Reviews by Dave
By David E Houston II
Show air date: July 22, 2021
After a BTI which featured Trey Miguel and Petey Williams beating the OVW team of Tony Gunn and Kal Herro in a good match, Impact Wrestling on AXS-TV put forth a good follow-up show to Slammiversary. They were also building up to their own Homecoming Impact Plus special on July 31, New Japan’s Resurgence show on August 14, and NWA Empowerrr on August 28.
Chris Bey defeated Rohit Raju
“The Ultimate Finesser” Chris Bey got the best of a man he has a sorted history with, Rohit Raju (with Shera), in a very good match to start the show. Great back and forth action with both looking for a win as both are former X Division champions and looking to challenge for the title again. He bumps into “Switchblade” Jay White in the back who invites him to join Bullet Club. Hm. I wonder how that plays out (not really but…kayfabe).
James Offers Purrazzo a Chance
TNA Original Mickie James makes her return to Impact TV, again offering Knockouts champion “The Virtuosa” Deonna Purrazzo a chance to be at the all-women NWA pay-per-view Empowerrr. Before things get out of hand as they did at Slammiversary, Gail Kim comes out and calms the situation with Purrazzo finally accepting. Impact did some good business for the NWA here.
Something, Cardona, and Green defeated Myers, Beale, and Dashwood
Jake Something, Matt Cardona, and “The Hot Mess” Chelsea Green defeated “The Most Professional Wrestler” Brian Myers, his young boy Sam Beale and Tenille Dashwood (with Kaleb With a K) in a mixed six-person tag match. Good TV match. We saw the return of Taylor Wilde to Impact TV, helping Green overcome the outside interference of Kaleb. Beale cost them the match and he cost Myers Tenille, as she’s no longer going to be his partner at Homecoming.
Edwards and Morrissey Brawl in Parking Lot
Still hot about how things ended at Slammiversary, Eddie Edwards challenged W. Morrissey to see him in the parking lot. Morrissey accepted and a good brawl broke out. Now at the Homecoming special, they fight in a Hardcore match. They’re really getting the best out of Morrissey.
Great Promo Segment with Switchblade
Great promo segment with the debut of New Japan NEVER Openweight champion “Switchblade” Jay White, first talking up his title match with David Finlay of FinJuice at the Resurgence show on August 14 and then facing off with the Super Elite–world and world tag champions Kenny Omega and the Good Brothers (Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows).
Impact doesn’t normally do talking segments this long but they had a lot to push forward for at least two different companies and it was all well done.
The Brothers start a beatdown on White, who is saved by Bey. Next week, they all settle it in a tag match, White’s Impact TV debut. Omega shaded X Division champion “The Walking Weapon” Josh Alexander. Yes, please. Make this happen.
FinJuice defeated Ace Austin and Madman Fulton
“The Inevitable” Ace Austin and Madman Fulton tried to shake off some tag team ring rust but ran into former Impact and IWGP tag champs, FinJuice–Finlay and Juice Robinson–who got the W. Another good TV match.
I loved Raju and Shera coming out to beat down FinJuice after, based on their alliance with Austin and Fulton and FinJuice beating Shera and Fulton at Slammiversary.
Good segment with Rich Swann and Willie Mack as they face Violent By Design next week. VBD chose to not wait for next week.
Main Event: Decay (c) defeated Fire ‘N Flava
for the IMPACT Knockout Tag Team Championship
In the main event, Decay–Havok and Rosemary–successfully defended their KO tag titles against former champs, Fire N Flava–Kiera Hogan and Tasha Steelz. Size against speed and size won again in a good main event.
Another fast-moving, well done two hours.
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