Now I missed last week because I had a prior engagement, but it seems like it was a good nostalgia trip of time with classic Knockouts and America’s Most Wanted doing some work.

Worst news to come out of last week was Yuya Uemura won the FIRED case from FEAST or FIRED. So tonight will be his farewell, and I’m a little surprised. They just named the JOYA team, seems like he was having fun, but I suppose New Japan might be calling him home to place him on the main roster.

Let’s see what we’ve got tonight as we start to walk away from the 1000th episode shenanigans.

The feud between @TheEddieEdwards and @FrankieKazarian has reached its boiling point!#IMPACTonAXSTV pic.twitter.com/edkQpWqGJP

— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) September 29, 2023

Ratings:

• X Division Championship: Chris Sabin (c) vs Alan Angels: Sabin wins via Cradle Shock – *** 1/4
• Rhino vs Jack Price: Rhino wins via Gore – N/A
• JOYA (Yuya Uemura & Joe Hendry) vs The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz): Trey wins via Small Package – *** 1/4
• Memphis Street Fight: Tommy Dreamer & Heath vs Sheldon Jean & Kenny King: Dreamer wins via Spicolli Driver – **
• Jonathan Gresham vs Speedball Mike Bailey: Gresham wins via Cover with handful of trunks – ***
• Trinity vs Gisele Shaw w/Jai Vidal & Savannah Evans: Trinity wins via Starstruck – ***

Results:

X Division Championship: Chris Sabin (c) vs Alan Angels

Alan Angels won an Ultimate X match last week, and immediately wants to cash in his X. Flash Cradle attempt from Angels for 2, Sabin locks in a Bow and Arrow before the break is needed and Angels tries to reestablish some control and start working on his new gimmick beyond The Design. Angels works the left arm of Sabin as he’s berated with a chorus of “You Still Suck”. A few stomps, kicks and even ramming Sabin’s shoulder into the corner as he goes for the classic heel aspect of working a limb. Sabin flips out of a Key Lock, tries to get moving but then a quick dodge and Northern Lights Suplex keeps the advantage with Angels.

Sabin tries to break out with some Chops, but Angels hits an Armbreaker, goes to the ropes and Sabin catches him with a Single Leg Dropkick. Sabin starts landing some strikes, sells the left arm and adjusts mid offense. Sabin looks for Cradle Shock, Angels goes for the Kimura as a counter, Sabin launches him off, Satellite takedown and a little back and forth. Yakuza Kick in the corner from Sabin into a Tornado DDT but the arm makes it wonky and Angels counters with a Tornado Armbreaker, into a Double Fujiwara but Sabin hits the ropes. Angels goes for the belt, ref stops him, as the ref is distracted, Low Blow, Halo Strike…for 2! Angels goes for the Frog Splash and misses, Sabin hits the top rope, Missile Dropkick to the back of the head, Cradle Shock to retain!

KENTA’s tron starts to play, looks like KENTA will be back at Bound for Glory and maybe calling an X Division shot. 

Rhino vs Jack Price

Rhino wins his first match back in 4 months. Is this premature? No, it’s Rhino against enhancement talent. GORE GORE GORE. We all know how this will go.

Maclin attacks Rhino from behind and honestly Maclin is validated. Sure Maclin put him on the shelf 4 months ago, but Rhino has been taking shots at my boy from Jersey. Rhino turns it around, looks to set for another Gore but Maclin bails and mouths off as he walks off. 

.@RealTSteelz and @DeonnaPurrazzo make a pact to have each other's backs! #IMPACTonAXSTV pic.twitter.com/v0oP0xqsWQ

— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) September 29, 2023

We get a whole JOYA entrance, the crowd is playing along and this is Yuya’s goodbye ceremony. Hendry has a good line with the Stars that burn the brightest, burn the fastest. It’s an old saying, but it works since this was such a fun little team and I think Yuya got some good experience. Joe hands the microphone to Yuya, the crowd chants “speech”, Yuya says “Thank you fans” and then The Rascalz music hits.

I love Wentz…but you can’t do this to me. The Rascalz say that JOYA would’ve failed, Hendry pops back with them knowing all about failure since they’re the second and third best Rascal. Rascalz talk shit, and they get hit by JOYA. Santino comes out with an idea, the Dictator of Atrocities says Dis why we canna have nice tings. Santino declares a match between JOYA and The Rascalz and says if JOYA wins Yuya keeps his job!

