Impact Plus monthly special events have shown us they can become some interesting game-changers in the IMPACT routine. From the classic weekly shows and 4 PPVs a year system, we now have a monthly addition when a title can change hands, feuds can find an end or a beginning.
Knockouts Knockdown is everything the name can mean. It’s all about these fabulous ladies that have been making TNA/Impact Wrestling a pioneer when it comes to women wrestling. It started with Tracy, Christy, Gail, Kong, Roxxi. Then Mickie, Brooke, Angelina, Madison, Taylor. And now, Rosemary, Su, Jordynne, Deonna, Jessicka. The company has given each and every one of these ladies a reason to be considered as what they really are, wrestlers. They have put their bodies on the line like men do. They have fought like men do, in the same matches as men. Mostly, they have broken boundaries because that’s what women do.
Two weeks before Bound For Glory, Knockouts Knockdown is the last step before the PPV. Some titles may change hands but, for sure, someone will win a chance to become a Champion… Follow the tired soul of a Nygma, let’s dig into it.
#KnockoutsKnockdown is ONE HOUR AWAY on @IMPACTPlusApp!
Subscribe HERE: https://t.co/IPMBVJ9jnu pic.twitter.com/3XcLh4PR2u
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) October 9, 2021
- A Tribute to Daffney
We opened with Gail Kim and all the Knockouts in the ring together while the male members of the Impact roster and officials were standing outside the ring. They were all wearing a black ribbon with “Daff” written on it around their arm. Gail dedicated the show to all the wrestlers who have passed and welcomed Lexie Fyfe, who was representing the friends and family of Daffney. Lexie introduced a 10-bell salute in honour of Daffney, then led a “Thank You Daffney” chant.
#KnockoutsKnockdown is dedicated to all the women and men who have given their passion and dedication to professional wrestling who are no longer with us today. #ThankYouDaffney pic.twitter.com/SXTlWBm4j1
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) October 10, 2021
Before every first-round match, some videos presented the wrestlers to the fans. Melissa Santos was the ring announcer when Mickie James and Veda Scott were the commentators.
- Knockouts Tournament First-Round Match: Rachael Ellering vs Lady Frost
- Knockouts Tournament First-Round Match: Chelsea Green vs Renee Michelle
- Knockouts Tournament First-Round Match: Mercedes Martinez vs Brandi Lauren
- Knockouts Tournament First-Round Match: Tasha Steelz vs Jamie Senegal
I chose to treat these four matches as a block, same with the two semifinals, just to show you how different these women can be and, together, perfectly represent what the word Knockout means.
Rachael Ellering set Lady Frost in the corner. Ellering cleanly broke it up. Both women exchanged a fist bump. Ellering was back in charge again with another lock-up followed by a shoulder tackle. Ellering hooked Frost’s leg. Both women crashed into each other in the centre of the ring. Frost rolled through with a wheelbarrow. Ellering flew out of the ring. She returned with a nice uppercut. Ellering connected with chops. Frost countered one with a flurry of offence. She looked for an arm drag, but Ellering was quicker and reversed it. Frost cartwheeled out of the way and hit a low dropkick, two spears in the corner, followed by a handstand double knee manoeuvre. Frost continued with a standing moonsault. Ellering missed a pump kick but turned it into a lariat. Ellering hit a spinning leg drop but ate a back kick. She set herself up for a stack-up. Frost then got planted with a spinebuster. Seconds later, Frost flew off the top but Ellering stopped her from another top rope manoeuvre by hoisting her in the electric chair position. Frost got slammed into the turnbuckles. Ellering hit the BossWoman Slam for the win.
Both women tied up. Green outsmarted Renee Michelle with a facebuster onto the canvas. Green took control with a side headlock takeover. Michelle reversed and fell back in line with another side headlock. Michelle pushed Green up towards the ropes. Green rocked her with a shoulder tackle. Michelle threw Green’s injured arm first into the ring post. Michelle connected with a lateral press and continued working on Green’s injured wrist. She tried to pull Green’s arm out of its socket with a codebreaker. Green replied with a pump kick. Both women were down. Michelle hit a low dropkick. Green replied with clotheslines and a jumping enzuigiri but ate a spinning roundhouse kick. Green fired back with a headbutt and the Unprettier for the win.
