap of Lucha Underground Season 2 Episode 9 – Aztec Warfare II – March 23, 2016
Fenix enters the warrior’s gym and is met by Pentagon Jr. Catrina appears, “Your master may be teaching you about the dark parts, but you know nothing about the darkness. I don’t even know why you’re here. You never received an invitation to compete in Aztec Warfare. You lost your privilege when you put your hands on me.” Pentagon Jr. replies, “You don’t scare me and neither does Mil Muertes. You don’t tell me what to do. I only listen to one person and that person is my master. I am Pentagon Jr. and I have zero fear. Catrina replies, “The only reason you have zero fear is because you don’t know true fear. As for you Fenix, last week you barely survived, tonight you will have to take your last breath and Mil will take his title back.” Catrina disappears, Pentagon Jr. and Fenix stare each other down and walk away.
As we get our first look inside the temple tonight, the fans chant “Aztec Warfare!” A tribal band, in wild, extravagant headgear, feathers, and colorful garb play the drums and dance. Matt Striker and Vampiro tell us tonight, for the first time ever, the Lucha Underground Championship will be defended at Aztec Warfare. 20 men will compete, every 90 seconds another participant will enter, and the only way to be eliminated is pinfall or submission. Matt says “Not to stir the pot, Pentagon Jr. was not invited.” Vampiro says “That is wacked. You know it and I know it. But it is what it is.” Matt says “Let the drums beat and let Aztec Warfare begin.”
Melissa Santos introduces us to Aztec Warfare and the first participant hailing from Mexico City, Mexico is Fenix. Fenix enters, stands at the top of the stairs, and spits sprays. He is high-fiving the fans on the way to the ring, one week into his reign as Lucha Underground champion, the fans are clearly on his side. The second entrant, by random draw, from San Diego, California, Rey Mysterio. The roof might just blow off this place. The King of Lucha Libre, as they call him, enters the temple, and climbs in the ring at Lucha Underground for the first time ever. Fenix motions for Rey to take his due applause on the turnbuckle. The fans pop big. The two men shake hands in the middle of the ring. Fenix takes off his belt, looks at it and hands it to the referee who hoists it to the crowd. The fans chant “Animal!” Vampiro tells us that “Animal” is the cry of the Mexican warrior. The fans chant “Lucha Libre!” The bell rings and we are underway, the fans are excited to get going.
Fenix shakes Rey’s hand again and embraces him in a show of respect. The two men lock up in the middle of the ring. Fenix throws Rey off the ropes, leapfrog, Rey up and over again, Rey circling around the head neck and shoulders of Fenix, then spins off and the crowd applauds. Fenix hits the ropes, looks like Rey might hit a 619, but Fenix is to his feet and hits him with a superkick. Fenix does a handspring off the ropes and hooks Rey Mysterio with an inside arm drag, pin attempt, kickout, both men are up. Kick misses, then kick to the gut, Rey throws Fenix off the ropes, but Fenix catches himself and circles through with his feet, reversal Rey off the ropes, but Rey catches himself and circles through same move, then an armdrag before entrant number 3 comes out.
“The Hunter” King Cuerno makes his way to the ring. He delivers a forearm to Rey, a jumping kick to Fenix, Cuerno goes to the corner, but meets a boot from Rey. Rey comes out and does a somersault flip overtop of Cuerno, but catches the worst of it, and “the Hunter” poses with his imaginary bow and arrow. Cuerno hits the ropes for a suicide dive through the middle rope onto Fenix on the floor. The fans chant “Lucha!” Rey Mysterio gets up, a kick to Cuerno knocks him to the floor. Rey now sets up for a suicide dive and instead dives upwards through the bottom rope in a cool looking spot.
Next out is number 4, Argenis. Argenis hits the apron and meets Fenix with a forearm then a springboard hurricanrana off the rope. Fenix gets in a kick, springboards off the middle rope, but is met by a superkick from Argenis. Argenis kicks Rey in arse, kick again, then pin attempt but Rey kicks out at 2. Off the ropes, reversal action, Rey takes out Argenis, knocks Cuerno to the floor, and then hits the 619 on Argenis, climbs to the top rope, frog splash, the pin and Argenis is eliminated. Fans chant “Eddy!” Cuerno tries to get on the apron, but Fenix takes him out and then goes off the rope for a corkscrew plancha onto the floor (some really great rotation). The next competitor, number 5 is introduced, its Johnny Mundo, and we go to commercial.
