Which barriers to break? That’s the motto we decided last week to follow in 2020. Think impossible and make it possible, that’s the best way to succeed. Demand the impossible and it can become possible. The squared circle is a place for fighters, dreamers and barrier breakers. Make it happen, and it will happen…
On the menu this week, from Las Vegas, Nevada, Michael Elgin will square off with Eddie Edwards in the fourth match of the Best of 5 Series. RVD will face Daga. And Ace Austin is putting the X-Division title on the line against World Champion Tessa Blanchard. Tessa could become Tessa Two Belts… So no more words, let’s get ready for some action, but your French Enygma Steph way, of course…
The Nygma’s Chart of the Week
- Daga defeated Rob Van Dam. Katie Forbes left the ringside and RVD got distracted by the fact she was not here anymore.
- RVD found Forbes backstage. She was very upset with these “Internet Trolls,” and how they were making fun of her. Joey Ryan came up and said that this is happening to him too. He let them know if they ever need someone to talk to, he’s there.
- Gabby Loren congratulated Knockouts Champion, Jordynne Grace, for successfully defending her title against Havok at Sacrifice this past Saturday. Madison Rayne interrupted and said she is going to find someone to step up against Grace tonight.
- Rohit Raju w/ Shera and Gama Singh defeated Wentz. As Raju was celebrating his victory, a glitch occurred, that caused everything to go down for a few minutes…
We'd like to apologize for these repeated interruptions on IMPACT. #IMPACTonAXSTV pic.twitter.com/MJecYZea4L
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) February 26, 2020
- Ace Austin was determined to retain his X-Division Championship against Tessa Blanchard. He said if he wins, he expects to become the No. 1 contender for the Impact World Championship.
- oVe felt like they are losing everything, including their leader, Sami Callihan. Dave Crist said they need a new leader since Callihan has not been seen since he lost the Impact World Championship to Blanchard at Hard To Kill. Dave nominated Madman Fulton, and Jake Crist strongly disagreed with this.
- Jordynne Grace defeated Miranda Alize to retain the Impact Knockouts Championship.
- Gabby Loren asked The North how they were feeling about the non-title match they’ll have with Fallah Bahh and TJP next week. Ethan Page was ready to go. Josh Alexander said the only thing that matters to him and Page was their reign as tag team champions.
- Havok was looking for Father James Mitchell and Su Yung. Rosemary found her and said she is very disappointed with how unappreciative Havok has been. So, she had a surprise for her. Next week, Havok will face Yung in a No Disqualification match.
- Eddie Edwards defeated Michael Elgin in the fourth match of the Best of 5 series. Both men are tied at 2-2.
- Gabby Loren interviewed Scott D’Amore and Petey Williams about the upcoming event, TNA: There’s No Place Like Home, which will take place on April 3. They were very excited for all the current and former stars to be under the same roof for one night. Moose interrupted and said that he is Mr. “Impact Wrestling.” Petey was wearing his “TN EH!” shirt. He added that TNA is dead, and should stay that way. Williams and D’Amore shot back with insults of their own.
- Because Willie Mack let Swinger down, Glenn Gilbertti and Johnny Swinger were discussing the possibility of becoming a tag team.
- We saw footage of the participants that will be part of the Gut Check Challenge.
- Tessa Blanchard defeated X-Division Champion Ace Austin via DQ when Taya Valkyrie attacked Tessa and laid her down.
The Nygma’s Nutcracker(s) of the Week
– Michael Elgin vs Eddie Edwards – Match #4
This was taped at a Pro Wrestling Revolver event in Dayton, Ohio. They brawled at the bell and Elgin followed with the boot. He then hit a shoulder tackle and strikes. Elgin connected with elbows until Edwards cut him off, hit an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Elgin cut off the dive with the slingshot elbow. Edwards countered back into a fisherman’s buster. He followed with chops, Elgin fired back and dropped Edwards. He followed with elbow strikes and the sliding lariat. Elgin delivered chops, Edwards fired back as they traded until Elgin followed with a uranage. He connected with a slam.
