Reviews by Dave
By David E Houston II
Show air date: August 5, 2021
Impact Wrestling on AXS-TV put forth a solid effort as they were building stories to their own Emergence show, NWA’s Empowerrr pay-per-view, and the New Japan Resurgence show on August 14 in Los Angeles.
Chris Bey defeated Juice Robinson
Great, fast-paced opener with “The Ultimate Finesser” Chris Bey (with New Japan NEVER Openweight champion “Switchblade” Jay White) beating New Japan’s Juice Robinson of FinJuice (accompanied by David Finlay). They got the crowd into it quickly with Bey not only picking up a big win but also officially being inducted into the Bullet Club.
Good Backstage Interview
The Elite–world champion Kenny Omega and world tag champs the Good Brothers (Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson) with Don Callis–were having a good backstage interview with Gia Miller on their main event six-man match but were interrupted by Eric Young’s Violent By Design, who were invoking their rematch clause at the Emergence Impact Plus special on August 20.
Does anyone else sense tension between Tasha Steelz and Kiera Hogan? Hm.
Deonna’s Opponent at Empowerrr
I liked them showing the highlights of Homecoming. Treat your app specials like must-see shows.
“Drama King” Matthew Rehwoldt gets a great heel reaction out of Impact fans. I love it. He introduced his Homecoming tournament-winning tag partner, Knockouts champion “The Virtuosa” Deonna Purrazzo, who really is on a roll.
Mickie James comes out (not wearing her customary short shorts) to have an official contract signing and announcement of Purrazzo’s title challenger at the NWA Empowerrr pay-per-view on August 28 in St. Louis: Melina Perez. Good segment. The Forbidden Door still swinging wide open.
WTF did Su Yung do to Kimber Lee? I’m just getting good sleep with the Undead Brides and Susie gone.
Jake Something defeated Trey Miguel, Rohit Raju, and Shawn Daivari
Great win by Jake Something, beating Trey Miguel, Rohit Raju, and Shawn Daivari (who seems to work everywhere at the same damn time). All action match from start to finish with Something pinning the veteran Daivari with the Black Hole Slam.
Something will now challenge “The Walking Weapon” Josh Alexander at Emergence for the X Division title. Alexander books himself into a non-title match with a furious Daivari, a former X Division champion in his own right.
Jordynne Grace and Rachael Ellering defeated Fire ‘N Flava
The final ring walk for Fire ‘N Flava as they fell to longtime rivals Jordynne Grace and Rachel Ellering in a good TV match.”The Cannibal” Savannah Evans makes her debut, leaving Hogan laying in the ring and walking out with Steelz.
Kazarian Goes Down TNA Memory Lane
I liked “The Elite Hunter” Frankie Kazarian’s backstage interview with Gia Miller, taking a walk down Memory Lane and bringing it forward.
It’s a Three Way Match
Executive Producer Scott D’Amore informed Violent By Design they can have their rematch but since they lost last week to Rich Swann and Willie Mack, Swann and Mack will now be in that match, making it a three-way match.
Steve Maclin defeated Jah-C
Steve Maclin continues his winning ways, decisively beating Jah-C, making his own Impact TV debut. Jah won’t make the mistake of turning his back on his opponent again. Petey Williams, who has had a few heated confrontations with Maclin in recent weeks, came down to save Jah from further punishment after the match. This is already an interesting undercard feud.
Eddie Edwards, Sami Callihan and Frankie Kazarian defeated The Super Elite
Great job by D’Lo Brown in the main event, recalling Kazarian being known as “The Future” in the early TNA days. The Elite cannot catch a break in Nashville, this time falling to Kaz, and the modern-day Dusty vs Tully–Eddie Edwards and Omega’s Slammiversary challenger, Sami Callihan in a good main event.
Edwards got the win, pinning Anderson with his Boston Knee Party strike.
Then he goes down when attacked by his heated rival, W. Morrissey, after Kazarian had left and I’m pretty sure Sami was still there and DGAF.
Good show with a lot of work leading to three different shows by three different companies.
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