Which barriers to break? Be the trend when no one is expecting you to. Find your spot back at the top of the business, a spot you should have never left. Remind that if you were an MVP of the game, you have never stopped being it. Convince the lost sheep to join the herd. Don’t try to grow, just explode in the eyes of the world. In fact, stop trying, just be yourself.
On the menu this week, from Nashville, Tennessee, Crazzy Steve will face off Dave Crist. TJP and Fallah Bahh will square off XXXL. Two first-round matches of the number one contender tournament are set, Rhino vs Ace Austin, as Ken Shamrock is unable to compete, and Michael Elgin vs Sami Callihan. The Mack will defend the X-Division Championship against Johnny Swinger. And Moose will face off Suicide in a rematch of last week for the TNA World Championship. 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

Josh Mathews and Madison Rayne were on commentary this week.

• Ace Austin defeated Rhino to advance to the semi-finals of the tournament. Austin used a chair to distract Rhino and the referee. He will face Hernandez in the semi.
• Josh Mathews sat down with TNA World Heavyweight Champion, Moose. Mathews discussed Moose’s match with Suicide last week. These two will have a rematch for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship tonight.
• Backstage, Tasha Steelz was greeted by Kiera Hogan. Hogan was impressed with Steelz’s match last week and offered her some guidance.

• Crazzy Steve defeated Dave Crist w/ Jake Crist and Madman Fulton. Joseph Ryan was watching from the ramp. After the match, Madman Fulton cornered Dave and asked him where his head was at. Jake Crist pulled Fulton off of Dave Crist. Fulton believed that he’s better than both of the Crist Brothers. He announced that he quits oVe.
• At the Bar, Rosemary was having a little chat with a devilishly dressed Mr. Mundo. Johnny E. Bravo came in. The tension between the two of them was at its peak. Love is in the air?

• TJP & Fallah Bahh defeated XXXL (Acey Romero & Larry D).
• Moose defeated Suicide to retain the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.
• Michael Elgin had a few words to say before his match against Sami Callihan tonight.

"I remember a time when Muhammad Ali said he would be the greatest boxing heavyweight champion and you hated it.

I remember a time when Conor McGregor said he was going to be the best fighter that there ever was and you hated it.

Just like me." #IMPACTonAXSTV @MichaelElgin25 pic.twitter.com/mhZlzPIB4n

— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) May 20, 2020

• Backstage, Johnny Swinger was getting ready for his match against Willie Mack. Chris Bey came in and wished Swinger luck on his match, while also reminding him to teach Mack a lesson on how he treats others. Swinger said that he and Bey will celebrate if he wins.
• Willie Mack defeated Johnny Swinger to retain the X-Division Championship. After the match, Swinger was upset and kept the fight going. Chris Bey ran down to the ring and helped Swinger with his attack on Mack.

• In Canada, The North were hanging out and celebrating their last two victories. Josh Alexander was not feeling it. Cody Deaner crashed their party. He challenged The North next week at The Deaner Compound for their Championship Titles. The North accepted his challenge.
• Michael Elgin defeated Sami Callihan to advance to the semi-finals of the tournament. He will face Trey in the semi.

The Nygma’s Nutcracker(s) of the Week

– Michael Elgin vs Sami Callihan
Michael Elgin headed towards Sami Callihan right at the bell. Callihan kept moving out of the way. Elgin grabbed Callihan’s left leg, the one the ankle of was injured during his match against Ken Shamrock. Callihan slapped Elgin. Callihan followed it up with a chop. Elgin ran the ropes and got caught by Callihan, who pushed his fingers into Elgin’s eyes. Elgin got dropped on his head by a DDT. Callihan connected two pump kicks on Elgin. On the outside, Callihan slammed Elgin face-first into the ring post. Callihan started to target Elgin’s elbow. Elgin countered and kept putting more damage on Callihan’s ankle. Elgin scored another kick towards Callihan’s ankle.

