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Impact Wrestling Reviews

The Final IMPACT Before “Slammiversary 2021” – IMPACT – July 15th, 2021 Special Edition Review

BySteph Franchomme

Jul 17, 2021 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Right here, right now. Happy Day 196 of this year 2021. Episode 28 of the year 2021. Days before Slammiversary: 2. Here we are, it’s Slammiversary time. Our world is ready to change, again. I now have no big words or special sentences for you. Like you, I will wait for time to tell… Right here, right now, this week is the final IMPACT before Slammiversary. And we know what it means…
On the menu, from Nashville, Tennessee, Tenille Dashwood and Kaleb with a K will team up against Rachael Ellering and Jordynne Grace. Havok will face off Tasha Steelz. In a Battle of The Hosses, Fallah Bahh will compete against Joe Doering, Willie Mack and Doc Gallows. Moose will square off with Hernandez. Trey Miguel, Petey Williams, Chris Bey and Josh Alexander will team up against Ace Austin, Rohit Raju, Madman Fulton and Mahabali Shera. Of course, I’ll review this episode, but I will use it as a platform to preview the PPV and give you my predictions, I hope with this Nutcracking spirit you love so much. So no more words, let’s get ready for some action, but your French Nygma Steph way, of course…

The Nygma’s Chart of the Week

Many hype videos on ‘Slammiversary’ matches I chose not to relate here (you’ll find them in this review). On ‘Before The Impact’, Chris Sabin defeated Johnny Swinger w/ Hernandez and The Swingerellas.

  • Rachael Ellering & Jordynne Grace defeated Tenille Dashwood & Kaleb with a K. Nice underwears, Kaleb…

  • In Scott D’Amore’s office, Deonna Purrazzo was hesitant to sign her title contract without knowing who her opponent is. D’Amore assured her she needs to sign this in case she loses her title. That way, she can use her rematch clause. “I know sometimes things around here get to be a little bit of a hot mess but Slammiversary is truly going to be iconic. We’re in Nashville here… might be a little hardcore country.” She decided to sign it. As D’Amore walked away, Purrazzo asked him one more time. He replied with “No Way Jose” and walked away. Tommy Dreamer stuck his head in and said No Way José isn’t the person. Dreamer wished her luck ahead of her title match.

  • Havok w/ Rosemary defeated Tasha Steelz w/ Kiera Hogan.
  • Backstage, Kimber Lee was waiting for Su Yung to get out but Susan did. Susan said everything went exactly according to plan. Kimber asked about Father James Mitchell, but apparently, Su Yung won’t be coming back. Susan always knew about Su Yung, and she tossed Kimber into the room with a scream.

  • Steve Maclin decimated Kal Herro. After his match, he sent a warning. He said the worst thing you can do is give him time because all he does is prepare and wait. He’s come to Impact pretty prepared, but he’s done waiting.

  • Backstage, Rosemary and Havok consulted with Crazzy Steve and Taurus. Rosemary said they need Havok to fully join the group. There’s just one person being capable of bonding the two of them, and he’s here tonight. Entered James Mitchell, who apologized for being late. He wanted to get the show on the road, Havok said she’s ready and they headed out.

  • X-Division Champion Josh Alexander, Petey Williams, Trey Miguel and Chris Bey defeated Ace Austin, Madman Fulton, Rohit Raju and Shera. Chri Bey Finessed everyone when he attacked Fulton and Shera with a chair, then Alexander and Trey before running off.
  • Backstage, Brian Myers walked up to Hernandez, he wanted to recruit his assistance against Jake Something but Hernandez wasn’t interested. But Myers did see someone else off camera to who he offered the same thing.

  • Brian Myers headed to the ring with Sam Beale. He said it’s his duty to be a man of his word and invited Jake Something out to the ring. Something came with Matt Cardona. Myers asked if he thinks this is fair. Cardona told Myers to be a man of his word. Myers called Jake a professional, but that doesn’t mean he’s a star or ever will be one. He mocked the plain black trunks and unkempt beard of Jake, and his premature grey hairs. Things broke down into a brawl, Jake hit a Cactus clothesline to drop Beale. Cardona hit the Unprettier on Myers, but here’s Tenille Dashwood hitting a hell of a NutCracker to Cardona. They stomped Cardona down, then posed.
  • Backstage, Matt Cardona wanted to make sure Myers was a man of his word but it turns out Myers is the same man he was 18 years ago when they met and he hasn’t talked to Tenille in years. Scott D’Amore was here, he made Brian Myers and Tenille Dashwood vs. Matt Cardona and a female partner of Cardona’s choice, and again D’Amore said Slammiversary will be a hot mess.

  • Moose defeated Hernandez w/ Johnny Swinger. After the match, Sabin attacked Moose and targeted the knee.
  • Joe Doering defeated Fallah Bahh, Willie Mack and Doc Gallows. Their Tag Team partners were all at ringside.

The Nygma’s Noticeable Fact(s) of the Week

– Are You Team Callihan or Team Omega?

