Andrew’s IMPACT Results & Match Ratings: 7.21.2022

So I got bored over the past week and finally gave Pluto TV a look and there’s a whole TNA channel (and PCW Ultra) but it’s had quite a few nice Asylum days episodes, older PPVs and just a lot of great classic TNA content.

With that, it helped me get a little more excited for today. Seeing some of Sabin’s classics with Michael Shane, Alex Shelley’s match against Shocker…its just awesome to see how far things have come.

Tonight the Motor City Machine Guns turn the guns on each other! Lets finally get Alex Shelley the World title run he deserves! Sabin is great as well, but Shelley has been more of the Jannetty of their team. I’d like to see Shelley get his chance.

.@Kelly_WP is coming… NEXT WEEK!#IMPACTonAXSTV pic.twitter.com/XSaqm0PYhI

— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) July 22, 2022

Ratings:

• VXT (Chelsea Green & Deonna Purrazzo) vs Mia Yim & Jordynne Grace: VXT wins via Tandem Swinging Slam – ** 1/4
• X Division Championship: Speedball Mike Bailey (c) vs Deaner w/Joe Doering: Bailey retains via  Ultima Weapon – ***
• Masha Slamovich vs Madison Rayne w/Gisele Shaw: Masha wins via Russian Death Device – Squash
• OGK w/ Maria vs Bullet Club (Ace Austin & Chris Bey): Ace wins via The Fold – ***
• Number 1 Contender Match: Alex Shelley vs Chris Sabin: Shelley wins via Border City Stretch – *****

Results:

VXT (Chelsea Green & Deonna Purrazzo) vs Mia Yim & Jordynne Grace

VXT isn’t really trying to hide the reference, but they are legit friends, have looked like a solid unit and it’s pronounced like Vexxed, so I don’t hate it. 

Deonna and Jordynne start things off and Jordynne gets the early advantage using her power and keeping Deonna on the back foot as she tags in Yim and Yim goes through a few cradle variations trying to wear down Deonna with the pinfall attempts before Deonna puts a small stop on things to get Chelsea in. Chelsea however, loses the small bit of momentum they build and Yim works over Chelsea and brings in Jordynne. Jordynne starts working over Chelsea, Deonna distracts the referee so the ref doesn’t see the tag. Yim gets dumped out, Deonna trips Jordynne on the apron and pushes her in as VXT starts taking over.

Deonna and Chelsea keep control until Jordynne’s power starts to swing the tide of the match. They go for a Double Suplex, Jordynne fights it, and reverses. They try to work over Jordynne in the corner, she fights out, Mia gets the hot tag and takes out both members of VXT. Chelsea trips her during the comeback to give the heels a shot, then Jordynne equalizes the numbers, throw out VXT and Stereo Dives for a solid pop. Yim tries to slide in Deonna, but VXT take a shortcut, a Curb Stomp from Chelsea gives Deonna a close pinfall. Jordynne wipes out Deonna, Chelsea takes out Jordynne, John Woo into the near fall from Mia.

Yim hits a Double Stunner on VXT because Deonna took out Jordynne, Mia looks for the tag, doesn’t see Jordynne, shrugs and tries something but gets caught with some kind of tandem swinging slam for the win.

Check out what Honor No More has to say before their match with Bullet Club's @The_Ace_Austin & @DashingChrisBey TONIGHT!@TheHorrorKingVM @PCOisNotHuman @KennyKingPb2 @MattTaven @RealMikeBennett @MariaLKanellis @TheEddieEdwards
#IMPACTonAXSTV pic.twitter.com/nwEOk9MfUP

— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) July 22, 2022

Damn he called him Ace of Base…stop making me like Matt Taven!

X Division Championship: Speedball Mike Bailey (c) vs Deaner w/ Joe Doering

Speedball starts fast and attacks Deaner into the corner, so the ref tries to break up the assault, allowing Deaner the chance to poke Speedball in the eye. A few short strikes, Speedball hits some fluid offense to go for an early Ultima Weapon. Deaner moves, Speedball lands on his feet and catches Deaner trying to take advantage of the miss.

