Impact Wrestling presented their debut show last night on AXS TV. The show was treated as the beginning of a new era for the promotion, with a new color scheme, presentation, and a world title change in the main event.
The show was originally taped over the weekend from Windsor’s St. Clair College.
Here are 7 takeaways from Impact Wrestling 10/29:
Sami Callihan Is The New Impact World Champion
- Impact World Championship Steel Cage Match: Sami Callihan defeated Brian Cage (c) – New Champion
Sami Callihan needed a baseball bat and 6 piledrivers to stop the machine but he did it and now he’s the new Impact world champion. Cage arguably came out too focussed on trying to hurt Callihan and get revenge for what the Death Machine did to his wife, Melissa Santos.
The match turned when Cage charged at Callihan, missed and then went headfirst into the steel cage. Callihan would use his baseball bat and multiple piledrivers before finishing the ex-champ off with a piledriver from the second rope for the win.
Tessa Blanchard Confronts Sami Callihan To End Show
Callihan wouldn’t have long to celebrate his title win before being confronted by his bitter rival, Tessa Blanchard. Before Impact could go off the air last night, Blanchard stormed to ringside and confronted Callihan inside the cage. The show would go off the air with Callihan and Blanchard staring each other down.
“World’s Most Dangerous Man” vs “World’s Most Dangerous Manhood” Next Week
Ken Shamrock sounded as though he was going to retire when he cut an in-ring promo this week. He was interrupted by Joey Ryan, however, who told Shamrock he still had “one more mountain to climb.”
“You’re that penis guy!” Shamrock then pointed out about Ryan. He would continue to say he’s a real fighter and Ryan is a gimmick. Ryan then said his dong would tap him out faster than the Gracie choke.
At this point, Shamrock said he has no plans to retire and that he’s putting the whole Impact roster on notice. Shamrock then said if Ryan wants his ankle snapped, he can oblige. They agreed to a match which will take place on next week’s show.
Jordynne Grace To Receive Title Shot?
- Jordynne Grace, Rosemary & Alexia Nicole defeated Taya Valkyrie, Kiera Hogan & Madison Rayne
“Thick Mama Pump” has been a consistently good part of the Knockouts roster since debuting for the promotion a little over a year ago. Based on what happened last night on AXS TV, Grace could be the next in line for a shot at the Knockouts title.
The heel team didn’t exactly work in sync here. On multiple occasions at the end of the match, Taya went to her corner looking for a pin only to find nobody there.
Grace got the pin for her team, rolling up Taya Valkyrie for the win after Taya was not able to tag out.
Ace Austin Defeated Eddie Edwards In A Street Fight
- Street Fight: Ace Austin defeated Eddie Edwards
The rivalry between X-Division Champion Ace Austin and Eddie Edwards continued this week. Austin loaded up his arm sleeve with a steel plate just as we have seen him do in recent weeks, and then put Edwards through a table for the win.
Austin has been referring to himself as the “XXX Division Champion” and has evidently begun a new film career or something along those lines.
Rich Swann & Willie Mack Moving Up The Tag Team Rankings
- Rich Swann & Willie Mack defeated Desi Hit Squad (Rohit Raju & Raj Singh) w/ Gama Singh
Former X-Division Champion Rich Swann and Willie Mack have been a formidable tag team in Impact Wrestling as of late. They defeated the Great Gama Singh’s Desi Hit Squad this week. Josh Matthews would question on commentary if we are looking at a future tag team championship team.
Naomichi Marufuji Defeats Josh Alexander Of The North
- Naomichi Marufuji defeated Josh Alexander w/Ethan Page
Marufuji dropped his match to Michael Elgin at Bound For Glory but took advantage of this opportunity to get a win against Josh Alexander of the North. Marufuji would get the win with Sliced Bread Number 2 but after the match, Alexander would opt not to shake his hand.
Quick Results:
- Naomichi Marufuji defeated Josh Alexander w/Ethan Page
- Jordynne Grace, Rosemary & Alexia Nicole defeated Taya Valkyrie, Kiera Hogan & Madison Rayne
- Rich Swann & Willie Mack defeated Desi Hit Squad (Rohit Raju & Raj Singh) w/ Gama Singh
- Street Fight: Ace Austin defeated Eddie Edwards
- Impact World Championship Steel Cage Match: Sami Callihan defeated Brian Cage (c) – New Champion
Next Week:
- Ken Shamrock vs Joey Ryan
- Moose vs Willie Mack
- Michael Elgin vs Fallah Bah