Before choosing who you are supporting, ask yourself a simple question. Last week, Josh Mathews described one of them as a “Sickest Son of a B*tch.” So, ask yourself now who fits Mathews’ description the best… You could be surprised…

– Ultimate X-Division

If Chris Bey is ready to team up with someone else, it’s with Chris Bey. Forgot the Faces vs Heels classic duel. While they will all be brawling, Bey-Bey will have already outfinessed them all…

– Outfinessed, nutcracked…

Lesson #1 of the episode, the betrayal. You hit where you want, when you want, with what you want. But make sure of the effect of surprise. Matt Cardona, Kimber Lee, Petey Williams or Kaleb with a K really didn’t see it coming…

– What’s next?

Lesson #2 of the episode, having fun. Our world is ready to change, again, and Scott D’Amore is decided to let us think Chelsea Green, the former Iiconics, Mickie James but not No Way José are making their debut/comeback at Slammiversary. Our Ledge didn’t miss a word of that segment. And if he tells you that will be hot, I believe him…

Impact Wrestling’s Slammiversary Preview, Stakes and Predictions

Slammiversary has been becoming the moment when the time changes after it changed somewhere else. Impact Wrestling is rebuilding itself in the ruins of an Empire. The year to come is made of that fresh blood that debuts or comes back at the PPV. I don’t see Impact Wrestling as the Elizabeth Bathory of wrestling, but that’s not that wrong. In a matter of a year, most wrestlers said the X-Division is now the most important title of the company. The World Championship is wrapped around Kenny Omega’s head or waist or arm. He wears it, poses with it, but he is not defending it, he is not respecting it.

Quite strangely this time, we haven’t heard of AEW or anything coming from them. Omega and Callis are alone with their brilliant ideas. But thinking is not always what you need more in a ring. Sami Callihan would defend the Impact Wrestling house whatever happens. And that is scary. If no one could deny Kenny Omega is one, if not the best wrestler today, he has never met an angry Sami Callihan in the Impact Zone. Think Jack Nicholson in Shining…
Talking about this match only would be an insult to the IMPACT roster because, if you look at the rest of the card, it’s 100% Impact Wrestling. Ultimate X, Knockouts, Four-Way Tag Team match, new talents. Who is going to get out of the wood? You can tease every possible free agent, some names seem more recurrent than others. What we know is TJP is not going to be there and that’s a… Bahh.

 

Like I’m used to saying, every Impact Wrestling PPV is a do-or-die one. The COVID have made Impact Wrestling an even bigger place than it was before. Talents are knocking at the Management’s door to come. The Impact Zone is the place to be yourself. Tonight, the crowd is finally back in the arena after 17 long months…
I will say what I’m used to saying, I genuinely want a PPV like Impact Wrestling can do, with good, great and awesome matches. What I absolutely don’t want is to tell you, on Sunday night, “I told you” or “I saw it coming”. Let’s scrutinize this card and see what may happen (my crystal ball is already on hospital mode)…

* Countdown to Slammiversary – IMPACT Knockouts Tag Team Championship Match: Fire ‘N Flava (Tasha Steelz & Kiera Hogan) (c) vs Havok & Rosemary

Since the Championship was relaunched, Tasha and Kiera haven’t left a lot of space for others challengers. They lost it to Rachael Ellering and Jordynne Grace, but just three little weeks. This time, they seem to have found some strong and Undead opponents who could stop their reign. Rosemary and Havok are both former Knockouts Champions, some essential elements of this company. They defeated Fire ‘N Flava members in singles matches. Unless Cassie and Jessica were showing their noses, I don’t see any reason for the title not to change hands.

The Nygma’s Crystal Ball says… And new, Havok & Rosemary

* Brian Myers & Tenille Dashwood vs Matt Cardona & ???

Despite an injury, Matt Cardona has been waiting to put an end to his longtime feud with Brian Myers. The addition of Sam Beale in the equation is one thing but it’s not the thing he was expecting, Tenille Dashwood. Unable to find a tag team partner in the Knockouts Division, she had the balls to ask Myers if she could help him. If I very often criticize her in-ring qualities, NutCracker wise, she blew me off. Of course, everyone is expecting a Hot Mess to team up with Cardona but she only has one arm available to wrestle. Because of that, this story is not meant to end tonight…

The Nygma’s Crystal Ball says… Myers & Dashwood

* W. Morrissey vs Eddie Edwards

A PPV without Eddie Edwards would not be a good PPV. Mister Anything Is Possible went through peritonitis during the last set of tapings, and here he is, back on track and ready to wrestle Godzilla. W. Morrissey is impressive, absolutely, he can defeat 3 men at the same time. But he will have to compete against the heart and soul of Impact Wrestling. A man who has never stopped to surprise us. When I reviewed my first Slammiversary four years ago, he was teaming up with his wife Alisha against his former Wolves partner Davey Richards and his now ex-wife Angelina Love. Mr and Mrs AiP tasted what hardcore is. We have seen what it has made of them…

