Right here, right now. Happy Day 26 of 2021. Hard To Kill is now behind us as we are taking the Road to Rebellion. There will probably have 2 or 3 pit stops until April 24, the first being No Surrender. And for the first time ever, an AEW’s tag team will try to grab the IMPACT World Tag Team Championship belts out of the shoulders of an IMPACT team. A little bird is telling me if it’s the first time, it might not be the last, whether for Impact Wrestling or AEW. Right here, right now. My head is far from empty of all the questions marks the most recent shows have suggested. 
On the menu this week, from Nashville, Tennessee, Matt Cardona will team up with Josh Alexander against Ace Austin and Madman Fulton. Eddie Edwards will square off with Brian Myers. Tenille Dashwood will face off Rosemary. Kiera Hogan and Tasha Steelz will celebrate their Knockouts Tag Team Titles win with a Fire ‘N Flava Fest. We’ll also hear from Matt Hardy and Private Party. 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

D’Lo Brown and Matt Striker were on commentary. 

• IMPACT World Champion Rich Swann kicked off the show. He said that his whole life, he wanted to become a pro wrestler. He knew at an early age he would become a World Champion. Now, that dream has paid off. He didn’t realize as the top champion, he’d have many targets on his back. He called Tommy Dreamer out to the ring. He wanted to face Dreamer for the IMPACT World Championship at No Surrender for his 50th birthday. Before Dreamer could answer, Sami Callihan came out and objected to this. He talked about his representation as head of IMPACT until Chris Bey came out. Bey is also celebrating his birthday (25th) at No Surrender, which should result in a title shot. Moose came out, reminding Swann of his promise of a shot. Swann interrupted and stated that Moose now needs to go off of his time. They all brawled, Willie Mack ran out and helped Dreamer and Swann clean the house. Bey, Callihan, and Moose made their way up to the ramp. ICU effect, the arena went dark. Lights on, Ken Shamrock was standing in the centre of the ring. Moose and Shamrock had Swann and Mack cornered with a foot choke.
• Backstage, Swann, Dreamer and Mack told Gia Miller they wanted a match against the four. They rushed to Scott D’Amore’s office. He informed them that Scott Steiner wasn’t available, but someone else was. And they were all happy to see him…

Who has @ScottDAmore lined up as @THETOMMYDREAMER, @Willie_Mack and @GottaGetSwann's partner in the main event? #IMPACTonAXSTV pic.twitter.com/NhYATeO5YA

— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) January 27, 2021

• Matt Cardona & Josh Alexander defeated Ace Austin & Madman Fulton.
• Backstage, Rohit Raju was asking a mysterious person his help to be three steps ahead in his X-Division Championship match next week.

Who is @HakimZane talking to?! #IMPACTonAXSTV pic.twitter.com/9bo8dy6Dd7

— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) January 27, 2021

• AEW’s paid advertisement.
• Backstage, Matt Cardona and Josh Alexander met Brian Myers. He questioned why Alexander settled for his Jannetty in Cardona. He big-leagued them and walked away. He was dubbed “Bad Mood Brian” as he made his entrance.

.@Myers_Wrestling is bemused that @Walking_Weapon teamed with @TheMattCardona after Alexander turned down Myers' recent offer to team up. #IMPACTonAXSTV pic.twitter.com/ksdwJvi0Bm

— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) January 27, 2021

• Brian Myers defeated Eddie Edwards via DQ when Eddie bit Myers. Edwards made his way backstage bloodily happy while Myers seemed shocked by the way the match ended.
• Backstage, Kiera and Tasha were talking about the party, revising any last-minute changes before their big party tonight. Johnny Swinger appeared dressed as Tarzan, the ladies looked at him and said no

Looks like the Fire 'n' Flava Fest is in trouble… #IMPACTonAXSTV @RealTSteelz @HoganKnowsBest3 pic.twitter.com/uJ80u6hS7l

— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) January 27, 2021

• Backstage, Matt Hardy congratulated himself for his guidance of Private Party to the title opportunity. Hardy talked about putting a bonus out if Private Party can claim both the AEW and Impact World Tag Team Champions.