He kept the momentum going by slamming Callihan’s leg into the ring post. Callihan dodged another slam towards the ring post. Back from the final break, Elgin wanted Callihan to give him his best shot, before slugging him down on the mat. Callihan rolled Elgin up in a crucifix pin, Elgin rolled out of it. Callihan connected another pump kick. Elgin then landed a superkick. Callihan took Elgin down with a strong clothesline. Callihan sidestepped and sent Elgin to the floor. Callihan dove towards Elgin on the outside. In the ring, Callihan connected a big throw on Elgin.

Elgin countered with a takedown and slammed all his weight on top of Callihan’s ankle. Elgin continued to go after Callihan’s leg with a dropkick, then slammed his knees first onto the mat. Elgin locked in Callihan’s damaged leg in a half crab. Callihan got his hand on the bottom rope. Callihan found his stability again with a suplex. Callihan looked for the Cactus Special, Elgin countered, Callihan rolled him up with a sunset flip, then a Buckle Bomb. Callihan rolled Elgin up, Elgin rolled out and landed a back elbow. Elgin connected with the Elgin Bomb for the win.

The not-Nygma’s Moment(s) of the Week 

Chris Bey and Johnny Swinger are the most unexpected evil duo I’ve ever seen for a while… Then, when you really want something, you will do anything, even sympathize with a 1990s devil…

The Lollipop and Baby-Oil Nygmalicious Moment of The Week The Knickers And Turtleneck Moment of The Week

I said, cancelled! And I’m not the only one… Yep, Tesla’s boss himself.

Shot. Fired. ? https://t.co/Rg6efwLWmU pic.twitter.com/Pp5NcFI4m7

— Joey Ryan (@JoeyRyanOnline) May 19, 2020

The Nygma’s Noticeable Facts of the Week

– Ace, Trey, Big Mike and Hernandez
Here are the final four. One of them will become the #1 contender for the World Championship. Excepted Ace being a former X-Division Champion and Hernandez a former multiple-time Tag Team Champion, none of these wrestlers have been Impact World Champions before. But are they going to compete for the Impact title or the TNA one? That’s another question…

– Back to The Compound
Impact Wrestling love compounds, a place where a lot of magic has already happened in the past. With The North and Cody Deaner stuck in Canada, making this title match in Cody’s favourite place is extremely clever. We can expect next some great cinematic orchestra, what Impact Wrestling have always been extremely good at. Then, who will be Cody’s partner? Another question we will find out the answer of next week.

– Sami Callihan
He was not 100% and it made me sad. He deserved to go further in this tournament and try to regain what he should have never lost. Then, if Elgin was able to destroy Shamrock, we talk about The Draw and if Callihan wants to make a living hell of Elgin’s semifinal, he will do. He even promised it.

– AfterShock
Every week after Impact, Jimmy Jacobs and Impact Wrestling’s Executive Vice-President Don Callis are welcoming you for a new show called AfterShock to “re-make the match” (only French soccer fans could understand this one… ) They welcomed the Demon Assassin and Taya Valkyrie for 20 minutes of fun and wrestling last week. The former XXX-Division Champion Ace Austin was their guest of the week. I share it with you this time again, but it is the last!

To be eNYGMAtic…

This episode was very good because it focused on action. And good action it was. There were some promos but they were not as prominent as usual, so the show was a blast to watch. No cinematic orchestra, the third factor of the magic recipe but some was teased for next week.
This week, the teasing had a sense with the possible partnership between Kiera Hogan and Tasha Steelz, Joseph Ryan interested in Madman Fulton, Fulton quitting oVe, and the unexpected alliance between Johnny Swinger and Chris Bey. More than ever, Impact is the show to watch. The lack of crowd and the current pandemic situation seem not to affect the Creatives’ work and this incredible ride they have set together, with the wrestlers and Executives. I will scratch your ears and eyes with that even if you have enough of it. Spread the word, make Impact trend more, be the participants of their undeniable rise back to the top.
More than ever, take care, stay home unless you really have to go out, wear masks, and watch wrestling. On this “Nygma Is Free – Day 9 – And It’s Not True Freedom” note, until next week, never EVER forget to stay #eNYGMAtic…

All pics, videos, and screenshots courtesy of Impact Wrestling, Basil Mahmud, and AXS TV. Photocollage custom made by @frenchnygma exclusively for @steelchairmag.