Mercedes wasted no time hitting some offensive moves. Brandi fought back with a neck snap, a zombie situp and stomped a mudhole in Mercedes. Martinez fought back, kicked Brandi on the middle rope, and hit the OG drop for the win.
Jamie Senegal was wearing Daffney’s favourite colours. Both women traded side headlocks. Senegal unloaded an arm drag and a dropkick. She slid out of the ring and ate a kick from Steelz. Senegal recovered and clubbed Steelz with a flurry of forearms. Steelz dragged Senegal straight into the ring post before throwing her back into the ring. Steelz then held Senegal into a tight facelock. Both women rose to their feet, and Senegal escaped with an enzuigiri. She got caught in the ropes, and Steelz began to bend her in half. Once Senegal returned to the ring, Steelz was waiting and stomped her. Steelz clocked Senegal with a jumping forearm and an uppercut in the corner. Steelz pulled Senegal in the centre to hit another kick and some jabs. Senegal turned it around with a spinning side fist. She launched an arm drag next. Senegal floored Steelz with a Hosaka kick. After some German Suplexes, Steelz countered Senegal with a big bulldog Steelz tried to send Senegal away with a cutter but a blackout crucifix bomb gave her the win.
- Meanwhile, backstage…
Gail Kim told Gia Miller she was impressed with all the new competitors that have come in. They only picked the best of who’s out there. Gia asked Gail who will win the tournament, Gail gave a non-answer.
- IMPACT Knockouts Championship Pick Your Poison Match: Deonna Purrazzo (c) w/ Drama King vs Masha Slamovich
Some early mat wrestling. Deonna had the edge on that front. She wasn’t impressed yet. Masha was still confident and offered one arm. Deonna took the advantage, but Masha powered out of it with a belly-to-belly and a vertical suplex, and Deonna rushed outside. Mickie James was not happy with Rehwoldt’s presence at ringside, but she liked it when he got taken out by a flying Slamovich. Deonna took advantage with a kick.
Slamovich got back in the ring, but Purrazzo was ready to work her left arm. She did it to perfection before Slamovich eventually fought back. Deonna connected with the Koji Clutch. Close to the ropes though, and Masha’s foot found them. Masha landed a spinning back kick and both women were down. Masha had the advantage, hit a knee strike in the corner and a spinning heel kick off the ropes.
Deonna fought out of the suplex attempt, hit a big knee lift, and a Russian leg sweep into the Fujiwara armbar. Masha slid out and hits a Snow Plow. Masha went for the cradle piledriver, Deonna fought out, twisted into a cross arm-breaker, Masha blocked and got to the ropes. Deonna locked in the Venus De Milo, and Masha had to tap. Deonna reigned victorious but Masha had nothing to be ashamed of.
- Knockouts Tournament Semi-finals: Mercedes Martinez vs Rachael Ellering
Rachael Ellering stuck her hand out. Mercedes Martinez accepted it. Ellering dropped Martinez to the mat and locked her in a body-scissors. Back on their feet, Ellering held a standing armbar on Martinez. They traded arm drags. Martinez switched things up with a snapmare followed by a kick to the spin. Ellering regained the advantage with a leg sweep and then a headscissors takeover. Martinez rolled through and landed a wicked slap on Ellering. Martinez connected with two back-to-back butterfly suplexes. On the apron, Ellering looked for a low bicycle kick. Instead, Martinez charged her with a Spear.