Mundo and Rey meet in the ring. Forearms to Rey, uppercut, sends Rey to the turnbuckle, Rey up and over, Fenix in, sends Mundo’s kick into Rey, then Fenix connects with a kick. Mundo slams Fenix to the mat and then Fenix and Mundo trade lateral press pin combinations back-and-forth. The next competitor is introduced and it’s Joey Ryan. Ha! The sleazy Joey Ryan oozes and grinds into the temple with lollipop in mouth. He pulls a pair of handcuffs out of his trunks and handcuffs himself to the railing. Matt Striker says it’s a wise strategy, because he can’t be pinned while he’s handcuffed! Cuerno walks by and delivers a superkick to Joey Ryan. Famous B who is watching nearby from the crowd offers Joey money.
Number 7 is out and it’s Prince Puma. He takes out Mundo, Fenix, then Cuerno. Puma sets up and hits a springboard 450 splash onto all all of them. Fans chant “Holy s***!” Striker reminds us that Prince Puma won Aztec Warfare last year. Puma brings Cuerno back into the ring, hooks him by the neck, and sends him to the outside.
Number 8 is introduced, none other than Jack Evans. While Evans is coming down the ramp Rey Mysterio locks in an armbar submission on Cuerno and Cuerno taps. As everyone beats down Mundo, Evans springboards off the rope into the ring and misses everybody. Mysterio, Puma, and Fenix continue to beat him down. Johnny Mundo wants to join in on the fun and gets in a couple stomps in, before all three men decide to turn around and chop him to the outside. Rey Mysterio on the top turnbuckle, stands on Fenix’s shoulders, as they walk across the ring, Rey hits a diving splash onto Evans, pin attempt, but Mundo pulls Evans out of the ring to safety. Mundo turns to Evans as if to say wait, let’s see who’s coming next and here comes number 9, female wrestler Taya. She gets a huge pop from the fans, as well as Mundo and Evans.
The sides are evened up now, 3 rudos (heels), 3 technicos (faces), plus Joey Ryan who is still handcuffed to the rail. All six competitors brawl, Evans pulls down the top rope, and Puma goes to the outside, holding his knee in pain after he lands. Mundo throws Mysterio into the corner and bounces off the ropes for a kick. Taya and Evans stretch Mysterio out as Mundo stands over him and slaps him in the face. Number 10 comes out and it’s the power house Cage. Mundo gets hip blocked, Taya gets taken out, Evans goes for a dropkick that has no effect and then meets a clothesline from Cage. Cage picks up Evans throws him across the ring and we go to commercial.
After commercial, Cage goes to the outside catches Mundo goes for powerbomb but Taya jumps off, Cage catches her and then slams her to the floor. Mundo hits a superkick on Cage, Mundo jumps up on the ring apron and hits a spinning kick on Cage, then picks him up and throws him through the office window.
Number 11 is midget luchador Mascarita Sagrada. Sagrada comes in with some fast spinning twirling offense on Fenix, suicide dive to the outside, but Mundo catches him, then superkicks him. In the meantime, Cage has returned from the office window, spinning lariat nails Mundo, then delivers Weapon X face first to the floor. Cage throws Mundo back in the ring, Mundo gets caught with a running flip from Prince Puma and pinned, Mundo is eliminated. Jack Evans back in the ring with a corkscrew kick, Cage slams Laya into the ring apron.
Marty “The Moth” Martinez is out next. Marty gets in the ring, clotheslines Fenix, then Evans, then a running boot to Prince Puma. Cage gets up on the apron, but Martinez elbows him off. Sagrada goes after Martinez, slaps, kicks, hits the ropes, but meets a boot. Evans is up now, hits a spinning kick to the back of Martinez head, but Martinez stays on his feet and laughs it off. Evans hits the ropes, gets caught in a body scissors reversal, and Martinez slams him face first to the mat. Martinez grabs Evans by the mouth and stretches his mouth wide open, laughing maniacally. Evans bites his fingers, then throws him to the floor. Number 13 is Drago, the blue and white dragon, and we go to commercial.
Back from break and Drago is running down the steps. Jack Evans meets him with a cartwheel flip over the top rope, misses, lands on his feet, Drago delivers a kick. Drago goes to spray the green mist in Evans face, but Evans ducks and Joey Ryan gets sprayed instead. Drago throws Evans into the crowd. Rey Mysterio is in the ring working over Martinez, Sagrada joins in and Rey hits a diving splash and covers him while Sagrada flips over Rey and holds onto Martinez’s legs for the combined pin, Martinez is eliminated. Back on the outside, Jack Evans gets thrown from the first level of crowd seats onto the floor. Cage and Puma brawl on the outside.