The Nygma’s Crystal Ball says… Eddie Edwards but via DQ

* Chris Sabin vs Moose 

The Pillar vs Super Pillar match. We had spent long months waiting to know if Moose would stay or go. After his “travel” to the land of Narrative, he came back different, with a new mindset and some new moves in his repertoire. Moose’s one and only goal has become the Championship belt, take it away from Kenny Omega’s waist to wrap it around his. Moose is one of my “Fab Four,” I’ve said it many times, he earned to wear that gold. But here comes Chris Sabin. A TNA Original and the absolute record man when it comes to the X-Division. No one has been able to equal his 8 title wins and 17 Ultimate-X appearances. Despite some injuries, Sabin has remained a standard to follow. We all know Moose is never better than on PPV… The choice is difficult…

The Nygma’s Crystal Ball says… Moose

* IMPACT X-Division Championship – Ultimate X Match: Josh Alexander (c) vs. Petey Williams vs. Trey Miguel vs. Ace Austin vs. Chris Bey vs. Rohit Raju

A picture can be worth a thousand words. When it comes to the Ultimate-X, it’s true. This match is gruelling, the falls from the top of the structure are destructive. Ace Austin and Trey Miguel experimented with it once when Bey, Raju and Alexander did not. Petey Williams won that match twice and took part in it 5 times. I will be mean but those matches are a part of the history of the company. Williams is not the same man now. He remains the Master of the Canadian Destroyer, and my favourite “Oh Canada” singer. The stakes are huge, Ace Austin has Madman Fulton and the Super X Cup with him when Rohit Raju has Shera. Chris Bey has been extremely opportunistic. Josh Alexander offered us with TJP a fantastic Iron Man Match. Damn, I hate to choose…

The Nygma’s Crystal Ball says… Alexander or Bey, with the Austin’s X-Cup threat…

* IMPACT Knockouts Championship Open Challenge Match: Deonna Purrazzo (c) vs. ???

I won’t do Deonna’s resumé on Impact Wrestling again, because she already did it better than me, but who will come and try herself against The Virtuosa? It won’t be No Way José, that’s clear, but Mickie, Chelsea, Jessica, Cassie, Taylor, Su… In wrestling, everything is possible…

The Nygma’s Crystal Ball says… And still, Deonna Purrazzo, but don’t forget the IMPACT after the PPV…

 

* IMPACT World Tag Team Championship Four-Way Match: Violent By Design (c) vs. Rich Swann & Willie Mack vs. TBD & Fallah Bahh vs. The Good Brothers (Doc Gallows & Karl Anderson)

It would be Fallah Bahh’s first PPV on IMPACT and TJP won’t be there… I may have an idea on who could come to replace him, that would add some spice to the match, but what a match it is on paper… If Swann and Mack both won gold as singles competitors, they haven’t had a lot of time to show they can do it as a tag team, thanks to EY and friends. The Good Brothers have spent more time protecting the back, not to say the ass, of Kenny Omega than chasing a gold FinJuice took away from them. Impact Wrestling here are doing a great effort not to show the lack of clients in the Tag Team Division by creating some new ones. The fact is EY, despite being injured, Doering, Deaner and Rhino have been as good as manipulative and that works.

The Nygma’s Crystal Ball says… and still, Violent By Design

 

* IMPACT World Championship No-DQ Match: Kenny Omega (c) vs Sami Callihan

My lack of appreciation for Kenny Omega equals exactly my excess of passion for Sami Callihan. I’m honest. Omega has not been a true reigning and defending IMPACT Champion, as we could expect. What Don Callis has had to do to get rid of some of his opponents is devilish and shows how Omega can lack confidence. On the other side, Callihan is oozing confidence. He has legitimately become a pillar of the company when he decided to put his heart, soul and body at the service of Impact Wrestling. Just because he loves wrestling and Impact Wrestling. Omega may have the One-Winged Angel for him, I’m not sure he knows the kind of animal Callihan is. Now, the management added a No-DQ stipulation to the match and Omega probably has more friends than Callihan (Good Brothers, Callis, The Elite…). Like Rich Swann rightfully said, when you think you hurt him, Callihan will get up and stare at you with a maniacal smile. Because this match is about bringing the belt back, I think he will find himself some unexpected friends.

The Nygma’s Crystal Ball says… Do I have to tell you what you all know?

To be eNYGMAtic…

It was exactly what you can expect from a Fallout episode, the tension increasing, feuds at their maximum, the company did an excellent job with this episode. I already told you so much I think there’s no need to tell you more, mostly when I’m so late (yes, I fell asleep on my laptop)… Don’t miss the Slammiversary review on Sunday night. You can watch This is Slammiversary documentary below. Impact Wrestling will tap some new episodes soon, still from Nashville but with a crowd. Next week, I have no clue what’s going to happen, who will be the Champion. I will be taking some well-deserved rest, that’s all I know.
What could I add? I talked to Matt Cardona, Gia Miller and Rohit Raju not so long ago, enjoy these interviews. Follow me on @FrenchNygma and react to the reviews and interviews. Every like, every word is gold. On this very “Nygma is Team Impact Wrestling” note, until Slammiversary, until I come back, never EVER forget to stay #eNYGMAtic…

 

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

By Steph Franchomme

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

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