So Hard to Kill definitely put a few things to bed while setting up an insinuation that this AEW angle is far from over. Does Moose go right after Rich? Do more AEW stars invade? Who framed Roger Rabbit…erhm…Larry D?

Aside from those question, now we just get to sit back and see how Impact will start building the next few months of stories. Remember, we’ve got Rebellion in April; so that means we’ve go three months to fill!

Apparently the show gets kicked off with an answer to one of my questions! Moose and Rich are definitely not friends.

.@GottaGetSwann is DONE with @TheMooseNation's games. #IMPACTonAXSTV pic.twitter.com/NoTWTtR5kW

— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) January 20, 2021

Ratings:

• Eric Young w/Deaner & Joe Doering vs Rhino w/Cousin Jake: EY wins via Spinning Toe Hold – **
• Kimber Lee &Susan w/Deonna Purrazzo vs Jordynne Grace & Jazz: Susan wins via Rollup – ** ½
• Brian Myers vs Fallah Bahh: Myers wins via Charging Lariat – **
• Private Party w/Big Money Matt Hardy vs Beer Guns (James Storm & Chris Sabin): Private Party win via Gin & Juice – *** ½

Results:

Eric Young w/Deaner & Joe Doering vs Rhino w/Cousin Jake

EY starts with a head of steam, but Rhino side steps and takes control of the match. As he whips EY in the corner, EY does the Flair up and over, runs to the other turnbuckle, gets on the top and Rhino catches him. EY goes after the eyes, then nearly bumps referee Brian Hebner, forcing him to cower in the corner, and EY hits the back kick low blow.

From there on, Rhino is picked apart, the cronies of Violent By Design interfere, grab a leg, add some punishment, and it’s all but over. Young slaps on the Spinning Toe Hold, and makes Rhino tap out.

.@THEACEYROMERO has found CONCLUSIVE evidence that @legendoflarryd is innocent. #IMPACTonAXSTV @JohnEBravo1st @THETOMMYDREAMER pic.twitter.com/eqPxWCvUan

— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) January 20, 2021

The Good Brothers come out, mostly tooting their own horns about being the biggest draws and Biz Cliz references. A Magic Killer, a 1,2,3 and a just Too…oh thank Christ it’s Chris Sabin! Sabin points out that the Motor City Machine Guns should be number one contenders, Good Brothers say he has a point but he has no partner. Cue the James Storm music. Time to run back Beer Guns!

James Storm is about to hit the catch phrase…and wait, Big Money Matt Hardy’s music hits with Private Party? Ohh…we’re getting more AEW cross over. Hardy goes for a Hardy Math moment, and it’s mediocre.  He does make plenty of references to old Impact gimmicks, moments and it’s decent enough as the greedy heel manager.

Matt Cardona interview in typical older Zack Ryder style of just trying to prove himself. I’m anticipating a Myers v Cardona match soon since he made not so veiled shots at Myers’ new persona.

.@RealTSteelz and @HoganKnowsBest3 are planning to celebrate with the Fire and Flava Fest NEXT WEEK! #IMPACTonAXSTV @TenilleDashwood @kalebKonley pic.twitter.com/dRqMdMOtpm

— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) January 20, 2021

Kimber Lee &Susan w/Deonna Purrazzo vs Jordynne Grace & Jazz

Jordynne and Jazz really do beat down on Kimber and Susan for the better portion of the match. Susan showed a lot of personality being the Karen/Cornette whatever you want to call her. She makes Kimber hold the tag rope, she holds the rope and just gets smarmy and sarcastic in her mannerisms. Susan really shined getting over this character and Kimber was mostly there for the match.

The finish came with Susan begging, Jazz getting cocky and then Susan shoving her into Deonna with the Knockouts title while the referee was distracted. Susan gets the Rollup win!

.@TheTayaValkyrie WANTED @JohnEBravo1st DEAD!

She FRAMED @legendoflarryd and is going to jail. #IMPACTonAXSTV pic.twitter.com/RK5YOTvTbM

— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) January 20, 2021

This was a clever way to write off Taya with her setting up Larry D to kill Bravo, and the little reference Tommy makes were amusing, and the Rosemary moment was honestly a little touching. I’m just happy they didn’t kill another person.