JOYA (Yuya Uemura & Joe Hendry) vs The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz)

Rascalz are avoiding Yuya early with quick tags to be annoying, but Yuya catches Trey with 3 Arm Drags, a Scoop Slam and a big Senton. Hendry tags in and Trey tags out, so Wentz is starting to use his athleticism to make Hendry dizzy and punctuates it with a trip and Dropkick to the head. Frankensteiner attempt from Wentz, Hendry stops it, Wentz ducks the Lariat, then Hendry hits him with a Right Hook, and starts doing the “I believe in Joe Hendry” claps as chops on Wentz’ chest.

Tandem offense with JOYA, Yuya goes for the pin and only a 2. Wentz gauges the eyes of Yuya, drives him into his corner and tags Trey. Tandem offense attempt but Yuya hits a Double Dropkick to level both Rascalz. One Hit Wonder attempt, but Trey says no, kicks Hendry and sends Yuya into the ropes as Wentz hits a Cutter in the ropes from the outside. Rascalz are now dominating Yuya as Wentz hits the Hogan Pose as an arrogant cover for only 2.

Wishbone, double low Dropkicks and another cocky cover from The Rascalz for 2.Yuya counters Wentz’s Lethal Injection attempt with a well timed Dropkick, simultaneous tags and now Hendry is on a roll. Back to Back Sack of Shit, and then a Double Stack Sack! Scott Hall would be proud. Tries the Pop Up on Trey, but Trey counters, Double Superkicks, multiple strikes on Yuya and they isolate Hendry. Another Superkick, Backbreaker/Double Stomp for 2. Corner locomotion from The Rascalz, but Hendry catches Wentz, levels Trey, One Hit Wonder! But Wentz kicks out! Spot spam after that as all four men are down.

Trey tries to fight both JOYA members, One Hit Wonder again! But Wentz pulls Trey out. Hendry follows Wentz, Low Blow, Spray Paint, Small Package and The Rascalz send Yuya back to Japan.

Memphis Street Fight: Tommy Dreamer & Heath vs Sheldon Jean & Kenny King

Technically it starts before the bell, but starts going the way of Heath and Dreamer. Heath grabs a chair, Dreamer hits his crowd beverage mist spot. Side Slam/Elbow Drop combination from Heath and Dreamer. They try to set up Jean for a chair spot, but Dreamer misses the Elbow, Heath gets thrown into a chair wedged in the corner. Okay different, that Jean and King pull out a rusty ladder from under the ring. Put it over Heath’s head and drive him into the post. Dreamer tries to start a comeback on Jean, but King stops it and looks to send Dreamer into the trash can. Dreamer blocks, tries his own move, King blocks, Dreamer charges and King hits a Spinebuster into the trash can.

Heath comes back to life, pulls out Jean and throws him into the post, starts his Leg Lariat comeback on King, Scoop Power Slam, for a near fall. Wake Up Call on Jean after Jean breaks up the pin. Heath decides to go find a table instead of go for a pin. He stands it in the corner, and now we get to see if it backfires. Heath wants to drive Jean through the table with a Death Valley Driver, but King pulls Jean off, Spinning Overhead Kick drops Heath and King hits the top rope but Dreamer comes back to life and cuts him off. Dreamer grabs the ladder puts it in the middle ropes, tries to pluck King off the top but slips and crotches himself on the rungs of the ladder. Block Buster with Ladder assistance, Heath tries a Wake Up Call but King holds the ropes and doesn’t go with it. Tornillo from King to Heath, they go up the ramp and all the way to the back.

Jean is in the ring with a reeling Dreamer. Dreamer Spicolli Driver through the table from earlier! Dreamer wins.

Crazzy Steve attacks Dreamer with the briefcase and obviously stakes his claim on the Digital Media title. 

.@The_Ace_Austin and @DashingChrisBey inche closer to the IMPACT World Tag Team titles, but first, they must settle their score with the Good Hands! With @TheJasonHotch away, @TheJohnSkyler needs a partner! #IMPACTonAXSTV pic.twitter.com/RkJ3BmJA0v

— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) September 29, 2023

Jonathan Gresham vs Speedball Mike Bailey

They’ve had a solid rivalry this year and no one has ever tipped to the dark side. Win-Loss is in favor of Gresham at 2-1-1, but the matches are always solid at the worst. 

Gresham pushes Bailey into the ropes, looks to Chop him and Bailey smiles and tells him to do it, but Gresham allows the clean break. Some chain wrestling into a Fireman’s Carry takedown from Gresham, a little more tie up after they raise back up, and Gresham leans into a Headlock with multiple Takeovers and keeping Bailey grounded. Bailey finds new athletic ways to grab a headlock takedown but both men hit a stalemate moment. Commercial Break happens and we come back to Bailey connecting on a Front Kick to send Gresham out, then Bailey follows with a flurry of kicks and a big strike to rock Gresham. Bailey hits the apron, Corkscrew Asai Moonsault connects!

