Andrew’s IMPACT Results & Match Ratings: 4.14.2022

Hey we’re two weeks removed because last week was supposed to be IPWF but they decided to just show a highlight reel show and a few matches from the WrestleMania weekend show. So I didn’t miss IMPACT, IMPACT missed me.

Either way, we’re still building to Rebellion. Maclin is on his warpath against all he feels wronged by. Deonna is annoyed by the Interim ROH thing, but she’s got AAA problems for Rebellion and PCO gets one more crack at Jonah to prove he’s not human.

This feels a little light when Rebellion isn’t until the 23rd. So I’m curious where all this goes. Let’s find out!

Ratings:

• Champ/Champ Challenge: Deonna Purrazzo (c) vs Willow Nightingale: Deonna retains via Venus de Milo – * 3/4
• Jonathan Gresham vs Rocky Romero: Gresham wins via Tiger Roll – *** 1/4
• Steve Maclin vs Alex Shelley w/Chris Sabin: Shelley wins via Shellshock – ***
• Jonah vs PCO: Jonah wins via Tsunami – ** 3/4

Results:

Massive Cassidy comes out with a heartfelt message. Last time he was in the 2300 Arena was the publicized issue he had being drunk and having a seizure. It was an all-time low for him and he endears himself to the crowd by being sincere and shooting fairly straight. Brian Myers interrupts the speech, runs the Massive one around and then it looks like Cassidy will finally put Myers through the table! But then Chelsea Green hits Cass. Cass turns and balks at the prospect of hitting Chelsea as she eggs him on, Matt Cardona sideswipes Cass and clocks him with the Digital Media title. Major Players are together, and they put Cass through the table.

Champ/Champ Challenge: Deonna Purrazzo (c) vs Willow Nightingale

Ugh I hate Willow, she’s like a less competent Grado (yes I know what I said). Deonna starts fast, then Willow Cartwheels through an Irish Whip, hits a slow and obvious Super Kick that somehow gets a 2 already.

Thankfully we go to commercial and come back with Deonna in charge. I really hate “fan favorites” because most of the time that means they suck but they’re sympathetic (emphasis on the PATHETIC). Oh look a sloppy Bulldog, slow and bad lariats but at least her Pounce looks decent. Then we get the Grado style Cannonball for another 2. Deonna not happy, big Pump Kick, Standing Moonsault for a nearfall, floats into the Fujiwara but it gets rolled through. Ugh, this match is sad, but I suppose it protects Willow’s extremely limited ability.

Avalanche Powerbomb counter from Deonna, she eats a Slingshot Lariat to float into the Venus de Milo for the defense. Thank God.

Backstage interview with Mickie James continuing the heat with Chelsea Green. Chelsea and the Action Figure dorks take out Mickie, because it’s a 3 on 1. So we’ll see when this blows off, since I feel like this is Mickie’s last feud before she goes back to NWA more full time. 

Jonathan Gresham vs Rocky Romero

Early on a few Takeovers and Body Scissors as they feel one another out. A small advantage into a Single Leg Dropkick for Rocky, then as we get some fluid motion heading into the corner, Gresham takes an Electric Chair position spins it into a takedown and stays on Rocky through the commercial.

Gresham is working over Rocky until Rocky stifles that offense with a Spinning Backdrop. Fighting Spirit chop spot that Rocky gets the best of for now. Forever Lariats get traded with Running Chops from Gresham, then Rocky eventually Chops back and then takes Gresham down with the Lariat as he tumbles forward himself. A little goofy looking, but also very Japanese Junior style exchange.

Shiranui counter, attempted Chop from Gresham, attempted return from Rocky, Enzuigiri miss from Gresham, Rewind Kick from Rocky as Gresham powders. Rocky with the Flying Headscissors and a Running Sliced Bread. We get perpetual motion, that ends up in a counter battle as Gresham gets Double Hooks on the ground and rolls through, I almost want to call that a Tiger Roll.

It looks like Gresham agrees to give Rocky a shot at the title after that match and then they shake hands. Good ole Double Babyface moment after a good match. 

Check out what @GiseleShaw08 and @MadisonRayne had to say to each other on #IMPACTonAXSTV!

The Influence fired @kalebKonley!?! #IMPACTonAXSTV pic.twitter.com/lHA6MQPGGc

— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) April 15, 2022

Steve Maclin vs Alex Shelley w/Chris Sabin

Shelley’s temper has been coming to fruition his last few singles matches. It could’ve very well cost him against Speedball, and then he goes skull to skull with a man that appears to have about 6 inches of height and a solid bit of weight on him. Chihuahua mentality ain’t always smart.

