Andrew’s IMPACT Results & Match Ratings: 10.28.2021

The MOOSE era has begun! Mr. Impact finally has the World Title. How does this new era kick off?

So we know we’re getting some solid X Division action with Chris Sabin and Ace Austin squaring off after their issues the last few weeks. We also have the first title defense for new X Division Champion Trey Miguel.

Lastly, we KNOW Minoru Suzuki was at the tapings after Bound for Glory, but we don’t know if he shows up this first show. Let’s find out!

Demons are welcome in IMPACT. #IMPACTonAXSTV @swinger_johnny @steveofcrazzy @Taurusoriginal pic.twitter.com/czkCbBbczq

— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) October 29, 2021

Ratings:

• X Division Championship: Rocky Romero vs Trey Miguel (c): Trey retains via Meteora – *** ¼
• Tasha Steelz w/Savannah Evans vs Rachael Ellering w/Jordynne Grace: Ellering wins via Backslide – ** ½
• Joe Doering w/Eric Young & Deaner vs Heath w/Rhino: NO CONTEST – N/A
• Chris Sabin vs Ace Austin w/Madman Fulton: Ace wins via The Fold – *** ½

Results:

Moose heads to the ring, most likely for the cliché new champion’s promo…but Eddie Edwards comes out immediately with a kendo stick! They brawl, security applies the classic pull apart, they take Eddie to the back and now finally Moose gets to speak.

"It doesn't matter how elite you are, it doesn't matter what tribe you're chief to, it doesn't matter if you're the boss, the man…hell you can add a new day to the week – I'm still the greatest champion in all of professional wrestling." #IMPACTonAXSTV @TheMooseNation pic.twitter.com/YCeeFj6K00

— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) October 29, 2021

Josh Alexander breaks up the promo with a German Suplex, and Moose powders. Before anything else goes down, THE KING of Puroresu’s music hits and Minoru Suzuki saunters to the ring clad in his track suit. And yes, they played the whole theme so the crowd could say “KAZE NI NARE”. Alexander and Suzuki stare down, but Alexander turns to find Moose and Suzuki takes offense to being turned away from. Scuffle between Suzuki and Alexander, more pull apart, but this is obviously leading to what should be a glorious pure wrestling match.

Backstage segment with Moose and Gia, that turns into Matt Cardona make his claim known. Moose dismisses him a bit, then ANOTHER scuffle, and even the security can be heard saying “Oh come on…” as they break that up.

X Division Championship: Rocky Romero vs Trey Miguel (c)

A little move for move back and forth, where Trey gets the best of a Dropkick and then a step through the ropes Flatliner onto the apron. Rocky finally takes advantage of Trey’s excessive movement, as he’s bouncing from rope to rope, Rocky just pulls him down onto the ropes for a breather. Rocky tries to go out to collect Trey, but Trey bounces back, dips and dodges, Asai Moonsault to the floor keeps Rocky on the receiving end. After a commercial break, we see Rocky is in control after driving his knee into Trey’s arm from the top corner.

Rocky continues to focus the arm, Trey tries to work through it, goes for the Spiderman in the ropes, but Rocky just Dropkicks him out. Rocky hits an outside Frankensteiner, throws Trey in and hits the Running Shiranui for a near fall. A lot of solid back and forth, with near falls everywhere and Trey overpowering Rocky a bit at points. Trey goes for the Meteora, looks like he hits it, but Rocky continues to roll with the momentum and turns it into a Single Leg Crab.

Forever Lariats don’t last forever, Trey manages to hit a Brainbuster on Rocky, and then another Meteora, and Trey retains.

Tasha Steelz w/Savannah Evans vs Rachael Ellering w/Jordynne Grace

Pretty straight forward, Tasha talked smack in a backstage segment, Rachael came out angry, and then Tasha catches her and starts to slow things down a little. A nice Tornado DDT and a little bit of nice facial work from Tasha, before applying a Sleeper Hold and it looks like Rachael will be starting a comeback soon.

Tasha tries to get the point across that Rachael’s the weak link, talks a bit too much and it fires up Rachael. But Tasha finds a cute way to dodge a Push Kick, and sends Rachael to the outside. Tasha tried to stay on Rachael when she came back in, but then Rachael dodges a kick the same way Tasha did. Tasha goes for the Okkurrr Cutter, Rachael blocks it, Tasha messes up her Backslide attempt and Rachael decides to utilize the Backslide to her advantage, and picks up the pinfall.