They headed back into the ring. After a cover attempt by each, Ellering floored Martinez with a punt kick. On the ropes, Martinez grabbed Ellering and drove her to the canvas with a spinning neckbreaker. After a flurry of forearm smashes, Ellering unloaded a big boot. Ellering flew off the ropes with a springboard leg drop. Martinez landed another near-fall after a spinebuster. Ellering returned the favour, another near-fall followed. Ellering plotted and came up with a BossWoman Slam. Ellering went for the DVD, Martinez answered with a modified Fisherman Buster before locking in a guillotine choke on Ellering. Ellering was nowhere near the ropes. She decides to tap. They hugged after the match.
- Meanwhile, backstage…
Chelsea Green told Gia Miller about her impressive resume, and how you never overlook your opponents. She’s not overlooking Tasha Steelz. Her performance never falls flat, just like her hair.
- Knockouts Tournament Semi-finals: Tasha Steelz vs Chelsea Green
Tasha Steelz dodged a lockup and set herself on the ropes. They locked up. Tasha backed Green in the corner. The referee reminded her to break it up. Steelz taunted for a moment and proceeded to follow the ref’s orders. Steelz went face-first towards the mat with a waist lock takedown. Both women went back and forth with sunset flip pins. Steelz, out of nowhere, stuck her hand out for a shake. The fans told Green not to do it. Back to the action, Green sent Steelz flying with double arm drags. Tasha headed after taking a massive dropkick. Green chased Tasha on the outside. Green soared through the ropes with a dive. She looked for another one, but Steelz stopped her in her tracks.
Tasha landed a jumping knee strike that sent Green into the corner. Both women had the same idea in mind when they crashed into each other with double headbutts. On their feet, Green dropped Steelz on her knee after hitting a neckbreaker. Steelz evaded a leg stomp and turned it into a cutter. Steelz sent Green down with her blackout crucifix bomb. Green found space to hit an Unprettier, but Steelz kicked out. Steelz rolled Green through after Green came off the top with a flying crossbody. Both women were on the ropes. Green was looking for an avalanche Unprettier, but Steelz threw her off. Steelz jumped off with a frog splash for the win.
- Meanwhile, backstage…
Mercedes Martinez told Gia Miller that Tasha’s downfall is her emotion and confidence. Mercedes is an OG and a badass. This legend is going to the top. Mercedes is going to send Tasha back to the pound.
- The new TNA/Impact Wrestling Hall of Famer inductee is…
Christy Hemme made her way to the ring to announce the next inductee into the Impact Wrestling Hall of Fame is Awesome Kong. The ceremony will take place at Bound For Glory in 2 weeks.
Wrestling icon @MeanQueenK will be inducted into the IMPACT Hall of Fame at Bound For Glory. #KnockoutsKnockdown pic.twitter.com/xMDvR06Pc8
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) October 10, 2021
Kong thanked the crowd. She joked about how winded she is coming down to the ring. Kong dedicated this monumental moment to Daffney who, she said, opened so many doors in the Knockouts division. She asked everyone to continue opening doors and breaking barriers in this industry and beyond.
"Do something that opens the door for the next generation cause if not you, who? If not now, when?"
Incredibly powerful words from @MeanQueenK. #KnockoutsKnockdown pic.twitter.com/cfY2OAY3wu
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) October 10, 2021
Before the match…
Taylor Wilde took a moment to reflect on her and Daffney’s first-ever and historic Monster’s Ball Match, but also Daffney’s sacrifices to pro wrestling. Taylor was there in spirit, and so was Daffney.
.@RealTaylorWilde pays tribute to the incomparable Daffney. #KnockoutsKnockdown pic.twitter.com/uOQ3XRb6PQ
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) October 10, 2021
- Monsters Ball Match: Savannah Evans vs Jordynne Grace vs Alisha Edwards vs Kimber Lee
Kimber and Alisha went outside while Jordynne and Savannah faced off in the ring. Savannah connected with the pop-up powerbomb. Kimber git some kicks to Savannah before finding a pool cue. Alisha hit Jordynne with the trash can lid while Kimber wore Savannah out with the pool cue. Kimber emptied out the trash can and threw it inside while Alisha and Jordynne kept going at it. Savannah got the trash can placed around her, Kimber hit it with the pool cue, and of course, Alisha broke it up.
