Andrew’s Impact Wrestling Results & Ratings 5/5/2020

Impact’s first post Rebellion show! How does Michael Elgin respond to his weird loss? Is the TNA Heavyweight Championship back to stay?

One of the best things to come out of quarantine is the fact that we get a real show after the PPV. Normally they have been handling the after PPV shows as just clip recap shows with like two new matches. But now we get a real show!

Michael Elgin will be coping with his loss. Sami Callihan is supposed to address his loss. If Twitter is to cause any inference, we’ll probably see them interact soon; since they’ve been taking shots at each other since Rebellion.

Curious to also see where Ken Shamrock’s win and Moose’s resurrection(?) of the TNA Heavyweight Champion takes us.

This should be interesting, to say the least!

"You've seen the guys who I've beat, former TNA Heavyweight Champions – guys like Ken Shamrock, Rob Van Dam, Rhino." @TheMooseNation feels like he's EARNED the TNA World Heavyweight Championship. #IMPACTonAXSTV pic.twitter.com/9yrFs9QbnD

— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) May 6, 2020

Ratings:

• Jake Crist & Madman Fulton vs XXXL (Acey Romero & Larry D): Larry D via The Best Hand in the House – ***
• Johnny Swinger vs Suicide: Suicide wins via Swanton Bomb – **
• Joseph P Ryan vs Cousin Jake: Ryan wins via Roll-Up w/tights – ** 1/2
• X Division Championship: Chris Bey vs Willie Mack (c) vs Ace Austin: Willie Mack retains 6 Star Frog Splash – *** 3/4

Results:

Sami Callihan comes out with some well thought out words, and an obvious limp. Ken Shamrock answers Sami’s call out, walks to the middle and puts over Callihan. Talks about the different people he tapped, but Sami didn’t tap; and Ken is willing to squash their problem and focus on the World title. Michael Elgin interrupts, thinks he’s still first in line and Sami has a great line. 

"Awww how cute it's Big Mike, getting the same reaction from the crowd he usually does." #IMPACTonAXSTV @TheSamiCallihan pic.twitter.com/aHgD94X0On

— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) May 6, 2020

Elgin has the fighting words with both Shamrock and Callihan. Elgin drops Callihan, Shamrock Judo Throws Elgin down; Sami looks for the Piledriver but Elgin rolls out. Sami and Ken have a moment of “will they, won’t they” and Sami does his disappearing act with the cell phone.

Chris Bey promo in the back talking about taking the belt off Willie Mack and making the X Division the Finesse division.

Jake Crist & Madman Fulton vs XXXL (Acey Romero & Larry D)

Well the writing was a little too obvious on the wall. Ohio Versus Everything has been in a tailspin since Sami left, then he threw them away during his match at Rebellion. So what’s next for them? Losing…just losing with style.

Madman had some fun power moments with the big guys. He hit a Rolling Senton with Acey Romero on his shoulders, and generally had the advantage over Acey. We even saw a Doomsday Cutter, but XXXL broke up the pin attempt. Acey wiped out Madman, Dave got knocked out by Larry and Jake tried to take advantage of the tiny distraction; but ate the fist for his troubles.

Better match than expected, but oVe losing is no surprise.

ImpactPlus Flashback Moment: Mick Foley vs Kurt Angle, TNA World Heavyweight Championship, Victory Road July 19,2009

Locker Room Talk is great. They reference Nevaeh, but Havok gives no answers…and we get another debut. Not sure if we’re seeing a friends and family discount during quarantine, but Kimber Lee is Zachary Wentz fiancee – and an accomplished wrestler in her own right. So she’s definitely a great pick up for the Knockouts Division. Shimmer, Rise and some time in Stardom, she’s good stuff.

.@MadisonRayne tried to get to the bottom of @FearHavok's relationship with @nevaehOi4k but the debuting KIMBER LEE added a whole new layer to the story. #IMPACTonAXSTV @Kimber_Lee90 pic.twitter.com/Llljb85XgT

— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) May 6, 2020

Johnny Swinger vs Suicide

There’s some under current of funny when Swinger was just in the Locker Room Talk segment hitting on both guests, and Zachary Wentz is the one under the Suicide mask at the moment. See why it’s a little funny? Swinger does take an early advantage and taking some dirty tactics, but Suicide fights back. This Suicide is great since he actually does the original moves, with a few little flairs. Wentz took notes, and I love seeing Suicide back in action.

Joseph P Ryan vs Cousin Jake

Joseph plays the stalling heel who’s in no real rush to get into the ring. So we get a little bit of a chase, while Ryan finds some openings. Jake definitely shows off his power and his country strong ability, but Joseph finds ways to earn breathers. Jake runs into a Superkick, but kicks out at two. It looks like Joseph’s about to get murdered, but the referee gets pulled in, almost squished; and then Jake gets poked in the eyes and rolled up with the tights.

More enjoyable than I initially thought it was going to be.

The North’s entire title defense segment is cheesy, comedic, cinematic gold. If you were they type of person to like the Firefly Funhouse, you’ll like this. Here’s a taste:

.@OfficialEGO: "What's the one match you've ever wanted?"@Walking_Weapon: "A match with @RealKurtAngle!" #IMPACTonAXSTV pic.twitter.com/UkpW5eULJ0

— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) May 6, 2020

X Division Championship: Chris Bey vs Willie Mack (c) vs Ace Austin

Chris Bey called his shot, Willie showed that he’s a fighting champion and Ace saw an opportunity. Early on Chris and Ace work together trying to keep Willie down, but a Double Stacked Samoan Drop into his Standing Moonsault; sent the heels retreating and regrouping a little. The answer, obviously, was Ace throwing Chris head first into the ring post.

Commentary was great here because they poked fun at the usual cliche line of “no friends in wrestling”; so Josh and Madison have proven that they are seriously the best commentary team during quarantine (that’s including Jericho and Schiavone).

Even through two commercial breaks, this was a hell of a match, with great high spots. Chris flies across the ring while Willie and Ace are fighting on the top rope, and hits a German Suplex, which comes down a little too much on him since his mouth is visibly bleeding. Ace hits a Fold on each guy, but the pinfalls get broken up. Chris sells Willie’s Stunner like Scott Hall, but it doesn’t end the match. Ace gets pissed off and lights up Willie, looking to finish him with a Frankensteiner or something to the effect. Willie fight him off and watches Ace crash, hits a 6 Star Frog Splash, and retains!

Overall Score: 8/10

Wow, Rosemary’s segment, the opening promo, Rohit’s promo and The North were just amazing. There’s so much to love about this episode, it’s really hard for me to even try to nit pick. Impact put on a great match, breaking the 4th wall just enough to add to the situation instead of feel over done. We also learn that Suicide will get a TNA Heavyweight Championship match next week. So…it’s a real title? Even Melissa Santos wasn’t sure.

Dance like a clown, watch Urkel videos in the dark…man I don’t even know what I’m saying anymore. This was just surprisingly great, and my ability to nit pick exploded and died in the desert. Tune in next week to see if the show continues to ignite my enjoyment of this hobby!