We see Speedball running circles around Deaner, so Deaner literally runs circles around the ring, baits Speedball into a baseball slide that Deaner captures him in the ring skirt. Deaner distracts the ref as Doering makes his presence felt to the captured Speedball and we go to commercial.  When we get back, Deaner is attacking Speedball in the corner, Speedball tries to fight back, but Deaner bites him and keeps the aggression up.

A barrage of Speedball’s patented kicks finally levels the playing field, Deaner is dropped, Standing Corkscrew Shooting Star for 2. Tornado Kicks into the corner get caught, Deaner drapes him over the top rope and runs his knee in Speedball ala vintage Shinsuke Nakamura; as he pulls him off into a Sit Out Powerbomb for 2. Fighting Spirit Chop Off is even until Speedball hits a Round Kick to drop Deaner. Deaner gets to his knees and ducks two Buzzsaw Kicks, Speedball delays the third and Deaner powders to the apron.

Doering distracts Speedball, Apron Ultima Weapon attempt is dodged, Deaner tries to capitalize but Speedball stays a step ahead. Flipping Neckbreaker gives Deaner an opening, Deaner misses and goes through the ropes as Speedball times a nice Asai Moonsault. A few quick counters, Tornado Kicks in the corner rock Deaner, Ultima Weapon and the match is over!

This match was definitely better than it had any reason to be. 

ImpactPlus Flashback Moment: Ric Flair vs Sting, 9.15.2011

BREAKING: VXT will get a shot at the Knockouts Tag Team Championships at #EMERGENCE!@FearHavok @thetayavalkyrie @WeAreRosemary @DeonnaPurrazzo @ImChelseaGreen

Get Tickets HERE: https://t.co/c7juX5NPBF#IMPACTonAXSTV pic.twitter.com/Z2fDz4h7Qt

— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) July 22, 2022

Masha Slamovich vs Madison Rayne w/Gisele Shaw

Madison is going to die, but Madison has been great the last few years so it should be entertaining. We can overlook the fact that Madison retired in January and it lasted a little longer than Tom Brady, but is obviously not permanent. 

Madison tries to talk her way out of things, but Masha keeps moving forward and even rips off the protective mask before Chokebombing Madison. Russian Death Device, and it’s over.

Masha stares down Gisele as she made short work of Madison and the mask. Masha doesn’t leave ringside as Gisele checks on Madison, then hands Gisele the death warrant envelope. Gisele does a good job looking freaked out when she’s been pretty flippant about things when it was everyone else. 

OGK w/ Maria vs Bullet Club (Ace Austin & Chris Bey)

Taven starts off against Ace of Base. The initial engagement is a verbal one about who has ownership of purple. Taven does manage to lock in a headlock and toy with Ace a little before Ace’s speed gives him a small opening for a few strikes, La Magistral, Leg Drop ad a few quick pinfall attempts. Taven moves out of the corner and shows off a little of his speed dropping Ace with a Dropkick. Ace and Taven really are showing their similarities in personality and color pallat.

Tags happen, Mike and Bey exchange a bit more than the previous two, with Mike taking an early advantage. Mike goes for the Hip Topss, but Bey springboards off the middle rope and Frankensteiners through it. OGK tag, Missile Dropkick from Taven has Bey needing to find a way out. Bey dodges the elbow, tags in Ace, they go for some tandem stuff but Taven fights through, drops Bey with a Leg Lariat but Ace catches him with a Triangle Kick.

Back and forth, Maria drops the middle rope so Ace falls through and OGK have a small window, Ace fights off Taven  but Mike catches him with the Rewind Forearm Shiver. Purple Thunder Bomb for a near fall, and Mike is now legal trying to wear down Ace with a Sleeper. “Too Sweet, Woop Woop” chants start and Ace rises a little but OGK cut off any attempted comeback. They hit two corner attacks, go for two more, but now Ace moves and tags in Bey.

Reverse DDT and Flatliner combo from Bey gives Bullet Club the advantage. Reverse TKO for a near fall, now we get all four men in the ring for a series of strikes. BC have the advantage, but Taven manages to break up the pinfall. Superkick by Mike, into a Brainbuster, Aurora Borealis misses as Bey hits the Inside Out Rope Assisted DDT. Maria hits the apron, Taven hits a Low Blow on Bey, Heath slides in, Wake Up Call on Taven. Mike is irate, almost gets rolled up and then falls victim to The Fold. Bullet Club juniors win!