Savannah fell out of the ring. Jordynne got knocked off the apron and Kimber followed her out. She found a chair wrapped with barbed wire to put in the ring. Kimber was sent face-first into the barbed wire chair she placed in the corner. Alisha found Kendra, Kenny the kendo stick’s sister, and a wired Kendra. Alisha wore Kimber out with the 2 Kendras. Alisha put the barbed wire Kendra to the face of Kimber Lee.
Savannah reappeared to exchange strikes. Jordynne placed Alisha and Savannah in the corner to hit some shots. Jordynne hit the Vader Bomb on Savannah. Jordynne found a powerlifting plate under the ring. Kimber hit some kicks to Jordynne Kimber found a bag of thumbtacks she emptied out in the ring. She tried to suplex Jordynne onto them, but Jordynne reversed.
She placed Kimber on the top rope and hit a Muscle buster to Kimber Lee in the tacks. Alisha came back and hit a Downward Spiral. Alisha caught some tacks as well. Alisha got the powerlifting plate, placed it down, set Jordynne up for a DDT, instead, Jordynne reversed and planted Alisha on it. Savannah sent the chalk powder Jordynne brought in her eyes, blinding her. Savannah hit a full nelson slam to Alisha for the win.
- Meanwhile, backstage…
Tasha Steelz applauded Savannah for winning the Monsters Ball. The difference between her and Mercedes is that she’s a tournament winner. She’s going to drag her to Pettyville and knock the hell out of her.
.@RealMMartinez and @RealTSteelz are ready to do battle for this beautiful trophy. #KnockoutsKnockdown pic.twitter.com/FrWRiYLQLR
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) October 10, 2021
- Knockouts Tournament Finals: Tasha Steelz vs Mercedes Martinez
A bit of a standoff to start. Tasha tried to start things but Mercedes put a stop to that. Martinez landed some shots in the corner. She continued with a standing vertical suplex, rolled through into a butterfly suplex, another one, then the Royal Butterfly. Tasha evaded a corner strike and landed some of her own. A hurricanrana sent Martinez into another corner, followed by a Tornado DDT. Martinez fought back and hits a Death Valley Driver. Martinez connected with some fists on the mat. She set Steelz up for the OG Drop but Steelz hits a sunset flip and a cutter.
Martinez missed a kick, Tasha hit a kick she dedicated to Mickie James, then got dropped on the turnbuckle. Mercedes choked her in the corner but was stopped by the referee. Tasha caught Mercedes up on top and hit another hurricanrana. She then hit the Stratusfaction by Steelz. She set up a moonsault but took way too much time so Martinez rolled to the apron. Steelz grabbed a handful of hair. Martinez fought free with a punt kick. Martinez got the upper hand, back into the ring, and hit the OG Drop to win the match, the tournament, the Cup, and a shot at the Knockouts Championship. Gail Kim came down to present the trophy and embraced Mercedes.
Impact Wrestling support Tag Me In, as professional wrestlers from around the world unite to break the stigma and normalize a conversation around mental health. The goal is to empower people to advocate for themselves and support others in doing the same.
IMPACT Wrestling is incredibly proud to support @tagmeinunited – as professional wrestlers from around the world unite to break the stigma and normalize a conversation around mental health!
Visit https://t.co/kUVp9pmwk5 for all the details! pic.twitter.com/cAF3sRR9x3
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) October 10, 2021
- IMPACT Knockouts Tag Team Championship Match: Decay (Rosemary & Havok) w/ Black Taurus & Crazzy Steve (c) vs The Influence (Tenille Dashwood & Madison Rayne) w/ Kaleb with a K
Rosemary and Madison Rayne started things off. Rosemary charged Rayne. She ducked out of the way and took a picture with Tenille. Returning to the ring, she got split in half with a Spear from Rosemary. In the corner, Rosemary bit Rayne’s forehead before sending her to the mat with a DDT. Rosemary tagged in Havok. Havok ragdolled Rayne all across the ring. Rayne evaded out of a Firewoman’s carry and sprinted to her corner to make a tag to Tenille.