Next number 14 is The Mack. Mack comes down kicks and delivers a stunner to Martinez on the floor. There are bodies everywhere. Mac enters the ring and stands toe-to-toe with Cage, they exchanged blows, Mac hits a flying knee strike on Cage, then stunner. Joey Ryan is still handcuffed. Prince Puma slaps him and then Fenix throws Sagrada into him.
Chavo Guerrero Jr. comes out as number 15. Taya beats down Sagrada, Drago delivers a powerbomb to Evans on the bleachers. Back in the ring, Sagrada goes for a crossbody but Chavo catches him, and slams him repeatedly into the turnbuckle, then tosses him to the mat. Cage delivers a backdrop on Rey. Chavo locks in the Camel Clutch on Sagrada, Vampiro says “That’s not called the Camel Clutch. That’s la de a caballo, invented by Gory Guerrero. Look, let’s not call it a horse or a camel, right now it’s more like a pony clutch!” and Sagrada taps. Cage sets up Rey for a powerbomb, but Rey sends his head to the middle rope. Rey sets up for the 619, but Taya holds the rope and Rey goes to the outside. With Cage still stationed on the ropes, Mundo brings out a cinder block and smashes it over Cage’s head. Taya crawls in the ring and covers him for the pin, Cage is eliminated. Prince Puma comes up behind and delivers a German suplex into a bridge pin and Taya is eliminated.
Out next number 16 is “The Darewolf” PJ Black. PJ delivers a standing suplex to Drago on the bleachers. Evans joins in, Drago fights out, delivers a backdrop to Evans and sends Black into the ring post. Jack Evans’ back is bleeding. Joey Ryan hanging by, still handcuffed to the railing.
Number 17 is Aero Star, who looks a lot like The Flash. The fans chant “Aero Star!” Evans and Drago go at it in the ring, pin attempt, but Black breaks it up. Aero Star on Black, Irish whip reversal, Aero Star gets caught by Jack’s elbow. Drago goes for hurricanrana, spins around Black, Black catches him and delivers a brain buster, while Aero Star drops Evans off the top rope onto his head. Simultaneous pins on Evans and Drago, 1-2-3, both men are eliminated.
Number 18 is out, it’s Dragon Azteca, Jr. Azteca jr. takes out Aero Star, spins Black around, then strike strike kick, enziguri sends Black to the floor. Head scissors dumps Mack to the floor, then swanton over the ring post to the outside on Mac. Azteca is flying everywhere. Texano is out next and we go to commercial.
Texano in the ring, hits the ropes, and flips over the top rope to the outside landing on all four men. Black brings a recovering Texano into the ring, delivers stomps to his back, pin attempt, Texano fights out and delivers a sitting powerbomb to Black, covers him, and Black is eliminated. Rey Mysterio back in the ring with Texano. Texano send Rey to the corner, forearm then walks away and goes outside to attack Chavo (apparently having lost interest in Mysterio).
And finally number 20 is Mil Muertes with Catrina, but coming through the crowd is Pentagon Jr! Pentagon Jr. comes up from behind nails Muertes with a chair to the spine, then chair shots repeatedly to the chest and shoulder. The fans pop huge for Pentagon Jr. Pentagon throws Muertes into the ring, Rey immediately hits a diving splash off the top rope, Puma helps with the pin and Muertes is eliminated.
Catrina is angry, Muertes is angry. Muertes heads off to the back after Pentagon Jr., while Catrina screams at the Vampiro to get up from the announce table. She yells at him to get out of here, slaps him, before Dario Cueto appears on the steps. “My name is Dario Cueto and this is my temple. Which means that I am in charge now. I’m the boss. So now, I announce there is one more entrance in Aztec Warfare, my brother, “The Monster” Matanza Cueto at number 21.” Matanza is massive. Matanza walks slowly, steadily towards the ring, wearing a black workman’s jumpsuit wearing and a black alien-looking mask. All 7 men circle him and try to attack, but he throws them off.
Fenix comes in, gets slammed to the mat, and pinned, 1-2-3. We are now guaranteed to have a new champion. Next Mack is in, gives him the double middle finger and stunner to no effect. The Monster hits a German suplex into a pin, The Mack is eliminated. Aero Star tries his luck, hits the ropes, meets a clubbing forearm to the back of the head, German suplex, pin 1-2-3, Aero Star is eliminated. Texano sneak attack from behind on Matanza, chokes him with the bull rope, but Matanza flips him over his back and Texano runs into an atomic bomb 1-2-3.
