Right here, right now. Happy Day 287 of 2021. Episode 41. Right here, right now. When you’re so close to the end of the road, that road to fame and gold, so it’s time to show what you are made of. Do you want a spot on PPV? So, say it now. Right here, right now. It’s now or never. “Jump in the line, rock your body in time.”
On the menu, this week, from Nashville, Tennessee, Chris Bey will face off Chris Sabin. Rich Swann will fight against VSK. The last X-Division Tournament Triple Threat Match will see The Mack, Rohit Raju and El Phantasmo square off. Savannah Evans and Mercedes Martinez will compete against Lady Frost. A Battle Royal will determine who will enter #1 and #20 in the Call Your Shot Gauntlet Match at Bound For Glory. We’ll also hear from Christian Cage and Josh Alexander as a summit will take place in the ring between the Champion and the challenger. So no more words, let’s get ready for some action, but your French Enygma Steph way, of course…
TODAY IS #IMPACTonAXSTV DAY! pic.twitter.com/yA9DjRhz15
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) October 14, 2021
The Nygma’s Chart of the Week
D’Lo Brown and Josh Mathews were on commentary. On ‘Before The Impact’, Fallah Bahh defeated Hernandez w/ Johnny Swinger & The Swingerellas.
- El Phantasmo w/ Bullet Club defeated Willie Mack and Rohit Raju. Of course, Bey and Hikuleo interfered. ELP will face off Steve Maclin and Trey Miguel in a Three-Way Match for the vacant X-Division title at Bound For Glory.
.@elpwrestling sends @Willie_Mack crashing down onto @HakimZane. #IMPACTonAXSTV pic.twitter.com/nhO4UtLWPV
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) October 15, 2021
- Backstage, Ace Austin, with Madman Fulton, told Gia Miller his business with Christian Cage is far from over and he’s gonna win the Call Your Shot to settle that. He and Madman explained their plan to win tonight and take out the gauntlet from both ends at Bound For Glory.
.@The_Ace_Austin and @FultonWorld have a plan heading into tonight's Battle Royal. #IMPACTonAXSTV pic.twitter.com/4viMBC8eZ5
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) October 15, 2021
- Savannah Evans w/ Tasha Steelz defeated Lady Frost.
.@SavannahEvansNV drops @RealLadyFrost with a boot! #IMPACTonAXSTV pic.twitter.com/WWVbYSimnY
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) October 15, 2021
- After the match, Deonna Purrazzo, with the Drama King, came to pick Savannah Evans as Mickie James’ poison.
.@MickieJames will return to the ring on IMPACT for the first time in 6 years NEXT WEEK as she faces @DeonnaPurrazzo's hand chosen opponent @SavannahEvansNV. #IMPACTonAXSTV pic.twitter.com/jgHR3EvPhh
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) October 15, 2021
- Steve Maclin hyped up his match at Bound for Glory. He discussed that where he comes from, Ribbon chasers are chasing glory and they get people like him killed. He said that he sees the same thing at Impact as people chase the X-Division title for glory but he’s here to achieve more than that.
.@SteveMaclin isn't chasing the X-Division Championship for the glory or the prestige, he wants the title so it puts the target on his back and he can unleash mayhem for all. #IMPACTonAXSTV pic.twitter.com/oOp1lrpjEt
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) October 15, 2021
- Backstage, Gail Kim told Gia Miller how happy she was of Knockouts Knockdown. Decay insinuated themselves in the conversation. Rosemary asked Gail if she really wants to set up their match with the Iinspiration. They were interrupted by a UPS driver who has a letter from Sidney, Australia. Gail had Gia read the note from Cassie Lee and Jessica McKay. They said they’re excited about their match, The Decay said they’re excited to bring their brand of chaos into the lives of The Iinspiration.
"We're excited to come to IMPACT Wrestling at #BoundForGlory where we get our much deserved and hard earned Knockouts Tag Team Championship opportunity." @CassieLee and @JessicaMcKay had a message delivered to @WeAreRosemary and @FearHavok. #IMPACTonAXSTV @gailkimITSME pic.twitter.com/ETM6haiWVO
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) October 15, 2021
- Rich Swann w/ Willie Mack defeated VSK w/ Brian Myers.
.@GottaGetSwann unleashes a flurry of strikes on @isThatVsK. #IMPACTonAXSTV pic.twitter.com/I1AOVJLun4
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) October 15, 2021
- The Swinger’s Palace is officially closed. Everybody was sad.