The feud between @TheSamiCallihan, @TheMooseNation & @SteveMaclin has become a WAR!#IMPACTonAXSTV pic.twitter.com/jV3DQgSWfO

— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) July 22, 2022

This Havok becoming Jessica thing is either gonna be gold like Susie and Susan or cringe garbage. I’m not sure yet. 

Number 1 Contender Match: Alex Shelley vs Chris Sabin

I’ve always preferred Shelley a little over Sabin, so my bias is going with Alex. Plus he’s never had the title, it would be a bit fresh. 

Chain wrestling open as Alex spins Sabin around for a high on the shoulders cradle and a light 2 really early. Alex keeps wrist control, goes for a few things, a lot of step overs and counter holds, Alex tries the La Magistral but Sabin clutches and turns it into a pinfall attempt for him, which causes Alex to get out at two, powder and try to compose himself.

Border City attempt, Hip Toss, Step over, Border City again, but Chris fights and it turns into a cradle near fall. We hit a commercials and then they finally hit each other with Alex connecting on a chop. Everything else has been a lock or postioning move, but Chris catches Alex with a Neckbreaker, Flying Forearm to the neck, and Chris has a target. Stomps to the neck, Widow’s Peak style submission, into a backslide pinfall for Sabin and then he throttles Alex over the middle rope. Sabin really working over the neck.

The Neck Crank gives Alex a moment to try and fight out and Alex aims for the knees. They are both highlighting the others larger injuries. Enzuigiri from Sabin, rope run, Shelley hits a Sliding Dropkick to the left knee. Commercial – as we come back, Sabin is in the corner, one leg wrapped in the ropes and then a Dragon Screw, trying to pick across the surgically repaired knees. Shelley bends the knees and wraps him up in a Figure Four. Shelley is being very methodical, even going for a modified Neck Crank when he wraps his arm through the bad leg, pulls the leg against his face as he cranks on the neck.

Looked like Shelley was going for the frame pose prior to a Shining Wizard, but then he goes back after the legs. Sabin counters into a cradle, Shelley pops up, they roll around and then Sabin catches Shelley with a DDT for a breather moment. Shelley goes for his foot capture Arm Bar into the kick in the wrist. Sabin rallies back a little and then hits a PK to send a message. Flying Crossbody from Sabin for 2. Shelley tries to recover in the corner, Yakuza Kick, Tornado DDT from Sabin for a damn close near fall!

Cradle Shock slip, Sabin flips around, Shelley kicks him in the knee, Sabin’s legs get tied in Shelley’s arms in the corner, Shelley pauses, takes a moment and then Double Dragon Screw, Reverse Powerslam from Shelley floats into the Border City Stretch, but Sabin gets his feet on the ropes. Short Arm wrist control Chops from Shelley, Arm breaker, but Sabin catches the charging Shelley with the Gamengiri, Sabin with a Shining Wizard variation to give Sabin a rally moment.

Clothesline from Hell,Michigan – misses, Superkick from Shelley, Shiranui, no, Superkick from Sabin, Superkick from Shelley, Clothesline lands! Cradle Shock, slips out, Shiranui, into the Border City Stretch counter roll up, no, Shell Shock into the Border City Stretch and – SABIN TAPS!

VBD attacks afterwards, KUSHIDA makes the save for his Time Splitters teammate Alex Shelley! Kushida and the Motor City Machine Guns! Motor City Time Machine? 

Overall Score: 8.25/10

So the finish of KUSHIDA making the save and not Josh Alexander is actually great. But honestly this show had everything, a little comedy with Brian Myers, Gisele’s reaction and the whole Rosemary/Jessica/Taya thing now. Solid matches, an amazing main event with a lot of history and meaning, especially for longer time TNA fans. Also the debut of the VXT name and Deonna & Chelsea being solid team is just generally nice.

I rambled a bit there, but this was just a very enjoyable show. Could be because of all the nostalgia that Pluto TV has resparked, but hey, this was a fun time.