More matches and more wins equals more money for @MATTHARDYBRAND and Private Party.

Will Private Party become the second greatest tag team in existence? #IMPACTonAXSTV @Marq_Quen @IsiahKassidy pic.twitter.com/69LRKP9Tyz

— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) January 27, 2021

• Rosemary w/ Crazzy Steve defeated Tenille Dashwood w/ Kaleb with a K, despite Tenille using Kaleb’s camera bag to KO Rosemary.
• Backstage, Acey Romero was happy Larry D is free from jail but Larry was extremely mad about being framed. Rosemary and Crazzy Steve made their way to the back after her match. They poked fun at Larry D. Larry D clocked Crazzy Steve in the face.

.@legendoflarryd is a FREE MAN! #IMPACTonAXSTV @THEACEYROMERO @WeAreRosemary @steveofcrazzy pic.twitter.com/kW1jgPNWwD

— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) January 27, 2021

• Backstage, Fire ‘N Flava found Johnny Swinger, who was holding on to the wad of cash that kept getting exchanged between them, Swinger and Fallah Bahh. The ladies invited Swinger and his girlfriends, Bahh and John E. Bravo, to their party. But not Fallah Bahh.
• Backstage, Deonna Purrazzo, Kimber Lee and Susan celebrated their unladylike ending to last week’s match. Jordynne Grace and Jazz interrupted their discussion. Susan took it upon herself to challenge Jordynne Grace to a match next week.

.@realsuyung wants to face @JordynneGrace NEXT WEEK. #IMPACTonAXSTV pic.twitter.com/05zu8ULyW3

— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) January 27, 2021

• Party time with MC Lish, John E. Bravo, referee Brandon Tolle, Johnny Swinger and the Swinger ladies. Kiera Hogan and Tasha Steelz said it feels so good to call themselves the new Knockouts Tag Team Champions. They asked their friends if they’re ready to get this party started. John E. Bravo was the only one who clapped back. It seemed like no one was having a good time. The food was not great, cheese was still in the wrapper and the bread was smelling weird. Hogan and Steelz thought maybe it’s time to pop the champagne. They were mad that it’s the wrong brand. They went on to bash their guests. All of a sudden, the Marshmallow Man arrived. They went down to greet who’s underneath the costume. They thought it was Fallah, it was Nevaeh. In the ring, Havok greeted the tag champs. Hogan and Steelz ran out of the ring. MC Lish announced Havok and Nevaeh as winners of Fire ‘N Flava Fest.
• Backstage, Chris Sabin and James Storm were having a beer, talking about where they should go next. Sabin thought they should gun towards the Impact World Tag Team Championship. Storm agreed.

.@SuperChrisSabin and @JamesStormBrand are still pursuing Tag Team gold. #IMPACTonAXSTV pic.twitter.com/ehZoTA5uA7

— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) January 27, 2021

• Backstage, Kiera Hogan and Tasha Steelz were extremely mad about Havok and Nevaeh interfering at their party. Brandon Tolle felt ripped off and asked Fire ‘N Flava a refund.
• Joe Doering w/ Eric Young and Cody Deaner defeated Cousin Jake. After the match, EY and Cody attacked Jake.
• Tommy Dreamer, Rich Swann, Willie Mack and Trey Miguel defeated Moose, Sami Callihan, Ken Shamrock & Chris Bey when Trey pinned Callihan. After the match, Callihan and Shamrock were not ok with the result of the match. Shamrock floored referee Brandon Tolle and applied the ankle lock.

EXCLUSIVE: @ShamrockKen completely SNAPPED attacking officials and @TheSamiCallihan after IMPACT went off the air. #IMPACTonAXSTV pic.twitter.com/yZmbH7pVBK

— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) January 27, 2021

The Nygma’s Nutcracker(s) of the Week

– Matt Cardona & Josh Alexander vs Ace Austin & Madman Fulton

Josh Alexander went right for the go-behind on Madman Fulton as the match starts. Fulton pushed Alexander off to get a tag out to Ace Austin. Alexander powerslammed Austin back-first onto the canvas. Alexander looked for a tag from Cardona. Cardona and Alexander sent Austin and Fulton out of the ring. Alexander threw Cardona on top of their opponents right before the commercial break.