Sorry, Swinger's Palace is closed. #IMPACTonAXSTV @swinger_johnny @JohnEBravo1st @SuperChrisSabin @SuperMexCTM @MrsAIPAlisha pic.twitter.com/VrVLjMZt28
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) October 15, 2021
- In the Management office, EVP Scott D’Amore welcomed Heath and said this has been a long time coming. Heath said he’s cleared and he’s ready to sign that contract. Scott says it’s finally time, he’s a man of his word and ready to make it official. He handed over the contract but Heath had one more request. Heath said he’s been out nearly a year, he wants his first match back at Bound for Glory to be a tag match with Rhino against Violent By Design. Scott said he’ll give him the match but he’s unsure if Rhino even wants to be his partner. Heath said that’s his best friend, he’ll figure it out. Even if he has to walk in there alone, he asked D’Amore to make the match. Scott said fine and Heath FINALLY signed his contract.
It's been a long road but @HEATHXXII finally has his IMPACT contract.
However he has one more request of @ScottDAmore – Heath wants a tag team match against Violent By Design at #BoundForGlory and he hopes @Rhyno313 will be his partner. #IMPACTonAXSTV pic.twitter.com/fprruR8IqK
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) October 15, 2021
- Chris Sabin w/ FinJuice defeated Chris Bey w/ Bullet Club.
Innovative Rolling Fisherman's Suplex by @SuperChrisSabin! #IMPACTonAXSTV pic.twitter.com/1Yh7hSH7mk
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) October 15, 2021
- Backstage, Trey Miguel told Gia Miller that everyone assuming that this is a game of chances to win the X-Division title at Bound For Glory is wrong because he’s already beat Laredo Kid and Alex Zayne. Alex Zayne cut Miguel off and said there’s a lot of hype behind Trey. He saw it first hand and Trey lived up to some of the hype but Zayne wasn’t fully satisfied. Zayne said don’t get it twisted unless it’s cinnamon boy, because he has not, and will not beat Alex Zayne. Trey said that’s valid and asked if he wants a one-on-one match. Trey said there’s no machine to slow him down here. This is the X-Division, if he wants to step in there with Trey, he has better bring all the Sauce he has.
Looks like @AlexZayneSauce and @TheTreyMiguel are on a collision course. #IMPACTonAXSTV pic.twitter.com/gYD0tc2Mhr
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) October 15, 2021
- The Good Brothers said they got a hot tip from Meltzer saying they’re gonna be the 2021 bookers of the year. They said they’re nine days away from PPV and still have no opponents set. Gallows said don’t make them leave vacation, come back and start handing out Magic Killers. Anderson suggested a match between FinJuice and The Bullet Club to determine their #1 contender.
.@MachineGunKA and @The_BigLG are beginning to become impatient with their lack of challengers at #BoundForGlory. #IMPACTonAXSTV pic.twitter.com/z3S6ekFJqs
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) October 15, 2021
- Battle Royal: Alisha, Moose, Rachael Ellering, Drama King Matt Rehwoldt, Jake Something, Johnny Swinger, Hernandez, Brandi Lauren, Kimber Lee, Tasha Steelz, W. Morrissey, Petey Williams, Black Taurus, Brian Myers, Madman Fulton, Ace Austin, Laredo Kid, Fallah Bahh, Matt Cardona, Chris Sabin, Raj Singh were in.
Sabin, Morrissey and Moose were the last 3. Sabin will enter the Gauntlet Match first and W. Morrissey at #20.
The Learning Tree saved @Myers_Wrestling from elimination at the hands of @TheMattCardona but not from the boot of @RachaelEllering. #IMPACTonAXSTV pic.twitter.com/10YZBYJFUM
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) October 15, 2021
- Minoru Suzuki is coming to IMPACT.
.@suzuki_D_minoru – coming soon! #IMPACTonAXSTV @njpwglobal pic.twitter.com/FrxOgAIbNb
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) October 15, 2021
- Bound For Glory Summit: Josh Matthews was in the ring for the Impact summit to ask Christian and Josh Alexander some questions. Josh said Christian retired with injuries before coming back and asked how satisfying it was to beat Omega for the Impact title. Christian said he knew for a year he would be grinding to come back and it was an internal struggle to return to his talent level from before. He said it was a big deal to come back and be the face of Impact. Matthew’s said anyone can use Option C to give up the X-Division title and asked what inspired Alexander to do that. Josh said the title means a lot to him and signifies his start as a singles wrestler in Impact and defeating Sabin was huge for him. He added it was difficult to let that title go but the prize on the other end is so much sweeter. Matthews asked if he has any regrets for giving up the X-Division championship and he said not a single one.