The following is a paid advertisement from @AEW…from inside the IMPACT Zone?! @TonyKhan @tonyschiavone24 @itsjerrylynn pic.twitter.com/htC8JnjOYe

— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) January 20, 2021

Khan is still cringe to watch do whatever he thinks acting is, but my main takeaway is apparently it only costs 100 dollars for ad time during Impact? I SMELL an Opportunity!

Rich calls out Moose, for the inevitable “let’s do it now” talk. Moose tells him it’s on his time and not on Rich Swann’s time. Rich acts calm, and then snaps. We get a small scuffle, which ends with Moose missing the Spear into Rich hitting a Phoenix Splash to look good at the end of the segment.

Brian Myers vs Fallah Bahh

Myers had his issues getting anything going against Fallah, but Fallah stood his ground, built up momentum knocked Myers head off and went to go for his signature “No No No”. Since Myers Always Uses His Head, Myers moved into the finger and acted like he was poked in the eye. The referee was distracted, Myers shoved him off, Punt to the little Bahhs, Charging Lariat, and Myers gets the win.

Interview segment with Ace Austin and Fulton, they mock Josh Alexander and Matt Cardona. Ace reuses his tweet of Always Ready for Catering, and just play the cocky/jaded heel who deserved better. Josh Alexander gets sick of hearing it and trades words before Fulton and Ace attack him. Cardona makes the save and we look have set up Cardona & Alexander versus Fulton & Ace for next week, most likely.

Tickets for the Fire 'n' Flava Fest suddenly disappeared when @FearHavok and @nevaehOi4k showed interest. #IMPACTonAXSTV @RealTSteelz @HoganKnowsBest3 @RefBrandonTolle @MrsAIPAlisha pic.twitter.com/uLIJrTyGo2

— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) January 20, 2021

Private Party w/Big Money Matt Hardy vs Beer Guns (James Storm & Chris Sabin)

Fast paced as expected, but early on we see Tony Khan and Jerry Lynn walk out to sit at ringside and watch the match. Storm didn’t slow down too much, which is surprising since aside from his brief stint back in Impact at the end of 2020, we saw him tagging with Eli Drake in much slower, less workrate dependent matches.

Private Party were their usual high flying, fun having, break dance inspired flourishes to some offense we’ve seen for years. Beer Guns had a cool tandem move with Sabin Sunset Flipping from outside in, Quen rolled right into the Backstabber from James Storm. Lots of signature spam, a few dives, highlighted by a nice Fosbury Flop from Quen.

Sabin looked to be setting up for the finish, when Jerry Lynn hops the familiar guardrail, grabs Sabin’s foot while Matt Hardy distracted the ref; and Private Party hit Gin & Juice for the heel tactic upset! Interestingly, Private Party still comes off as great babyface kids who are being swindled by scummy adults. So they aren’t playing heel, but everyone around them is doing it for them.

Overall Score: 7.5/10

For only having four matches, the highlights from Hard to Kill segued nicely into current segments, and the show felt very full and active. We managed to squeeze in most of the roster, a few AEW guest appearances, and writing off a character without murder or sci fi fantasy shenanigans for the first time since Austin Aries just walked off after a loss.

Susan is going to be a bigger joy to watch than Susie, I’m nearly positive. Matt Hardy and Jerry Lynn toying with their old Impact/TNA ties and coming in to purposely try and destroy Impact has something artistic about it. I still hate everything about Tony Khan, and yes I know the gimmick seems to be the smarmy smug rich kid who thinks he’s a nice guy but is just a toolbox. But I just don’t enjoy his portrayal, he’s trying far too hard and being too over the top, so it’s a cringe induced hatred not a character hatred.

Fire and Flava Fest next week should be great! Brian Myers starting an angle with Eddie Edwards will be quality wrestling. Oh and yes, if it involves Josh Alexander, I’m all for it; so the Ace Austin story should be great. I’m a sucker for good technical wrestling badasses *waves at Minoru Suzuki*.

All in all, damn good show with a little bit of everything. Great way to follow a PPV.