Impact Plus monthly special events are back. When you look at the app and realize that the last one was Sacrifice on February 22, you take a moment to think that the COVID has all made us sacrifice a lot. Our freedom to do, watch, enjoy what we love has been literally stomped. Impact Wrestling chose to continue and honour the fact that the show must go on, safely. Every wrestler, referee, Creative, they put themselves in danger just to put a smile on our faces. Wrestling is something all of us love, this is their lives and passion, this is our joy. 
Victory Road is a name that the TNA fans have never forgotten. It was initially the first three-hour pay-per-view card held by the promotion in November 2004. Victory Road, Turning Point, Genesis, No Surrender, Lockdown, Hard Justice, Against All Odds, these names are related to some of the greatest pages of TNA’s history book and they are now opening a new chapter in Impact Wrestling’s history book, in making them Impact Plus special events.
Since the beginning of the year, the company has shown they were afraid to look at their past to build the future. Three weeks before Bound For Glory PPV, Victory Road can literally change the face of the PPV card. What if Eddie Edwards defeats Eric Young? What if Susie defeats Deonna Purrazzo? What if Rohit Raju is caught in his own trap and the mystery opponent becomes Champion? That’s a lot of enigmas for a Nygma, but did I say that was a problem for me? Let’s dig into it. 

The Rascalz (Dez & Wentz) vs XXXL (Larry D & Acey Romero)

An interesting opener for the show as Impact Wrestling’s Tag Team Division is now stacked and on fire. If some may have doubted of the reason why the company signed two big men like Larry D and Acey Romero last year, the recent Wrestle House segments probably lifted them all. If wrestling wouldn’t be what it is without his giants and big men, it currently would mean nothing without entertainers, and that’s exactly who Acey and Larry are (were they finally the ones who stole Cody Deaner’s beers?). When it comes to The Rascalz, three utterly talented, high-flying and innovative young talents, smoke speaks for itself from the Tree House…

The match was announced pretty much last minute but was a good choice for a very large card. This kind of David vs Goliath match can easily be one-sided but that was not the case this time. The Rascalz ate a good load of chops and slams from XXXL, and of course, that hurts. Dez got sandwiched between Larry D and Romero was one hell of a hurtful moment. But thanks to their speed and their ability to surprise their opponents, Dez and Wentz grabbed the win with a beautiful Final Splash. Good choice for an opener, a good match without specific stakes. Yes, Impact Wrestling have a division full of excellent tag teams, but we already knew about that…

Brian Myers vs Tommy Dreamer

Last Tuesday, like two cowboys in the old western movies, they were staring at each other in the hallway. They had no guns but if their eyes could kill… Myers defends himself to be a professional, something he is absolutely not as he lies and cheats to win. Something that a man that Tommy Dreamer can’t stand, of course. The innovator of Violence has been a hero for generations of wrestling fans, a superhero of his own.

If Dreamer started the match pretty well, with a shoulder tackle and a fireman’s carry, Myers immediately took control of the match when he could. If Myers was as professional as he is used to being, Dreamer replied pretty well, got tripped up a good bunch of times. Myers got the win with a vicious lariat but the match was pretty good, in fact, to let think Myers is able to be a professional without being a bad guy. The feud is not over, we’ll talk about it again very soon…

Meanwhile, backstage…

Moose was banging at Management’s door, asking for Scott D’Amore. He wanted to know why he’s wrestling tonight, D’Amore replied that he’s wrestling because that’s what wrestlers do and he will be facing Trey Miguel.

X-Division Championship’s “Defeat Rohit Challenge” Match: Rohit Raju (c) vs Willie Mack

If you read Tuesday’s episode review, and you did it (I know…), you read the list of potential contenders I thought Rohit could have to compete against. Willie Mack was on the list and I was honestly expecting it to walk down the ramp at Victory Road. Rohit needed someone new to compete against, he already defeated Trey, TJP and Chris Bey, so someone else was welcomed. The Mack was an excellent choice because, as a former X-Division Champion, it was the challenge he needed to regain the gold.