Havok grabs a handful of hair and swang Tenille all over the ring. Rosemary was back in for Havok. Rosemary locked in the Tarantula. Kaleb gripped Rosemary’s leg. She started to chase after him, and Rayne stroke her down. Rayne tagged herself in and locked a rear chin lock while driving knee strikes towards Rosemary’s stomach. Rosemary fell to the ground. Rayne made a hot tag to Tenille. Tenille hit a neck breaker. Rayne hung Rosemary in the Tree of Woe. She hit some vicious stomps.
Tenille and Rosemary crashed in the centre with double clotheslines. Both women tagged in their respective partners. Havok laid down some savage offensive moves just before driving her boot into Rayne’s face. Havok tagged back Rosemary in. Rosemary accidentally got sent into Havok. Rayne and Tenille hit a joint manoeuvre, but the referee was too busy checking out what was going on, on the outside. Havok drove Rayne and Tenille into each other, setting up an assisted Spear from Rosemary. Havok hooked the leg for the win.
To be eNYGMAtic…
I refused to do a review that would criticize. An All-Woman wrestling show is so rare. As I was saying on Friday, when is it going to be something normal? Knockouts Knockdown was a show made by women, wrestled by women, refereed by women, commentated by women… But it was a show for every wrestling fan. Man or woman, young or old. Every style of wrestling was shown tonight, hardcore, MMA-style, mat classic, etc. The women who graced the Impact Zone were like all the women of the world. Different bodies, different minds, different personalities. Female wrestlers are like every woman in real life, which made the show amazing to watch because there was a wrestler for each of us to appreciate or look up to.
I LIVE for the moments.
Thank you!! https://t.co/bzuoTWZpSV— Mercedes Martinez (@RealMMartinez) October 10, 2021
In the build-up of Bound For Glory, Knockouts Knockdown was a breath of fresh air. All the talents were amazing, the news of Awesome Kong being inducted into the Hall of Fame is such a good one. Mercedes Martinez is one hell of a challenger, whoever is the Champion at the time she decides to cash in her opportunity. At nearly 41, after 20 years in the ring, it’s time for her to shine on national television and show the world the real ass-kicker she is. For those who ask themselves the question, to understand the Double X in the title, think chromosomes…
What’s next? Two episodes before Bound For Glory, a few press passes and interviews, AXS TV’s Wrestle Week, the countdown to the PPV, and the PPV itself. For the moment, all I know is I will need gallons of coffee to hold on, then…
The IInspiration is coming! #BoundForGlory @CassieLee @JessicaMcKay
BFG tickets: https://t.co/IQZ1hLYRFZ pic.twitter.com/9Byl3DogZt
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) October 10, 2021
Knockouts Knockdown Complete Results:
- Knockouts Tournament First-Round Match: Rachael Ellering defeated Lady Frost
- Knockouts Tournament First-Round Match: Chelsea Green defeated Renee Michelle
- Knockouts Tournament First-Round Match: Mercedes Martinez defeated Brandi Lauren
- Knockouts Tournament First-Round Match: Tasha Steelz defeated Jamie Senegal
- Deonna Purrazzo defeated Masha Slamovich to retain the Knockouts Championship
- Knockouts Tournament Semi-finals Match: Mercedes Martinez defeated Rachael Ellering
- Monsters Ball Match: Savannah Evans defeated Alisha Edwards, Jordynne Grace and Kimber Lee
- Knockouts Tournament Semi-finals Match: Tasha Steelz defeated Chelsea Green
- Knockouts Tournament Finals Match: Mercedes Martinez defeated Tasha Steelz
- Havok and Rosemary defeated Tenille Dashwood and Madison Rayne to retain the Knockouts Tag Team Championship
All pics, videos, and screenshots courtesy of Impact Wrestling, Dan the JOBR and AXS TV. Photocollage custom made by @frenchnygma exclusively for @steelchairmag.