"We are worldwide STARS, Australian LEGENDS and inspiration LEADERS." @CassieLee and @JessicaMcKay plan to take the Knockouts Tag Team division to another level. #IMPACTonAXSTV pic.twitter.com/Rng2ZDMbso

— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) October 29, 2021

Joe Doering w/Eric Young & Deaner vs Heath w/Rhino

Heath gets in a Collar and Elbow tie up first, then tries to use his quickness, but Doering hits him with the Fun Splash (for Steve & Larson fans) and immediately is in full control. Heath eats a lot of offense before finally catching Doering with a few quick shots and then a Leg Lariat, which actually takes Doering off his feet.

Deaner grabs Heath’s foot, Rhino beats on Deaner, throws him in the ring and we’ve got a brawl. The Referee decides to throw out the match. Once the bell rings, Eric Young tries to get in but Rhino sees him. EY appeals to the fact that we know he’s hurt, so Rhino doesn’t go after him, VBD takes control and then Young comes back in and hits a Discus Lariat on Rhino.

This whole situation is to prove that Eric Young is healthy again, and VBD are still a force to be reckoned with. EY hits the Macho Man Elbow, and the Piledriver, all with a shit eating grin on his face. Well played.  

Mickie James hits the ring, does the usual graceful new babyface champion promo. She explains that no one has heard from Deonna since BFG, so she knows the locker room is full of quality – Tenille Dashwood’s music hits. But Madison Rayne and Kaleb come out, which makes sense because of the show they were on. Madison is jaded because Mickie is considered a pillar of the Knockouts division and Madison never gets any credit. A few verbal jabs are traded, Mickie gets the better of these. Madison challenges Mickie for next week, Mickie accepts.

Decent enough promo. Within the confines of the IMPACT slant on facts, the matchup is a big deal, the current and 4-time Knockouts Champ against the former 5-time champion. But Madison has really only her done her best work in the last few years so she doesn’t have the cache like Mickie.

.@suzuki_D_minoru will join @TheMooseNation and @TheCaZXL against @TheEddieEdwards, @Walking_Weapon and @TheMattCardona NEXT WEEK on IMPACT. #IMPACTonAXSTV pic.twitter.com/3HlwtJuKdt

— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) October 29, 2021

Chris Sabin vs Ace Austin w/Madman Fulton

Quick strikes, Mouse Trap near fall from Sabin, a few more short exchanges, Crucifix pinfall from Sabin for 2. So Sabin is up to his usual antics of trying to catch people off guard early with inventive Cradles/Roll-Ups. Ace retreats to the counter and Sabin lets him, they reset a bit and Ace has a little control. Ace jaws with the crowd, and then Sabin turns the tables.

Ace struggles mightily to try and find any offense that sticks. Sabin locks in the Iron Maiden after a bunch of quick Roll-Ups, Sole Butts and fast strikes. Ace tries go for a Triangle Kick but he sells the leg early, before just Hot Shotting Sabin over the top rope. The Hot Shot buys Ace some time to shake out his leg and use the rope to choke Sabin, and keep on him fairly well selling the leg here and there.

Sabin really hasn’t been able to get much going. Ace has been slowly dissecting Sabin, which is good for Ace since he’s still favoring the leg a bit. After absorbing a lot, Sabin finally starts to come back with a Back Body Drop, into a Yakuza Kick and Fisherman’s Buster for a near fall. Ace counters Cradle Shock, Sabin hits a Spinning Back Elbow, but Ace Drop Toeholds Sabin down, kicks him in the back, Ace goes to run the ropes, Sabin trips him. Ace kicks Sabin, Sabin hits the Enzuigiri and both men are down for a while.

Fulton seems to “reset Ace’s nose” which brings Sabin toward the corner and Ace hits the Triangle Kick that he couldn’t execute earlier. Fold attempt, caught into Cradle Shock, but Ace pushes off and drives Sabin into the corner. Sabin fights a little, hits the middle rope for a Springboard DDT, and a two count. Sabin looks for a bit finish, but Ace blocks him, then bumps the ref as he falls, and Fulton gets involved. Sabin fights through, looks to set up Ace, and then Fulton pulls Sabin into the ropes to daze him. Ace hits the Fold and wins.

Overall Score: 8.5/10

No post-PPV hangover here. Solid promo from Moose early in the show, Suzuki made an appropriate entrance as he teams with Massive Cassidy and Moose next week. Mickie James has a filler feud set up with a smattering of logic. Number one contender opportunities popping up everywhere, The IInspiration doing full comedy like I expected, The Kiss Demon being more than just a one off cameo and decent enough wrestling since we’re just setting up stories.

The vibe the crowd had felt a little bigger and like there was more buzz. Should be generally interesting moving forward to see if the energy level persists through all of the tapings or if it falls off somewhere.