The little problem is that Rohit Raju is one hell of a tactician. Willie Mack was at his best, as usual, which put Raju in serious danger to lose. Something that didn’t happen, because Raju got counted out. He voluntarily let the referee count him out so to retain the title. This end kind of spoiled a pretty good match but it also added Willie Mack on the list of Raju’s enemies. Do you smell like me a kind of 6 or 7-Man challenge at Bound For Glory? Would be very funny and Raju would have no choice to face the flames.

Meanwhile, backstage…

Sami Callihan and Ken Shamrock were with Gia Miller. Sami explained he’s in fact trying to get Shamrock back to being the world’s most dangerous man. And that works because they have 45 billion likes on Twitter…

Tenille Dashwood w/ Kaleb with a K vs Jordynne Grace

Tenille Dashwood is back to Impact Wrestling and wants a Knockouts title opportunity. Jordynne Grace has been, as the previous Champion, wants the same. After two decent matches, Kaleb with a K had the brilliant idea this Tuesday to make a third behind Dashwood and Grace. Was it necessary? Tenille won the first, Jordynne won the second. Ok, let’s go for a third match.

Honestly, Tenille Dashwood did a better job in this match than in the previous. Jordynne Grace was put in danger several times but kept the tone pretty high. Grace was able to lock in a sleeper and Tenille tapped out. But Kaleb with a K distracted the referee so that he didn’t see Dashwood tap. Dashwood got back to her feet and hit Grace with the Spotlight Kick for the three-count. I liked this match, but I don’t want either a fourth or a fifth. Unless it’s in a cage…

Meanwhile, backstage…

Motor City Machine Guns explained to Gia Miller that, no matter what, they will remain the Tag Team champions at Bound For Glory.

Unsanctioned Match: Heath & Rhino vs Reno Scum (Luster & Thornstowe)

Finally, after weeks and weeks of requesting a place in the Impact roster, Heath was finally allowed to wrestle in the Impact Zone with his good friend Rhino. We could see Heath has given himself some chances to get noticed, with a video to remember and the hashtag #Heath4Impact. His most noticeable mistake was to steal Hernandez’s money, he really didn’t appreciate and sent Reno Scum for revenge.

The Unsanctioned stipulation was not really necessary as the match was pretty good. Reno Scum distracted the referee once or twice but that didn’t change a lot. I loved the way Rhino was showed as the underdog to let Heath finish the match and get the win. Heath has never been a bad wrestler, he just never had the chance to show he was a good one. If Impact Wrestling is for him the place to shine, you’re welcome, man…

After the match…

Scott D’Amore invited Heath to come to his office on Tuesday as he was happy with the match and his attitude tonight. A little bird is telling me he should not be as happy as he is…

.@ScottDAmore will meet with @HEATHXXII TUESDAY on IMPACT about signing something official with IMPACT! #VictoryRoad #Heath4IMPACT

Subscribe HERE: https://t.co/FVDfVPms3J pic.twitter.com/6Wcpjwc4TU

— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) October 4, 2020

TNA World Heavyweight Champion Moose vs Trey Miguel

To which extent EC3 has been able to insinuate himself into Moose’s mind? If you wanted an answer to this question, you had it. For weeks and weeks, EC3 has made of Moose’s life a living hell, turning him mad, making him doubt of himself and of his entourage. Scott D’Amore chose Trey Miguel as his opponent for the night, someone Moose already defeated. But the circumstances were not exactly the same.

Moose used trey as an example, to show EC3 what he is capable of. Moose unloaded chops, chokes, uppercuts, kicks, stomps, forearms and even a Rock Bottom. Trey collapsed a few times. Nothing could have stopped Moose from winning but one picture on a screen, just a few seconds, was enough to make him lose the match via roll-up. If Moose was excellent because he is, this storyline with EC3 is killing him from the inside.