As difficult as it was for @Walking_Weapon to give up the X-Division Championship, he knows the prize @Christian4Peeps holds is that much sweeter. #IMPACTonAXSTV pic.twitter.com/HvmDexT7YC
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) October 15, 2021
- Matthews turned back to Christian and asked if he sees any of himself in Josh Alexander. Matthews said both men thought their careers were over, due to injuries. Christian said he sees the fire in Josh’s eyes and that he’s been overlooked throughout his career but that’s where the comparisons end. He said no one thinks of this game like Christian does, and that’s no disrespect. Matthews asked Alexander if he sees any of himself in Christian Cage. Alexander said he grew up near Christian and grew up watching Christian which inspired him to one day becoming a champion. He said he’s a huge fan of Christian he says he’s followed his career up to this point and he’s the wildcard because he knows what Christian is planning but Christian doesn’t know what he is.
.@Walking_Weapon and @Christian4Peeps seem to disagree on any similarities between them. #IMPACTonAXSTV pic.twitter.com/lf30L2j3h4
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) October 15, 2021
- Matthews then asked Christian how he’s looking at this match differently and what his thought process is walking into this match. Christian said he’s been on the biggest stages in this industry as both the champion and the challenger. He said Josh has a hard time challenging his emotions. Christian said when you get in the deep waters, it’s sink or swim, and Christian is a pretty good swimmer. Christian said he’s followed Josh’s career at the root of everything he’s a wrestling fan. He’s watched Josh win titles from afar, he knows how dangerous Josh is but there’s a difference between Christian and Josh. He told Josh to act like he’s been there before. Matthews took us to the AEW Fanfest and a question that Christian was asked, to which a fan said Josh Alexander and Christian said I don’t even know who that is. We went back and Christian tried to explain he knows who Josh is and it was just some good-natured ribbing. Josh said he’s done and he has no respect for Christian or his excuses. At Bound for Glory, Christian will lose and this will be done. Josh Alexander stormed off and Christian said he just proved Christian’s point about not being able to control his emotions.
Any respect between @Walking_Weapon and @Christian4Peeps seems to be gone, these two are ready to explode at #BoundForGlory. #IMPACTonAXSTV pic.twitter.com/LrnKvYsVjw
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) October 15, 2021
The Nygma’s Nutcracker(s) of the Week
– Chris Bey w/ Bullet Club vs Chris Sabin w/ FinJuice
They started with a lockup with neither man gaining the upper hand. Sabin got Bey into the corner but Bey wrapped up in the ropes. Both men locked up again and Sabin got a headlock on Bey. Bey shot Sabin off Sabin with the shoulder tackle but Bey kipped up right away. Bey connected with an arm drag to Sabin sending him to the corner. Sabin connected off the top with an arm drag of his own. Both men exchanged arm drags again before breaking up.
El P got on the apron to distract but Sabin took a swing at him. FinJuice and The Bullet club began arguing but the referee kicked everyone out of ringside. Sabin called for a test of strength, Bey connected with a kick to Sabin’s knee and followed it with a knee to the back of the head. Bey hit the ropes but Sabin caught him with a knee to the gut, followed by a suplex. Sabin got Bey in the Tree of Woe and hit a Hesitation dropkick to Bey in the corner. Bey went to the outside as Sabin went for a springboard dive, Bey slid in but Sabin caught himself on the apron.
Bey hit Sabin with a strike on the apron and left him handing over the middle rope. Bey continued with an elbow drop to Sabin, bringing him back into the ring. Bey stomped away at the head and chest of Sabin. Bey lift Sabin up, hit a snapmare followed by an elbow to the back. Bey tossed Sabin into the corner and followed him but was caught in a surprise roll-up. Bey sent Sabin back to the corner again. Bey continued with an elbow to Sabin in the corner.
Bey went to the top and hit a top-rope clothesline on Sabin. Bey got on top of the grounded Sabin and started laying in forearms and punches. Bey called for Sabin to get up, Sabin nailed Bey with a couple of strikes to the head as he slowly got to his feet. Bey lifted Sabin up for a vertical suplex. Bey locked in a headlock in the centre of the ring, Sabin fought out and dropped Bey with an arm drag. Sabin went at Bey in the corner but Bey ducked out of the way.