Fulton had Alexander up with a side slam. He tagged out to Austin again. Austin put Alexander in a headlock right away. He rolled him over with a snapmare. Austin controlled the waist of Alexander, dragged him over toward his corner, and tagged in Fulton. Fulton pressed down on Alexander’s throat with a foot chokehold. Fulton charged towards the corner with a hard body press. Alexander landed a big right hand to tag in Cardona.

Cardona ran right in with a textbook dropkick on Fulton. He flew over the ropes with a big splash. Cardona with a cover but Fulton slid right back in to cover for Ace. Alexander ran in to save Matt from a choke in the corner. Fulton smashed his elbow on Alexander. Cardona surprised Alexander by gaining the pinfall victory when he hit the Radio Silence on Fulton.

The Weekly “Enigma For a Nygma”

The noise of a no-crowd… They tried that in France with soccer matches, on TV you hear the fans even if they are not in the stadium. The very few people in the stadium are more silent and cold than Bernie Sanders at Presidential Inauguration Day but, when you listen to your TV, it seems like your living room is stacked with cheerleaders on fire. Not Nygma…

The Nygma’s Noticeable Facts of the Week

– Girls know how to party… And how to crash one…

Not a lot of guests, bad food, not the right drink, the Fire ‘N Flava Festival was not a success… until Havok and Nevaeh brought it their unique swing. Of course, it was meant to happen because Kiera and Tasha “stole the belts” at Hard To Kill. Here comes a war that began a while ago and he’s not ready to stop yet…

 

– Hannibal Edwards or Eddie Lecter?

Eddie Edwards is the first to confess that, when Sami Callihan hit him with the baseball bat three years ago, he gave him a chance to reinvent his character and give him new layers. Eddie went mad multiple times, he befriended with a kendo stick, he danced with the different devils the company would put on his road, he turned hardcore. This time, after a Barbed Wire Massacre that was obviously synonymous with blood, well, it seems he started to like that… That shocked Brian Myers, ok. When it comes to me… I would be shocked if they turned Alisha into a kind of Buffy the Vampire Slayer…

 

– Trey Miguel, on his own…

Dez, Wentz and Trey left Impact Wrestling as a stable. If Dez and Wentz found another ring to welcome them, Trey decided to stay home and continue the path he has started on his own. Of course, it’s a new “man” who made his way to the ring this week. But this man is able to compete for every Championship, face off every wrestler in the roster. Well, welcome back, Trey.

And it feels so good ? @IMPACTWRESTLING https://t.co/xixKBAkLJn

— Trey Miguel (@TheTreyMiguel) January 27, 2021

– No Surrender

Yes, both Chris Bey and Tommy Dreamer were born on February 13… But Rich Swann offered a World Championship match to Dreamer only… We also learnt that Private Party will compete for the IMPACT World Tag Team Championship in an Impact Wrestling ring when they wrestle The Good Brothers for the belts. Expect more matches to be announced in the next two weeks…

To be eNYGMAtic…

If the show was better than last week, the flood of promos nearly put aside some good action in the ring. Cardona and Alexander seem to have a good future in the Impact Zone. Tenille is unable to get rid of Rosemary, despite her cheater’s tricks. Myers and Edwards did a good match despite a surprising bloody end. I expect Violent by Design to continue their work on Cousin Jake until he joins the stable. The 8-Man main event is the kind of match when you are prohibited to blink because the action is everywhere. It was a nice way to welcome Trey back.
Then, once again, what’s next? This supposed AEW-Impact Wrestling crossover is really something that puzzles me and has changed my perception of the show for the last few weeks, what you may have noticed in these reviews. I won’t ask for clarity every week but it seems more than ever necessary.
On this “Nygma Is A Poor Lonesome Cowgirl” note, until next week (if I want), take care, stay safe, watch wrestling, and 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.