After the match…

Moose went looking for EC3 outside. He found his title surrounded by candles and was levelled by EC3 from behind. EC3 said there’s going to be a funeral next week.

Alex Shelley vs Karl Anderson vs Ace Austin vs Josh Alexander

One man from the four teams that will compete against each other at Bound For Glory in the ring, and their partners at ringside. Do you think like me? It could only end like on Tuesday night, with a big brawl. The Motor City Machine Guns will have to take care of three teams at the same time on PPV and which teams… The Good Brothers, the unlikely team of Ace Austin and Madman Fulton, and The North, the longest ever reigning Tag Team Champions in TNA/Impact Wrestling’s history. The winner of this match could give a good indication of the possible winners at Bound For Glory.

It was one hell of a match but, as I said earlier, the threat was at ringside. Shelley, Anderson, Austin and Alexander were making an excellent demonstration of their repertoires until the referee got bumped. And chaos erupted. All eight men brawled on the outside, but the referee came back to life and sent the four non-competitors to the back. One wrestler understood it was his time to shine and he did it. Alexander rolled Anderson back into the ring and headed up top with Austin. Alexander shoved Austin back down to the mat, but then Anderson headed up top with him.

Shelley tagged himself into the match and sneaked under Austin and Alexander for the Tower of Doom. Shelley headed up top and connected with a frog splash to Alexander, but Anderson broke up the pin. All four men traded finishers, but Alexander hit Shelley with a double underhook piledriver for the win. I’m not surprised to see Josh Alexander prevail as The North have been more than determined to regain the belts. Look at Ethan Page’s eyes, that is what I call being focused…

Meanwhile, backstage…

Tommy Dreamer wanted to shake Brian Myers’s hand. Dreamer thanked him for the match and tried to bury the hatchet. Myers refused his hand and said he doesn’t respect him and called him a “washed-up has-been.”Dreamer promised he will see the innovator on violence on Tuesday.

Impact Knockouts Championship Match: Deonna Purrazzo (c) w/Kimber Lee vs Susie w/Kylie Rae

Sweet little Susie… Was she going to unveil her tru(c)e face to the world, with the Championship on the line? It seems like only Kylie Rae is not aware of the true nature of her friend. The Su inside Susie has never been closer to come back. I suspected Deonna Purrazzo to try to use this match as a way to help that and so weaken her opponent, three weeks before an expected title match at Bound For Glory. With Kimber Lee by her side, she had everything to let the Undead Bride unleash her power.

Purrazzo was violent, in every sense of the term. She mocked Susie, she attacked her targeting her arm and wrist. When Susie was able to regain momentum, Deonna stroke again, attacking the arm again and again. Deonna was on fire, so obviously decided to make Su out of Susie. Despite a Panic Switch attempt, Susie couldn’t do anything against a double armbar as her arm was already weakened. A title change at Victory Road would have lacked sense. We expected Susie’s true face to be exposed, Deonna Purrazzo did it. Yesterday night, she made no prisoners.

After the match…

It was officially announced that Kylie Rae will compete against Deonna Purrazo for the Impact Knockouts Championship at Bound For Glory. Deonna and Kimber Lee attacked Kylie and Susie, Lee held Rae and made her watch as Purrazzo put Susie’s arm into a chair and jumping onto it. Purrazzo locked in the Fujiwara armbar on Susie’s other arm and viciously wrenched on it as Rae was forced to watch.

Impact World Championship Match: Eddie Edwards vs Eric Young (c)

What to say? EE vs EY, the rematch. Young tried to break Eddie’s leg and made Rich Swann come out of retirement.
Young begged Eddie to bring it on and Eddie replied with a big boot right out of the gate. The action quickly spilled to the outside. Suicide dive by Eddie to the outside that took Young down. Young was split open already as Eddie connected with several headbutts. On the ramp, Eddie went for the piledriver but ate a backdrop instead and hard elbow shots to the back. Young sent Eddie face-first into the ring post and followed up with a knee drop. Back in the ring, Young clubbed Eddie’s back and hit a boot to the face. Eddie connected with an atomic drop, a belly-to-back suplex and hard chops. Young was sent to the corner and got the boot up on a charging Eddie. Young replied with a flurry of strikes. Eddie managed to get some shots in and hit the Backpack Stunner. Eddie looked for a piledriver, but Young drove him into the corner. Eddie went up top, but Young tied him up in the Tree of Woe and pounded on the injured knee.