Maclin’s back Elbow takes the wind out of Shelley’s sails, and we see the bigger man slow things down with the deliberate strikes. Shelley gets his normal second wind as he flips Maclin over the corner, runs circles around him on and off the apron, brings it back in, and just stands on Maclin’s hand. So the attitude returns and Shelley goes for some very arrogant chops and strikes. Maclin starts turning things around, Skub Missile on the outside, back in and a Backdrop. Maclin talks smack to fire up Shelley, a few big chops from Shelley but it’s all slowed down with an STO Backbreaker from Maclin.

Tree of Woe, Caught in the Crosshairs gets Maclin a near fall as he takes the beat to plan his next attack. Rope Run attempted moves get turned around and Shelley gets the best of it eventually. A few well places kicks, Sliced Bread and a cocky cover is only 2. Buzzsaw Kick from Shelley, Blade Runner attempts from Shelley, countered, Shelley doesn’t miss the beat and Flatliner’s Maclin into the turnbuckle. Maclin powders, Shelley tries a few things on the apron, but fails and eats Maclin’s version of a Claymore.

Sabin gets in the way, Maclin flies, Sabin ducks and Maclin’s elbow seems to clip Shelley’s head. More jawing from Sabin to Maclin, Shelley with the Sliced Bread on the outside, Maclin tries to put his feet on the ropes but Sabin shoves off his feet to assist in the kick out. Blade Runner/Shellshock from Shelley and Shelley wins.

Honor No More is out, and commentary implies that we’ll get answers on why they screwed The Good Brothers. Eddie takes four months to get around to insulting Philadelphia fans and even goes so far as to say they’re “Fickle” after already mentioning ECW and ROH. Word usage I suppose is alright, but Eddie has negative charisma. Mike Bennet grabs the mic and he’s a little better…but God I hope they hand the mic to Taven. Wait – did I just ask for Taven? 2022 is weird…I don’t even know what I’m saying anymore. Taven has the microphone and we finally get away from the bad cheap heat attempts with ECW, ROH and the city.

As Taven talks about his fans following him, I can hear Cortney over the rest of the building and the camera eventually pans to her. Then the Bullet Club music breaks up the promo segment. 

.@MattTaven had some harsh words of his own but they were cut short by The Bullet Club!@The_BigLG @MachineGunKA @JayWhiteNZ #IMPACTonAXSTV@The_BigLG @MachineGunKA @JayWhiteNZ #IMPACTonAXSTV pic.twitter.com/vLdmwgbFhC

— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) April 15, 2022

Karl brings back the “Hi Maria”. That’s a great call back that gets a solid reaction from the building. Maria claps back nicely with the Too Sweet can go right up her ass and Karl nods like it was an invitation. Chris Bey is the one saying all the right things basically saying “let’s fight about it”. Nice punctuation to the conversation, as there’s the stand off and wow BC actually gets into the ring. THEY really did the Babyface things by taking the outnumbered fight anyway.

Donnybrook heads to the outside, PCO does the Deanimator into the pile of everyone else and Jonah’s music hits for their match.

Jonah vs PCO

Big meaty men slappin meat! That describes most of the first few moments before PCO hits the DDT on the outside to give him a small reprieve. Then PCO…gets a roll of duct tape and creates a Duct Tape Neckbrace. I mean people do say Duct Tape is like The Force, it has a light side and a dark side and holds everything together. So I respect the ingenuity.

PCO took too damn long though and Jonah slams PCO and starts throwing around the French Canadian Frankenstein. Commercial and we’re back inside the ring to more Jonah domination. Jonah hits a beautiful Buckle Bomb and then PCO just fires out of the corner with a Lariat to take down Jonah and give them both a down moment to recover. Strike exchange spot after both are up. Punches turn into a Headbutt from Jonah, attempted rope run from PCO, Jonah moves, Tombstone Piledriver with the Undertaker flair and PCO kicks out at 1 and sits up.

DDT from PCO, Flying Crossbody, and only a near fall. Bottom Rope Hesitation Dropping Headbutt, then goes to the middle rope for the same thing, and calls for the next elevation. 3 Dropping Headbutts and another near fall. PCO-sault attempt and miss. Jonah retreats under the bottom rope as PCO gets up and heads to the top rope for a Deanimator.

Jonah baited it, PCO hits only apron, then Jonah drops PCO into the barricade, then the post, and now a TSUNAMI…for the pinfall.

PCO sits up, Jonah hits him and goes to get a chair, PCO sits up again and Jonah goes to town on him with a chair. PCO tries to fire to sit up again, Jonah puts the chair onto and hits another Tsunami.

Overall Score: 7.25/10

There was a lot of filler, but it did a good job reminding people of the steps they’ve taken to get to some of the bigger Rebellion matches. The actual in-ring quality was much better than I was expecting, plus having Maclin lose because of Sabin’s involvement adds a wrinkle to things. Now Jonah having the Ishii match took some wind out of the main event, but it was still fine for what it was.

So all in all, pretty solid, even better if you haven’t been really paying close attention and needed the refresher. So no real complaints.