By David E Houston II
Show air date: January 6, 2022
Following a BTI that featured Iceman teasing a reveal coming up on the father of the Undead Bride’s baby and a Raj Singh-Juice Robinson match (good match, best Singh match I can remember), Impact Wrestling on AXS-TV presented their go-home show for their first pay-per-view of the year, Hard To Kill (HTK). A lot of good wrestling with a heavy focus on the KO division.
Lady Frost, Chelsea Green, and Tasha Steelz defeated Rosemary, Rachael Ellering, and Jordynne Grace
They opened with a trios match featuring the six Knockouts in the first-ever KO Ultimate X match at HTK as Lady Frost teamed with Chelsea Green and Tasha Steelz (with Savannah Evans) to face Rosemary (with Havok), Rachael Ellering, and Digital Media champion Jordynne Grace. A solid match that let each KO get their moments in. Green pinned Ellering with the Unpretty-her.
Excellent Video Package!
Excellent video package on the HTK world title main event with Moose (c), W. Morrissey, and Matt Cardona, followed by a good promo by Moose.
Jonah defeated Jake Something
JONAH faced his first real test in Impact in Jake Something. Good big man match and probably more even than most would expect. JONAH wins after hitting a big splash from the top rope. JONAH’s HTK opponent, “The Walking Weapon” Josh Alexander, decides to not wait for the pay-per-view running out to get some payback on “The Top Dog”.
He should have stayed his ass in the back because all he got was JONAH splashing him through a table for his effort. They are putting a ton of heat on the former Bronson Reed and it’s made him more interesting than he’s ever been.
Another great video package, this time on the hottest feud of the last few months between “The Virtuosa” Deonna Purrazzo and KO World champion Mickie James. They settle a 6-month feud at HTK in a Texas Death Match (Last Man Standing to younger fans).
Masha Slamovich defeated Sandra Moone
Masha Slamovich makes her official Impact TV debut, destroying Sandra Moone (who was making her own debut, I think). Great exhibition for Slamovich. The KO division is the deepest women’s division in the business.
Steve Maclin cuts a good promo for his X Division title match against Trey Miguel at HTK.
Okay.
Chelsea Green says he doesn’t blame Matt Cardona for whacking her with a chair a few weeks ago at the world title contract signing. Okay. That just tells me the stack of gifts was bigger than the tree at Christmas.
Common foes made for what looks like a temporary alliance because Young was definitely not looking to pal around with the champs. Solid match but nothing special but good, interesting angle.
Deonna Purrazzo defeated Mercedes Martinez
Purrazzo faced long-time veteran Mercedes Martinez with James doing guest commentary. This got a lot of time and it was the best match of the show with a lot of grappling and submission wrestling as you would expect with these two.
KO World tag champs, the IInspiration host their first-ever “All About II” with Jai with An I (getting the most out of Jai Vidal). It’s interrupted by their HTK opponents, The Influence–Madison Rayne and Tenille Dashwood with Kaleb with a K, who hijack it to host their show, “All About Me.” Good shenanigans, but I already know the match won’t be as good as the vignettes.
Ace Austin and Madman Fulton defeated Johnny Swinger and Hernandez
“The Inevitable” Ace Austin and Madman Fulton beat Johnny Swinger and Hernandez. A time filler that got Austin and Fulton on TV and got them a win. Nice work for a short match but surprisingly hot angle where the young guys give “SuperMex” a conchairto to the shoulder!! Why you do my mans like that?
He Should Have a Great 2022
A damn good promo from W. Morrissey. Stay in Impact or not, he should have a great 2022.
Main Event: Karl Anderson defeated Heath
To determine the man advantage for the Hardcore War match at HTK, “Machine Gun” Karl Anderson–half of World tag champs the Good Brothers–defeated HEATH. Solid match that surprised me on how one-sided it was. Anderson just handled HEATH and beat him clean. Without any Elite distractions, the Brothers have been looking good.
If you didn’t know there was going to be a fight between the two teams, you must be new to rasslin as the Good Brothers and Violent By Design close the show in a weapons-filled brawl with HEATH, Rhino, Rich Swann and Willie Mack, and Eddie Edwards.
Good show that gave nearly every match a segment, as a go-home show should.
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