Out on the apron, Eddie tried fighting back with a couple of headbutts, but Young snatched his knee and dropped it on the edge of the apron. Young connected with another knee drop on the steel steps and rolled back into the ring while Eddie was clutching his knee on the outside. Young attacked Eddie on the outside, kicking his knee into the guardrail. Young slipped back into the ring and demanded the count-out start. Young finally rolled Eddie back into the ring. Hard right hand by Young and he went back to work on the knee with a Russian leg sweep. He continued to work the knee and ankle of Eddie who replied with a jawbreaker and a suplex outta nowhere. Hard right by Young, Eddie fired back. They exchanged shots, Young rocked Eddie with a forearm. Eddie fired up and hit a Blue Thunder Bomb, and another. Eddie looked for the double underhook, but Young hit a TKO. Eddie replied with a superkick,  looked for the Boston Knee Party, but Young hit a neckbreaker. Young went up top and connected with a flying elbow drop.

Young was frustrated, trying to figure out what he has to do to put Eddie away. Young looked for the piledriver, but Eddie hits the backdrop, a hard forearm and the Tiger Driver. Eddie looked for the Boston Knee Party, but Young got the hand up and rolled backwards out of it. Both men went up top. Eddie hit a Blue Thunder Bomb off the top rope.  Going back up top, Eddie went knees first back into the ring. Young went for the ankle lock, but Eddie got out and connected with the Boston Knee Party. Young hit the piledriver and locked in the ankle lock again. Eddie tapped out.
It was violent, it was excellent but, one thing is sure, this is not over between these two. And to be honest, these two have alchemy in the ring like no other. Something we owe to Eddie Edwards, in my opinion, as he is able to make his opponents shine like no one else in this business.

After the match…

Eric Young grabbed a chair and tried to attack Edwards after the match, but Rich Swann came to make the save. Are we going to have a Triple Threat match at Bound For Glory?

To be eNYGMAtic…

I was expecting this to happen, more question marks after than before… The event was great, don’t make me say what I didn’t, but three weeks before Bound For Glory, nothing is set, at all. Will we have a Triple Threat Match for the Impact World Championship? Can the MCMG retain the belts when three other teams are running after them? Who will face off Rohit Raju and try to become the new X-Division Champion? When and where the EC3/Moose feud is going to end?
The next 3 episodes of IMPACT that will lead us to the PPV will be more than decisive. The rest of the card was really good, with no obvious false notes. Can someone give me the address of Dr Ross because this man is making miracles? Rich Swann is nearly back at 100%, with is really a true marvel. 
Victory Road was more a 3-hour special episode than the usual special events, because of the lack of crowd and the fact it was taped. That doesn’t change the fact it was doing good. Impact Wrestling is on fire, Bound For Glory should be pure fireworks.

Victory Road Complete Results:

• The Rascalz (Dez & Wentz) defeated XXXL (Acey Romero & Larry D)
• Brian Myers defeated Tommy Dreamer
• Rohit Raju retained the X-Division Championship by defeating Willie Mack via count-out
• Tenille Dashwood defeated Jordynne Grace, with a little help from Kaleb with a K
• Heath & Rhino defeated Reno Scum in an Unsanctioned Match
• Trey defeated TNA World Heavyweight Champion Moose
• Josh Alexander defeated Karl Anderson, Ace Austin and Alex Shelley when he pinned Shelley, one half of the Tag Team Champions
• Deonna Purrazzo defeated Susie to retain the Knockouts Championship.
• Eric Young retained the Impact World Championship by defeating Eddie Edwards via submission

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