You usually find this piece in the middle of the “Final Impact Before PPV” review. The situation is a little different this time because circumstances have changed. Rebellion PPV was supposed to take place right now this Sunday night, at 2 AM BST+1, as I’m writing this piece. Coronavirus changed the game, but not Impact Wrestling’s desire to make it happen. Like I told you earlier this week, we can celebrate the fact Rebellion will not happen on PPV but on TV. And it is so big that one night is not enough to celebrate it properly.

There is a true build-up to this PPV that we have witnessed week after week. Then, we don’t know anything about the Nashville tapings that allowed the PPV and more episodes to be taped. Because nothing is sure, let’s focus on what Impact Wrestling confirmed this Tuesday, the 4 matches that will make the Night 1 of the PPV. Of course, it will be a no-crowd event, like every wrestling show taking place currently. Impact Wrestling survived way tougher than that and trust me when I say this company is definitely Hard to Kill… And The Nygma too…

Impact X-Division Championship Match: Ace Austin (c) vs Willie Mack

Willie Mack put himself next in line for a shot at the X-Division Championship by winning a chaotic 8-man Scramble match recently on IMPACT! Since his tag team partner Rich Swann was taken out of action with an ankle injury, Willie has refocused on his singles career instead of finding another partner. But the X-Division Champion and master of mind games, Ace Austin used Swann’s injury to his advantage. During an interview at Swann’s home where he provided an update on his injury status, Ace sent his goons Reno Scum to attack the former X-Division Champion. These sickening actions have lit a fire under Willie but as we saw during a recent 3-on-1 ambush, the numbers advantage is firmly in the hands of Ace Austin and Reno Scum. Can Willie overcome the odds to win his first IMPACT Championship?

There was no doubt in everyone’s mind Willie Mack was the most serious contender for the X-Division Championship even if he was chasing the Tag Team gold with Rich Swann. Mack’s dedication to the company and the quality of his matches are fantastic. Despite everything Ace Austin and Reno Scum made him go through, he overcame seven other men to become the challenger in this match. All things set, Ace Austin has been a defending Champion despite a raunchy attitude. The worst thing that could happen in this match would be Reno Scum interfering because this bout has everything to become an X-Division classic.

The Nygma’s Crystal Ball says… Willie Mack

Kiera Hogan vs Kylie Rae

“Smiley” Kylie Rae has taken IMPACT Wrestling by storm after scoring the victory in her singles debut on IMPACT! While fans and IMPACT Wrestling officials are thrilled to have her join one of the most competitive divisions in all of professional wrestling, the same can’t be said for Kiera Hogan who told Kylie that it’s not all smiles in the Knockouts division. At Rebellion, these two Knockouts will collide in what is set to be Kylie’s toughest test to date. Will Kylie rise to the challenge or will The Girl on Fire make Kylie’s momentum go up in flames?

The Girl on Fire vs The Smiling Girl… Kiera Hogan has been improving constantly since her debut with the company a little bit more than 2 years ago. Mostly, she added something important to her repertoire, an attitude. Being the bad girl fits her like a glove. So when a newbie arrives and tries to put a smile on her face, Hogan said no. Kylie Rae is a talented wrestler with a positive attitude. When she competed in the gauntlet match at Bound For Glory, the crowd was on its feet. Learning that she signed with the company a few weeks ago was the kind of news that really puts a smile on your face (not on mine anymore, Botox…) Kylie Rae has only had one match on Impact and seeing her win, right on her first PPV, would be a little too much.

The Nygma’s Crystal Ball says… Kiera Hogan, because this feud is just beginning.

Tommy Dreamer, Rhino & a mysterious partner vs oVe (Madman Fulton, Dave & Jake Crist)

The war between oVe and the hardcore legends will continue when the two sides compete in the six-man tag team action at Rebellion. Representing oVe will be Madman Fulton, Jake, and Dave Crist. Opposing them will be Tommy Dreamer, Rhino – and a mystery partner. Who have Dreamer and Rhino recruited to join them in their fight against the heinous group from Dayton, Ohio? 

What could I say about this match? Old School Hardcore Boyz vs New Kids On The Block? You more or less got the right stuff… The ley of the match lies in this mysterious opponent. The obvious answer would be Sabu, to make it ECW till the end. It won’t be Raven as he attacked Rhino at TNA One Night Only Special Episode, even if I could easily see him become the new leader of oVe… Then something unexpected happened this week and left the door wide open for talents to come or come back. Remember, everything is possible in wrestling…

The Nygma’s Crystal Ball says… oVe

Main-event of the night: Sami Callihan vs Ken Shamrock

After weeks of build-up, Sami Callihan revealed that he was the man behind the string of ICU hacking incidents when he interrupted Ken Shamrock’s Hall of Fame induction announcement and threw a heinous fireball into his face. Shamrock and Callihan were then involved in a heated war of words on Twitter which ultimately led to IMPACT Wrestling management stepping in and making the match official. Callihan has claimed that, unlike in other wrestling companies, here at IMPACT! Wrestling veterans like Shamrock don’t get to come in and take opportunities away from the young talent – they have to earn their spot. Callihan has not held back when it comes to playing mind games and it has led Shamrock on a path of destruction. What will happen when The World’s Most Dangerous Man gets his hands on the vile Sami Callihan?

Let’s go back to Hard To Kill… Ken Shamrock injured Madman Fulton during their match, Sami Callihan expressed his angriness. The same night, Sami Callihan lost the World Championship against Tessa Blanchard and disappeared behind the screens. A few weeks ago, Callihan came back when Shamrock was announced as the future Impact Wrestling Hall of Famer and threw a fireball in Shamrock’s face. Callihan is The Draw and decided to use the screens to play mind games with the audience and Shamrock. I honestly don’t know what this gimmick means and where it goes but it is a world of possibilities, and mostly, opportunities. It’s very Solomon Crowe but a more intense way… Sami Callihan has never needed to hide behind screens to show who he is and what he is able of. So, in a ring, against Shamrock, everyone will face the truth, and the only screen we’ll need for that is our TV or computer one.

The Nygma’s Crystal Ball says… Sami Callihan

The night also includes a three-team tag match, pitting The Rascalz (Dez & Wentz) vs. TJP & Fallah Bahh vs. XXXL (Acey Romero and Larry D).

To be eNYGMAtic…

Take care of yourself, stay home, watch more wrestling. I share with you this third video of the #URTHEIMPACT series, all available on Impact Wrestling’s YouTube channel. On this very “Impact Wrestling Are Rebels” note, until Tuesday night, until next review, never EVER forget to stay #eNYGMAtic…

All pics and videos courtesy of Impact Wrestling and AXS TV

By Steph Franchomme

News, Reviews, Social Media Editor, Impact Wrestling Reviewer, Interviewer Well, call me The Boss... And French...

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