Matanza notices Joey Ryan on the outside of the ring (while Chavo hides out of sight). Matanza grabs Joey and rips apart the steel railing, setting Joey free. Matanza throws Joey into the ring, handcuffs still attached to his wrists, 3 rolling suplexes, pin, the ref rolls Joey out of the ring.
There are four men left on the outside, Mysterio, Puma, Chavo, and Azteca. They are all staring at The Monster, until Chavo turns and attacks everybody. Azteca Jr. gets thrown in the ring, ready to try Matanza now, delivers kicks forearms, but Matanza sends him to corner. Matanza goes for splash but misses and gets middle rope drop kicked by Azteca. Azteca comes off the ropes electric chair on the shoulder, tries for Sunset flip but Matanza catch him, can’t knock the big man off his feet. Azteca tries to go off the ropes again, but Matanza is too strong and catches him in chokeslam, 1-2-3. Azteca Jr. is eliminated.
The monster is dominating everyone. Chavo tries to strike a deal with Dario, enters the ring and tries to convince Matanza to team up, but Matanza hits him with a lariat, then a slam, and pins Chavo.
Puma and Mysterio climb into the ring together and they attack Matanza at the same time. They duck a double clothesline, get in some kicks, then forearms, then kicks, then double standing dropkick. Puma with a splash, Rey goes for a splash but gets caught and Matanza sends him to the outside. Puma goes for a kick, he gets caught, and meets a side suplex. The Monster suplexes him again and then German suplex bridge, 1-2-3, Puma is eliminated, and now Rey is the only one left against Matanza.
The fans chant cheer Rey on. Rey climbs into the ring slowly and Striker delivers the call, “We’re down to the last two men, here we go!” Each competitor sizing each other up, Rey runs in, but Matanza throws him back. Rey hits the ropes, Matanza nails a clothesline. Fans sing “Cueto” (similar to Pittsburgh Pirates fans mockingly singing “Cueto” at Cincinnati Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto in the 2013 National League Wild Card Game). Rey hits the ropes, slides underneath, and from his back delivers two kicks to Matanza’s head. The Monster catches his leg, but Rey connects with an enziguri to the back of head. Matanza is draped over the ropes, Rey goes for the 619, Matanza blocks it, picks him up on his shoulders, Rey slips out, drop toe hold onto the ropes, goes for a second 619 and connects as Striker yells “Booyaya booyaya booyaya!” Matanza stumbles to his feet, Rey goes for the driving hurricanrana, gets caught, Matanza throws him up in the air, and then a spinning power slam, 1-2-3. Monster wins.
Winner and NEW Lucha Underground Champion: “The Monster” Matanza Cueto
Dario grabs the belt and the mic and enters the ring. He hands the belt to Matanza and says, “There is the new Lucha underground Champion, my brother, ‘The Monster’ Matanza Cueto!” as the credits roll.
Order of participants:
1. Fenix
2. Rey Mysterio
3. King Cuerno
4. Argenis
5. Johnny Mundo
6. Joey Ryan
7. Prince Puma
8. Jack Evans
9. Taya
10. Cage
11. Mascarita Sagrada
12. Marty “The Moth” Martinez
13. Drago
14. The Mack
15. Chavo Guerrero Jr.
16. PJ Black
17. Aero Star
18. Dragon Azteca Jr.
19. Texano
20. Mil Muertes
21. Matanza Cueto
Order of elimination (eliminated by):
1. Argenis (Mysterio)
2. Cuerno (Mysterio via submission)
3. Mundo (Puma)
4. Martinez (Mysterio and Sagrada)
5. Sagrada (Chavo via submission)
6. Cage (Taya)
7. Taya (Puma)
8. Jack Evans (Aero Star – tie)
8. Drago (PJ Black – tie)
10. PJ Black (Texano)
11. Mil Muertes (Mysterio and Puma)
12. Fenix (Matanza)
13. The Mack (Matanza)
14. Aero Star (Matanza)
15. Texano (Matanza)
16. Joey Ryan (Matanza)
17. Azteca Jr. (Matanza)
18. Chavo Guerrero Jr. (Matanza)
19. Prince Puma (Matanza)
20. Rey Mysterio (Matanza)