Bailey misses a top rope move, Gresham goes for a Manhattan Drop then starts working on the knees of Bailey. Gresham sinks in a deep Boston Crab, sitting on the small of Bailey’s back, but Speedball manages to get to the ropes. Gresham tries to continue his offense but Bailey tries to fight back. Seesaw Suplex attempts, but Gresham wins out and then goes for the Sleeper Hold. Speedball fights out, but Gresham wipes him out, goes for three pinfall attempts and the third one Gresham pulls the tights.

Looks like Gresham may be turning heel.

Trinity vs Gisele Shaw w/Jai Vidal & Savannah Evans

Trinity starts off hot, rocking Gisele, goes for the Split Pin for an early 1, then takes her around the corners and big overhand chops from Trinity while dancing/twerking a bit. And I am not complaining. Trinity is having fun and Shaw has yet to put anything together yet. Shaw tries to fire back, runs the ropes and Trinity catches her with a Flying Headscissors. Gisele powders, Trinity follows her on the apron a bit, looks like she has her sized up for a Frankensteiner, but Gisele blocks it and whips Trinity into the steps.

The referee starts the 10 count, and she doesn’t start moving until 7, but gets in at 9. Sliding Single Leg Dropkick from Shaw, Trinity is now eating Uppercuts and Boots with no glimpse of fighting back. Gisele charges into the corner, Trinity lifts her up and over, but Shaw catches her with her long legs and drives Trinity’s head into the mat from Outside into the ring. Near fall, and then Gisele shoves Trinity in the corner, a few Haymakers, lays her on the middle ropes and stomps through her. Gisele is toying with Trinity a little using cocky facewash kicks, Trinity fires a little but a Pump Kick stops the comeback. Gisele uses the ropes for leverage and steps on Trinity’s neck. She jaws with the fans a little before hitting a Snap Suplex, Trinity kicks out at 1. Front Facelock has Gisele in control for now, but Trinity starts to fire up, a few punches, Shaw Irish Whip, Trinity catches Shaw charging, then Triangle Kick drops Gisele and both are trying to pull themselves up.

Trinity pops up, and just starts wailing on Shaw, Running Clotheslines, Side Kick, Bitch Slap, Samoan Drop, for 2. Trinity looks for a Bulldog, but Gisele pushes off, Kick from Trinity into a Diving Crossbody for another 2 count. Enzuigiri misses from Trinity, SHock & AWe from Gisele for 2! Denouement attempt but Trinity counters with a Cradle, Gisele rolls away, charges but gets hung up in the ropes, Trinity with the Rope Hung Pedigree for 2! Trinity lifts her up, Jawbreaker, Trinity counters the Irish Whip as Jai trips who he THINKS is Trinity because he went for the innocent fade away interference. Gisele gets tripped and Trinity sinks in Starstruck for the win. Savannah and Jai attack, so Mickie James makes the save.

Mickie goes for the nice babyface promo putting over Trinity and calling them friends, even caving into the crowds fun “Whoop that Trick” chant. Mickie also makes a Day 1 reference and calls this a Glow Up. Always fun when slang and references work well. Mickie says even though she’s stood by her side, she’s never stood across from her. So looks like we get Trinity versus Mickie James at Bound for Glory. 

The real question is will they stay all friendly and smiles or will someone get more cutthroat. 

Overall Score: 6.75/10

I will still stand on the hill of I’m sick of seeing Tommy Dreamer matches, but maybe it was just a convenient angle to give Dreamer one more title in a non-Indie company. Bully Ray potentially being a little shook after PCO and going soft is interesting enough to make him less annoying on screen. Plus I’m also very over the Kaz/Eddie never ending story, so I’m glad they agree its over after this next match.

As for the good things, I mean Crazzy Steve deserves a singles title and Dreamer is the perfect mark to springboard something interesting for him. Mickie James and Trinity will be something fun, one of those special times when we can see a clash of generations before one is too old to really put on a good show. Gresham going to the dark side is potentially a solid move since he really is just the new generation Dean Malenko. Not much personality, just an amazing wrestler and 5 foot nothing. So he could become dangerous as a heel.

Oh and yeah, my fan side is bummed that Yuya lost his last chance at staying in Impact; but JOYA was great, Yuya grew as a wrestler and entertainer…and since Impact and New Japan have a good working relationship again; maybe we see a JOYA reunion in Japan at some point.

Alex Shelley as World champ, Mickie James challenging for the Knockouts, Chris Sabin as X Division champion and a potential Deonna/Tasha pairing leads to a lot to be excited for as a TNA/Impact Wrestling fan.