He headed up top and Edwards cut him off. The superplex followed and the Blue Thunder Bomb connected. They worked back up top and Edwards laid in chops, Elgin fought off the backpack stunner and dropped down with a superkick, German suplex and Edwards hit one in return. Elgin battled back. Post break, Elgin connected with clotheslines, Edwards fired back, they traded and Edwards countered the German, hit a superkick and chops. Elgin fired back, they traded again until Edwards hit the Tiger Driver. Elgin countered back, took him up top and Edwards knocked him off. Edwards missed the moonsault, Elgin killed him with a lariat and Edwards crumbled to the mat. Elgin pulled him up and Edwards circled him. He crucified him and the Gedo clutch finished it.
– Ace Austin vs Tessa Blanchard
Ace attacked, but Tessa cradled him. They worked into counters as Tessa hit the draping code breaker. Tessa then cradled him again. Ace then cut her off with backbreakers. Post break, Tessa fired back until Ace cut her off with a spin kick. He grounded things, working a modified bow and arrow into an STF. He followed with grounded elbow strikes and the belly-to-back suplex. Ace followed with strikes, Tessa answered as they traded. Ace followed with the knee strike. He followed with more strikes, Tessa countered back and she delivered strikes and connected with the head scissors and a suicide dive.
Back in, Ace cut her off with a complete shot variation. He grounded her, working the back and keeping control. He choked her out in the corner, delivered chops and strikes but Tessa fired back until Ace cut her off with kicks to the back. The dragon sleeper followed, Tessa fought to the ropes, escaped and followed with strikes and chops. He countered the buzzsaw DDT. Tessa countered the fold, hits a clothesline, a RANA and a DDT. Taya attacked for the DQ.
The not-Nygma’s Moment(s) of the Week
oVe want a new leader? Glenn Gilbertti and Johnny Swinger teaming up? No, please no…
The Lollipop and Baby-Oil Nygmalicious Moment of The Week
Joey with an olive branch to RVD… No, please no…
Super-Penis, Super-Ass and Super-Star?
Are @JoeyRyanOnline, @TherealRVD and @TheKatieForbes a potential Super-Group? #IMPACTonAXSTV pic.twitter.com/oIKA2AUPcl
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) February 26, 2020
The Nygma’s Awards of the Week
– #RealityIsLost
Impact was hijacked again this week. My friends from Talking Impact were able to crack the code that was shown. In two weeks, we’ll know who, what and mostly why…
– Taya Valkyrie
Taya made it very clear when I talked to her not so long ago. She was decided to make history again. After becoming the longest-reigning ever Knockouts Champion, she was targeting the World Championship. Ace Austin failed, she was decided not to let the opportunity be taken away from her and she made it understand to Tessa Blanchard. For the first time ever, two women will compete for the Impact Wrestling World Heavyweight Title. Another barrier ready to be broken…
– The Gut Check Challenge
Last week, I had nothing to tell you about, excepted the story of it. The Gut Check is a true developmental program in which 7 wrestlers will compete to become an Impact Wrestling talent. The show is airing weekly on Impact Plus. Impact Wrestling’s EVP Scott D’Amore and John E. Bravo are the coaches.
To be eNYGMAtic…
Could have been better, but this episode was really about setting stones for the future. A possible new World Champion, possible new Tag Team Champions, feuds in the making, feuds coming to an end, factions on the work, the mysterious #RealityIsLost… Like I told you before, the Elgin-Edwards Best of Series was meant to end this way, with the last match being the decisive one. Then, without these 4 first matches, we would have missed some great wrestling… RVD and Joey Ryan are one hell of a duo, and if I was telling what they are going to become, you would fall off your chair the same way I did.
This is a great time to watch Impact Wrestling. You never know what to expect, who will come up, what will happen. There’s nothing more positive than change, evolution, and even revolution. Over the last few weeks, I have had the chance to talk to Taya Valkyrie, Tessa Blanchard, Jordynne Grace and Madman Fulton. Check our interviews section to enjoy them all. On this “Nygma Has Guts” note, until next week, never EVER forget to stay #eNYGMAtic…
All pics, videos, and screenshots courtesy of Impact Wrestling and AXS TV. Photocollage custom made by @frenchnygma exclusively for @steelchairmag.