Reviews by Dave
By David E Houston II
Show air date: July 1, 2021
For two hours, Impact Wrestling on AXS-TV gets a lot done. This episode featured a huge chunk of the roster in some form and push along a lot of different angles and feuds to give a very good show. The heels were on a rampage all night in what the old guys would have called a hot show back in the day.
Jake Something and Satoshi Kojima defeated Brian Myers and Sam Beale
The opening match was meant to be Satoshi Kojima facing Eddie Edwards but didn’t happen as W. Morrissey shows up on the big screen and informs everyone that he took out Edwards in the parking lot (something alluded to in the “Iceman Intel” segment on BTI earlier) so no match. Morrissey apparently didn’t like Eddie slick-talking him last week and wants to expose no one has any friends in pro wrestling, hence no one had Eddie’s back.
Kojima didn’t get the night off as he was attacked by “The Most Professional Wrestler” Brian Myers and his young protege, Sam Beale. Jake Something makes the save and we got ourselves a tag match and a surprisingly good one. Beale looked really good here in his most high-profile match to date (not only in Impact but this will be on New Japan World) but he still ate that Kojima lariat in defeat.
Rachael Ellering defeated Tenille Dashwood
Rachael Ellering avenged her defeat from a couple of weeks ago, beating Tenille Dashwood (with Kaleb With a K) in a solid match. Ellering had the legendary Jazz at ringside with her this time. Ellering’s estranged tag partner, Jordynne Grace, made the save when Dashwood and Kaleb attacked both women but only when their rivals jumped Jazz, not so much Ellering.
Still, they had a big hug at the end so maybe all is well. Hey Rachael, if Brutus Beefcake calls to do an interview, don’t go.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a heel dump their flunkies/underlings like Knockouts champion Deonna Purrazzo has done with Kimber Lee and Susan and not suffer from it. They must have something big coming up.
TJP and Fallah Bahh vs Rich Swann and Willie Mack
TJ Perkins and Fallah Bahh were set to face Rich Swann and Willie Mack to determine the next challengers for the tag titles but after a few minutes of good action, tag champs Violent By Design laid waste to everyone.
Gia Miller backstage instigating.
Executive Producer, Scott D’Amore tried but failed to avoid first Havok and Rosemary and then Knockouts tag champs, Fire N’ Flava. I like D’Amore’s take on the “on-screen authority figure” as he doesn’t actually want to talk to the wrestlers, unlike all the others that seem to need to cut promos every week or get involved in something.
Chris Bey defeated Petey Williams
The best wrestling match of the show featured “The Ultimate Finesser” Chris Bey beating Petey Williams. Fast-paced, well structured so both guys got to look good but not overly choreographed (showing it’s possible). Huge deal at the end with Bey first deciding to not side with anyone as Ace Austin, Madman Fulton, Rohit Raju, and Shera beat down Williams and then X Division champion Josh Alexander and Trey Miguel as they tried to help Williams.
Probably not liking the way they slick talked him earlier, Bey rushed back in and helps turn the tide. We might be looking at a face turn here for Bey, which would be fine as Impact is very strong heel-heavy.
Steve Macklin defeated Manny Smith
Steve “Mayhem” Macklin got another win, this time over Manny Smith (who had on his red bottoms for his big TV match). Macklin is looking great.
Main Event: The Elite defeated Chris Sabin, Moose and Sami Callihan
The main event saw Moose in another six-man tag match against The Elite–world champion Kenny Omega and the Good Brothers (Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows, wearing Omega’s other world titles this time)–and on a team with guys he can’t stand. This time instead of Rich Swann as it was at Hard To Kill, it’s Sami Callihan and dammit, Chris Sabin again, who now is Moose’s Slammiversary opponent.
The match was very good but the animosity got the best of them this time and they melted down, giving the Elite the opening for the GBs to hit Magic Killer on Sabin. Moose and Sabin clearly can’t get along so they have to get it on (loved that line back in the day). They go to black with the Elite and Don Callis standing victorious and Moose looking on, heated.
Damn good show.
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