Sabin hit an atomic drop on Bey. Bey went for a head-scissors but Sabin kicked him right in the face. Bey in the corner and got a boot to the face. Sabin hit a rolling fisherman buster on Bey, then lift Bey up for a fireman’s carry but Bey escaped and hit Sabin with an elbow to the back of the head. Bey got Sabin in a Torture Rack and turned it into a neckbreaker. Bey went for the Art of Finesse, Sabin caught him and rolled him up. Both men got to their feet. Bey connected with a leg lariat to Sabin.
Bey dragged Sabin to the corner and climbed to the top rope. Bey went for a frog splash but Sabin ducked out of the way. Both men clotheslined each other, laid out in the centre of the ring. Both men struggled to their knees and started exchanging forearms. Sabin was back to his feet first and they continued laying into each other with forearms. It turned to a chop battle. Bey went for a kick and Sabin caught him, flipping Bey over. Bey came from the corner and was hit with a jumping enzuigiri, followed by a Cradle Shock from Sabin. Sabin went for the cover and picked up the victory.
The Weekly “Enigma For a Nygma”
Eddie Edwards was not in the Battle Royal despite being announced as a Call Your Shot Gauntlet Match participant…
We had great moments in the Swinger’s Palace… The segment (you can see it above) was really nice and reminded us that those memories will stay in our hearts forever.
The Nygma’s Noticeable Facts/Awards of the Week
– Minoru Suzuki
I’ve never been an expert when it comes to NJPW, something that has never changed with time, but Minoru Suzuki is a Legend. Currently in a kind of US tour (he has recently wrestled for AEW, NJPW Strong, GCW and other indie promotions), he is coming to Impact Wrestling. And it’s huge. If you take a look at Impact Wrestling Twitter, the list of candidates for a match against him is already long. An NJPW trainee, he had been an MMA fighter for 10 years (Suzuki was the co-founder of Pancrase, one of the first mixed martial arts organizations in the world) before competing for NJPW as a freelancer, a status he has always had. After working for Pro Wrestling NOAH and AJPW in his native country and CMLL in Mexico, he came back to NJPW, then returned to NOAH to better come back again to NJPW. In 2017, Suzuki made his first appearance in the United States in 25 years. He has won titles in Japan but also in the UK. I could continue but I think you understood Suzuki coming to Impact Wrestling is just fantastic.
– #TagMeIn
When the wrestling community decides to raise awareness on mental health issues, wrestlers from all over the world are sharing their own difficulties. In the video below and on the ‘Tag Me In’ Official Twitter page, you can see Gail Kim, Moose, Rosemary, Eddie Edwards, Sam Beale, Konnan, Fallah Bahh, W. Morrissey, Deonna Purrazzo, Mickie James, Alisha Edwards, Christy Hemme, Chelsea Green and Taylor Wilde open their hearts. You can be alone even when you have many people surrounding you. You can put a smile on your face and hide a certain reality, not to bother your friends or just because you can’t cope with that reality. So, yes, open your heart, you would be surprised to find out you’re not the only one suffering from anxiety, depression, or panic attacks. All you have to do is Tag Me In.
World Mental Health Day… A beautiful day to UNITE and spread LOVE. Make a video, share it, tag in, tag us and let's normalize a conversation around mental health. To support @NAMICommunicate get a Tag Me In shirt @PWTees ??? #TagMeIn #TagMeInUnited pic.twitter.com/EzDrsSbeac
— Tag Me In United (@tagmeinunited) October 10, 2021
A week before the PPV… There will be a Tag Team Championship Match, so the card is pretty much complete. Expect one or two more matches. Which one(s)?
Also, about the IMPACT Digital Media Championship, John Skyler and Crazzy Steve won their matches last week. This week, Jordynne Grace defeated Johnny Swinger and Fallah Bahh defeated Sam Beale. Next week, Tenille Dashwood will face off Alisha Edwards while Madison Rayne will compete against Chelsea Green. There will be 3 men and 3 women competing for the title at Countdown To Glory.
The matches are available on Impact Wrestling Facebook and YouTube Insiders. They will take part in a 6-way match to crown the inaugural Digital Media Champion on Saturday, October 23, live at Countdown To Glory at 9:30 pm ET (2.30 AM BST).
To be eNYGMAtic…
All pics, videos, and screenshots courtesy of Impact Wrestling, Fight Network, Dan The JOBR, and AXS TV. Photocollages custom made by @frenchnygma exclusively for @steelchairmag.